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WEST AFRICAN FORESTS
AND FORESTRY
ZANZIBAR:
THE ISLAND METROPOLIS
OF EASTERN AFRICA
BY
Major FRANCIS B. PEARCE, C.M.G.
(British Resident in Zanzibar)
With a Map and 32 pages of Illustrations
(SECOND IMPRESSION)
Super Royal 8vo, cloth. BOs. net.
This important work deals with the past and
present history of Zanzibar. From the earliest
times this island, owing to its commanding
Position off the coast of Africa, controlled the
great trade-routes which traversed the Continent
from the Indian to the Atlantic Oceans, and it
has remained to the present day the Metropolis
of the East African Region. It has known many
over-lords, and the author, who is His Majesty’s
Representative in Zanzibar, traces the story of
this romantic island-kingdom down the centuries,
The close association of this African island with
ancient and medizval Arabia is demonstrated,
and the advent of the old Persian colonists to its
shores explained. Coming to later times, such
names as Vasco da Gama and Sir James Lancaster,
that famous Elizabethan sea-captain, are met with ;
until, leaving beaten tracks, the author introduces
the reader to the hoary kingdom of Oman, whence
came those princes of the Arabian desert who
subdued to their sway the rich spice-island of
Zanzibar and the adjacent territories of Central
Africa. Modern Zanzibar is fully dealt with, and
the enlightened Prince who occupies the throne
of Zanzibar to-day is introduced to the reader in
a personal interview. The latter portion of the
work is devoted to descriptions of the ruined
Arab and Persian stone-built towns—the very
names of which are now forgotten—which, until
cleared by the author, lay mouldering in the forests
of Zanzibar and Pemba. The text is elucidated by
a series of beautiful photographs and by specially
prepared maps. ;
This volume must be regarded as the standard
work on the Sultanate of Zanzibar.
T. FISHER UNWIN LTD., LONDON
‘eoofdsy4u0ay
“punos3er0y Ul seer, 107300 “(OHVT yueqdoyg) exe] oquoleg JO e3pe oq} WO 480107 wee1z10Aq pexm—'T ‘Ol
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS
AND FORESTRY
BY
A. HAROLD UNWIN
D.Orc., M.Can., S.F.E.
Late Senior Conservator of Forests, Nigeria
WITH 110 ILLUSTRATIONS
BY THE AUTHOR
T. FISHER UNWIN LTD
LONDON: ADELPHI TERRACE
First published in 1920
(All rights reserved)
TO
MY MOTHER
PREFACE
WHILE going round inspecting timber areas being worked by European
firms in Nigeria, I have often been asked for a book with illustrations
showing the different kinds of trees which might be felled, and also
giving some account of the trees themselves, as well as the main work
of the Forest Department. It is with the idea of trying to supply
this want that I have mainly compiled this work, in the hope that,
however imperfect it may be, the various timber getters and users
in Nigeria may find it useful.
I have not attempted to give accurate descriptions of the trees,
as this has already been done by Mr. Foster in his work Notes on Nigerian
Trees and Plants, and I would refer readers to that volume, and to
the botanical works, such as Useful Plants of Nigeria, issued under
the authority of the Director of Kew Gardens, and the Flora of Tropical
Africa, by Oliver ; but only refer to some specific feature of the trees
that are most common or useful, by which they can be recognized
by an ordinary observer without botanical knowledge.
I wish to acknowledge with thanks the assistance given to me by
the Central and Southern Secretaries for permission to use the annual
Forest Report from the year 1906 onwards.
I wish also to express my thanks to the Under-Secretary of State
for the Colonies for permission to use my Reports on the Forests of
Sierra Leone and the Afforestation of Togo.
To Mr. H. N. Thompson, the Chief Conservator of Forests of
Nigeria, I am indebted for much useful information obtained from
his Report on the Gold Coast Forests.
To Mr. R. E. Dennett, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests,
who has given me much help and advice in compiling this work, and
more especially for reading through the proofs, I tender my grateful
thanks.
7
8 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Two most valuable chapters on the Forests and botanical features
of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria were written by Dr. J. M.
Dalziel, to whom I owe grateful thanks for his encouragement in
this work.
My greatest thanks are due to Mr. C. E. Lane-Poole, Commissioner
of Forests, Victoria, for the use of the list of the Sierra Leone trees.
To M. Chevalier I return grateful thanks for his list of the
Ivory Coast trees.
For the constant and unfailing interest and devotion to the work
of Miss Christina E. Lacy, acting as amanuensis, I beg to extend my
heartfelt thanks.
Further thanks are also due to my wife, who has lent not only
practical assistance, but has been the mainspring of inspiration for
the completion of this work.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE ‘ ‘ 7-8
TABLE OF CHAPTERS 9, 10
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 11-16
CHAPTER I
THE FORESTS OF WESTERN AFRICA , e 2 ‘ 17-19
CHAPTER II
THE GAMBIA . : 20
DEscRIPTIONS OF TREES AND Fonxars 5 : 20
APPeNDIx I. Tar Forrest Law. (F8Es) . 23
APPENDIX II. Forest EXPorts 24
CHAPTER III
seu LEONE. : 25
I. Tue Forests . 3 ; gf : 25
II. Notes on Timper Teres. (Export anp Locat Use) 26
III. TrrEzs cur ror Locan Uss 31
IV. Maxon Formst Propucz 35
V. Tue Forest DEPARTMENT, ee eowe 39
VI. BoranicaL AND VERNACULAR Names oF Isnramnous Tens, WITH
DESCRIPTION _ . 41
APPENDIX I. Exports oF Forust Pagpucs . . . 68
APPENDIX II. Forest Propucs, 1827-1835 : 3 . 64
APPENDIX III. Imports of TIMBER INTO SIERRA Luoxe - 65
CHAPTER IV
LIBERIA 66
L. Tae Gora Fornst 66
II. Nores on tHE Most Phan TREES 66
III. Tue Conprrions or WorKING TIMBER 69
IV. BoranicaL AND VEEBNACULAR NAMES OF iapiuenous TREEs 70
APPENDIX. Forrest Exports 80
CHAPTER V
THE IVORY COAST i . 81
A Note on THE FOREST AND Barrogany iepuseny 3 A F » 81
BoranicaL AND VERNACULAR Names oF Trees. By Monsizur AUGUST
CHEVALIER 83
APPENDIX. FOoREST Exports 90
CHAPTER VI
THE GOLD COAST 91
Tre Forestry Posrrion . 91
Notes on INDIGENOUS TREES é ‘ é ‘ , . 93
BoranicaL AND VERNACULAR Names. (From Mr. H. N. THompson’s
Report) ‘ . : : é . 93
APPENDIX. Forest EXporTs . ‘ é 2 ‘ F - 115
10 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
CHAPTER VII
TOGO : .
I. Toe Forests .
II. Tae Forest PLANTATIONS
TI. Tue Disrraicr PLANTATIONS . ‘ ‘ . , i .
IV. Nores on InpicEnous Trees. BoranicaL AND VERNACULAR NaMEsB .
ApprenDix I. Intropucep Sprcrus oF TREES PLANTED .
Apprnpix II. Crnsvus oF PLANTATIONS
AppenDIx III. Exports oF Forrest PRODUCE
CHAPTER VIII
NIGERIA : 3 A
I. Tae Rivers, Pow 4 AND Foun e * é ‘és
II. Toe Mawocany anp TIMBER INDUSTRIES .
Il. Tae Permanent Forests oR Forest RESERVES
IV. AFFORESTATION IN NIGERIA
V. THE Forest DEPARTMENT
VI. Review oF THE Botanican Fuancans OF N. Nrawnts. ‘By Dz. J. M.
Daziet . ‘ .
Some TREES OF Hinvebeaen, By Dr. J. M. Dares:
AppenDIx IJ. BotanicAL AND VERNACULAR NamMES OF Tenraenous
Trees. NorrHEerRN PRovinces ‘ i
AppenpDrix II. Exports or Forest Propucre F a
Appenprix III. Imports or TimBER Into NIGERIA
AppENDIxX IV. THE Frees anp Royatties on TimBER TREES
CHAPTER IX
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES : : . . .
CHAPTER X
THE FORESTS AND TIMBER PRODUCTION OF THE BRITISH SPHERE
OF THE CAMEROONS
(WrrH 4 Nore on THE FRENCH AND BELGIAN Conao | AND SramisH Gurvza)
Norzs on Descriptions oF TREES. BoranicaL AND VERNACULAR NaMESs .
ApPpENDIx I. Exporrs oF Forrest PRopUcE
AppEenDIx II. Exporrs oF TIMBER ACCOBDING TO Pom oF viewed
APPENDIX III. Exports oF TIMBER ACCORDING TO DESTINATION
CHAPTER XI
THE OIL BEANS, SEEDS AND NUTS OF THE FOREST
CHAPTER XII
THE OIL PALM AND PALM KERNEL INDUSTRY
CHAPTER XIII
THE FOREST IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER XIV
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WEST AFRICAN FORESTS
INDEX .
PAGE
116
116
119
122
127
148
149
150
151
151
155
160
166
184
188
205
218
226
227
228
235
415
425
444
445
446
447
464
486
496
501
a OF wh
ILLUSTRATIONS
I.
Mixed Evergreen Forest on the edge of Barombo Lake (Elephant
Lake). Cotton Trees in foreground . 5 Frontispiece
Il. SIERRA LEONE.
Red Ironwood (Lophira procera), in the Forest, Gumah a
Mature Cola Tree (Cola vera), growing in Fundo _ Protectorate of
Sierra Leone 5 ‘
View of Gumah Mountain fen the Gumah r
African Oak (Oldfieldia Africana), showing bole in middle fore-
ground, near Bureh Town Bridge .
African Oak (Oldfieldia Africana), showing scaly bark at base of tb, the
late Mr. C. W. Smythe standing beside it .
Pterocarpus esculentus in flower near Fakar Kole, at the edge of tho
Peninsular Forest
Forest of true Gum Copal (Copaifera adlibownida), showing nearly ‘all the
trees bare of foliage and dying, due to overtapping, near Sussuwuru,
Moyamba District 3
True Gum Copal (Copaifera salikounda), ‘showing base at stem with
tapping sain near the bank of the Rokell nibs north of ncaa
District
Ti. LIBERIA.
Large Brimstone Tree (Sarcocephalus sp.), Gola Forest
African Satinwood (Afrormosia laxiflora), Gola Forest
Gola Forest, general view, near Morro River :
Mahogany (Khaya Ivoriensis), the late Mr. C. W. Smythe stonding "beside
it, Gola Forest :
Young Yawey Cedar (Heritiera ?, Gola Forest
Iv. TOGO.
Teak Plantation of 1908, 35} feet high, Sokode, in 1911
Teak Plantation of 1907 and 1908 on hill-side, Atakpame
One-year-old Oil Palms amongst seven- to ten-year-old trees, 1911
Two-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode ‘ é
Three-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode
Four-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode . 5 -
Chlorophora excelsa, 1911 . . 3 : é :
Five-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode 2 é .
Five-year-old Khaya Senegalensis,1911 7 ‘ - . ‘
Teak Plantation made in 1907 at Pfandu, in 1911 : - ; .
Khaya Klaineana, 17 feet in girth, Misahohe Station . 5
Corner of a 1907 Teak Plantation, Pfandu, in 1911
1
To face page
16
16
16
24
24
40
40
40
12
27.
28.
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
V. WESTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA.
EBUTTEMETTA GARDENS.
To face page
Large Teak Tree (Tectona grandis), about sixteen years old, Ebuttemetta
Gardens
Large Para (Hevea Brosiliensis), Ebuttemetta Gardeis, age about aicteon
years z ‘ . j . ‘ ‘ ° . ‘
VI. WESTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA.
OLOKEMEJI ARBORETUM AND Rartway PLANTATION aND Two
Srupies or CAPSULES.
The Chief Conservator of Forests’ House, with five-year-old Albizzia
Lebbek standing beside it .
Three capsules of Mahogany (Khaya grandis Ivoriensis and Punchid),
from banks of Owena River a
Capsules of three species of Entandrophregma : EB. macrophyllum, the
largest; ZH. utilis, the next in size; and Z. cylindricum, the smallest
Cedrela odorata, seven years old, with Forest Office in pais ais
Olokemeji .
Cedrela odorata, Gigar-box Cedar, girth 5 Foot; twelve years old, Oloke-
meji Arboretum . 3 . .
Teak (Tectona grandis), ten sears old, Olokemeji Arborstim -
Teak, six years old, Olokemeji Arboretum .
Khaya Senegalensis, five years old, from dead obtained by H. N.
Thompson, Esq., in Shaki District .
Mature Iroko Tree (Chlorophora excelsa), over 12 fest in girth i in 1911,
since cut down and used for building the Chief Conservator of
Forests’ house . ‘i ‘ : : j : : . :
VII. NORTHERN PROVINCES, NIGERIA.
Marsh or “‘ fadama, ”’ with islets of foliage, Benué overflow near Yola
The Lower Niger in flood : :
Fringing Forest on River Benué, in the rainy season
A Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
Giginya or ‘“‘ Fan Palm ” ee fabelifr var. Bihiopum), with: water:
lilies (Nympheacee) .
VIII. WESTERN CIRCLE, OLOKEMEJI ARBORETUM.
Mahogany (Khaya grandis), 64 years old, showing bent leader, sis di to
previous one being eaten out by the leading-shoot borer .
1909 Mahogany (Khaya grandis and K. Punchii) Plantation after six
years’ growth, near road to Chief Conservator’s ae Olokemeji
Arboretum . i
The largest Mahogany (Khaya Punchit), seven — ld, Olokemesi
Arboretum, in the Forest Reserve ‘
Corner of the 1908 Teak Plantation, Olokemeji Arboretum, showing
it at the end of the dry season, March 1915, Captain Owens
Cedrela odorata, Cigar-box Cedar, three years old (seen elas),
R. E. Dennett, Esq. .
Corner tree of the 1908 Teak Plantation, “with H. N. Thompson, Esq, ¢9
1911.
Shea Butter Tree (Bidpraapermian Parkii), standing near the ‘Conservator
of Forests’ house, June 1915, after being Bale from fire eight
years . : 4 7 . 3 : : .
150
150
162
162
162
174
174
174
184
184
184
196
196
196
208
208
216
216
216
228
228
228
234
50.
51.
52.
63.
65.
67.
68.
69.
ILLUSTRATIONS 13
To page
Teak (Tectona grandis), three years old, Compartment 2, Range 2,
Olokemeji Forest Reserve . 234
Shea Butter Tree (Butyrospermum Parkii) i in iritit, April 1911, standing
near the Conservator of Forests’ house. This tree has been pro-
tected from fire for nearly four years . 234
Shea Butter Tree (Butyrospermum Parkii), standing near the ‘Conservator
of Forests’ house. The same tree of which the fruit was photographed
April 1911 . 5 ‘ 3 : . F - 234
IX. WESTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA.
Srupies oF TREES, OLOKEMEJI RESERVE.
Mature Opepe (Sarcocephalus esculentus), in middle of picture, across
Ogun River, Olokemeji Forest Reserve 250
Mature Oganwo (Khaya Punchii), near Dajopa, Olokemeji Reeerve,
showing base of stem for nearly 12 feet stripped of bark . 250
Large Emido (Mimusops multinervis), 10 feet in girth, Dajopa, Olokemeji
Forest Reserve . 250
Large-leaved Mahogany (Khaya giandis), 14 feta in girth, with smaller
Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), standing at the side, cuca Forest
Reserve . é 260
Arere (Triplochiton Nivericiun),, 120 fest high, thirty years old 260
Ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis), 7 feet 6 inches in girth, on Dajopa
Road, Olokemeji Reserve . 260
Large Ayin (Anogeissus leiocarpus), 10 foot i in girth, Dafoe, Olokemeji
Forest Reserve . 272
Oil Palm in bearing, tere tumehes of fruit in view; ‘Oldkemeji Forest
Reserve. 272
Base of 14-foot Bilinga (Afeetia Africana), Dajope Forest Recerse;
Olokemeji Reserve. 284
Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Packii), 7 fect in ginth, near Onilokn: Road,
Olokemji Reserve i 284
Afara (Terminalia superba), base of mature tree over 712 feet in - girth,
Olokemeji Reserve. 284
Afzelia Africana, 14 feet in girth, showing bole. and usual ‘for, Tiaiye
Range, Dajops, Olokemeji Forest Reserve . 3 284
X. WESTERN CIRCLE.
Forrest TREES, InaRo.
Khaya Ivoriensis, 14 feet 8 inches in girth, Haro Forest Reserve 294
Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), 8 feet in en ae in aro Forest Reserve
after Forest was cleared . . 294
XI. WESTERN CIRCLE,
Dry ZoNnE VEGETATION, Oro District.
Khaya Senegalensis, 1910, on bank of Ogun River, near aaa on
Province . 308
Locust Tree (Parkia ‘ filiooidlen), i in bearing, Oyo District, 1910 308
XII. WESTERN CIRCLE.
Srupms or Forest Veceration, Apo and Mamu Forest.
Mature Iroko {Chiorophora excelsa) and Teak, one ee old, Mamu
- Forest Reserve, Ibadan Province, 1915 * . s - 320
14
70.
71.
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
To face page
Large full-grown Iroko Tree (Chlorophora excelsa) standing near Ibadan,
Jebu Ode Road, Mamu Forest Reserve, in May 1910. See Fig. 69,
which is of the same tree taken five years later. . - 320
Untouched Forest on summit of Ado Rock, Oyo Province, 1910 . - 320
XII. WESTERN CIRCLE, OSHUN AND MAMU FORESTS.
Forest on banks of Oshun River, looking downstrean, Oshun Forest
Reserve . 332
Large Arere Tree (Triplochiton ‘Wigerinun): atveady girdled and dead . 332
Forest on banks of Oshun River, looking eee Oshun Forest
Reserve, Jebu Ode District a . 332
Ride between Compartments C and D, Mamu ” Forest Reserve,
Funtumia seedlings on either side, six to eight years old . zs - 332
XIV. WESTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA, ONDO AND IWOYE FORESTS,
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
86.
Path in Iwoye Forest, Western gui showing parts of four mahogany
trees in the picture . ‘ . . . 342
Mature Cocoanut Grove near stron in the middie of Tdanre: Town, 1910 342
XV. CENTRAL CIRCLE, NIGERIA, IFON FOREST.
Osse River, looking downstream, edge of the Pool, Ifon District . - 3854
Mixed Forest near Osse, looking upstream, Ifon District . a . 354
XVI. CENTRAL CIRCLE, NIGERIA, EBEKWI FOREST.
Heavy Sapeli Mahogany (Entandrophragma utilis) standing near the
road between Uyeri and Benin City, Benin Province . 364
Agba (Benin), (Pterogopodium ?), standing near Ifon Road, out of
Uyeri, Benin Province 2 . . 6 é 2 . 364
XVII. CENTRAL CIRCLE, NIGERIA.
Ocpa PiantaTion, BENIN.
Benin Satinwood (Afrormosia laxiflora) eer) in the Ogba peti
Benin District . 376
Mixed Mahogany Plantation, “Khaya grandie on left, K. Punchii in
centre, and Entandrophragma in the right eerie six years old,
near Ogba, Benin Province . 376
Ogea, Gum Copal (Daniellia caudata), standing i in the Ogba Plantation,
Benin Province . . . . . . - 876
XVIII. CENTRAL CIRCLE, OBAGIE FOREST, BENIN.
Khaya anthoteca, 16 feet in girth, Obagie Forest Reserve, Benin
Province . 384
Okan (Cylicodiscus Gabanensis; Afcioan Greenheart, 24 foet i in girth,
standing in Obagie Forest Reserve, Benin Province ‘ i 384
ILLUSTRATIONS 15
XIX. CENTRAL CIRCLE, NIGERIA, KOKO TOWN MAHOGANY.
; To face page
87. Koko Town, with raft of mahogany logs moored near the bank . . 396
88. Mahogany logs floating in the river above Koko Town : . - 396
XX. CENTRAL CIRCLE, NIGERIA, OSSE RIVER FOREST.
89. Funtumia Rubber Plantation, both sides of the road, Rabid
Benin a 408
90. Mahogany Plantation, Khaya Punnii, twelve years old, near ar Noam, on
the banks of the Osse River, Benin Province 7 408
91. Entandrophragma log with three sides already squared “ond fourth
partially cut ready for squaring . - 408
92. Stump of Khaya Punchii with log at base, left i in the Benin Forest . . - 408
XXJI. EASTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA, STUDIES OF TREES.
DecEeMa Forest StTaTIon, INCLUDING Imo Brinep,
93. Mimusops Djave, about twelve years old, standing near Prison, means
Station, Eastern Circle . 414
94. Mature Light African Greenheart, Piptadenia Africana, standing in
the middle of Degema Station . 414
95. Young Oil Bean Tree in bearing, Pertaclethra mncerophylia, Degema
Station ; 414
96. Red Oak, Berlinia. déiurnindin, 20 feet in girth, standing near the
Sombreiro River, Degema Station - 414
97. Base of Red Oak, Berlinia acuminata, showing sniathi bark with
comparatively few large scales, Degema Station . 428
98. Iroko, Chlorophora excelsa, nursery bed, with arias cs two sears old,
at the side of Forest House, Degema . 428
99. The temporary Wooden Bridge over the Imo, on the ‘Basten Division,
Nigerian Railway. Note, only native, locally Pere timber used
in its construction. : 446
100. Medium-sized African Pearwood, Mimusops Djawe, standing i in the
middle of the road outside Degema Station on the road to Ilimema,
since felled, and logs sold in England . 446
101. Inoi Tree, Poga oleosa, standing at the edge of the Degen Station
grounds . . . . . . 3 . . . - 446
XX. EASTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA, CALABAR ARBORETUM
AND STATION.
102. Oil Palm, Elwis Guineensis, eight years old, in bearing, showing nine
out of the twenty-one bunches of fruit on the tree . 4 460
103. Seven-year-old Oil Palm in bearing, rather over-pruned, chowing male
inflorescence just below boy’sfinger and bunch of fruit in the middle
of the picture . 460
104. Mature Brachystegia spicesformin stexding at the side of ‘the Calaber
Road, Calabar, showing the typical shape of the crown and
branches ?
105. Base of mature Brachystegia, apicasformis standing at the side ‘of the
Calabar Road, Calabar, showing both the scaly untouched bark and
the wounded section covered with nodules . : F - 472
472
16
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
XXII. EASTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA, CROSS RIVER.
Trax Puantations, NDEH.
To face page
Rest House Teak Plantation at Ndeh, showing rows of trees 9 feet
apart and 4 feet between . 486
View between the lines of one-year- -old Teak Plantation ‘at Naeh, in
which trees were planted 4 feet apart F e ‘ i - 486
XXIV. EASTERN CIRCLE, NIGERIA, STUDIES OF TREES.
Ixnicon Forest.
Shinglewood, Terminafia scutifera, 12 feet in girth, haiti! in the
Ikrigon Forest Reserve, Eastern Circle 7 496
Iroko, Chlorophora excelsa, 15 feet in girth, standing 2 in Tkrizon ‘Forest
Reserve . 496
Mahogany, Khaya Sonajatonsts (?), ‘standing at the edge of Tirigon
Forest Reserve, showing base of trunk with old bark wounds already
healed over 3 2 - ‘ ; e c . 5 .
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WEST AFRICAN FORESTS
AND FORESTRY
CHAPTER I
THE FORESTS OF WESTERN AFRICA
From a large scale-map of Africa, the various British West Airican
Colonies and Protectorates, as well as Liberia, French Ivory Coast,
the late German Colonies of Togo and Cameroons, can be seen on the
western side of that Continent. In fact, these territories are all within
the Tropics, and also between the latitudes of 13° North in the Gambia
to nearly the Equator in the Cameroons, and between longitude of
17° West to 10° East. Roughly speaking, Upper Guinea, as this part
is usually called, covers an area of 100 to 200 miles wide by a length
of over 1,500 miles, as a sylvan belt mainly of one type of vegetation,
which botanically, however, only begins to alter as the boundary of
the Cameroons is approached in the eastern part of Nigeria. There-
fore one finds several trees extending right through this area, and also
an almost unbroken forest all the way along the coast line, and roughly
100 to 150 miles inland. The width of the forest varies rather accord-
ing to the aspect of the coast line, because the prevalent wind being
south-west, the greatest rainfall, and’ thus the heaviest type of forest,
occurs when the coast line runs at right angles to the prevailing wind.
This occurs, for instance, near Calabar, Nigeria in the Cameroons,
part of the Gold Coast near Axim, and Sierra Leone near Freetown.
In some instances this effect is accentuated by the proximity of
mountains near the coast, as, for instance, north of Calabar and
north of Benin. One tree, which might be taken as a type, is the
Rhodesian Mahogany, Afzelia Africana, which is found right in
this belt of forest on its northern side. As the name implies, it is
also found in Rhodesia, near the Victoria Falls. Mahogany, Khaya
Senegalensis, is another tree found in the Gambia, also in Nigeria
right up to the Cameroon border, over 1,500 miles away.
However, in this huge forest belt there are great variations in the
rainfall, from 20 to over 175 inches in the Oban Hills of Nigeria. There
are also, naturally, variations in soil and elevation, which make differ-
2 17
18 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
ences in the character of the forest. The proximity to the sea causes
yet another difference in the type of vegetation, combined as it often
is with low elevation.
Broadly speaking, then, one can differentiate several distinct types
of forest, though owing to slight changes in a locality the one merges
into the other and very sharp boundary lines cannot be drawn.
I. The Mangrove Swamps are usually near the sea coast, though
not always at the sea coast; a strip of Evergreen Forest is usually
found actually on the sandy dunes of the sea coast. The Mangrove
Swamps also extend up the rivers near the coast as a fringe a mile
or more wide.
II. The Evergreen Forest is usually found on the sea coast, also
extending inland up the rivers, and also on low land up to an eleva-
tion of a few hundred feet, as, for instance, the forest on the banks
of the Calabar River.
Ill. The Freshwater Swamp Forests are also found in this type
of locality.
IV. The Mixed intermediate Forest is found usually where the
rainfall does not exceed 60 inches, or in slightly hilly country, and
contains a few deciduous trees. Typical trees of this forest are the
Triplochiton Nigericum and Mimusops multinervis. It contains both
evergreen and deciduous trees.
V. The Fringing Forest, or “Gallerie” Forest of the Germans,
is found at the edge of rivers or lakes, where the rainfall is otherwise
too low for the mixed deciduous forests.
VI. The Savannah Forest, sometimes so-called Dry-zone' Forest,
usually occurs with a rainfall of 30 to 50 inches. The typical tree
of this is the Lophira alata.
VII. The Evergreen Forest of the hills, chiefly above an altitude
of 2,000 or 3,000 feet. It is especially noticeable on Mount Itakum
and the Boji Hills (elevation 5,000 feet).
VIII. The Open Orchard Forest, with shrubby trees of small
growth. ;
These, then, roughly follow the (Ecological Divisions according
to Warming, which are as follows:
Mangrove Swamp,
True Savannah,
Treeless Savannah, low and high grass,
Bush Savannah,
Tree Savannah,
Savannah Forest,
Sclerophyllus formations, such as
Bush and Forest,
Bamboo Forest.
THE FORESTS OF WESTERN AFRICA
19
Forests are in addition named after the locality, such as Benin
Forests, Oban Forests, Ondo Forests.
Again, yet another nomen-
clature is after the kind of tree represented, such as Evergreen Forest,
where all the trees are evergreen all the year round; for instance,
Calabar Forests, Ondo, South Benin.
The mixed forests and intermediate forests, where the trees are
both evergreen and deciduous, growing side by side, such as Olokemeji
Forests, Benin Forests, Obubra Forests, and Bende Forests.
Thus
summarising the Nigerian Forests, we get the following formations :
1. Nigerian Swamp = ate
2. Evergreen Forests
. Freshwater Swamp Forests
3. Mixed Deciduous, intermediate
Forests
. Fringing Forests aa
4. Canopied Deciduous Forests
(sometimes termed dense
Savannah Forests)
5. Open Deciduous Forests ws
6. Tree Savannah Orchard Forest
7. Treeless Savannah i... a
Evergreen: Mangrove, type tree.
Lophira procera, Parinarium.
Cynometra mitragyne.
Triplochiton, Iroko, Chlorophora
excelsa.
Mixed, deciduous really.
Olokemeji: Berlinia, Afzelia.
Paradaniella Oliverii, Ugenia Owa-
riensis, Terminalia Togoensis.
Lophira alata, Shea butter, Acacia ;
Iwu, Oyo, Ndeh.
Grass, a few stunted bushes of
Acacia Isoberlinia, North
Ogoja.
CHAPTER II
THE GAMBIA
In the early part of the nineteenth century a considerable quantity
of African Mahogany, obtained from Khaya Senegalensis, a dry-zone
mahogany-tree, was shipped to England ; in fact, this was the original
source of African Mahogany, as also it was the first tree from which
it was obtained. Even now this tree is one of the most prevalent
in the strip of land on both banks of the Gambia, so far as British
territory is concerned.
At the present time no mahogany is being shipped from the Gambia,
but recently an Ordinance was passed regulating the cutting of fire-
wood and forest trees.
Forests in the ordinary sense of the word cannot be said to exist
in the Gambia, but no doubt a considerable amount of timber could
be obtained from the dry-zone country. The total length of the
colony is 300 miles, and approximately 5 miles wide, on either side
of the Gambia River, which makes it in the aggregate a considerable
tract of country, in all 4,500 square miles, of which the colony proper
occupies 4 square miles.
So far only Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus), Mahogany (Khaya
Senegalensis), and small pieces of Baywood, probably also a mahogany,
have been reported from the Gambia. In 1908 a certain amount of
wood was cut for the making of charcoal by a man from the Canary
Islands. In 1909, 102 tons of charcoal were exported, and in 1910,
176 tons, valued at £634. Since then no other returns are available,
so apparently this industry has come to an end. There is no Forest
Officer in the Gambia, and no proposals for Forest Reserves have been
put forward by the Government. Part of the land near the mouth
of the Gambia is swampy and covered with the usual Mangrove
forests.
In the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, vol. viii, 1910, p. 244, it
is stated that the specimens of rosewood and mahogany forwarded
to the Imperial Institute were reported on as follows:
Rosewood (Dalbergia sp.), reddish-yellow with darker lines and
red pores, solid and compact, resembling rosewood except in colour.
The timber would not pass as rosewood on the market. It has an
20
THE GAMBIA 21
agreeable odour, is hard and heavy, weighing 45} Ib. per cubic foot.
It turned and polished well, sawed very easily, but was difficult to
plane; planing left a smooth, bright surface.
Mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis) may be looked upon as inferior
baywood, the wood light in colour, of poor figure, hard to plane, but
when planed leaves the surface bright and woolly in alternate bands ;
very cross grained, sawed and turned easily. Weight, 414 lb. per
cubic foot. Should be very useful locally, but probably not of sufficient
value for much export trade.
Even in this comparatively small colony a certain amount of
forest land should be preserved, more especially that which is
unsuitable for agriculture. In every country there is always some
poor or rocky land which is not favourable to the growing of
agricultural crops.
The oil palm is another useful tree, which yields the well-known
palm oil and kernels; however, here the oil is required locally for
alimentary purposes, and therefore only the palm kernels are
exported.
The following shows the exports for five years:
Year. Tons. £ s. d.
1910... ie .. 467 .. 5,640 0 0
1911. i -» 443 .. 4,756 0 0
1912. ba .. 445 ., 6,518 0 0
1913. is -» 545 .. 9,026 0 0
1914. tists - «6 4942 ws 7,814.17 11
It will be noticed that the very high prices ruling for part of 1913
and the beginning of 1914 had the effect of causing increased exports
to be made.
Here, as in the case of other products, planting could be under-
taken with advantage, as the yield of kernels and oil is good; even if
the increased amount of oil produced was sold locally, the increased
output of kernels would find a market in England, where they are
needed.
It is a tree which allows cultivation of field crops to be made
between the oil palms for several years before the palms become
too big and shut out the light necessary for field crops. In the
drier climate of the Gambia a planting distance of probably 16 feet
would be sufficient to ensure a good yield, and yet give sufficient
distance between the trees to allow room for them even when
mature.
Tf an Agricultural or Forest Department, which at present does
not exist in the Gambia, could not supply young seedlings or nuts
for planting, one of the trading firms could secure them from one
of the other West Coast Protectorates. Of course, in many cases,
22 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
if the natives could be induced to believe that a good price would
always be paid for kernels, they would no doubt make small planta-
tions of oil palms themselves, as some fruit always falls to the ground
in the picking, is thus not boiled, and so is suitable for furnishing
seed for planting. It is, of course, inadvisable to plant boiled nuts,
as many do not germinate, owing to the germ having been destroyed
by the boiling of the fruit; others do, however, as can be seen in the
young oil palms sprouting from heaps of uncracked nuts which the
natives leave near the villages.
APPENDIX I
FOREST FEES IN GAMBIA
A NEw list was published by the Legislative Council in Gambia which fixes the
different rates of fees for the right of felling useful timber for export.
The fees are as follows:
Felling of Useful Timber for Export.
For each sort of useful trunk .. wie, -. 10s. per trunk.
Felling of Useful Timber which is not intended for Export.
For each trunk, Rosewood (Jacaranda, Pali-
sander wood) .. os eis ae -. 5s. per trunk.
‘For each trunk, Mahogany oe an .. 1s. per foot after felling.
For each trunk in Mandingo Falls ae .» 9d. per foot after felling.
For each trunk in Tumbo as 5 .. 8d. per foot after felling.
For each trunk in Jaffo .. ats a .. 6d. per foot after felling.
For each trunk, Cotton-tree sa ae .- 4d. per foot after felling.
For every other valuable tree .. ax .. 4d. per cubic foot.
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Smythe standing
the late Mr. C. W.
at base of tree,
Fia. 6.—African Oak (Oldfieldia Africana), showing Scaly Bark
beside it.
, showing bole in
Bridge.
middle foreground, near Bureh Town
65.—African Oak (Oldfieldia Africana)
Fla.
To face p. 24.
CHAPTER III
SIERRA LEONE
I. THe Forests.
Tue Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone cover an area of approxi-
mately 34,000 square miles, or, to make it more comprehensible, it
is almost the same size as Ireland. Probably in the earliest times
the whole territory was covered with some kind of arborescent growth,
varying from open savannah and deciduous forest to close, impene-
trable evergreen rain forest.
Now scarcely 1 per cent. of this forest remains, one of the most
important tracts being the Sierra Leone or Peninsular Mountain Forest,
situated on the mountain due east of Freetown. The whole of this
‘region was once covered with forest, now reduced to an area of
approximately 48 square miles, or 30,000 acres. All this tract down
to the 500-foot control line has been reserved as a permanent forest,
so that eventually the whole peninsular forest will have an area of
75 square miles. Illustrations Nos. 2 and 4 show a general view of
these forests.
Other important mountain forests are those situated on the Kassewe
Hills, Kagnari Mountains, Kambui Hills, Panguma Hills, Nimmini
Mountains, Loma Mountains, Bunbola Hills, and Maramper Hills.
In addition to these areas, timber trees are felled at Kangahan and
Yonni, as well as in the peninsular mountains and Maramper Hills,
especially for local use.
Turning now to a consideration of the forests more in detail, one
naturally first deals with the most accessible ones, i.e. of the penin-
sular mountains. From the beautiful harbour of Freetown, Sierra
Leone, one sees the edge of these forests between Leicester Peak and
Sugar Loaf Mountains. From these two points it skirts the hill
station, extending thence roughly parallel to the sea as far as Kent;
the largest wooded slopes face the ocean, only a narrow strip of forest
being found on the landward side of the mountains near Burehtown
and John Obey. The forest extends practically from the water’s
edge on the estuary of the Bureh River right up the mountains to an
elevation of 2,000 feet, with a rainfall of upwards of 160 inches per
year. Silvan vegetation is very luxuriant, the giant trees standing
25
26 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
close together, often entwined and joined to each other by various
large creepers, the whole forming an almost impenetrable grove, into
which only the diffused light of the sun reaches. The undergrowth
is not very thick, except where old trees have fallen or where mature
trees have been felled; this is partly owing to the dense shade of
the tall trees, and therefore the trunks of these trees can be seen.
A large Cedar Mahogany 23 feet in circumference was seen.
This specimen of a mahogany was one of the largest trees found,
and shows to what size the trees attain in this peninsular forest.
One of the commonest trees found is the Red Ironwood, or sometimes
called in Sierra Leone Ironpost, botanically known as Lophira procera.
A picture of a large specimen of one of this species is shown as
illustration No. 2. Another very common tree is a species of Mimusops,
known as pearwood, or sometimes mahogany, when sold as timber.
The African Violetwood, sometimes known as Blackwood, is compara-
tively common. Rhodesian Mahogany, usually called Kontah,
botanically known as Afzelia Africana, is also found. Real African
Oak (Oldfieldia Africana) is seen singly scattered throughout forests.
A patch of true Gum Copa! trees is found, as well as isolated specimens
in some parts of the forest. Rock Elm (Chlorophora excelsa) is seen
both in the forest and in the clearings made for farms. The Oil Palm
(Elaeis guineensis) is sparsely distributed in the forest, but more
frequent in the abandoned farms. The above-named trees are repre-
sentative of some of the very large number of hardwoods and other
trees of economic value in the forest. There are, however, also a
very large number of softwoods found scattered amongst the other
trees in the forest; a beautiful Whitewood (Alstonia Congensis)
is, for instance, one of such softwoods. The Cotton Tree (Hriodendron
anfractuosum) is probably the one most commonly found. Various
Albizzias are also met with in a similar manner.
Ii. Notes on TimBer TREES.
Taking now the different species of timber trees individually, the
following are most important :
1. Real African Oak (Oldfieldia Africana), which is termed Tor-
torza by the Timanis and Paulai by the Mendis. As illustration
No. 5 shows, this is a very large and tall tree. It often attains a
bole length of 50 feet and a girth of 16 feet. It is found singly,
scattered through the forest. The habit of its branches, open
crown, and greyish bark make it look not unlike a European oak.
In reality the bark is scaly, gradually peeling off in flakes. The tree
in illustration No. 6 shows this characteristic peculiarity to advantage,
and also shows a medium-sized tree, approximately 10 feet in girth.
The tree fruits moderately, and has an indehiscent capsule not unlike
SIERRA LEONE 27
the shape, size and colour of an oak-apple. The capsule has five faint
ribs on its surface, but contains only three seeds. The little seedling,
with light grey stem and white lenticels, is easily recognized. It
usually has also only three leaflets on its leaves, instead of forming
true digitate leaves as a full-grown tree. The sapling once started
shows fairly rapid growth, and during the early years stands a
good deal of shade. It should therefore be classified as a slight
shade-bearer. African Oak is a dark reddish-brown wood, which is
very hard and most durable. It has, of course, a much closer grain
than ordinary oak. A very smooth surface can be obtained by planing
the timber. Locally, small trees are cut for conversion by pit-saw
into timber for boat keels. This timber was exported as teak from
Sierra Leone 1827 to 1835 for use in the English Navy. It was after-
wards lost sight of, though the natives continued to use it locally.
During 1908 a few round logs of short length (12-16 feet) of this timber
were exported to England and sold in a Liverpool market for 2s. 6d.
per cubic foot (extreme measure).
2. Ironpost, or African Oak, or Red Ironwood (Lophira procera),
is the most common tree throughout the peninsula. According to
the Conservator of Forests in Sierra Leone, 80 per cent. of the trees
of the peninsular forest are Lophira procera. / All stages of growth
are found, from the smallest seedlings to the largest tree, over
100 feet high and 20 feet in girth. In the forest the tree has an
orange-coloured bark, which rapidly turns grey when exposed to the
rays of the sun. The bole is not always quite cylindrical, especially
near the base, where it often develops rather angular root protu-
berances. This seems to occur more often on rocky ground, such
as that where the tree is found in the peninsula. For a similar
reason the bole is not always straight, though in the ordinary way
the tree has a comparatively small crown with short branches. Thus,
in proportion to the size of the tree, the bole is very long, the twigs
are thickish, and the long thin paper-knifelike leaves appear at the
ends of them. Seedlings seem to come up wherever suitable con-
ditions of reproduction are found. A clear bole is typical of
these trees in the pole stage of growth. [Illustration No. 2 shows a
large specimen on the edge of the forest, and there are
many large trees with the peculiar root protuberances, growing in
the forest. The timber is very hard and of a dark red colour, which
it retains when dry. The heartwood forms comparatively early in
the life of the tree, and although the sapwood is white, it is almost
as hard as the heartwood. For this reason comparatively small
trees yield timber, and thus can be felled earlier than trees in
which the heartwood forms later. Of course, in this connection it
should not be forgotten that the market does not desire logs of too
small a size, i.e. of 18 inches or under, when squared. Locally this
28 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
is known as Ironpost, and is sold for house-building, and, as its name
implies, it is used for the uprights of the house. The Public Works
Department have a regular schedule of timbers which are used, and
this timber is mentioned amongst them, and is bought from native
contractors at 3d. per superficial foot for boards, and 3d. to 6d.
per linear foot for beams and posts. This timber has been used as
a substitute for real African Oak, when it is sold as African Oak.
A regular supply of logs could be obtained from the peninsular
forest.
3. Cedar Mahogany (Pseudocedrela sp.; termed Bissimi by the
Mendis). Thistree, which grows to a very large size, is not very preva-
lent. The largest tree, some 23 feet in girth, was found above the
Gumah. The bole is usually very long and straight, which makes
it very cylindrical. This last characteristic of the tree is all the more
accentuated by its having no root projections at its base. This
species appears to be one of the largest trees in the forest. It is appa-
rently a very fast-growing tree, forming heartwood comparatively
early, though the sapwood is rather wide (up to 10 inches in a
tree 7 feet in diameter). This timber has not been exported,
but wood from similar trees on the coast has been exported and
sold in the European market as mahogany (scented). There is no
reason to believe, therefore, that the wood from this tree would not
fetch a similar price. Owing to this tree being so fullwooded, a larger
proportion of the bole can be converted into logs than is the case
with other kinds of mahogany trees which have large root flanges.
4. African Walnut (Lovoa Klaineana). This is a medium-sized
tree of the Mahogany family, which, owing to the brown colour of the
wood, has been termed African Walnut in the timber trade. Although
not very prevalent, it yields one of the timbers suitable for export.
5. Satin Mahogany (Guarea sp.) is another medium-sized tree
which is prevalent in most parts of the peninsula. The grain of
the timber is of course similar to Mahogany, as the tree from
which it is obtained belongs to the Mahogany family. The timber
when planed has a satiny sheen on it, which may make it valuable
in the European market. It has not been cut for local use.
6. African Pearwood (Mimusops sp.) is a large tree with a good
bole of fair length. Only a moderate number of this species were
found, but there are at least two, if not three, other species of Mimusops
which yield a timber which has been sold as mahogany. The grain
of the timber of the first-named tree is more open, sometimes figured,
and of a lighter reddish colour than the other species. These other
trees yield a dark-red timber of close grain, which is much harder than
mahogany. These Mimusops are found at a higher altitude than
most timber trees. The forest, therefore, above an elevation of 2,000
feet, is much more valuable owing to the presence of this tree. These
SIERRA LEONE 29
trees attain a girth of 12 feet and a height of upwards of 150 feet.
The bark of the trunk of the tree is smoother than that of
mahogany.
7. White Mahogany (Canarium Schweinfurthii), also known some-
times as Gaboon Mahogany, is a very tall forest tree which attains a
bole length of 70 feet, with a girth of 10 feet. It is not very plentiful,
but is one of the light-coloured species of mahogany. It has a definite
shipping value of 2s. 6d. in the round per cubic foot.
8. African Mammee or Mammy Apple (Ochrocarpus Africanus) is
a large tree attaining a girth of 10 feet, with a bole length of
30 feet. It is moderately prevalent. The timber has a pretty grain,
and is of a reddish colour, which is similar to mahogany.
9. Dita (Detarium Senegalense) is a large tree with the bole length
of 30 feet and a girth of 12 feet. Although it is not a very common
tree, it is a useful addition to the number of trees which yield timber
similar to mahogany. The fruit is large, has an edible pericarp, and
is sold in the market under the name of Dita.
10. Red Cedar (species of Sterculiacez) is a large and straight-
growing tree, which reaches a girth of 10 feet. The tree has very
characteristic root flanges, which can be seen in illustration No. 10.
The timber has a mahogany-like grain, though of a somewhat
more open texture. It is one of the most prevalent trees in the
peninsular forest.
11. Kontah, or Mahogany (Afzelia Africana), is a large tree with
oval crown and bole length of 30 feet. Only a few specimens were
met with in the forest, though the tree often grows up in old clearings.
The timber is of a reddish-brown colour, somewhat hard and very
durable. It takes the place of an oak timber economically, although
it is not really of that type. The grain of the timber has much longer
and more open pores than oak, though it could probably be sold as
an oak or teak substitute in the European market.
12. Rock Elm, also known as African Oak or Teak, is a common
tree attaining large dimensions. Being a very durable wood of moderate
hardness, it largely takes the place of European oak in the economy
of the country, which, with its yellowish light-brown wood, rapidly
becoming a nice old-oak brown colour, makes it a very similar timber,
although, as the first name, Rock Elm, indicates, the tree is botanic-
ally a member of the Elm family. White ants occasionally attack
its sapwood, but make no progress in the heartwood. The wood is
not attacked by fungi to any extent. Wherever the rainfall is sufficient,
seedlings of this tree come up in the old farms, and when cut down
it sprouts again from the stump.
13. East Indian Walnut (Albizzia Lebbek) is a medium-sized tree
which grows very quickly. The heartwood, which matures com-
paratively early, is a light-brown colour, similar to walnut. The
30 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
timber has an open, pretty grain. It is one of the trees which comes
up in old farms, provided rainfall is moderate.
14. Satinwood (Zanthorylum macrophyllum) is a medium-sized
tree with a clear bole of 30 feet, combined with a narrow crown and
small branches. It is a very common tree in the peninsular forest,
and it is also found growing up in the old farms, where the rainfall
is adequate (60 inches). The wood is the typical light-yellow colour.
The grain of the timber is very fine and hard, which makes it less
liable to shrink than other more open-grained woods. The heartwood
forms early, though where trees grow up very quickly, roughly only
half of the diameter width of a tree is made of heartwood. That is
to say, in a tree a foot in diameter, approximately 6 inches will be
heartwood. In the evergreen forest there is another species of
Zanthoxylum which attains a rather larger size than the first named.
It is, however, not quite so prevalent as the other species. In common
with other species of Zanthoxylum, it bears all round the stem extremely
large woody spines. In this species the spiny protuberances are exactly
like small round cones of wood, with a diameter 2 inches at the
base. Yet a third species of Zanthorylum Senegalense yields a similar
satinwood, almost as close grained, which, however, is found growing
as a small tree at the edge of the deciduous forest before the dry-
zone belt is reached. This tree is characterised by its much smaller
leaf, with pinnze broader in proportion to their length than the
former species. In a similar manner the woody protrusions on the
stem do not project more than three-quarters of an inch from it,
compared to those of the second-named species, which attain a length
of 3 inches. The timber of this dry-zone Satinwood is just as valuable
as the former species. It is fairly prevalent in the more open forest
where it is found. It withstands the annual grass fires to some extent,
and seedlings appear in the neighbourhood of mature trees.
15. Violetwood is a medium-sized tree with a smooth bark not
unlike beech, and a bole of up to 20 feet in length and 12 feet in girth.
It is, however, a little crooked in growth, but this is not an undesir-
able feature, because the texture of the grain often thus becomes
figured. Specimens which were collected showed this growth, and
a few species had a very pretty figured grain. It is quite a common
tree in the peninsular forest. The fruit of this tree is a pod about
a foot long and an inch wide, containing on the average eight oblong
flattish beans. The wood is of a greenish-brown colour, and is very
hard, heavy and durable, judging by the timber of fallen trees. The
timber when planed has a scent of violets, hence the English name
which I have given to it. The tree has not been cut for use as an
export timber, though it is well worth a trial. It is not used locally,
so that all available supplies of timber could be used for export.
16. Pterocarpus erinaceus (African Rosewood) is a small tree of
SIERRA LEONE 31
the savannah forest, which is found in the Karina district and other
parts of the country. It is one of the commonest trees, and occurs
in small groups scattered throughout these forests. The timber is
a reddish-brown colour and of a similar texture to the ordinary Cam-
wood or Padauk, of which genus it isa member. The wood, however,
of this species is much harder than that of the others, and the colora-
tion is often partially streaked, both features being due probably to
the much slower growth owing to the annual grass fires. From the
neighbouring territory of Senegal the timber has been exported to
France as African Rosewood, where it finds a good market; but it
is doubtful if it could compete with the Bahia Rosewood in the
English market, owing to its less brilliant colour; the timber is, however,
worth a trial.
17. Baphia nitida (Camwood) is a small-sized tree, which is com-
monly found at the edge of villages and in old farms. It is a somewhat
slow-growing tree, in which the heartwood forms none too early and
in a somewhat irregular manner, occasionally small patches forming
comparatively near the bark. The wood is hard, and the heartwood
of a deep claret-red colour. The timber is close grained and of fine
texture, which planes very smooth after being cut and dried. In
recent years much smaller quantities of Camwood have been sent
away (see Appendix I) than between the years 1827 and 1835
(see Appendix II), when between 5 and 802 tons were exported.
In this connection, too, there can be no doubt that Camwood is
obtained from the tree known botanically as Baphia nitida, because
this tree is found in Sierra Leone, whereas Barwood, or the so-called
Camwood of Nigeria, the produce of Pterocarpus tinctorius or Osun,
which has not yet been reported from the neighbourhood of Sierra
Leone, could not have been absolutely killed out between the years
1835 and 1900.
III. Trees Cut ror Locau Use.
1. Morinda citrifolia? (the Brimstone) is the most common tree,
from which the largest amount of timber which is used locally is
obtained. Growing, as it does, with a girth up to 20 feet and a bole
length of 50 feet, the local sawyers can usually make a very large
number of 12-feet planks 1 inch thick out of each tree. The chief
use of this timber is for weather-boards, which are sold at 10s. per
100 feet. All the native houses in Freetown are faced with weather-
boards of this kind of timber. After being cut down, shoots sprout
out from the stump, forming in a few years small trees of useful size,
especially in old farms. The name of this tree, Brimstone, denotes
the wonderful sulphur-like colour of the wood. The durability of
this timber for outside work and its termite-resisting qualities
have given it a premier position amongst local timbers. The
82 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Brimstone has a fruit not unlike coffee, and bears seeds plentifully ;
it should therefore not be difficult to raise seedlings for making planta-
tions. The trees grown from stool-shoots do not appear to attain
nearly such a large size as those grown from seedlings in the forest.
2. Chlorophora excelsa (Rock Elm, African Oak) is a common
tree which is cut for local use. The heartwood, which rapidly darkens
from a light-yellow brown colour to a dark old-oak brown colour
on exposure to air, is very durable for inside or outside work. Though
white ants attacks and destroy the sapwood, they make little or no
progress in properly seasoned heartwood. Locally it realises 10s.
per 100 feet. It is plentiful, and has a distinct tendency to spread
into old farms, where the seedlings have more light to develop than
in the forest.
3. Iyawey (Red Cedar, or Isganwe) is also a common tree which is
cut for local use. It is a large and straight-growing tree, and attains a
girth of about 10 feet. Owing to the wood being comparatively soft,
easy to saw and of a nice red colour, it fetches 12s. per 100 feet, which
is more than is obtained for several other local timbers.
4, Oldfieldia Africana (Black Oak, Beechwood) is cut for local
use, for sale as planks at 24d. per foot, and uprights and beams at
3s. per cubic foot. One of the chief uses of this timber is for the
keelsons of the locally made sea-going boats. Owing to the diffi-
culty of the local sawyers in handling heavy logs on the raised wooden
pit-saw framework on which the logs are sawn, only comparatively
small trees are felled, and consequently there is more waste, and under-
sized trees are prematurely sacrificed owing to the poor methods of
the local sawyers. Less timber, especially heartwood, is thus
obtained.
5. Parinarium sp. (White Oak) is a moderately common
tree. It attains a good height and a girth of 12 feet. It has large
root flanges reaching about 10 feet up the bole. Although a some-
what hard wood, it is used locally either as planks and posts or as
beams and logs. It is said to be durable, and is worth 2s. per cubic
foot when sawn.
6. Afzelia Africana (Mahogany, Kontah) is a medium-sized tree
which is not very prevalent in the forest, but is much more so outside
in the open forest country. The timber, which is hard, has an open
grain with a good yellow-brown colour, not unlike Iroko. It is very
durable, and used as planks and logs. In the plank it is sold at 6d.
per superficial foot, and in the log at 3s. 6d. per cubic foot. This is
considered one of the best local woods, partly owing to its grain being
-somewhat similar to mahogany. Seedlings appear in old farms where
there are but few grasshoppers. Otherwise trees grown in a nursery
are attacked by these insects, as well as by rodents of different kinds.
7. Daniella Ogea (Blue Bessie) is sold as planks at 3d. per super-
SIERRA LEONE 83
ficial foot. It is closely related to Paradaniella Thurifera; the former
tree is more prevalent in the green forest, and the latter in the open
deciduous forests, which attains a girth of 10 feet and a bole length
of 30 feet, while the first-named species reaches a girth of over
20 feet and a bole length of over 100 feet. It is sold locally chiefly for
house-building.
8. Griffonia palescens Koronko is felled for sale as planks at 24d.
per superficial foot.
9. Coula edulis? (Almond Wood) is’a medium-sized tree which is
cut into planks 1 to 2 inches thick and up to 12 feet long, and sold
at 24d. per superficial foot.
10. Rhizophora racemosa (Mangrove) grows in pure “stands”
in the swamps near the sea coast, chiefly in the estuaries of the rivers.
It attains a girth of 4 feet and a height of 80 feet. It is sold as poles
9 to 12 feet in diameter at the rate of 24d. per cubic foot. Very large
areas of mangrove forest occur, so that ample supplies of this kind
of timber are assured. Locally it is often used for house-building,
and is preferred to many other timbers.
ll. Ochrocarpus Africanus (Mammy Apple) is a large tree attaining
a girth of 10 feet and a bole length of 30 feet. It is evidently not so
prevalent as it used to be, owing to the fact that the best trees have
been felled. Seedlings, however, appear very readily from the large
fruit when it falls in suitable germinating places in the forest. It is
much prized locally on account of its pretty grain and red mahogany-
like colour. It is sold as planks, joists or posts at 3d. or 34d. per
superficial foot.
12. Ansophyllea laurina (Monkey Apple) is a very lofty tree,
attaining a girth of 12 feet and a bole length of 40 feet. Although
moderately prevalent in the forests, it is very plentiful outside in
the deciduous forests. It shoots up very strongly from the stump
after an old tree has been cut down. Wood obtained from these
stool-shoots is, however, not so good or of such large size as that
obtained from seedling trees. The timber is a light-brown colour,
but a very pretty grain, full of medullary rays, giving it a sheen not
unlike oak. Locally it is sold as joists and posts at the price of
3d. to 6d. per superficial foot.
13. Lophira procera (Red Oak, Kokank, also known as Ironpost)
is sold as planks, posts and beams at 34d. to 6d. per superficial foot.
It is chiefly used for house-building. A full description of this tree
is given under the heading of the export timbers, so that nothing
more need be added here.
14. Parinarium excelsum (Rough-skinned Plum) is a very common
tree, which attains a girth of 12 feet and a bole length of 30 feet. It
yields a hard timber with open grain. It is sold locally as planks
or logs at 6d. per cubic foot for building timber. The fruit, which,
3
84 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
as the name indicates, is like a green plum, is covered with white
lenticels, making the surface very rough. The flesh-is of a yellowish
colour and soft, with a pasty nature. It has a sweet, pleasant taste.
The wood, when freshly cut, has a sweet, beeswax-like scent, similar to
that of the fruit.
15. Whismore, which is sold as planks at 24d. per superficial foot,
is another very useful timber, not unlike cedar in texture. The tree
comes up very readily in old farms, and has very large tri-pinnate
leaves. Apparently it grows very fast, though this does not appear
to hinder the early formation of heartwood, which is of a very light
brown colour, though the sapwood is quite white. It attains a girth
of about 9 feet and a bole length of 50 feet. The bark forms very
characteristic fissures, dividing it into more or less diamond-shaped
pieces, rather reminiscent of the European Elm. Although the tree
does not occur in actual groups, more than one will usually be found
in the same locality.
16. Uapaca Heudelotti (Sugar Plum, Red Cedar) is a large tree
with rather a spread of crown and numerous aerial roots. It attains
a girth of 9 feet and a bole length of 20 feet. The timber has a close
and fine grain, and is of a reddish colour. Locally it is cut and used
for the ribs of sea-going boats. It is apparently quite durable for
this purpose. It is very prevalent, and usually grows near waterways.
