308 
THE TROPICAL 
AURICIJLTUEIST. 
[Nov. ], 1898. 
That muuh could be done to remedy this state of 
affairs goes without saying, and it is to be di.plored 
that so large an industry snffers from want of 
syatematic arrangement, which would go far to re- 
duce the evils complained of, if nut to abioluiely 
eliminate it altogetlier. It is propo^ed to give a 
short list of local timbers in nse in Ceylon, with 
iheir local names add.-d, as in th it country the 
native name is more generally applied than the 
scientific. 
Magnoliace^. 
N. 1. 3IicheUa nitar/irica, Zonk. " Flora Brit. 
India," vol. i., p. 44. Singalese — fVal-Saim. 
This is a purely hill species, and is rarely found 
below 4,000 feet altitude, and not over abundant. 
It is demand owing to the neatness of package 
it affords and beauty of wood. 
No. 2, Illichelia CJia>iipaca,L. " Flora, Brit. India,' 
vol. i, p. 42. Singalese — {^apii. 
An introduced species, found chie6y in gardens, 
where it was probabily introduced many years ago 
for the sakf) of its highly scented fiawera which are 
used as offertories at Budhist:c shrines. The wood 
is greatly prized, and only occasionally found in 
nse for tea-boxes, for which it is far too good. 
Anonace^e. 
No. 3. Ci/athoca!i/x zei/laniciis, Ohamp. " Flor. 
Brit. India," vol. i,, p. 53. Siugaleje -Jppalla. 
Fairly abundant pl.uit, and found through most 
of the wet forests in the western and Sabar.igamuwa 
provinoes, from practically sea level to 2,000 feet. 
It is a favourite wood, as it grows very straight, 
and only branches high up, so that it is easily 
worked. 
No. 4. Xi/lopia pai-iilfolia, Hook f. and Thorns. 
" Flora Brit'. India," vol. i., p. 84. Singalese— jVf'uiou. 
Like the last, is a wet forest plant; common, but 
not particularly abundant. It is, perhaps, more 
common in the Gillimali country, at the base of 
Adam's Peak, than further to the east. It affords 
a nine, clean-looking wood, but is not in very high 
demand, as it is said to be too heavy. 
GUTTIFEH*. 
No. 5. Calophi/lluiii tovicntomm, Wight " Flora 
Brit. India," vol. i., p. 274. Singalese— A' iiia. 
A hill species, and a favourite wood for building 
purposes in general, and occasionally used for tea 
boxes, but unsuitable on account of weight. A 
beautifully marked wood and very durable. 
DlPTEROCAllPACE.E. 
No. 6. Doona conr/estiAora, Thw. "Flora Brit. 
India," vol. 1., p- iti2. Sini^alese- TtHii/a. 
A large tree, and found growing gregariously in 
many of the wet forests of the island. It affords a 
timber much like cedar in appearance, light, and 
easily worked, and, therefore, is in great demand. 
No. 7. Vateria acuminata, Hayue. ''Flora iirit. 
India," vol. i., p. 313, Singalese- //«/. 
A large handsome tree, widely distributed in tha 
western, southern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces, but 
rarely found above 3,000 feet altitude or out of the 
very wet limits. The wood is in great demand as 
it is very easily worked, light, and lasting. This 
tree runs some risk of becoming destroyed altogether, 
as the natives strip off the bark from young and 
old trees, to assist in stopping fermentation in toddy, 
for which purpose it is freely used, to the destruct- 
tion of the tree. The fruit is also eaten, so that 
the tree has many vital enemies to its existence. 
Malvace*. 
No. 8. Bomhax malabancion, DO. " Flora Brit, 
India " vol. i., p. 349. Singalese — Katu-imhul. 
An 'enormous tree, scattered over the greater part 
of the west of Oeylon, up to 2,500 feet, above which 
it becomes verv scare. It is found in the dry 
districts towards the south, where it attains a 
stem circumference of 15 to 18 feet. Owing to its 
great lightness and the neatness of box turned out 
from the wild cotton tree, it is a great favourite 
and commands a good price. The natural repro- 
duction of the tree is not good, so that in Us wild 
state the tree stands some risk of being very much 
over-worked. 
