336 Tegetahles of Ceylon. 
and acts very powerfully on the intestines both upwards and 
dowmvartls. 
Ambergris and coral are found here, the latter in abund- 
ance. 
Gum-Lac is found in great plenty on a plant which grows 
in abundance in different sand-pits throughout the island. It 
is dissolved in spirits of wine, and then employed in lac- 
quering. 
The sugar-cane has been introduced into the island, and plan- 
tations of it are found in the neighbourhood of Caltura. Some 
rum is made from it, and the natives are fond of chewing the 
pulp. 
But the most remarkable plant which Ceylon produces is the 
'nepenthes, known among the Cinglese by the name of Badura. 
It is also called the penis plant from its appearance. The 
leaves are narrow, and from their ends issues a long tendril, 
which terminates in a long cylindrical tube, closed at the ex- 
tremity by a valve. This tube, while growing, and in full vi- 
gour, seems like a blown bladder, and contains within it about 
a wine glass of pure limpid water. There is no appearance 
of any passage for the entrance of this water; but the general 
way of accounting for the phenomenon is, that it is formed 
by the dew soaking through the valve. Shortly after being 
pulled, the head, from the pressure of the water inside, bursts, 
and the coat soon withers away ; but as long as it is able to 
retain the water, it remains round, distended, and in full vi- 
gour. The seeds are small and black, not unlike those of the 
tulip. 
The flowers of Ceylon, though not numerous, nor much at- 
tended to by the natives, have a most rich and exquisite scent. 