17. Pycnanthus Kombo (White Cedar) is a very large tree which
attains a girth of 12 feet and a bole length of 80 feet. It is very preva-
lent, and can be recognised by the flat crown and long straight branches
coming out at right angles to the stem. When cut it exudes a reddish-
coloured mass of semi-liquid nature. The bark reminds one of the
Mahoganies, though on the whole it is more fissured. The timber is
soft and of a pinkish colour, though it gives more the impression
that it is white and tinged with red. It has a very open grain with
particularly long pores, reminding one of cedar (Cedrela). It is
cut locally for sale as planks.
18. Pterocarpus Erinaceus (African Rosewood) is mentioned amongst
the number of possible export timber-bearing trees. It is also used
locally in the making of a musica] instrument called Balangi, after
the timber has lain some months in the ground. In the drier portions
of the country it is a useful tree for house-building. It seeds readily,
and is usually found in large quantities.
19. Baphia nitida (Camwood) is also one of the export produce
bearing trees, but which has been used as a colouring matter for
putting on the body from time immemorial. The local people, how-
ever, prefer to use cakes of the ground-up produce of the Barwood
(Pterocarpus Tinctorius) from Southern Nigeria, which commands a
higher price. That this product of Baphia nitida is the true Camwood
is practically proved by the fact that this tree was first identified
SIERRA LEONE 35
from Sierra Leone, whence it is all exported, and also by the fact
that Barwood, or the Southern Nigeria Camwood, is not found in
Sierra Leone.
Although the above completes the description of the most important
local timber trees, there are many others which might be used with
satisfaction. One of these trees, known as Yabonji by the Mendis,
has a grain, colour and softness similar to white pine, and is sold
locally as yellow pine. Hrythrophlewm Guineense (Sassybark) yields
a hard timber suitable for bridge-building, as it is very durable
and grows to a large size, though not always with a very long bole.
Mountain Mahogany, a species of Lonchocarpus, has a grain similar
to pine, with resin-like canals in the wood. It grows to a large size,
with a straight bole 50 feet in length and a girth of 10 feet. Comb-
wood (Conapharingia pachysiphon) is a small tree, which yields a
yellow wood similar in texture and grain to boxwood, though a little
softer. Locally it is used for making native combs. There is also
a so-called Leopardwood, termed Koligi by the Mendis, which has
a curious striped grain a little reminiscent of a leopard’s skin; hence
the name. The local inhabitants have various chewsticks, which
are obtained from guttiferous trees or Vernonia species. Carapa
Gayensis is found and used locally both as a timber and also the seeds
for making an oil for the skin. In connection with all this local felling
it should be noticed that there is scope for sawn timber of all kinds,
more especially when it is taken in conjunction with the fact that
over 2,000,000 feet board measure of planks, etc., are imported every
year. A small mill placed near Bureh Town would probably be able
to supply all wants as far as Freetown and the immediate neighbour-
hood were concerned, and water power might be available from the
Gumah River, which flows down very rapidly to the sea. A mill,
on the whole, is more economical in conversion than the local sawyer,
as all slabs are left to rot in the forest, but these a mill would consume
in power-making, or they would be resawn into smaller boards or
shingles. At present there is no sawmill in the whole country, so
that there is an open field for this venture, with a forest adjacent
to the market and suitable conditions of labour.
IV. Minor Forest PRopvce.
No account of the Sierra Leone forest would be complete without
a description of the two chief vegetable products of the forest, namely
Palm Oil and Kernels and Gum Copal.
Turning first of all to Gum Copal, known botanically as Copatfera
Salikounda, which is a true copal gum, not to be confused with the
gum from Daniellia Ogea and other allied species, illustrations Nos. 8
and 9 show this tree standing in the open, and also the shape of the
86 WEST AFRICAN FORESTRY AND FORESTS
trunk at nearer inspection. It will be seen that it is rather a tall tree,
with open thin crown and straight upward-spreading branches. The bole
usually does not exceed 30 feet in length, and then forks or divides
into three main stems. The curious marks on the stem, making the
tree look as if it were attacked with some form of canker, are those
made by tapping the trees for the gum. At the beginning of the
dry season small squares of bark, about an inch across, are removed
from the tree, beginning at the ground, upwards to 20 and 30 feet.
At the corners of each little square gum gradually exudes during
the dry season in the form of an ever-increasing sized globular tear,
which hardens on exposure to the air. By the end of the dry season,
as in February or March, it has attained a size of half an inch or so,
and is then quite hard and white and nearly transparent. Only a
few little pieces of bark adhere to its surface, and these are easily
removed. Then these tears are collected in a bag, sorted, and then
sold to the European firms in Sierra Leone and elsewhere. The
average tree yields 1 lb. of gum copal per year.
In the peninsular forest a patch of Gum Copal trees is found near
Bureh Town. In the Protectorate, irregular belts occur, such as that
on the Kassewe Hills and north of Moyamba. On the banks of the
Rokell River, too, it occurs in single specimens dotted along the
bank. The smooth grey bark of the stem is not unlike Beech, except
for the fact that it is pitted by the tapping squares, which occude
only very gradually.
The leaves are in pairs, but have such a straight inner edge that
they appear like one leaf which has been cut in half down the middle.
The main vein of the leaf is at one side of it. In this manner
the leaf is unmistakable, though a Cynometra leaf is somewhat
similar, and also a Bauhinia; but in the former the vein is more in
the centre and the leaves are quite separate and not close together,
and in the latter they are joined at the base. The tree appears to
be easily killed by overtapping. Before the formation of the Forest
Department, whole forests had been destroyed in this way, one of which
I saw north of Moyamba during an inspection of the Gum Copal
belt.
The timber of this tree is a red-brown colour, of hard texture, with
a pretty grain. It is, of course, of the type of purple-heart. It is
very durable and termite-proof, though a borer attacks it slightly.
The wood of trees killed by overtapping proves to be quite sound
and useful for any purpose where a hard timber is required.
The tree can be grown from the flat, round, paper-like seeds, which
are bought at £1 a bushel in Sierra Leone. The tree usually bears
well, and the seed is collected off the ground. Young self-sown
seedlings are found, which shows that the seeds germinate readily
too. It does not stand transplanting very well, but with care soon
SIERRA LEONE 87
recovers. It grows rapidly, and reaches a tapable size in ten years,
approximately. It does not seem very exacting with regard to soil.
In the peninsula it grows on rocky soil, and in Moyamba on an
alluvial soil.
Recently the exports have decreased, as the following figures show,
chiefly owing to the destruction of the trees by overtapping. How-
ever, when the forests have recovered, the younger trees have matured,
and the trees since planted are in bearing, and an increase may be
expected. It is the most valuable, Gum Copal usually being worth
8d. to ls. 6d. a pound, but if quite clean and white it fetches as much
as 2s. 6d. a pound. Its chief use is for varnish-making, though the
best grades are used for pharmaceutical preparations. It is far easier
to tap than rubber, and the cost of preparation is therefore very
low, so that it should prove worth cultivating on a large scale. The
market for Gum Copal is a comparatively large one, and other sources
of supply, such as those of Kauri Gum from New Zealand, are
decreasing, or not entirely meeting the demand. It is only a question
of time before the whole supply will have to be obtained from
cultivated trees.
It stands a certain amount of shade during the first four years,
but from the fifth year onwards it is distinctly a light-loving species.
On the whole it is almost a gregarious tree, as usually groups of trees
are found up to fifty or more, and in a whole forest the prevalent tree
will be Gum Copal; for instance, in the Gum Copal belt near Susuwuru.
A planting distance of 6 feet will probably prove advantageous, as
the tree has a distinct tendency to branch low down on the stem if
not forced to grow up straight by the presence of other trees. Then
in the tenth year a judicious thinning out of the weakest trees by
tapping to death would give additional space to the others and allow
for greater girth increment for the. other clean-stemmed trees. An
early financial yield would also thus be obtained.
In the economy of the country, more important even than the
Gum Copal is the Oil Palm (£leis Guineensis), which is found in
the Forest, scattered in groups and belts amongst farms inland, as
at Blama, and near the sea coast, as at Sherbro, and also as isolated
individual trees in the drier parts of the Protectorate. Towards the
northernmost part of the country it is not seen at all, though climatic-
ally there is nothing to stop it growing if planted in suitable localities.
It tends to spread with increasing cultivation of the ground, so long
as the rainfall is sufficient and the soil moist enough for it. In the
forest itself it is very sparsely distributed. Owing to the large
population and the comparatively small area on which the Oil Palm
is really plentiful, more palm oil is eaten than exported. This is
most clearly seen in the quantity of exports of both products, which
show a much larger proportion of kernels than oil. :
88 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The fruit usually ripens in January, February, March, or sometimes
earlier, and is left for six months. Usually the trees have to some
extent been cleared by the natives, then on a certain day the bunches
of fruit may be cut. This takes place after the natives have cut the
bush down for making the chief’s farm. It also ensures, incidentally,
that most of the fruit is quite ripe, though this is not the reason why
the natives may not begin cutting off the bunches when they like.
The bunches of fruit are left in the forest at convenient places at
the edge of the path, covered with palm leaves. After a week or so
these are taken to the village, and all the drupes cut off with a machete.
These are next put in large earthenware pots with a little water,
which are then placed over a good fire. In about an hour the fruit
is thoroughly steamed. The fruit is then piled into a trough of beaten
clay with a palm-nut bottom, or even stones. Water is poured in,
and the fruit is pounded with the feet and also with a small pestle.
The oil gradually rises in yellow fatty masses on the surface of the
water, and is collected with the hand and put into a clean pot.
As soon as a pot is filled, it is placed over a good fire to boil. When
it has been boiled thoroughly it is strained, the strained oil being
that usually eaten or sold to firms for export. The residue of dirt
and pieces of fibre is used as an illuminant in the native lamps. The
nuts are placed in the sun to dry for two or three months, after which
they are cracked with a stone or a piece of iron and the kernels
collected in boxes or bags for sale. The fibre in the washing trough
is thoroughly squeezed by hand and all oil extracted. The water is
let out of the trough gradually, and all oil collected from the sides
of it. It is also washed down with water to collect the more adhesive
particles. Even so, there is a large percentage of waste. An oil is
also made from the kernels by heating them in an iron vessel over
a fire. This oil is used for the skin or for wounds.
In the ordinary way oil palms are not planted, though in moving
to a new area where farms have not been made before the natives
take oil-palm fruit with them, which get scattered as nuts; these
germinate and form the nucleus of a group of oil palms in that locality.
Considering the large population and its increasing need for the oil,
the planting of oil palms appears to be remunerative.
Palm Wine-tree (Raphia vinifera) is used very largely where it is
found in the extensive forests near the rivers and sea coast in swampy
places. Piassava fibre is obtained from this source, but so far has
not been used in Sierra Leone for this purpose, whereas in the neigh-
bouring country some of the best piassava is obtained. The people
are, however, otherwise occupied, so that until there is a greater
population it is unlikely that this industry will be taken up. The
approximate area of wine palms is 3,000 square miles in various parts
of the whole country. Some of the best areas are found on the banks
SIERRA LEONE 39
of the Mano, Morro, Maho and Rokell Rivers. The long fronds of
the leaves yield the steering and pushing poles for canoes, also most
useful rafters and scantlings for houses. The leaves themselves are
made into mats for covering the houses. They are said to last
seven years when properly put on. The fruit of the tree is used
for stupefying fish, which can then be very easily speared by the
natives. The tree is usually set on fire to draw the palm wine, though
this more often happens subsequently to the taking of the wine.
A tree does not last more than three years with severe tapping, such
as it is subject to by the natives.
Borassus flabellifer (Fan Palm, Bottle Palm) is found in the
northern, drier part of the Protectorate, but so far is not used to any
extent for house-building, for which the timber is most suitable, being
very durable, of good length, and can be split. The nuts of the large
coconut-like fruit are useful as a substitute for vegetable ivory, though
thus far no use has been made of them. The approximate area of
distribution of this species of tree is about 4,000 square miles. Quite
a trade is done in various kinds of bark, altogether from about fifteen
different species of trees, of which most are collected in the Peninsular
Forest. Amongst them is found the Sasswood, or that of Erythro-
phiecum Guineense, the notorious native poison, though it is not at
all certain that nowadays in Sierra Leone it is used for this purpose.
V. Tut Forest DEPARTMENT OF SIERRA LEONE.
In the course of 1911 a Forest Department was formed by the
appointment of a Conservator of Forests; this has been gradually
enlarged until there are now three Assistant Conservators of Forests
as well. The chief work of the Department so far has been the
drafting and passing of a Forestry Ordinance in 1912 and the
demarcation of two Forest Reserves. The Peninsular Forest, with
its new boundaries, comprises 75 square miles, and the Kassewe
Hill. Other areas have been set aside, notably the Kagnari Hills
and Kambui Hills as Forest Reserves, and Nimmini and Loma
Forests examined previous to demarcation with a view to their
reservation. The Gum Forests were closed to tappers with the
consent of the chief, so that the trees could recover from
previous overtapping. In addition to this work, some rubber
planting has been done in the Gumah, and one Assistant spends all
his time on this work, nurseries having been formed in different places
—Mano, Bo, and Falaba. A large number of botanical specimens of
the trees and shrubs have been forwarded to Kew for identification,
so that gradually the silvan vegetation is becoming known. No
planting of oil palms (Eleis Guineensis) has been undertaken yet,
despite the large export of this product. Rubber planting has not
40 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
been forgotten either. So far very little revenue has been received
for timber-felling fees, which means really that in the past the forests
have been destroyed, and now only small quantities can be cut. It
does indeed make one pause and think what immense forests must
have existed in the days of 1827, when so many loads of timber were
exported, as shown in the table on p. 64. If those forests had been
preserved then, they would be yielding high returns now, and the
Department would be self-supporting, instead of having money
invested first in plantations before returns are obtained. However,
now that the Department has been formed, a definite Forest Ordinance
has been passed, under which Forest Reserves can be made, and the
future of the existing forests is thus assured. Sooner or later all of
them will yield a monetary return, besides benefiting the country
climatically and preserving the soil.
One can really look upon Forestry as a kind of Endowment
Assurance, with returns which may begin at once with existing forests,
or later with afforestation begun now. The return is always sure,
more especially now, with continually rising timber prices. In
Sierra Leone, of course, for some years money will have to be put into
Forestry work before adequate returns can be made, owing to the
reckless mismanagement of the forest in the early part of the nine-
teenth century. For the purpose of easy reference, a list of some of
the most important timber trees is appended, and with both the
Mendi and Timani names, when it is possible to give these, and
an English equivalent is also given where one uses a name suggestive
of the use of the timber.
So far the Department has not leased any areas for the exploita-
tion of timber for export or local use, though there are several areas
available, such as the peninsular forest. Even an organization of
the sawyers and boat-builders would be a useful work, and machinery
for cutting the various woods would lead to greater production and
a saving of timber, of which so much is now wasted. Again, the
enormous demand for firewood in Freetown, most of which is water-
borne, could be more advantageously met with a small sawmill or
movable plant in connection with the other wood-using industries
already named. The mangrove swamps would provide material
ready at hand for conversion. The railway requires firewood at
certain points ; there again is scope for improved methods of dealing
with it, yielding profit both to the contractor and to the Forest
Department.
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VI.—INDIGENOUS FOREST TREES
Species marked with an asterisk (*) are Lane Poole’s' ; those marked with an
obelisk (f) are the Author’s.
Pandanacee.
Pandanus candelabrum. Screw Pine. Bambi (Mendi).
Pandanus sp. near P. candelabrum.* Screw Pine. Pambei (Mendi).
It is a tree with wide-spreading prop roots always growing
in running fresh water. The leaves are used in basket-making.
Palme.
Eleis Guineensis.* Oil Palm. Ankump (Timani); Tui, Tauwi,
Taupwi (young trees), (Mendi).
The well-known Oil Palm. It is a most useful tree, thriving
best near villages, but growing abundantly in the northern
part of the forests. The nuts contain a large quantity of oil.
They are used also for planting.
Borassus flabellifer.* Fan or Daleb Palm. Tunka (Timani); Hoke
(Mendi).
It grows to about 70 feet in the grass country. Umbrellas
are made from the leaves, also baskets. The stems are used
for building-posts.
Raphia vinifera.* Wine Palm. Ankent (Timani) ; Duvui (Mendi).
Sometimes called the Tombo Palm. It is very gregarious,
being frequently found forming almost a small forest in swampy
ground.
Raphia sp. near R. Gaertneri.* -Kili (Mendi).
It is a small plant of only 10 feet, growing in the swamps.
It does not yield wine. Baskets and mats are made from the
leaf stalks and thatch from the leaves.
Calamus sp.* Balui (Mendi).
This is a climbing palm or rattan, growing to the top of
the highest trees, having a diameter of 2 inches, armed with
strong hooked spines. The stem, when split, is used for tying
the rafters of houses; lengths of it are used as clothes-lines.
Suspension bridges are even made over the river.
Calamus sp.* Tambelei (Mendi).
This species grows as high as the preceding one, but is only
3 inch in diameter. Besides being used as cordage, it is
employed as thatching.
1 Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Climbers of Sierra Leone. See Lane Poole.
41
42 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Liliacee.
Dracena Mannii.* Ningei (Mendi).
This tree grows to 30 feet in height, and is called the
Asparagus Tree by Europeans, because the flavour of the young
leaves is like asparagus. The natives eat them chopped with
their rice.
Ulmacee.
Trema affinis.* Gombei (Mendi).
A small tree, from 25 to 30 feet. It springs up in cleared
farms; the wood is of little use except as thatching laths. The
bark is peeled and eaten for coughs.
Trema Africana.* ¢
A medium-sized tree.
Moracee.
Ficus Vogelit.* Jol, Lopi (Timani) ; Gonwi (Mendi).
A much-branched tree, yielding a latex, which coagulated
has been sold at from 6d. to 1s. a Ib. in London as paste rubber.
Ficus sp.* Wild Fig or Sandpaper Tree. Indiiihen (Mendi).
This species has rough leaves like sandpaper, hence its
name. They are used to clean woodwork.
Ficus platyphytes. Gonwé (Mendi).
Chlorophora excelsa.* Iroko, Teak, African Oak. Tema (Timani) ;
Sime or Semei (Mendi).
It is found particularly near old clearings, but not so
frequently in the forest. It is a termite-resisting timber; called
Teak, Oroko or African Oak, when exported, it is worth about
14d. per superficial foot. At one time the latex was used as
an adulterant for rubber. It polishes well and makes very
handsome furniture. Canoes, pestles, rice-basins, etc., are
made from it. Dr. Unwin suggests that Iroko is a corruption
for rock elm.
Musanga Smithii.* Corkwood. Ofika (Timani); Govwi (Mendi).
It is a common tree, growing to about 60 feet in old farm
lands, and affords a shade for forest species to get a footing.
It is remarkable for its wide-spreading prop roots and large
palmate leaves.
Myrianthus arboreus.* Fofoi (Mendi).
A small tree.
Myrianthus sp.* Fofoi (Mendi).
A small tree.
Myrianthus serratus.* Fofoi (Mendi).
A small tree with edible fruit.
SIERRA LEONE 43
Olacacez.
Coula edulis.* Tokei (Mendi).
It is a large tree bearing walnut-like nuts, the kernels of
which are good to eat both raw and cooked. Oil is obtained
from the kernels, which are valued at £7 a ton.
Olax.*
A small tree.
Loranthacee.
Loranthus langwensis.* Mistletoe. Gongui (Mendi).
This igs the common mistletoe, which may be seen
growing on a great number of trees. Specially common on
Guava and Kola Trees.
Menispermacez.
Triclisia macrophylla. Ndawi (Mendi
A climbing shrub.
Anonacee.
Xylopia Athiopica.* The Spice Tree. Umberikum (Timani) ; Kewe
or Hewe (Mendi).
Its fruit is much in demand as medicine.
Xylopia sp. Dinklagei.* Mountain Spice. Kapus (Timani); Hui,
Hewe (Mendi).
Monodora Myristica.* Calabash Nutmeg or False Nutmeg. Gboite
(Mendi).
It is a medium-sized tree, with rose-pink. sweet-smelling
flowers. The fruit is the false nutmeg.
Xylopia sp. near X. Elliotii.* Yellow Wood. . Belvi or Kpaini
(Mendi).
This tree grows to a medium height, with thin but very
straight stem up to 18 inches in diameter. Its wood has been
exported to Europe, where it has taken the place of American
whitewood.
Xylopia parviflora.*
A tall tree of 20 feet, growing on the bank of the Moa River.
Cleistopholis sp. near C. patens.* Moigbwamy (Mendi).
This tree grows to a height of 80 feet. Strips of the bark
are used by the natives for making brow-bands and shoulder-
straps when carrying palm hampers.
Hexalobus grandiflorus.* Njahewe (Mendi).
It is a large, wide-crowned tree, with conspicuous white
flowers.
44 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Pachypodanthium Staudtii.*
A large-boled forest tree, with grey, rough bark, of which
the timber is very hard to saw.
Stenanthera hamata.*
A small tree.
Uvaria Afzelii.*
A tree of 15 feet in height, with very heavy-scented flowers.
Uvaria sp.*
A tall, straight tree, with blackish-green longitudinally ribbed
bark.
Uvaria macrocarpa.* Finger Root.
This tree is found 15 feet in height. The root is used
medicinally by the Creoles, and by them called Finger Root.
Myristicacez.
Pycnanthus Kombo.* White Cedar. Kuwul (Timani); Boye
(Mendi).
It is a very tall tree, attaining a girth of 12 feet, which is
cut locally, but not for export, owing to its soft wood and open
grain.
Moringacez.
Moringa pterygosperma.* Horse-radish Tree; or Oil of Ben Tree.
The oil in the seeds is 38 per cent., and they are valued
at £9 a ton in London. The oil is suitable for lubricating
clocks and watches. The wood is not used.
Rosacez.
Parinarium macrophyllum.* Gingerbread Plum. Ndawei (Mendi).
It is a small tree bearing a fruit the size of a goose’s egg.
The fruit is the edible ginger-plum.
Parinarium excelsum.* Rough-skinned Plum. Abbis (Timani) ;
Ndanwi Badgi (Mendi).
This tree attains a large size and seeds very readily. It
yields a useful hardwood; is felled locally and for building
purposes. The grain of the wood is too open to be of much use
for export. It is of a reddish-brown colour. The pulp around
the seed is eaten.
Leguminose.
Paradaniella thurifera.* Ilorin Balsam Tree. Bessi (Timani) ;
Bessi Kpessei or Gbassei (Mendi).
A quick-growing, soft-wooded tree, pretty evenly distributed
through the forest. It attains a girth of 9 feet and a bole
length of 30 feet. It is cut locally for house-building and other
SIERRA LEONE A5
purposes. A fragrant resin is exuded and much used as a
scent by the Creoles and natives.
Erythrophleum Guineense. Sasswood. Kukorn (Timani); Gogwi
(Mendi).
A large but not very straight-growing tree, which attains
a girth of 9 feet. It has been exported, but the price obtained
for it is not available. The wood is hard, but works up well,
and has been used by the Public Works Department of Southern
Nigeria.
Erythrophleum sp. near E. micranthum.* + Sasswood or Red-
water Tree.
The bark contains a virulent poison, which is used as an
ordeal. It is a large forest tree, having a green bole. The
wood is used to make canoes.
Erythrina Senegalensis.*
A tree 20 feet high, with handsome red flowers. The branches
are armed with prickles. The wood is used for fencing.
Erythrina sp.* Malei (Mendi).
This is a large tree, 80 feet in height, with wide-spreading
branches. The stem is pale grey and covered with strong
prickles. The flowers are pink.
Piptadenia Africana.* K’Kuperb (Timani); Mbeli or Mbelignli
(Mendi).
This tree is very plentiful, and attains a large size. The
wood is of a brown colour, hard and durable. Strong canoes
are made from it.
Cynometra Vogelii.*
A small tree.
Xylia Evansii.* | Bunga (Timani); Tegai (Mendi).
A medium tree.
Griffonia palescens. Koronko (Timani); Koronko (Mendi).
Pentaclethra macrophylla.* Oil Bean Tree. Kekung (Timani) ;
Fai, Fae (Mendi).
The wood is of a brown colour, hard and durable. The
natives use the ashes of the burnt pods for making soap. The
wood is sold for 1s. 1d. per cubic foot in the English market.
Parkia Africana. Locust Bean. Ebbe (Timani); Gumwi (Mendi).
Parkia filicoidea. Forest Locust. Gimwi (Mendi).
Parkia biglobosa.* Locust Bean.
A wide crowned tree, 50 feet in height, bearing conspicuous
red flowers and long pods. The pulp around the seed is edible,
but the seed itself is considered a great delicacy ground and
mixed in soup.
Parkia sp. Gumni (Mendi).
The tree is much like the P. biglobosa, but is found growing
46 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
wild in the forests. It differs in having well-developed buttress
roots. The seed is not eaten.
Lonchocarpus. Mountain Mahogany. Ali (Timani); Jumbowill
(Mendi), probably Petophorum sp.
A very tall and straight tree, with a bole of 50 feet and a
girth of 10 feet. It is found everywhere, especially on the
edges of old clearings and in old farms. It has been felled
for export, but no data are available as to its worth. The wood
resembles pine, being soft and full of resin-like canals.
Lonchocarpus cyanescens.* Big-leaved Indigo. Jalei, Walwei
(Mendi).
A valuable dye is obtained from the leaves, which takes
the place of indigo and is sold at from 4s. to 4s. 6d. a pound
in England.
Lonchocarpus sericeus.*
A branched and gnarled tree growing on the sea shore,
its roots often being washed by the tide. The timber is close-
grained, hard and durable.
Cassia Siberiana.* Bongbo or Bangbwei (Mendi).
A small tree bearing handsome yellow flowers. A decoction
is made from the root to ease elephantiasis, also stomach
troubles.
Copaifera Guibourtiana.* Sierra Leone Gum Copal. Akak (Timani) ;
Kobwi (Mendi).
This tree was found growing on the ridges and low-lying
land near York and Bureh Town, also in Ronietta, Karene
District, and Kassewe Hills. It is noted forits gum. The dead
wood works up very well, having a fine grain and red colour,
and should be of value for export. Locally it has only been
used for bridge-building. The average price paid by local
traders for the gum appears to be 1s. a pound.
Copaifera salikounda.* Buini (Mendi).
A large tree.
Pterocarpus esculentus. Atont (Timani); Batwi (Mendi).
Pterocarpus erinaceus.* Rosewood. Katai (Timani); Bundwi
Batwi (Mendi).
This is a small but valuable tree, confined principally to
the drier parts of the country, particularly in the Karina
forests. The wood finds a good market in France. Locally
it is used to make a musical instrument called “ Balangi.”
The seeds are intoxicating when eaten raw.
Macrolobium sp. Jamostima (Mendi).
Macrolobium Palisotii. K’Pal (Timani); Bumbi (Mendi).
Macrolobium sp.?* Limba? African Violet Wood. Tunfall
(Timani) ; Pfandi or Mbombi (Mendi).
SIERRA LEONE 47
It yields a wood with a pleasant scent, which grows to
a stem length of 20 feet and girth of 12 feet. The wood would
probably be figured, owing to its peculiar growth, ebony-
‘like, hard, heavy and of a greenish-brown colour. It bears
a pod about a foot long and an inch wide. The tree grows
in great quantities, but it is not used locally, owing to its hardness.
It should be tried in European markets.
Macrolobium elongatum.*
It is a small shrubby tree.
Macrolobium sp. near M. Heudelotit.* +
A medium-sized tree found chiefly near water. The pod
is larger than the other Macrolobiums.
Macrolobium Limba.* Mbombi (Mendi).
This tree reaches a height of 40 feet. Its roasted leaves,
when ground and mixed with water and ashes, are used for
ulcers.
Dialium Guineense.* Black Tumbler or Velvet Tamarind. Mabump
(Temni), (Timani) ; Mamboi (Mendi).
A medium-sized tree bearing edible, velvety seed-
vessels.
Dialium Senegalense. Black Tumbler. Baut, I (Timani); Burogono
Mambui (Mendi).
Afzelia bracteata.* Konta. Konta (Timani) ; Bendiguri or Kpendei-
deli (Mendi).
Afzelia Africana.*
These two trees are very much alike as far as timber is
concerned. The wood is much used locally, and it may be
of value for export, as the texture is similar to mahogany.
The A. Africana yields a particularly good mahogany sub-
stitute under the name of Kontah or Counter wood.
Afzelia sp.*
A large-crowned tree.
Berlinia acuminata.* Kpendei (Mendi).
This tree grows to a height of 80 feet, having a very con-
spicuous flower. It is much used in cabinet-making.
B. Heudelotiana.* Helei (Mendi).
A large tree, 50 feet in height.
B. sp. near B. stipulacee.* Tzabembi (Mendi).
A large tree, the seeds of which are made into counters
by the Mendis to play Warry.
Brachystegia sp.* Bodgei (Mend).
It reaches the height of 150 feet, and is one of the largest
forest trees, with wide buttress roots.
Cryptosepalum tetraphyllum.* Hellebolei (Mendi).
A large tree.
48 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Cylicodiscus gabunensis.* African Greenheart. Mbeli-deli (Mendi).
It is very similar to Piptadenia Africana in appearance,
and also yields a strong, hard wood.
Dalbergia sp.* Dalbergia Rosewood. Balakenta (Timani); Fir-
bandu Ndambabuli (Mendi).
A small tree.
Baphia polygalacee.* Ndambabuli (Mendi).
A climber, 10 feet in height. The stem used for killing fish.
Baphia nitida.* Camwood Tree. Mat, Kam (Timani); Bendwi
or Bunduei (Mendi).
A small tree from which dyewood, a fast red dye, is obtained.
The wood is hard and heavy, and is used for rice-mortar pestles
and walking-sticks.
Albizzia Brownit.* Albizzia. Bakbwi or Bpakpei (Mendi).
This is a medium-sized tree yielding a reddish wood of
moderately fine grain, somewhat resembling mahogany. The
heartwood is very pretty. It should be saleable in Liverpool
market.
Albizzia fastigata.* Folei-kpakpei, Bakbaboi (Mendi).
This species rarely attains a diameter at the base of more
than 18 inches. It nearly always has a rotten heart.
Detarium Senegalense.* Mahogany, Dita. Kita (Timani); Dupwi
II, Kolei (Mendi).
It is a very lofty tree, which yields a wood sold as mahogany
in the Liverpool market. The grain is not so close as is usual
in mahogany, but the colour is good. The fruit is edible and
eaten locally. Dita is the name given to it. It is not very
common.
Detarium sp.*
A large tree of 60 or 70 feet in height, probably a new
species.
Millettia cf. drastica.*
A small tree.
Millettia Lane-Poolei.* Togbeli (Mendi).
A small tree or shrub about 15 feet in height, with white,
scentless flowers. There are three other varieties, with flowers
ranging from white and pink to mauve.
Millettia pallens.*
A medium-sized tree with mauve flowers:
Millettia sp. near M. Sangana.*
A medium-sized tree with erect pods and mauve flowers.
Millettia rhodantha.*
A medium-sized tree with yellow, aromatic wood.
Mimosa Dinklagei.* Gumgui (Mendi).
A medium-sized tree, 50 feet in height.
SIERRA LEONE 49
Newtonia insignis.*
A tree about 80 feet in height, with well developed buttress
roots.
Peltophorum.* Njomboguli (Mendi).
A large tree.
Ormosia monophylla.*
Linaceee.
Ochthocosmus Africanum.* Tuanyei (Mendi).
A small, fairly common tree.
Humiriacee.
Saccoglottis Gabunensis.*
This tree yields a first-class timber. The bark strips off
cleanly and is sold in Calabar at 5s. a roll 30 inches long and
18 inches in diameter.
Rutacee.
Zanthoxylum macrophyllum.* Spiny Satinwood. Witkoran (Timani) ;
Pfui IT (Mendi).
This tree yields a very pretty yellow wood, with a some-
what open grain.
Zanthoxylum sp. Satinwood. Bek (Timani); Pfui (Mendi).
A medium-sized tree, with most peculiar conically shaped
woody protrusions on the bark. It has not been cut locally.
Zanthoxylum rubescens.*
An armed tree from 12 to 15 feet high.
Burseracee.
Canarium Schweinfurthii. White Mahogany. Beri (Mendi).
This tree is not very common. A very large tree which has
been found 150 feet high, with a bole of 70 feet and a girth of
10 feet. It could be cut locally and would make a valuable
addition to local furniture woods. It is, however, hard to saw.
Meliacez.
Lovoa Klaineana.* + African Walnut.
It is a medium-sized tree, not very common; the value of
the timber varies from 1#d. to 3d. per foot.
Lovoa sp. near L. Klaineana. African Walnut.
A medium-sized tree.
Carapa procera.* Crabwood, Coondi, Kakunt (Timani); Kuwi
Kowi (Mendi).
It is a medium-sized tree, which is evenly distributed every-
where. It yields a mahogany-like wood, which has been sold
in the Liverpool market.
4
50 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Carapa Gayensis.
Guarea. Satin Mahogany. Kaffi (Mendi).
A fair-sized tree, having a grain similar to mahogany, but
with a satiny sheen which may make it very valuable. It is
not cut locally, but might be tried for export.
Guarea sp. near leptotricha.* + Kaffi (Mendi).
A tree.
Pseudocedrela. Cedar Mahogany. Bissimi (Mendi).
This tree grows to a very large size. The timber is similar
to that of a tree found in Southern Nigeria, but it appears to be
a different species; the sapwood is wider and the heartwood
has a better colour. It is fairly common.
Pseudocedrela sp. near P. utilis.*
A large tall tree, yielding a handsome wood.
Ekebergia.*
Medium-sized tree.
Khaya.*
Dr. A. H. Unwin found a Khaya in a Gola forest which
has since been ceded to Liberia. The Khayas yield timber
(African Mahogany), gum, tanning-barks and medicaments.
Trichilia Heudelotit.*
Trichilia sp. near T. Prieuriana.*
A medium-sized tree.
Trichilia sp.* Jawei (Mendi).
Turrea sp.*
A small tree, from 12 to 15 feet.
Polygalacee.
Carpolobia alba.* Bofelei or Gibofoyoi (Mendi).
It is a small tree called Poor Man’s Candle.
Carpolobia lutea.*
A shrub or small tree.
Dichapetalacee.
Chailletia toxicaria.* Magbevi (Mendi).
A violent poison is made from the kernel, used by the
natives to destroy dogs and vermin. They have also used it
to poison well-water in hostile villages. The pulp of the fruit
is harmless and edible.
Euphorbiacee.
Ricinodendron Heudelotii. Mahogany. Kino (Timani) ; Boi (Mendi).
This tree yields a mahogany valued at 2d.—34d. per superficial
foot. It is rather an uncommon tree, but as it seeds very
SIERRA LEONE 51
readily and develops rapidly, more could be planted. A large
number are found along the river banks.
Ricinodendron Africanus.* Ghbolei (Mendi).
A tree 90 feet high with horse-chestnutlike leaf. The
timber is soft, and used for making masks for Bundu devils,
also rice spoons and plates. The seeds are rich in oil, but the
natives do not extract it; they are, however, used by the
native women in the rattle for their Bundu dance.
Uapaca Guineensis.* Sugar Plum, Red Cedar. Kulil (Timani) ;
Kondi (Mendi).
A large spreading tree with aerial roots. It is cut locally
and used for the ribs of local boats. The wood is of a reddish
colour and fine grain, which might sell as mahogany. Some
species yield edible fruits.
Uapaca Heudelotir.*
This is a tree growing up to 60 feet along the bank of the
Moo River.
Uapaca Togoensis.*
This tree grows in the riverside forests.
Oldfieldia Africana.* Real African Oak. Tortorza (Timani) ;
Paulai, Pawi Kpaoloe (Mendi).
This tree attains a large size, a height of 120 feet and
diameter at the base of 5} feet. The bole often reaches
60 feet without a branch, though sometimes the bole is short,
owing to its growing in a laterite soil. It is more frequent
in the southern than the northern forests. It has not been cut
locally, though the natives recognise it as a very hard wood.
It has been used for dock gates.
Cyclostemon. Toye (Mendi).
Fluggea microcarpa.* Tigwi (Mendi).
Amanoa bracteata.* Jagbouei (Mendi).
A tree which grows up to 5 feet in diameter, and straight .
from the ground to a height of 60 feet. It is then much branched.
The timber is not used.
Anthostema Senegalense.* Mamboi (Mendi).
It is a small tree growing on the sea shore.
Antidesma lacinatum.
A tree attaining a height of 25 feet.
Bridelia ferruginea.*
It is a small tree of about 20 feet high, very much branched.
All through the dry season it drips water at night.
Bridelia micrantha.* Igili (Mendi).
This species also reaches a height of 20 feet. It is used
for making charcoal, and a medicine is made from meat stewed
in the water in which the roots have been boiled.
52 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Hasskarlia didymostemon.*
This tree grows to a height of 50 feet, with a diameter at
the base of 20 feet. It is one of the diccious trees.
Hymenocardia acida.* Fagbajoi (Mendi).
A small tree, knotted, gnarled and branched, growing both
in the open and in the forest.
Hymenocardia Heudelotii.*
A small tree.
Hymenocardia lyrata.* ¢
This species is found in the peninsular forests.
Macaranga Barieri.* Ndeiwei (Mendi).
It is a medium-sized armed tree, reaching about 50 feet,
and 18 inches in diameter at the base. A light wood used for
firewood.
Macaranga heterophylla.* Fofui (Mendi).
A medium-sized tree.
Macaranga monandra.* Ndeiwei (Mendi).
It is a medium-sized armed tree, up to 50 feet high, and
8 inches at the base, with reddish-brown pubescent branches.
It is useless except as firewood.
Mesobotrya sp.*
A small tree.
Mareya spicata.* Nguangua (Mendi).
A tree reaching 30 feet in height. The leaves have a bitter
taste; a decoction of them is used as a poison.
Microdesmis puberula.* Nikli (Mendi).
A small tree, reaching about 15 feet in height. The fruit
is edible.
Phyllanthus discoideus.* Tijoi (Mendi).
A common tree, 60 feet in height, with a diameter of
18 inches.
Anacardiacee.
Mangifera Africana.* White Oak or Greenheart. Peri (Timani) ;
Bewe-Bauban (Mendi).
A tree growing to 40 feet in height, with root flanges
extending 10 feet up the stem; it has a girth of 12 feet. The
tree is cut locally. The seeds are edible.
Spondias tutea.* Common Plum or the Hog Plum of the Creoles.
Luep (Timani) ; Bogi or Gbojei (Mendi).
A large tree, with rough, grey bark; it resists the grass fires
very well. They yield timber, tanning material, medicaments
and edible fruit, from which a spirituous drink is prepared,
Odina sp.*
It reaches a height of 30 feet.
SIERRA LEONE 53
Sorindeia juglandifolia.* Creole Damson. Ni-Kaffei (Mendi).
A tree of 50 feet in height, having aerial roots. A broken
branch or scraped root has a resinous smell.
Icacinacee.
Leptaulos daphnoides.* Propri (Timani); Bongani (Mendi).
A small tree.
Sapindacee.
Bersama Paullinioides.* Nyomdobai (Mendi).
A tree growing to a height of 35 feet. It is regarded as
an evil tree, and neither man nor beast touches it. A poison
is extracted from the root, with which Mendis poison their
enemies.
Lecaniodiscus cupanioides.* +
A small tree.
Phialodiscus unijugatus.* Yokomi (Mendi).
A tree of 50 feet in height. This tree bears conspicuous
red capsules, which contain black seeds having a yellow ovule.
The leaves and twigs are macerated in pools in the rivers to
kill fish.
Schmidelia Africana.* Komigbulei (Mendi).
A small tree.
Tiliaceee.
Glyphea Grewioides.* Swamp Rice. Beibolei (Mendi).
A decoction of the leaves is used for curing gonorrhea.
Bombacacee.
Adansonia digitata.* Baobab, Cream of Tartar or Monkey Bread.
Ungari (Timani) ; Sackwi Mbauwi (Mendi).
It is a slow-growing tree, but a valuable one, yielding fibre,
paper pulp and a native medicine. Sodium chloride, potassium
and acid tartrate have been found in the leaves.
Bombax Buonopozense.* Kinguei (Mendi).
A large deciduous tree, often called the Red Cotton Tree
on account of its flowers. It yields a fibre called Kapok.
Eriodendron anfractuosum. Cotton Tree. Pullum (Timani) ;
Ungwe (Mendi).
Eriodendron orientale.* Cotton Tree. Nhuei (Mendi).
The Cotton Tree of commerce. The fibre fetches from 2d.
to 4d. a pound in London. It grows readily from seed. The
seed is valuable, as it yields an oil, and the ash of the seed
contains 28°5 per cent. of phosphoric acid and 24°6 per cent.
of potash (the latter makes a valuable manure). The wood
is used locally for canoes and platters.
54 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Sterculiacez.
Sterculia tragacantha.* African Tragacantha. Kobei (Mendi).
The ashes are used for soap. It yields a gum similar to
that of Tragacanth, Astragalus gummifer.
Sterculia cordifolia. Red Oak. K’fut (Timani); Buni (Mendi).
Cola acuminata.* The Kola Tree. Tuloi (Mendi).
This tree yields the Kola nut, a most valuable export.
Very little, however, is sent to Europe, but great quantities
to French Senegal. It contains great stimulating properties,
and enables travellers to march long distances without food.
The tree grows wild in certain forests, and begins to yield at
six or seven years old. The nut is little thought of by Euro-
peans, owing to its bitter taste. The price varies from £10 to
£12 a measure (160 Ib.).
Cola augustifolia.* Denbehawi (Mendi).
A small tree, the leaves of which are used as a stomach
medicine. The Munchis use the wood to make their short
bows.
Cola leonensis.* { Booni (Mendi).
A small tree with large leaves.
Cola simiarum.* Baboon Kola. N’goloduloi (Mendi).
A large tree, 60 feet in height. A fine specimen of it grows
over the wooden bridge at Kennema.
Heritiera.* Red Cedar or Harmon. Yawi (Mendi).
It yields a very handsome, easily worked wood, useful for
any purpose. The fruit is edible.
Leptonychia.* Mbagboldede (Mendi).
It grows only to the size of a shrub or small tree. The
leaves are used to cure thorn wounds.
Ochnacee.
Lophira procera.* African Oak, Red Ironwood, Ironpost. Ringa
(Timani) ; Hendui or Endwi (Mendi).
This tree attains about the same size of the Oldfieldia ; there
does not seem to be any microscopical difference in the texture
or grain of the wood. It is much used by builders, as it is
proof against the attacks of termites. This tree also yields
oily seeds and medicaments.
Lophira Alata.* Katank (Timani); Endwi (Mendi).
A small tree having seed yielding 43 per cent. oil, valued
at £24 to £25 a ton.
Gomphia congesta.* Colonguli (Mendi).
A small tree undergrowth.
Ochna sp.*
A small tree.
SIERRA LEONE 55
Guttifere.
Ochrocarpus Africanus.* African Apple or Mammy Apple Tree.
Mammee, Bakum (Timani); Kaikumba (Mendi).
A large tree, attaining a girth of 10 feet and a bole of from
20 to 30 feet. It has been cut locally, and is much prized on
account of its pretty grain and red colour. It is used for
joinery and similar work.
Garcinia Kola.* ¢ Kofé (Mendi).
Garcinia epunctata.* ¢
A small tree.
Garcinia polyantha.* Bitter Kola. Sagbei (Mendi).
This is a small tree with thick yellow latex; the fruit is
edible.
Pentadesma butyracew.* Chewstick. Komdi (Timani); Mdayen
(Mendi).
Chewstick. This is a very prevalent tree, though it does
not reach very stout dimensions. The roots are used exten-
sively for native chewsticks.
Haronga Madagascariensis.* Mbeli (Mendi).
It is a small tree which grows readily on farm lands. The
juice below the bark is orange-red. The wood resembles that
of Proteaceous trees and is very beautiful.
Mammea sapota.*
Locally called Mammy Supporter. It is a handsome tree
and has an edible fruit.
Visinia leonensis.*
A small tree of 15 feet.
Allanblackia floribunda.*
A medium-sized tree.
Violacez.
Alsodeia sp.*
A small tree. Some of these yield timber.
Alsodeia sp.*
A medium-sized tree growing near the river.
Flacourtiacee.
Homalium molle.* Niagalei (Mendi).
It is a large tree, very tall and straight.
Homalium sp.* Kologalei (Mendi).
A large straight tree, often confused with H. molle.
Rhizophoracee.
Anisophyllea laurina.* Monkey Apple. Kant (Timani); Kanti
(Mendi).
56 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
This is a very lofty tree, with a bole of 40 feet and girth
of 12 feet. It has not been tried as timber away from the
locality, but should be valuable as an export, having a pretty
grain, full of medullary rays. The local value is 3d. to 6d.
per lineal foot. It is fairly common in the forest, but very
plentiful outside, as it shoots up from the stump when cut
down. Naturally, the wood from such trees is not so good as
from seedlings.
Rhizophora racemosa.* Mangrove. Dingi (Mendi).
This is a small tree of the swamps which is found very
useful for poles and firewood. It fetches a high price from
the bakers—£1 10s. to £1 15s. a cord. The bark contains
18 per cent. of tannin.
Combretacez.
Anogeissus.* fF
A chewstick with a black heart. It will kill out Lalong grass.
Laguncularia racemosa.*
This is a shrub which grows in the mangrove swamps.
It yields a second-rate tannin bark.
Terminalia scutifera.* +
A large straight, tall-boled tree, yielding a useful timber
to shipwrights.
Terminalia sp.* Bagi (Mendi).
A very large tree, even taller than 7. superba, and the
timber is yellower. The tree is gnarled and much branched
near the sea-shore. The wood is much used for canoes. Dye
and a yellow wash for sore feet are obtained from the bark.
Terminalia superba.* Kojagei (Mendi).
A very large tree of 150 feet or more. The timber is soft
and white, used for indoor work, but it is much attacked by
borers.
Myrtacee.
Eugenia calophylloides.*
A small tree.
Melastomacee.
Memecylon, ci. M. spathulandra.t
It is a small tree growing in the swamps near Bureh town.
Araliacee.
Cussonia Djalonensis.
A medium-sized to large tree growing in the savannah
forests. It has a thick grey, rough bark.
SIERRA LEONE 57
Sapotacee.
Mimusops sp. Benin Mahogany. Tuntumi (Timani); Sukai I
(Mendi).
It is a kind of mahogany which is very common, and attains
a girth of 12 feet, with a smaller bole than the ordinary mahogany.
The wood is of a reddish colour and rather hard. This tree
is found growing at a higher altitude than most timber trees,
which makes the forest situated at 2,000 feet much more
valuable.
Mimusops sp. Mahogany substitute. Bobbyboya Water (Timani).
This is a very large tree, with hard red wood sold as mahogany,
not very plentiful.
Mimusops. Mahogany substitute. Abugie (Mend).
Another species of hard mahogany. It is not very plentiful,
but worthy of export. It is of large size and good “form
figure,” somewhat the shape of a cylinder.
Mimusops Djave.* +
A large beautiful tree, yielding a valuable sound timber.
Mimusops. African Pearwood. Sukai II (Mendi).
A large tree with a good bole. It has been exported and
sold in the Hamburg market at 6d. a foot. The wood is of
a reddish colour, a little harder than mahogany, and of close
grain. It would pay to plant out any seedlings found.
Sideroxylon longistylum. Kafe or Kaffi (Mendi).
Some species yield timber, edible seeds and medicaments.
Sideroxylon Alymerii. Teyei (Mendi).
A medium-sized tree bearing a seed rich in oil. The oil
of the seed is very like that of the coconut in taste; it is
used for frying food or for hair-oil.
Chrysophyllum sp. Tuinynelli (Mendi).
All the Chrysophyllum species yield timber and edible
fruits.
Chrysophyllum sp. Star-apple. Terle (Mendi).
Chrysophyllum ellipticus.* Beari (Mendi).
A small species growing on the sea-shore.
Chrysophyllum. African Star-apple. Bungi (Mendi).
Chrysophyllum pruniforme.* Heleilahin (Mendi).
Elephants are fond of the bark.
Ebenacee.
Diospyros sp.* f
A medium-sized ebony.
Maba Mannii.
A tree.
58 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Loganiacee.
Anthocleista nobilis.* Pongoi-hei (Mendi).
This is a larger species than the A. parviflora; it is not
armed. The root is used as a medicine. The wood is soft
and useless.
Anthocleista parviflora.* Pongoi-hini (Mendi).
In English sometimes called Cabbage Palm. This species
reaches scarcely over 30 feet in height; it is armed with strong,
twin-set spines. The wood is soft and useless. 7
Apocynacee.
Funtumia elastica.* African Rubber Tree. Emarr (Timani) ; Buboi
(Mendi).
This tree grows to a height of 50 feet. It is rare in Sierra
Leone, but has been found in Kagnari, Nimmini and Loma
Mountains. It yields a good rubber.
Funtumia Africana.* Rubber. Buboi (Mendi).
This species grows to a height of 70 feet. It yields an
abundant latex of no commercial value.
Polydoa Elliotii. Boxwood. K’Palen (Timani); Kofee or Kofei
(Mendi).
It is a small tree with greenish pimply bark. The wood
is very hard, like boxwood, and is used to make hair combs
and hoe handles. Medicine is made from the bark.
Alstonia Congensis.* | Kauwi (Mendi).
A large, tall tree with a straight stem, found in the penin-
sular forests.
Landolphia Owariensis jenje.* Common Rubber Vine. Huwi
Djenjei (Mendi).
The export of this rubber was at one time very profitable,
but the natives overtapped the tree, and even dug up the
roots to extract the rubber. The fruit of this species is
edible.
Landolphia Heudelotii.*
This is a climber 40 feet in height, and one of the most
valuable of the Landolphias, found in many parts; but it is the
characteristic vegetation of the dry interior of Senegambia
and the Upper Niger.
Landolphia leonensis.* Nali (Mendi).
A climber reaching the tops of the highest trees. The
fruit is 3} inches in diameter. The pulp around the seed is
edible. The latex is used as bird-lime, but yields no rubber,
and cannot even be used as an adulterant.
Callichilia subsessilis.*
It is a shrub or small tree having a handsome flower.
SIERRA LEONE 59
Conopharyngia crassa.*
A small tree bearing a double fruit as large as a child’s
head.
C. longifiora.*
A small tree bearing a conspicuous heavy-scented flower.
Holarrhena Africana.* Nukoi (Mendi).
A small or medium-sized tree. Wooden serving spoons
for rice are made from the wood. The leaves beaten to a pulp
are used for poultices.
Holarrhena ovata.* Bubbuoi (Mendi).
Used as a stirring-stick.
Pleioceras Afzelit.
A small tree.
Pleiocarpa tricarpella.
A small tree.
Rauwolfia vomitoria. Kawogei (Mend).
A very common small tree, 20 feet high. Swizzle-sticks
for mixing drinks are made from it, and the natives use the
large branches for mixing indigo dye.
Voacanga Africana.*
A tree 30 feet high bearing very fragrant flowers.
Voacanga obtusa.*
A tall tree.
Voacanga Thonnersii.*
A medium-sized tree of 50 feet in height, with ornamental
cream flowers. It has been seen growing in the swamp-land
near the 180th milestone on the railway to Kennema.
Asclepiadacez.
Xysmalobium granitiolum.
A small tree in the river bed.
Borraginacee.
Cordia sp. Kpetellahen (Mendi).
It is a large tree growing on river banks. The bark is
edible.
Verbenacee.
Vitex grandifolia.
Some of this species yield timber, vegetables, edible fruits
and medicaments.
Vitex Cienkowskii.* Heinokohun (Mendi).
A tall tree growing at the edge of the forest.
Vitex doniana.* Lubei (Mendi).
A small tree growing in the savannah country in the Koina-
60 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
dugu district. An ink made from the leaves is used by the
Mohammedan teachers.
Vitex micrantha.* Fevei (Mendi).
A tree reaching a height of 70 feet and 2 feet 6 inches at
the base. The timber is useful for many purposes. The
Mohammedan teacher has his school slates made from it.
Vitex oxycuspis.* f
A small tree.
Avicennia Africana.*
A small tree growing in the mangrove swamps.
Premna hispida.* Kafei (Mendi).
A small tree. A decoction for ulcerated mouths is made
from the leaves.
Bignoniacez.
Spathodea campanulata.* Tulip Tree.
It is a large tree yielding timber, edible seeds and medica-
ments. It is also used as an ornamental tree.
Newbouldia levis.* Anyolo (Timani) ; Bogi Ponamagbei (Mend).
It is a tree reaching a height of 40 feet. Its use is prin-
cipally medicinal. The root and leaves are used for scrotal
elephantiasis, and a decoction from the bark is applied to sore
feet. It is much used for quick fences, as it grows readily from
stakes.
Kigelia.*
A tree 50 feet in height.
Stereospermum leonense.*
A medium-sized tree bearing pink blossoms.
Rubiacee.
Morinda sp.? citrifolia.* Brimstone. Ketum (Timani); Bundwi
Bundui (Mendi).
This tree grows to a height of 150 feet, and has been found
with a bole of 50 feet, a girth of 16 to 20 feet, and diameter of
5 feet without any branches. The wood is of a bright yellow
colour, commonly used for weather-boards. It is sold near
Freetown at 10s. per 100 feet. Its English name is given
because of the peculiar colour of the wood. Its durability
and ant-resisting qualities have given it a high place among
the local timbers. It is used for building wooden vessels,
mortars, etc. It will shoot up from the stump, so a good deal
of small timber is obtained from old farms. Neither its colour
nor grain make it of any worth for export. The bark is made
into a decoction for malaria, and the natives after marching
bathe their feet in the water in which it has been boiled.
SIERRA LEONE 61
Morinda confusa.* Wawae (Mendi).
It is a climber, the leaves of which are used in medicine.
Morinda quadrangularis.* Brimstone Bush. Jashuli (Mendi).
A small tree, 30 feet in height and about 1} feet in diameter
at the base. It is only useful as firewood. The leaves are
used as medicine in various diseases ; supposed to be specially
efficacious for malaria.
Pausynistalia Lane-Poolei.* Gibowali (Mendi).
It is a large tree having green-brown deciduous bark, on
which marked depressions are left when it comes off. The
bole is straight and branchless up to 40 feet. The flowers are
light yellow on first coming out, afterwards turning a purple
pink.
Pavetta Baconia.*
A shrub or small tree.
Psilanthus ebracteolatus.*
A small tree, 20 feet in height, having white flowers.
Bertiera glabrata.* Kafahinei (Mendi).
A small tree, 25 feet in height. The leaves are made into
a medicine to soothe teething babies.
Blighia sapida.* Akee Tree. Islii of the Akus.
It is cultivated for its fruit, which is wholesome and
savoury.
Canthium discolor.* Totengei (Mendi).
A shrub to small tree with strong, sharp spines.
Corynanthe paniculata.* Gibowuli (Mendi).
A tree 50 feet high.
Craterispermum laurinum.* Alum Bark. Nijelei (Mendi).
A tree 25 feet in height, having a diameter of 1 foot at the
base. The bark, when dried and beaten into powder, is used
as a remedy for sore feet. The wood splits easily and is used
in thatching.
Crossopteryx Kotschyana ? or Africana.*
A small tree.
Croton penduliflorus.*
A small tree of 35 feet.
Gaertnera paniculata.*
This is only found as a small tree on the sea-shore, but
said to grow big in the forest.
Gardenia sp. near G. physophylla.* Buittigirri (Mendi).
A medium-sized tree growing in swamps.
Heinsia jasminifiora.* Pegblagei (Mendi).
It is a tree cf about 20 feet in height; the flowers white
and much like jasmin. Scrapings of the bark are used for irrita-
tion of the skin at rice-harvest.
62 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Mitragyne. Mbuandae or M’boy (Mendi).
A large, tall tree, 100 feet high and 4} feet in diameter at
the base. It is only found in swamp-land. It yields a light,
white wood much used in indoor work. The leaves are very
large and are used for wrapping kolas; they are sold in Free
town at 3d. a bundle.
Morelia Senegalensis.*
This is a small tree half scandent.
Oxyanthus unilocularis.*
A small tree.
Oxyanthus speciosus. Pebulai (Mendi).*
This tree is common near Freetown. The bark is aromatic,
and when dried in the sun is used as a scent.
Randia acuminata.*
A small tree with large oval fruit.
Randia genipeflora.*
A shrub or small tree.
Randia macrantha.*
A small tree common everywhere. It bears handsome
white fragrant bell-flowers. The black pulp around the seed
is edible.
