WRIGHT : THE GENUS DIOSPYROS 
138 
cotyledon flat, 2x2 mm.; hypocotyl green, cylindrical, 
faintly pubescent, 60 mm. long, 2 mm. diameter. The 
epicotyledonary system shows delayed development; leaves 
alternate, the first leaf occurs 3-8 mm. above the cotyle¬ 
donary node, at right angles to the plane of the cotyledons, 
30mm.long x 9 mm. wide, green; the subsequent leaves 
arise in a spiral, and in size and form are similar to the first 
(c/. D. Ebenum and D. Gardneri for development). 
Two traces per cotyledon; one trace to each epicotyle- 
donary leaf; feeble splitting of cotyledonary xylem, 
epicotyledonary traces die out in hypocotyl. 
Timber .—When freshly cut the wood is of a dirty white 
colour, but on exposure assumes a re ddish tint. Black heart- 
wood usually small, central part generally rotten. Some 
specimens show large heartwood not jet black, but often 
streaked (c/. D. affinis and D. oocarpa), and when such 
samples are sound the timber is equal to calamander in beauty. 
One specimen 30 cm. diameter, possessed a large heartwood 
consisting of a small black centre and a peripheral portion 
beautifully variegated in tints of brown and black. Most 
samples are inferior to ordinary ebony ; the timber possesses 
a high per cent, number of parenchymatous and tracheal 
elements. (See pi. V., fig. 19.) 
Uses.—Only the timber is used. 
Distribution .—Common in dry zones, especially along the 
roadsides to Trincomalee and Manne r; characteristic of 
poor low-lying xerophytic forests. Jaffna, Matale, Trin- 
comalee, Vavuniya, Puttalam, Mannar, Annradhapura, 
Habarana, Kanthalai, Madawachchi. Also in India, Malaya, 
Burma, and Tropical Australia. 
Diospyros Embryopteris, Pers., Syn. 11, p 624, n. 6 
(1807). 
Timbiri, S.; Panichchai, T. 
Thw.Enum.178. C. P.1,915. FI. B. Ind. Ill, 556. Wight, 
lc. t. 843,844. Bedd.Fl.Sylv.t.69. Bentl. and Trim. Med. 
PI -1.168. Hiero, Mon. Eben. 257, 