No. 9. Culknia exceha, Wight. " Flora Brit. 
India," vol. i., p. 3.j0. Singalebe— A'a/u-6orfa 
A common tree in all the wet forests up to 4,000 
feet, and occasionally a gregarious plant. It bai 
only of late years come into favour as a tea-cbesC 
wood, and bids fair to become popular, as the 
timber is light and easily worked, and rather pretty. 
SlMABCBACEf. 
No. 10. Ailantus malabarica, DC. " Flora Brit. 
India," vol. i., p. 51S. Singilese— I(W-fci7Jifi or 
Kuinbalu. 
A large lofty tree, bat found in no great abun- 
dance. It yields a very soft wood, and is easily 
worked. In parts of the Kegalla district the local 
carpenters pass o£f a gooi deal of this wood as 
wild cotton, so as to secure a aale for it, owing 
to the popularity of the latter species. 
Bi;bsku.ice«. 
No. 11. Canarium geylanictim, Bl. '' Flora Brit. 
India," vol. i., p. 532. Singalese— A'e^itna. 
A very large forest tree, and found chiefly on 
rocky ground on the wet zone, up about 2,000 feet. 
Very common in ouitable pUcea in the western 
province, especially iu the Pisdun Korah The wood 
is very light, and easily worked, but is so soft that 
it decays very quickly. The bark contains a pun- 
gent, balsamic lesin that is said by tiie natives to 
be a valuable specific against snakes, if burned in 
a house. The seeds are eaten, and iu flavour are 
nut unlike walnuts. 
Meliace£. 
No. 12. Melia diihia, Cav. " Flora Brit. India," 
vol. i., p. 545. Singalese— LHiiu-i<(irfrf<;/a. 
A large and conspicuous tree, with crowded hi- 
pinnate leaves that form tuft-like terminations to 
the long thin branches. It is not a tree of very 
general distribution in Ceylon, as it seems to prefer 
certain soils, out of which it does not flourish. It 
is cultivated in the Eegalla district both by natives 
and Europeans, and, owing to its rapid growth, it 
is a favourite. The wood is in very great demand, 
both for its suitability for the making of out-riggers 
for native boats and for ceiling boards, and also 
tea boxes. It is light in weight, easily worked, and 
durable. This wood has been tried for fuel par- 
poses, but is not found to be a success as sucn. 
The cultivation of Lunu-midella is profitable, as 
in eight years the tree attains sufficient size as to 
be saleable. 
No. 13. Cliickrassia tahuhins. A.. Jaaa. " Flora Brit. 
India," vol. i., p. 568. Singalese— //u/nn-Zuct. 
A moderately large tree, bat not common. It has 
been used a tea-box wood, bat is not adapted to 
this purpose, for which it is much too good, owing 
to its weight. It is a very ornamental wood, and 
suitable for carving. 
No. 14 Cedrehi senata,'Royle. '' Flora Brit. India," 
vol. i., p. 561. 
This is an introduced timber tree, and is known 
as •' Red Toon." Its introduction has been quite of 
recent years, and its success has been somewhat 
questionable, owing to the young plants being sub- 
ject to the attacks of a "borer" that quite destroys 
the part attacked, and often the whole tree. The 
wood is a favourite tor tea chests, and at one time 
was largely imported into Ceylon for '.this special 
purpose. 
OliAClNEfi. 
No 15. Lasianthem apicaJis, Thw. " Flora Brit. 
India," vol. i., p. 581. Singalese — Urukannu. 
A large handsome tree, the young leaves of 
which have a conspicuous coppery hue, and highly 
polished upper surface. It is abundant in parts of 
the western province, and ascends to a considerable 
altitude in the wet zone. The wood is not in great 
favour, chiefly because of its weight, but while it 
can be obtained easily, carpenters readily buy it 
for local use. 
Trimen gives Uruhouda, Vnieta, and Kosveiiua as 
further native names, but it is more generally 
known by the name given above. 