Randia maileifera.* Pondei (Mendi).
A small tree bearing very fragrant white bell-flowers. The
seeds when ground are mixed with water to make a sort of
black paint used by the native women.
Randia sp. near R. macrantha.*
A small tree, 20 feet in height, bearing an oval-shaped fruit.
Randia sp. near R. candata.*
A small tree, 25 feet high, bearing small but conspicuous
fan-shaped fragrant flowers.
Vangueria nigrescens.
A small tree.
Sarcocephalus esculentus.* Sierra Leone Peach. Ameliki (Timani) ;
Golli Nyumbuyambei (Mendi).
A very common tree growing to a height of 25 feet. It has
conspicuous white heads of flowers and an edible fruit.
Composite.
Vernonia conferta. African Cabbage Tree, the Soap Tree. Kupkup
(Timani) ; Kongoli (Mendi).
A small tree about 25 feet in height, growing in the rain
forest. The burnt ashes are used in soap-making and the
sediment, when dried, is used as snuff or Lubi.
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APPENDIX III
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF TIMBER IMPORTS INTO
SIERRA LEONE, 1902-7 anp 1910-15
Year. Superficial feet. Value. Year. Superficial feet. Value.
£ £
1902 765,501 4,765 1910 1,273,631 9,935
1903 1,705,805 11,066 1911 965,410 8,842
1904 1,642,738 10,097 1912 2,337,851 21,403
1905 1,768,611 8,886 1913 2,507,327 22,425
1906 1,188,702 9,827 1914 2,883,564 26,893
1907 2,351,559 18,856 1915 ‘ 2,503,751 26,279
Toray .. 9,422,916 63,497 TOTAL .. 12,471,534 115,777
.
CHAPTER IV
LIBERIA
I. Tue Goua Forest.
Tus comparatively narrow strip of Africa, extending from Cape
Palmas on the east to the Mano River on the west, an area of 40,000
square miles, is a Negro Republic under the nominal protection of
the United States. It is bounded on the west by the British Colony
and Protectorate of Sierra Leone, and on the north and east by the
French possessions of Senegal and the French Ivory Coast.
Some years ago a large rubber company was formed to exploit
the wild-growing rubber vines and trees, and until recently fairly
large amounts were secured. Apart from rubber, however, there
are large forests, one of the best being the Gola Forest, on the
western boundary and contiguous to the Sierra Leone Protectorate.
This Gola Forest is formed by the confluence of the Morro and
Mano Rivers, being thus triangular in shape and approximately
250 square miles in extent. No natives actually live in it, though
there are a few villages at the edge, such as Yandahun and Dambarra.
The typical forest is seen in the view of the River Morro near the
junction of the Mano. Here herds of elephants roam and make tracks
through the dense growth of numerous trees; in fact, the only paths
there have been made by the elephant. The Chief of Tunkia always
has at least ten youths with him learning the art of elephant-hunting,
for which a large fee for tuition is paid. In illustrations Nos. 10 and
12 views of the inner parts of the forest are given.
II. THe Most VaLvuaBLe TREES.
The chief species of trees suitable for cutting for export are the
following :
1. Mahogany (Khaya ivoriensis), probably, a very well textured
wood with some very pretty medullary rays and a thorough sheen
on it when planed. [Illustration No. 13 shows a specimen of this tree.
2. Satinwood (Afrormosia laxiflora), a large tree with smooth bark,
which varies from light green or yellow to an orange-red shade, thus
making it very conspicuous in the forest. See illustration No. 11,
which shows one of these trees of medium size.
66
), Gola
To_faco p. 66.
11.—African Satinwood (Afrormosia laxiflora
Forest.
Fia.
Fic. 10.—Large Brimstone Tree (Sarcocephalus sp.), Gola
Forest.
LIBERIA 67
3. The African Oak (Oldfieldia africana), Paulai of the Mendis
is more common in the southern than in the northern part of the
forest. It attains a large size, but has not yet been exploited either
by a European or a native firm. This is one of the most durable of
African timbers. As it has already been described in the chapter
on the Sierra Leone trees, further notes on this tree are unnecessary
here. Illustrations Nos. 5 and 6 show this tree to advantage, especially
its straightness of growth.
4. The real Satinwood (Zanthoxrylum macrophyllum), not an
uncommon tree, of small size. It is most easily recognised by its
very long pinnate leaves. One leaf may attain a length of 6 feet.
There is another species of Zanthoxylum which also has a similar
kind of timber.
5. African Walnut (Lovoa Klaineana). This tree is not very
prevalent, but is scattered in small groups throughout the forest.
6. Cedar Mahogany, a species of Guarea which attains a large size.
It is none too prevalent, though it is scattered singly throughout the
forest.
7. African Pearwood (Mimusops lacera) is a very good reddish
timber, often with figure in the grain. Although much harder than
mahogany, it has been sold as such.
8. The Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) is common near the old farms,
but is not so prevalent in the forest proper. It has not yet been
exploited from here, nor is it cut locally.
9. The Red Ironwood Tree (Lophira procera) is very prevalent, and
attains much the same size as elsewhere. It has not yet been exploited.
10. The so-called Mahogany, the timber of a tree, a species of
Parinarium, known as Pauwilli of the Mendis. This is one of the
most prevalent trees in the forest. It is also somewhat gregarious,
as many as forty specimens being sometimes found in one group.
The timber of this tree was exported from Southern Nigeria some
years ago. It grows to a height of 150 feet, with a clear bole of
60 feet in height, and upwards of 18 feet in girth. Illustration No. 2
shows the trunk especially, and the base of one of these trees.
A most typical scene in the northern part of the Gola Forest is shown
in illustration No. 12, several of the trees in that picture being
Pauwilli.
All the above-mentioned trees have been cut and exported in the
log from various parts of Western Africa. There are, however, several
other trees which might be cut and used as export timbers, as, for
instance :
11. The White Mahogany (Canarium Schweinfurthii), which attains
the same size as elsewhere, but is not so commonly found.
12. Rhodesian Mahogany (Afzelia bracteata ?), which is fairly common
and attains a medium size.
68 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
13. Brachystegia spiceformis, which yields a light-brown hardish
timber with very pretty grain. (See illustration No. 104, which shows
a very large specimen of this tree in Nigeria.) It is very prevalent,
in fact one of the commonest trees in the Gola Forest, so that large
quantities of timber could be obtained.
14. Wismah (Sierra Leone name) is also found, and apparently
grows up very quickly in old farms. :
15. The Red Oak (Berlinia auriculata) is quite prevalent, especially
near the banks of streams. It attains a large size, and the timber
has been sold as oak in the European market. Here it has not yet
been cut.
In addition to the trees which can be felled for conversion into
export timbers, there are others which may be cut for sale locally,
such as:
16. The Brimstone (Morinda citrifolia?), one of the most suitable
trees for the purpose. One of the largest trees was 5 feet in diameter,
and had also a clear bole of 50 feet. On the whole it grows to a
larger size in the Gola Forest than in Sierra Leone. I[llustration
No. 10 shows one of these trees from which a timber specimen had
been cut.
17. The Hamon, which is apparently a species of Sterculiacee,
although not of enormous size, has a straight bole, which divides up
into four or five very large and thin root flanges. It is one of the
most prevalent trees in the forest. Illustration No. 14 shows the
peculiar formation of the roots of this tree.
18. Piptadenia africana, a very large tree with small and fine
pinnate leaves. It is frequently met with, in fact one of the commonest
of the trees in the forest. It yields a hard brown wood which is
durable.
19. The so-called Mountain Mahogany, probably a species of
Leguminoseez. It attains a large size, and yields a timber not unlike
that of Red Pine.
Up to the present no local or other sawyers have worked in this
forest. Although only a few trees have been mentioned which could
be cut for use locally, there are many others out of approximately
a hundred different kinds which are found in the forest.
There are other products, such as oil beans, obtained from Penta-
clethra macrophylla, a large forest tree; gum copal, obtained from
Daniellia Ogea, one of the largest forest trees; palm oil and kernels
from the Oil Palm (Hlesis guineensis), which is found in all the
clearings. Piassava, obtained from Raphia vinifera, is found on the
banks of the two rivers, Morro and Mano. Rubber could be obtained
from the African Rubber Tree (Funtumia elastica) and various rubber
vines, such as Landolphia Owariensis, and others. Dika nuts could
be procured, as the tree which bears them, Irvingia Barteri, is com-
LIBERIA 69
monly found; also the Tallow Tree (Pentadesma butyracea), which
bears a large number of oil-bearing nuts in its large fruit; the Dita
(Detarium Senegalensis), which yields a mango-like fruit, eaten locally.
Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola) is found, but not often sold in the local
market. The rough-skinned Parinarium excelsum yields a fruit
which is eaten locally; the African Star-apple (Chrysophyllum Afri-
canum) is found in the forest, and also planted. In other villages the
Akee, being obtained from Blighia sapida, is quite common in the
forest, though the edible fruit is not used. The Mackay or Sea Bean
(Entada scandens) is a huge creeper which grows to 350 feet in length
and 3 feet in girth. Near Dambarra, from a stout specimen hung
a complete pod containing fourteen beans.
III. Conprtions or WorxKING TIMBER.
The Mano or Bewa River forms the natural outlet for the extrac-
tion of timber, as the Morro River forms one boundary of the Gola
Forest, and this river joins the former rather more than half-way
through the forest. The Mano River reaches the sea about 80 miles
from the end of the forest; thus logs of timber could be brought down
the Mano straight into the sea.
Very good timber of various kinds of mahogany has been shipped
from several ports, such as Sassandra and Grand Bassam on the
Ivory Coast. Good prices, such as ls. to 2s. 3d. per superficial foot,
have usually been paid for this timber. There is therefore no reason
why similar timber from Liberia should not fetch equally good rates,
when properly cut, squared, and sold under similar conditions.
Conditions of working are very similar on the West Coast of Africa,
but may vary somewhat in detail from place to place. However,
if at the outset natives accustomed to working timber in Nigeria or
the Ivory Coast were employed, good results would be obtained.
Gradually a local native staff would be built up, so that the services
of those from another part of the coast could be dispensed with
and cheaper working thus assured; because imported labour, whether
skilled or otherwise, is usually more expensive than that of the
locality. Lower shipping rates should be paid from Liberia than
from the Ivory Coast or Gold Coast, owing to the distance being less
to the European markets where the timber is sold.
The other forests of Liberia should be thoroughly examined to
see what amount of timber is there. It is usual to work several areas
in conjunction, as the cost of management per unit of output (the
log) is thus reduced.
IV. TREES AND RUBBER VINES
Palme.
Hlesis Guineensis. Oil Palm.
The well-known Oil Palm. It does not thrive in the forests
among taller trees. It grows best near villages. (Found in
Sierra Leone, too.) Quantities of oil obtained from it. The
leaves are used for roof coverings.
Raphia vinifera. Wine Palm.
The leaves used in weaving, brushes, mats, etc. Grows in
swampy ground.
Borassus flabellifer and B. Aithiopium. Fan Palm, Piassave.
Both most useful trees. The leaves for roofs, fibre for
ropes. The sap made into a sweet kind of toddy. Wood for
house and bridge building. The B. Athiopium grows from
60 to 80 feet high, the leaves 5 to 12 feet long.
Ancistrophyllum.
Fibre used for weaving.
Liliacee.
Dracena surculosa. Dragon’s Blood.
A much branched tree, having white flowers and red berries.
Found in Sino Kim, Kakatown and Monrovia.
Moracee.
Chlorophora excelsa. Oroko, Teak, African Oak.
A large, well-known tree, used for many purposes where
durability is required. Frequently found; it grows well near
old farms. It is also found in Sierra Leone. The wood seems
to be proof against termites and fungoid diseases. It is the
best wood for railway sleepers.
Musanga Smithii. Corkwood.
The first tree to appear after a farm has been abandoned ;
its thick leaves, when they fall, form a heavy layer of
humus.
Antiaris. Fig species.
Fig-like fruit, used in medicine.
Ficus Vogelii. Rubber.
Grows from 20 to 40 feet, yields so-called Balata, or an
inferior rubber. Found on St. Paul’s River, Grand Basa.
70
LIBERIA 71
Ficus sp. Rubber.
Yields rubber ; branches reddish colour ; grows in the Kuru
country.
Ficus Whyteii. Rubber.
A large forest tree yielding abundant rubber.
Myrianthus serratus.
A deciduous tree having mulberry-like fruit of pleasant
taste.
Olacacee.
Coula edulis.
Bark and leaves have a resinous sap. The oily seeds of
this tree are very pleasant to the taste; it has no connection,
however, with the Cola Nut.
Anonacee.
Xylopia oxypetala. Yellow wood.
A moderate-sized tree with white, scented flowers, growing
in the bush of the littoral.
Xylopia Dinklaget.
A small glabrous tree.
Xylopia Aithiopica.
From 30 to 60 feet in height. Fruit aromatic, used as a
tonic. Wood elastic, made into masts and oars.
Xylopia humilis.
A small tree with broad top and pendulous branches,
growing in the primary forests of the littoral.
Uvaria scabrida.
A moderate-sized tree in the primary forest, found on the
banks of the Cestos River.
Ovaria Dinklagei.
Similar to thelast ; grows in the humid parts of the coast
bush.
Uvaria Afzelii.
Similar to the above.
Polyalthia Oliveri.
A small glabrous tree growing in the coast forests.
Popowia Whyteit.
A small tree with glabrous leaves.
Anona muricata. Sour Sop.
A small glabrous tree, the Sour Sop of English colonists.
Anona palustris. Alligator Apple.
A tree with soft wood, used as cork. Fruit edible, fre-
quently made into a refreshing drink. It is found in the
swamps of Grand Basa.
72 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Monodora myristica. Calabash Nutmeg.
A small tree having showy flowers and aromatic seed ; the
much esteemed Calabash Nutmeg of West Africa.
Monodora tenuifolia.
Found in the primary forests of Grand Basa. Very similar
to the last; narrower leaved.
Myristicacee.
Pycnanthus Dinklaget. Muskat Nut.
Tree reaches the height of 30 feet, with drooping branches.
It supplies good timber and oily seeds.
Pycnanthus kombo.
The seeds of this variety contain 73 per cent. of fat and
burn like a candle.
Rosacez.
Parinarium macrophyllum. Rough-skinned Plum.
A very common tree, used locally for building purposes ;
oak-like texture. Fruit yellow, the size of a goose-egg ; some-
times called Gingerbread Plum.
Parinarium excelsum. Wild Plum.
Parinarium sp. Wild Plum.
Also found in Sierra Leone. Used for building locally ; grain
too open for export. P. excelsum and sp. very similar.
Chrysobalanus icaco. Cocoa Plum.
Chrysobalanus ellipticus. Cocoa Plum.
A tall shrub or small tree, with greenish-purple edible fruit
known as Cocoa Plums. These two are very similar; both
found near Grand Basa.
Leguminose.
Lonchocarpus laxiflora. Mountain Mahogany.
Supplies a good useful wood and dyes. It is also found
in Sierra Leone.
Lonchocarpus sericeus.
An ornamental tree with downy twigs, reddish-violet
papilionaceous flowers; wood hard and heavy, not very well
known. Found in Grand Basa.
Lonchocarpus Barteri.
Similar to ZL. sericeus, but a loftier tree.
Lonchocarpus Zenkeri.
Entada scandens. Mackay or Sea Bean.
The well-known liana, the fibre used in rope and net
making.
LIBERIA 73
Dialium Senegalense. Black Tumbler.
A hard wood, useful in the building trade; also grows in
Sierra Leone.
Dialium Englerit.
Timber useful for many purposes. A refreshing drink is
made from the edible fruit.
Dialium Dinklagei.
A small tree with umbrella-like top.
Albizzia fastigata. Albizzia.
All Albizzias are proof against termites. Wood used where
durability is required, and therefore very valuable. The
branches are pendulous, flowers white and fragrant. Found
in Monrovia and Sino Basin.
Albizzia Brownei. Albizzia.
A hard, useful wood. A large forest tree with cracked
greyish bark.
Albizzia sp. Albizzia.
A large tree of good form and hard wood. The tree cylinder-
shaped, heartwood a bright, pretty colour. Not very. plentiful.
Quite worthy of export.
Detariuwm Senegalense. Mahogany, Dita.
A beautifully marked hard wood, with a bole of 30 feet
and girth of 12 feet.
Pentaclethra macrophylla. Oil Bean Tree.
Yields oil-bearing seeds or beans, used as an article of food.
The ashes after burning the dry pods are useful in soap-making.
Parkia filicoidea. Forest Locust or Locust Bean.
A very common tree in Liberia, but wood of little value.
The bean is eaten locally.
Erythrina Senegalense.
Deeply cleft bark ; wood of little value.
Piptadenia Africana.
It grows everywhere in great quantities in Liberia. The
wood is hard and valuable.
Afrormosia laxiflora. Satinwood.
A beautiful clear brown wood, used for building purposes.
Baphia nitida. Camwood.
Very valuable as a red dye-wood.
Baphia pubescens. Camwood.
Valuable dye-wood.
Cassia podocarpa.
Grows best on very dry ground; common on native farms,
70 miles up the St. Paul River. Wood extraordinarily hard.
Mimosa Dinklagei.
A small tree found in the coast woods of Grand Basa.
74 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Daniellia Ogea. Benin Gum Copal.
Wood soft. When the tree has attained a large size, it
is attacked by the boring beetle; the gum then exudes and
falls to the ground, and is so collected. Value, 5d. or 6d.
@ pound.
Daniellia sp. Gum Copal sp.
Very similar to the C. Ogea.
Didelotia Englert.
A small tree found in the humid woods of the coast.
Polystemonanthus Dinklaget.
A small tree growing on the banks of St. John’s River,
Grand Basa.
Xylia Evansii.
Beautiful plumed trees; small heads of flowers. A pretty
ornamental tree.
Rutacee.
Zanthorylon sp. Satinwood.
Fairly hard wood, with rough, knotty bark in the shape
of cone-like, woody protrusions.
Zanthoxylon macrophyllum. Spiny Satinwood.
Smaller than the last, but somewhat similar; the wood
a very pretty yellow, with open grain.
Citrus aurantium. Common Orange.
A very ornamental tree. Leaves and buds used in per-
fumery. Fruit edible, valuable for export. Timber useful
in many ways.
Simarubacee.
Irvingia Barteri. Dika Nut or Borbor.
The fruit is edible, seeds oily. Dika butter, dika bread
and a kind of chocolate are made from it. The wood is
also used.
Burseracez.
Canarium Schweinfurthii.
Wood useful in commerce. The oily seeds are edible.
Meliacee.
Lovoa Klaineana. African Walnut.
Has a shady crown of branches. A good shade tree.
Carapa procera. Crabwood.
A small tree cut and sold as cedar mahogany for building
purposes.
LIBERIA 75
Carapa Gayensis.
This tree supplies a good timber; the oily seeds are used
in medicine.
Pseudocedrela. Cedar Mahogany or African Walnut.
The tree is 65 feet in height, wood used for building
purposes and for furniture ; not very common. It should be a
useful export timber.
Trichilia Heudelotii.
A small tree; wood easy to work; not well known.
Khaya grandis. Benin Mahogany.
A fine tree, sometimes attaining the height of 130 feet,
and 14 feet in diameter. The trunk has slight root flanges.
The wood of a beautiful surface, a most valuable wood in
furniture and carriage making.
Guarea Africana. Satin Mahogany
Grain similar to mahogany and might be sold for it. Should
be a useful export wood.
Pynertia ealensis.
Not very well known; flowers in long, showy panicles.
Euphorbiacee.
Ricinodendron Heudelotii. % Mahogany.
Sold as mahogany. The wood is used locally for boat-
building. The tree seeds readily, so could easily be planted.
Hasskarlia didymostemon.
Attains the height of 40 to 80 feet ; leaves yellowish-green
and yellow catkins. Not well known.
Oldfieldia Africana. Real African Oak.
A tall, fine tree, with a bole of 50 feet and girth of 16 feet.
Most useful in boat-building, especially for the keels. It
seeds very readily. Many years ago it was exported as teak
(1827-35), though this afterwards ceased.
Anacardiacee.
Mangifera. Mango species, Greenheart.
The Mango Tree, very plentiful. It attains a girth of
12 feet. A greyish wood used for building purposes.
Mangifera sp. Bush Pawpaw.
Used in building.
Mangifera sp. Whitewood.
Used in building.
Odina acida.
A small deciduous, glabrous tree; the powdered bark, mixed
with other substances, used as a paint for the face.
76 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Spondias lutea.
A tall, glabrous tree, with yellow, plum-like fruits, which
are edible. They are often made into a refreshing drink. The
wood bright-coloured and hard; it has the useful quality of
growing when put in as fence posts.
Sapindacez.
Blighia sapida. Akee.
A useful shade tree near dwellings, growing to the height
of 9734 feet. Wood light yellow in colour.
Allophyllus Africana.
A small, common tree with hard, blackish fruit, growing
along the coast of Grand Basa; wood useful in many ways.
Dodonea viscosa.
A small tree having viscid branchlets saturated with resin,
which serve as torches. The wood is used for engraving and
in turnery.
Malvacee.
Gossypium Peruvianum. Kidney-tree Cotton.
These African cotton-plants are still imperfectly known.
Probably used locally.
Bombacacee.
Eriodendron anfractuosum. Cotton Tree.
Grows to the height of 160 feet. Smooth, bright grey
bark, having cracked appearance. Wood not of much value
in commerce. Handsome, brilliant crimson flowers.
Bombax Buonopozense. Red Cotton Tree.
A large deciduous tree, often attaining 162 feet in height,
with tuberculate, prickly bark and scarlet flowers with firm,
velvety petals. Wood of little value in commerce.
Sterculiacee.
Sterculia oblonga. Yellow Wood.
A tree of medium height, the wood soft, and fibre strong
and tough. Exudes gum.
Sterculia sp.
Fruit edible, the oily seeds used medicinally.
Triplochiton.
Fruit winged, flowers panicled, leaves ragged.
LIBERIA 77
Cola acuminata. Cola.
Much like the Poplar in appearance. The wood is used
in ship-building, house-building and furniture. The oily, edible
Cola Nut is in great demand.
Cola digitata.
The oily seeds much used in medicine.
Heritiera utilis.
The timber hard and useful for various purposes, the bark
in tanning. Fruit woody.
Dilleniacez.
Tetracera potatoria. Water Tree.
A small, hairy tree growing on the dry and sunny parts
of the coast savannahs. It yields a profuse amount of water
from the stems; hence its name.
Tetracera @rocarpa.
Very similar to the above. Used as a medicine by the
natives.
Tetracera Dinklaget.
Similar to the other Tetracera species.
Tetracera sp. White Cedar.
Reaches a girth of 10 or 12 feet. Wood soft and grain
too open for export.
Ochnacez.
Lophira procera. African Oak or Red Ironwood.
This tree yields oil-bearing seeds. The wood is hard and
heavy, of a reddish brown. Sold as African Oak. The wood
is also used in charcoal-making.
Guttiferz.
Pentadesma. Butter or Tallow Tree.
A tall, slender tree growing by the streams. Wood light
in colour, useful in various ways. Also found in Sierra
Leone.
Garcinia kola. Bitter Cola.
A large but slow-growing tree, with a hard, prettily grained
wood, rather uncommon.
Garcinia sp. % Mahogany.
The wood sometimes sold as mahogany.
Garcinia sp. Chew-stick.
The smaller roots are used as chew-sticks, but taking these
in the drastic method in which it is done generally means death
to the tree. It is found on summits of the mountains.
78 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Flacourtiacez.
Smeathmannia levigata.
Smeathmannia sp.
The buds are single, growing in the axils of the leaves.
Leaves toothed. There are fifteen species of this tree; not
very common. Wood of little value.
Rhizophoracez.
Rhizophora mangle.
The Mangrove species. It grows in swamps or on the banks of
rivers of Liberia. The wood is hard and heavy but easily
worked; much used for poles and firewood, the bark in
tanning.
Rhizophora racemosa.
The Mangrove species. Very similar to the above.
Myrtacez.
Psidium guajava. Guava.
A small tree growing near Monrovia. Fruit edible, the
well-known Guava of commerce.
Sapotacee.
Mimusops sp. The Bobby Water or Benin Mahogany.
A very common kind of Mahogany, attaining a bole of
50 feet and girth of 12 feet. It will grow at a higher elevation
than most forest trees. Wood very useful in the making of
furniture.
Mimusops lacera. African Pearwood.
A tall, fine-looking tree, with good bole. It would pay to
plant these unsparingly. It grows well near the coast. The
hard, red wood is very useful and most valuable in furniture-
making, inlaying, veneering, etc.
Chrysophyllum sp.
A tree of medium height. Fruit edible. The wood not
well known in commerce.
Sideroxylon longistylum.
This tree supplies a good timber. The fruit is edible.
Omphalocarpum.
A kind of Guttapercha is obtained from this tree. It
supplies also a good, useful timber.
Apocynacee.
Rauwolfia vomitoria. Swizzle-stick.
A good workable timber is obtained from it. Stone fruit.
LIBERIA 79
Funtumia Africana. False Rubber Tree.
The rubber is useless, being sticky, like birdlime. Height
from 15 to 20 feet.
Funtumia sp. Boxwood.
Much the same as above. Found also in Sierra Leone.
Funtumia elastica. True Rubber Tree.
One of the most important rubber-trees of Africa (also
Sierra Leone); produces good rubber. Height 100 feet.
Conopharyngia. Rubber.
Another rubber-tree, yielding only small quantities, of
little use in commerce.
Landolphia Owariensis. Vine Rubber.
Another of the best rubber-trees; grows in the Sino Basin.
Landolphia jenje. Vine or White Ball Rubber.
A very good rubber, even better than DL. Owariensis.
Bignoniacee.
Newbouldia levis.
A pinnate-leaved tree with dense panicles of pink flowers
like the foxglove; the fruit long and slender. The bright-
coloured wood is very even in texture, much used in fence-
making.
Rubiacez.
Sarcocephalus esculentus. Sierra Leone Peach.
Flowers in large heads, white and fragrant. Deep-red
fruit, the peach of the country, the size of a man’s fist. The
wood much used for inlaying.
Morinda sp.? Brimstone.
A tree with bole of 50 feet in height, girth from 16 to
20 feet. The wood is bright yellow in colour, not of much
value, but the root-wood is sold in the native markets for yellow
dye and the bole wood for weather-boards. It is very hard
and resists attacks of insects.
Randia maculata.
A very pretty ornamental tree, with glossy leaves and white
flowers.
Coffea Liberica. Liberian Coffee.
A tree about 20 feet in height. Coffee-berries the size of
a cherry.
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CHAPTER V
THE IVORY COAST
THanxs to Monsieur Auguste Chevalier’s very varied and extensive
travels on the Ivory Coast, we have obtained very graphic descriptions
of the belt of forest extending nearly 150 miles inland and parallel
to the coast.
In his books Les Végétaux Utiles de l’ Afrique Tropicale Francaise,
Fasc. V., Premiére Etude sur les Bois de la Céte d’ Ivoire, and Les Végétaux
utiles de V Afrique tropicale francaise, Fasc. VII (Premiére Partie),
Documents sur le Palmier & Huile, on the vegetation of this French
Colony, not only are there general descriptions of some of the best
and most accessible forests, but also there are full descriptions of
the individual trees, together with most of their botanical and most
valuable vernacular names.
Considering that the area of the Ivory Coast is 130,000 square
miles, and the forest belt about 150 miles wide, the mahogany industry
should be still further developed than it is at the present time.
So far, on the average, the Ivory Coast has been noted for its
figured mahogany, the Ports of Grand Bassam, Assinie (a town and
river of Upper Guinea), and La Hou being the most noted, and having
given almost their name to different classes of Ivory Coast mahogany.
For several reasons this type of mahogany has fetched higher prices
than that of the average from elsewhere. Sassandra, at the mouth
of a similar named river, and also Cavally, on the Cavally, are minor
ports for the shipment of mahogany.
First and foremost the wood obtained from what Monsieur
Chevalier terms Khaya Ivoriensis is of a much more sheeny nature
than that of either Khaya Senegalensis, Khaya grandis or Khaya Punchii.
In the next place, the method of working is most peculiar. Usually,
individual natives cut a: ew trees at a time, standing nearest a water-
way or lagoon ; in fact, these were picked trees which the natives thought
contained figured wood, and this had the effect of only a one-sided
working of the forest, thus leaving many other valuable trees. On
the average, the distribution of the numbers and of the various species
is about the same as in other parts of West Africa. Apparently many
of the ordinary trees have often been left standing, or at any rate most
of those which are too inaccessible. A tree standing more than about
6 81
82 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
a mile from water is too far for a native working almost single-handed,
and only collecting a few labourers for hauling his logs to the waterway.
In recent years, however, British as well as French firms, with
a larger amount of capital, have started to work the forests. Regula-
tions have been drawn up by the local Government in a similar manner
and of a similar nature to those in force generally on the West Coast
of Africa. The Government also has built a railway passing through
and near some of the forests north of Grand Bassam. Since its
inception, a further impetus has been given to the mahogany trade.
However, in the matter of water transport, the rivers of the Ivory
Coast, such as the Tano, mostly flowing in British territory, but
emptying itself into the sea at Assinie (the port for logs in French
territory), the Yar or Abi, the Komoe, the Zini, and Bandana, the
Sassandra and Cavally, can none of them be said to be at all good
for the floating out of logs. La Hou is the port for the Bandana and
Zini Rivers, after their junction ; Sassandra is the port for the Sassandra
and Cavally for the Cavally. At the mouth of each of them there
is a shallow bar, and this in turn causes a bad surf, and in other parts
the coast lacks harbours, and the formation of it is unsuitable for
the shipment of timber. No doubt, as time goes on, an effective means
will be invented for dealing with the passage of the logs through the
surf, especially at the mouths of rivers. So far, from all accounts,
the rivers themselves have not been cleared of snags and rocky
obstructions for the transport of the timber. This factor again has
reacted on the output, and many of the finest forests remain unworked.
Owing to the fact of this accidental policy of only cutting the best
mahogany trees, the intensive exploitation of the forests by cutting
other species of trees (the timber of which has already found a market
in Europe) has been greatly hindered. Among such timbers are
the following :
Khaya Ivoriensis,
Chlorophora excelsa,
Lophira alata,
Afzelia microcarpa,
Entandrophragma macrophylla,
Canarium Schweinfurthii, or Occidentalis,
On the whole, English firms working on the Ivory Coast have been
encouraged and not hindered, but some of the minor regulations appear
to be rather irksome and vexatious in their working, and the firms
have felt that their tenure of the forest rights was not quite so secure
as elsewhere in West Africa.
The export duties placed on mahogany cut on the banks of the
Tano in Gold Coast territory are almost of such a nature as to prohibit
the profitable working of the Tano forests.
LIST OF TREES
(CHEVALIER’S.)
Pandanacee.
Pandanus candelabrum. Sometimes known as Screw Pine.
A well-branched tree, supported by aerial roots; lcaves
spinous and in dense spirals.
Palme.
Borassus flabellifer Ronier (Colons); Dendo (Attie); Makube
(Fanti) ; Ekube (Agni).
Liliacez.
Dracena Perrotetti. Nkiebe (Mbonoi); Adjonde (Ebrie).
Ulmacee.
Celtis integrifolia. Mgua (Abe) ; Tongo (Bondoukou).
Moracee.
Antiaris toxiaria. Ake (Mbonoi).
Chlorophora excelsa. Corkwood (English); Akede (Abe); Bakana
(Fanti) ; Guele (Bondoukou) ; Elui (Agni) ; Bonzo (Bambara) ;
Agui (Ebrie) ; Odum (Appollonien).
Ficus Goliath. Abono (Mbonoi).
Ficus Guineensis. Aturn (Mbonoi).
Ficus sp. Mekhi (Attie); Diangue (Agni); Karfa (Bambara).
Pontya excelsa. Metchi (Attie) ; Triwa (Agni).
Morus mesozygia. Bana (Attie) ; Cecerui (Agni).
Musanga Smithii. Parasolier (Colons); Loho (Abe); Guima
Djuna (Bondoukou) ; Egui (Agni) ; Congo-congo (Gabonais).
Myrianthus arboreus. Agnon (Abe); Atolaie (Mbonoi); Agniere
(Ebrie).
Myrianthus serratus. Nianga-magui (English) ; Diancangue (Attie) ;
Nianga (Agni) ; Nianga-magui (Indenie).
Treculia africana. Izaqueute Portugais (Colons); Yukugo (Bon-
doukou).
Olacacee.
Coula edulis. Atsan (Attie); Bogiie (Agni); Akion (Ebrie).
Ongokea Klaineana. So (Abe). :
Strombosia pustulata. Myole Polie (Abe); Patabua (Bondoukou) ;
Fognian (Mbonoi).
83
84 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Octoknematacez.
Octoknema affinis. Guangua (Attie).
Anonacez.
Cleistopholis patens. Kotopuan (Attie); Bofu (Fanti); Eutie
(Agni).
Enantia chlorantha. Mbawe (Abe); Esuro (Attie).
Monodora myristica. Mbang (Attie) ; Efuen (Agni) ; Hane (Ebrie).
Stenanthera Laniate. T’sainfi (Attie); Surua (Agni).
Pachypodanthium.
Xylopia ethiopica. Ethiopian pepper (Colons); Fonde (Attie) ;
Efomu (Agni) ; Endiar or N’diar (Wolof).
Xylopia parviflora.
Myristicacee.
Celocaryon oxycarpum. Kinkonawon (Mbonoi).
Pycnanthus Kombo. Walehe (Abe); Hetere (Bondoukou) ; Etama
(Agni) ; Anakiie (Mbonoi) ; Edna (Appolonien).
Capparidacee.
Buchholzia macrophylla. Mon (Attie); Akotompo (Fanti); Amizi
(Agni) ; Do (Trepo).
Rosacee.
Chrysobalanus ellipticus. Hanfuru (Agni).
Parinarium robustum. Aroba (Mbonoi).
Parinarium tenuifolium. Simua (Attie) ; Gatesima (Mbonoi).
Leguminose.
Albizzia fastigiata. San (Attie); Piampian (Fanti); Kuanguan
(Agni).
Albizzia ferruginea.
Albizzia gigantea. Turndogo, Bosole (Bondoukou).
Albizzia rhombifolia. Ki (Attie) ; Pranpran (Fanti) ; Kure (Agni).
Afzelia microcarpa. Asemigniri (Mbonoi).
Aphanocalyx sp. Redwood (Colons); Taceribe (Mbonoi); Arab-
metu (Adionkron).
Baphia nitida. Camwood (English); Tte (Attie); Ekuro (Fanti) ;
Exin (Agni); Eseme (Mbonoi).
Berlinia acuminata. Beguan (Attie) ; Gueguirotta baka (Agni).
Cynometra Vogelit. Tiupe (Attie).
Cynometra cryptosepalum. Kiukuesin (Attie) ; Patapara (Agni).
Daniellia oblonga. Trakuan (Attie); Kuangua (Agni).
Dialium Dinklagei.
Dialium Guineense. Fe (Attie) ; Warie (Agni).
THE IVORY COAST 85
Erythrophleum Ivoriensis. Amerere (Agni).
Erythrophlewm Guineense. Eri (Agni); Teli (Bambara); Aranhe
(Mbonoi).
Lonchocarpus sericeus. Acacia de Gabon (Colons); Akuosi, Amba
(Fanti) ; Ekopa (Agni).
Macrolobium Palisoti.
Milletia sp. Vandakiie (Attie); Bakahehessi (Agni); Ekimi
(Mbonoi).
Parkia Agboensis. Lo (Abe) ; Dogo (Bondoukou) ;x Asama (Mbonoi).
Pentaclethra macrophylla. Owala (Gabonais).
Piptadenia Africana. Bon (Attie) ; Nainvi (Bondoukou) ; Kuangua
iniama (Agni).
Piptadenia Chevaliert. Lo (Attie).
Pterocarpus esculentus. Totohote (Attie); Assihaoto (Agni).
Tetrapleura Thonningii.
Pandacee.
Porphyranthus Zenkeri. Tebo (Attie); Akwankusuma (Fanti) ;
Akuana (Agni).
Linacee.
Phyllocosmus Africanus.
Humiriacez.
Saccoglottis Gabunensis. Amuan (Attie).
Rutacee.
Fagara macrophylla. Hanwego (Bondoukou); Kengiie (Mbonoi).
Zanthoxylum parvifolium. M’Bon (Attie); Kanton (Fanti) ;
Heudje, Heugué (Agni).
Simarubacee.
Hannoa Klaineana. Haiefai ? (Abe) ; Neube ? (Attie) ; Hete bake
(Mbonoi).
Irvingia. Akwabu (Mbonoi) ; Lubigniati (Adionkron).
Mannia Africana. Hate (Attie); Sotibia (Fanti); Bomoku
(Agni) ; Akodo (Mbonoi).
Burseracez.
Canarium Occidentalis. Okume d'Ivoire (Colons) ; Segna (Attie) ;
Krendja Haigue (Agni).
Meliacez.
Bingeria Africana. Hakue (Attie); Hague (Agni).
Carapa microcarpa. Dona (Abe); Kuli pia (Bondoukou); Kobi
(Bambara).
86 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Carapa velutina. Bibiabe (Attie); Akumasse (Fanti); Sorowa
(Agni).
Charia Indiensis. Zacoba (Attie) ; Zacoba (Agni).
Entandrophragma ferruginea. Locobo (Attie) ; Tiamatiama (Agni).
Entandrophragma macrophylla. Baka-biringui (Abe); Lokoba
(Attie); Kaiguigo (Bondoukou); Makua (Mbonoi); Tiama-
tiama (Appolonien).
Entandrophragma rufa. Cedrat (Colons); Kaiguigo (Bondoukouw).
Entandrophragma Septentrionalis. Baka-birin-gui (Abe); Keiwgo
(Bondoukou).
Khaya Ivoriensis. Bariba or Biribi (Colons) ; Ekuie (Abe) ; Lokobua
(Attie) ; Dukuma Dugura (Agni) ; Humpe (Ebrie) ; Tiamatiama
(Appolonien).
Pynertia Occidentalis. Hainde (Agni); Kassekui (Mbonoi) ;
Dubiri Keguigo (Appolonien).
Trichilia Candollei. Tanna (English) ; Fe (Attie) ; Tenuba, Tanuba
(Agni).
Trichilia cedrata. Ngnanake (Abe); Mbosse (Agni); Anokue
(Mbonoi). j
Trichilia acutifoliata.
Euphorbiacee.
Macaranga Hendelotii. Abo (Attie); Eson (Fanti); Ekna (Agni).
Mesobotrya Stapfiana. Senan (Attie); Emuinguim (Fanti); Asa
bogitie (Agni).
Oldfieldia Africana. African Teak (English); Fu (Attie);
Etii (Agni).
Ricinodendron Africanus. Hobo Hapi (Abe).; Isain (Attie) ;
Sosaii (Fanti); Haipi (Bondoukou); Haipi (Agni); Poposi
(Mbonoi) ; Poposi (Ebrie) ; Nbob (Moyen Cavally).
Uapaca Benguelensis. African Oak (English); Chéne d’Afrique
(Colons); Rikio (Abe); Niondobi (Bondoukou); Cosomon
(Bambara) ; Sannaba (Mbonoi).
Uapaca Bingervillensis. Rikio (Abe); Na (Attie); Kayo (Bon-
doukou) ; Eleklhua (Agni) ; Orobo (Mbonoi).
Alchornea sp. Bonyurome (Mbonoi); Aguaya (Ebrie); Tatairo
(Moyen Cavally).
Baccaurea Bonneti. WHabizacue (Attie); Kuatiecuale (Agni).
Bridelia speciosa. Chicue (Attie).
Hasskarlia didymostemon. Nguepe (Attie); Echirua (Agni).
Anacardiacez.
Hematostaphis Barteri. Vi (Abe); Esanke, Esangue (Attie).
Lannea acidissima. Ngolo ngoloti (Abe); Tchiko (Attie) ; Kakoro
(Fanti) ; Durgo, Duroko, Duko (Bondoukou) ; Borepore (Agni).
THE IVORY COAST 87
Lannea sp. Ebruke (Attie); Bembe (Bambara).
Spondias lutea. Ngua (Abe); Ningo (Bambara); Haperrie
(Mbonoi).
Icacinacez.
Leptaulus daphnoides. Paradedi (Attie); Eborodumuen (Agni)
Sapindacee.
Blighia sapida. Sago (Bondoukou); Finzan (Bambara).
Deinbollia Indeniensis. Ngua, Abo (Attie); Ekosuba, Zenna,
Kerenya (Agni); Kaiisa (Indenie).
Placodiscus pseudostipularis. Para dakue (Attie).
Tiliacez.
Duboscia macrocarpa. Pianro (Agni).
Bombacacez.
Bombax Buonopozense.
Sterculiacez.
Cola cordifolia. Awa (Attie); Amhio (Bondoukou); Dabudabu
(Agni) ; Ntaba (Bambara).
Cola mirabilis. Gnibi (Attie); Kamou aguire (Agni).
Cola proteiformis. Kouanda (Attie); Kokotsi (Fanti); Guiangon
(Agni).
Cola vera. Awasse (Abe); Lo (Attie); Buesse (Mbonoi); Hapo
(Ebrie); Guere (Neyau); Guresu (Bete); Hure (Plapo) ;
We (Trepo) ; Halu (Adionkron).
Pterygota cordifolia. Ape (Attie); Sounoum (Fanti); Ware Borf
ware (Agni).
Sterculia oblonga. Azodo (Abe).
Sterculia tragacantha. Porepore (Abe); Botapia (Attie); Lomburu
(Bondoukou) ; Kotokie (Indenia).
Triplochiton sclerorylon. Hofa (Abe); Samba, Sankamba (Bon-
doukou); Batabua (Agni); Wa-wa (Appolonien); Wa-wa
(Indenia).
Syctopetalaceez.
Rhaptopetalum Sieghemi. Mosangui (Attie); Djo Arbi (Mbonoi).
Ochnacez.
Lophira procera. Nokue (Attie); Esore (Agni).
Guttiferz.
Allanblackia parviflora. Wohotelimon (Abe); Bissaboko (Attie) ;
Akumase (Fanti); Alabenun (Agni) ; Wotobe Ewotebo (Mbonoi).
88 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Garcinia polyantha. Mamie Kini (Agni).
Ochrocarpus Africanus. African Apricot (Colons) ; Quelipe Kelipe
(Bondoukou).
Pentadesma leucantha. Piche Aboko (Attie); Allahbanunu (Agni)
Symphonia globulifera. Arquane (Mbonoi'.
Flacourtiacez.
Homalium Africanum. Akouibia (Fanti); Akoima (Agni).
Scottellia coriacee. Bakaza (Attie); Aburuhi (Fanti).
Scottellia Kamerunensis. Akosica (Abe); Edde (Mbonoi).
Rhizophoracez.
Rhizophora racemosa. Paletuvier rouge (Colons) ; Ntagne (Attie) ;
Koghia bera (Fanti) ; Ende (Agni).
Combretaceez.
Anogeissus sp. Kakaleka (Bondoukou) ; Krekete (Bambara).
Combretum vivoflora. Kati (Abe); Esive (Mbonoi).
Terminalia altissima. Pe (Abe); Fram (Bondoukou); Frake
(Agni).
Terminalia Ivoriensis. Satinwood (English); Mboti, Buma (Attie) ;
Tuhidja (Bondoukou); Framine (Agni); Fela (Bambara) ;
Cauri (Mbonoi).
Myrtacez.
Eugenia syzygium. Amerere (Agni).
Melastomacee.
Memycylon polyanthemos. Taisin (Attie) ; Tai (Agni).
Ebenacee.
Diospyros sanza. Neguobi, Kusibiri (Attie); Sanza, Minika, Asun,
Seka (Agni).
Oleacez.
Linociera Mannii. Akodiombi, Zakuebiembi (Attie); Akokotsua
(Fanti); Aqua egbua (Agni); Akoriie (Indenie).
Loganiacez.
Anthocleista nobilis. Buro-Nuro (Mbonoi).
Apocynacee.
Alstonia Congensis. Kokue (Attie).
Conopharyngia crassa. Choka (Attie); Akotompo Atsim (Fanti) ;
Pakie-pakie, Kuakie-kuakie (Agni); Apukur (Mbonoi).
THE IVORY COAST 89
Funtumia Africana. Pesin (Attie); Wala (Bondoukou).
Funtumia elastica. Pechi (Attie) ; Poyndua (Fanti) ; Efurumundu
(Agni); Ofuntum (Appolonien); Twe (Neyau); Uruba su
(Bete) ; Dorose-Populu (Plapo) ; Bebeti (Moyen Cavally).
Picralima Elliotii. Hainfain (Attie); Kakana (Agni).
Rauwolfia vomitoria. Embi-siembi (Agni) ; Gonguonkiur (Mbonoi).
Verbenacez.
Vitex micrantha. Kiangu (Mbonoi).
Bignoniacee.
Spathodea campanulata. Tulipier de Gabon (Colons) ; Kokomazur
(Mbonoi).
Rubiacez.
Grumilea vanosa. Tchiat Kottse (Attie); Aburese baka (Agni).
Gardenia viscidissima.
Mitragyne macrophylla. Sofo (Attie) ; Bahia (Agni).
Morinda citrifolia. Alongua (Bondoukou) ; Sangongo (Bambara).
Pseudocinchona Africana. Mbrahu (Abe); Kiumba (Bondoukou).
Sarcocephalus esculentus. Tetere (Mbonoi).
Sarcocephalus Pobeguini. Ndebere (Attie); Ekusamba (Fanti) ;
Boisima (Agni) ; Zeronga (Bambara).
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Fia. 16.—Teak Plantation of 1907 and 1908 on Hill-side, Atakpames
To face p. 90.
CHAPTER VI
THE GOLD COAST
Arza, 80,000 square miles.
During 1909, a most interesting and exhaustive Report on the
Forest of the Gold Coast. as well as Ashanti and the Northern Terri-
tories, was written by Mr. H. N. Thompson, the Chief Conservator of
Forests of Nigeria. As a result of this Report, a Forest Department
was formed in 1910. This Forest Department now consists of a
Conservator, Deputy, and three Assistant Conservators of Forests.
However, legislation for the proper preservation of the forest and
creation of Forest Reserves has not been passed, so that the scope of
the Forest Department’s usefulness has been much curtailed.
It would be quite superfluous here to try and describe the forests
in such a masterly fashion as has been done by Mr. Thompson, but
anyone who is interested in the Gold Coast Forests should read the
Report for themselves. It will suffice to give an outline of the main
features of the Forest Administration and a general description of
the forests.
With the author’s permission I have given a list of the timber-
trees, together with the botanical names, so far as they are known.
The people of this very rich country have in a short-sighted way
very much hindered real progress in Forestry by refusing to assist in
the creation of Forest Reserves. Forest Reserves are, of course,
simply forest permanently set aside for the production of timber or
other such forest products. The people of the Gold Coast have,
apparently, judging by extracts from the local Press, got the idea
into their heads that the making of a Forest Reserve necessarily means
the ownership of the land on which the forest stands passing into the
possession of the Government. This, of course, is quite a contrary
view to the true conception of a Forest Reserve, which is an area set
apart by the Supreme Government as a forest for the permanent
production of timber, etc., and usually managed by the Forest Depart-
ment of the country. It may be a State forest, a communal forest,
a municipal forest, or even a private forest which -is thus placed
under Forest Laws as a Forest Reserve. The user (that is, the man
who has the right of usufruct in it) is not generally in a position to
protect it thoroughly, and to some extent foregoes present temporary
profits for future permanent returns.
91
92 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The diverse forms of forests named above, under the permanent
management of the State, are seen in Switzerland, Germany, France,
Russia, Japan, and India, not to mention Nigeria, so that it cannot
be called an isolated system.
The cocoa industry has quite overshadowed that of collecting
palm fruit, making palm oil, and cracking of palm nuts to obtain the
kernels, with the result that these exports are small compared with
Sierra Leone even, which is a much smaller colony, with a climate
less propitious for palm-trees.
The following table shows the exports for the last five years :
Tons. £&
1909 en on oe -. 14,553 113,784
1910 «ss ni on oe -. 14,252 185,058
1911 ex +e om os -e 13,254 175,890
1912 ee #8 oe ee -- 14,629 205,365
1913 on x oe ak = 9,744 169,128
In the year 1913 forest produce, in the shape of logs, etc., to
the value of £3,327,743 was exported. It would be disastrous to the
country if a few loud-voiced, narrow-minded people were to prevent
proper measures being adopted for the welfare of the country. Con-
sidering their previous education and small experience in these wide
economic matters, it is only natural that they should take this view,
but, on the other hand, that is no reason why the Supreme Govern-
ment should not do what is necessary for the future permanent benefit
of the country. A child is not allowed to play with fire, although
it may very much like to see the flames ; in the same way the British
people, as locally represented by the Gold Coast Government, cannot
allow the inhabitants of the district to play fast and loose with their
priceless treasures, the African forests, well knowing that the country
will be permanently injured thereby. Examples are to be found to-day
of countries which have allowed their forests to be destroyed. Spain
and Portugal are typical of this, and even in Africa one has the
spectacle of France putting untold millions into Forestry in Algeria
in order to restore the rainfall. Morocco and Mesopotamia are further
examples of countries in a similar condition, where the forests have
been destroyed. Palestine, with its ancient forests of Lebanon, is
the most drastic example of forest destruction, quite apart from
Turkish misrule. A similar process has taken place in the Soudan,
and this locality is only now being laboriously re-afforested by the
Forest Department there. In India, European countries, Canada,
Australia, and in the United States it has been proved that it is only
by a central Government Agency that the forests will be properly
preserved both for this generation and the next; therefore, before it
is too late, it behoves the Gold Coast people to recognise their responsi-
bility to future generations and allow the necessary legislation, so
that the forests may be preserved and rightly utilised.
LIST OF INDIGENOUS TREES AND RUBBER VINES
(From Mr. H. N. Thompson’s Report on the Gold Coast Forests.)
Pandanacee.
Pandanus sp. Ntung (Fanti); Ntung (Ashanti); Ndau (Apollo-
nian) ; Ndau (Aowin) ; Ekpa (Krepi).
Screw Pine. Often found near villages on the coast and
where drier conditions prevail, in sheltered spots. Reaches
height of 30 feet. Leaves used in mat-making.
Graminee.
Bamboo sp.
Some of these attain a great height. Used for many purposes
by the natives.
Cyperacez.
Bulbostylis barbata.
Bulbostylis laniceps.
Quite small trees.
Palme.
Ancistrophyllum sp. Eye (Fanti).
Large kind of rattan. Scandent palm
Borassus flabellifer. Makube (Fanti); Makube (Ashanti); Kube
(Akwapim); Malankwi (Apollonian); Ago (Quitta); Ago
(Krepi) ; Ago (Accra).
Borassus ethiopica.
The wood, exclusive of pith, extremely hard. Ffericarp of
nut edible. Savannah forests.
Raphia vinifera. Adube and Doka (Fanti); Doka (Ashanti) ;
‘Tombo (general West Coast); Doka (Apollonian); Doka
(Aowin) ; Alati (Quitta); Alati (Krepi).
Raphia Hookert.
Wine (from stem) and bamboo palm. Piassava fibre
prepared from the rachis and the leaves. poles from bamboo
in building; pinne for baskets and thatch. Seed beaten to
pulp thrown in water to catch fish.
Eleis Guineensis. Abe (Fanti); Arere, Abeletia (Apollonian) ;
Beteng (Aowin) ; Ede (Quitta); Ede (Krepi).
Oil Palm of commerce Derived from this tree, also, the chief
supply of palm wine and piassava fibre. The coast natives
use the leaf rachis for building and the leaves for thatch.
93
94 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Calamus Barteri.
Scandent palm.
Calamus deerratus. (West) Uwatia and Oyea (Ash.) (Ashanti).
The common rattan ; marshes.
Cocos nucifera. Kube (Fanti); Kukwi (Ashanti); Ajui (Aowin) ;
Eue (Quitta) ; Eavune (Krepi) ; Hukwi (Axim).
Cocoanut, found in the vicinity of villages on the coast,
. sometimes inland.
Fan Palm or Doum. Ago (general West Coast).
Wood provides beams for building; fruit edible; leaves
for thatching ; and a strong wine is made from the stem.
Pheniz reclinata, or Wild Date Palm. Euchresia (Fanti) ; Mileishia
(Apollonian) ; Mileishia (Aowin) ; Aeyedi (Quitta) ; Iedi (Krepi).
A small date palm ; grows on the sea-shore. Fruit edible.
The terminal buds are cooked as a vegetable. A wine is made
from the stem.
Liliacez.
Sansevierta.
Small tree, fibre-yielding.
Dracena arborea.
40 feet in height.
Dracena Mannii.
30 fect in height. Yields a light-coloured dye.
Dracena surculosa.
Ulmacee.
Trema affinis.
A small tree.
Trema Africana.
Small tree of secondary forest.
Meracee.
Ficus sp. Shedua or Abonsandua (Twi); Mousandua or Okitsi-
wanfu (Fanti); Shedua (Ashanti); Adowa (Apollonian) ;
Adowa and Dupain (Aowin) ; Kapro (Grunchi); Aiu (Krepi) ,
Kingkanga (Hausa).
Some Ficus are tapped for rubber, others fruited. This
species is a large, smooth-barked tree.
Ficus platyphylla.
Fruit edible, cf. Vogelii, and in great demand.
Ficus Vogelit.
Medium-sized tree. Latex extracted by tapping. A good
shade tree.
THE GOLD COAST 95
Ficus asperifolia. Yankran (Fanti).
Savannah forests. Called Sandpaper Tree, because the
rough leaves are used to smooth planks. The ashes are used
in making dyes.
Ficus elegans.
Ficus ertobotryoides.
Ficus Ottonicfolia.
Ficus triangularis.
Musanga Smithii. Juma (Wassaw); Ajama (Fanti); Ajama
(West), Ojamba (Ashanti) ; Eguni (ApolJonian) ; Egeun (Aowin) ;
Ajama (Krepi).
The Umbrella or Corkwood Tree ; used as buoys for fishing-
nets in Apollonia, and roof shingles in Ashanti.
Myrianthus arboreus. Niankuma (Fanti); Niankuma (Ashanti) ;
Niankuma (Apollonian) ; Niangama (Aowin).
The fruit is eaten by the natives.
Myrianthus serratus.
Small tree with edible fruit.
Antiaris sp. Chenchen (Twi).
A large tree, the timber of which is liahle to attacks by
white ants ; when seasoned, used for planks. The latexis one of
the chief rubber adulterants. ,
Antiaris toxicaria. Otfu, Ohonton (Fanti).
Antiaris Africana.
Chlorophora excelsa. Odoum or Odum (Twi).
Timber very hard and durable ; not easy to export, because
it will not float in its green state. A large and valuable timber-
tree found in the fringing forests, the driest parts.
Urticacez.
Urera.
A small tree, very common. Fibre very useful.
Olacacez.
Coula edulis.
Medium-sized tree with edible fruit.
Olax subscorpoidea.
Anonacee.
Anona Senegalensis.
The wild Custard Apple. Fruit edible.
Anona palustris.
Fruit edible. Both these grow in savannah forests. Roots
used in making floats.
96 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Monodora brevipes.
Found in mixed deciduous forests.
Monodora tenuifolia. Dubiddi (Ashanti)
Hexalobus grandiflora.
A large, handsome tree.
Xylopia parviflora.
Xylopia striata.
Xylopias all small trees, except Hthiopica.
Xylopia Aithiopica.
A fairly large tree. Wood resists attacks of white ants.
Used for native house-posts.
Myristicacee.
Pycnanthus Kombo. Ote (Twi). Oti or Etsu (Fanti); Oti
(Ashanti) ; Tika (Apollonian) ; Attenli (Aowin) ; Oti (Accra).
The timber is useful for domestic purposes, roof shingles,
etc. A fatty oil is obtained from the seeds.. A medium-sized
tree, straight-stemmed ; wood not durable.
Lauracez.
Tylostemon Mannit.
A small tree.
Rosacez.
Parinarium sp. Affram (Twi).
Wood used by natives for building purposes.
Parinarium curatellefolium.
Very common locally. The fruit edible.
Parinarium robustum.
Very little known about this tree.
Parinarium polyandrum.
In the savannah forests.
Parinarium mobola.
Small tree, but good timber. Fruit edible.
Chrysobalanus ellipticus. Ababele (Apollonian).
Found near fresh-water lagoon. The fruit of a blue colour,
small and edible.
Connaracee.
Cnestis ferruginea.
Agelea obliqua.
Leguminosez.
Piptadenia sp. Dahumah (Twi); Adadawa (Wassaw).
A large species.
THE GOLD COAST 97
Piptadenia Africana. Dahomah (Twi); Odahuma (Wassaw).
