TN CEYLON. 
185 
arranged that a radius of 10 mm. may contain 12 rings, 
whereas in some specimens very large areas may be free 
from any such differentiations. Perhaps such rings of 
growth are the expression of special periods of activity, 
independent of seasonal forces ? 
Distribution .—This species is common in the moist low- 
country up to 2,500 feet; Kandy, Polgahawela, Ambagamuwa, 
Avisawella, Kuruwiti korale, Hewesse, Kalutara, Kottawa, 
Potgulkanda, Katugasella, Udugama, Yagarilla, Penjaval, 
Hinidun, Eratna, Kadawatta, Ambalawa, Pindeniya, Piti- 
galla. 
Also in Anamalai Hills, South India. 
Diospyros oppositifoEia., Thw. Enum. Ceyl. PL, p. 
181., n. 11 (1860). 
Kalumediriya, Kadumberiya, S. 
Thw. Enum. 181. Hiern, Mon. Eben. 157. C. P. 3,011. 
Fl. B. Ind. III., 565. Bedd. Ic. F. Ind. Or., t. 131. 
A moderate-sized or large tree, evergreen, monoecious 
only ; trunk erect, not buttressed, bark black, never deeply 
grooved but fissures somewhat similar to D. insignis. Leaves 
opposite or sub-opposite, 50-130 mm. long, 35-75 mm. 
wide, oval, shortly acuminate or obtuse apex, rounded at 
base, pubescent when young, glabrous when old, coriaceous ; 
venation reticulate, pellucid, lateral veins and parallel trans¬ 
verse connecting veins conspicuous when fresh ; petiole dark, 
glabrous, 2-5 mm. long ; phyllotaxy, texture and form 
somewhat similar to D. Melanoxylon. 
The male and female flowers are always found together 
on the same tree. Usually a solitary female flower termi¬ 
nates the young shoot, and in the axils of the lower leaves 
clusters of male flowers arise. In one specimen male and 
female flowers were in separate but opposite clusters of 9 and 
2 flowers respectively on a young twig ; in another case there 
were two residual flowers of a cluster, one of which was a 
true male, the other showing a ripening pistil ; in other 
cases the female flowers may occur solitary in the axil of the 
