h of the day, owing to the proximity of the island to the
equator, does not vary more than an hour at any season. The mean time of
the rising of the sun's centre at Colombo on February 1st is 6^h 23^m
A.M., and of its setting 6^h 5^m P.M. On August 15th its rising is at
5^h 45^m A.M., and its setting at 6^h 7^m P.M. It is mid-day in Colombo
when it is morning in England. Colombo is situated in 79 deg. 50' 45"
E., and the day is further advanced there than at Greenwich by 5^h 19^m
23^s.

_Flora_.--The characteristics of the low-growing plants of Ceylon
approach nearly to those of the coasts of southern India. The
_Rhizophoreae_ are numerous along the low muddy shores of salt lakes
and stagnant pools; and the acacias are equally abundant. The list
comprises _Aegiceras fragrans_, _Epithinia malayana_, _Thespesia
populnea_, _Feronia elephantum_, _Salvadora persica_ (the true mustard
tree of Scripture), _Eugenia bracteata_, _Elaeodendron Roxburghii_,
_Cassia Fistula_, _Cassia Roxburghii_, &c. The herbaceous plants of
the low country belong mostly to the natural orders _Compositae_,
_Leguminosae_, _Rubiaceae_, _Scrophulariaceae_ and _Euphorbiaceae_.

Leaving the plains of the maritime country and ascending a height of
4000 ft. in the central districts, we find both herbage and trees
assume an altered character. The foliage of the latter is larger and
deeper coloured, and they attain a height unknown in the hot low
country. The herbaceous vegetation is there made up of ferns,
_Cyrtandreae_, _Compositae_, _Scitamineae_ and _Urticaceae_. The dense
masses of lofty forest at that altitude are interspersed with large
open tracts of coarse wiry grass, called by the natives _patanas_, and
of value to them as affording pasturage for their cattle.

Between the altitudes of 4000 and 8000 ft., many plants are to be met
with partaking of European forms, yet blended with tropical
characteristics. The guelder rose, St John's wort, the _Nepenthes
distillatoria_ or pitcher plant, violets, geraniums, buttercups,
sundews, ladies' mantles and campanulas thrive by the side of
_Magnoliaceae_, _Ranunculaceae_, _Elaeocarpeae_, &c. The most
beautiful flowering shrub of this truly alpine region is the
rhododendron, which in many instances grows to the height of 70 ft. It
is met with in great abundance in the moist plains of the elevated
land above Nuwara Eliya, flowering abundantly in June an