Feathery foliage. Fruit a pod 1 foot long, 1 inch broad.
A common forest tree; hard timber, good for railway
sleepers.
Cylicodiscus Gabonensis? Denya (Twi); Odenya (Wassaw).
Very large tree of the evergreen forests.
Daniellia Ogea. Ahedua (Twi).
Gum Copal.
Pentaclethra. macrophylla. Atawah or Althawah (Twi); Ekuana
(Fanti).
The Oil-bean Tree. Fruit edible ; vegetable oils and fats.
Timber hard, suitable for turnery.
Detarium sp. Biunwe (Twi).
A gigantic forest tree. Timber good.
Detarium sp. Bowiwunua (Twi).
Much like the first. Timber good.
Detarium Senegalensis. Bowiwasi (Fanti).
Not so large as other species; doubtful if the timber would
be durable on exposure to the atmosphere.
Parkia filicoidea.
Fruit edible. The Locust-bean Tree. Savannah forests.
Peltophorum sp. Memchin (Apollonian). ,
Bauhinia reticulata.
The bast fibres are very long and tough; used as ropes by
the natives.
Paradaniella thurifera.
Balsam Copaiba Tree—wood oil. Timber of little value.
Tetrapleura Thonningit Prekese.
Feathery-leaved tree. Four-angled fruit (pod), edible.
Used for medicinal purposes. Wood of medium hardness.
Xylia Evansii. Samanta (Twi); Samantawa (Fanti).
Pithecolobium altissimum. Augwameatee (Aowin).
A medium-sized tree, growing on river banks. A good
shade tree.
Afrormosia laxiflora. Duakobin or Duabayi (general West
Coast).
A large tree. Timber good, reddish colour; has been sold
in Liverpool as satinwood. Canoes made from it.
Afzelia Africana. Opapao (Twi); Papao (Ashanti); Opapao
(Akwapim).
A first-class, durable tree. Timber very valuable. The
dominant tree of the savannah forests. Pod 4 to 7 inches
long. Used for railway sleepers, furniture, and building
purposes.
Afzelia fastigata .
98 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Erythrophleum Guineense.
A fine, spreading tree of the savannah forests. Wood
hard and durable; used for building. The Sasswood or Ordeal
Tree. The bark is poisonous; infusions of it are used by the
natives for the ordeal test, especially on the Kroo coast. It re-
generates freely from seed. Impervious to attacks of white ants.
Erythrophleum micranthum. Potedon (Wassaw) ; Potedon (Fanti) ;
Potedon (Ashanti) ; Potedon (Apollonian) ; Etsa (Krepi).
A reddish-brown coloured poison obtained from it.
Tamarindus Indica.
Wood very ornamental; fruit edible. The tree is found
near the large rivers Volta and Afiram.
Macrolobium Palisotii.
Macrolobium stipulaceum.
Macrolobium sp. Wulfram (Fanti); Ofarm (Ashanti); Ndukwun
(Apollonian) ; Kotopapa (Krepi).
Common in marshy places.
Macrolobium limba.
Macrolobium reticulatum.
A medium-sized tree.
Cynometra Alzelii.
Cynometra all grow near streams.
Cynometra Mannii.
Cynometra sp.
Fringing forests, close to streams.
Pterocarpus esculentus.
Found in the fringing forests. Small tree, of little use.
Pterocarpus erinaceus.
The Senegal Rosewood Tree. The savannah forests.
Albizzia Brownei.
Fringing forests. Valuable wood, rich brown colour; hard
and very durable. Height of tree about 100 to 120 feet,
girth of 10 feet.
Albizzia Angolensis.
Albizzia Abruana.
Albizzia fastigata.
Found on disused farms. The timber should be useful for
local bridge-making, etc., also furniture. A gum of little value
obtained from it.
Acacia Sieberiana.
Acacia catechu.
A common tree, very gregarious, in open grass country.
Catechu procured from it. Similar to the species in Burma.
The heartwood less well developed than Burmese variety.
Sometimes called the Cutch Tree. Gum arabic.
THE GOLD COAST - 99
Baphia nitida.
A small tree, frequently found, except in the driest parts.
The Camwood of commerce, though camwood is really the
product of Pterocarpus.
Dialium Guineense.
Known as Sierra Leone Tamarind. Very local; fruit edible.
Berlinia acuminata.
Medium-sized tree. Gum obtained from it. Ornamental
wood ; does not work well.
Berlinia Auriculata.
A small tree.
Berlinia Heudelotiz.
Medium height. Grows on river banks.
Cassia bicapsularis.
Cassia fistula.
Tree much like a laburnum, of medium size.
Cassia tora.
Cassia alata.
Flowers more brilliant then C. fistula. Found near villages.
Cassia lophira.
Cassia Sieberiana.
Cassia Occidentalis.
Milletia Thonningii.
Milletia Zechiana.
Bussea Occidentalis.
A small tree with bright-yellow flowers.
Newtonia insignis.
A tall tree with very smooth bark.
Calpocalyzx.
A medium-sized tree of the evergreen forests.
Lonchocarpus sericeus.
Timber not much good ; branches for hoe-handles.
Lonchocarpus cyanescens.
The young leaves for making blue dye.
Entada Soudanica.
A small, spiky tree; grows in dry, open country.
Entada Abyssinica.
Grows in savannah forests. Small tree.
Dichrostachys nutans.
Ormosia laxiflora.
A tree of about 30 feet in height, much gnarled and twisted.
Copaifera salikounda.
Cylicodiscus Gabunensis. Ajumkobi (Ashanti).
Sold as greenheart in the Liverpool market: 90 or 100
feet in height. Very much like Piptadenia Africana.
100 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Distemonanthus Benthamiam.
Licastaphyllum Brownet.
A small white-flowered tree.
Erythrina Senegalensis.
A medium-sized tree, found chiefly in the dry parts. It
has very ornamental scarlet flowers.
Linacee.
Hugonia acuminata.
Hugonia Planchoni.
Hugonia playsepala.
Hugonia octhocosum.
The Hugonia species are all small trees growing on the
sea-shore,
Rutacee.
Zanthoxylum Senegalense. Ainyere (Apollonian).
Timber good quality. Bark used medicinally. A tree of
the fringing forests—from a shrub on the sea-shore to a tree of
40 feet in height inland.
Simarubacee.
Hannoa Klaineana. Feutia (Aowin).
A medium-sized tree. Timber soft.
Irvingia sp. Okurii (Ashanti).
Yields a latex copious white when tapped, but turning red
on exposure. Used as a rubber adulterant.
Irvingia Barterii.
One of the species that bears the Dika Nut or Wild Mango
of commerce. Edible. Vegetable oils and fats.
medium size.
Harrisonia Abyssinia.
A small tree.
Tree of
Bursuracee.
Boswellia Klaineana.
The Ehye or Incense Tree. Timber good.
Santiriopsts.
Timber good.
Meliacee.
Khaya anthotheca. Kwabohri (Twi); Akwabohori (Fanti); Kwa-
boho (Ashanti).
White Mahogany. Medium-sized tree ; timber good.
THE GOLD COAST 101
Khaya grandis. Appapayi or Wausauwah (Twi).
A mahogany growing on the shores of the Sacred Lake.
Fringing forests.
Khaya Senegalensis.
This tree attains the height of from 50 to 60 feet and a
girth of 6 feet. Grows best in open dry-zone grass country.
Not easy to export, as it does not grow near waterways. A
gum of little value obtained from it.
Khaya Punchii.
Found in fringing forests, rainy districts and swamps.
Timber very useful in furniture-making.
Khaya Ivoriensis.
The principal mahogany-yielding tree (Mr. Thompson).
Khaya caudata. ‘
Khaya sp. (Dubon or Dubini). Dubini (Twi); Dubini (Wassaw) ;
Odupon or Dubini (Fanti); Odubin (Ashanti); Tiame Tiame
(Apollonian) ; Tiama Tiama (Aowin).
The ordinary mahogany of the moist evergreen forests.
Khaya sp. Krubua (Twi); Okunmankra (Fanti).
Khaya sp. Afana or Apurro (Twi); Appapyayi (Fanti).
Two small unidentified trees from the mixed forests.
Lovoa Klaineana (Pebedum). Akwantanuro (Fanti); Kwantanura
(Ashanti).
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CHAPTER VIII .
NIGERIA
I. THe Rivers, Ports anp Forests or NIGERIA.
Startine from Lagos, the first port of call, the coast is flat, sandy,
and low-lying as compared with the typical seaboard of Europe with
its cliffs. Long sandy beaches with scattered coconut palms in the
background are more prevalent in this part of Nigeria than the water-
covered mangrove swamps, showing rather a stunted growth. West-
wards from Lagos there are the scattered mangrove formations in the
estuary of the Yewa River, near which is the trading station of Badagri.
Following the line of the coast, somewhat better mangrove areas are
found towards the mouth of the Benin, Escravos and Forcados Rivers.
The estuary of the Niger, extending from the last-named river as far
as the Sombreiro, shows varied development of the mangrove type of
vegetation, as well as the first admixture of other hardwood trees at
the edge of the mangrove zone. On the way one passes the Ramos,
the Brass, Nun, St. Bartholomew and St. Barbara, each forming outlets
for the forests further north. Beyond the Sombreiro the estuaries
of the New Calabar, Cawthorne and Bonny Rivers contain further
mangrove areas, usually in the form of large islands. Eastwards of
the Bonny River the mangrove to some extent gives way to compara-
tively large areas known as rain forests, owing to the comparatively
heavy rainfall in those localities. The Andoni, Opobo, Kwaiebo
form the outlets for these forests.
The Cross, Calabar, Kwa and Akwayefe are the most easterly
rivers in Nigeria. In the estuary of each, more especially of the Cross
River, the finest mangrove forests are to be seen. Next to these in
point of height and straightness of bole are the forests on the banks
of the St. Barbara and Forcados Rivers.
The Lagos River, with its present bar-draught of 19 feet, is followed
eastwards by the port of Forcados, showing 19 feet. As subsidiaries,
and northwards from Forcados, are the inland ports of Warri and Koko,
both, and especially the latter, being timber-shipping centres. Sapeli,
another 40 miles up the Benin River beyond Koko, was and still remains
a timber port of some importance, and from it the trade name of one
kind of mahogany, namely Sapeli wood, is derived. Brass, considerably
further eastward, is practically a seaside port, to which some produce
151
152 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
of the Niger Delta is brought. Degema, Bugama, Bakana, Okrika
and Port Harcourt are inland ports all reached from Bonny, situated
at the mouth of the river of the same name. Opobo, on the Imo, is
yet another inland port with a 14-foot bar at the river mouth. Eket
is the small port for the Kwaiebo River, whence small steamers run to
Calabar. Oron, on the western side of the estuary, is also a port worthy
of mention. Though Calabar is some 15 miles above the junction of
the Akwayefe, Kwa and Cross Rivers, it is the chief port of Eastern
Nigeria. It is situated on the side of a hill some 200 feet high on the
bank of the Calabar River, which is half a mile wide at this point.
Turning now to the next type of forest met with after leaving the
mangrove zone, the thick, heavy, evergreen rain forest is seen. On
the western side in the province of Abeokuta it has very largely been
destroyed, only comparatively small isolated areas remaining. In the
Ondo province, however, some of the most extensive and heaviest timber
areas of this type are found. A good network of rivers, such as the
Ogun, Ona, Oshun, Oni, Shasha and Owenna, when flooded, form
the outlets for timber worked in these localities. In the northern
part of the Warri province and the southern part of the Benin province
large representative areas of the evergreen type are found, though there
they tend to mingle with the tall, mixed deciduous forests. To a
small extent in the Owerri, but to the largest extent in the Calabar
province, the rain forests find their finest development, culminating
in the Oban Hills on the eastern side of the latter provinces. The
rainfall there is 175 inches per annum.
The Sasswood is one of the first trees to appear when the mangrove
swamp gives way to the evergreen forest. Other large trees are the
mahoganies, found chiefly on the old banks; red ironwood, with its
brilliant red fresh leaves in the late autumn. In fact, these leaves
are often taken for flowers, owing to their very bright colour. They
gradually, however, assume a dark green colour as the season advances.
An unidentified species of gum-copal which grows to colossal dimensions
is found scattered rather diffusely and curiously in these areas. Differ-
ent kinds of ebony, with wood varying from brown to green black, are
seen throughout the zone, though, as with other trees, a different
species is found in the different provinces; on the whole, the blackest
wood is found where the rainfall is heaviest.
The mixed deciduous zone, which consists both of deciduous and
evergreen trees, mingles and gradually develops at the northern edge
of the evergreen rain forest ; in many cases the one goes over into the
other almost imperceptibly, and it is only perhaps after half a day’s
march that one realizes that one has left the evergreen type behind
and reached the forests where half the trees lose their leaves every
year. A very large development of these forests is found in the Abeo-
kuta, Oyo, Jebu-ode and Ondo provinces. Very heavy inroads have
NIGERIA 153
been made in these forests, and it remains to be seen whether sufficient
will be preserved to ensure the future fertility of the soil and the requisite
rainfall. One of the most prominent species is the cotton-tree, with
its great root buttresses and muscle-like protuberances from the stem.
The Obechi, or Arere, is another magnificent timber tree, with soft
white wood and maple-like leaves, which grows to huge dimensions.
The African greenheart, which may grow 12 feet in diameter, is hard
enough to break the blade of an axe. The Iroko, taking the place of
oak in African economy, is another tree frequently met with, and it
extends its area of distribution as the forests are opened up with
clearings. East of the Niger this formation is only found to a small
extent in the Onitsha province; a little larger in the northern part
of the Owerri province, and still largest in the northern part of the
Calabar and the southern part of the Ogoja province. In fact, the
finest development of the mixed deciduous forests is found in the last-
named province, just north of the Cross River, where it is really at the
edge of the true deciduous forest. In this zone some three kinds of
mahogany are found, in some places very diffusely scattered, in others
up to a thousand mature trees in eight square miles, or in a third nearly
every tree a mahogany on both sides of the road for over half a mile.
The four species in this zone vary less from province to province than
they do in the case of the evergreen forest zone, though the total
number may be greater.
Beginning again on the western side, the open deciduous forest
or dry-zone formation shows itself over a very wide extent in Oyo,
Northern Jebu-ode, and in the Northern Benin provinces. East
of the Niger it is of wide extent in the Northern Onitsha and Northern
Ogoja provinces, but it also occurs in the northern part of the Owerri
province as an artificial product of man’s destruction of the original
forest. In some places this formation, owing to the trees being
close together, more nearly approaches the deciduous forest. In
others, owing to the poor and stunted nature of the arboreal growth,
it more nearly approaches the open grass savannah formation. Only
north of the Oyo province near Shaki, or north of Ogoja in that province,
could it be said that this kind of formation is seen.
One of the most prominent kinds of trees found is the Shea Butter,
the nut of which is used in the making of chocolate cream and margarine.
This tree, varying in size from a large oak to a short, stunted, gnarled
and burnt relic of better forest conditions, is found over very wide
areas in the Oyo and northern part of the Abeokuta province. Strangely
enough, this tree does not appear in the northern part of the Benin
or Onitsha province, and only occurs again in the north-eastern corner
of the Ogoja province. The locust-trees, with their open crown and
feathery leaves and long pods similar to French beans, are conspicuous
all through the zone, and near the villages are specially preserved.
154 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Mahogany is represented in this zone as another species which does not
attain a greater girth than 10 feet and which is often gnarled and
crooked owing to the annual grass fires. A medium sized Cedrela,
or hard cigar-box wood, is found in isolated patches in the northern
part of the Abeokuta and southern part of the Oyo province. The
balsam-copaiba-tree is also very common in this zone in the North
Benin, Onitsha and Ogoja provinces.
The forests of this zone are perhaps the least valuable from the
financial point of view, chiefly owing to their geographical position and
defective means of transport, but economically they are of great value to
the agricultural community, both for their forest produce as well as their
soil-preserving and rainfall-conserving properties. The chief timber areas
are situated in the heavy rain forest and mixed deciduous forest areas,
though a few have recently been taken up in the mangrove swamps.
As a minor, though important, development: to the main forests
are the evergreen hill forests, which find wide development in the
northern part of the Jebu-ode, Ondo, Benin, Ogoja and Calabar pro-
vinces. On the whole, the species do not vary so much as might be
expected, and in many cases it simply means a further distribution
of certain evergreen trees beyond their zone of natural development,
owing to suitable climatic conditions in these hills. For instance,
the red ironwood appears next the mangrove swamp on the bank of
the St. Barbara River, again in the evergreen forests near Calabar,
and reappears in the hill forests of Oban, much further north. Probably
the most typical trees of the hill forests are an unidentified species
of gum-copal, as well as several species of Guttiferz.
The fringing forests are found chiefly on the banks of the rivers in
an area which is otherwise covered with the open deciduous or dry-
zone formation. Two leguminous trees are most typical of this
zone. Stray deciduous or evergreen trees from the other zones are
also seen. Such forest is thick with a fair amount of undergrowth,
and the trees form a close canopy. The fringes vary from a few
yards to half a mile in width.
A further subsidiary form is found on the summits of the highest
mountains, such as the Boji Hills, with their stunted satinwood trees,
shrubs and grass. In some places there is yet another minor formation,
that of the freshwater swamps. Some typical examples of these are
found on the banks of the Calabar, Osse and Owenna Rivers. In
most cases only one, or any how only a few species of trees are found,
whereas in the major formations several hundred different species appear.
The growth in these swamp formations, both mangrove and freshwater,
is on the whole not so large as that of the evergreen forest. Again,
the evergreen forest does not show such fine development or such
height of tree as the mixed deciduous forests, though occasionally
the greatest girth of bole is found in the evergreen forests.
NIGERIA 155
II. Tot Manocany anp TimBEeR INDUSTRIES.
According to Nigerian law, timber includes planks sawn for logs
and trees hollowed out or shaped for any purpose whatever. The
timber-working industry, then, is a wide one, covering really three
distinct fields of activity, though one or more may be combined. First,
there is the felling of mahogany chiefly, and other furniture-wood trees
for export. In the second place, the native, and to a slight extent the
European firms, cut timber for local use, mainly in the forest, such as
planks, canoes and posts. Thirdly, there is the Government, which
under the auspices of the Forestry Department chiefly, and to some
extent under the Public Works Department, cuts timber of various
kinds, chiefly Iroko, for railway buildings and road bridges.
Turning now first of all to the export industry, which is most
important at the present time, though the local demand for timber will
soon dwarf that of the former, there is a definite sequence of action
necessary in embarking on this form of economic development.
As soon as a firm decides on timber-getting, an application (made
out in triplicate) has to be sent in with good maps or plans of the area,
which is applied for, to the Conservator of Forests of that circle. It
is understood that the area in question has been thoroughly examined
by the firm before the application is made. A fee of £3 in stamps
as well as a banker’s guarantee of £400 for each area of 100 square
miles is also necessary before the application can be considered. The
species of tree to be cut should also be stated, as well as the names
of the villages and chiefs occupying or living in or adjacent to the area.
Owing to the time taken in making the fullest inquiries into the occu-
pancy and other rights, as well as ascertaining the financial standing of
the firm in question, it is usually several months before the applicant
hears that the area has been granted.
Before this the applicant should also forward a confidential statement,
stating exactly what capital there is available to develop the timber
areas. An additional banker’s reference to the Crown Agents will
save unnecessary delay in the granting of the area.
Before the notification of the grant of the area, the licence is made
out in the Conservator’s office, for which a £5 stamp as well as three
good maps are necessary. Roughly, an additional £2 10s. is required
to satisfy the legal fees upon registration, which follows immediately
after the execution of the licence by the licensee of the grantees. It
should be especially noted that anyone acting on behalf of a firm should
be in the possession of a registered power of attorney, enabling him to
act in the fullest possible way for the applicant or company acquiring
land rights. This power of attorney should be registered beforehand,
otherwise another delay will ensue whilst this is being done.
As soon as the area is granted, the applicant should mark all bound-
156 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
aries with the necessary marks, which also appear in the licence.
Within six months after the granting of the area, work has to be begun.
The first proceeding is to send in a list of trees, numbered serially
from one upwards, stating the species, size (girth at 10 feet above ground),
where situated, name of nearest village and chief occupying land in
the vicinity, together with the amount of fees and royalties payable
on the trees. The trees have been marked and numbered previous
to the duplicate lists being sent in. It is usual to pay a cheque or bill
for the fees and cash for the royalties, then one of the two lists sent
in is returned to the sender marked “ Permission granted.” Felling
can now begin. On the whole, the general practice is to cut the trees
down in the earlier months of the year and have nearly all completed
by March or April. Logging, with a cross-cut saw or axe, and squaring
with an axe and adze, follows as soon as the trees are felled, and, as
it takes longer, continues afterwards right into May or June. Hauling
begins as soon as sufficient logs are ready to be drawn and the hauling
roads have been cleared. Usually different gangs haul to those em-
ployed on the tree-felling and squaring. Eighty or a hundred boys
are lined up and haul on two ropes attached to the end of the log. The
log, having been shaped at the end to allow easy hauling over the rollers
or ground, is “‘snaked”’ along to the nearest waterside, river bank or
creek. Here two timber-dogs are driven in the end for attaching the
cane or rope to hold several together. In the smaller streams or
creeks, single logs, or two joined together, float down to another station,
where a bigger raft of 40 to 100 logs is made up. In a good many
rivers the rise of the water takes place in July, and it is then that
the largest number of logs float out. Another lesser rise for the
most part, except in the largest, such as the Cross or Niger Rivers,
occurs in October, when all logs possible are got out for that season.
Logs left by this last flood usually have to stay until the following
year, when the river will rise again. Sometimes as many as three
seasons elapse before it is possible to get out some logs. The higher
reaches of the Owenna have an unenviable reputation in this respect.
Several short rainy seasons following each other successively cause
the same result. The Ijors are the chief “ waterboys,”’ who contract
to take logs down the creeks at 5s., 10s. or 15s. a log, according to
distance and nature of the creek. The Ossiomo has also a bad name,
owing to its swift current and the liability of losing the logs.
Most labour is engaged direct, though handed over to a contractor
who is paid 1}d. to 1#d. per foot of timber squared or logged brought to
the nearest waterside. The labour, however, is paid by the European
firm, which is entirely responsible for the payment.
The shipment of the logs is made at Koko, Warri or Forcados from
Lagos and at Lagos itself, the first-named port taking the majority.
Many firms have a branch store and office at this port, or another firm
NIGERIA 157
ships logs for others not represented at a fixed charge per log. Export
entries showing numbers of logs, size and value are presented to the
Customs Department before shipment. Koko, which used to be quite
free from the Teredo borer, is now unsafe for logs after a fortnight’s
floating in the water there.
The shipping companies do not particularly desire logs as freight,
owing to their weight and unwieldiness in handling. Space is left
between them to some extent in the hold. The hatches have to be
especially long to take the biggest logs. From Lagos, Forcados,
Calabar, etc., a freight rate varying from 35s., 40s., to 45s.1 per ton for
23, 3 and over 5-ton logs. Koko, on the other hand, is only 25s., with
10s. extra for primage. This is the same with the other freight rates.
During the voyage the logs gradually dry, and often by the time
they are put into the timber yard of the brokers they are split or
cracked. Only the best logs, 30 feet long and quite sound at the start,
stand all the rough handling they get. Auction sales take place about
once a fortnight in the busy season, though sales by private treaty
take place occasionally. Logs can sometimes be sold ex quay too,
though by far the most of the wood is sold by public auction. The
inclusive charge of landing, stacking and selling at the dock is roughly
10 per cent. of the value of the log. In fact, it is quite a considerable
item of expense, and often makes the difference between profit and
loss on the smaller and lower-grade logs. All logs are sold by the
superficial foot, ie. one foot square, one inch thick “sale measure.”
Sale measure obtains only in the mahogany trade for square logs, and
is roughly 20 per cent. less than the actual cubical contents of the
log. Round logs are measured and sold by extreme (full) measure.
A wane of six inches or less is left on the squared logs, because it makes
them less liable to crack and split at the corners, and also it saves a
good deal of timber which would otherwise be wasted.
Liverpool is the best mahogany market, though fair prices are
obtainable for good logs in London. Hamburg used to be the market
for Gaboon wood, and on the whole new woods were better received
than in the English market. As a rule, figured mahogany always
commands a good price, whereas plain wood, with the exception of
roey or counter-top timber, only fetches a moderate or low price, unless
the market is understocked at the time. The best wood is obtained
from the Ivory Coast, and the next best is Benin or Lagos wood. Sapeli
wood is very heavy, and found a market chiefly in Germany. Cross
River wood has yet to be shipped and proved, though samples there
looked very good and even showed some figure. So far, only the leased
areas have been spoken of. Now we return to the Reserves, where,
however, permits to cut trees can only be obtained. Here leases are
usually not granted. The rules with regard to replanting do not apply
1 Pre-war rates.
158 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
in the same way, as all planting is in the hands of the Department.
On the whole, stricter supervision may be exercised in the Reserves
than on leased areas. Although a firm has no lease, the security of
tenure for cutting the trees would be at least as good as under a lease.
No other firm would be in the same position to fell and extract timber
as the first one to whom permission was granted. The Government
would not allow any other amounts of trees to be felled that would
injure the working of the forest by the first applicant.
Local felling is conducted by one or two firms in their areas, which
were in the first instance obtained for export timber. For the most
part, however, the natives or native foreigners fell various kinds of trees
such as Iroko, Chlorophora excelsa, Owussu, Sarcocephalus esculentus,
Ume, Pterocarpus soyauxit and Pterocarpus Osun, Edat, Saccoglottis
Gabunensis. Nearly half the permits issued are for Iroko, the main
building timber of the Yoruba and Benin and Ibo countries. The
Camwoods or Barwoods are felled next to obtain the brilliant red heart-
wood, chiefly from the roots, but also from the stem. A dyewood
which produces a fast colour is obtained by rubbing a small pointed
section on a flattish piece of the same wood. A yellow dyewood is ob-
tained from Anyeran Afrormosia laxiflora.
The canoe-making industry absorbs a large number of trees.
The native, chiefly Ijor, chooses the tree with great care as to
straightness of stem and length of bole. It is felled near a river
bank or otherwise reasonably accessible place. First of all two sides
are flattened parallel to each other; at the same time the length of
the canoe is chosen and the tree bole cut off at the required length.
A narrow groove about half the depth of the diameter of the log
is now made with small axes and an adzelike instrument. The log is
then shaped externally like a canoe, especially both bow and stern.
Next, more wood is cut away on the inside and some pieces of wood
stuck across to keep the canoe open. A shelter is put over it during a
hot day. As soon as the requisite amount has been cut out, dry palm
branches are placed all round the canoe outside on the ground; longer
cross pieces are fixed over the canoe of the required length for thwarts
when the canoe is finished. Long stakes are driven into the ground
opposite each of these on each side of the canoe, so that the natives
can obtain a strong leverage over the canoe. Fire is now put to the
palms, beginning with the bow of the canoe. The heat makes the wood
expand and thus opens the canoe; at the same time the natives pull
down the stakes at the side of the canoe and press the cross pieces into
their places. This extends gradually the whole length of the canoe in
the course of the day, which is the most strenuous of all, as upon the
energy and care exercised on this day in making the canoe open out
evenly in its entire length and the same amount each side depends its
future success in the water. It may turn out lopsided. or, as is often
NIGERIA 159
the case, a hole may appear in the middle of the stern end, owing
to the centre of the tree having been rather old and rotten. This can
be covered over, and is often above the waterline.
Canoes vary in size from the Oguta canoe, in which the paddler
has to keep one foot in the water to balance the canoe, to the twelve-
puncheon canoe of the big traders. This last will have a great hollow
dug out fully 6 feet deep at the stern end and over 60 feet long.
The sawyers cut the tree all round, fell it, and then cut it into
12-feet length logs, as far as the bole allows. The huge branches are
left untouched. A large pit is dug quite close to the logs, and one by
one they are placed over and sawn, first two sides and then into three
large planks; finally these are cut into 12-inch planks one inch thick.
Most of the work is done within four miles of the railway line or within
twenty miles of a large town, such as Jebu-ode, Ife, Ibadan, Abeokuta.
Truck loads of this timber may be seen at Ilugun or Ogunshileh, on the
Nigerian Railway.
Permits are also issued for the making of smaller articles, such as
verandah posts, culled out of a guttiferous tree ; sleepers, sawn from
Troko (Chlorophora excelsa); sword-sheaths, made from Ogohen
(Musanga Smithii); mortars, cut from Apa (Afzelia Africana) ; pestles,
fashioned out of Eba (Lophira procera).
The dyewood industry in itself is chiefly developed on the banks
of the Cross River. The trees are felled in the Oban forests, allowed
to lie a year or two, then cut up into long 3- to 4-inch irregular-shaped
scantling or poles. These are sold chiefly in the Oban market, after
which they are cut into small sections. Women take these up and
make lozenge-shaped bricks about a foot long in the greatest length.
These are sold at 6d. each.
Under Government auspices, one of the first enterprises was the
sawmill at Etehetem. A very hard redwood, termed Apassa by the
Efiks (Mimusops lacera), and also mahogany (Ochrocarpus Africanus)
were cut. Owing to the difficulty of expansion and the increasing
cost of the logs, the plant is to be moved elsewhere. The railway
had a small plant at Han, where timber and sleepers were cut for the
Baro Kano line. At Ebuttemetta the railway also have a small mill
for cutting chiefly Iroko, Apa, and a little redwood.
Of the various firms, Messrs. McIver had a small mill in Lagos,
chiefly for sawing up mahogany logs not worth shipping to England.
Later, in 1909, Messrs. Miller Brothers built a mill at Koko town ; Agba
(Copaifera sp. ?) as well as mahogany logs have been cut; Ebbe and
Obiache, and Obechi (Triplochiton Nigericum), the last-named being a
good whitewood.
The Anglo-French Company have started a plant near Oron Eastern
Circle to cut sleepers out of mangrove wood, Lagenaria and Rhizo-
phora.
160 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Lastly, the Government have started a new mill at Apapa, near
Lagos, for cutting logs obtained near Akilla, on the Oni River, in the
Abeokuta province, and the planing, grooving and recutting is done
in connection with the Public Works yards and furniture-making
establishment in Lagos.
The Akilla work is run entirely by the Forestry Department.
Trees are felled, cut into logs and brought to the waterside ; then,
rafted with others, floated in kerosine tins on lighter wood to Apapa.
A regular rate is charged per cubic foot. Work was started in August
1914, and already several thousand logs have been delivered at Apapa.
Ill. THe Permanent Forests orn Forest RESERVES.
In the main, all Forest Reserves become the permanent forests of
a country. So far as Nigeria, for instance, is concerned, certain definite
and well-defined portions of the original forests have been set aside,
by agreement with the natives, as Forest Reserves. If these areas
had not been set aside, they would have been liable to destruction
under the form of shifting cultivation which the local people practise.
For instance, at Olokemeji there are several thousand acres in the
middle of the Reserve which were cleared some years ago and have
not yet grown up. This would have been the fate of the rest of the
forest if it had not definitely been placed under the care and protection
of the Forest Department. The same applies to other areas scattered
over the country.
It is somewhat hard to define the meaning of a Reserve. Essen-
tially it is an area permanently set aside for the production of timber
or other forest produce. In many cases, however, the trees or the
forests have to be preserved in the interests of the climatic conditions
of the locality. If it is found that by cutting down a forest the rain-
fall decreases every year, the springs dry up, and the land becomes
covered with grass, where ‘actual grass fires kill all young vegetation
and even hinder farming operations, then the forest must be reserved.
To take some examples: In the colony of Sierra Leone there is a
Peninsular Mountain Forest, a large and valuable Reserve, 80 per
cent. of which is covered with red ironwood, Lophira procera. Then
in the Protectorate there are the Kambui Hills, Kennema, then Nimmini,
and the Loma Mountain Reserve. In the colony and Protectorate of
the Gold Coast there is the Dunkwah Reserve. Some of the most
improved reserves in the southern province of Nigeria are in the Western
Circle. There are Olokemeji, Mamu, Ilaro, Oshun, Owenna and Ondo
Reserves. Again, in the Central Circle there are the Okumu, Obagie,
Gilli-gilli, the Uhi, and the Ogba Forests.
In the Eastern Circle there are the Oban, Ikrigon and Ajasso
Reserves, in all aggregating about 2,000 square miles.
Contrary to the usual idea, we have seen that a Forest Reserve is
NIGERIA 161
in reality only a permanent forest, which is primarily maintained for
the definite production of some forest or other product. It cannot
be too much emphasized that it is definitely set aside to be used wisely ;
and for all the trees taken, suitable replanting operations are under-
taken by the Forest Department. The name “ Reserve” is in fact
rather a misnomer. In the early stages of a forest administration it
is convenient to talk about Forest Reserves as distinct from the
rest of the country, which is usually covered with forest and termed
“unreserved ” forest. It may, later on, become agricultural land ;
it may also be reserved, in which case it becomes a Forest Reserve or
one of the permanent forests of the country. The main point to be
observed with a Reserve is that it is primarily for use, and not that
the timber is to be reserved and not to be utilized by the general
public. Evenin those cases where the local demands of the people
are great and have to be satisfied first, before any outside timber
exporter is allowed to work the forest, it is utilized to the greatest
extent compatible with its maintaining a yearly permanent output
of timber or other forest product. Permanency of output is the
watchword, and strict utilization of the increment-bearing capacity
of the forest each year. The increment is of course the amount which
each tree grows each year. This amount, added together over the
whole area, makes up the quantity which may be felled, on the propor-
tional area during the rotation, in any one year. Thus, to give a concrete
example: If an area is 100 square miles in extent, and the rotation
is 100 years, then one-hundredth of that area, or one square mile,
may be cut over in one year ; also, if the sum of the growth amounts
to 40 cubic feet per acre per year, this means to say that an annual
cut of 25,600 cubic feet can be made each year over one square mile
of the area, in the case of a clear felling of all the trees, or spread over
an area of 10 square miles in the form of a slight thinning of the trees.
In the Temperate Zone, on moderate soil, 40 cubic feet of timber per
annum is a good yield, so that in the Tropics we may expect a yield of
quite double this amount; therefore it will be seen how readily the
forest can grow and how much timber can be obtained permanently
from the Permanent Forests or Reserves.
Another great advantage of the Permanent Forest or Forest Reserve,
compared with the ordinary leased areas, is the fact that the planting
is done by the Forest Department and not by the leaseholder. In
an ordinary leased area this planting is a considerable source of expendi-
ture and worry to the leaseholder, and even then satisfactory results
are hard to be obtained. He is continually being reminded of his
planting duties by the Forest Department, and he is continually striv-
ing to keep up the proportionate amount of planting, ie. 24 trees for
every tree felled, and this is by no means easy to attain. Although
the annual leaseholder working in a Forest Reserve may be under
11
162 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
greater supervision and more stringent forest regulations than in the
ordinary leased areas, on the whole his prospects of getting out greater
quantities of timber more expeditiously and cheaply are much greater
than in the ordinary areas.
Particularizing some of the great concrete objects for which reserve
is made:
Firstly, the permanent supplies of timber of all kinds, with a view
to turning out approximately the same quantity year after year in
perpetuity—in fact, if anything, gradually increasing the output year
after year. This means to say that, although the forest is cut down,
it is replaced at the same rate at which it is cut down. Putting it in
another way, there must be as many blocks, or portions. or actual
“stands ”’ in the forest as represent the number of years which elapse
between the time a tree is planted and the time it is cut down. This
period is known to foresters as ‘‘ the rotation,” and in northern temper-
ate countries, for Coniferous trees the time is usually reckoned at about
80 years. In the tropics, with mahogany, Iroko and other timbers,
it may be only necessary to allow 60 years, or perhaps on very poor
ground 100 years. In the case of teak in Burma, a rotation between
80 and 100 years is perhaps about sufficient to enable merchantable
timber to be produced. Putting it in another way, in the forest,
in order to have the permanent yield, there must be sufficient trees
of each girth class, so that when the largest, say those over 12 feet in
girth, are cut down, there must be sufficient of those between 10 and
12 feet, which will grow during a 10-year period (in which they are
cut) from 10 feet to 12 feet in girth. At the present time it has been
found convenient to classify each class as “under 2 feet, 2 to 4 feet,
4 to 6 feet, 6 to 8 feet, 8 to 10 feet, 10 to 12 feet, and over 12 feet.”
The object of this is to clear away, or have cut, all those trees over
12 feet in girth. This makes room for younger, quicker-growing timber.
Although, under the Nigerian Forest Law, the girth of mahogany has
been reduced to 11 feet, and in some districts to 10 feet, eventually,
as the older and more unremunerative slower-growing trees are cut
down, it will be possible to reduce the girth still further. To put this
question of the permanent yield in yet another way: All the trees
from one year old, or from the smallest size to those over 12 feet in
girth, represent what we may call the forest capital. Now, the object
of the rotation is only to take the interest on this capital; that is to
say, the amount which grows on all the trees over the whole area for
one year. It would, however, not do to clip off little Pieces from each
tree over the whole area, as they would be quite useless as timber.
Therefore this amount is calculated out as so many cubic feet per
annum, or so many trees above a girth of 12 feet or 11 feet, or whatever
the girth limit may be, and this amount, either in cubic feet or in the
number of trees, is allowed to be cut down each year. Then we know
Fic. 29.—The Chief Conservator of Hotes Pore with five-year-old Albizzia Lebbek standing
eside it.
Fic. 30.—Three Capsules of Mahogany (Khaya grandis Ivoriensis and Punchii), from banks of
Owena River.
Fiq. 31.—Capsules of three Species of Entandrophragma: E. Macrophyllum, the largest; E. utilis, '
the next in size; and E. cylindricum, the smallest.
To face p. 162
NIGERIA 163
that year after year this amount can be cut down again, and as the
soil and other conditions improve and the rate of reproduction is
hastened by proper cultural methods in improving the soil, by draining
and other methods of amelioration, still larger results may be obtained.
Secondly, the object of these Reserves is to produce firewood,
more especially in the neighbourhood of large towns ; in fact, already
in several cases, firewood plantations or Reserves have been made,
such as those at Ibadan and on the sandy flats near Lagos. In these
cases, trees five, seven or ten years old are large enough for that
purpose, more especially of the following species, Cassta Siamia, or
Albizzia Brownii.
Thirdly, to provide grazing land, more especially in the more
northern part of Nigeria, where the object is to divide up the area,
so that so many cattle may graze on each area in different years, or
for different periods of the year, so as to give the pasture and small
trees which may be growing a chance to revive and grow again. By
this means the pasture is improved and made of permanent value.
It is also possible under this system to undertake permanent improve-
ments in these large pastures by a certain amount of drainage in the
lower parts, and fire protection in the upper and higher parts. In
this way the cattle obtain a better pasturage and reach maturity all
the quicker. In times of bad season, too, some of the closed areas
may be opened for pasturage, thus ensuring that the head of cattle
may not be allowed to go down owing to death due to drought or lack
of pasture. In this way the grazing reserve acts as a kind of insurance
against loss of stock in bad seasons of no rainfall.
Fourthly, the production of oil seeds and nuts, such as the Oil
Bean, Pentaclethra macrophylla, or the African Wocd Oil-nut, Ricinoden-
dron Africanus. It may also be the production of Cola nuts, which
thrive in the forests in the shade, or in the partial shade, of other
forest trees, and the Cacao Bean, which also, in certain localities, should
stand in the partial shade of forest trees, more especially in the dry
season.
Fifthly, the production of fibres, such as that from the tree
known as Eso, Firmiana Bartert, the bark of which is used for making
rope. Then there are the various creepers, such as Kakoba, Entada
scandens, which is also used for making rope by the Hausa and Yoruba,
more especially fly-switches by the Benin natives. Then there are
the canes, such as Egbe, used for roofing amongst the Yorubas and
Okakan, Hremospatha sp. (large Benin rattan), and Ikan, Hremospatha
macrocarpa (small Benin rattan), also used for making rope, and a
kind of string which both the Benin and Jekii natives use for tying
lath pieces together in housebuilding and in making coverings for
their canoes.
Sixthly, the production of domestic articles, such as sponges,
164 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Luffa Soudanica, or wrapping-leaves for food, termed Ewayon by the
Yorubas, or thatching laths, Ebe by the Benin natives, and the
roofing canes termed Itebe by the Yorubas.
Seventhly, the production of medicinal plants, such as those
for native Ju-ju ; and some, such as Cassia occidentalis, Cassia fistula,
also useful to Europeans.
The main difference between the beautiful, untouched existing forests
and a Forest Reserve is chiefly in the matter of management. In the
unreserved forests a lease may be granted for five or seven years, and
the leaseholder may fell a great number of trees, such as mahogany,
Iroko, etc. At the same time there is nothing to hinder the natives
or original occupier or user of the land from clearing the greater part
of the forest, except the protected trees, and making farms throughout
the area; thus, in fact, gradually hindering, or at least reducing, the
possible output of timber from that area. No new seedlings come up
in these areas which are farmed, and, in fact, the fires which are made
in the course of clearing the land for farming operations kill the young
growth of all kinds. In reality, in a Forest Reserve there is more
permanency with regard to the output of timber than in the original
forest ; there is, in fact, absolute permanency. Although no actual
lease may be granted for a period of several years in a Forest Reserve,
yet, as a matter of fact and usual experience, after a year’s working it
would be quite unlikely for a Forest Department to stop the timber
merchant from working the forest again, or rather from allowing him
much the same number of trees as he had in the former year, because
not only would the revenue from the forest suffer, but timber experience
would have to be gained with another firm, which means a loss of time
as well as revenue. Thus, in the ordinary way it is more satisfactory
to have the same firm working in that locality year after year, provided
they pay an adequate price for all the timber trees which they have.
They can then invest the proper amount of capital in plant and hauling
appliances, and thus make a greater profit and exploit the forest to
better advantage than if a fresh firm came in year after year.
To give a more concrete idea of what these areas mean, we will
take it that on the average there are only 50 trees per acre which are
of some value or another, either for timber for local use or for export,
and taking the average rate of fee at only 4s. per tree (it should be
noted that mahogany and so on are rated at £2 16s. per tree), it will
be seen that the value of these forests is in all £12,800,000. This
sounds a great deal, but when it is considered what a very large number
of trees can now be utilized, either locally, in the form of planks and
scantlings, and joists for posts, not to speak of all the various kinds of
mahogany, Iroko, walnut, ebony and other substitutes which can be
used for export, it will be seen that this value is none too great; in fact,
NIGERIA 165
to the timber leaseholder they would be worth at least ten times as
much. Of course, in this calculation all sizes of trees above a girth
of 4 feet are considered, for the sake of making the valuation as com-
plete as possible. Naturally, the smaller girth trees would not imme-
diately be utilized, but when we are totalling up the amount of forest
or wood capital involved in the valuation, it is necessary to include
them and put a value on them. If the necessity arose, even they
could also be utilized and would at least bring in the amount of the
lowest valuation per tree.
The Forest Reserves stand also in a special position to the local
people, for, after all, these Reserves formed originally part of the forest
from which were supplied all the major wants of the native, such as
timber, firewood, oil nuts and seeds, fibres, domestic articles and
medicinal plants; therefore, whatever the main lines of protection
of a good forest, the needs of the people of that locality must have the
first consideration. After these wants have been fully supplied, then
any surplus in the way of timber or other commercial products can
be sold or exported elsewhere. This leads us to consider the fact that
a Permanent Forest or Forest Reserve leads to a permanent source
of revenue from that particular forest. Owing to the fact that there
is the permanent yield of timber established in that area, it means
that permanent money is being obtained from those trees and being
brought into the Treasury as part of the permanent revenue of the
country. If there is any increase, owing to the increased value of the
timber trees thus gained—and the more stability there is, the better
for the country—better arrangements can be made with regard to the
reproduction of the forests. If there is a greater revenue being obtained
from the forests, even more money can be justly expended by the
Forest Department for the buying of better implements for planting
and the Forest Station generally, for the making of permanent improve-
ments in the forests, such as draining, road-making and fire protection.
If these forests are not protected and unreserved, then in the course
of time they must completely disappear, owing to the fact that man
is so constituted that if he sees land, which may or may not be
suitable for agriculture, covered with trees, he naturally thinks it would
be better to cut these down and see what agricultural crop will grow
there, regardless of the fact that there may already exist, or he may have
cleared, fifteen times as much land as he requires for farming opera-
tions each year.
In addition to all the above, there are the indirect effects of forests,
which have been considered in the section dealing with the relation
between Agriculture and Forestry. On the whole, it is better for the
Central Government or Federal Government to manage the Forest
Reserves, as by that means there is greater impartiality in their manage-
ment and more stability and continuity in the Forest policy adopted
166 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
towards them. In each case, however, it is essential to have either
co-opted or elected representatives of the locality, either by the
chiefs or by representatives of the people, so that the wishes and needs
of the locality may be thoroughly considered.
Lastly, and by no means the least important feature of the Forest
Reserve, is the esthetic view. In the regions of Permanent Forests,
healthier localities are afforded for the people, and they are also prettier
and more pleasant. This applies not only to temperate-zone forests,
but also to tropical forests. It is a well-known fact also that where
there are permanent forests the value of the other land in that locality
is always rated higher, and is worth more for leasing if adequately
covered with a sufficient proportion of forest.
IV. AFFORESTATION IN NIGERIA.
The Forest Department, not being content with obtaining a revenue
out of the forests from the trees cut down for export or for local use,
have spent and are spending several thousands of pounds each year
in planting valuable forest trees. Going back historically before the
time when the Forest Department had a sub-head in the estimates for
‘‘ Labour for Plantations’ or ‘“‘ Teak Plantations ” or “‘ Upkeep and
Improvement of Forest Reserves,’ we had the annual planting of many
tens of thousands of mahogany-trees by the timber leaseholder. The
whole of this was chiefly done in the Benin district of the Benin province.
Although this transplanting of self-sown mahogany-trees into better
situations near timber camps, or at the side of falling roads and into
the spaces left by the fallen mahogany-trees, was by no means carried
out very systematically or under very expert planters, the results are
all the more creditable to those who so early started to reproduce
the forests. It is most interesting to see in different parts on the banks
of the Osse River young thrifty plantations now nearly twenty years
old and nearly 30 feet high. In a similar way in the forest there are
to be seen large numbers of somewhat smaller sized mahoganies growing
singly or in groups, only needing a certain amount of clearing and tend-
ing to prevent their being overgrown by other forest trees. Scattered
though they are throughout the forest, it is not too much to say that
the prospective younger aged forest will be more valuable than that
which originally stood in its place.
Easier to find, though in some way less attractive to look at, are
the regularly made mahogany plantations of the Forest Department.
In addition to isolated specimen trees which are found in the forest
Arboretums at Calabar, Degema, Benin City and Olokemeji, several
thriving plantations are found near Benin City in the Ogba and Obagie
Reserves, in the Ilaro, Mamu and Olokemeji Reserves. In the last-
named are the most extensive areas of all, and also, despite
NIGERIA 167
many failures owing to experiments on bad soil and seasons of
extreme drought, the growth of the trees gives the greatest promise
of mature trees, or at any rate merchantable trees, being grown in a
comparatively short period. Plantations have also been made at
Awka, Udi, Okwoga and Ida.
Already on the old town site of Ijaiye, mahoganies have been seen
over 6 feet in girth which have grown up from self-sown seedlings
within a period of about sixty years. The soil in this locality is none
too good, and the rainfall on the average certainly does not exceed
50 inches per annum. Near 47 Benin villages small communal
plantations of mahogany have been made.
All the mahoganies apparently, especially when grown in “ pure ”
plantations, are attacked by a leading-shoot borer, which so weakens
the leading shoot as to make it fall off, and the tree subsequently
grows with two leaders. Later on this forms a large fork in the tree,
which, when the time comes for felling, is by no means to be despised,
forming as it does usually a very good “curl.” In other respects it
is disadvantageous in reducing the length of the single straight bole.
In this manner it has the effect of reducing the number of logs of long
length and even shape and large size that can be obtained in one tree.
In many cases, a log can be cut above from each limb forming
the fork; but of course these are both much smaller than those from
the bole, and are usually not nearly so straight, and one or other of the
limbs is liable to be broken when the tree is felled. In the original
forest. only isolated trees are attacked by this leading-shoot borer,
whereas in a plantation nearly all the trees suffer by its depredations.
Various species are being tried for admixture with the mahogany
in order to hinder the spread of the attacks. At Olokemeji there
is a mahogany plantation largely interplanted with two species of
Mimusops multinervis and Mimusops Elengi. So far this appears
most suitable, as the soil is kept thoroughly covered by the dense
shade cast by the Mimusops, and there is a very considerable space
between each mahogany-tree. However, the mahogany grows faster
than the Mimusops, so that after the first few years it does not have
so much effect. Even so, it tends to keep the bole of the mahogany
clean and the state of the soil in mechanical and physical condition
such as to be most conducive to the growth of mahogany.
A mixture occasionally seen in nature has yet to be copied—that
of mahogany and Chewstick (Anogeissus levocarpus). To some extent
it is seen at Olokemeji, where the self-sown seedlings have come up
in a mahogany plantation, but of course they were rather too late to
effect the result, ie. protecting the mahogany from the leading-shoot
borer. At Ilaro a most typical Mahogany Reserve, an isolated planta-
tion made amongst secondary growth, has more than held its own
with little or no tending after the first two years, and yet the trees
168 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
overtop all the surrounding growth. In some cases, both at Olokemeji
and Mamu, either self-sown or planted Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa)
is found growing amongst the mahogany. Owing to the attacks of
the coccus on the Iroko hindering its height growth, it has not
had as beneficial an effect as might have been expected. Trans-
planting self-sown trees from an overshaded locality in the forest,
where they usually first appear in a more open locality, has proved on
the whole most successful. Again, transplanting self-sown seedlings
scarcely one year old from an overshaded locality into one with more
light has accelerated the growth of the seedlings, preventing them being
killed by the excessive shade, and at much less cost has thus established
a small plantation in the Benin forests.
With the collection and planting of the seeds from the teak-trees
originally planted about 1889 in the Ebuttemetta garden, a new
area. opened in the afforestation of Nigeria. Seedlings developed
rapidly, and were found to grow at least 10 if not 18 feet in the first
year. Although not always keeping up this promise of exceedingly
rapid growth, more especially in height, the teak bids fair to become,
as in Burma so in Nigeria, the most valuable of all trees. On the whole
it has been by far the most extensively planted tree of any in Nigeria,
excepting that in the case of mahogany many more have been planted
in the Central Circle. Teak plantations are now found as widely
apart as on the banks of the Cross River near Ikom, Inkum, Ndeh
and Ikrigon amongst the historic stones, and in the Arboretum at
Calabar. Near Ndeh, for over a quarter of a mile the river bank is
quite enlivened by the large and showy leaves as well as the tall, thin
stem of the teak. To a lesser extent, though appearing more picturesque,
is the riverside plantation on the opposite bank just below Abragba.
In a district with a rainfall of about 60 inches and a deep sand alluvial
soil, the teak so far has proved quite at home in the Cross River dis-
tricts of the Eastern Circle: Even amongst the thickly growing grass
at Ikrigon they have survived after coming up from seeds sown at
stake, and bid fair to become an established tree of that locality.
Teak has also found a place in the plantation near Mpot and the
Oban Reserve. Going over now to the Central Circle, we have Oria,
situated near the right bank of the Niger in the Benin province, with
its rapidly growing teak plantations. Again choosing a local climate
similar to that where teak is found has so far proved it to be a most
suitable tree for this locality. Many other trees do not thrive or attain
much size near here, so that the teak is all the more valuable for that
reason. Near Benin itself, with its heavier rainfall and comparatively
approximate to the sea (about 45 miles), it is doubtful if teak will do
so well. Even so, growing more slowly, it would prove an additional
most valuable tree to those already found growing in the district from
which timber has already been obtained.
NIGERIA 169
Again, in the Western Circle the very largest teak plantations are
found: even from the railway carriage window you get an impression
of the extent of these just before reaching the Eruwa Road station,
and again just after leaving Olokemeji station, between 85 and 90
miles from Lagos respectively. Despite one or two fires, trees at
Eruwa Road show quite average growth for the Southern Provinces of
Nigeria. In seven years the trees had reached a girth of over 12 inches
and a height of over 25 feet. Happily, they were not fruiting so profusely
as at Olokemeji. This plantation is all the more interesting in that
it was made primarily for the use of the Railway Administration to
supply teak timber for sleepers and constructional work.
On closer inspection it will be seen that the Olokemeji plantations
nearest the railway comprise six “‘ falls,” ‘ stands,” or ‘‘ compart-
ments ” of 25 acres each, adjoining each other. Although the trees
everywhere have not grown as well as on the better soil, these are far
and away the largest plantations of any in Nigeria. Each “ stand ”’
is separated from the next by a broad ride and top and bottom by
a broad road. Near by these are another two compartments of
25 acres each, though neither of these is entirely filled with teak, as
also the first one in the other series. Nearer the bungalows there are
the first made plantations of 1908, thriving, yet growing on the poor
laterite soil. These stretch away nearly half a mile into the open
deciduous forests at the back. What a strange contrast is presented
in the dense, close growth of the teak plantation, with its soil covering
of decaying and large brown leaves of the teak, compared to the stunted
growth of Red Ironwood, small Bauhinia, some Paradaniellas and
a few gnarled oak-like Shea Butter Trees! Such teak plantations
open up a long vista of future developments in the conversion of the
poor dry-zone vegetation into forests of valuable trees, both with and
without extensive permanent improvements of the soil and subsoil.
Even the large raceme-like clusters of the flowers, almost covering the
whole of the teak trees in April and May, are not to be despised for
improving the looks of a grassy lawn near a bungalow. A glimpse
through the tall Terminalias on both sides of the Ogun, just before
the curve is reached at Olokemeji village, reveals yet another teak
plantation on the lower slopes of the easternmost of the two hills.
Olokemeji means the “ man of, or owner of, two hills” (oke means a
hill, and mejt means two, in Yoruba). Again, still further along in the
valley of the stream, near the station, are some other older teak
plantations from the years 1910, 1911. Here there is yet a different
contrast. The broad, wide masses of the teak plantation are still on
one side rather overshadowed towards the hillside by the giants of
the mixed deciduous forests, such as the cotton-tree (Hriodendron
Orientale) and Sterculia cordifolia and ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis).
However, later on the teak, growing on better soil than is found in
170 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
many parts of the Olokemeji Reserve, will no doubt equal it, if not
surpass it.
Further to the south, in the Ilaro Reserve, teak has not proved to
be so much at home ; although growing well the first year or so, the
rate of growth since then has been distinctly disappointing. The
soil may have been too damp, and the rainfall of the locality may be
a little high, and perhaps later on it may be proved that it can be
grown on the higher land at a profit.
Further eastward and further northward, in the Mamu Reserve,
the teak has grown as well, if not better than up the Cross River.
Trees five years old have reached a girth of 24 inches and a height of
35 feet ; with its good soil and comparatively high rainfall, probably
rather more than 60 inches, Mamu bids fair to be one of the homes of
teak in Africa. The older plantations on the river bank, some three
miles away from those on the side of the Ibadan-Jebu-ode Road,
have done nearly as well as those standing on inferior soil. So far
the only damage done to any of the trees anywhere is that caused by
a mistletoe-like parasite termed Afoma by the Yorubas, and known
botanically as Polystachys odorata. However, only isolated trees
having been attacked both at Olokemeji and Mamu, it.is not difficult
to combat its presence by cutting the trees down and burning the
parasite. Still further north, on the bank of the Ogun just above the
bridge on the Oyo-Iseyin Road, is yet another teak plantation. This
was mainly formed by many of the seedlings in the nursery not being
transplanted in time and being allowed to grow up altogether unthinned.
Teak, however, forms such very persistent side branches, and has such
a tendency to flower and fruit early in its existence, that only helps
it to form a clean straight bole and retards the period of flowering by
being planted close together. Also, nearly 5 per cent. of all the stems
have a tendency to bend over and form stronger side branches than
a leader, and have, in fact, rather a more shrub-like habit than that
of a tree. Again, quite 1 per cent. grow very slowly right from the
beginning and thus sooner or later get suppressed. For these reasons,
then, more are required right from the beginning in order to form a
full crop of clean-boled timber.
In the Ondo Circle there are some teak at Awshun, where, owing
to rather a high rainfall and somewhat low-lying ground, the trees
have not grown so very fast after the first year.
In addition to isolated specimens over twelve years old in the Oloke-
meji Arboretum region, the oldest trees of all are found in the Ebutte-
metta gardens near Lagos. These trees are nearly thirty years of age, and
show a girth of about 6 feet. By no means growing on good soil, or in
a suitable locality either with regard to elevation or the close proximity
to the lagoon and the sea, useful for the best growth of teak, they
do not at all show the possible limits of growth of this tree. Already
NIGERIA 171
sample sections have been cut from one or two of these trees and
reported on most favourably by the Railway Administration. Similar
samples have been sent to the Imperial Institute for exhibition purposes.
