Mr. Cross's dried specimens of leaves, flowers, fruit, and bark of C. Condaminea (C. Chahuarguera of Pavon), bark, leaves, and flowers of C. crispa of Tafalla, and bark and leaves of C. Lucumæfolia, are partly in my possession, partly in that of Mr. Howard, and partly in that of Mr. Veitch.
[385] Six cases of chinchona-plants from this depôt were despatched to Ceylon by the mail of March 4, 1862.
[386] See Fortune's Tea Districts, chap. xxi. p. 358-9.
[387] Mr. Cross says that Wardian cases, as they are at present constructed, are notoriously unfit for the growth of plants of any description. He adds that the plants must be healthy root and top before they are deposited in the cases. They ought to be exposed for at least a month to the full action of the sun and atmosphere, so that the juices, stems, and leaves may be fully developed and matured. Plants taken out of hothouses, or from dense forests, are not in a fit state to be sent away immediately in Wardian cases. They are then "blanched," and are easily affected by adverse influences, such as excess of moisture or drought.
[388] In October, 1861, the Schinus molle plants were 3 feet high; and the chirimoyas 15 inches. Plants of both have been sent to the gardens at Bangalore.
[389] Seemann's Voyage of the Herald, i. p. 171.
[390] These 11 classes are:—1. The Kirüm Nairs, who are agriculturists, clerks, and accountants, and do the cooking on all public occasions, a sure sign of transcendent rank. 2. The Sudra Nairs. 3. The Charnadus. 4. The Villiums, who are palkee-bearers to Namburis and Rajahs. 5. The Wattacotas, or oil-makers. 6. The Atticourchis, or cultivators. 7. The Wallacutras, or barbers. 8. The Wallateratas, or washermen. 9. The Tunars, or tailors. 10. The Andoras, or pot-makers. 11. The Taragons, or weavers, who are very low in the scale, for even a potter must purify himself if he chances to touch a weaver.—Buchanan, ii. p. 408.
[391] Buchanan.
[392] Temulporum and Palghaut.
[393] They range from 12 to 60 reas, or 6 pies to 2 annas 5 pies per tree.