February i, 1890.] Supplement to the "Tropical Agvkultnvist," 
-•nto Europe from the Bast (probably through Egypt), 
and now occurs throughout the whole of Europe and 
America. It is larger than C. Oryza, but superficiay 
almost ex aotl like it ; it is, however, without the 
ight coloured spots on the elytra (I have never noticed 
these spots in Oeylon specimens) * * * * *. It is said 
to be entirely oonflned to granaries, attacking wheat, 
rye, and maize, and requires a considerable amount of 
heat for its development. 
The weevil fouud in India and Oeylon in rice, wheat, 
Indian corn, &c, is the Calandra oryza of Linnseus. 
The female inseot makes a hole in grains with her 
jaws and lays one egg in each grain. " The egg which is- 
very small (0'5 m. m) is translucent and elongate 
It is deposited at the bottom of the hole, and the 
space above it is then filled in with particles of grain 
gnawed into fine powder." 
The larva (fig 2) is soon batched, and eats its way 
into the heart of the grain. It is a thiok and fleshy 
grub not unlike those found in dung heaps, &c, except, 
in size." When full grown it is only 1*5 m. m. to 3. m 
m. in length. The grub is apo lous or legless, obtuse 
and white in colour ; the head is chestnut coloured. 
The segment behind the head and the caudal extre- 
mity are furnished with a few small bristles." 
" The larva transforms into a papa (fig. 3) within 
the grain without making any perceptible opening." 
The perfect insect (fig. 1.) is a small dark brown 
beetle as all my readers are aware. " The head is pro- 
duced into a rostrum, slightly curved and marked with 
coarse longitudinal furrows, composed of somewhat 
irregularly disposed pits." 
(To be continued.) 
INDIGENOUS FOOD PRODUCTS— CULTI- 
VATED AND WILD. IV. 
By W. A. De Silva. 
Guttiferce. 
7. Garcinia cambogia, Sin. (Gorake) a tree with 
entire evergreen leaves having an acid taste. The stem 
exuding a yellowish gum resinous substance when 
wounded. This plant is dicecious, having staminate 
flowers in one tree and the pistillate on another, 
and is found growing throughout the Island. The 
parts of the fruit are used as a food material. The 
fruits when fully developed are about the size of an 
orange and are marked with distinct ridges pro- 
minently seen. It is of a red or light red colour 
when ripe, and sometimes we have varieties having a 
pale white-coloured fruit. The fruit may be divided 
into two principal parts : one, the rind or the pericarp 
which is of an acid character having a gummy resinous 
substance pervading through. The carpels found inside 
are generally five or more in number, of a whitish or 
pink colour and succulent. This part of the fruit is 
edible and is of a strong sour taste, having a little 
sugary matter. Though this part is edible and more 
favourable when compared with the pericarp, still it 
is of very littlo economic value. 
The other part, the outer portion (pericarp) is col- 
lected when ripe, and after separating into parts from 
the furrows is dried in the sun and smoked so as to 
preserve it longer. This is commonly known as Goraka, 
and is used throughout the Island as a condiment in the 
preparation of curries, &c, and serves the purpose of 
tamarind in India to a more or less extent. Another 
use found for the dried and preserved kinds of the 
Garcinia is in the pickling of fish, in order tp preserve 
them better. This is used in large quantities. It 
has the tendenoy of preserving the fish in a good 
state when used with salt for a longer period. 
The stem of this tree produces a fairly good timber 
for various purposes. The bark and leaves are used 
medicinally, both internally and externally, for con» 
stipation and inflammations respectively among the 
native medical practitioners. 
8. C, Tomentosum, Sin. Kina. — There are several varie- 
ties of kina, some of which yield a good timber used for 
cart building, The variety C. Tomentosum is a hardy 
tree growing in the dry regions of the Island. They 
generally grow on sandy tracts. The leaves are dark 
green and leathary, with prominent net veins. As a 
food product it is not of much value, except for the 
berries which when ripe have a good taste, and are 
gathered and used in localities where the trees are 
abundant. The fruits are round and little bigger than 
peas. They are pale green when young, but when 
ripe have a yellowish colour. The outer covering is 
very thin and husky, and the inner portion next to 
the seed is pulpy. The bark of this tree is used in 
medicine for dislocations and swellings. 
4> 
TREATMENT OF CATTLE. 
It is more than surprising that during the recent 
epidemic of cattle disease, attention was not called to 
the report of the Cattle Commissioners of 1869. The 
enquiry was evidently one carefully conducted, and 
by men well-qualified for the work they undertook. 
A large number of cases were carefully watched and 
treated, and many postmortems performed, before any 
opinions were expressed or suggestions put forward 
A pamphlet by Mr. John Capper, who acted as Secre- 
tary to the Cattle Disease Commission, entitled "Cattle 
Treatment in Health and Disease," is well worthy of 
perusal by cattle owners, as being mainly ' a con- 
densed reprint of the opinions and recommendations 
of the Cattle Disease Commission.' The writer makes 
the opening statement that the predisposing cause of 
disease among cattle in Oeylon may be traced to 
poverty of condition, and great absence of care. The 
changes of weather dur'ng certain seasons of the 
year are so sudden and great as to render it im- 
possible for man or beast to bear exposure with 
impunity, and special care during such seasons must 
not be neglected. The condition of cattle-pens since 
1869 does not seem to have improved one whit, for 
it was only a month or two ago that tho acting 