In a short time the first thinnings of the plantations will take place, and
it will be possible to see for what purpose they are most suitable. At
any rate, it is a termite-proof wood, and despite the fact that the white
ants often attack the growing tree, they usually eat only the outer
bark, leaving the tree quite intact and alive.
In all, about 300 acres have been planted with teak, and even at
the low valuation of the cost of making them they are worth at least
£45,000. In this case a nominal value of only 3s. per cubic foot is
assumed. As has proved the case in Burma, probably on the best soils
only a period of eighty years will have to elapse before the final filling
of the trees is made on the better classes of soil, and one of a hundred
on the poorer soils. At approximately regular intervals of every ten
years after the first ten or fifteen have elapsed from the date of the
making of the plantation, thinnings are made. With each succeeding
period the trees cut out are of larger size, and thus of increasing value
with each decade. These returns soon more than cover the cost of
planting, and assume greater and greater proportion towards the
end of the rotation.
Another tree with which a considerable amount of work has been
done is the Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa). Here, despite many disap-
pointing results, care and attention show that this tree is capable of
reproducing itself in a comparatively short period. Beyond many
specimens in the Arboretum at Olokemeji, a whole plantation was
made by the Railway between that place and Eruwa Road. Seedlings
come up in large numbers from fresh seed sown in a nursery. In
fact, sometimes, as at Olokemeji, they have appeared thicker than grass.
Subsequently, when transplanted, many thousands died, the roots
being apparently unable to quickly adjust themselves to new surround-
ings and grow again before the leaves have transpired nearly all the
moisture from the plant, and thus quite withered and dried it up.
However, those which have survived show fair growth, even on poor
laterite soil. This soil, of course, is quite unsuited, and certainly one
of the poorest mediums in which to plant Iroko.
Natural regeneration or the sowing of seeds at stake seems to be
the best method, as we have in nearly all the Reserves large numbers
of young Iroko seedlings of all ages and sizes coming up. In that
connection one of the most instructive Forest Reserves is that of
Ikrigon, where the Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) is the most prevalent
tree. Here, where most of the land has been farmed at one time or
another and where the rainfall on the whole is sufficient to induce a
good forest growth, the Iroko has tended to increase in numbers all
through this part of the country. It may also be said, of course, that
172 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
the natives have directly helped in this process, by leaving some
of the less straight and more branched Iroko-trees standing. They
have used the best for canoe-making. In this manner seed-bearing
trees have been available, and with part of the ground having been
cleared for farms, the conditions have been most suitable for the
reproduction of the tree. Subsequently the farms have been abandoned
and the young trees have grown up amongst the weeds, creepers,
and other inferior tree species, such as Albizzia, just according sufficient
shade and protection for the young Irokos, and yet not too dense or
thick to prevent them from sooner or later emerging and overgrowing
the rest of the trees. Although, of course, many trees growing up under
these conditions branch somewhat low down, they do not suffer
nearly to the same extent, and sometimes not at all, from the attacks
of the leaf coccus. This has two effects: not only does it not hinder
and retard the sapling’s growth, but also all the sooner it reaches the
higher zone or greater distance from the ground (as far as its upper
foliage is concerned), so that these attacks do not occur. Again, the
competition of the various weeds, Albizzias, creepers, etc., has the
effect of so stimulating the growth of the young Iroko that in such
positions it reaches a much greater height in a quicker time than
when planted in pure plantations. From numerous observations it
appears that after the first year the height growth may exceed 6 feet
in one season. Even later this is kept up, and if the rest of the forest
growth remains comparatively thick, no side branches can be formed
on the bole of the Iroko, so that clean-stemmed trees are the result.
As it gets older the Iroko stands less shade, and thus any small branches
which do form are soon killed by the surrounding trees. Thus it is
seen how we find these very straight, long-boled Irokos in the forests.
Again, too, it is not very expensive, and at least much cheaper, to
undertake partial cleaning and pruning amongst the self-sown Iroko-
trees, especially to eliminate forks low down in the stem. Various
experiments undertaken in the Ikrigon, Olokemeji and Mamu Reserves
showed how quickly the sapling Irokos respond to this treatment.
In some cases, trees only 2 inches in diameter and forked have reached
nearly 4 inches in diameter and nearly doubled in height in one year.
Another advantageous feature of the Iroko is the rapid, satisfactory,
and smooth way in which the occlusion of the wounds made by pruning
takes place. Even in the case of a very crooked tree covered with several
branches, in fact almost forming a crown, these may be marked but not
all cut until the following year. Surfaces of less than 2 inches will be
nearly occluded over, and a tendency of the tree towards a crown will
be almost obliterated at that point and be forming much higher up
the tree.
Apparently, the more northward the tree is found the less liable
it is to attack by the leaf coccus. Whilst it is found in the Olokemeji,
NIGERIA 173
Ilaro and Mamu Reserve, it is less frequent in the Ikrigon Reserve.
In the Sokode it was quite unknown. This last-named place is in
Togo, and the plantation is situated in a latitude of over 9° North.
In the Tlaro and to a lesser extent in the Mamu Reserve it has been
remarkable how rapidly the Iroko increases in girth when given plenty
of space after being freed from the surrounding forest trees. In these
trees, when showing a girth of from 4 to 8 feet, the diameter increment
is most rapid. In most cases it averages over 6 inches in girth, and
in one case at Ilaro it was as much as 11 inches in one year. This
rapid growth in girth is all the more valuable as the trees of this size
growing in the high forest have usually nearly completed their height
growth. Thus the bole is comparatively long and clean, and the
extra growth is put on evenly all the way up, tending to make it more
cylindrical than before.
With the protection of the forests alone as Forest Reserve both
in the evergreen and mixed deciduous forest zone, not only are many
Iroko-trees preserved and allowed to grow to their full size, but also
large numbers of self-sown seedlings come up in the abandoned ground
and augment the value of the forests. This is an additional reason why
the farming in a Reserve cannot be continued for any length of time.
The old farms become more and more filled up with valuable young
Iroko-trees, which would be at any rate damaged, if not killed, by
the farming operations.
Even without taking into consideration the number of planted
trees, the Forest Department has practically guaranteed certain future
quantities of Iroko timber in the number of small trees which have
been preserved and the potential value of the little ones grown up since
the Reserves were made. Only in one part of the country is this any-
thing like the case, and that is in the Ahoada district, where the natives
use the Iroko-tree as a boundary mark between the different village
lands and also between many farms. To a minor extent this can be
seen in the Onitsha district, where the Iroko-trees have been preserved
inside the villages, thus giving them the appearance of being the woods
of the. country while the rest of the land is bare. It is, however, just
the reverse. They form the towns and villages amongst the trees,
which are thus preserved from the axe and fire of the local farmer.
Despite the fact that a fair number of large oversized Irokos have
been cut each year in the Olokemeji Reserve, there are many more of
the smaller size now coming on than were in existence when the first
fellings took place.
Another tree which has received a considerable amount of atten-
tion is the Cigar-box Cedar (Cedrela odorata), and to a lesser extent
the Toon (Cedrela Toona). Although both are exotic trees, the former
especially shows very quick growth. Despite the unevenness with
which it is liable to come up from seed, the rapid growth of the
174 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
tree soon compensates for this disadvantage. In three or four
years it may be from 18 to 24 feet high and 8 to 16 inches in girth.
Both the largest individual specimens as well as plantations are found
in the Olokemeji forest as well.
More in place in the firewood plantations near Lagos and Ibadan
is the Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia). At Olokemeji this tree
has only done comparatively well. Also an exotic, it is most useful
for planting near the sea-side on sandy sgil, and in places with a smaller
rainfall. It will also stand a comparatively dry atmosphere. The
wood of this tree is very hard, almost like Ironwood. It is sometimes
known as the Australian Beef Tree. Its numerous small branches on
the stem make the wood rather knotty and of less value for general
construction work. However, its heating power as a firewood is very
great. Amongst all the forest trees it is-one which yields the
greatest amount of acetic acid, which forms the basis of an
explosive.
Another Australian tree which has been used to a lesser extent for
Afforestation purposes is the Blue Gum of various kinds. Eucalyptus
citriodora and E. amygdalina have proved to grow the quickest of
any planted in Nigeria. Many others have been tried, but most have
not survived. Specimen trees and small groups are seen as far apart
as Onitsha, on the banks of the Niger, Ikassa, near the mouth of the
Nun branch of the Niger, the Botanical Gardens, Calabar, the Oloke-
meji Arboretum and Forest Plantations, not to forget the streets of
Lagos. In a similar way Casuarinas are seen near Government
House at Calabar and in Lagos, besides the forest Arboretums
and plantations.
Another exotic from India, Lagostremia (Lagostremia flos
Regine), has grown well both on the banks of the Ogun and on poor
laterite soil of the Olokemeji Forest Reserve. For the sake of the
flowers alone it is worth planting to ornament a garden or the edge of
a plantation. The masses of mauve flowers last a considerable time and
blend most beautifully with the foliage and any green grass near by.
Although of branching habit when planted 10 feet apart, if planted
closer it will grow straighter and with cleaner bole. The timber is
hard and very durable. So far this tree has proved a valuable intro-
duction, especially for planting poor soils and river banks liable to
‘ inundation.
A later, though an exceedingly good introduction is that of
the Satinwood (Swietenia chlorozylon), which gives promise in the
Olokemeji Forest Reserve of making a valuable addition to the
number of timber trees of indigenous and exotic origin. This tree
yields the Ceylon satinwood, which is usually worth at least £12 per
ton. The almost silvery-white tufted formation of the leaves is re-
miniscent almost of the Eucalyptus, though the leaf is rather smoother
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NIGERIA 175
and not quite so narrow in proportion to its length as most of the
Eucalyptus family.
Some years ago the seeds of Pinus Mercusii were planted in several
places, including those of higher elevation. Although it many cases
the seed germinated, the seedlings subsequently died.
Another exotic, the Swamp Cypress or Bald Cypress, or, as it is known
in England, the Deciduous Cypress (Taxodium distichum), was tried
near Benin City some years ago for swamp planting. Here, as in
the other case, the seeds germinated and the small trees reached the
height of about a foot and then subsequently died. The swampy
ground where they were planted may, however, have been rather too
acid or sour for them. The climate, of course, was no doubt con-
siderably hotter than that of the Southern States of the United
States, in which country this tree is indigenous.
The original Spanish Mahogany, or Swietenia mahagoni, was intended
for Afforestation purposes with a view to its yielding on the average
a more highly valued wood than that of the African Mahogany. How-
ever, in Africa generally, and in the Olokemeji Arboretum, it has proved
a very slow growth and more liable to attack by the leading-shoot
borer than even the indigenous mahogany-tree.
For the comparatively dry laterite soil of the Olokemeji Forest
Reserve, Indian Rosewood or Blackwood (Dalbergia latifolia) has
proved a valuable introduction. Growing comparatively fast and of
somewhat branching habit, it soon covers the ground. It is, of
course, better in mixture with others in order to produce clean stems.
Latterly the larger trees have been attacked by a borer and consider-
able damage has been done. Still, in spite of it the trees have gone on
growing, and apparently are capable of outgrowing the damage
without an enormous loss of increment. In all, several acres have.
been planted with this tree.
Indian Walnut (Albizzia Lebbek) has found a foremost place in the
firewood plantation at Ibadan and Ede, as well as in the forest planta-
tions at Olokemeji. Its rapid growth and comparative indifference
to soil make it a comparatively valuable tree for Afforestation purposes.
Although it is usually only considered suitable for firewood, there is
no doubt that its wood can be used as a substitute for walnut, as it
is in India. Already, in fact, it is largely a forest escape in Africa, and
is found in many of the old farms and cultivated places. Its greyer,
almost silvery-grey, foliage easily distinguishes it from that of Albizzia
Brownii, which has larger leaves.
A South American exotic, the Lignum Vite (Guaiacum officinale),
is found in isolated specimens in the Olokemeji Arboretum and forest
plantations. With such a very slow-growing tree, which may show half
an inch growth in a year, it is difficult to be patient and wait for the
many years before it will attain even a size large enough from which
176 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
to cut the smallest bowl for a game of skittles or bowls. Its very
yellow small foliage is most distinctive and not unlike box (Buzus
sempervirens), but the leaf is flatter and does not curl like box.
One of the most valuable introductions in the forest plantations
at Olokemeji and in the firewood plantations at Ibadan is the Siamese
Cassia or Bombay Blackwood (Cassia Siamea). Almost indifferent
as to soi] and not requiring a heavy rainfall, and casting a heavy shade,
it soon grows on the laterite, covers the ground, killing weeds, and
rapidly attaining the size of a tree. In the plantations at Olokeimeji,
the trees reached a height of over 20 feet and a girth of about a foot
in five years. It is one of the few trees that will thoroughly kill the
Econ grass. The masses of yellow flowers which appear in the crown
of the tree and also in the leader rather interrupt the height growth,
but make a magnificent show at the end of the dry season. It continues
to flower and fruit for the larger part of the year. Hither as a firewood
tree or as a timber tree, it should always be worthy of a place in all
Afforestation areas where the rainfall is none too heavy. The hard,
almost black wood is of value in India, so that it should prove of value
in Nigeria when the trees are large enough for cutting into planks or
boards. Amongst the exotic trees which have not yet found a place
is the Trinkomali Wood (Berrya Ommomilla) and Indian Rose
Chestnut or Ironwood (Mesua ferrua), seedlings which were obtained
from seeds of the large trees in the Botanical Gardens at Victoria.
Tf they grow well in Nigeria, the somewhat heavy and flexible Trinko-
mali Wood or Petwun and the Ironwood should both prove of value
for local industrial work.
Although found as specimen trees in the Olokemeji Arboretum,
Copaifera officinalis has not been formed in plantations, though small
groups of the West African Gum Copal (Copaifera salicikounda) are
seen in the Ogba plantation of the Central Circle. Both these trees
are doing very well, more especially the latter, which have reached a
height of over 12 feet in six years. The former had produced some
tears of gum three-quarters of an inch in diameter in the tenth year
of its growth. In addition to these two, there is the Cameroon Gum
Copal (Copaifera Demeusit), seedlings of which were obtained from the
Botanical Gardens at Victoria. Considering that the last-named tree
is indigenous in a territory so much closer to Nigeria than either of
the first-named Gum Copals, it is highly probable that this one will
grow better than either of the others. Up to the present it is not known,
however, how the yield of the Gum Copal compares with either of the
former. As far as West Africa is concerned, the Sierra Leone Gum
Copal has proved to be the most prolific in this respect.
The Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa) is seen more as an avenue
tree, mostly in towns such as Lagos, but also in the Mamu Forest
Reserve. It is certainly one of the best shade trees for planting at
NIGERIA 177
the side of roads. Its rather formal habit, with the almost even whorls
of branches, fits in with the straightness and even width of a road.
By many it is not realized that the nuts can be comparatively easily
cracked and the kernel inside is good to eat.
Michelia champaca is another most suitable tree for avenues.
The chestnut-like leaf and the large, almost magnolia-like flowers
are of a white colour, giving it a “‘ distinguished” appearance such
as is necessary for a roadside tree. The flowers, too, are used for
making scent.
Both as a shade tree and for its gum the Balsam of Peru (Toluifera
Pereire) is also worthy of a place both in avenues and in plantations.
Some seedlings were obtained from the Botanical Gardens at Pretoria,
where the tree has grown comparatively well. Not so suitable for
plantations apparently at Olokemeji is the Sugar Palm (Arenga
saccharifera). However, in isolated places small plantations have
been made with the Sago Palm (Corypha elata), such as in the swamp
opposite Calabar and the small grove of the Betel Nut Palm (Areca
catechu) near Lagos. Both these give promise of being useful acquisi-
tions to the palms of economic use in Africa.
Before leaving the exotic trees, mention must be made of the Thuya
(Thuya occidentalis), which were obtained from the Canary Islands by
Major Cockburn and planted on the hill at Obubra. Although some-
what slow growing, they have thrived in that climate and do not suffer
from disease. This is the only example of a Conifer which has been
successfully introduced into Nigeria.
Amongst the other indigenous trees of which plantations have been
made there is the Cedar Mahogany (Pseudocedrela Kotschyi), Emi
gbegiri, Yoruba, which apparently grows but slowly in Olokemejji.
It is much the same with the self-sown seedlings and with root suckers,
both of which have proved disappointingly slow in that locality.
Then also at Olokemeji we have the dry-zone Mahogany, Khaya
Senegalensis, Oganwo of the Yorubas and Ogwangu of the Benis,
growing in a small plantation and raised from seed brought by H. N.
Thompson, Esq., from the Shaki district in 1910. So far the growth
has been comparatively rapid, though the tree is occasionally attacked
by the leading-shoot borer, which makes it fork comparatively
low down.
Of the African Walnut and the Long-capsuled Mahogany, Lovoa
Klaineana and Entandrophragma Condollei, most isolated specimens and
groups appear to have been planted in the leased areas of Benin.
In addition to these, some other specimens and small plantations are
found in the Calabar, Degama, Benin and Olokemeji Arboretuma, as
well as in the plantations of the Ogba and Olokemeji. Thus far only
the Long-capsuled Mahogany has been planted in these; the difficulty
of obtaining seed of the African Walnut has precluded its wider distribu-
12
178 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
tion in the various plantations. Long-capsuled Mahogany grows very
fast, usually with an undivided stem and a big tuft of long pinnate
leaves near the top of the tree. Stump shoots form very readily and
soon attain a large size, as is noticeable in the specimen in the Benin
Arboretum.
The plantations of Ebony (Diospyros mespeliformis), Kanran
of the Yorubas, have been made in the Olokemeji Forest Reserve.
Although, of course, very slow growing, it demands further attention,
as it yields a good black ebony.
Amongst the soft woods there are plantations of Triplochiton
Nigericum, Arere of the Yorubas and Obechi of the Benis, in the
Olokemeji Forest Reserve. At first growing rather slowly, they bid
fair to prove one of the most rapid growing trees. A mixture where
teak was introduced to fill up the blanks will be interesting to watch
in its future development, as to whether the teak will eventually
outgrow the forest maple.
Although the firewood plantations at Ibadan and certain parts
of the plantations of Olokemeji have been filled up with West African
Walnut (Albizzia Brownit), Ayinre Bonabona of the Yorubas, they
will prove probably of greater value for the production of timber than
for firewood. However, as a firewood tree it has yielded several cords
of wood from one tree after only seven years of growth. So far it has
certainly proved to be the tree which produces the greatest amount
of firewood in the shortest period of time. It sprouts well from the
stump, so that for a time its reproduction is very easy and assured.
The Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla), Apara of the Yorubas and
Opaga of the Benis, is found chiefly reproduced artificially, either by
being sown at stake or planted along the sides of the roads in the
Owerri and Benin provinces. Considering the hardness of the wood,
the tree grows not excessively slowly, though, of course, compared
to a softwood it is slow.
Camwood (Pterocarpus Osun), Osun by the Yorubas, Ume by the
Benis, has found a place in the Mamu Forest Reserve, its congener
Pterocarpus Indicus having been planted in the Olokemeji Forest
Reserve. However, as far as the size and habit of growth is concerned,
the African Redwood or Barwood appears to be much superior to
the Indian Paduak. The latter usually soon develops a triple stem
with many small side-branches, whereas the African species always
shows an undivided stem. In rate of growth ‘‘ Osun” seems to be
rather slow compared to many other trees. Self-sown seedlings come
up readily in suitable localities, such as the Ikrigon Reserve, and on
the whole develop more quickly. Anyhow, the continual demand
in increasing amounts of this red dye-wood necessitates the careful
preservation of the tree in the forest, as well as its continual reproduc-
tion by natural regeneration or plantations in the Forest Reserve.
NIGERIA 179
Amongst the Mamu Forest Plantations there is that of AfricaM
Oak (Afzelia Africana), Apa (Yoruba), Aligna (Benin), one of the few
survivals of the efforts made to reproduce this tree artificially. The
many insect and rodent enemies give isolated plantation seedlings
very little chance to develop.
Although Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Emi Ori or Emigidi
(Yoruba), has been tried as a plantation tree, the germination of the
nuts is very poor, and the rodents attack them unmercifully. Appar-
ently root-suckers form the chief means of reproduction for this tree.
They are very prevalent and very persistent once they have sprouted.
The forest fires destroy a great deal of the flower in the early part of
the year, preventing formation of the fruit, and thus the means
of reproduction by seed is very much reduced. The improvement
in trees protected from fire at Olokemeji is most marked.
At Degema there is a plantation of Mimusops Djave (?), or Aganokwi
of the Benis, which shows comparatively fast growth ; in eleven years
the trees had reached a height of about 25 feet and a girth of 2 feet
6 inches. Although it sprouts well from the stump, it is easier to raise
from seed, but the seedlings require great care in transplanting.
At Olokemeji, Shinglewood (Terminalia Superba), Afara, by the
Yorubas and Egoyn Nufwa by the Benis, is being tried in a mixed
plantation. The growth has been rapid, and would probably surpass
that of teak after the first five years.
Over considerable areas of the Olokemeji and the Ibadan plantations
the Yoruba Chewstick, or Ayin of the Yorubas (Anogeissus leiocarpus),
has been planted. Its growth has been moderately rapid, reaching a
height of about 8 feet in four years. In addition to the value of its
wood both as a chewstick and from the fact that a mordant for dyes
can be made from its ashes, the young plant kills all the Econ grass
growing round it with its leaf fall. This makes the tree one of the most
advantageous for Afforestation purposes. Its light-green foliage and
delicate, graceful build, and slender bole and branches, make it also
valuable as an avenue tree in the dryer parts of the country. In
its similarity to the European birch it might almost be called the
birch of Africa.
With the Dika Nut (Irvingia Bartert), Oro by the Yorubas and
Okherli by the Benis, small sample plots have been made in the
Mamu Reserve and isolated specimens planted near the Calabar
Arboretum.
Although not for Afforestation purposes but for the production
of Palm Wine, Raffia vinifera, Ako by the Yoruba, Augor by the Benis,
has been planted and seeds distributed amongst the villagers of the
upper parts of the Cross River districts. When these are grown there
will not. be such a demand for cutting down the oil-palm-tree for
making palm wine as there is at the present time.
180 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Allowing only a value of 3d. per tree on all the trees planted during
the last fifteen years, all the mahoganies and plantations are worth
£240,000.
In two circles and parts of a third a great deal of work of: an
Afforestation nature was undertaken years before any actual forest plan-
tation could be made. These are the communal rubber plantations of the
Ireh Rubber (Funtumia elastica). In the Central Circle, near over 700
villages and towns, plantations varying from a hundred plants to ones
covering several acres and containing many thousands, were made, aggre-
gating in all the setting out of over a million trees in a period of about
five years. In the Eastern Circle, in over a hundred villages, and in the
Ondo and Western Circles over two hundred village plantations were
made. Subsequently Para Rubber (Hevea Braziliensis) was added and
substituted for the Funtumia wherever the climate was suitable for
it. Now the communities concerned have a very valuable asset, which
they can tap from year to year and augment at their leisure. What-
ever happens to the forest or the immediate neighbourhood of the
village, there will at any rate remain the rubber plantation, giving
grateful shade to the roadsides and the ground near the villages. In
one case a village planted over 1,200 Para rubber-trees, which even as
a commercial asset are by no means to be despised.
In addition to these efforts on the part of the natives, acting under
the advice and guidance of the Forest Department, there are the
numerous rubber plantations in all the Forest Reserves. In the
earlier days these were planted with Funtumia, where, for instance,
in the Mamu Forest Reserve nearly one square mile of land is
planted with this tree.
Then, again, there are the district plantations, more especially in
the Eastern Circle, where in many cases Para Rubber was planted
instead of Funtumia. These areas are for the most part smaller than
those of the Forest Reserve or Communal Plantations They served
more as demonstration areas to show how rubber would grow in that
locality.
Furthermore, near almost each native court in the Eastern Circle
rubber plantations, in many cases of Para and in others of Funtumia,
were made.
The general cost of the Communal District and Native Court
Plantation was practically limited to the amount involved in payment
of the native Forest staff. These men, however, had other duties
to perform, and on the average certainly not more than one-third of
their time was occupied in the making of these plantations. For
the making of the other plantations of the Forest Reserve about
£2,500, or sometimes £3,000, has been spent annually in making them
and in the cost of their upkeep once they have been made. Owing
to the long dry season in Nigeria the number of plants failing to survive
NIGERIA 181
it is somewhat high, and this very considerably increases the cost of
the final establishment of the plantation. For some years the cost in
many cases amounted to £10 per acre for the first year and £1 or £2
for subsequent years, for the cost of ‘‘ beating up’ and keeping the
plantations clean. With the greater experience gained both in regard
to the habits of the different trees and in the methods of reproduction
most suitable to various parts of Nigeria, the cost has been somewhat
lessened. However, even so, the cost compared to European or English
plantations is not abnormally high. In Africa there is no land to buy,
and no wire-netting is needed for the plantations, and the land usually
planted has not a “ letting ” or “‘ sporting ”’ value, as it has in England.
The buying out or compensating of the native rights of the usufruct
of the soil is not so very expensive, especially when it is spread over
comparatively large areas, as it usually is in West Africa. Then, again,
even with the cost of £10 per acre, the total value of a crop after fifty
or sixty years would certainly not be less than 3s. per cubic foot of the
timber, which thus allows ample margin for 5 per cent. compound
interest on the original outlay, and a profit besides. In many cases
the timber would be worth a great deal more, and also the value of
the intermediate thinnings is not inconsiderable. Both these factors
have been left out of the account, in order not to in any way exaggerate
or make too optimistic estimates of the value of a forest plantation.
But beyond the financial side of the value of forest plantations,
more especially in a tropical country like Nigeria, is the very valuable
indirect effect they have on the whole welfare of the country.
First of all, plantations in forest groves improve and beautify a
locality, whether on the level or amongst hills.
In the second place, the forest induces a greater rainfall in itself
and its immediate vicinity.
Then the rainfall which actually falls in the forest is partly re-
evaporated to fall again, thus making extra rainfall, and also the rain
which actually reaches the ground in the forest is only gradually
absorbed, thus making the flow of springs and rivers regular.
Both on the level and especially on slopes, a covering of trees,
such as a forest, hinders the washing away of the surface soil or tilth
of the land.
Forest trees only require one-twelth of the mineral matter out
of the soil that an agricultural crop does, covering the same
area.
In a forest plantation there is always greater humidity in the air,
and thus many plants of economic value, such as cocoa, can grow in
its vicinity, which would otherwise not be possible to be grown in
that locality.
A forest acts as a moderating influence on the temperature of
the air, being lower inside the forest than outside, when the sun is very
182 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
hot. Conversely, when it is cold outside in the “ harmattan ’’ season
it is warmer in the forest.
Nearer the interior of the forest certain better grasses and pasture
are found, which are of incalculable value, in a drought, to the
cattle in that locality.
During the long period of the rotation, usually at least 60 or 80
years, in most forests there are large accumulations of leaf mould or
litter, which on occasion can be used in reasonable quantities for
manuring neighbouring agricultural lands. This is of incalculable
benefit where the ground outside the forest is comparatively poor
and dry.
It has been proved also that in these long forest rotations the
mineral rock and subsoil have time to weather, and add further mineral
matter to the enrichment of the soil.
The forest, too, provides grateful shelter and sanctuary for game
animals and birds of all kinds, thus providing, especially in Africa,
the largest source of meat which the native has.
When all these indirect advantages and good effects of the forest
are added together and a definite value put on them, and then con-
sidered in addition to all the timber and firewood the forest produces,
it will be seen how wonderfully and providentially beneficial the
forests really are, and also how absolutely essential they are in a
country like Africa.
Just as effective, and cheaper, except perhaps as regards time,
than the artificially made forest plantation, are the protected forests ;
even in the worst case, starting with a poor country growth and small
dry-zone shrubs and trees, after ten years there is a compact, close-growth,
medium-sized tree with straightened stem and less branching habit,
and the ground comparatively free from grass. During a further
period this forest can be thinned out by removing the poorer
shrubs and trees and allowing seedlings of more valuable species
to come up. They will often do this in the shade of poorer and more
hardy trees. Still later, as the soil-moisture conditions improve, the
humidity increases as well as the rainfall; still other species come in
or can be introduced artificially. Eventually, by the end of the first
rotation there is probably quite a different forest to that in
existence at the time of the annual grass-fires, and one which is more
akin to the original forests before the advent of Man with his fire-
stick.
Quite apart from any money which has been spent on direct forest
plantations, the indirect effect of the protection afforded to the
trees in the various forest reserves is of almost incalculable value.
If the figure should be calculated out even at a low rate of only £1
per acre, then the total value is £768,000 for the Reserves already
made. Again, considering this result has only been attained after
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184 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
about fifteen years’ work, it will only go to show the vast potentialities
and resources that may be eventually created, or preserved from
destruction, in Nigeria.
V. Tue Forest DEPARTMENT.*
European Forest Officers are of two ranks, the scientifically trained
Conservators of Forests and the executively trained Foresters.
The scope of this paper will only cover the former, as very few
of the latter are Europeans, and most of them Nigerians.
From Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh, graduates in Forestry
can usually be procured. The training at these centres covers roughly
a year or a year and a half’s work on the elementary subjects, such
as Botany, Mathematics, Geology, Mensuration, Surveying, and
Political Economy. In addition, a year or two years’ work on the
professional subjects, Silviculture or the growing of Forests, Forest
Protection, Forest Utilization, Forest Botany, Forest Entomology,
Forest History and Forest Policy is required. At the end of the
course, six months’ practical work in Scottish or English forests
follows, during which period working plans and market conditions
are especially studied.
After being accepted for appointment in Nigeria, a further three
months’ course is taken at the Royal Gardens, Kew; and six months’
practical work on the Continent was (before the war) usually required.
At Kew, the object is to acquire a working knowledge of the most
important Botanical Orders which contain the African trees. The
continental course shows the student forests which have been under
a definite scheme of management for over a hundred years. It takes
one, in fact, right through the life-history of a tree from a seedling
in the nursery-bed to the well-grown financially mature tree, marked
ready for the axe, a period of about eighty years.
The initial appointment is for three years on probation, after which
it may be confirmed. The initial salary of an Assistant Conservator
of Forests is £300 per annum, rising by increments of £15 to £400
per annum. The first appointment dates from the day of sailing,
the passage being paid by the Nigerian Government, and salary on
half-pay begins from the date of departure until the arrival in Nigeria,
when full salary begins to accrue. Intending candidates should bear
in mind that an early selection for appointment entitles them to
seniority over other candidates who, owing to their being fully
qualified, are appointed immediately, and thus reach the Colony
before them. Locally, a commuted travelling allowance of £42 per
annum is drawn to compensate for the extra cost entailed in inspecting
the forests. A limited number of carriers, or other means of transport,
* Reprinted by kind permission of the Editor of United Empire.
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NIGERIA 185
are provided by the Government. For the purpose of more rapidly
getting about, a bicycle, motor, or horse may be kept, and an allow-
ance is given for maintenance. The cost of living is high, even when
furnished quarters or a bungalow are provided.
Lagos is the first port of call in Nigeria, and there is a railway
journey of 123 miles before reaching Ibadan, the temporary head-
quarters of the Forest Department. Olokomeji, 90 miles from Lagos,
is the old headquarters, and from here the forestry work of the
Southern Provinces is directed. Zaria, situated some 450 miles from
Lagos, is the headquarters of the Forestry Department in the Northern
Provinces.
A newly appointed officer would be liable to be sent to either of
these last-named places; but owing to the larger number of men
being stationed in the Southern Provinces, the majority are sent to
that centre. Olokomeji is in the middle of a Forest Reserve
26 square miles in extent, and is also the headquarters both of the
Western Circle and of its northern division. In each circle there is
a Conservator of Forests in charge, and he has an assistant to manage
each division. In the event of a shortage of staff it may happen that
a new man is put in charge of a division and thus has an opportunity
of learning all about the work much more quickly than would other-
wise be the case. In the ordinary way he only corresponds with his
Conservator and the timber interests of his division on purely local
matters.
Since 1901, a moderately large Arboretum has been planted at
Olokomeji, containing quite a number of indigenous trees growing
under natural conditions, according to the type of climate found in
that locality, and also some exotic trees which grow in similar climates
in Asia or South America. In a comparatively short time the new
Forest Officer can get a very fair idea of the most important timber
trees found locally, as well as elsewhere. In connection with the
work of renewing the labels on specimen trees, ocular demonstration
of all these trees is obtainable. The local Ranger can usually supply
the vernacular names, and here is a wide field for linguistic qualifi-
cations. Yoruba is the local language, Benin is spoken by a large
number of people in the Central Circle, and Hausa by nearly all
itinerant traders throughout the country. Ibo, another language,
is spoken by nearly 3,000,000 inhabitants, while many of the Cross
River people (Eastern Circle) speak Efik; some, however, speak
New Calabar or Ibibio, while again, in a large part of the Niger Delta,
Brass or Ijor is spoken. Sooner or later the language of the locality
should be acquired, and in fact this is prescribed by Government
order as a necessary preliminary to the granting of the first increment.
The routine office work includes simple book-keeping, analysis
of records, appointments of staff, the engagement of native labour
186 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
and all payments. The executive work outside is carried out by the
Forest Guards, Foresters, and Rangers, who require constant super-
vision. Owing to the distance, only some of them can report at
Forest Headquarters each month, and the rest must be seen when
the Forest Executive Officer makes his tour of inspection. If possible,
travelling should take the place of indoor work for at least ten days
a month.
At first sight, on examining the tropical forest, it appears like a
very mixed collection of different kinds of trees; on closer inspection,
however, similarities and contrasts are apparent, such as Ebony,
Diospyros mespiliformis, with its thin, black scaly bark, and that
of the somewhat regularly, deeply fissured bullet-wood tree, Mimusops
multinervis, and its white latex, which the former does not exude.
In walking through a forest, it is normally best to make the
carriers precede. Owing to their tendency to lag, and their desire
to sit down at inconvenient times, it is an advantage to have them
in front. Frequently one may have to stop and examine a flower
or leaf, and it only adds to the carriers’ labour if the whole column
has to stop whilst seeds and specimens are being collected. A march
of about 15 miles is sufficient, and takes up the better part of the
day, if an examination of the forests is being made on the way. In
most parts villages are eight to ten miles apart, sometimes nearer ;
so the carriers can stop and purchase food. In the larger forests,
however, a distance of over 20 miles is sometimes covered without
sight of a house; in that case the people of the last village are asked
to bring food for the carriers, and the carriers themselves are given
a day’s food as well, which has to be cooked on reaching camp. In
some places the chiefs provide food (yams, etc.), which is distributed
to the carriers, or in some places 3d. a day per head is allowed them
for purchasing food. So long as the carrier gets food and his load
is not excessively heavy, he is quite cheerful and walks well. He will
pick his way in mud, over roots, and up the steepest rocks in the hill
forests.
Current wages vary from 9d. to ls. a day, the head-man getting
from Is. to 2s. a day. Local felling-permits being issued both by
the District and Forest Officers to natives for felling timber for local
use, at District Stations a call is paid the District Officer to discuss
current forest questions and examine the permit books. At the same
time there is an opportunity of seeing what further development of
forest work is possible in the district. The local Forest Guards,
Foresters, or Forest Rangers report themselves, usually giving a very
good account of the local forest conditions. Since the demand for
local timber has been growing, a stop may have to be made to
supervise the marking or girdling of suitable trees for bridge-building
under the auspices of the Public Works Department. On a journey
NIGERIA 187
through the mahogany forest, the different camps of the timber firms
have to be visited. These firms have hundreds of square miles for
the purpose of exploiting mahogany and furniture woods. At the
same time the checking and inspecting of the stumps of all the
trees felled has to be gone through. The young mahogany seedlings
are also seen, and from the number of these it is known whether
sufficient have been planted to take the place of those cut down. The
very rapid growth of these trees can here be studied to advantage ;
trees now 40 feet high have only been planted a few years. The
relative value of the direct planting of seedling trees as compared
with the natural regeneration of the forest by self-sown seedlings
can be observed with ocular clearness. In one part of the forest
one sees natives standing on a platform hacking away with an axe
into a huge 50-feet mahogany; in another place a similar tree,
fallen, its 90-feet bole already sawn into three round logs: while
in a third locality may be seen a native, axe or adze in hand, squaring
mahogany logs with a 4-feet side. Later in the season eighty
or more natives are engaged in dragging one of these logs on round
billets of wood (for rollers) along a track, roughly cleared to the height
of a man, to the nearest natural water-way ; still later (that is, in
July or August), when the rivers rise, the logs may be seen floating
singly down to the rafting-place on the main creek, where rafts are
made with logs four or eight abreast, each fastened to the next, from
a timber-dog at either end, with cane. From here, riverine natives
such as the Ijors take the logs to the nearest river or ocean-going
steamer port.
The administrative work of the Department is in the hands of
the Senior Conservators of Forests, under whom the Conservators
manage their circles. The Chief Conservator of Forests, the head
of the Department, initiates and controls the whole policy of the
Department, being relieved of all details of administration. In order
to ensure continuity of policy and action, a Working-plans Division
has been formed. A working plan for the forests is a scheme of
management laid down for a number of years; no change can
be made in such a plan without special reference both to the
head of that division and to the head of the Department. With
only one year’s service, followed by leave of absence, continuity
of action would be broken if it were not for a definitely approved
plan.
The Forest Department has supplied the Railway, Marine, and
Public Works Department with timber of various kinds. In some
cases the timber is obtained by departmental working, and in others
is cut by native contractors under the supervision of the Department.
In the first instance, the conditions under which timber is to be
supplied to other departments are put before the Secretariat, and
188 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
when once the work has been begun, the local Forest Officer deals
direct with the department concerned.
Forestry progress in Nigeria has been less tardy than in several
other Colonies, though many forests’ have been destroyed owing to
lapse of time before the formation of a department. In 1904 there
were eight, and there are now twenty-four administrative appoint-
ments. The amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria into
one administration should accelerate the development of Forestry.
It is as yet only in its initial stages, and scarcely more than a
thousand square miles of forests, out of nearly a hundred thousand
which exist in some form or another, have been permanently set aside
for further timber production. The revenue-earning capacity of the
Forest Department has been somewhat diminished by the war; but
with recent legislation more local revenue should be obtained, which
should more than off-set any loss already sustained. Provided the
financial position of Nigeria remains strong, the prospects of the Forest
Department are quite bright.
Although Nigeria has by far the largest Forest Department, very
similar conditions of service obtain in the other West African Colonies
of the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone; but there are no Forest Officers
in the Gambia.
VI. A Review or THE BotTanicaL FEATURES oF NORTHERN NIGERIA.
By Dr. J. M. Dawzigu.
The Northern Provinces of Nigeria exhibit in an interesting manner
the transition, now familiar in West Africa, of physical characteristics
from the tropical forest to the border region ‘‘ that just divides the
desert from the sown.”
So far as the progressive stages may be stated in terms of geo-
graphical latitude, we may place the northern limit of the forest belt
at about 8° North latitude. A convenient natural boundary in a por-
tion of the area under consideration may be accepted in the lower course
of the Benué River from its tributary, the Katsina River, or even as
far up as Ibi, to the Niger at Lokoja. On the other hand, the southern
limit of the desert is taken at about 17° North latitude, or higher, and
thus falls some three or more degrees beyond the northern boundary.
Between these arbitrary limits lies the greater part of Northern
Nigeria and practically the whole of Hausaland, presenting physical
features which vary through grassy plains and rolling downs, orchard-
bush and thin-crowned forest, laterite plateaux and hilly woodlands,
to the mountains of the Bauchi Highlands. The vegetative covering
over a very large area can be classed as one or other type of savannah,
tree and bush savannah, or open orchard and treeless savannah, with
intermediate grades. Local topography alters the type here and
NIGERIA 189
there, galleries of evergreen vegetation occupying the intersecting
belts of permanent streams or fringing a marsh, wide meadows bordered
by low forest, but occupied entirely by grasses of few species, with
scattered islets of foliage, or, again, outcrops of bare laterite and
isolated domes and turtle-backs of crystalline rock, ‘“‘ inselbergs ” and
“ kopjes,” introducing features of their own.
The Niger Delta displays admirably the high evergreen or moist
tropical forest. This probably connects itself through the Kameruns with
the great Central African forest of French and Belgian Congo, which
is again said to be continuous through the gap between Ruwenzori
and Lake Albert with that of British East Africa.
West of the Niger Delta the coast, including Lagos, Dahomey
and Togo, is sandy, and bush rather than high forest commences almost
on the shore. Ascending the Niger, one finds that the true “rain
forest ’’ ends, but not abruptly, in the neighbourhood of Asaba; a
gradual transition occurs, first to an intermediate type, partly ever-
green with many large trees. but mingled with those that lose their
leaves in the months of little rainfall. This change is apparent even
on the river-bank, and below Lokoja a more open but still semi-
evergreen forest clothes the valleys, but shows already more of the
deciduous element on the hills. Farther north the voyage from the
mouth of the Kaduna River to the Zungeru light railway terminus
at Barijuko, as often experienced in previous years, reveals again
the progressively deciduous character of the foliage, resulting in a
still more open forest.
The river-bank, however, possessing permanent moisture and
its own local climate, is an inadequate index of the general features
over the country at large. To travel by land from Baro to Zungeru,
and thence either through Kontagora to Sokoto, or by Zaria to Kano
and Gummel, is to have the complete vision of the West African
savannah in its various degrees, and, except for local interruptions
associated with considerations of altitude or geological outcrop, etc.,
or with the lines of perennia] streams, to have it in its regular sequence.
Leaving out of account for the present the region south of Lokoja
and of the south bank of the Benué, which in part represents the
‘* Zone Guinéenne ” of Chevalier, we find that the two routes suggested
above will take one through country almost entirely of the types
included by the same writer within the “‘ Zone Soudanienne,” with
an approach at places along the Anglo-French boundary to the con-
ditions occurring in his “Zone Sahélienne.” It would be difficult
and misleading to express these zones definitely in terms of latitude,
but one might hazard the statement that the Guinea Zone passes to
the Soudan Zone somewhere between 8° and 10° North, and the latter
extends either to the northern boundary or verges on a drier belt
beyond the latitude of 12° or 13° North. If a complete botanical
1909 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
survey were possible, one could then subdivide each belt into its
different areas and provinces, with their special floral characteristics,
but at present one must be content to indicate broadly the general
composition.
The Soudan Zone, indeed, includes the greater part of Hausaland
and is representative of the typical West African savannah and
savannah forest. It merges into the drier sandy “‘ steppe ” conditions
in the north and into the mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen forests
farther south. The only giants in height are the silk-cotton-trees
(Eriodendron orientale), but baobabs of enormous girth are common,
and the largest timber trees are probably the Maje (Paradaniellia
Oliveri) and the Kawo (Afzelia Africana), fair specimens of the dry-
zone mahogany, Madachi (Khaya Senegalensis), occurring also in
favourable situations.
Across the central part of Northern Nigeria, let us say from Konta-
gora and South Sokoto through the whole of Zaria and South Kano
to South Bornu (but excluding the Bauchi plateau, of which I cannot
speak from personal knowledge), the plants named in the list here
given might be regarded as the average association of species, trees,
shrubs and herbaceous, the chief Natural Orders being represented
as follows : .
AnonacEez® by the common wild custard apple, Gwandar daji,
Anona Senegalensis, a shrub.
CAPPARIDACEH® by the Ingidido, Crateva Adansonii, by shrubs or
woody undershrubs of genera Boscia and Merua, some thorny
scramblers of the genus Capparis, and the familiar weed Gasaya,
Gynandropsis pentaphylla.
BrixinEZ by the Rawaya, Cochlospermum tinctoriwm, a shrub.
HyPERIcINE by the shrub Kaskawami, Psorospermum Senegalense.
Ocunacez by the Namijin kade, Lophira alata, a tree very typical
of the region, two or three species of Gomphia, and a new species of
Ochna, a small shrub with crenulate leaves.
Marvace& by numerous species of Hibiscus, including the cultivated
Rama (chiefly K. cannabinus) and Cotton, with the Ramaniya,
Urena lobata, and various undershrubs and suffrutescent weeds, mostly
of the genus Sida. The Kuka or baobab, Adansonia digitata, and
the Rimi or Silk-cotton Tree, Hriodendron orientale, marking the sites
of human habitations, past or present, are typical species of this
area, a8 is also the red-flowered Gurjiya, Bombax buonopozense
(Bombacacez).
SrzRcuLiacEz by the Kukuki, Sterculia tomentosa, a tree, with
which we may place the common undershrub Hankufa, Waltheria
Americana.
Trn1acE® by several species of Grewia, the most familiar being
the Dargaza, G. mollis, by two or three species of Corchorus,
NIGERIA 191
edible herbs allied to jute, and by shrubby weeds of the genus
Triumfetta.
SIMARUBACEZ by Hannoa undulata, a small-sized tree characteristic
of the region, and by Irvingia Smithii, a tree more abundant in the
South.
BursERacea by two species of frankincense-tree—Boswellia
Dalzielit and B. odorata—and by Commiphora Kerstingti, a green-barked
tree familiar as an enclosure fence in towns.
MELIAcEz by Khaya Senegalensis, the mahogany of the Soudan
Zone, by Trichilia emetica, and by Pseudocedrela Kotschyit ; also by
the naturalized Kurnan nasara, Melia Azedarach.
OuacacEs& by the Tsada, Ximenia Americana, a shrub with small
yellow, acid plums, and by the evergreen climbing shrub, Opilia cel-
tidifolia.
CELASTRACE typically by the shrub Gymnosporia Senegalensis,
and less by two or more species of woody twining Hippocrates.
SaPINDACE# by the woody twiner Paullinia pinnata, the 3-foliate
shrub Schmidelia Africana, and the world-wide twining weed Cardio-
spermum Halicacabum.
ANACARDIACEE by the tree Odina Barteri, by other species of
Odina of more local distribution, and by two species of Anasphrenium.
ConnaRACES by the abundant little shrub Byrsocarpus coccineus.
PROTEACE by a single species of Protea, a shrub with large capitate
flowers, of local distribution in the Central areas.
PotyeaLaceaz by Securidaca longipedunculaia and the field weed
Polygala arenaria.
Lreeuminosz by—
Larger trees: the Maji or Kadaura, Paradaniellia Oliveri, and
the Kawo, Afzelia Africana.
Medium-sized and smaller trees: Parkia filicoidea, Prosopis
oblonga, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Isoberlinia doka, Berlinia acuminata
in ravines, Tamarindus Indica ; several Acacias, e.g. A. Siebertana,
A. campylacantha, A. Arabica ; Albizzia Chevaliert, Entada Sudanica ;
Afrormosia laxiflora and Burkea Africana.
Small trees and shrubs: Detarium Senegalense, Bauhinia reticulata
and B. rufescens, Erythrina Senegalensis, Lonchocarpus laxiflorus,
Dichrostachys nutans, Mimosa asperata on stream-banks, Cassia Siebert-
ana, C. Kotschyana and others, along with several shrubby species
of Cassia and the dwarf C. mimosoides, Swartzia Madagascariensis,
Ormocarpum bibracteatum.
To these must be added the Zamarke, Sesbania punctata, and other
spp., and a host of herbaceous plants or half woody undershrubs,
chiefly belonging to the genera Crotalaria, Indigofera, and Tephrosia,
others of Desmodium Ertosema, etc., and twiners of Vigna and
Rhynchosia.
192 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The chief cultivated Leguminose of the region are: Indigo,
Indigofera arrecta and other spp., Arachis hypogaea, Vigna sineusis
in numerous varieties, and Voandzeia subterranea.
Rosace#& mainly by Parinarium curatellefolium, to which may be
added P. polyandrum in the South and P. macrophyllum in the North.
CoMBRETACEZ by several species of Terminalia, of which the com-
monest are the Baushe (of more than one species) and the Kandari,
T. macroptera ; more fully by a number of species of Combretum, which
are trees often gum-yielding, and very typically by the Marike,
Anogeissus letocarpus.
Myrtace& by Hugenta Owariensis, a tree, and EH. coronata, a shrub.
LyrHRacez by the “ henna” shrub, Lawsonia alba, and the weed
of damp places, Ammannia Senegalensis.
ARALIACEE by an interesting species, Cussonia Nigerica, a small
tree of peculiar habit.
RupiacezZ by Adina microcephala, a fair-sized tree by bush
streams; by very numerous small trees and shrubs, e.g. Crossopteryx
Kotschyana, Sarcocephalus Russegeri, Pavetta Barteri, Feretia canthioides,
the Gardenia erubescens and the Gauden kura, G. ternifolia, the
Giyaiya, Mitragyne Africana, typical of the islets of foliage clothing
the grassy swamps, Moralia Senegalensis on stream-banks, and by more
humble but abundant species of Oldenlandia, Spermacoce, Octodon, etc.
SapotacEz by the Shea Butter Tree, Butyrospermum Parkii,
probably the most characteristic member of the association.
EBENACEz by the African Ebony, Diospyros mespiliformis.
APOCYNACE typically by the arrow-poison woody climber Stro-
phanthus sarmentosus, which is always wild, and S. hispidus, which is
generally planted near villages—both species called Kwankwanni ;
also by the more common and inferior rubber vine, Landolphia florida,
and shrubs Carissa edulis and Cryptolepis Nigritiana, the woody twiners
Tecazea Bartert and other spp., with numerous others.
ASCLEPIADACEZ by the very typical giant milkweed Tumfafiya,
Calotropis procera, probably always in association with man, the smaller
undershrub Asclepias: lineolata, and several suffrutescent herbs with
tuberous and sometimes edible rootstocks of the genera Xysmalobium
and Schizoglossum.
Loaaniacez by Sirychnos spinosa, S. alnifolia, and S. triclisioides,
all shrubs or small trees.
Boraainacez by Cordia Abyssinica, a small tree, the undershrub
Trichodesma Africanum, three or four weeds of the genus Heliotro-
pium, etc.
BiGNoNIACEE by Stereospermum Kunthianum, a small tree, and
the Aduruku, Newbouldia levis, confined to towns and rarely more
than a tall, slender shrub ; the Rahaina or Rawuya, Kigelia Athiopica,
occurs, but in an interrupted distribution.
NIGERIA 198
VERBENACEZE by Vitex Cienkowskii, a fair-sized tree, V. diversifolia,
a small tree or shrub, and undershrubs such as Lantana salvifolia, Lippia
Ukambensis, and a few species of Clerodendron, etc.
EvprHorBiacea& by Uapaca Guineense, usually only a rather small
tree in the deciduous forest, Bridelia ferruginea and B. scleroneura,
both shrubs, Phyllanthus floribundus, forming sometimes thicket-like
clumps, P. reticulatus, a shrub, Flueggea microcarpa, a white-berried
shrub, Antidesma venosum, and very typically by the Jan yaro,
Hymenocardia acida, a shrub which in these open regions has nearly
always an ochre-red bark. Numerous herbs and half-woody weeds
are common, belonging to the genus Huphorbia (H. pilulifera, E.
Aigyptiaca, and congeners), Acalypha, Phyllanthus, etc., the Castor
Oil shrub (Ricinus communis) and the Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas)
are cultivated, while thoroughly representative through the whole
area are the familiar cactus-like Tinya, Euphorbia untspina and E.
Poissoni, and the Kerana, H#. Barteri, the latter at least never away
from habitations.
Moracez by a host of species of the genus Ficus (or Urostigma)
not yet fully elaborated botanically, e.g. Baure, Chediya, Durumi,
Kauriri, Wa, etc. a
Urmacez. A representative variety is Celtis integrifolia, a
fairly large tree.
SaLicacez by one species of Saliz.
LORANTHACEZ by seven or eight species of the parasite Loranthus,
called Kauchi, clothing deciduous trees with epiphytic foliage.
Orders represented mainly by flowering herbs, undershrubs, etc.,
are :
MENISPERMACEE by the popular medicinal twiner Jibda kassa,
Cissampelos Pareira.
NympuEeace@ by at least four species of Bada or water-lily,
Nymphea.
PaPAVERACES by the Yellow Poppy, Argemone Mexicana.
CaRYOPHYLLACEZ by species of Polycarpea characteristic of the
dry zone.
GERANIACE® by the familiar weed Biophytum sensitivum.
DRosERACEZ by the widely distributed Sun-dew, Drosera indica.
AMPELIDEZ by numerous vines of the genera Vitis, Cissus, and
Ampelocissus, of which perhaps the most striking are Dodoriya,
Vitis quadrangularis, and Dafara, Vitis pallida, while wild vines
with edible berries called Tsiberi kinkini are generally of one or other
species of Ampelocissus.
Cucursitace& by the familiar cultivated Kabeova or pumpkin,
Cucurbita Pepo, and Duma, the bottle-gourd, Lagenaria vulgaris,
with its endless varieties, the Guna or water-melon, Citrullus vulgaris,
and by many wild and half-wild species, e.g. the Balsam Apple,
13
194 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Momordica balsamina, the Loofah gourd, Luffa Aigyptiaca and L. acutan-
gula, Cucumis prophetarum, and one or more species of tuberous-
rooted T'rochomeria.
Ficorprz by common succulent weeds, e.g. T'rianthema monogyna,
T. pentandra, and Giesekia pharnaceoides, and by species of Mollugo
in river-beds, etc.
Composirz by some weeds of cosmopolitan distribution, e.g.
Ageratum conyzoides, Eclipta alba, etc., and by very numerous herbs
and suffrutescent plants, amongst which the genus Vernonia is the most
abundantly represented, including one typical of the region, viz.
V. nigritiana, with several species of Aspillia, Coreopsis, etc., and the
chewstick shrub, Vernonia amygdalina.
MELASTOMACE by a few species of Dissotis and Osbeckia.
CaMPANULACEZ by a common little blue-flowered weed, Cephalo-
stigma Perrottetit, and a water herb, Sphenoclea Zeylanica.
HypDROPHYLLACEZ by three or more species of Hydrolea, e.g.
H. Guineensis, etc.
LENTIBULACE2 by ten or more species of Utricularia.
CoNVOLVULACEZ, a conspicuous order, well represented by numerous
species of Ipomea, a few of Merrimia, and a few erect undershrubs
of the genus Astrochlena, to which one may add the little blue-
flowered weed Evolvulus alsinoides, of wide distribution in the
world.
Sotanacez by the “Thorn Apple,” Datura Metel, by numerous
species of Solanum, some edible, e.g. the several cultivated varieties
of the native bitter tomato, Gauta, varieties of S. Melongena ; others
poisonous, e.g. Gautan kura, Solanum incanum, and others; also by
two common weeds of the genus Physalis, and the popular herb simple,
Dandana, Schwenkia Americana.
ScROPHULARACEZ by Scoparia dulcis, of world-wide distribution,
and by several parasitic species of Striga, of which the most familiar
is the Makasar adwa, S. Senegalensis. Besides numerous humble
weeds of cosmopolitan genera, e.g. Moniera, Ilysanthes, etc., mostly
occurring in damp places, two or three species of Sopubia may be taken
as characteristic of the bush-lands.
ACANTHACEZ by a variety of weeds, etc., of the genera Blepharis,
Monechma, Justocoa, etc., to which the following may be added as
characteristic of the Order in Hausaland: Nelsonia campestris, a
soft herb of slightly acid taste, Peristrophe bicalyculata, an occasional
fodder plant, and Dyschoriste Perrottetii, the mucilaginous seeds of
which are used to remove spicules from the eye.
PEDALIACE by the locally cultivated Ridi, Sesamum Indicum, and
other wild species of Sesamum, by the weed Ceratotheca sesamoides,
and by the half-shrubby Rogeria adenophylla.
Lapiata by several cultivated tubers, such as the Tumuku and
NIGERIA 195
Risga, by odorous species of Ocimum and Aolanthus, e.g. the Dodoya,
Ocimum Americanum, the weed Acrocephalus polytrichus, and by
many common herbs of various other genera.
Amaranthacee by the native spinage, Alayafu, Amaranthus cau-
datus, the Zaki banza, A. viridis, a wild species sometimes cultivated,
and by several of the common weeds found in other countries—Celosia
argentea, Pupalia lappacea, etc.
THYMELHZACEZ by the poisonous Tururibi, Lasiosyphon Kraussii, a
yellow-flowered, low, suffruticose plant with a woody rootstock, and
by two of three species of Gnidia.
ARISTOLOCHIACEE by the twiner Aristolochia albida.
LavRacez by the leafless twiner Cassytha Guineensis.
The Monocotyledonous Orders may be said to be represented as
follows :
HyprocuaritacEa@ by the yellow-flowered aquatic herbs Oftelia
lancifolia and Boottia Abyssinica.
