THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
331 
mo more than any other fruit, and is only fatal when eaten 
to excess. 
The true ebony, so remarkable for its weight, and the 
polish which it takes, is found in great abundance in this 
island. 
Gamboge, well known to painters as affording a rich 
yellow, is here procured from a large tree which Leal's a 
roundish ribbed fruit, of a yellow colour. The gamboge is 
extracted from the wood of the tree, in the form of a juice 
which soon becomes solid. It is used in medicine as well as 
in painting, and acts very powerfully on the intestines both 
upwards and downwards. 
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 
lacquering. 
The sugar-cane has been introduced into the island; and 
plantations 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 
Bandura. It is also called the penis plant from its appear- 
ance. The leaves are narrow, and from their ends issues 
a long tendril, which terminates in a long cylindrical tube, 
closed at the extremity by a valve. This tube, while grow- 
ing, and in full vigour, seems like a blown bladder# and 
tj u 2 
