' ( ;5 ) 
Among the plants which ilowered during the year for the first time may be noted : — tSaraca 
dedinata, Leea sanffuinea, Passi/lora Waisoniana, Tristillateia australasica, Euadenia eminens, 
Erantheiivum velutinum, CMorocodon Whitet, Pavetta madagascariensis, Ipomcea Briggsii, Asy stasia 
fia,va, Gynura sarmentosa, Ruellia affinis, Araucaria Coolcii, Eupliorhia heterophylla, Lagetta 
' lititearia, Garludovica ensiformis, Smilax officinalis, Xixjliidium JioriJmnduni, ^chmea calycula- 
ia ; and of Orchids : — Galeandra iOevoniana, Epidendrum aloefolium,E. Stamfordianum, Calanthe 
Regnieri and G. Sanderiana, Vanda teres, V. Hookeriana, Goelogyne cristata, Dendrohium Loivii, 
D. litiiifiorurn, D. Gassiope, Lcelia grandis, Gattleya eldomdo, G. Mendelii, Bifrcnaria atropur- 
pwea (?), Arundina densijiora, Dendrochihtrn filiforme, Miltonia Weltoni, Cycnoches chlorochilum, 
Rodriguezia frag ram, R. Candida, Oncidium splendidiun, Plialoiaopsis Esmeralda, Plocoglottis sp., 
Gypripedivm Haynaklianum, G. Sedeuii. 
Lahelling. — This has been steadily persevered with, a writer being employed throughout the 
whole year. Most of his woi'k has been writing labels for the plants in pots (several thousands), 
orchids, aroids, ferns, &c. Nearly all the wooden tallies formerly used have now been supplanted 
by neat tin labels, black, with the names in white paint. 
Race-course Ground. — The forest of weeds covering this was cleared oft' and burnt early in 
the yeai", but by May it had largely grown up again, and a second clearance had to be made. This 
nearly exhausted the small sum of money at my disposal, and I was unable to make a much-needed 
third clearance before the end of the year, though the rains caused a heavy growth to again spring 
up. I regret that my original request was not complied with and a smaller piece reserved, which 
could have then had more attention given to it, and be constantly kept in order. 
Visitors. — The number of foreign visitors and tourists who entered their names in the book 
kept at the Lodge during the year was 1,792, a considerably large number than hitherto. Most of our 
visitors come in the early part of the year, especially in Februavy. 
On February 13, H. I. H. the Czarewitch of Russia visited the Gardens in company with his 
Excellency the Governor, and planted a tree as a memorial of his visit. I selected a na tree 
(Mesucc ferrea), and a spot opposite to the bo tree {Ficus religiosa) planted by H. R. H. the Prince of 
Wales in 1875. 
Weather. — Avery exceptionally wet year has to be recorded, the rainfall having exceeded 
our average by nearly 34 in., and fallen on 63 days more than the average number. This remark- 
able period of wet weather set in on March 7, the season up to that date having been of the ordinary 
dry character of the north-east monsoon season. From March 7 to 17 it rained continuously, and 
from that date to the end of the year more or less wet weather has been experienced. From April 
1.5 to June 6 only six days passed without rain, the fall in May being 21-30 in., against an average 
of 7"67. The south-west monsoon wind set in about May 17 here, and blew vigorously for over three 
months. From June 12 to July 4 there was but a single rainless day, but after that a period rather 
drier than usual was experienced — that is, with less rain, thou.gh with more rainy days — until early 
in October, when the rain set in with increased persistence. From October 3 to November 16 only 
three days passed without rain, and the total fall for October reached the unjirecedented figure of 
27-73, or about 2| times the average amount. We had a fortnight of dry weather at the end of 
November, after which heavy rain again set in and continued till the end of the year. 
These facts are shown in the subjoined table, where the averages for the past 7-8 years 
are also given : — 
January ... 
February ... 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
August 
September 
October 
November... 
December... 
Year 
Rainfall at Peradeniya. 
1 891. Average. 
Rainy Days. 
Rainfall. 
Rainy Days. 
Rainfall 
2-66 
7 
1-86 
1-57 
5 
1-43 
10-73 
13 
3-59 
12-73 
15 
9-48 
21-30 
•29 
7^67 
8-72 
•23 
l)-94 
4-36 
21 
7-6(1 
5-02 
17 
6-62 
2-74 
10 
7-83 
27-73 
29 
11-21 
6-00 
12 
9-96 
14-15 
22 
7-92 
117-71 
212 
84-99 
41 
4 I 
J >. 1884-90 
12] 
•20 J 
161 
15 I 
14 
18 
17 
1883-90 
49 1884-90 
The heaviest fall in any recorded Iwonty-foui- hours was 4-S5 in. on Ociuber l',''-20. 