Orcuipaces® by a fair number of tuberous terrestrial orchids, of
which Lissochilus arenarius is the most typical, séveral Habenarias
and Eulophias, and a very few epiphytes, e.g. Ansellia Congoensis.
SciraMINE# abundantly by Kempferia Aithiopica in open woods,
Costus afer in shady ravines, and Fitta, the food-wrapper leaf,
Clinogyne filipes, in streams, etc.
Irrpacez by several species of Gladiolus, e.g. G. quartinianus, and
of Tritonia.
AMARYLLIDACE by Crinum yucceflorum, the red-flowered Haman-
thus rupestris, Pancratium trianthum, and Curculigo Gallabatensis.
Taccacea by the tuberous Tacca involucrata.
DroscorREacE by Dioscorea prehensilis and other cultivated yams,
chiefly in the South or on pagan hills, and by some species which are
either wild or escapes.
Lit1acEz by several species of Urginea, e.g. U. Nigritiana, U.
Indica, etc., by other bulbous species of the genera Anthericum, Dip-
cadi, etc., by the climbing lily, Gloriosa superba, several species of
Chlorophytum, Aloe Barteri, and by prickly scramblers such as
Asparagus Pauli-Guilelmi, Smilax Kraussiana, etc.
ALISMATACEZE by some flowering water-plants, e.g. Burnatia ennean-
dra, Lophotocarpus Guyanensis, etc.
CoMMELINACEE by various species of Aneilema—A. lanceolatum,
A. Sinicum, etc., of Commelyna—C. nudiflora, C. umbellata, etc., and
of Floscopa and Cyanotis.
Patm# by the Giginya, Borassus flabellifer, var. Aithiopum, the
Goriba, Hyphena Thebaica, chiefly in the North, and the Tukuruwa
or Bamboo Palm, Raphia vinifera, in ravines only.
ARoIDLE# by Culcasia scandens, by the Kinchia with yellow rhizome,
196 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Stylochiton Dalzielit, Amorphophallus Barteri and A. dracontiowdes,
Anchomanes Dalzielti, and other species.
CyPERACEs by very numerous species of Cyperus, e.g. the edible
Aya, C. esculentus, and the uncultivated Aya aya, C. rotundus, C.
Fenzelianus, etc., and several of Pycreus, Fimbristylis, Kyllingia,
Bulbostylis, etc.
GRAMINEZ by the predominant tribe, Andropogonee, with numerous
other genera—Eragrostis, Aristida, Digitaria, Pennisetum, Chloris, etc.,
and by a single locally distributed bamboo, Oxytenanthera Abyssinica.
The chief cereal is Guinea Corn, Dawa, Sorghum vulgare; both
species of sugar-cane, Rake, Saccharum officinarum, and Takanda,
Sorghum vulgare, var. saccharantum, are cultivated.
The Fiices are poorly represented by the widely distributed
Adder’s Tongue, Ophioglossum vulgatum, the water-fern, Cratopteris
Thalictroides, by Adiantum lunulatum, A. Schweinfurthii, and a few
species of Nephrodium asplenium, etc., by no means typical of the
region.
Having thus given a bird’s-eye view of the floral composition in
the central region of Hausaland, one may proceed to examine the
variations revealed in passing south to the semi-evergreen forests
and north to the drier open savannahs.
Southwards the transition is gradual, and nowhere abrupt, from
forest savannah with annual bush-fires and consequent tendency to
revert to grass, to forests in which the number of species is greater and
the deciduous element is more mingled with evergreens, either by the
persistence of species which in a drier region are deciduous, but retain
their foliage where the increased rainfall allows of this variation, or
by the appearance of species which always possess the evergreen habit.
Bombax buonopozense is an example of the former and probably also
Afzelia Africana and several others.
Some of the added constituents either absent from or more rare
in the area of lesser rainfall are :
Anonackz#z: Xylopia parviflora, Hexalobus Senegalensis, Popowia
Mannii.
CaPPaRIDACEZ: Ritchiea sp., Capparis viminea, etc.
Brxrnzaz: Oncoba spinosa.
StercuLiacex: Cola laurifolia.
Ruraorz: the Fasa kwari, Zanthozylum Senegalense.
Metiacez: Trichilia retusa.
AnacaRDIacEz: Spondias lutea, Haematostaphis Barteri, and the
cultivated mango.
Sarinpacez: Blighia sapida.
ConNARACEZ;: scrambling shrubs, e.g. species of Agelea and
Cnestic.
Fia. 38.—Marsh or ‘‘ Fadama,”’ with islets of foliage, Benué overflow, near Yola.
Fic. 39.—The Lower Niger in flood.
Fia. 40.—Fringing Forest on River}Benué in the rainy season.
To face p. 196.
NIGERIA * 197
Lecuminos: Tetrapleura Thonningii, Piptadenia Africana, Ery-
throphlaum Guineense, Cynometra Vogelii, Pterocarpus esculentus,
Dialium Guineense, Millettia sp. near M. Sanagana and other species
of Millettia, Cordyla Africana, Berlinia Heudelotit, Cesalpinia
Bonducella, Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Baphia pubescens and B. nitida.
Rosacea: Parinarium subcordatum.
CoMBRETACE#: several species of scarlet-flowered Combretum of
climbing habit—C. racemosum, C. constrictum, etc.
Myrtacez: Napoleona Vogelii.
Rupiracez: Morinda citrifolia, Cuviera acutiflora, Canthium
Vanguerioides, Ixora radiata, Uncaria Africana, Oxryanthus unilocularis,
some species of Mussenda, etc.
RHIZOPHORACEE: Weithea Africana.
SapoTtacez: Mimusops sp.
ApocynackE#: Voacanga obtusa and V. Africana, Landolphia
Owariensis and other spp., Carpodinus hirsuta, Plenisceras Barteri
and the tree Wadda, Rauwolfia sp. near R. Welwitschit.
Locantacez: Anthocleista Vogelit.
CONVOLVULACEE : Calonyction speciosum, Merremia umbellata, etc.
Bienontacez: Spathodea campanulata.
ACANTHACEZ : Acanthus montanus, Asystasia Coromandeliana, ete.
VERBENACEE : Vitex chrysocarpa and V. Angolensis.
PIPERACEE : Piper umbellatum and Piperomia pellucida.
GEsNERACEE: Streptocarpus nobilis.
EvprHorBiace®: Alchornea cordate, Mallotus oppositifolius.
Moracez: Chlorophora excelsa, Ficus Vogeliti and other spp.,
Myrianthus serratus.
Uitmacez : Trema Guineensis.
AMPELIDER : Leea Guineensis.
PoLyGALAcEz#: the cultivated Polygala butyracea and the dwarf
species, P. Clarkeana.
BaLANOPHORACEZ: the root-parasite Thonningia sanguinea.
Amongst Monocotyledonous Orders the Scitaminee are more in
evidence, Palisota thyrsiflora (Commelinacee) appears (along with a
Begonia on moist rocks—B. rostrata), and the water-loving Aroid,
Cyrtosperma Senegalense.
The Oil Palm, Eleis Guineensis, becomes locally common, ferns
become epiphytic, and the Elk’s-horn fern, Platycerium Aithiopicum,
appears.
Northwards the savannah forests, with plenty of broad-leaved trees
and shrubs, or the open park-like formations with surface well covered
with grasses and herbs, give way in some places to still drier Acacia
forests, and in others to open areas of scrub, nearly treeless, the soil
198 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
possessed by grasses and low, scattered shrubs, often thorny. Never-
theless, good pastures are often to be found, frequented by the Fulani
in the comparatively short rainy season, and only at some points
towards the French boundary do the conditions approach those described
by Barth in the latitude of Zinder and Timbuctoo. For example, part
of North Bornu, with a rainfall sometimes not exceeding 10 inches, may
exhibit features entitling it to rank with the upper region of Chevalier’s
“Zone Sahélienne.” A typical association in these scrub regions is
familiar to the Hausas in three of the plants mentioned below, viz.
the Sabarra, Guiera Senegalensis, the Magariya, Zizyphus jujuba, and
the Dashi, Balsamodendron Africanum. Sokoto, with an average
rainfall of 25 or more inches, still possesses thinly treed savannahs
and bush-lands, with a vegetation composed of grasses, small sedges,
low shrubs and the commoner leguminous and other weeds.
Nor does the transition occur evenly across the whole region. In
the eastern part between Kano and North Bornu the Acacia type
prevails, and whole areas may occur occupied largely by Acacia Seyal,
with yellow or rusty ochrey bark. On the western side Acacias, though
present, do not appear to prevail, and between Kano and Sokoto there
exists a stretch of broad-leaved forest in which most of the species
found in Central Hausaland reappear, but after all these differences
may be found to hold only over limited areas.
The wide and well populated circle around large northern towns,
highly cultivated and more or less stripped of trees to supply fuel
does not quite display the natural conditions of the bush, where
uncontrolled fires prevent natural regeneration of forest on cleared
land, and where open grassy formations with stunted vegetation
tend to encroach on the higher types of tree savannah.
The species more characteristic of the northern drier belt within
the Soudan Zone—if an arbitrary limit is allowed we may place it
about 12° North latitude—may now be briefly indicated, though it
will be understood that many of them are already present farther
south.
CaPPARIDACE# : most of the species of Capparis, Boscia and Merua
existing farther south here prevail ; the low shrub Boscia Senegalensis
is common, while Cadaba farinosa is a characteristic shrub.
SIMARUBEZ: the Aduwa, Balanites Aigyptiaca, is a typical species
of this region.
Burseracez#: the Dashi, Balsamodendron Africanim, a shrub
yielding African Myrrh, is familiar, with its congener B. pedunculatum.
RHAMNACEEH: the Kurna, Zizyphus Spina-Christi, usually planted
in towns, the Magariya, Z. jujuba, and the Magariyar kura, Z.
mucronata, the last two being very characteristic of the open savannah.
ANACARDIACEH: the Danya, Spondias sp., a fair-sized tree with
yellow, plum-like fruit having a leathery rind, is abundant.
NIGERIA 199
LrcuMINosz#: Acacias are the most typical, but are not as a
rule markedly flat-topped, e.g. A. Seyal, A. Senegal, A. albida var.
saccharata, Dichrostachys platycarpa, forming thorny thickets, while En-
tada Sudanica, Acacia Sieberiana, A. campylacantha, Albizzia Chevaliert
and others are also evident. Parkinsonia aculeata is found in towns ;
the Tripoli or Senegal Senna, Filasko, Cassia obovata, is common, and
the Tsamiya, Tamarindus Indica, becomes a predominant tree.
Rosacea: the Ginger-bread Plum, Gawasa, Parinariuwm macro-
phyllum, is more familiar.
CoMBRETACEZ: the Geza, Combretum sp. near C. altum, a
shrub or small tree, with several gum-yielding trees of the same genus ;
the low shrub Sabarra, Guiera Senegalensis, is perhaps the most
typical plant of the nearly treeless savannah.
CurncuRBITACEEH : the half-wild Gurji, Cucumis Melo, var. agrestis,
is common, and the Bambus, a variety of water-melon, is known in
the North.
Rupiace#: a characteristic species is Randia Nilotica, a thorny
shrub ; Gardenia Sokotensis is a new species found on low rocky hills.
Apocynace#: the Kariya, Adenium Honghel, an unarmed cactus-
like shrub, deciduous, with rose-coloured flowers, planted in towns,
is characteristic.
ASCLEPIADACES : the small milk-weed, Glossonema Nubicum, and the
twiners Ozxystelma Bornuense, Pergularia tomentosa and Leptadenia
lancifolia, are all abundant, while the Karan masallachi, Caralluma
Dalzielii, generally planted farther south, is found wild on bare rocky
places.
EUPHORBIACEZ : very typical are the two milk hedge Euphorbias,
Aguwa, #. sepium, and Fidda sartsi, EL. lateriflora.
Morace#: species of Ficus planted for shade grow to a large
size, especially the Chediya, F. Thonningii, and the Durumi, F.
syringifolia ; other species generally start as epiphytes.
The GRraMINEZ is the prevailing Natural Order of Monocotyledons,
and includes all types—little annuals, perennial-rooted Andropogons,
etc., and the Burugu, Panicum stagninum, which blocks the streams.
The fragrant Nobe, Cymbopogon Sennariensis, is a characteristic
tufted species, whilst the bur-grass Karangia, Cenchrus catharticus,
has long since spread far southward.
Rice and wheat are cultivated ; the Bulrush Millet, Gero, Pennisetum
typhoideum, tends to displace Sorghum, and a wild rice, Oryza silvestris,
is found. The cultivated sugar-cane is the Takanda, Sorghum vulgare,
var. saccharatum.
Of LiztacE the onion and garlic are features of cultivation.
Several bulbous herbs not peculiar to the North are common, e.g.
Dipcadi occidentale, Urginea spp., etc.
200 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The Goriba or Dum Palm, Hyphane Thebaica, is predominant,
accompanied also by the Giginya or Deleb Palm, while the Date begins
to appear.
Within the limits of the Soudan Zone of vegetation many different
types of savannah may be found, besides the expected alterations in
botanical groupings resulting from the presence of perennial moisture
or due to elevation and rocky outcrop. Leaving the latter out of
account, a few notes may be made of some of the varieties familiar to
travellers in the Northern Provinces.
1. Tree Savannah or Savannah Forest.
Across a considerable area of Central Hausaland, e.g. occupying
a large part of the Zaria plateau west of the Bauchi Highlands,
the country, where not cleared for farming, is covered with an open
deciduous forest of fair height. This is a fairly closely wooded type,
and although it contains few truly evergreen elements apart from
those lining the streams, there is, perhaps owing to differing vegeta-
tive periods for different species and to the double flowering season
noted for many trees in West Africa, practically always a fair
amount of foliage present. A proportion of the trees have well
developed stems and fairly high crowns, with a leafy canopy which
filters but never excludes direct sunlight, and the average height of
the larger trees is from 30 to 40 feet. In the best developed
portions of such forest the grasses do not predominate, but frequent
clearings or patches of stony outcrop lead to the open conditions
in which hardy perennial grasses take root, and annual burning
results in the encroachment and multiplication of areas of the
lower bush savannah referred to below.
This variety of forest is typically seen in Zaria province, e.g.
between the village of Ruka and the Koriga stream, near which point
a sudden drop in elevation occurs, and is familiar in parts of South
Sokoto, Kontagora and Nassarawa, etc. Lophira alata has its chief
habitat here, but perhaps the prevailing and most characteristic tree
is one called Doka, which has been identified as Isoberlinia doka,
Craib, et Stapf. It has broad, shining leaves, and large, flat 5-6 seeded
pods which dehisce with curling valves. It seeds abundantly, and young
seedlings spring up quickly in the forest or by wayside clearings, etc.
Along with it will be found its congener, the Fara doka, Isoberlinia
Dailzielii, Craib, et Stapf., less abundant, and differing as to its more
obvious features in having leaves not shining, a paler grey bark and a
general slight degree of pubescence of all parts. Both species exude
a coarse red resin, which does not appear to be of value.
Most of the arborescent species mentioned in the list of the average
association detailed above are to be found, sometimes harbouring
NIGERIA 201
epiphytic Ansellias and a few woody climbers but no typical lianes,
and an undergrowth composed of Leguminous and Composite herbs
and undershrubs with some grasses. This type of forest probably
at one time covered a much wider area and had a greater extension
northward than at present. As mentioned above, a large proportion
of its constituents may again be found in the Duru forest between
Sokoto and Kano, while within the memory of officials of the present
administration areas of woodland previously visible from Sokoto have
been denuded for firewood. It tends progressively to give place to
the following more open variety of savannah.
2. Bush Savannah.
This is probably the form of ‘“ bush ”’ with which travelling officials,
hunters, and others are most familiar in every province, and is, when
not overloaded with tall grass, deserving of the term “‘ open orchard
savannah.” It is composed of scattered shrubs and small trees of
short growth and of a considerable sameness, the whole picture being
practically filled in with grasses, which may grow to a height of 6 to
8 feet in the rains, but which are swept off by bush-fires in the dry
period, leaving bare the intervening spaces, soon to be reoccupied by
suffrutescent plants with persistent rootstocks, and later by weeds
and the same grasses as before. This resurrection is not due to seeding,
which is itself abundant, but mainly to the fact that the majority of
bush grasses have perennial underground stems, which, once given
occupation, are difficult to dislodge, and, assisted by the recurrent
fires, which kill off the seeds and the seedlings of broad-leaved trees,
have everything in favour of their natural progress to predominance.
The commoner bush grasses of this habit found here are:
Andropogon Gayanus, Cymbopogon Ruprechtit, C. diplandrus, C.
giganteum, C. hirtus, C. rufus, Andropogon tectorum, A. apricus, Rott-
ballia exaltata, Pennisetum pedicellatum, etc. In clumps, generally
found in special situations, e.g. near river banks, etc., are Vetwerta
zizanoides, Saccharum spontaneum, Arundo donaz, etc. It is possible
that some of these species which now cumber the soil might be put
to use in supplying the raw material for paper.
The prevailing shrubs and small trees of this formation are generally
somewhat as follows: Bauhinia reticulata and B. rufescens, Detartum
Senegalense, several species of Combretum with the dwarf C. herbaceum ;
also Afrormosia laxiflora and occasional Acacias, e.g. A. Sieberiana,
Entada Sudanica, Dichrostachys nutans ; bright flowering species, such
as Cochlospermum tinctorium ; several shrubby species of Hibiscus
Cassia Arereh, C. Goratensis and other species, Lonchocarpus laxiflorus,
Securidaca longipedunculata, Grewia mollis, Feretia canthioides ; the
Gardenias—G. ternifolia, G. erubescens, etc.; Sterospermum Kun-
thianum, Sarcocephalus Russegeri, Parinarium curatellefolium, Psoro-
202 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
spermem Senegalense, Ximenia Americana, Anona Senegalensis,
Pseudrocedrela Kotschyi, Strychnos spinosa and other spp., Bridelia
ferruginea, Hymenocardia acida, Gymnosporia Senegalensis. Occa-
sional larger trees will often be species of Terminalia, Prosopis oblonga,
Butyrospermum Parkii, Lophira alata, Vitex Cienkowskii, Sterculia
tomentosa, Pterocarpus erinaceus, or even Afzelia Africana and
Paradaniellia Oliveri.
In the above association remark must be made of the Taura,
Detarium Senegalense, which is here rarely of dimensions meriting the
designation of tree, and therefore very different from the large timber
known in the southern forests and found also on the forested slopes
of Patti at Lokoja; of the Makarfo, a tree of twisted habit, not often
over 30 feet high, with flaking bark, apparently much inferior to the
Afrormosia laxiflora, if it is this species, in the greater mixed deciduous
forests farther south; and of the Tsada, Ximenia Americana, which
is here unarmed, has rather thin, glabrous leaves, sometimes almost
shining, and thus differs in habit from the coastal variety, if the identity
is certain, which is spiny, has dull leaves sometimes half-succulent,
and is appropriately called by the French “ Citron de la mer.”
3. Park Savannah.
The open park-like formation is another which is typical of ‘this
region. It is, perhaps, best seen where the population is not quite
sparse, as in the latter case the previous type tends to take posses-
sion. The Shea Butter Tree is the one which more than any other
gives the tone to this type, but Parkia filicoidea and, especially in the
North, the Tamarind are perhaps equally representative. The two
first-named, though not necessarily indicating the proximity of a village,
have probably in most cases owners, and the intervening spaces
may or may not be more or less cultivated. Open park-like country
may, however, occur apart from any contemporary interference by
man, and wide stretches of it appear alternating with scattered orchard
bush or with open grass-land. The grasses are of the previously
mentioned types, with many species of Eragrostis, Aristida, small
annual tufted grasses and sedges, along with Cassia mimosoides, Olden-
landia grandiflora, O. Senegalensis and other Leguminous and Rubiaceous
weeds. Other trees which well maintain the park-like appearance
are Terminalia macroptera, occasional species of Ficus, Viter Cien-
kowskti, Acacia Arabica and A. Sieberiana.
In flat, wide-stretching meadows which are often marshy in the
rains, this formation also maintains its character, single trees or
island-like clusters of tree and shrub dotting the expanse of heavy
grass which is burnt to desolation by the yearly fires. These islets
are generally found to be composed of Giyaiya, Mitragyne Africana,
with shrubs such as Feretva canthioides, Sarcocephalus Russegeri, and
NIGERIA 203
scrambling undershrubs added thereto, while the edge of such a meadow
or “fadama ” is in some cases fringed with deciduous high woods, in
which occasionally timbers like Khaya Senegalensis and Paradaniellia
Olivert may appear along with the vegetation characteristic of Type 1.
4. Evergreen Fringing Belts.
Along the water-courses which intersect the savannah lands will
be found dark evergreen strips of foliage, which, when extending
beyond the stream-banks and forming a fairly dense canopy, whatever
the nature of the underwood, are generally implied in the Hausa word
“kurumi.” The streams may not be always truly perennial, but the
verdure remains because the moisture in the soil persists long enough
to maintain the non-deciduous type, although bush-fires may reach
their very margins. Where a perennial stream of any magnitude
occurs, species will be found whose distribution in the Soudan Zone
is confined to such localities, but which are widely represented in the
South.
Instead of enumerating the constituents of these strips of fringing
forest, we may briefly refer to the vegetation of the River Benué, which
has been already indicated as in some degree marking the boundary
between the semi-evergreen or mixed deciduous forests and the drier
tree savannah and open bush lands. The evergreen galleries along
the streams or fringing the swampy glades may be taken as on the
whole botanically similar to the bank foliage of the Benué and its
backwaters, creeks and tributaries. One feature of this type is the
abundance of woody climbers, often concealing the foliage of their
supports, and conspicuous to the eye in the flowering season are the
Combretacew, which are here scrambling and climbing shrubs instead
of erect trees, e.g. the flame-flowered Combretum racemosum, C. con-
strictum, etc., Quisqualis Indica and others ; also two or three species
of Landolphia with other rubber vines, and of Mussenda, scarlet-
fruited Connaracee, Uncaria Africana, climbing by its old flower-stalks
becoming woody hooks, and Alchornea cordata, the most typical liane
of these formations. Other twiners are the showy moon-convolvulus,
Calonyction speciosum (Ipomea bona-nox), the Cowhage, Mucuna
pruriensis, Dioclea reflexa, Entada scandens and numerous Ampelidee.
These tend to form a dense and sometimes impenetrable tangle, but
where trees of timber size occur the undergrowth is more scanty and
a variety of forest weeds appear, in which the Scitaminee may be
prominent.
The Benué region is rich in trees, of which the following species
may be mentioned : Goron ruwa, Irvingia Smithii, and Gedar kurumi,
Pterocarpus esculentus, Trichilia retusa, the large timber tree called
Kiriyar kurumi (undetermined), Erythrophlocum Guineense, Millettia
sp., Sanagana and M. sericeus, Cynometra Vogelit, Anthocleista
204 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
nobilis, Berlinia Heudelotii, Baphia nitida, Chlorophora excelsa, Cola
laurtfolia, Parinarium subcordatum, Kigelia Aithiopica, Uapaca Guineensis
(here a large tree and sometimes prop-rooted), Ficus spp. Smaller
trees and shrubs are: Spathodea campanulata, Voacanga obtusa and V.
Africana, Morinda citrifolia, Xylopia parviflora, Zanthoxylum Sene-
galense, Oncoba spinosa, Vangueria euonymoides, Ixora radiata, Poly-
spherta macrostyla, Garcinia ovalifolia, Myrianthus serratus, Elais
Guineensis and Raphia vinifera. Not all of these extend far beyond
the Benué, but the majority of them will be found in one or other
fringing belt far into the deciduous region, and perhaps the two which
best represent this extension of the semi-evergreen to the savannah
are the woody climber Alchornea cordata and the tree Irvingia Smithit.
Ina general view, Northern Nigeria, thus lying beyond the equatorial
belt, possesses plant features which, apart from river and stream fringes,
range between the mixed deciduous and xerophilus habit, and in the
dry season the prevailing character of the open savannah forests is
a monotonous drab or grey, intersected by the dark lines of greenery
following the streams or encircling the swamps. The climate is largely
of the continental type, with a temperature ranging from 120° F. to 40°
or less (exclusive of thermometer readings on the Bauchi plateau), and
a rainfall which throughout will usually fall between 30 and 50 or 60
inches, with diminution to 20 or even 10 inches in the most northerly
provinces. Such a climate, with the concomitant regularity of two,
not four, well marked seasons, the dry and the wet, is entirely that
associated with the occurrence of savannah formations, scattered bush
with prevailing grasses, suffrutescent herbs and small trees, much open
grass or thinly timbered park-land, with stretches of thick woods
which are generally not heavily grassed and never cumbered with
impenetrable undergrowth.
Trees which are valuable timber species in the moist southern
forests often scarcely attain reputable dimensions in the deciduous
zone.
These conditions also, which are doubtless partly the result of ill-
considered human operations, put certain definite restrictions on
cultivated species and determine the character of the natural products
of the wild. The staple cereal is Dawa or Sorghum, instead of maize,
with Gero or Pennisetum typhoideum in the North. Possibly the limit
of Guinea Corn as a staple of native cultivation is also the limit of
the savannah forests, i.e. of the region of trees of secondary size, short
of the region of Acacias, of Geza, Combretum altum, and of scrub,
where Bulrush Millet is the commoner. Both species are generally
cultivated along with beans, Vigna Sinensis. The sweet potato displaces
the yam and cassava ; industria] cultivation is represented by cotton
and indigo. Of forest products, the most representative are Shea nuts
and gum arabic, rather than rubber and large timber ; and lastly, both
NIGERIA 205
cattle-grazing and horse-breeding are important industries proper to
the region.
VII. Some Trees oF HavsaLanD
By Dr. J. M. Dauzret.
A few notes on some of the better known trees of Northern Nigeria
are here given, the Hausa name being appended in most cases.
Afrormosia laxiflora, Harms (Leguminose). Makarfo.
In the mixed deciduous forests towards the coast this appears as
a large timber tree, in certain regions dominant both in abundance
and size, and is also a constituent of the moist evergreen forests. In
Northern Nigeria it never forms a straight stem, never attains the
dimensions of a timber tree, and has generally a twisted stem and main
branches. Its habit, therefore, rather than its mere presence, affords
a striking instance of the changes accompanying the limited rainfall of
the savannah forests, and its distribution probably does not extend
beyond the northern boundary. The trunk has a somewhat pale
piebald appearance, resulting from the flaking of large pieces of the bark
exposing lighter portions below. The centre wood is so dark in colour
as to have led European foremen of works to report it as lignum vite,
and the wood is hard enough to earn for it in some districts, along with
other trees, the designation “break axe.” It has shining leaves,
whitish flowers and thin, flat pods.
Afzelia Africana, 8m. Kawo; “ African” or ‘‘ Rhodesian ” Mahogany,
“Mahogany Bean,” etc.
A large tree, common to nearly all types of forest in West Africa,
tropical high forest, mixed deciduous and savannah. In Northern
Nigeria large specimens may still be found, though these do not generally
have tall, straight stems, but show the wide-spreading umbrella crown
common in drier regions.
Paradaniellia Oliveri, Rolfe. Kadaura or Maje.
This has previously been classed with Daniellia thurifera, Bennett,
the so-called West African Copaiba Balsam Tree.
In the Northern Provinces of Nigeria it is one of the largest trees,
60 to 80 feet, with strong, straight stems and affording good timber
for local use. The chief native use of the oleo resin is to fumigate
garments. Its distribution probably stops short of the northern
boundary.
Isoberlinia doka, Craib, et Stapf. Doka.
A tree which is the prevailing type in the savannah forests of
Central Hausaland, generally 30 to 40 feet high, with broad, shining
206 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
leaves, rather small white flowers and large flat pods containing
five or six discoid seeds. The valves of the pods curl up after
dehiscence, and young seedlings spring up vigorously where not choked
by grass, farm clearings in Zaria province being often quickly occupied
by them.
A coarse red resin exudes from injuries or punctures. of the
bark.
Isoberlinia Dalzielii, Craib et Stapf. Fara doka.
Another new species of similar occurrence and habit, differing in
having a more grey appearance associated with a slight pubescence,
leaves not shining and pods less smooth. A species of the wild silk-
worm, Anaphe Moloneyi, and perhaps others, are found on them.
Pterocarpus erinaceus, Poir. Madobia; ‘Senegal Rosewood,”
** African Kino,’ etc.
A tree generally of 30 to 40 feet or more in open savannah forests,
easily recognized by its bright yellow flowers, the regular venation
of the leaves, and the bristly, flat, one-seeded pods. The blood-red
resin is a variety of Kino, and in districts where the Camwood is
not found, the bark of Madobia is sometimes sold as a substitute.
The wood is hard and fine-grained.
Cassia Sieberiana, DC. and C. ; Kotschyana, Oliv. Marga or Gamafada.
These are small trees with conspicuous yellow flower racemes,
having a superficial resemblance to laburnum. They are abundant
in the dry savannah regions as well as in savannah forest, and flower
freely in the dry season. The pods are long and cylindrical and do
not dehisce. Cassia Arereh, Del., is similar, but the leaves are more
acuminated and the pods split up longitudinally.
Detarium Senegalense, Gmel. Taura.
A good timber tree in the mixed deciduous and higher savannah
forests, as also in the mountainous peninsula of Sierra Leone. Fairly
large specimens of timber dimensions occur in the rocky forest over-
looking Lokoja, but the Hausa Taura, hitherto identified as botanically
the same, is of a very different habit, abundantly represented in the
open bush savannah as a shrub or small tree having somewhat flattened
fruits, oval, less succulent than, and one-half or one-third the size of,
those shed by the forest specimens.
Tamarindus Indica, Zinn. Tsamiya; “Tamarind Tree.”
A very familiar tree in the northern Hausa States and Bornu,
as well as in French territory to the north, but much less common
on parts of the border-line between Southern and Northern Nigeria,
so that probably its actual distribution is local and interrupted. Barth
NIGERIA 207
places its limit at Tagalel, in Damerghu, or about 15° North
latitude.
In Hausaland it is a conspicuous tree, less from its dimensions than
from the beauty of its foliage, sometimes umbrella-spreading and at
others compact, and giving a good deal of shade when in full leaf.
The ground becomes littered with the small leaflets in the dry months,
and as a rule little undergrowth is to be found beneath it.
In Sokoto and Kano provinces, and elsewhere in the North, speci-
mens with a dense, compact and symmetrical crown are common, the
branches often reaching to within 3 or 4 feet of the ground. The fruit
has familiar medicinal and culinary uses, but rarely develops the soft
rich pulp of the Indian specimens. One of the wild silkworms, Anaphe
sp., feeds on the leaf, the silken nest being called ‘ Tsamiyar Tsamiya.”
A familiar association which did not escape the notice of Dr. Barth
is that of tamarind and baobab, in which case the former is often
without a proper bole and spreads itself half scandent amongst the
stout branches of the baobab.
Parkia filicoidia, Welw. Dorowa; ‘‘ West African Locust Bean.”
A characteristic tree of the savannah forests, and one of the most
typical members of the open park-like formations. It appears to be
scarce in Bornu, but abundant from Zaria to Katsina, and its northern
limit is probably about 14° North latitude.
The pods afford both food and fodder, the fermented cakes called
Daudawa, made from the seeds, being an article of local commerce.
In the bush, far from villages, Dorowa trees are ownerless, but elsewhere
they are generally private property.
Burkea Africana, Hook. Farin makarfo.
A tree of 30 to 40 feet, of irregular distribution in open savannah
forests, fairly common between Yola and Bornu as well as in Southern
Sokoto. It has light, silky foliage, flowers in pendulous, creamy spikes,
and dark, almost black, bark. The hard wood is used for handles
of axes and hoes.
Prosopis oblonga, Benth. Kiriya.
A common tree of the savannah region, extending beyond the
Anglo-French boundary, but better developed in the Benué region,
where fair timber specimens occur. The wood is hard, with red centre
wood, and takes a beautiful polish. It is recognized by its acacia-
like foliage, spikes of creamy flowers and stout brown pods, with seeds
sometimes used like those of Dorowa.
Bauhinia reticulata, DC. Kargo.
A shrub or small tree, one of the commonest constituents of the
bush savannahs; readily recognized by the cleft leaves, rusty bark
208 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
and flat, twisted pods. The tough bark forms an emergency tie-tie,
and its long vast fibres furnish strong cordage, which is its chief use
in Northern Nigeria. The bark and leaves, containing tannin, have
astringent uses.
Acacia Sieberiana, DC. Fara kaya, or “‘ White Thorn Acacia.”
A very widely distributed species in the déciduous zone, not usually
gregarious and occasionally flat-topped. It is easily recognized by
its generally dark foliage and pale bark, the flowers not yellow, but
in small, creamy-white balls, and by the long white thorns. It yields
a soluble gum, which is perhaps not of the best quality.
Acacia Arabica, Willd. Bagaruwa; Indian ‘‘ Babool.”
One of the commonest species, especially in the northern Hausa
States and Bornu, and a source of gum arabic. The flowers are in
bright yellow balls and the foliage is a good camel food. The jointed
pods are “Sant” or “ Gambia ” pods, used all over the Soudan for
tanning.
Acacia Senegalensis, Willd. Dakwora.
Usually only a shrub, not often over 10 feet, sometimes gregarious,
and characteristic of the thin bush savannahs; it has grey bark,
flowers in white spikes, and three sharp recurved stipular hco at
the base of each leaf.
This species yields probably the best gum from Senegal to &y
and the root-bark affords a very tough fibre.
Acacia albida, Del., var. saccharata, Benth. Gawo.
A fair-sized tree, confined to the open dry country in the North,
extending into French territory, and an important camel food, but not
a gum yielder. The flowers are in creamy-white spikes and the pods
are yellow and twisted. It is peculiarly deciduous in the wet season,
and bursts into foliage just at the cessation of the rains.
Acacia Seyal, Del. Dussa; ‘“ Talh of the Soudan.”
A rather small tree, not often over 20 feet, but gregarious and
very abundant in North-east Hausaland and Bornu, less common,
but local, in Sokoto, etc. It has a yellow or ochrey bark, white
thorns and brilliant yellow balls of flowers, and the pods are narrow,
sickle-curved and constricted between the seeds. The gum is of good
quality, but not equal to that of A. Senegal.
Acacia campylacantha, Hochst. “ Farichin shafu ” (=Falcon’s claw).
A fairly tall tree with white flower-spikes and strongly curved
spines suggesting the native name. It is sometimes gregarious in
limited forest patches, and the gum is said to be good in colour,
cleanliness, etc.
Fic. 42.—Giginya or ‘‘ Fan Palm ’’ (Borassus flabellifer, var. Zthiopum), with
Water-lilies (Nymphzacee).
To face p. 208.
NIGERIA 209
Albizzia Chevalieri, G. et P. Katsari.
: A tree of 30 to 40 feet, common in the more open savannah forma-
tions, especially in the northern districts. It has whitish flower-balls,
with long, pinkish stamens and thin, flat pods. The bark is sometimes
used for tanning. :
Entada Sudanica, Schweinf. Tawatsa.
A small tree of the savannah forests and open plains, easily dis-
tinguished by the peculiar jointed pods, each embossed seed section
falling out and leaving the empty marginal frame. The flowers are
in yellowish axillary spikes, generally two or three together.
Mimosa asperata, Linn. Kaidaji.
Forms dense thorny thickets fringing the open bush streams.
The flowers are in pinkish balls, and the leaves possess the sensitive
quality in a mild degree.
Lophira alata, Banks (Ochnacez). Mijin kade.
An “ African Oak” and one of the most familiar trees of the
savannah forests and open country. It is apparently very similar
to Lophira procera, the “‘ Red Ironwood ”’ timber tree of the southern
forests ; frequently stunted by forest fires. The seeds yield an oil and
the bark is medicinal. The flowers are in handsome white panicles,
appearing about November or December, and the leaf and habit often
give it an appearance resembling the Shea Butter Tree, but the leaf
is beautiful and finely veined. An extraordinary fact is the wide-
spread belief of pagan tribes in the efficiency of the leaf as a charm.
Eriodendron orientale, Steud. (Malvacez). Rimi; “‘ Silk-cotton Tree.”
A giant in the evergreen forests, and still a comparative giant in
the dry zone. In Northern Hausa towns the only very tall trees are
Rimi; the wood is light and the stems are sometimes hollowed out
for canoes: the floss of the seeds is Kapok, and has the usual local
uses. Barth says its distribution eastwards stops at 11° East
longitude, and that it is therefore absent from Bornu proper.
Northwards it apparently scarcely extends beyond the Anglo-
French boundary.
Bombazx buonopozense, Beauv. Gurjiya; ‘‘ Red-flowered Silk-cotton
Tree.”
A member of the evergreen forests, but quite a common tree of the
open country and savannah forests, sometimes more or less gregarious,
and extending at least beyond the Anglo-French border. It reaches
about 40 feet or more in height, with crowded spines on the bark and
tulip-like red flowers appearing during the deciduous period, generally
after the middle of December and in January.
14
210 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Adansonia digitata, B. Juss. Kuka; ‘“ Baobab.”
A characteristic tree of the dry savannah regions, often grouped
in inhabited areas, with enormously stout stems, but in height limited
to 40 to 60 feet. Specimens of 30 to 40 feet girth are not quite un-
common, the swollen stem, with soft, spongy wood, being an adaptation
to a dry climate, by storing water to meet excessive transpiration
by the leaves.
The bark is smooth and often has a shiny purplish tinge. Apart
from fibre from both bark and wood, the dry fruit pulp and the seeds
are prepared in various ways as food and drink. Large specimens
are still found at Maradi, north of the Sokoto boundary, but chiefly
stunted trees are met with at Zinder.
Sterculia. tomentosa, G. et P. (Sterculiacez). Kukuki.
A member of the semi-evergreen forests and common also in the
dry zone as a medium-sized tree with soft, palmate-shaped leaves and
pods four or five together, splitting to expose the black seeds with
yellow arils. A watery juice from the bark refreshes thirsty travellers
and a kind of gum tragacanth exudes from the trunk.
Hannoa undulata, Planch. (Simarubee). Namijin gwabsa or Takan-
dar giwa. (One of two species called by the latter name, vide
Cussonia.)
A common tree of no great size in the savannah forest. The leaves
are pinnate, with five to seven leaflets on long stalks, the flowers, in
creamy, fragrant panicles, appearing in October or November, and the
fruit is a black plum with unpleasant taste.
Irvingia Smithii, Hook. fil.
A tree of evergreen and mixed deciduous forests which invades
the ravines and fringing belts in the savannah region as far at least
as Kontagora. In the Benué region it is a fairly large tree of 40 feet
or more, often gregarious, as in a patch of moist forest opposite Katsina
Allah, along with Pterocarpus esculentus. The scarlet fruits are known
as Goron ruwa or Goron biri (i.e. Water or Monkey Kola), and are
eaten by monkeys.
Balanites Aigyptiaca, Del. Aduwa; ‘“‘ Desert Date.”
Typical of the Soudan and of the northern drier provinces of Nigeria
and extending into French territory ; characterized by its bifoliate
deciduous leaves, spiny habit in dry soil and evergreen bark. The
yellow oval fruit has a thin layer of sugary, bitter-sweet pulp, and the
kernel yields Betu oil.
Boswellia odorata, Hutch., and B. Daizielii, Hutch. (Burseracee).
Hano or Ararabi.
Two new species of “Frankincense Tree,” yielding a fragrant
NIGERIA 211
gum resin. They reach 30 feet or so in height, have white bark which
peels off in thin sheets, racemes of white flowers and pinnate leaves
with serrate leaflets.
Commiphora Kerstingii, Engl. Dali or Bazana.
A small tree, commonly used as a fence support around native
compounds. The bark is smooth and green, and the soft wood can
be hollowed out for quivers.
Balsamodendron Africanum, A. Rich. Dashi.
A shrub commoner in the northern regions, extending beyond the
Anglo-French boundary. In arid regions it forms a good hedge, with
some resemblance to the blackthorn. The leaves and bark are fragrant,
and it yields a gum resin which is a variety of African myrrh.
Khaya Senegalensis, A. Juss. (Meliacez). Madachi; ‘‘ West African
Mahogany ” of the dry zone.
A large tree for the dry savannah region, but one of the smaller
of the mahoganies. In the North, where dry conditions prevail, it
tends to favour the banks of streams or the edges of marshy meadows,
and is never buttressed, but often acquires a good spreading crown.
Good timber specimens have been found on the Gurara River, but
apart from this, and perhaps some other favoured localities, it does
not as a rule exceed about 4 feet to 4} feet in girth. It occurs from
Gambia to Nigeria and Kamerun, and is again found as a West African
element in the flora of Uganda and Mozambique. Northwards it
reaches North Sokoto, but apparently does not extend to Zinder.
The bark is a reputed bitter tonic in native medicine.
Pseudocedrela Kotschyi, Harms. Toman or Tonas; ‘“‘ Dry-zone Cedar.”
In Northern Nigeria this is rarely more than a small to medium-
sized tree of 20 to 30 feet, and not usually of good straight growth,
probably from the effect of annual fires, but yielding a fine wood.
The leaflets are undulate-margined, the flowers are in graceful panicles,
appearing about February and March, and the dry, erect capsules,
full of winged seeds, split from above downwards in five valves. Occa-
sionally little copses of the species occur, as it seeds freely and numerous
seedlings arise—most of them, however, doomed to perish in the next
bush-fire. In protected localities it might be fostered into a useful
timber tree. Natives find various medicinal uses for the bark.
Trichilia emetica, Vahl. Jan sayi.
A fairly common tree across Central Hausaland, not often much
over 20 feet in height. It has medicinal properties ; the white flowers
are fragrant and used to rub the teeth, and the seeds yield a less
important oil.
212 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Trichilia retusa, Oliv.
A large timber tree with tall, straight stems, found in the Benué
region. The flowers are white, appearing about January, in axillary
racemes or below the leaves ; the leaflets are generally five or three,
with wide, shallow indentation at the tip.
Odina Barterit (Anacardiacer). Faru.
A fair-sized deciduous tree of the savannah forests, with pinnate
pubescent leaves and inconspicuous flowers in pendulous, clustered
racemes. It yields a sort of resin, and the small fruits, tipped with
four sharp points, are eaten by birds.
? Spondias sp. Danya.
A very common tree of the drier savannah forests, very abundant
in the North; it has light foliage of pinnate leaves with small
leaflets and a yellow, very pleasantly flavoured fruit, with a tough rind
like that of the mango. The fruits litter the ground in the months
of May and June. The wood is very hard and used for making a heavy
kind of basin known as akushi.
Anogeissus leiocarpus, G. et P. (Combretacex). Marike.
This is one of the “‘ Chew-sticks ” of Yoruba, and while occurring
in fringing forests and evergreen patches, it is very common in the open
savannah regions, but probably does not extend beyond the northern
boundary. It may be 50 feet in height, and possesses light, graceful
foliage, pale bark and small yellowish flowers in globose heads, forming
tiny dry two-winged fruits. It affords an inferior gum and is much
used medicinally.
Terminalia sp., near 7’. macroptera, G. et P. Baushe.
A fairly large tree, 40 feet or more in height, with the oval winged
and embossed fruits of the genus, along with its congeners, e.g. 7’.
Elliotit, Engl. and Diels, T. Bawmanii, Engl. and Diels, etc., very
abundant and typical of the savannahs of Northern Nigeria. Bows
and sticks are made from the roots.
Terminalia macroptera, G. et P. Kandari.
A smaller tree with much broader leaves, typical of open park-
like formations.
Combretum spp.
Several arborescent species of Combretum are truly characteristic
of the open and bush savannahs, and are well represented even in the
northern parts, where, however, in some districts, they are replaced
by Acacias. They are practically all gum-bearing; the flowers are
small and yellowish in axillary spikes, but the genus is generally
NIGERIA 2138
easily recognized by the fruits having four papery wings and the usually
whorled arrangement of the leaves. The Northern Nigerian species
have not all been fully determined, and the native names are at present
somewhat confused and may include more than one species. Most of
them in this region are shrubs or small trees, occasionally reaching
30 feet or so, with smooth or hoary foliage. The Taramniya is
generally C. leonense, Engl. and Diels; the Chiriri of Sogoto includes
probably C. Hartmannianum, Schweinf., and other species ; the Dalo
is C. glutinosum, Perr., or near it.
Parinarium curatellefolium, Planch (Rosacez). Rura.
A small tree, very common in the bush and forest savannah, usually
only about 10 to 15 feet high, with pale leaves and a dry, pear-like
fruit. Of its congeners, P. macrophyllum, Sabine, the Gawasa or
Gingerbread Plum, is its representative in most northerly provinces,
and P. polyandrum, Benth., with grape-like bunches of purple not
edible fruit, is common in the southern parts of the deciduous region.
Eugenia Owariensis, Beauv. (Myrtaceze). Malmo.
A small tree, generally about 20 to 30 feet in height and always
found in moist places, by streams, ete. It has shining, odorous foliage,
white, fragrant flower-clusters, and a small black-purple, succulent
fruit.
Cussonia Nigerica, Hutch. (Araliacer). Gwabsa or Takandar giwa.
A new species, occurring in the open and bush savannahs as a small
tree from 10 to 15 feet in height, with peculiar bare, raking branches,
producing at their ends clusters of digitate leaves or of long catkin-
like spikes of inconspicuous flowers. Incisions in the rough, fissured
bark yield a clear gum. (For the native name compare Hannoa
undulata.)
Crateva Adansonii, G. et P. (Capparidez). Ingidido.
A small tree, occasionally 20 feet high, fairly abundant in the North,
of local distribution and common in towns. The leaves are trifoliate
and can be used as a vegetable; the flowers are white and the fruit
yellow, spherical, and about the size of a small orange.
Zizyphus spina-Christi, Wilid. (Rhamnacee). Kurna.
A small tree characteristic of the dry open regions and commonly
planted in northern towns. It is generally about 10 to 20 feet high,
spiny, with leaves three-nerved, and a rather dry, edible berry of
pleasant taste.
Z. lujuba, Lam., is the Magariya, and is similar, but in these regions
generally has less of a stem and is more shrubby and thorny, and is
not, as a rule, planted, though the fruit is even pleasanter.
214 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Sarcocephalus Russegeri (Rubiacex). Tafashia.
A shrub, or occasionally a small tree, common in moist meadows, but
found also in the open dry bush. The flowers are in rather large
creamy balls, and the coarse red, succulent fruit is the analogue of
the Sierra Leone peach, S. esculentus, Afzel, which grows to a large
tree in the evergreen forests.
Mitragyne Africana, Korth. Giyaiya.
This is a characteristic tree of swampy areas in the deciduous
regions, found by streams and marshes or forming island-clumps with
a few lesser shrubs and weeds in the grassy meadows, which dry up
in the rainless months. It is generally from 20 to 30 feet in height
and has close, spherical heads of whitish flowers and smooth, but not
shining, leaves with regular venation.
Crossopteryx Kotschyana, Fenzl. Kasfiya.
Asmall tree of 15 to 20 feet, with foliage resembling that of Giyaiya,
bunches of whitish flowers, and abundant small black, pill-like fruits,
which remain attached long after they are ripe.
Adina microcephala, Hiern. Kadanyar rafi.
A fairly tall tree of 30 to 40 feet, found in stream-banks in the
savannah region. It has whitish balls of flowers and tapering smooth
leaves.
Morelia Senegalensis, A. Rich. Innuwar bauna.
An evergreen shrub 10 to 20 feet high, common on stream-banks,
and found both in the semi-evergreen forests and in the fringing belts
of the deciduous region. The flowers are white and somewhat fragrant,
and the fruit is spherical, tipped by the tubular remains of the calyx.
Butyrospermum Parkii, Kotschii. (Sapotacee). Kadanya; “Shea
Butter Tree.”
A typical tree of the savannah hinterlands, and one which gives
the park-like character to many parts of Northern Nigeria, it barely
extends to the northern boundary, and is rarer on the Bornu side. It
is generally 25 to 30 feet high or more, with a dense crown and a
curiously corrugated bark. Flowers, in white, head-like clusters
generally appear about December. The brown, chestnut-like kernels
are ripe about July. The milky juice and the coarser venation of
the leaves readily distinguish this tree from Lophira alata.
Diospyros mespeliformis, Hochst. (Ebenacee). Kanya or Kaiwa;
“ African Ebony.”
A fairly large tree, up to about 40 feet in height, in the savannah
forests and open country, extending north to beyond the Anglo-French
NIGERIA 215
boundary, larger in the mixed deciduous forests farther south and in
fringing evergreen belts. The foliage is dark and the bark blackish ;
the inconspicuous whitish flowers, of separate sexes on different trees,
are attractive to bees. The wood is white, with a black heartwood,
and the spherical yellow fruits (“‘ Monkey Guava’) have a crisp rind
and sweet edible pulp, with four or five seeds.
Strychnos spinosa, Lam. (Loganiacee). Kokiya.
A small thorny tree with opposite three- to five-nerved leaves,
conspicuous by its round yellow fruit, which is orange-like, but has a
hard rind and flat seeds embedded in a pleasant acid edible pulp.
Cordia Abyssinica, R. Br. (Boraginezx). Aliliba.
A shrub or small tree with broad leaves and white flowers, valued
for the sweet yellow berries, which are used in making sweetmeats.
Kigelia Aithiopica, Decne.; var. Bornuensis, Sprague (Bignoniacez).
Rahaina or Rawuya.
A species of ‘“‘ Sausage Tree,” of irregular distribution in Northern
Nigeria, known in Sokoto, etc., but commoner in the Benué region
and in Bornu (possibly more than one species occurring). It grows to
a fairly large size, with dense foliage and pendulous racemes of lurid
purple and spotted flowers and large, yam-like fruits.
Stereospermum Kunthianum, Cham. Jiri or Sansami.
A small tree of the savannah forests, with smooth pale bark,
beautiful pink caducous blossoms and long slender pods.
Vitex Cienkowskit, Kotschii et Peyr. (Verbenacex). Dinya.
A fairly large tree, chiefly of open forest country and extending
at least as far as the Anglo-French border. The bark is somewhat
smooth, the crown of digitate leaves fairly dense, and the black, damson-
like fruits are used in making molasses and sweetmeats. The natives
value the wood as strong and suitable for local use.
Uapaca Guineensis, Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiacez). Ka Jafogo. i:
In the open country a rather small tree, with the habit of a Ficus,
but becoming a large tree, sometimes prop-rooted, in the Benué region
and in some ravines.
Chlorophora excelsa, Benth. and Hook. (Moracee). The “ Iroko ”
or “ Odum.”
Some of the splendid Nupé canoes are made of this, but the tree
really belongs to the southern forests, though it occurs in the Benué
region and perhaps in some northward extensions in river valleys.
216 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Celtis integrifolia, Lam. Zuwo or Dukki.
This is a fairly large tree of the savannah forest region, found as far
north at least as Sokoto. The leaves are edible and are used as fodder.
Ficus or Urostigma spp.
This genus has not yet been fully elaborated, and the native names
cannot in all cases be definitely applied to distinct botanical species.
The following appear to be fairly established: Chediya, Ficus
Thonningii, Bl., one of the commonest shade trees, planted in towns
and abundant far North in French territory ; Durumi, F. syringifolia,
Warb., perhaps equally common, with shining heart-shaped and
pointed leaves; Baure, F'. gnaphalocarpa, A. Rich. (the rough-leaved
species with soft figs which are sometimes considered edible) ; Uwar
yara, F. Capensis, Thunb. (sensu lato), recognized by the wavy or
indented-margined leaves, and especially by the figs being borne in
dense clusters on the trunk; Gamji, F. platyphylla, Del. (the source
of ‘‘ Red Kano Rubber” and the host of one of the wild silkworms,
Anaphe sp.). Kawuri probably includes F. kawuri, Hutch., and F.
glumosa, Del. Wa is a species with broadly cordate leaves, strongly
veined, and Shirinya is a narrow-leaved species. F'. Vogelii, Mig., is
a glossy-leaved rubber-tree, more abundant in ravines and in the
moister forests farther South.
The Gamji and Shirinya, and perhaps some of the others, almost
invariably begin life as epiphytes.
Most of the species have abundant aerial rootlets, and the latex
of F. Vogelit, of Gamji, and perhaps of Kawuri and Shirinya, yields
rubber of varying quality.
Raphia vinifera, P. Beauv. (Palmez). Tukuruwa; ‘“ Bamboo Palm,”
“Wine Palm.”
This well-known palm is found in ravines in the savannah region
as far as Zaria province, but is a proper member of swampy patches
and moist forests of the South. Roofing poles and palm-wine are
its products most used in the North.
Borassus flabellifer, var. Aithiopum, Warb. Giginya; ‘‘ Deleb,”
“ Palmyra” or “ Fan Palm.”
The most characteristic palm of Hausaland, with tall, straight
and often beaded stems. The germinating shoots from the planted
nuts are a vegetable called murucht, and the wood and leaves have the
familiar uses in house-building, mat and basket weaving, etc.
Hyphene Thebaica, Mart. Goriba; ‘‘ Dum ” or “ Gingerbread Palm.”
The typical palm of the more northerly Hausa provinces, character-
ized by its forked stems and obliquely fan-shaped leaves. The kernel
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Phenix dactylifera, Linn. Dabino; ‘“ Date Palm.”
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APPENDIX III
IMPORTS OF TIMBER INTO NIGERIA
Vigedangmimber Bowes | superficial Feet. é
1
1910 5,754,135 34,166
1911 3,246,924 35,920
1912 3,915,004 37,904
1913 4,531,262 43,157
1914 6,094,126 54,673
1915 4,194,935 45,027
1916 Information not yet available _
ToTaLs . | 27,736,386 £250,847
2%
APPENDIX IV
NIGERIAN TREES PROTECTED UNDER THE
FORESTRY ORDINANCE
‘With the gracious permission of the Nigerian Forest Department
and the Nigerian Government a copy of the schedule of protected
trees under the Nigerian Forestry Ordinance has been inserted here.
SCHEDULE A
PROTECTED TREES
Ist CLass TREES.
Fee, 46s.; Royalty, 10s.; Total, 56s. per tree.
(2) 11 feet minimum girth limit.
Khaya. All species except K. Senegalensis. |Mahoganies.
Ogangwo (Yoruba); Gedu (Benin); Digiten (Brass); Dirinshi
and QOdala (Ibo); Efriyo-moniba (Efik).
Entandrophragma. All species, scented Mahoganies. Ijebo
(Yoruba); Onomokyukyu and Ikwapobo (Benin); Eden (Efik) ;
Etori (Ekoi).
Chlorophora excelsa. Iroko (Yoruba); Iroko (Benin); Odji
(Ibo); Nsan (Ekoi); Efriyo (Efik).
(b) 10 feet minimum girth limit.
Gaurea Thompsonii. Walnuts. Obobonikwi (Benin).
Gaurea. All other species.
Lovoa Klaineana. Anamomila (Benin).
(c) 8 feet minimum girth limit.
Sarcocephalus esculentus. Moist forest form. Opepe (Yoruba) ;
Obiache (Benin); Owessu (Brass); Awesu (Jekri).
(2) 6 feet minimum girth limit.
Funtumia elastica. Rubber trees.
Ficus Vogeliz.
(f) No minimum girth limit.
Elais Guineensis. Oil Palm.
998
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NIGERIA ‘229
2np Ciass TREES.
Fee, 288.; Royalty, 8s. ; Total, 36s. per tree.
(6) 10 feet minimum girth limit.
Mimusops Djave. Efam (Efik); Mfam (Ekoi); Ungu (Ibo).
Canarium Schweinfurthii. Eben-etridon (Efik); Njasun (Ekoi).
Detarium Guineensis.
Piptadenia Africana. Agboin (Yoruba); Chen (Ibo); Ekhimi
(Benin); Sanga (Ijaw).
Cylicodiscus Gabunensis. Anyan (Efik); Okan (Benin); Aja-igi
or Olosan (Yoruba).
Agba of the Benis. Mobonran (Ijaw).
(d) 7 feet minimum girth limit.
Afzelia Africana.’ Apa (Yoruba); Kanwo (Hausa) ; Adja (Ibo) ;
Ayin-bukbo (Efik); Aligna or Adya (Benin).
Blighia sapida. Ishin (Yoruba); Alale or Gwanja-kusa (Hausa).
Lophira procera. Eki (Yoruba); Eba (Benin); Kuru (Ijaw) ;
Umowenek (Efik).
Tamarindus Indicus.2, Tsamia (Hausa).
(e) 6 feet minimum girth limit.
Mimusops multinervis. Emido (Yoruba); Apassa (Efik).
3rp Ciass TREES.
Fee, 18s.; Royalty, 6s.; Total, 24s. per tree.
(6) 10 feet minimum girth limit.
