Varietal differences in the constituents of citronella oil

Gas chromatography of citronella oil showed that the Ceylon variety (Lenabatu) contained large amounts of monoterpene hydrocarbons, while the Java variety (Mahapengiri) contained only small amounts, mainly limonene. Both types contained comparable amounts of geraniol, and the Java type more of citronellol and citronellal. In addition the Ceylon type contained tricyclene, methyl eugenol, methyl isoeugenol, eugenol and l-borneol. The GLC profiles enable the identification of the type of oil and the detection of kerosene as a possible adulterant. The variety that grows wild in Ceylon (Mana) was quite different to both cultivated types.     

The potential value of the seaweed Ceylon moss (Gelidium amansii) as an alternative bioenergy resource

Sea weed (Ceylon moss) possesses comparable bioenergy production potential to that of land plants. Ceylon moss has high content of carbohydrates, typically galactose (23%) and glucose (20%). We have explored the possibility of sodium chlorite in Ceylon moss pretreatment that can ultimately increase the efficiency of enzymatic saccharification. In an acidic medium, chlorite generates ClO₂ molecules that transform lignin into soluble compounds without any significant loss of carbohydrate content and this procedure is widely used as an analytical method for holocellulose determination. Sodium chlorite-pretreated samples resulted in glucose yield up to 70% with contrast of only 5% was obtained from non-pretreated samples.The efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis is significantly improved by sodium chlorite pretreatment, and thus sodium chlorite pretreatment is potentially a very useful tool in the utilisation of Ceylon moss biomass for ethanol production or bioenergy purposes.     

Effect of growth temperature on carbon isotopic ratios in barley, pea and rape

Barley, pea and rape were grown in controlled environments atday/night temperatures ranging from 13/4 to 35/27?C. Shoot tissuewas analyzed for changes in the natural abundance ratio of ^l3C/¹²C.More¹³C was incorporated during growth at low temperatures thanat higher temperatures, but the change in isotopic ratio wasnot linear over the temperature range employed. ³Present address: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ceylon,Peradeniya, Ceylon. (Received September 13, 1972; )     

Transmission of Plasmodium fragile to Saimiri monkeys

Saimiri monkeys from Bolivia and Guyana were infected with the Nilgiri and Ceylon strains of Plasmodium fragile. Of 20 attempted sporozoite transmissions of the Ceylon strain involving 11 splenectomized Saimiri sciureus boliviensis, only 8 were successful, 2 by mosquito bite and 6 by intravenous injection of sporozoites dissected from salivary glands. Prepatent periods ranged from 18 to 30 days with a mean of 25.8 days.     

NEW SPECIES AND RECORDS OF POLYCHAETA FROM CEYLON

A collection of polychaetes made by the author in December 1961 and April 1962 from a number of places on the coast of Ceylon was examined. Seven new species and one new subspecies are described and sixteen species are recorded new to the fauna of Ceylon. The holotypes and lectotypes have been deposited in the British Museum (Natural History).     

Lijndenia, a re–established paleotropical genus of the Melastomataceae–Memecyleae

The genus Lijndenia Zoll. & Mor. is re–established and emended to include four species, L. laurina Zoll. & Mor. from W Malesia and Java, L. capitellata (Arn.) Bremer from Ceylon, L. gardneri (Thw.) Bremer from Ceylon, and L. barteri (Hook. f.) Bremer from tropical W Africa. The latter three names are new combinations.     

A reevaluation of the genus Exacum (Gentianaceae) in Ceylon

A taxonomic reevaluation of the Ceylonese species of the paleotropic genus of Gentianaceae, Exacum L. (ca. 40 species), is made. Eight species are recognized. Five of the species are endemic to Ceylon and three are also found in India. One species new to Ceylon is presented, viz. E. pedunculalum L., and one new combination is made, viz. E. pallidum (Trim.) Klack. Typifications, maps and a key to the species are given. The micromorphology of seeds, pollen grains, and cuticular structures as seen by means of SEM is also given and its implications for taxonomy discussed.     

Frequencies of chromosome polymorphism in pairs no. 1, 9, and 13 in three geographical variants of black rats,Rattus rattus

Frequencies of the acrocentric and subtelocentric polymorphism in pairs no. 1, 9 and 13 chromosomes have been examined in 358 black rats, Rattus rattus, distributed over several countries of Asia, Australia and United States. The black rats are divided into three geographical types by the different chromosome numbers, such as Asian (2n=42), Ceylon (2n=40) and Oceanian types (2n=38). Pairs no. 13 polymorphism was found widely in these all types, but the pair no. 1 and 9 polymorphisms were found in only Asian type black rats. In the Asian type rats, however, those distributed in northern India and Pakistan showed always the subtelocentric pairs no. 1 and 9 like as those in Ceylon and Oceanian type black rats. This finding supports that the Ceylon and Oceanien type rats have developed in India or Pakistan from the Asian type. The present study also suggests that inversion of the pair no. 13 could have occurred in earlier period than those of the pairs no. 1 and 9.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE CYCLE OF XYLEBORUS FORNICATUS EICHOFF IN ARTIFICIAL CULTURE

The scolytid beetle, Xyleborus fornicatus Eichoff, which is an important pest of the tea bush in Ceylon, has been reared from egg to adult for the first time in artificial culture with its ambrosial fungus Monacrosporium ambrosium. Deaths in culture were numerous, yet sufficient data on the periods occupied in the different stages were collected to afford an opportunity for testing conclusions derived by the use of less direct methods. Results indicate that temperature materially affects the length of the life cycle and mainly controls the altitudinal distribution of the pest in Ceylon.     

