Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c23.2

c23.2

Ceylon lac* is the product of two species of the lac insects, both different from the Indian. One called *keppiṭiya* or *kōn-lakaḍa* (*Tachardia albizziæ*, Green) occurs on several trees, amongst which are the *keppiṭiya* (*Croton aromaticus*), *kōn* (*Schleicheria trijuga*), and *hīnguru* (*Acacia cœsia*). The other species (*Tachardia conchiferata*, Green) is called *telakiriya lakaḍa*, and is found on an euphorbaceous plant called *telakiriya* (*Excœcaria agallocha*); this is a rarer species, but produces lac of a brighter and clearer quality. Beside these, small quantities of imported Indian lac are sometimes used.