Santirtopsis Klaineana. Incense Tree. Odonomo-kyu-kyu (Benin).
Poga oleosa. Inoi (Efik); Inyere (Ekoi); Imonor (Ibo).
Brachystegia spiceformis. Ako or, Eku (Yoruba); Akpakpa
(Ibo) ; Ukung (Efik).
(c) 6 feet minimum girth limit.
Carapa. All species. Ibegogo (Benin).
Albizzia fastigiata. Ayinre-eta (Yoruba).
Albizzia Brownti. Ayinre-bonabona (Yoruba).
Pterocarpus tinctorius. Camwood. Ukpa (Efik) ; Nkohen (Ekoi) ;
Uhie (Ibo); Auchi (Brass).
Pterocarpus Osun. Barwood. Osun (Yoruba); Ukpa (Efik).
Khaya Senegalensis. Dry-zone Mahogany. Ogangwo (Yoruba) ;
Madachi (Hausa).
Erythrophleum Guineense. Sasswood. Erun (Yoruba); Ifwan
(Efik) ; Inyi (Ibo); Gwaska (Hausa).
Erythrophleum micranthum. Thi (Ekoi); Iringi (Ibo).
1 4th class in Northern Provinces. ® 6th class in Southern Provinces.
230 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Schrebera Golungensis. Opele (Yoruba).
Afrormosia laxiflora. Yellow Satin Wood. Ainyesan (Benin).
Parkia biglobosa.+
Parkia filicoidea.| Darowa (Hausa); Irugba (Yoruba).
Pseudocedrela Kotschyi.2 Tuna (Hausa); Emigbegi (Yoruba).
Irvingia Barterti. Oro (Yoruba); Okherli (Benin).
Mammea sp. Bolo (Ijaw); Bolo (Brass).
Casearia sp. Ebo (Yoruba).
Otutu of the Yorubas. Aiye (Ondo).
Klaineodoxa Gabonensis. Alukon-raba (Yoruba) ; Ifainaki (Egba) ;
Odudu (Ondo).
Diospyros.2 Ebonies. Kainya (Hausa).
4rH Ciass TREES,
Fee, 9s.; Royalty, 38. ; Total, 12s. per tree.
(c) 8 feet minimum girth limit.
Terminalia. All species except 7. Togoensis.
Terminalia Superba. Afara (Yoruba).
Uputtu of the Benis.
Diospyros dendo. Obiletu (Efik).
Diospyros mespiliformis. Kanran (Yoruba).
Diospyros Mombutiensis. Ogan-pupa (Yoruba).
Diospyros atropurpurea.
Diospyros crassiflora. Aborpor (Benin).
Cordia Millenit. Omo (Yoruba).
Triplochiton Johnsonii. Arere (Yoruba); Obeche (Benin).
Triplochiton Nigericwm. Arere (Yoruba).
Mitragyne macrophyllu. Uwen (Efik); Ebar (Brass); Ebar
(Ibo); Abura (Yoruba).
Daniellia Ogea. Ojia (Yoruba); Udeni (Ibo); Ozia (Benin).
Yinrin-yiniin of Ijaws and Ikales.
Jebere of the Ondos. Alofin (Jebu).
(e) 6 feet minimum girth limit.
Berlinia acuminata. Apado (Yoruba); Ekpogoi (Benin).
Berlinia auriculata.
Cordia. All species except C. Millenii. Aliliba (Hausa).
Pausinystalia sp. Idagbon (Ondo) ; Wenren-wenren (Jebu).
Microdesmis sp.
Ohiomo of the Benis.
1 4th class in Northern Provinces. 2 5th class in Southern Provinces.
3 4th class in Southern Provinces.
NIGERIA 231
Ewai of the Benis.
Spondias sp. Ekika-aja, Opon (Yoruba).
Saxzoglottis Gabunensis. Ndat (Efik); Tala (Ibo); Tala (Brass) ;
Edat (Ekoi); Atala (Yoruba).
Sarcocephalus sp. Opepe-ira (Yoruba).
Pycnanthus Kombo. Akomu (Yoruba).
Oromosia monophylla. Akoriko (Yoruba).
Ashasha of the Yoruba.
Alstonia Congensis. Awun, Ahon (Yoruba); Dubu (Brass) ;
Eba (Ibo).
Parkia filicoidea.' Danowa (Hausa).
Parkia biglobosa.’
Acacia.” All species. Gabarua (Hausa).
Butyrospermum Parkii. Shea Butter. Emi-emi (Yoruba) ;
Kadanya (Hausa).
Pterocarpus erinaceus. Apepe, Ara (Yoruba); Madobia (Hausa).
5TH Ciass TREES.
Fee, 4s. 6d.; Royalty, 1s. 6d.; Total, 6s. per tree.
(b) 10 feet minimum girth limit.
Eriodendron. All species. Silk Cotton Tree. Araba (Yoruba) ;
Ukum (Efik); Shakka (Brass); Okha (Benin); Akpe (Ibo); Rimi
(Hausa).
Bombaz. All species.
Antiaris toxicaria. Oro (Yoruba); Nuwo (Ekoi); Odjiwawa
(Ibo).
(c) 8 feet minimum girth limit.
Iya-Igbo of the Yorubas.
(e) 6 feet minimum girth limit.
Tetrapleura Thonningii. Aridan (Yoruba); Dawo (Hausa).
Erythrina. All species except E. Senegalensis.
Paradaniellia Oliveri. Balsam Copaiba Tree. Iya (Yoruba).
Pentaclethra macrophylla. Apara (Yoruba); Ukana (Efik) ;
Ukpakara (Brass).
Lonchocarpus Zenkeri.
Daniellia. All species except D. Ogea. Gum Copal Trees. Iya
(Yoruba).
Cynometra. All species.
Ricinodendron Africana. Erimmado (Yoruba); Okwen (Benin).
Uapaca Guineensis. Tle (Ibo).
Uapaca Staudtii. Akun (Yoruba).
1 3rd class in Southern Provinces. 2 7th class in Southern Provinces.
282 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Garcinia sp. Agberibede (Yoruba).
Scottelia Kamerunensis. Okilolo (Ijaw).
Oropa of the Yorubas. Odoko (Yoruba).
Erohun of the Ikales.
(f) 4 feet minimum girth limit.
Xylia Evansii.
Trichilia Heudelotit.
Pseudocedrela Kotschyi.1 Emigbegi (Yoruba).
Ukpi-nikwi of the Benis. Enyin Mbukpo (Efik).
6TH CLass TREES.
Fee, 2s. 6d.; Royalty, 6d.; Total, 38. per tree.
(c) 8 feet minimum girth limit.
Sterculia cordata. Ogugu (Yoruba).
(e) 6 feet minimum girth limit.
Sterculia oblonga.
Pentadesma butyracea. Candle Tree. Udia Ebiong (Efik).
Adina microcephala.2, Kadanyar rafi (Hausa).
Anogeissus leiocarpus. Ayin (Yoruba); Marike (Hausa).
Isoberlinia.2 Both species. Doka (Hausa).
(f) 4 feet minimum girth limit.
Chrysophyllum. All species. Osan (Yoruba).
Polyadoa umbellata.
Baphia nitida. Irosun (Yoruba).
Baphia pubescens. Ubara (Efik).
Baphia polygalacea. Mbomo-nkuku (Efik).
Parinarium macrophyllum. Gawasa (Hausa).
Parinarium mobola.
Funtumia Africana. Ako-ire (Yoruba); Bassa-bassa (Benin).
Tamarindus Indicus.? Tsamia (Hausa).
Eugenia Owariensis. Malmo (Hausa).
Vitex, All species.
Sterculia Barteriit. Eso (Yoruba).
Lophira alata. Ipawhaw (Yoruba); Namijin-kadai (Hausa).
Xanthoxylon Senegalensis. Ata (Yoruba); Fasa-kwari (Hausa).
Spondias lutea. Hog Plum. Iyeye (Yoruba); Tsada-Masar
(Hausa).
Cola. All species.
Ita of the Yorubas.
Hannoa Klaineana. Igbo (Yoruba).
Macrolobium. All species.
1 3rd class in Northern Provinces.
2 3 feet minimum girth in Northern Provinces.
3 2nd class in Northern Provinces,
NIGERIA 288
Ormosia laxiflora.’ Ba-fini, Makarfo (Hausa); Shedun (Yoruba).
Prosopis oblonga. Kirya (Hausa).
Lonchocarpus sericeus. Ipapo (Yoruba); Njassi (Ibo); Obong
(Efik).
Dialium Guineense. Awin (Yoruba); Ohiorme (Benin),
(f) 3 feet minimum girth limit.
Adina microcephala.2, Kadanyar Rafi (Hausa).
Isoberlinia.? All species. Doka (Hausa).
Ormosia laziflora.* Makarfo (Hausa).
(g) No minimum girth limit.
Borassus Aithiopica. The Fan Palm. Giginya (Hausa).
7taH Ciass TREES.
Fees, Nil, except when taken under a Fuel Permit.
(g) No minimum girth limit.
Acacia. All species, when in Southern Provinces.
Anona. All species. Afe (Yoruba); Gwandar-daji (Hausa).
Conopharyngia. All species.
Deinbolia insignis.
Erythrina Senegalensie. Majiriya (Hausa).
Garoinia conrauana, Efiari (Efik); Odji (Brass).
Hannoa undulata. Ikwepokin (Benin).
Holarrhena Wulfsbergit.
Kigelia pinnata.
Millettia Thonningii.
Musanga Smithii. Umbrella Tree. Aga (Yoruba); Uno (Efik) ;
Oro (Brass).
Pachylobus edulis. Eben (Efik).
Parinarium. All species except those detailed in 6th class.
Pterocarpus esculentus. Gedar-kurumi (Hausa); Gbingbin
(Yoruba).
Ochna multiflora. Toi-tsi (Ibo).
Rauwolfia vomitoria.
Spathodea. All species.
Sterculia, All other species except those detailed in other classes.
Terminalia Togoensis.
Treculia Africana. Afon (Yoruba).
Xylopia Aithiopica. Eru (Yoruba); Kimba (Hausa).
Chrysobalanus Icaco. Ikate (Yoruba).
feet minimum girth in Northern Provinces.
13
2 6 feet minimum girth in Southern Provinces.
3 4 feet minimum girth in Southern Provinces.
234 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
8TH CLass TREES.
Minimum girth limit, 12 inches.
Fees—On trees over 24 inches in girth, 6d. per tree.
On trees 12 to 24 inches in girth, 3d. per tree.
Rhizophora racemosa. Red Mangrove. Egba (Yoruba).
Rhizophora mangle. Red Mangrove.
Avicennia Africana: White Mangrove. Ofun (Yoruba).
For the purposes of this schedule, the girths must be measured
at a vertical distance of 4 feet 6 inches from the ground at the foot
of the tree, or in the case of buttressed trees at the place where the
highest buttress merges into the stem.
SCHEDULE B
PROTECTED MINOR FOREST PRODUCE
Ist Cuass.
Fee, 15s.; Royalty, 5s.; Total, 203. per permit.
Rubber—taken from wild rubber-yielding trees and vines.
2np Cass.
Fee, 7s. 6d.; Royalty, 2s. 6d.; Total, 10s. per permit.
Bamboo poles—taken from the midribs of the Tombo palm (Raphia
vinifera) or other species of Raphia. Piassava fibre from the stem
and midribs (leaf stalks) of the Raphia and other species of palms.
And in the Northern Provinces :
Poles, gofas, etc., not to exceed 6 inches in diameter, taken from
Isoberlinia sp., Anogeissus leiocarpus, Ormosia laxiflora, Lophira alata
or Pterocarpus erinaceus. °
3RD CLASS.
Fee, 48. 6d.; Royalty, 1s. 6d.; Total, 6s. per permit.
Chew-sticks—or native tooth-brushes taken from the roots of
the Iyin tree (Anogeissus letocarpus).
Native sponges—made from the bast fibres of various species
of vines and lianes.
Pandanus fibre (from the screw pine) and the leaf stalk of all
species of Phrynium, taken for the manufacture of mats.
Gum copal.
Gum arabic—and other gums procured from Acacias,
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CHAPTER IX
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES
INDIGENOUS TREES OF NIGERIA
B. SouTHERN PROVINCES.
Palme.
Raphia Hookeriana. Hooker’s Palm or the Piassava Palm. Aiko
(Yoruba); Iya (Efik); Angor (Benin); Ori (Oban, Ekoi).
It is found chiefly in the Calabar, Warri, and Ondo provinces
of Nigeria, mixed with R. vinifera at the edges of estuaries
and rivers in the evergreen forest zone.
One of the main differences between this palm and R. vini-
fera is that the fruit is much shorter (at the most 1} inches
long and 3 inch in diameter) and more stumpy in shape, coming
abruptly to a point at the tip. 2. vinifera, on the other hand,
is much longer, reaching 2} to 3 inches in length and ? inch to an
inch in diameter, and it is very elliptical in shape. The bunches
of fruit of this palm, R. Hookeriana, are much smaller, rarely
exceeding more than a foot in length, and containing 50 to
75 nuts, whereas R. vinifera may have bunches 3 feet long,
each containing 500 nuts or more. In the stem, too, this palm is
smaller, often not reaching more than 6 to 9 inches in diameter,
with a total height of 20 feet, whereas R. vinifera will reach
over a foot in diameter and a total height of over 60 feet.
The natural cleaning of the stem begins much later in this
palm, and does not reach anything like the height of that of
R. vinifera. In many specimens, in fact, the stem remains
always more or less covered with the very upward tending
branches. In this respect it reminds one a little of R. Ruffia.
The leaves, however, are more similar to R. vinifera, but only
about half the size, especially in length ; they are not quite so
wide, nor are the leaf stalks quite so large.
The timber is very similar, but more fibrous and of a looser
texture than that of R. vinifera. It is a little easier to cut.
In the older specimens the foliage still retains its dark
green colour compared with the dry, yellowish; hue which
R. vinifera takes on as it gets older. It is a somewhat slow-
235
236 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
growing, shade-bearing tree. It likes a somewhat rich soil, but
can, however, stand in water, and apparently withstands floods.
Natural regeneration appears to be good.
The timber has not been cut for export nor for local use.
The fronds are occasionally used for a similar purpose as that
of R. vinifera, and sometimes the leaves also.
Native Use.—The fronds and leaves are used in a similar
way to those of R. vinifera. The base of the leaf stalk is cut
off into lengths up to 6 feet (it almost encircles the tree and
extends much further up than in the case of R. vinifera) and
laid in stagnant water. After the intervening substance between
the fibres has got more or less soft and partly rotted away,
the whole is taken out and the fibres cleaned with a kind of
comb. These are then dried, and packed together in bundles
of 20 pounds upwards, and sold to the European factory as
Piassava. This industry is more widespread in the Eket
district of the Calabar province, but it has taken a great number
of years of thought and careful attention to bring it up to its
present dimensions. The cutting of the leaves is undertaken
mostly by the men and the rotting and cleaning of the fibre
mostly by the women. Before the war Piassava fibre was
rarely worth more than £28 per ton. It is now worth over
£70. Unless, however, a price of at least £20 per ton is offered
in Liverpool market for this fibre, it is doubtful if the industry
can be made profitable for everyone concerned, producers
included.
Raphia vinifera. The Palm Wine Tree, or Tombo Palm, or Bamboo,
the last named being the name used by the English-speaking
Jekris. Ako (Yoruba); Emmaha Augor (Benin); Oukot
(Efik).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Owerri
and Calabar provinces and the Colony of Nigeria, at the edges
of the streams and rivers in the evergreen forest zone, where
it grows in large groups and pure forests.
It is a medium-sized palm, growing separately with one
stem, which clears itself of the leaf fronds for about half its
height. between the twelfth and fifteenth year. The trunk
then is comparatively smooth, except for the very large scars
of the leaf stalk. The fronds are the longest of any of the
African palms, reaching sometimes a length of 40 feet, roughly
sickle shaped ; in section they reach about 2 inches diameter
at the broadest part, and are a yellow-brown colour. The
leaves come out from the stalk almost at a right angle, thus
making them much wider and, owing to their greater length,
much finer and heavier foliage than that of the Oil Palm, or
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 237
even the Coconut Palm. In fact, an isolated specimen growing
well could be not unfavourably compared to the Royal Palm
in the grandeur of its spread of Jeaf and the beauty of the
outward-spreading, fan-shaped bold crown. Both the male
and the female flowers are very conspicuous. The bunches
of fruit, up to 3 feet in length, hang down like enormous
elongated bunches of yellow grapes. The nuts are covered
with a smooth yellow hard skin, set in scales very similar to
those of a cone, except that each scale is tightly joined to the
next. When the fruit decays, or is boiled, the scales come
off as well as the yellow, fibrous matter, which gives a yellowish
tinge to the water. The main difference between the base
of the Oil Palm and that of the leaf of this tree is the extension
of it more than half round the bole in the case of R. vinifera,
and also flatly and smoothly down the stem. On the
other hand, in the Qil Palm the leaf grows more abruptly
out of and away from the stem. Owing to the Tombo Palm
stem being smaller (on the average only 9 inches in diameter),
the base of the frond extends nearly all round the tree, the
lower one overlapping the higher one, and each placed
in revolving fashion round the trunk, one above the other.
The leaf scars of the Oil Palm are much smaller. Owing to
the greater length of the leaf of this palm, the crown does not
appear to be such a tuft of leaves at the top of the tree as in
the case of the Oil Palm. In old age it appears more as a
cylindrical mass of leaves occupying the upper half or third
of the tree.
The timber is more fibrous and soft than that of the Oil
Palm. The fibres, however, are dark brown, almost black when
very wet or after they have lain in water for any length of time.
On the whole the tree is slow-growing, even slower than
the Oil Palm. It stands a good deal of shade in the earlier
stages, but later on is apparently a light-demanding tree. It
grows in freshwater swamps and at the edges of such places.
Although it thrives best in certain localities, it can be planted
and does grow on solid and comparatively dry land near
Calabar. In the Calabar province they are often planted as
an avenue leading up from the main road through the farm
to the house. It will stand floods. Natural regeneration is
good, and with the spread of propagation it tends to be more
widely distributed. In the Calabar and Ogoja provinces seeds
were distributed to the natives for planting for the production
of palm wine to take the place of that obtained from the Oil
Palm. The timber has not been used for export, nor has it
been cut for local use. The leaf stalks, however, have been
238
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
used for building labourers’ lines and in some European houses.
In a similar way the leaves themselves have been used as a
roofing material after being made up into small mats.
Native Use.—The tree is tapped near the base of the leading
leaves, or at the base of the male inflorescence, for the produc-
tion of the sap, which is collected in calabashes. These are placed
in position every evening and emptied every morning, and
replaced in position. Occasionally the chimpanzees climb up
the palms, drink the wine in the calabash and replace it. A
native once shot a chimpanzee, finding it was the thief of
his palm wine and not a human being. The wine is of a
white, sometimes almost creamy colour, and when fresh is
quite thin and foamy. It has a rather pleasant, sweet, and
almost sharp taste. After being kept a few days it begins
to ferment, and even moderate quantities are intoxicating.
Either fresh or fermented, it is sold in bottles or calabashes
in the local markets. The supply scarcely, if ever, exceeds
the demand. The natives often put pieces of the bark of
Tala, Saccoglottis Gabunensis, in the wine to give it a more
bitter taste. Occasionally also the bark of mahogany and
other trees is used. Tala, however, is the correct bark to use,
and it forms an article of local commerce for this purpose.
Owing to the comparative inaccessibility of some of the “ stands ”
of this tree away in the swampy regions near the estuaries
of some of the larger rivers, such as the Benin and the Siluko,
there are still vast areas where neither the leaves are cut nor
the palms tapped for wine. The seeds are boiled and placed
in the bottom of a canoe, and when sufficient canoes have
been got together, each with its quota of boiled nuts, these
are trodden with the feet of those in the canoe, and both the
nuts and the scaly shell as well as the small amount of yellow
flesh are thrown in the water of a half-stagnant river. This
yellow substance partly blinds and stupefies the fish, the smaller
ones of which come half floating and swimming to the surface,
the larger ones being washed along near the bed of the
river. These are caught in convenient places where the river
has been staked all across its width and bamboo netting put down,
except for an opening where a flexible net is used. Some
of the people go about in small canoes, netting the fish that
come to the surface. One of the most famous spots to see
this is in the Osse River, in the reach just below Noami,
where the combined fishery forces of the Jekris and, to a
lesser extent, Sobos and Ijors, for a day or two in succession
in April each year, carry on this work. The catch of fish
obtained is enormous. Unless, however, it can be soon
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 239
smoked and dried, much of it goes bad. This method of
getting fish is also used by individual natives in stagnant
backwaters of rivers and in isolated pools. The poison
apparently does not spoil the taste or other quality of the
fish. Occasionally this palm is also used for getting out the
Piassava fibre, but it appears to be more difficult, and it is
doubtful if it is as valuable as the fibre obtained from R.
Hookeriana. Owing, however, to the fact that both species
grow in the same locality and often quite mixed together, it
is highly probable that part of the Piassava obtained is
taken from this palm. In order to stimulate the flow of
sap, a fire is often made at the base of the tree, which
burns all the lower leaves and even part of the top, and
thus induces an extra flow of sap, but of course to the
detriment of a continual yield, as the tree subsequently dies.
In many parts of the country there is a regular local
industry in the making of roofing mats from the leaves of this
palm. The small ones, about 3 feet long, are, however, sold 25
for 3d. and the big ones, over 6 feet long, 25 for 6d. In some
places they are cheaper. As a roofing material they are very
durable, and will last at least seven years. If, however, they
are. put on very thickly, overlapping more than two-thirds
of their width, and the roof is thoroughly smoked from
the inside, it becomes nearly black, and will last fifteen
years. For native houses it is one of the most used roofing
materials, except in the Benin country, where the large Ewayon
leaves are used. Roofing mats are, of course, being superseded
by galvanized iron in the more civilized places. The leaf stalk
is used both as a pole for pushing lighters or heavily laden
canoes through comparatively shallow water, or as a boat-hook,
or pushing and guiding pole for the smaller canoes in getting
up swift, winding and comparatively narrow rivers.
Raphia Ruffia. Roofing Palm.
Chief Characteristics—It does not form a proper stem, like
other raphias; the long, thin leaves sprout out from the ground,
and only when the tree is some years old is there any trace of
a stem, which is quite short. The petioles are thin, compared
to the length, and the leaflets are thin and narrow.
Distribution.—It is found in the Calabar and Ogoja Provinces
of Nigeria. It is often planted near watercourses in damp
valleys to provide roofing material for the natives, who make
mats from the leaves (Ikom, Obubra districts).
Phenix reclinata. Swamp Date Palm. LElekikobi (Yoruba);
Ukukon (Benin).
A common tree of the Warri province of Nigeria. It is
240 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
usually found in or at the edge of the mangrove swamp, where
it appears to thrive. It is often rather bent in shape, and
does not exceed 10 feet in height. It is usually partially
gregarious, though the groups of this species are much smaller
than those of P. spinosa. The natives in this locality scarcely
use it at all. The fruit is rather smaller, and it bears in a less
prolific manner than P. spinosa.
Phenix spinosa. Wild Date Palm. Okun (Yoruba); Ukukon
(Benin).
It is a common tree in the Ogoja, Benin, Ondo and Ibadan
provinces of Nigeria. In appearance more like a very thin
stemmed Oil Palm, on nearer approach the bluish-green, almost
silvery, more open, shorter and rather sharply pointed fronds
readily distinguish it from the Oil Palm group. The fruit is
the shape of a very small date, many of which are borne on
thin fibrous twigs of a very stout stalk. It is usually found
in the open deciduous or savannah forest zone.
The natives use the stems for rafters and house-posts; the
fruit and bark are used medicinally; and the leaves are used
for making sieves, hats, mats and bags.
Calamus dearatus. Benin Cane or Rattan. Erogbo (Benin).
It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria. It is one
of the rarer canes of the forest, has a yellow flower, and is found
near Okenuhen. The canes are used for fences and house-
building.
Eremospatha macrocarpa (Mann and Wenal). Small Benin Rattan.
Ukan (Yoruba); Ikan (Benin).
It is found in the Benin, Calabar, Ondo and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria.
It is a common }-inch thick cane, which attains a length
of nearly 200 feet. It grows in clumps and climbs up over
the surrounding trees. The fruit is yellow and rather like
a small larch cone which has not opened. It is used for making
rope and baskets, tying timber rafts, house-building, etc.; in
fact, it is the best cane in West Africa.
Eremospatha sp. Large Benin Rattan. Okakan (Benin).
It is found in Ondo, Abeokuta, Benin, Warri, Brass, Owerri,
Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is a large creeper, nearly an inch in diameter and
attaining a length of nearly 200 feet. It is usually found
partly growing on other trees in more or less open places at
the edge of the forest, near river banks, in the evergreen forest
zone; it is also found at the edges of swamps in the same
region. It often forms dense cane brakes. One of the most
typical features of this cane is the reddish-orange cone-like
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 241
fruit, which is borne in large clusters on the terminal shoot
of the creeper.
The light-yellow, long spikes of the male flowers are most
conspicuous early in the season, especially when seen from a
canoe when passing down a river like the Osse. ©
The natives strip off the bark and long shoots of fish-hook-
like spines, and use the comparatively smooth canes as supports
for the canoe mats and for making tying material for house-
building ; it is also used for making rope. When whole, it
is used in making bridges as well as for joining logs together
for rafting purposes. When cut into short lengths and bent
at one end, it can be used for walking-sticks.
It is rather a slow-growing creeper, and usually ten or
twelve grow out of one root stock. In 1904 this cane was
examined in England as a substitute for rattan, but it was
found to be more brittle, and the internodes were found to be
too close together to be attractive as walking-sticks. Still
later, in 1908, it was tried for basket work, but was found to
be too coarse both in structure and texture of grain.
Elesis Guineensis. The Oil Palm, the West African Palm. Ope,
Ipa ukoro (Yoruba) ; Udin (Benin).
It is found in all the Southern Provinces of Nigeria and
as far North as Zungeru, in the Northern Provinces. It belongs
to the evergreen forest zone, though it will spread with
cultivation into the mixed deciduous and dry zones.
It is the common palm of all the farms and forests of the
moist and mixed zone of Nigeria. It bears a bunch of fruit
containing as many as two thousand individual fruits in one
drupe. In the drier parts there may be only as many as one
hundred seeds. There is one forked palm on the right-hand
side of the line about seven miles from Ibadan, just beyond
Moor Plantation. This is a very rare occurrence, and I have
only seen one in twelve years’ travelling in Nigeria. The male
inflorescence is not unlike a very close horse’s tail, turned up
on end. The orange-brown-coloured female flowers are very
small, and do not last long (a few days). The male flowers
always appear first, and above the female in each case. The
natives say some trees only bear male flowers, but it is doubtful
if this is ever true, except in very isolated cases. It bears
fruit in the fifth year, and will go on for about a hundred years.
There is a most marked difference in the height of a tree which
has grown up in the “high forest” and one which has come
up in an old farm, the former being fully 100 or even 150 feet
high and the latter only 20 to 30 feet in height. In a similar
way the bole of the forest-grown palm is only about 3 feet in
16
242 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
girth, whereas the farm-grown palm may be over 6 feet in
girth. It goes without saying that the latter bears larger
bunches of fruit and the individual nuts are larger and also
more numerous.
Between the twelfth and fifteenth year the tree begins to
clear itself of the lower leaves, thus forming a clean bole up
to the tuft of fronds at the top.
Owing to the fact that the bunches of fruit form in the
axis of the leaf stalk, they are compressed very tightly, and
thus ripen comparatively slowly. By cutting off the leaf
immediately below the fruit, the ripening period is shortened
by three weeks. This is, of course, partly due to the increased
amount of light. Cutting leaves, however, above the fruit,
or at all excessively in number, leads to a deceleration in growth,
so that pruning should only be moderate. Both in the forest
and in the open, epiphytic ferns, figs, and other plants grow
amongst the leaves on the stem, and more especially later
at the top of the tree. The trees are rarely, if ever, cleaned
of these hindrances to healthy growth, but naturally they
retard the flowering and ripening of the fruit. The leaves
are also used for making brushes for sweeping the ground.
Native Use.—Oil is made from the pericarp of the fruit,
and from the kernels, for rubbing on the skin. The leaf
stalk is used for roof-poles.
Natural regeneration is good, although the Oil Palm thrives
best in a deep, moist soil with considerable mineral content.
It is, however, found growing amongst rocks on laterite and
poor sandy land, and that in such case the rainfall is
deficient, ie. below 40 inches. A few small plantations have
been made. It is noticeable that self-grown seedlings grow
much slower than those transplanted. In the first year the
self-sown seedlings ‘grow only one pair of leaves, whereas
those transplanted grow five or six in the same period
Apparently the Oil Palm does not thrive unless the soil is
kept well covered and a good surface tilth maintained. Witha
planting distance of 20 to 24 feet there is considerable scope
for the planting of other crops between. The chief difficulty
appears to be to grow these at a profit without impoverishing
the soil or hindering the quick development of the Oil Palm.
On suitable soil the most profitable crops appear to be the
following: ground-nuts, beans (three or four kinds), Egusi
Bara, Citrullus vulgaris.
A fuller consideration of this subject, and the Oil Palm
generally, will be found in the separate section about it.
Elesis Guineensis, var. Thompsonii. The Palm of Everlasting
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 243
Life or King Palm. Eviromilla (Benin). This is the meaning
according to the Benin name.
It is found in the Colony of Lagos, and Abeokuta and Benin
provinces of Nigeria. On the whole, it is an uncommon tree,
but there is no doubt of its being an indigenous tree to this
part of Africa. The leaves are long and very compressed,
being set at an acute angle to the leaf stalk and of smaller
size than in any other species. It gives the palm almost the
appearance of a Cycad. It also looks as if the leaves had closed
up with the cold or were not fully developed. The leaves also
are of a much darker green (almost olive-green) thdn the ordinary
palm. Amongst the Benis it is considered the Sacred Oil Palm
Tree, the nut obtained from it being especially revered. From
the Resident’s office is seen one of these trees which was
planted in the Benin City Arboretum some nine years ago. Itis
a very slow-growing palm, having scarcely one quarter of the
rate of growth of the ordinary oil palm. The stem is much
thinner in proportion to the height than the ordinary oil palm ;
and it does not attain more than half the height of an oil palm.
When growing in a group, it gives quite a funereal appearance.
The nuts are used by the natives as ‘‘Ju-ju” of divination
to see into the future. It is said that “‘ the nuts talk,” in the
Benin country, where the tree is held to be that-of everlasting
life.
Elesis sp. Ope trumfo (Yoruba).
Abeokuta province, Yoruba country.
Elesis sp. Small Oil Palm. Ope Ifu No. I (Yoruba); Ogiedi
(Benin).
Abeokuta province, Yoruba country.
Elesis Guineensis, var. Lisombe. Palm, or Lisombe Palm, or
Soft-shelled Palm. Ogeddin (Benin).
The main difference of this species is in the small oblong,
pointed fruit on a much smaller drupe, and the larger quantity
of oil obtained from the- pericarp and the very small kernel
in the nut. It is also much softer to crack. The foliage looks
a fresher green than the ordinary variety; also the leaflets
are placed at an acuter angle to the leaf stalk than the other.
It is not very prevalent in the Benin, Abeokuta, Calabar
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
Silviculture —The nuts, when sown, do not germinate true
to species, except for a few per cent. It is planted in the Indem
country of the Ogoja province.
Native Use.—The oil is collected in a similar way to the
other, but is liked more by the natives of Benin. The kernels
are used for making oil as well.
244 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Hyphene. Dum Palm or Forked Palm. Kaba, Kodago, Kwalo
(nut), Goriba (Dr. Dalziel’s Hausa list). '
It is found in the Zaria and Niger provinces of Nigeria.
The only branched palm in West Africa. It attains a
height of 30 feet. It is more or less gregarious in habit, though
the individual groups of palms are not very large. It is appar-
ently somewhat fire-resisting, though this may be due to its
being found amongst the dry-zone vegetation. The stem is
short and the two forks often crooked, so that little or no use
is made of the wood by the natives. The seeds are turned
into buttons, and so have recently obtained a value for this
purpose. They were first sent to England from the Soudan, where
apparently the tree is much more common than in West Africa.
Borassus flabelliformis, var. Aithiopica. Palmyra or Black Run
Palm, Fan Palm, Bottle Palm, Arac Palm. Agbon, Olodu,
Igoti (Yoruba) ; Oluwa (Benin).
It is a common tree in the dry-zone forest regions of Ibadan,
Benin, Onitsha, and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. This palm,
with the swollen upper part of the bole making it appear more
like a large inverted bottle, is thus not to be mistaken for any
other. The huge fan-shaped leaves distinguish it from either
the Coconut Palm or the Oil Palm. In the distance, too,
the leaves appear more silvery-green, and not the yellow-green
of the Coconut, or the bright, fresh green of the Oi] Palm,
or the sombre dark green of the Wine Palm. A large mass
of coconut-shaped nuts, but with a smoother, more yellow
surface, and more cylindrical in shape, without the ridges of
the coconut, are another feature of this tree. At the base
of each nut the old sepals of the flower remain, appearing like
large dark-brown leaf scars. The young seedlings are easily
seen amongst the grass, sticking up as they do like little
silvery-green fans of varying size, in detail showing the
folds of a fan most distinctly, the leaf opening out in a similar
way toafan. The bole is dark brown and practically smooth,
showing no leaf scars, and only faintly lined vertically down
the stem. The base is only slightly swollen, and the roots
do not form a large mound round it, as is the case with the
Oil Palm, and to some extent with the Tombo Palm. Inside
the fruit there are two or three large, flattish nuts.
The timber is fibrous, hard, but very durable and quite
termite proof. Although the upper part of the stem is hollow,
long sectional pieces, four by two, and even thicker, can be
cut out. It planes up with a smooth surface, and the grain
looks very pretty with the thick fibres. It nails fairly well
and splits longitudinally.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 245
It is a light-loving tree, moderately fast growing for a
palm. It is usually found growing gregariously in groups of
a few acres up to hundreds of acres in extent. However, it is
rarely thick enough to thoroughly shade the ground. Natural
regeneration is good, even though in most areas annual grass-
fires run through the trees and to some extent char the fruit.
No plantations have been made of these species.
The timber has not been exported, but locally it has been
used for house-building, as well as for fences near the railway.
The natives occasionally use it for house-building, but they
do not know how to tap it for the wine. The leaves are some-
times used for making temporary shelters. The fruit is some-
times eaten, and has a pleasant taste. The nuts might be
exported for making into buttons.
Cyanastracez.
Cyanastrum cordifolium. ITkoto.
It has an ediblefruit. Found in the Benin province of Nigeria.
Liliacez.
Dracena sp. Dragon’s Blood. Ewanenimi (Benin).
It has a very long, thin leaf of the usual monocotyledonous
type and with a somewhat branched stem, with thin papery
bark.
It is fairly common in the Benin country. It is one of
the few monocotyledonous trees of the forest, and thus easily
distinguishable from other trees. The parallel veins of the
leaf are very long and laid fairly close together. The stem
is very porous and not woody, being more fibrous in type.
It reaches a girth of about 4 feet and a height of 40 feet.
Native Use.—The leaves are used by the natives medi-
cinally ; and occasionally the sap is used to blind people.
Dracena surculosa. Dragon’s Blood. Ope, Igbo.
Is found in Olokemeji.
Dracena cylindrica. Boundary tree. Peregun (Yoruba); Uk-
pogun, Ogihu (Benin).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
Dracena cylindrica. Boundary tree. Peregun (Yoruba); Uk-
pogun, Ogihu (Benin).
It has a wider and shorter leaf than the Ewanenimi tree,
but again with the parallel veins, which are, of course, typical
of the monocotyledon. It does not really form proper timber,
but the stem is of a spongy, fibrous nature. It reaches a girth
of about 5 feet and a height of about 50 feet. It usually has
one stem, which is unbranched for a very considerable length,
but sometimes a whole group will grow up in one place.
246 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Both this and the former species are propagated very easily
by cuttings. In fact, it is possible to take the end of a branch
complete with the leaves and put it in the ground, when it
will grow. It likes a comparatively deep moist soil, though
it will stand any amount of drought without actually dying.
It stands pruning well and grows moderately rapidly.
It is useful for making live fences.
Native Use.—Both Yorubas and Benis use the tree for
boundaries, simply sticking cuttings in wherever it is wished
to mark a place. “ Ju-ju’’ places are also marked in this way.
The leaves are used medicinally in Benin.
Dracena Perottetii. Boundary tree. Ope, Kanakan (Yoruba).
Found in the Mamu Forest.
Dracena sp. Boundary tree. Oro Igbo (Yoruba); Uruaro
(Benin).
A common Dracena found in the Benin and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria. It is often used for making fences to
farms and boundaries for village or farm land, and for marking
special ‘‘ Ju-ju’”’ places. The Benin people state that it has
more latex than the other species of this genus.
Marantacez.
Clinogyne, syn. Donax cusputata. Yoruba Soft Cane. Toto (Y.).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. It is
a small soft cane which grows gregariously in groups from a
quarter to half an acre in extent in the Olokemeji Reserve, to
a height of about 5 feet, and has large, alternating, very fine
parallel-veined leaves. Inflorescence, raceme or panicle-like
bracts, deciduous. Some species yield starch or fibre. Toto is
found quite abundantly in the middle of the Olokemeji Reserve.
It is used for mat-making, and considered most valuable.
Orchidacez.
Polystachya sp. (Lindl.). Eme-ela (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve in the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Polystachya odorata. Afoma (Yoruba).
This is a parasitic plant, very similar to mistletoe, which
attacks many kinds of trees and has recently been found on
the six-year-old teak at Mamu and Olokemeji, in the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Ulmacee.,
Celtis solenostigma. Hard Celtis (large). Ita (Yoruba); Ita,
Uta (Ikale); Ohianamemme, Ohia (Benin); Omoin, Itako,
Ita gangan (Egba).
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 247
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Owerri,
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria, in the mixed deciduous forest
zone, where it is usually very prevalent. In many places it
is almost gregarious.
It is a large tree 10 feet in girth, with smooth stem and
large, long, thin buttresses. It has a bigger leaf (6 inches)
than the other Ita, with a very prominent mid vein on
the leaf.
The fruit is dark coloured. The root buttresses are very
long and thin, extending sometimes 15 feet up the trunk of
the tree. They are, however, shallower and thinner than in
the case of mahogany and cotton trees. They merge gradually
at an angle of about 15 degrees into the stem. The bole may
reach a length of about 90 feet, and is usually very straight.
The crown is compressedly spherical, rather shallow in propor-
tion to the size of the tree, but fairly wide-spreading. Occa-
sionally, if the bark has a yellow tinge, especially in smaller
specimens, the tree may be mistaken for Opele, Schrebera
Golungensis.
Timber is white and very hard, and splits well when it is
dry. When dry it is inclined to be brittle, though it shows
considerable lateral strength. The texture of the grain is fine,
and it planes up with a smooth surface. It is liable to split
with nails, but it saws well. Under cover it is durable; in
the open, unless very carefully dried, it is liable to decay.
When thoroughly dry it hardens very considerably, and is not
attacked by white ants, especially when used in a suitable place.
When dry it will float, but the wood is liable to become dis-
coloured by contact with water.
As firewood it burns slowly, gently and steadily, giving
out much heat. It is a fairly rapid-growing tree, at first shade-
bearing and later somewhat light-demanding; in the older
stages it scarcely protects the soil. Up to the pole stage it
is a soil-improving tree, the leaves making a rich humus.
Natural regeneration appears to be good. It does not sprout
from the stump. Considering its size it is fairly wind-firm.
No plantations have been made of this tree.
The timber has not been exported, not has it been sawn
up for local use. Considering its prevalence, it deserves a. trial.
Native Use.—It is considered the best firewood in Benin,
and also used as firewood among the Yorubas.
Celtis sp.? Soft Celtis (small). Ita ita (Yoruba); Ohia (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria, in the mixed deciduous forest zone, where
it. is very prevalent.
248 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is a medium-sized tree up to 4 feet in girth, with medium.
sized, thin leaves and white-coloured twigs. The stem is
slightly scaly and yellowish-green in colour, especially in the
upper parts. A very common tree in the deciduous forest.
With its yellowish-green bark in the upper part of the bole
it is very similar to Opele, Schrebera Golungensis, and can often
be mistaken for it. The trunk, however, is not slightly pitted,
as is the case with Schrebera. On the whole, this tree is shorter,
reaching a height of about 40 feet. The root buttresses are
much slighter than in the case of C. solenostigma, though
they are of a similar shape, being very thin and merging
gradually into the trunk to a height of about 5 feet from the
ground.
Timber is white and fairly hard, but not durable. It
hardens somewhat on exposure to the air. The texture of
the grain is fine, but occasionally cross-grained. It planes
moderately well, and takes nails moderately well also, more
so than C. solenostigma. It saws easily and splits well.
As a firewood it burns steadily and slowly, giving out great
heat. It does not crackle nor cause sparks.
It is a moderately fast growing, at first shade-bearing,
and subsequently a light-demanding tree. During most of its
life it is a soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural
regeneration is good. It sprouts a little from the stump,
but not strong enough for purposes of reproduction.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been sawn
up for planks for local use. Being smaller than C. soleno-
stigma, after trial it may not be found so useful, but it could
be used for similar purposes.
Native Use.—Firewood of the best kind, and occasionally
used as side house-posts.
Trema Africana. African Elm. Ehunogo, Ehrunbogo (Benin) ;
Affi (Ibadan and Oyo); Afoforo (Egba); Offun (Lagos).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan and Benin provinces
of Nigeria, in the mixed deciduous forests, where it is moder-
ately prevalent.
It is a medium-sized tree with nettle-like leaves, which wither
rapidly. It has a very thin, smooth bark. The fruit is small,
thin and long, and is eaten by pigeons. It grows up where
old trees fall in the forest, and is also a common tree in old
farms. Medium-sized specimens are in general appearance,
from a little distance, very similar to Iroko, and it can be mis-
taken for this tree. The crown, however, is narrower, and the
foliage is somewhat thicker, and the leaves and branches are
placed rather closer together than those of Iroko. The bark
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 249
is slightly fissured, and does not show lenticels like the Iroko,
especially not on the roots. In proportion to the size of the
tree, the root spurns are larger than in the case of Iroko. It
it usually found growing singly, whereas groups of Iroko are
often common, or anyhow several are found in one locality.
The timber is white and of medium hardness, but very
durable indeed. It is termite proof. It planes well, but does
not split easily. It saws well and takes nails fairly easily.
It is of fairly rapid growth, at first shade-bearing, and later
a somewhat light-demanding tree, with soil-protecting and
soil-improving qualities. Natural regeneration only appears
to be moderate. It sprouts from the stump.
The timber has not been exported, not has it been sawn
up for local use.
Native Use.—The timber is used amongst the Benis as
rafters and ceilings for house-building, as it is uncut or squared.
Trema affinis or T. Africana. African Elm. Afofero (Yoruba).
Found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria.
Moracee.
Antiaris toxiaria. False Oroko. Oro Aiyo, (Egba) (Yoruba) ;
Ogiovu (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Ogoja, Owerri,
Warri, Benin, Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of
Nigeria.
It is a large tree, reaching a girth of 15 feet and a bole
length of 70 feet, of very cylindrical shape. There are large
surface roots, which stick up out of the ground on roadsides,
but form only low root spurns. The bark is grey, smooth
and almost shiny in the sun, The crown is heavier and less
open than Iroko, but otherwise in habit it is similar. The
leaves on the whole are smaller and the foliage generally is
of a lighter green than the Iroko, except when the latter puts
on new leaves in February or March. The fruit is a little
spherically shaped nut with a papery covering easily removed,
disclosing a round nut with small markings all round it. Two
kernels are found inside on cracking it. The slash is yellowish
white, and gradually a little thin white latex exudes. The
tree usually appears after a few years on abandoned farms.
The leaf is rough to the hand, almost as bad as Ficus asperata,
but there are no hairs on the under surface. On the whole
the branches are much flatter than Oroko, though the top
of the crown isround. The timber is soft and white all through.
Termites attack it. It is very light and might almost pass
as a substitute for cork. It has large and wide medullary
250 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
rays, more especially in the root. In cross section the root
looks almost porous.
Native Use-—Amongst the Yorubas the bark is used medi-
cinally and the wood for doors, benches and matchet handles.
It grows very fast and likes light. Scale insects like to
make their nests in a junction of a branch with the stem,
where there is quite a hollow. In youth the firm and almost
horizontal branches are quite a contrast to the long, up-shoot-
ing or drooping branches of Oroko. It has not been cut
either for local use or for export.
The roots are used for making corks in the Calabar district.
It is used often as a “ Ju-ju” tree, like the Iroko, chiefly in
the Calabar Division. The hunters sit near the tree, when
in fruit, because the Maxwell’s Duika, Yellow-backed Duika,
Red-headed Duika, etc., eat the fruit. The bark is used in
sections for making bags by sewing the two ends together,
as well as one side.
Antiaris sp. Ovu (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Benin and Ondo provinces of
Nigeria. It is medium-sized, reaching a girth of 9 feet and
a bole length of about 50 feet. The leaf is larger, but the
crown appears thicker and heavier than Antiaris toxiaria.
The seed is the same size as Antiaris T., but the root spurns
are very slight, even less than Antiaris T. The branches spread
out from the stem, thus making the crown longer and narrower
than Antiaris T. In this respect the Antiaris sp. is more like
the Oroko than the Antiaris T.
The timber is white and soft. No proper heartwood. It
splits well.
It is a shade-bearer and is often found in the thick forest.
It grows much slower than Antiaris T.
It has not been cut for local use or exported to Europe.
Perhaps it could be tried for wood pulp.
In Benin the branches of this tree are used for making
figures of their ancestors, which are placed outside the house.
The bark is used for making bags in a similar way to that of
Antiaris T. It is also used for making rope or string for
tying bags.
Antiarus sp. Cedar-like Lauro. Oregbon I (Yoruba) ; Opputtu
(Benin).
It is a common tree found in the Benin and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria. It is very similar in habit and shape
to the Antiarus toxiaria, but it does not attain nearly such a
large size. The tree exudes very fine, white latex in a very
small quantity. The timber is soft and white and not durable.
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 251
It is a soil-protecting and soil-improving tree, and stands a
good deal of shade. The tree has not been cut for local use,
nor has it been tried as a timber for export.
Ficus sp. Common Fig. Obobo (Yoruba); Ohau (Benin).
It is a common tree of the Calabar, Ogoja, Owerri, Warri,
Benin, Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
One of the most typical features of this tree is its free growth,
open crown, and green, yellow and orange-coloured bark from
the base upwards. It is a medium-sized tree, attaining a girth
of 10 feet. The small red-coloured figs attract pigeons espe-
cially, as well as other birds, to the trees in the fruiting season.
The leaf is small for a Ficus and oval in shape. The wood
is white and soft. The white latex which exudes from the trunk
when cut distinguishes this tree from the satinwood, Afrormosia
laxiflora, with which it might be confused owing to the similar
shades of green, yellow and orange-colour of the bark. It
is chiefly found in the secondary forest, also near villages in
the evergreen forest zone. Owing to the parrots and pigeons
carrying the seed, reproduction from this source, both in
epiphytic and tree form, is very good, but it is most usually
found growing alone in an open place, without any support
from other trees. It is very fast growing and impatient of
shade.
The wood has not been used locally nor for export, nor
does the native apparently have any use for it, as it soon rots
when cut down.
The native occasionally eats the ripe fruit.
Ficus exasperata. Emido, Oboba (Yoruba).
This tree is found in the Abeokuta province.
Ficus Thonningii. Opoto (Yoruba).
This is one of the smaller fig-trees of the mixed deciduous
zone. As with the others, it is not used as a timber tree, but
occasionally for fences.
Ficus triangularis. Abadan (Yoruba); Obadan-nikwi (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Benin, Ibadan and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria. It is chiefly found in the mixed de-
ciduous forests. It is of no use as a timber tree, but is used
occasionally for fences by the natives.
Ficus Vogelii. Lagos, Abba or Abbo Rubber. Abadon (Yoruba) ;
Obadan (Benin).
It is the common tree of the Calabar, Ogoja, Onitsha, Benin,
Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. This is the most
common fig-tree, and is usually found along the sides of roads
in the native villages. The very large, shiny leaf (not quite
as glossy as Ficus Indica) is one of the most typical features
252 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
of this tree. In Benin it is usually deciduous for about thirty-
six hours, and the pinkish tips of the fresh leaves and the great
rapidity of their development are remarkable. The bark is
dark brown and rougher than the other species. In the Benin
Forestry Compound there is a large specimen. On the whole,
it is less common in the evergreen forest than near villages
or roads. In the forest it is most often found as an epiphyte
growing on oil palms, Sasswood, and oil-bean trees. The timber
is white and soft; it has not been used for local purposes
nor for exports. The “ Balata rubber” of the Upper Niger
district is obtained by roughly coagulating the latex of this
tree in the air, with or without reagents, such as the latex
of Bauhinia reticulata, or salt. The natives use the tree for
making fences by sticking in pieces of the stem of suitable
length, and in a similar manner it is used as a shade tree on
the sides of roads in the villages. This is more especially
the case in the villages in the dry zone, where other shade
trees are scarce. Pigeons and parrots spread the seed, and thus
its reproduction is assured.
Ficus platyphylla. Gambia Rubber.
It is also found in the upper reaches of the Ogan River, in
the Ogo province of Nigeria.
Ficus asperata. Sandpaper Leaf. Ekpin (Yoruba); Ameme
(Benin).
It is a common tree in the Ogoja, Owerri, Benin, Onitsha,
Ibadan, Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is often found as a small, scrubby tree, though when
fully grown it reaches a girth of 8 feet, especially in the Benin
province. The rough leaves are harsh to the touch.
The pigeons are very fond of eating the fruit and seeds.
The wood is white and soft.
The leaf is of the usual Ficus style, with a short stalk and
deeply dentated, making almost a five-lobed leaf.
The leaves might be useful as a substitute for sandpaper.
It has not so far been cut for export or local use.
Native Use.—The leaves are used for cleaning calabashes
by the Yorubas and Benin people.
Ficus sp. Ograw (Yoruba).
Found in the Abeokuta province.
Musanga Smithii. Cork-wood or Umbrella Tree. Agbawo or
Aga (Yoruba); Ogohen (Benin); Oro (Brass).
It is a very common tree, found growing in new clearings
amongst the evergreen and mixed forests of the Calabar,
Ogoja, Owerri, Onitsha (?), Warri, Benin, Ondo, Ibadan and
Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 258
It is a medium-sized tree with an umbrella-shaped crown.
It is the most distinctly gregarious tree of any in the forest,
often alone covering many acres of land, supported on a series
of aerial roots, the centre one of which is really the tap-root.
The tree looks altogether top-heavy when mature (it is short-
lived). It reaches a girth of nearly 5 feet. The bark is thin
and of a light brown colour, spotted here and there with large
yellow lenticels. The large pink sheath containing the im-
mature staminate flower is often found lying on the forest
pathway after the storm. The leaf is reminiscent of the horse
chestnut, but with about eight digits. The young leaflet is
of an orange-red colour. It is doubtful if it passes an age of
thirty years.
The timber is white and soft, with no distinguishing heart-
wood, but with brown pith half an inch in diameter. When
properly dried it has a fine, smooth grain and is usually free
of knots. It dries much harder than when freshly cut. It
splits well, but it is rather brittle.
It is the quickest growing of all the African forest trees,
and certainly reaches timber size before any other. Regenera-
tion by seed is prolific, seeds often germinating after lying
dormant for over a hundred years, when a heavy forest is
cut down. It is a light-lover, protecting the soil with its
heavy foliage, and enriching it by making a good mould when
it falls to the ground. It will stand a little shade as a young
seedling. Very few trees will grow under it, though it is a
useful ‘‘ nurse.”’
The timber is used for floating other wood heavier than
water, but it has not been exported or cut for local use. The
roots are used medicinally, and hunters tap the tree for water
in the dry season.
Native Use.—As the Yoruba name implies, a group of the
aerial roots is used for a native chair. Young 6-inch stems,
split in half, cut about 4 feet long and dried, are used upright
to form the walls of temporary farm-buildings. The wood
is also used in place of cork, and for making matchets and
knife scabbards in the Benin and Ibo countries respectively.
Chlorophora excelsa, African Oak, African Teak. Iroko (male),
Iroko (female), Oba’s Tree, Rock Elm. Iroko (Yoruba) ;
Uloko, Oroko Ulokoodigpe, Uloko-nushinogbon (Benin); Odji
(Ibo, Asaba); Ofryio (Efik); Nsan (Oban, Ekoi).
It is a very large forest tree, reaching a girth of 30 feet
and a bole length of 90 feet under favourable conditions.
The male tree is usually thinner and of more compressed build,
whereas the female shows more spreading growth and larger
254 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
size; it is also quicker growing than the male. The female
has stout, finger-thick, solid catkins, whereas the male has
thin, long, open catkins up to 6 inches long. The timber of
the male is darker brown and closer grained than that of the
female, and also harder. The sapwood is wider in the female
tree, but there is also a very wide difference between trees
of both genders when they are grown in the open, old farms,
or in dense, high forest, the latter yielding the hardest and
closest-grained timber. The crown is almost umbrella-shaped
and open, so that the leaves appear large in proportion, and
it is usually possible to see through it. Three or four large
limbs form the mainstay of it (see plate No. 37). The
yellow lenticels on the stem, especially in younger specimens,
and also on the red roots, are typical of the tree. The slash
is yellowish, with little red spots in it. A little white latex
flows out too.
In proportion to the size of the tree the root spurns are
not very large, reaching 3 or 4 feet up the tree, and being well
rounded, do not spoil the shape of the base of the bole. In
older specimens the bark becomes brown, and finally almost
grey in colour, and scales off to a slight extent. Although it
forms very large side roots, it has a tap-root going to con-
siderable depth. The loose seeds are small and flat, being
not unlike those of alder, but rather larger and thinner.
It is found in all the Southern Provinces of Nigeria, both
in the evergreen and mixed forest zones, where it is none too
prevalent.
Timber.—Sapwood is yellowish white, and the heartwood
of a yellow brown to dark brown (oak to teak brown). It
is moderately hard, very durable and termite-proof. It does
not plane very well, being sometimes cross-grained; it can,
however, be worked up to a smooth finish. The grain is rather
open and the pores very long. It has, however, an oily feel,
and a certain amount of sheen. It takes nails with difficulty,
splits moderately well and saws easily, It soon darkens on
exposure to the air and light, becoming in this respect much
darker than oak in a similar period. When seasoned properly
it does not warp excessively. If taken green from the forest
zone into a drier climate it will split. In the past a good deal
of timber has been used in this state.
It is a moderately fast-growing, at first shade-bearing and
subsequently a light-demanding tree, with soil-protecting and
soil-improving qualities. It is deciduous for a few weeks in
the year, generally in February or March, but specimens vary
a great deal in this respect. Natural regeneration is very
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 255
good, and in suitable localities it tends to spread more and
more with the advance of the native farms into the forest.
It stands transplanting very badly. Nursery sowings, however,
show an enormous percentage of germination, the seedlings
often coming up more thickly than grass. The ground pig eats
the roots of transplanted seedlings, especially in localities where
there are less desirable trees. It will grow as much as 6 feet
in one year, and wherever it has much light in the forest, self-
sown seedlings will grow 3 or 4 feet each year. The leaves
are attacked by a minute coccus which causes them to
swell up into an irregular shape, including the bud, thus stop-
ping the growth for that season. Inside each of these swellings
there are several of the young insects. Only the younger
trees are attacked, and from the pole stage onwards trees do
not appear to suffer nearly so much. In localities, too, where
the trees grow very rapidly they appear to be less attacked,
if at all. It is not very susceptible to fire, though in the mixed
deciduous the base of the stem is often burnt. It.is one of
the most storm-firm of all the African trees. The bole is very
cylindrical, especially if the tree which has been growing in
the forest is given plenty of space to grow. The increment
put on the bole is very great, being as much as 11 inches in
circumference in one year.
In 1906 sample logs of this timber were sold in the Liver-
pool market as Iroko at 5d. per superficial foot, sale measure.
Since that date it has been sold as African Oak and African
Teak at a similar price, and appears now to be fairly well
established in the market. As there are large supplies in many
districts, such as the Yoruba country, Onitsha, Ahoada and
Ogoja districts, there should be no difficulty in keeping the
market supplied with moderate quantities year by year, at
perhaps, though, slightly increasing costs. Locally the tree
has been felled and sawn up for planks, scantlings, rafters,
beams and general constructional work. By the Railway
Administration it has thus far been considered the best wood
for sleepers. Amongst the natives it is often worth more than
it is to the European, the price varying from half a crown
to 4s. 6d. per cubic foot for sawn boards 12 feet long, 12 inches
wide and 1 inch thick.