Methyl Jasmonate and Lactones Including Jasmine Lactone in Ceylon Tea

The ester and lactone fraction possessing the most attractive aroma was separated from the aroma concentrate of Ceylon flavory tea by silica-gel column chromatography and analyzed by GC-MS.

Methyl 2-(cis-2′-pentenyl)-cyclopentanone-3-acetate(methyl jasmonate), 5-(cis-2′-pentenyl)-5-pentanolide (jasmine lactone), 2,3-dimethyl-2-nonen-4-olide, 4-octanolide, 4-nonanolide and 5-decanolide were newly identified as the constituents of tes aroma. Former two compounds seemed to carry a major share of aroma character of Ceylon flavory tea.     

An annotated check-list of the Pteridophyta of Ceylon

The indigenous species of Pteridophyta known to occur in Ceylon number 314. In addition, 18 naturalized species occur as weeds of cultivation or as introduced aliens. Fifty-seven species are endemic to Ceylon and 28 non-endemic species are absent from India. Lists of these and other phytogeographical groupings are given. The full list of species is followed by comments on the taxonomy or nomenclature of 76 taxa. Four new combinations are made: Asplenium polyodon var. bipinnatum (Sledge) Sledge; Deparia polyrhizon (Baker) Sledge; Polystichum harpophyllum (Zenker ex Kunze) Sledge, and Bolbitis appendiculata var. asplenifolia (Bory) Sledge. Athyrium puncticaule (Blume) T. Moore and A. lanceum (Kunze) T. Moore replace A. anisopterum Christ and A. macrocarpum (Blume) Beddome, respectively.     

The Hygrophila complex (Acanthaceae) in India and Ceylon

A reassessment of the genus Hygrophila in India and Ceylon is made with reference to Asteracantha, Cardanthera, Synnema, Hemiadelphis and Adenosma , recognized as allied genera by past Indian and Ceylon authors. An over-emphasis on variable and overlapping characters by respective authors has led to the delimitation of these genera from one another and from Hygrophila. Examination of additional material from increasing floristic activity in Africa and Asia reveals that several characters are too variable to establish their generic status. It is concluded that they represent only two genera, viz. Hygrophila and Hemiadelphis. Additional clarifications are made to Heine's amendment of Hygrophila.     

On a new anoplocephalid cestode Biporouterina psittaculae gen. et sp. nov. from Layard's paroquet Psittacula calthropae (Layard 1849)

A new genus and species of anoplocephalid cestode infesting Layard's paroquet is described from Ceylon.     

The genusFimbristylis (Cyperaceae) in ceylon

Thirty two species ofFimbristylis (Cyperaceae) thus far documented from Ceylon are taxonomically discussed with particular emphasis on the collections of Thwaites and Trimen. In addition to the synonymy and critical citation of specimens, a key is provided to differentiate these species.Fimbristylis tenera is newly added to the Ceylon flora. The new combinations proposed are:F. dichotoma ssp.glauca, F. fusca ssp.fulvescens, F. aestivalis ssp.major, andF. tenera ssp.oxylepis.     

Chronic Liver Disease: Differences in Autoimmune Serological Reactions between Australians and Asians

A total of 164 patients from Australia, Ceylon, India, Singapore, and Thailand were studied for the prevalence of autoantibodies associated with “idiopathic” chronic liver disease—namely, antinuclear antibody, smooth muscle antibody, and mitochondrial antibody. The prevalence of these autoantibodies was high among patients from Australia (55%), but was low among patients from Ceylon (14%), India (11%), Singapore (0%), and Thailand (8%). There are variations in types of hepatitis and cirrhosis between races, and this applies particularly to the type associated with autoimmune markers. This may be related to genetic differences that have evolved between peoples of European and Asian descent.     

Antigen Analysis of the Cultivated Paddy Straw Mushroom of Thailand, Philippines and Ceylon

An antigen analysis was carried out on three strains of thecultivated paddy straw mushroom, CI.52, CI.53, and CY.101 fromThailand, Philippines, and Ceylon respectively. Saline extractsof the antigen were prepared from fully open carpophores ofthe three strains. Antibodies to the mushroom extracts wereprepared in rabbits by subcutaneous inoculations of the alumprecipitated extracts of the three strains, and the precipitinsin the sera of the rabbits were studied by means of the Ouchterlonygel diffusion and immuno-electrophoresis precipitin reactions.The immuno-diffusion precipitin studies indicated that therewere no observable antigenic differences between the strains.The three strains were also similar in morphological characteristics.The results suggest that the strains cultivated in Thailand,Philippines, and Ceylon are similar to Volvariella volvacea(Fr.), Sing. var. masseei, Sing.     

On two new tetrabothriid cestodes from the brown gannet or booby Sula leucogastra plotus (Forster) from the Indian Ocean

Two new tetrabothriid cestodes, Tetrabothrius baeri and T. peregrinatoris, infesting the brown booby are described from Ceylon.     

Studies in Malesian Pandanaceae XVII on the taxonomy of ‘Pandan Wangi’ A Pandanus cultivar with scented leaves

Economic Botany - A cultivated, usually sterile species ofPandanus, found rather widely in Malesia (especially in W. Indonesia, Malaya, and the Philippines, but also known in Ceylon), commonly used...