436 
WRIGHT : FOLIAR PERIODICITY 
is during late January and early February. At Henaratgoda 
in 1902 the leafless period was just over with certain trees on 
the 12th February. At Pitakande in the Matale District, 
3,000 feet above sea level, on the 20th March, one tree was 
leafless, one had not dropped its old leaves, but the majority 
were in full new leaf. In most parts of the island this 
species usually passes through its leafless phase during the 
month of February. 
The most interesting case is however to be seen in Bombax 
malabaricum. This species is one of the most conspicuous 
deciduous trees in Ceylon. The frequent occurrence, huge 
dimensions, and long leafless period of trees of this species 
give the Peradeniya and low-country places quite a barren 
appearance from January to April each year. The period 
of leaf production and fail for this species shows a variation 
equal to a very large part of the year, and it is one instance 
which strongly suggests that if trees of other deciduous 
species were only more abundant and conspicuous the time 
of foliar periodicity would be proved to extend over a 
longer period than has been recorded for them up to the 
present. 
Several trees have been under observation, and the follow¬ 
ing is a synopsis of records taken. The earliest dates on 
which leaf-fall commenced were 29th September in the Royal 
Botanic Garden, and on the 21st October, 1903, for a tree on 
the Peradeniya race-course. The majority of the trees at 
Peradeniya have by the 15th December each year dropped a 
great part of their foliage. They rapidly become leafless, 
and by the 15th January they are usually leafless and in 
flower. The flowers are produced in January and February, 
the fruits set in March, and disburse their seeds and cotton 
in April while the trees are absolutely leafless. During late 
April and early May the majority of the trees burst into 
new foliage. 
Some trees were seen in flower along the Kandy road on 
the 12th December, 1903. On the 15th December one young 
