AQUIFOLIACEÆ, by several species of Symplocos.

PROTEACE, by Helicia Ceylanica, the only representative of the family in the Island.

LAURACEÆ (Cinnamon tribe), by Cinnamomum, Machilus, Crypto

carya, Tetranthera, Actinodaphne, and Litsæa.

URTICACEE, by several species of Ficus, and by Celtis and Sponia. EUPHORBIACEÆ, by Cleidion, Rottlera Macaranga, Podadenia,

Gelonium, Chætocarpus, Desmostemon, Sarcoclinium, Briedelia, Cleistanthus, Prosorus, Cyclostemon, Aporosa, and Antidesma.

PALMACEE, by Oncosperma fasciculata, and Ptychosperma rupicola. Amongst these forest trees grow gigantic lianes; the Anamirtus Cocculus (Cocculus Indicus), Coscinium fenestratum, Kadsura Wightiana, Toddalia aculeata, Derris sinuata, D. scandens, Guilandina Bonduc, Entada scandens, Acacia Intsia, Anodendron paniculatum, Willughbeia Ceylanica, Plecospermum spinosum, and two or three species of Calamus, being particularly conspicuous.

The beautiful Kendrickia (Pachycentria, Enum. Pl. Zeyl.) Walkeri, and its allies, Medinella fuchsiodes, and M. maculata, with some species of Piper, Pothos, &c., mantle the trunks of the trees, and handsome Ipomoeas scramble over their branches.

The undergrowth consists principally of shrubby Acanthacea, Rubiacea, Urticaceæ, Labiata, and Zinziberaceæ. The open pattanas, or savannahs, are made gay by handsome species of Exacum, Osbeckia, Desmodium, Crotalaria, Cassia, Chirita, and Burmannia.

Numerous ORCHIDEÆ occur on the trunks of trees, or on exposed rocks, and several species of Loranthus are attached parasitically (miseltoe-like) to the trunks and branches of the trees. Lovely Balsams in great variety, and pretty Utricularias abound in damp spots.

Near the top of the Peak the gorgeous Rhododendron arboreum occurs, with the Gaultheria fragrantissima, and the Vaccinium Leschenaultii, with its arbutus-like flowers. There too, may be noticed some very beautiful species of Sonerila and Osbeckia, and some pretty species of Hedyotis. abound upon the trees.*

Mosses and Lichens also

* Further information respecting the Botany of the Island can be obtained in the Enumeratio Plantarum Zeylaniæ, by G. H. K. THWAITES, Esq., F. R. S., &c., published by Dulau & Co., Soho Square, London; in which all the known species are described, or referred to where they had been previously described.

M.

THE PROCESSION FROM COLOMBO AND WELCOME AT MORATUWA, OF JORONIS DE SOYSA, ESQ., AFTER HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE RANK OF MUDALIYAR OF THE GOVERNOR'S GATE.*

"BELOW we give a graphic and interesting account of the reception accorded at Colombo to the man whom, on account of his public spirit, Sir George Anderson has delighted to honor. The matter is more important than would appear at first sight to our English readers. The dignity conferred on Mr. De Soysa is one that has hitherto been jealously confined to the small knot of obstructives amongst the Singhalese who call themselves first class Velales; and on this occasion the Maha Modliar, we believe, did his little best to prevent the Government from shocking the prejudices of the people-meaning by that phrase a little knot of Modliars-by conferring the highest Native rank in its gift on a man of the fisher caste. All honor to Sir George Anderson for the personal courage and decision displayed by him on this occasion. The British Government is not only too generous, but also too strong, to allow its own benevolent intentions, and the wheels of progress to be any longer impeded by foolish fears of offending antiquated caste prejudices.

The newly created Modliar is a Native Coffee Planter on a large scale, very enterprising and very wealthy. But his claims to the

* From the Colombo OBSERVER of June 13th, 1853.

dignity conferred on him rest on the erection by him, at his own cost, of public works, such as Ambalamas and Bridges, the formation of roads, &c."

Colombo, June 10th, 1853.

SIR, -The elevation of Mr. Joronis De Soysa of Morotto to the rank of Modliar of the Governor's Gate, appearing to have caused a considerable sensation of satisfaction in the native mind, with possibly a little jealousy here and there, I have thought some account of the proceedings on his return to Morotto, would not be unacceptable to your readers, especially as you have already noticed in your columns the doings of his friends in Kandy, some of whom expressed the hope that their brethren in the Western Province would not suffer themselves to be outdone in rendering due honor to the newly appointed Modliar. Nor have they, as the proceedings of the 9th instant amply testify. I don't pretend to give you a very graphic account of every thing that happened, being altogether unused to that style of composition; but, as I was present a considerable part of the day, I will endeavour to state what fell under my own observation, and from that and such other accounts as may reach you, you will be able, I dare say, to make out for your readers a much more interesting narrative than I can,

so you are welcome to use my information, and burn my MS., or publish it in toto, just as you please.

Well then, at 7 A. M. according to invitation, I, together with many others, assembled at Grand Pass at the house of Mr. Soosew de Soysa, the Modliar's brother, where, in all the glory of gold and jewels, Joronis De Soysa Dharma Goonewardene Wepolle Jayasooria Dessanayake Karoonaratne, Modliar of the Governor's Gate, received the congratulations of his friends.

Europeans, Burghers, Natives of rank, wealth, and influence, Hindoos, Parsees, Moormen, &c. &c. came dropping in one after the other until the house was filled to overflowing. After partaking of a slight refreshment, hospitably provided by Soosew De Soysa, the ear-piercing fifes and deafening tom-toms of the Governor's Guard of Lascoreens, as they drew up into the Verandah, warned us that the business of the day was now about to begin. The Guard having had a dusty walk, and being moreover droughthy souls, and withal not very much accustomed to their scarlet coats and conical caps, or the wielding of their venerable halberts, and antique, lion-headed, carving-knife-looking cutlasses, of course needed a dram each, by way of nerving them to their arduous duties; and judging from the apparent relish with which they tossed off their glasses, they got the genuine stuff. While this was going on, Guard No. 2 passed by. This, I believe, is the Guard belonging to the Salpitty Korle, and glories in a uniform of blue. The poor souls looked hard and longingly at their brother lascoreens in red, but, obedient to the stern commands of duty, marched on to their appointed station on Norris's road near the Racket ground.

In a few minutes the signal was given to start. The Guard, consisting of twenty-five men, preceded by the tom-tom beaters, took the lead; then came the Modliar attired in a coat of dark broad-cloth, over which was thrown his chain of honor, formed of above 150 sovereigns linked together in couples, and terminating in an ornament formed of a cluster of forty-five of the same coins ;*

*This was a mere temporary contrivance. The precious metal was subscribed for by about 700 of the Mudaliyar's personal friends, and was afterwards worked