Native Use.—The most valued of all woods for wall-plates
and door lintels, treasure-boxes, washing-basins for chiefs.
Doors, too, are made of it in Benin. Women place little pieces
of chalk, yams, plantains, cowries, coco yams at the base of
the tree, and it is said they will be blessed with children. Chiefs
sacrifice a goat with a mat and a fine white cloth to propitiate
256 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
the witches, who are supposed to hold their court in the Iroko
tree and try to catch one of the sons of the chief.
Treculia Africana (Dene). African Breadfruit. Afon (Yoruba) ;
Ije (Benin) ; Ijeni (fruit).
This tree is usually found near the edge of the villages of
the Calabar, Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It grows to a large size, with a bole length of 20 feet and
a girth of 9 feet, but it is usually a rather open-crowned,
spreading tree. For its size the foliage is not over-dense.
The leaves are single and roughly lanceolate, with a dark-green
and rather shiny upper surface. The most conspicuous feature
of this tree is the huge green, perfectly spherical-shaped fruit.
Immature fruits of all sizes, from a cricket-ball upwards to
a size of 18 inches in diameter, are seen growing close against
the stem of the trunk and bigger branches of the tree. Some
years ago, one of these ripe fruits fell off a tree at the edge
of the Benin market and struck a woman on the shoulder
with such force that she died a few days later. The natives
subsequently cut the tree down.
The chief use of the tree is the fruit, which is placed in
water to rot so that the seeds can be more easily extracted
from the concentrically arranged fibres growing from the centre
of the fruit outwards to the periphery. These are subsequently
cooked and eaten, often being beaten up in a soup. From
the outside the fruit looks as if it were made up of thousands
of little green fibres closely packed together from the centre
of the fruit, with the ends sticking out on the surface, thus
giving it a rough feeling to the touch and making it appear
as if it were full of holes.
The junction of a branch with the stem shows a large
swelling all round the base of the branch, which thins out to
its regular size about 6 to 9 inches away from the trunk.
The tree is comparatively slow-growing, but of a soil-
protecting and light-loving nature. In the dry season, great
quantities of dew condense on this tree, so that underneath
the soil is kept moist. Probably more dew falls on this tree
than Myrianthus arboreus, which shows a similar feature.
Thus far the wood has not been used for any purpose.
Treculia sp. Small-fruited African Breadfruit. Izenagan (Benin).
Found in the Benin province,
Morus sp. Aye (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province in Nigeria.
Myrianthus arboreus. Shapo Obibere (Yoruba); Ihege (Benin).
It is a small to medium-sized tree, with short stem rarely
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 257
exceeding 8 feet in height, and a much-branched, heavy crown,
with very large leaf, cut up in the form of a large digit, much
more pronounced than the horse chestnut. The leaves, on
falling, rot and form a heavy layer of black humus. In the
dry season the dew condenses to such an extent on the leaves
that the tree drips in the morning, and the neighbourhood of
such trees is always moist when the rest of the forest is dry.
The large, rough, elongated, pear-shaped fruit, like an
overgrown sweetsop, is quite characteristic of this tree.
It is found in the Ondo, Benin, Owerri, Warri, Calabar
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is scarcely big enough for timber, but would make a good
undergrowth for a light-loving species such as mahogany or
teak, and would kill all weeds on good soil. Usually found
on good soil. The timber is white and soft.
No botanical name. Iragbo-Amuje (Yoruba); Igogo (Benin).
It is a large tree with almost hard white wood, more the
texture of Triplochiton. The fruit is a drupe, with a small
nut inside. Termites do not attack the wood. It is a quick-
growing tree, which comes up very frequently in old farms.
It is a common tree in the Benin country.
It is a shade-bearer.
Native Use.—In the Benin country it is used for door lintels
and cross-pieces in house-building.
Urticacezx.
Urera. Ela (Yoruba); Akinrankiri (Benin).
Found in the Yoruba and Benin countries.
Proteacez.
Faurea speciosa. Red-brown timber.
Found in the Calabar province.
Olacacee.
Heisteria parvifolia. White Nut (?). Ikereoha (Benin).
It rarely exceeds the height of about 8 feet and a girth
of about 1 foot.
This is a small shrub with red flowers of four petals at right
angles to each other, in the middle of which a white-coloured
fruit forms. On peeling off the white skin, a black nut is
disclosed, which is edible. It tastes more like a hazel-nut.
The red flower is the most distinguishing feature, and makes
this plant show up amongst the evergreen zone.
It is found in the Ondo, Benin, and Calabar provinces of
Nigeria.
17
258
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is a shade-bearing and slow-growing shrub, with soil-
protecting and soil-improving qualities. It serves a very
useful purpose amongst the undergrowth in the forest. Natural
regeneration appears to be fair, but no plantations have been
made with this species. The nuts have not been tested in the
export market. Amongst the natives the nuts are very popular,
and it is the only use which they have for this shrub. This
chiefly refers to the Benin district.
Heisteria sp.?. Benin Nut, Edible Nut. Evialegbi (Benin).
It is found chiefly in the Benin province of Nigeria, though
probably its area of distribution extends to the Ondo and
Ogoja provinces as well. It is a tall, comparatively thin-
boled tree in proportion to its height. Attaining a girth of
about 8 feet, the bole is 40 feet in length. The bark is dull
green and not very thick, being more in the nature of cortex
than real bark. The most typical feature of the tree is the
fruit, which is a spherically-shaped nut with a pointed tip.
When dry, it is marked with shallow groves about half a milli-
metre apart, all converging to the tip. When cracked, the
kernel obtained is rather pleasant to the taste, with plenty of
oil. The timber is a yellowish colour and moderately hard.
It is fairly durable, though it is attacked by a small wood-
borer when it is left lying in the forest. It is a moderately
fast-growing tree, but is a shade-bearing, soil protecting and
improving tree. Natural regeneration appears to be poor.
No plantations have yet been made with it, but its yield of
nuts should be tested. The timber has not yet been exported,
nor has it been cut for local use. So far, the chief use of the
tree is the nut, but even here proper tests have not yet been
made, and it is only the natives who really know the tree. The
exact oil content has yet to be tested.
Coula edulis. Nkula in the Gaboon, Gaboon Nut. Omumu
(Benin).
An edible nut containing oil. It is nearly round in shape,
but slightly depressed at the top, with a soft shell.
Chief Characteristics—The tree is of medium size, with
narrow crown and small leaves, the fruit being borne on the
upper side of the branches. It is moderately common near
Ugo and also on the Siluko road (both in Benin). This is
apparently a rare tree in reality, and it may be mistaken for
Ivialegbi.
The timber is brown with a red tinge, almost hard.
Native Use.—The nut decorticated is sold in the native
markets and eaten as a delicacy.
Value.—According to report made some years ago, it was
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 259
valued at £7 per ton in Liverpool. It was difficult to get
sufficient for a sample.
Loranthacee.
Loranthus leptolopus. African Mistletoe, or Red-flowering
Loranthus.
Found in the Yoruba and Benin country.
Menispermaceez.
Cissampelos Owariensis. Ebewaki (Benin).
A medicinal plant.
Cissampelos Pariera (L.). Jokoye (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Anonacee.
Enantia polycarpa (Kew). Abeokuta Bark, Kanda or Canta Bark.
Ghido (Yoruba).
Found in the Egba province.
Enantia chlorantha. African Yellow Wood. Yaru (Yoruba) ;
Ehranbabogo (Benin).
It is a common tree of the Ondo, Benin, Owerri, Ogoja
and Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree, attaining a girth of 5 feet and
a bole length of 25 feet. The most peculiar feature of the
tree is the fruit, a bundle of reddish clubs all coming out of
the twig at one point. The stem is dull green, with scattered
lenticels here and there. The bole is uneven near the base
and almost divided by large spurns, which makes it difficult
to cut out a square log. Standing in dense shade usually,
and often with a piece of the bark removed, showing the yellow
cambium layer or wood, it is easily distinguished from other
trees.
The yellow wood is similar both in the sap and in
the heartwood. It splits well, even into tiny thin, lath-like
pieces. It is soft, but planes up into a smooth surface. The
medullary rays are often prominent, and make the wood look
very pretty. The sheen of the wood also adds to its appearance.
The tree is a shade-bearer and rather slow-growing ;
perhaps in more open localities it would grow faster. Natural
regeneration does not appear to be good, though more extensive
observations on this point may reveal more. Small quantities
of seed are borne each year. It sprouts a little from the stump,
but this method of reproduction cannot be relied upon. Cut-
tings have not yet been tried. It likes a good moist soil of
260 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
the evergreen forest and lower parts of the mixed deciduous
forest. It has not yet received a place in the forest
plantations.
Samples of the timber have been tried in England and
used with good effect as a substitute for American “‘ White-
wood,” to which it is similar in texture. Its small size rather
hinders its more extensive use. In the Benin district it
is used as cross-pieces and rafters in building ; wooden shovels
are also made from it. It is occasionally used to make a
yellow dye, especially the bark. Native caps are made from
the bark, which is fibrous. It is also used for verandah-posts
and door-frames.
Dennettia tripetala. Igberi (Yoruba); Ako (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Benin, Ondo (?) and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria. —
It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a maximum girth of
6 feet, with a short bole and a much-branched crown. Most
commonly seen as a shrub-like tree in the mixed deciduous
forest. The flower has three petals, with red colour inside
and brown outside. The flowers grow on the stem or the
twigs with little or no stalk, usually two or three in one
place.
The timber, which is white and soft, is eaten by termites.
There is no proper heartwood.
It is a shade-bearer, and rather slow-growing tree. It
likes good soil, and is rather an indication of a loose, good
and deep soil.
It has not been exported or used locally.
Native Use.—The fruit, which has a peppery taste, is eaten.
The chiefs only eat the fruit after it has become red and really
ripe. The small boys use the new young leaves uncooked to
make the mouth warm when the rain falls.
Dennettia sp. Agedegbo, Ako (Benin).
This tree was determined from specimens obtained in the
early part of 1917 from Olokemeji, where it is somewhat common.
Owing to the fact that only immature and mature fruiting
specimens were sent, it may be identical with Dennettia tripetala.
It is, however, a much smaller tree, and the fruit is not nearly
so large and is a more oblong shape than D. tripetala. It is
a small, much-branched tree and yields a hard, whitish-yellow
wood which might be used as substitute for lancewood. The
Benis eat the fruit, but the Yorubas have no use for the tree.
Xylopia Aithiopica. Negro Pepper. Eru (Yoruba) ; Unie (Benin) ;
Atta (Efik).
Is a medium-sized tree with silvery smooth, grey trunk,
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 261
and found growing near the banks of rivers in all the southern-
most provinces of Nigeria.
It is stated to be useful for oars and masts for small boats,
according to the report on the Exhibition of 1867. Since that
date, however, it has not been used for this purpose. The
bole reaches a girth of about 5 feet and a length of about
45feet. The crown is narrow and comparatively long, but rather
compressed and compact. The foliage is dense and compara-
tively close together. The root spurns are slight and narrow,
not extending very far up the bole. In proportion to its height
the trunk is thin and very cylindrical in shape, though occa-
sionally near the base it may not be absolutely round and
tends to bulge out rather more on one surface than the other.
The fruit, when ripe, is like a bunch of black keys, or
little short, round-ended pieces of wood, all projecting out of
one central stalk or fork, which is the most typical feature of
the tree. The cortex is comparatively thin, and remains
smooth even in the mature trees. The bole tapers only very
slightly, and does not divide or send out any branches until
the crown is reached.
The sapwood is white, as also the heartwood, except that
the latter tends to have a very light yellowish-brown tinge,
especially as it seasons. It is moderately hard, showing great
elasticity, planing with a smooth surface, splitting moderately
well, taking nails and not warping or shrinking to any great
extent. Even fresh it is comparatively a dry wood. It saws
well and shows considerable textile strength, as also strength
in compression, is moderately heavy and termite-proof. The
texture of the grain is very fine and even, and the grain is
very straight. '
This tree is somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-
protecting, and _ soil-improving. Natural regeneration is
moderate. It does not sprout from the stump. It stands a
certain amount of flooding, but it seems to demand a good
soil with plenty of moisture, including a very moist atmo-
sphere. No plantations have been made of this tree.
The timber has not been felled for export, nor has it been
cut for local use, but it appears to deserve a trial as a substitute
for lancewood, or other woods which show considerable elas-
ticity. It should be noted that it belongs to the same family
as that of the lancewood. Owing to the straightness and com-
parative evenness of the bole for a very considerable length,
it might be suitable for shafts or even telegraph poles.
The fruit is used as a kind of comestible amongst most
of the natives, as it has a peppery taste which is not unpleasant.
262
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is usually dried and sold in the native markets, several
bunches for a penny. By some it is almost looked upon as
a medicine.
Xylopia parviflora (Eng. and Diels). Small-flowering Negro
Pepper. Sesedo, Issa oku (Yoruba); Aghako or Oziza (?)
(Benin).
This tree is found in the Abeokuta and Benin provinces
of Nigeria, where it is none too prevalent. It is a medium-
sized tree with a very straight, thin and tall bole. Except
for its size it is very much like X. Athiopica; the fruit is much
smaller and scarcely to be seen from the ground. The timber
is grey-white, and the heartwood, though occasionally a light
brown, is scarcely to be distinguished from the sapwood. It
is hard, durable, and said to be termite-proof. It does not
take nails easily, nor does it split well, but it saws compara-
tively easily. Natural reproduction by seeds appears to be
poor. It scarcely sprouts from the stump. It is a shade-
bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree.
The timber has not been exported. The bark and roots
are used medicinally.
It is used locally for house-building, as verandah-posts
or supports for the roof. It has considerable tensile strength
and stands compression better still.
Anona Senegalensis (Pers.). Wild Custard Apple. Abo (Yoruba).
This is found in the Oyo and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is a small, shrub-like tree, with a short stem of about 4 or
5 feet, and has a very oval leaf, almost ovate in shape. It
bears a yellow fruit which divides up into the typical segments
common to this family. It resembles the Sugar Apple, has
a delicious taste, and the fruit is most refreshing on a hot day
at the end of the dry season. The tree is fire-resisting. Being
deciduous, it is not a soil-improving tree. It is soil-exacting,
but is also found in rocky localities. The tree is not very
prolific, but sprouts very strongly from the stump and to a
less extent with root suckers. The small timber is occasionally
used for house-building.
Anona palustris (Foster). Alligator Apple. Afe (Yoruba).
The wood is supposed to be soft, and to have been intro-
duced into the country some years ago.
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. The
fruit is edible, the foliage dense and heavy. In the dry season
the dew condenses on the leaves and towards morning drips
off on to the ground, thus keeping the immediate vicinity of
the tree quite moist. The leaves, when decayed, make a rich
humus. It is one of the most valuable soil-improving trees.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 263
Anona Mannii.
It grows in the forest region of the Central and South
Provinces of Nigeria. It is a medium-sized tree bearing large
green fruit close to the stem.
Popowia Mannii.
A specimen of this Popowia has been found in Alasko, near
the Oha River in the Ibadan province of Nigeria.
Anona Afzelii. Probably the same as Dennettia sp. Ako, Agge-
degbo (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Benin and Warri provinces
of Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree of the more swampy parts or
moister regions of the evergreen forest zone. The leaves
are a very large size, often reaching a length of 1 foot. The
wood is yellowish-white and soft and not very durable. Owing
to the very dense foliage, quite a thick layer of humus is formed
in the shade of the tree, so that its soil-improving properties
are very great. It would be a valuable tree for underplanting
mahogany or any deciduous tree, both with a view to providing
soil cover and improving the soil.
The natives do not use this wood.
Hexalobus grandiflorus (Benth.) Afara (Yoruba).
Found in the Abeokuta province.
Uvaria Afzelit. Gbogbonshe (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. A small
tree with hard wood. ‘3
Uvaria Busgenii. Paddlewood. Umaja or Umazza (Benin) ;
Uruiju Arogu (Yoruba).
It is found in the Calabar, Ogoja(?), Benin, Ondo and
Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a large tree, and reaches a girth of about 10 feet with
a good bole and limbs. The crown is narrowish, being formed
by many small branches. The bark is light green, scaling
off and leaving yellow patches with a red edge to each;
otherwise it is smooth and almost shining. It is a common
tree of the evergreen forest. With the exception of slight
hollows near the base of the stem the bole is quite
round.
The timber is a faint orange-colour with a reddish tint.
There is very little difference between the heart and sap wood,
except that the former is a lighter colour. It splits well and
planes into a smooth surface. At the corner of a square block
pieces are liable to split off. The grain is a little open and the
pores are rather long.
Termites (white ants) make no impression on it. The
264 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
timber is hard, with a certain amount of rigidity, and yet has
no resilience.
It is a slow-growing tree and shade-bearer. Judging by
the number of small trees found, reproduction from seed must
be good. It does not sprout from the stool, and root suckers
are thrown up after the trees have been felled. It likes moist
and deep soil, which must be moderately good, e.g. the red
soil of Benin and sandy loam of Badagry district.
In 1906 samples of the wood were sold in the Liverpool
market as Sabicu and realized 1s. to 2s. per superficial foot.
It has also been used for European house-building in the
Calabar province.
Native Use.—It is chiefly used for making paddles. It is
also used for joists and posts by the Benin people.
Uvaria Chame (Kew). Eruju (Yoruba).
It is a large shrub with sweet-scented flowers. Lagos
Island.
Artabotrys sp. Ako gbogbonshe (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Monodora tenuifolia. African Nutmeg. Lakosin (?) (Yoruba) ;
Unyenghen (Benin).
In younger trees there are a few narrow white streaks in
the dull green bark, which gives it quite a distinctive appearance.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a medium-sized tree with yellow
flowers tinged with white, most conspicuous after they have
fallen to the ground. The flower has three petals with
wavy edges, and reminds most people of an orchid. In fact,
many have asked whether it is not an orchid. The leaves
are light green, especially on the under-side, though darker
as the rainy season advances. The fruit is a spherical drupe,
containing several small nuts or seeds. The tree flowers before
the leaves come fully out, so that it looks very handsome
indeed. It is, in fact, one of the prettiest of all the flowering
trees. It flowers at the end of February or at the beginning
of March. It reaches a girth of about 2 feet and a bole length
of about 10 feet, though it is often much branched from about
4 feet from the ground.
It is quite common in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria,
especially in the Olokemeji Reserve and on the road between
that place and Mamu, in the Benin province, as well as being
found in the mixed deciduous forest zone.
The timber is hard and white and fairly durable. It is
tough and does not split well.
Although it stands a little shade it is a somewhat slow-
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES ~~ 265
growing, light-loving tree, but does not protect the soil. Natural
regeneration appears to be fair. It sprouts well from the
stump, often in this way forming quite a clump. On these
stool shoots it bears flowers and fruit early. It transplants
badly, more especially when placed in the open. It is
somewhat exacting as to soil, demanding a certain amount
of moisture as well as depth. It is somewhat fire-resisting,
sprouting out again after such injury.
As it does not really reach timber size, it is not of much
use for local constructional purposes.
Native Use.—The smaller trees are used as walking-sticks
and the larger ones are sometimes used for hoe and axe handles.
In clearing the land for farms, stool shoots are left standing,
to act as supports for the tendrils of the yams after they have
been planted.
Monodora myristica, var. grandifolia. Calabash Nutmeg. La-
koshe or Abo Lakoshe, Ilakosin, Igbo (Yoruba); Ukposa,
Eddo Binoyoba (Benin).
It is found in the mixed deciduous forests of the Ibadan,
Ondo, Benin, Owerri, and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria, where
it is somewhat prevalent.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a large tree, up to 7 feet in girth,
with open crown and thin foliage. The flowers are very con-
spicuous when they fall, having three very large pointed red
petals streaked with white, almost reminiscent of an orchid.
The edge of the petal is wavy, too. On the tree, the flowers
hang from the under-side of twigs with very short petioles.
It is the most handsome and largest flowering tree amongst
the Monodoras. It is, however, never quite so much covered
with flowers as the M. tenuifolia. The flowers are con-
siderably larger, being quite half to one inch longer. The
bole reaches a length of about 15 feet, but is often branched
lower down. The fruit is a large drupe, containing a number
of small nuts.
The timber is whitish, hard and somewhat tough, and does
not split well.
It is a moderately fast-growing, light-demanding tree.
With the exception of the period when it loses leaves, it is a
soil-protecting and soil-improving tree.
Although it scarcely reaches timber size, it might be tried
for smaller constructional purposes, such as handles, posts,
or rails. The quantities, however, are not very large.
Native Use.-—The nut is ground up and used in soup.
Monodora brevipes. Yellow-flowering Nutmeg. Ause, Lakosin
(Yoruba) ; Iyoha (Benin).
266 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Grows abundantly throughout the Tropics. The seeds are
useful as condiments or as medicine.
Mpyristicacee sp.
Pycnanthus Kombo. White Cedar. Akomu (Yoruba); Omocham
(Benin).
It is found in the Calabar, Ogoja, Owerri, Benin, Ondo
and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a very common tree, especially at the edges of roads
and in old farms. It is not so common in the original forest.
It grows up to 15 feet in girth. It has a very cylindrical
bole, with long, straight, outstanding branches growing close
together, more or less forming a flat crown. The leaves are large
and pinnate, and the small fruit, which grows in clusters, half
opens, disclosing a bright red interior with one round seed
covered with pink, mace-like fibre. The slash is pinkish-
white, and heavy, sticky white latex streaked with red exudes
very freely after it has been cut.
The timber is soft and white and not durable. It has not
so far been used either for export or locally.
Lauracee.
Ocotea cf. Egg-shaped fruit tree. Agkwokhau (Benin).
Found in the Benin province.
Capparidacee.
Crateva Adansonii (Guill. et Pierre). Egun oran (Yoruba).
Tree 30 feet high with yellow flowers. Found growing at
Fiditi, Oyo province.
Cappiaris Thonningii. Ekkana, Awoa (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Rosacee.
Parinariwm sp. Babu (Yoruba) ; Oria (Benin) ; Oko (Ibo, Owerri) ;
Oguru (Brass); Edat (Efik); Ukpoi, Edat, Mpuri (Oban,
Ekoi).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria, and Asaba district, Benin province.
It is a large tree with irregular surface to the bole, muscular-
like protrusions being seen here and there, as well as similar
shaped depressions. The crown is wide and flattish, and of
light foliage. The fruit is a large, nasty-smelling, apple-
shaped drupe.
The timber is white, with apparently little difference between
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 267
sap and heart wood, and it is hard and tough, not splitting
at all easily.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree, said to be termite-proof. It has
considerable resiliency, and stands a certain amount of bending
strain.
The timber has not been used for export, nor has it been
sawn up for planks for local use.
Native Use.—The Yorubas use the timber for making
mortars for food.
Parinarium sp. Red Mahogany. Abue (Egbado, Yoruba); Da-
badogun (Benin).
It is plentiful in the Benin and the Abeokuta provinces
of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics.—It grows into a large tree, but is
often seen as a small tree, suppressed by other quicker-growing
trees. The dense, somewhat spreading crown is a typical
feature of the tree. Its large leaves attract attention, espe-
cially compared to the size of the tree. The bole is often crooked
and covered with dark green cortex, with only a limited amount
of fine bark.
It has a hard, red wood, not unlike mahogany, but with
a more fibrous grain. It is durable, especially when left in a
wet place. It works up with a good surface and very pleasing
colour, making it thoroughly worthy of being a substitute for
mahogany. Being a shade-bearer, soil-protecting and _ soil-
improving tree, it should eventually find a place in the forest
plantations. Despite its slow growth, its other silvicultural
qualities are worthy of attention.
It has not yet been exported, not has it been felled for
local use. For the former it appears to deserve a trial.
Native Use.—It is used for firewood.
Parinarium robustum. Sometimes called Mahogany Nuts, Nikko
Nuts ; Benin Mahogany. Ugibisaro (Benin) ; Aiyeni (Egbado) ;
Aiye, Aghaghe, Aiyeni (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta and Benin provinces of Nigeria,
in the evergreen forest zone, where it is not very prevalent.
It is a large forest tree, reaching a girth of over 12 feet and
a bole length of about 70 feet. In the dry season, in the dis-
tance, the leaves show the typical dried-up yellow appearance
of the Parinariums, especially being somewhat shiny in appear-
ance. The fruit is not unlike a very large, very dark green
plum, but rather more flattened and not so round. The inside
nut is compressedly spherical, showing five large eyes or holes
out of which seeds germinate.
268 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The sapwood is yellowish-white and somewhat broad in
proportion to the size of the tree, and the hard wood is
mahogany-red coloured, but with more fibrous grain. It planes
up with a smooth surface and splits fairly easily, especially
when nailed. It is moderately hard and quite durable, and
is not supposed to be attacked by white ants (termites). Like
most of the Parinariums, the fresh wood smells something like
honey, and the timber tends to darken on exposure to the
air, thus improving in colour.
On the whole it is a shade-bearing tree and not very fast-
growing. It has soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities.
Natural regeneration only appears to be very moderate. Like
most of the Parinariums, the kernels of the fruit are pecked
out by various birds. No plantations have been made of
this tree.
Quite by accident, in 1906 some logs obtained from this tree
were cut and exported, and sold in the Liverpool market as
Benin mahogany at 4d. per superficial foot. Since then, how-
ever, none has been cut.
Amongst the Benin natives the timber is occasionally
used for house-building.
Parinarium excelsum. Essago (Benin).
It is found in the Ondo, Benin, Owerri and Calabar provinces
of Nigeria, in the evergreen forest zone, where in certain
localities it is very prevalent.
In appearance it is like the rough-skin plum of Sierra Leone,
but a larger and taller tree. The leaf usually looks dry and
grey, especially underneath. The crown is oval and very
dense, with a mass of large limbs. The bark is covered with
white lenticels, which make it look grey. It usually bears a
large crop of fruit each year.
It reaches a girth of over 12 feet and a bole length of about
50. In proportion to the height, the bole is not so long as in
the cases of many other forest trees. The fruit is more uneven
in surface than that of P. robustum, and the surface is also
more or less speckled with little white raised lumps, giving
it a roughness to the touch. The fruit inside is yellowish-
white, rather hard and not unpleasant to taste. Where it is
found, especially in the more swampy parts, it is often almost
gregarious in habit. It is an evergreen tree.
The wood when freshly cut smells like honey. The sap-
wood is yellowish-white .and the heartwood is brown. On
the whole it is much harder than P. robustum. Occasionally
it appears cross-grained, and does not plane up with such a
smooth finish. It saws less easily, and it is hard to drive nails
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 269
into it. It does not split well. It is rather a heavy wood
and does not float.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing tree, which
thoroughly protects the soil and improves it with its leaf fall.
Natural regeneration appears to be none too good. No plan-
tations have been made of this tree.
It has not been felled for local use, but occasionally it has
been used for firewood, which is of somewhat high calorific
power. The fruit is occasionally useful to temporarily assuage
hunger in the forest.
It was sold as African greenheart at Is. 6d. to Is. 9d.
a cubic foot in the Liverpool market in 1906.
Native Use.—None, and the fruit is not eaten. Elephants
eat the fruit.
Parinarium polyandrum (Benth.) (2). Plum. Ako Idofun (Yoruba).
Smaller fruit than P. curatellefoliwum and very hard;
similar flowers, the leaves rough and only slightly grey-green
on the under-surface. Stem reddish-brown with long lenticels,
leaves larger and longer.
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria.
Native Use.—The tree is used by the natives for building
farmhouses.
Parinarium curatellefolium (Planch.). Abo-Idofun (Yoruba).
A small tree 10 feet in height and 1 foot in diameter, with
large umbelliferous flowers of a white colour. The leaves
are rough and shiny on the upper surface, and with more white
underneath than the P. polyandrum.
Native Use.—The fruit is edible, though not usually eaten.
No use as firewood. The wood is used for building farm-sheds.
Parinarium Gabunense. Mahogany Nut. Abere (Yoruba).
Found in the Ondo province.
Chrysobalanus sp. Niko Nut. Igata (Yoruba).
Found at Ebuttemetta.
Leguminose (Czsalpinez).
Cassta Sieberiana. Cassia. Aridan-toro (Yoruba) ; Ezzi, Apagban
(Benin).
It is commonly found in Benin, Ibadan and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria, more especially in the latter. It is a small
tree bearing large and long racemes of yellow flowers in Feb-
ruary, making it very reminiscent of the laburnum. The tree
is leafless at the time, so that the flowers are all the more
conspicuous. The almost rectangular branching habit of this
tree, combined with the rather thin twigs, is very typical. It
yields a hard, red wood, but the sapwood is yellowish-white.
270 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The natives use the fruit medicinally and the timber for house-
building. The pods are usually about a foot long and half an
inch in diameter.
Cassia toro. Cassia. Ako Kere (Yoruba).
It is found at Olokemeji, in the Abeokuta province of
Nigeria. Its medicinal use as a remedy for ringworm is not
known to the natives of that locality.
Cassia fistula. Cassia. Bembedo (Yoruba).
It is rather an uncommon tree of the Benin province of
Nigeria, one specimen being found in the Idah district ;
the longer (1 to 2 feet) and stouter (} to 1 inch) pod is most
typical of this tree. It is otherwise much the same size as
Cassia Steberiana. The natives use the fruit medicinally,
but look upon the tree as a “ great medicine.”
Cassia podocarpa (G. and P.). Cassia. Asunwon (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
Shrub with yellow flowers.
Cassia occidentalis. Blackwater Plant. Rere (Yoruba).
It is a small shrub-like herb with large upright flowers,
which is usually found growing in waste places at the edge
of villages in the Yoruba country, in the mixed deciduous
forest zone. A medicine to cure blackwater fever is made
from this plant, though doctors now say it is not an infallible
cure.
Ormosia laxiflora (Benth.). False Dalbergia. Shedun (Yoruba).
It is found in the Ibadan, Abeokuta, Onitsha and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria, chiefly at the edge of the dry-zone forest.
It is ‘a small tree, 12 feet high and 18 inches in girth, with
almost brick-red or orange-coloured bark, which is thin and
often scarred by natives. It has a long, thin pod. with thin,
flat seeds. It reminds one very much of a small Dalbergia.
It stands the annual fires well, though it gets singed each year.
The base of the bole is often’ somewhat enlarged with the
constant cutting of the bark both of the stem and the upper-
most roots.
The timber is yellowish-red and not very hard, but rough
to work up, being more in the nature of a turner’s than a
joiner’s wood. The grain is often by no means straight, and
the wood shows a little figure.
Withstanding the fires so well, it serves, or should serve,
as a nurse for the introduction of more valuable species amongst
the dry-zone trees, especially on the laterite soils. Natural
regeneration is good and it sprouts well from the stump. Root
suckers do not appear to be so prevalent as in many dry-zone
species. It is a light-loving species, which does not protect
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 271
the soil properly, though the foliage is comparatively dense
for that type of tree. It is slow-growing. No plantations
have been made.
It does not attain sufficient size for export, but it might
be tried for local ‘turnery work. It is useful for local hut-
building.
Native Use.—House-building, and the roots when boiled
are used in medicine as a tonic.
Afrormosia elata. African Satinwood, Yellow Satinwood. Ayin
(Yoruba); Anyeran, Anyesan, Ehranobapotineddo (Benin) ;
Egbi (Ibadan) ; Elo Uta (Ibo, Owerri).
A very conspicuous tree, with its orange-red trunk near
the base, gradually shading off to yellow higher up, and towards
the branches a light-green colour. Large, irregular-shaped
pieces of bark fall off from time to time, in a similar way to
the plane-tree of Europe, though with its reddish trunk it is
not so much like the plane as Afzelia Africana. The root
flanges or spurns are very thin and do not extend beyond about
three feet up the stem of the tree. In plate No. 82 one of
these trees, growing near Benin, shows the open, rather narrow
crown with its few main limbs supporting it.
It is commonest in the Benin, but also found in the Ondo,
Owerri and Calabar provinces in the moist evergreen forests.
It is also seen in secondary forests of the same zone.
The timber planes well, but does not split. It saws easily,
but takes nails with difficulty. It is sometimes figured, espe-
cially logs from the base of the tree.
It is pretty easily killed by fire at the roots, though other-
wise it tends to spread with cultivation. The sapwood is
almost white and the heartwood a yellowish-green, when
fresh, but a dull yellow when dry. It is very hard and with-
stands the attacks of white ants (termites). Even the sap-
wood of a young tree had not rotted after six years near the
bank of the Ogba, Benin province. It grows moderately
quickly.
The flower is inconspicuous and small, and the pod is also
small, being about 2} inches long and } inch broad, containing
two or three flat seeds. The tree does not bear very heavily,
and in consequence natural regeneration is not very good,
though such seeds as actually form properly seem to germinate
well. In youth it bears some shade, but in middle age seems
to be almost a light-demander.
Although when freshly cut the wood does not float, when
thoroughly dry it would not be difficult to float it with a lighter
species.
272 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The timber was reported as satinwood and worth 3d. to
Is. per superficial foot in the Liverpool market in 1906, and
that moderate quantities (of fair length and squares) would be
taken.
Pterocarpus esculentus (Schum. and Thon.). Edible-fruited Padouk.
Gbingbindo (Yoruba) ; Akpanagya, Uruhe (Benin) ; Nja (Efik).
It is one of the most common waterside trees of all the
Southern Provinces of Nigeria; some of the rivers on the
banks of which it is found are the Ovia, Ogun and Cross River.
Belonging to the mixed deciduous forest zone, it is in the middle
reaches of these rivers where it is most prevalent. :
A typical feature of this small tree is the bright, yellow-
coloured flower, which quite brightens up the banks of the
rivers at the end of February or March. Another most peculiar
feature is the odd, somewhat kidney-shaped fruit with its
rough surface corrugations, containing inside a hardish nut
about 1 inch in diameter. Either the nuts or the fruit are
often seen floating down the rivers, especially where they are
tidal. The leaves are more typical of the Pterocarps, other-
wise the fruit is most unlike either those of the genus or even
of the family. The bole of the tree is short, smooth and almost
silver-grey in colour, though it is often discoloured with the
mud from the perennial floods of the river. It is usually seen
with more than one stem.
The timber is white and not over-hard. It is not very
durable.
The tree is not very fast-growing, but is an evergreen, with
a short period in which nearly all the leaves fall. It serves
a most useful purpose in holding the banks of the streams
wherever it is found, and it is noticeable that its roots appear
to extend a long way back and that it is one of the last trees to
be washed out by floods. It sprouts fairly well from the stump
when cut, unless it is almost at once submerged by the floods,
which points to the fact that it should be cut only at the begin-
ning or towards the end of the dry season. Natural regenera-
‘tion appears to be fair, but no plantations have been tried
with this tree.
The nuts have not been examined to see what they contain,
though they are of nutritive value.
For export it does not yield large timber, and for local use
it is rather small, but for local huts it might occasionally be
used where other timber is scarce, as in the dry zone. It makes
a fair firewood in those places. Although the fruit is supposed
to be edible, very few natives have tried it, and apparently
it is only used in times of great scarcity.
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 278
Pterocarpus Osun. African Padouk or Barwood. Osun, Osun
dudu (Yoruba); Ume, Ureben (Benin); Opepe (Ikala, Ijor).
It is found in the Ogoja and Calabar provinces of Nigeria,
in the mixed deciduous forest zone, where it is none too preva-
lent. A specimen was found near Ibami, in the Obubra district.
It is a small tree with small yellow flowers and rather small
leaves. The branches are placed close together and the crown
is very dark and thick. The bole is short, rarely exceeding
15 feet in length, and the bark a dark brown colour. The bole
reaches a girth of about 5 feet.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood of a dull-red
colour, but in proportion the sapwood is rather wide. It is
moderately hard, fairly durable, but not termite-proof. It
planes well, saws easily, takes nails ; it does not split very well.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-pro-
tecting and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration does
not appear to be very good. It is doubtful if it sprouts from
the stump. It has not been cut for export, nor has it been
felled for local use.
On the Cross River the Camwood was sold to the European
merchants, at the rate of 409 billets per ton, for £4 10s., so that
with the added cost of river and ocean freight and sale charges,
there was no profit when it was being sold at £6 10s. per ton
in the Liverpool market. Better prices are always secured
if it is shipped in squared logs, 24 inches square and 24 to
30 feet in length.
Apparently it is not the Camwood used by the natives,
because plenty of trees are seen scattered about in the neigh-
bourhood of Obubra untouched
Pterocarpus erinaceus. African Rosewood. Apepe, Ara (Yoruba) ;
Oyo, Upeka (Benin).
This tree grows in the dry-zone savannah forests of the Ogoja
province of Nigeria. It is of small size ; the flowers, which are
yellow, appear in March. The timber is of little value, the tree
not being large enough to yield a useful timber, but it has been
sold as African Rosewood. It has a beautiful rose-red colour.
Pterocarpus sp. So-called Camwood. Osun pupa (Yoruba) ;
Akume (Benin); also spineless fruited Camwood.
It is found in the Calabar, Ogoja, Benin and Ondo provinces
of Nigeria. On the bank of the Cross River, near the Ossizza
factory, there is a large specimen, standing about 20 feet away
from the water’s edge.
It is not very common, and chiefly found near river banks
in the evergreen forest towards their northern limit. It is a
medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of 9 feet at the most
18
274 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
and a height of 70 feet. The bole length does not exceed
40 feet. The bark is light-brown, almost yellow-brown, with
rough fissures and fibrous surface, more like an elm, though
thinner. The branches are thin and light-coloured. In flower
the tree is a mass of little yellow peaflowers, and numerous
bees swarm round the crown of the tree, indicating its presence.
Again, when the fruit ripens the crown is a mass of yellow-
brown winged fruits all fluttering in the wind. They are
always in bunches near the ends of the twigs. The fruit is
round and flat, with no hairs on it, with a thin papery wing com-
pletely surrounding and joined to it, which makes it rather thicker
and stiffer than the other species. It is not at all typical of
the Pterocarpus genus. The seed in the centre has a rough
surface. The trunk usually is not quite straight, having a
slight bend or two in its length. In habit, more like a Com-
bretum or young elm to look at. The crown is round, almost
spherical, and does not usually occupy more than one-third
of the height of the tree.
The sapwood is white; the heartwood is of a dull purply
colour, which is inclined to stain into the sapwood after the
tree is cut down and exposed to rain. On the whole the colour
of the wood is deeper than that of the other Pterocarpus, but it
is said to yield a less fast and poorer coloured red dye than
that of the other species, P. Osun. It is moderately hard.
It planes well, and is sometimes cross-grained. It takes nails
easily, but does not split very well, though it saws with com-
parative ease.
Although it stands a good deal of shade in its youth, it
is apparently a light-demanding tree with soil-protecting and
soil-improving qualities. It is not very fast-growing. Natural
regeneration appears to be poor, chiefly, perhaps, owing to
the fact that the seeds are quickly eaten by small boring insects
soon after they fall to the ground. It is rather exacting as
to soil, and prefers the deep, moist, sandy loam. Only isolated
specimens are seen.
The timber has not been exported yet, and despite the
fact that it does not reach such a large size as P. Osun, it
deserves a trial. For local use it should find a place for house
construction in a similar position to which the Osun and others
are used by the natives.
It has not been cut or used as a dye root, chiefly owing
to its poorer colour. It is, however, used in house-building.
Pterocarpus. Cross River Camwood.
It is found in the Obubra district of the Calabar province
of Nigeria. In habit it is very similar to the other Camwoods.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 275:
Pterocarpus Soyauxti. Large Fruited Camwood. Arakpa, Ume
(Benin) ; Ukpa (Efik).
It is found in the Ogoja, Benin, Warri (?), Ondo, Ibadan (?)
and Abeokuta (?) provinces of Nigeria.
It is a common tree in the mixed deciduous forests, reach-
ing a height of 80 to 100 feet, with a bole length of 50 feet and
a girth of 10 feet. The bark is a darker colour than P. Osun,
but a little rougher. The leaf is smaller than P. Osun, but
is unarmed. The most typical difference in this tree is the
fruit, which is the largest of all, 2} to 3 inches in diameter,
with plenty of prickly thorns in the centre of each surface.
The wood is a much darker red, quite a dull, almost purple
red. The root spurns on the whole extend higher up the trunk
than P. Osun (up to 4 feet). The slash is white, but thin red
latex soon exudes out of it.
The wood is hardish, but the sapwood is very white and
soft. The wood does not make the same kind of stain as P.
Osun, though apparently it keeps its colour much better than
P. Osun. When exposed to light, P. Osun loses it very quickly
and becomes a dull-brown colour. The grain is open and
varies a little in colour, giving it a pleasing effect. Termites do
not attack it. It splits well.
It sprouts from the stump slightly, but such shoots do not
attain any size. Seedlings come up readily from fallen seeds.
The seeds are liable to be eaten by the “‘ ground pig” almost
at once. It grows moderately quickly, but is a light-lover.
It has an undivided stem.
Samples were sent to Liverpool in 1916 and sold as African
Padauk, and it was reported that “small quantities sell ”’
satisfactorily. It has been cut for local use for buildings.
Native Use.—It is used for making wooden shovels, all
out of one piece. Also in house-building as wall-plates at
the top of the mud walls, also in the Oba’s house for
uprights.
Erythrophleum sp. Sasswood. Inyi (Benin).
This tree was determined from material from the Central
Circle.
— Erythrophlewm Guineense. Sasswood, or Sassy Bark, or Ordeal
Bark. Erun obo (Yoruba); Oginyi (Benin); Akpa Etuidiwi
(Efik); Arachi (Ibo, Asaba); Inyi, Ibo (Onitsha, Ibo,
Owerri).
It is found in the Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Onitsha
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria in the mixed deciduous
forest zone, where it is often very prevalent, more especially
north of Ifon and Alabeta in the Benin province.
276 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is a large tree, reaching a girth of over 10 feet and a
bole length of over 30 feet. The crown, however, is large
and wide-spreading, but generally spherical in shape. Com-
paratively low down, the bole divides up into three or four
main limbs. ‘The trunk is seldom very straight, usually having
a twist in one direction or another. The root spurns are
moderately large, but are rounded in shape. The bark is dark-
brown and thick, scaling off to a slight extent in old age. The
fruit is a pod about 3 inches long and an inch wide, containing
six or eight flattish black beans, black to brown. These burst
when ripe, but the seeds only gradually fall to the ground.
The fine pinnate leaves are close together and open out into
dense foliage most typical of the Leguminosew. The upper
part of the limbs and trunk is light-brown. The flowers are
minute and not often seen.
The sapwood is dull yellow and the heartwood a dull
red-brown. It is very heavy and hard, but not as hard as red
ironwood or the Yoruba ironwood. It is very durable and
quite termite-proof; although sometimes a little cross-grained,
with good tools it can be worked up to a smooth finish by
planing. Holes have to be made in it for nails. It saws well,
but splits only moderately easily. In the saw mill it was found
that the hardness of the wood blunted the saws, which needed
constantly sharpening.
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting, soil-
improving tree. Natural regeneration appears to be good,
and it is moderately resistant to fire. Tends to condense dew
in the dry season. It suppresses most other trees by shade.
Amongst the dry-zone vegetation it clings to the banks of
rivers, and is common on the upper banks of the upper reaches
of the Ogun. No plantations have been made with this tree.
In 1906 sample logs of the sister tree, EH. micranthum, were
exported and sold in the Liverpool market as a species of oak,
so that this timber deserves a trial as a substitute for teak
or oak,
It was cut for the Public Works Department at Onitsha
and found very suitable for decking of bridges. The small
bridge over the Nkissi, near Onitsha, was built entirely with
this timber.
Erythrophleum micranthum. Sasswood or Ordeal Bark. Ovinni
(Benin); Erinji (Ijor); Ihi (Ibo, Owerri).
It is found in the Warri, Benin and Calabar provinces of
Nigeria.
As a small tree, one of the first to appear when the mangrove
swamp gives way to the evergreen rain forest near the coast.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 277
On solid land it attains a large size, even larger than that of
E. Guineense. ‘The pod is a little larger than that of Z.
Guineense, and the bark smoother. The crown is dense and
very large, almost spherical in shape, and reaching more than
one-third down the length of the tree.
The timber is very similar in its qualities to 2. Guineense,
but has a straighter grain in the larger specimens. It is very
durable.
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing tree, with soil-protecting
and soil-improving qualities. Natural regeneration does not
appear to be very good, though numerous pods are borne on
the tree almost every year. No plantations have yet been
made with it.
For local use, it has not been cut in a similar way to £.
Guineense. The natives occasionally use this tree for making
canoes. In the 1906 timber report from the Liverpool
market it was valued as a species of oak at ls. 9d. per cubic
foot, and was not considered so good as either red oak, Lophira
procera, or white oak, Ostryoderris impressa.
Native Use.—The bark is boiled in water and a beautiful
red-coloured liquid is produced. It is administered as an
ordeal trial for witchcraft, and is not poisonous if given in
large doses.
Brachystegia spiceformis. Agberigeddi, Ako (Yoruba); Okkwan
(Benin); Etare (Oban, Ekoi); Ungu (Ibo, Owerri); Mpanju,
Akpanya, Ikpanya (Efik).
This tree is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan (?), Ondo, Benin,
Warri, Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is a rough, scaly-barked tree of huge size (see illustration),
reaching a girth of 30 feet and a height of 150 feet. The crown
is flattish, formed by a few wide-spreading limbs and numerous
small branches. The foliage is moderate for a Leguminous
tree. The yellowish flowers are almost unseen, being placed
underneath the leaves. The dark-brown woody pods burst
with a bang not unlike a gunshot, and release four or five flat
black, shiny beans about 4 inch across. The foliage goes almost
black on reaching the ground, killing all the small plants. A
brownish gum exudes from the tree when cut, and this hardens
into a reddish, opaque mass similar to Almeidina, and in fact
is the source of this gutta percha-like substance.
Timber.—It is a rather hard, light-brown wood with
pretty, almost evenly distributed streaks of darker brown
shade in it. It is very durable. The white sapwood soon
rots on exposure to the weather. It is suitable as a furniture
wood.
278 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Silvicultural Characteristics.—It bears a good deal of shade.
It reproduces almost every year plentiful mature seed ; grows
fast, but not so rapidly as the cotton-tree, Ricinodendron
and others. It is sometimes distinctly gregarious, as, for in-
stance, south-west of Benin City.
European Use.—It has not been exported, but the P.W.D.
have used it for verandah-posts and planks. It has been much
admired for the good colour of the wood and the streaky grain.
Native Use.—By the Benin people it is not considered a
good wood, but the gum is sometimes used.
Daniellia ogea. Gum Copal. Ogea (Yoruba); Ogea (Benin) ;
Udeni (Ibo, Owerri) ; Mpanju, Ikpanya, Akpanya (Efik). Also
known as D. oblonga and Cyanothyrsus ogea, but now called
D. ogea.
This tree is found growing in the heavy-rain intermediary
forest of Benin, Ondo country and Mamu Reserve. It is a very
fine tree with straight rounded bole, often reaching a height
of 120 feet before the first branch. The bark is light grey
and slightly ringed. The flowers blue and not very noticeable.
Timber.—Of no commercial value, as it is soft and rots
quickly.
Uses.—A good gum copal is obtained from it, the best in
the ground, after the tree has rotted. It is used for varnish
making ; worth 30s. to 60s. a hundredweight.
Daniellia Fosteri. Gum Copal. Oguja or Ogea (Yoruba).
Found near Olokemeji and Ijebu-Ode. It yields a third-
quality resin according to Holland in The Useful Plants of
Nigeria.
Daniellia Punchit (Kew). Gum Copal. Ajia (Yoruba).
Daniellia caudata. Benin Gum Copal. Mogbara, Ashuwole (Yoru-
ba); Ogea (Benin); Agbara (Ikale.)
It is found in the Ondo, Benin and Ogoja provinces of
Nigeria. The bole is the straightest and most cylindrical of
any of the African forest trees. It often attains a height
of over 100 feet before the first branches are reached. The
cylindrical shape is further enhanced by the few quite concentric
rings on the bark, horizontally arranged round the trunk of
the tree. The bark is otherwise quite smooth and of a silvery-
green or light-green colour ; for the size of the tree it is very
thin, and the tree may reach a girth of 25 feet, and the bark
then is usually only 4 to ? inch thick. The slash is yellowish-
white ; the sapwood is white and scarcely distinguishable from
the heartwood, which gradually takes a pinkish tinge when
it is dry. The flowers are blue and not unlike those of the
fuchsia, and the tree is easily seen at the end of the dry season
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 279
by the bare crown with its blue flowers. The path later on is
covered with these. There are practically no root spurns, the
stem emerging straight away from the ground. The crown
is very flat, and does not usually occupy more than one-fifth
of the total height of the tree. The branches are few and of
slight and almost feathery build. The timber is soft, not
durable nor termite-proof. It saws easily, does not split very
well, and considering its softness it does not plane at all well
nor with a very smooth surface. Natural reproduction by
seed appears to be poor, although plenty of seeds seem to
ripen ; there is one seed in each pod. It is a light-loving,
deciduous tree, but for eleven months of the year it is certainly
a soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. It demands a deep,
moist and somewhat rich soil, though judging by the various
localities in which it is found it is doubtful if it is really exact-
ing as to soil.
In 1906 sample logs of this timber were sent to the Liver-
pool market and considered to be a species of mahogany, but
of no value. Natives have not used it to any extent for local
purposes.
Piptadenia Africana. Light African Greenheart. Agboin (Yoru-
ba); Sanga (New Calabar) ; Iteruku (Efik); Ebbome (Oban,
Ekoi) ; Ekhimi (Benin).
This is a common tree in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri,
Owerri, Onitsha, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is one of the most prevalent trees in the evergreen forests,
but is also found in the mixed deciduous forests, especially,
in both cases, near the edges of the waterways. It is a very
large tree, attaining a height of over 120 feet and a girth of
over 12 feet. The bole is often 80 or 90 feet in length and
perfectly straight. The crown is thin, ovally flat, but wide-
spreading. The thick, heavily foliaged and drooping appear-
ance at the ends of the branches makes the tree a most hand-
some ornament to a station. At the root, flanges are com-
paratively long and widespreading, reaching often over 6 feet up
the stem, having root spurns quite 12 or 15 feet away from the
tree. The stem divides up into a few large branches which
form the crown; the bark is yellow-brown and smooth, but
when the tree is growing in the sunlight it becomes a much
lighter colour and sometimes almost grey. The slash is yellow,
with a light-brown tinge; the flowers are quite inconspicuous
when they appear in January or February, being formed of
little narrow spikes. One of the most conspicuous features
of this tree is the thin, flat pod, which maf grow as much as
1 foot long and nearly 1 inch broad, Six to eight seeds
280 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
are contained in each pod, and these, including the wing, are
2 inches in length. The flat seed, which is found in the
centre, is brown and shiny, and is only about one-six-
teenth to one-eighth of an inch in thickness. It has a tiny
string-like attachment to the centre, which distinguishes it
from Newtonia on the one hand and Cylicodiscus on the other.
The young green foliage is also most distinctive and attractive
in its freshly salmon-pink colour, also the greenish tips
of the older leaves. The leaves themselves are bipinnate ;
there are often twenty to twenty-four pairs of pinne, each of
which is about half an inch long.
The sapwood is white and comparatively wide; the heart-
wood is a pretty light-brown colour, a little darker when fresh,
but still retaining a good light-brown colour when it is dry.
Although at first rather heavy and hard, it seasons as a com-
paratively light and scarcely hard wood; it planes well and
saws fairly easily ; takes nails moderately well, but does not
split at all easily, especially when fresh; has an open grain
and the pores are comparatively long. It is a durable wood
and is almost termite-proof, especially when it is quite dry.
When moderately dry the logs float in water. It weighs
53 pounds per cubic toot.
It is a light-loving species which does not protect or improve
the soil, except in so far as it is a leguminous tree and its roots
thus improve the ground. It is a moderately rapidly growing
tree which stands a little shade in its youth. Natural re-
generation appears to be only moderate. It sprouts well from
the stump, and stump shoots appear to be very persistent.
It is rather sensitive to fire and is easily killed by placing
rubbish near its roots and then burning the heap. No plan-
tations have yet been formed for this tree. In the forest the
seeds fall to the ground and are soon eaten by a small boring
insect. It likes a comparatively good soil, but is found on
sandy soil which has great moisture ; it does not like flooding,
but will stand a little.
Locally, it is occasionally used as a house-building timber.
The bark is occasionally chipped off for use medicinally.
Europeans have cut it up and used it as verandah-posts, joists
and verandah handrails. However, in an unseasoned state
the sapwood was attacked by termites, and thus it was not
entirely satisfactory. The heartwood when quite dry does
not warp and appears to be very durable.
In 1906 sample logs of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as “Greenheart” at 2s. 9d. per cubic foot. Since
that date no regular supplies have been sent to the market,
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 281
so that it has not been thoroughly tested as to its value as an
export timber.
Isoberlinia Doka (Kew).
It is found in the Ogoja, Abeokuta and Owerri provinces
of Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree with rather large, widespreading
pinnate leaves. It is one of the few trees that are gregarious
in habit, groups from half an acre to an acre in extent being
found. The tree is used for house-building and withstands
a certain amount of fire, as it grows at the edge of the dry-zone
forest.
~Berlinia acuminata. Red Oak. Apado (Abeokuta), Ewon Pala
(Ikale), Adugbin (Ibadan) (Yoruba); Ekpagoi (Benin); Ajia
(Ibo, Asaba); Obuba (New Calabar) ; Hanabali (Oban, Ekoi).
This is a common tree in all the Southern Provinces of
Nigeria. Although it is found most frequently in the
evergreen forest zone, a small, bush-like variety is also
found in the open deciduous forest. The most conspicuous
features of this. tree are the large foot-shaped unripe pods ;
these stick out, isolated, at right angles to the general
direction of the surface of the ground—this makes them appear
all the more prominent and most odd in appearance. When
the pods burst, the large flat beans are released, and each
side of the pod curls up, but appears speckled white with round
dull spots along the middle. The flowers are white, nearly
2 inches across, with one red streak in the centre. In the
evergreen forest zone these flowers do not seem so conspicuous,
but in the dry zone the tree is covered with blossom, making
it one of the most beautiful. In the heavy forest zone the.
bole reaches the length of nearly 80 feet and the girth of over
20. With its smooth, shiny grey bark, at the first glance it is
not unlike a beech-tree. The root spurns are usually quite
small, and do not extend beyond 2 feet up the stem. The
slash is white and of a yellow colour on the inner edge. The
leaves are pinnate, with one odd leaf at the end, being usually
nearly 3 inches long ; the total length of the leaf is often over
1 foot. The freshly ripened beans are almost square in shape,
fiat, and nearly a quarter of an inch thick. Each side of the pod
is usually the size of an average man’s foot, and sometimes
larger ; it is also not unlike it in shape, but the curve where
the instep should be is very slight. The crown is spherical
and very large, often occupying one-third of the total height
of the tree. The foliage is comparatively dense, and it is not
possible to see through the top of it. The tree loses
its leaves for a very short time each year. In the dry zone
282 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
it is often not much more than a shrub, or at most a small
tree 35 feet in height.
The sapwood is white and wide. The heartwood is of a
deep-red colour, especially when freshly cut ; when dry it still
retains a good red colour, and from this feature it has been
termed “red” oak. The timber saws fairly well, but splits
badly ; it is somewhat hard to plane it up to a smooth surface,
as it is sometimes cross-grained. The heartwood is termite-
proof ; it takes nails only moderately well. It is a moderately
hard and durable wood ; it does not warp very much. When
the logs are dry they will float in water. The weight of the
timber is 55 pounds per cubic foot.
Considering the prevalence of the tree, natural regeneration
is poor—rodents may account, of course, for many of the
beans; it sprouts well from the stump. In the dry-zone
forest region root suckers appear too. It is a shade-bearing
and soil-improving tree; it does not grow very fast. No
plantations have yet been made with this tree, though it
deserves a place in experimental plantations. It demands a
good soil, and the roots go down to a greater depth than many
of the other trees.
Locally it is used as a house-building timber, and occasion-
ally the dried pods are used as firewood.
In 1906 sample logs of this tree were sold in the Liverpool
market as red oak at 2s. per cubic foot. It was not considered
as good as Aligna or as Erumacie. Since that date no further
shipments of this timber have been made. A further testing
of the market by small trial shipments of logs would thoroughly
reveal its value as an export timber.
Berlinia auriculata (Benth.). Red Oak. Ekpagoize (Benin).
Found near the Okwo River in the Siluko sub-district of
the Benin province. It is not quite such a large species as
the B. acuminata.
Parkia biglobosa. African Locust. Aridan Abatta, Irugbo Abatta
Iru (Yoruba); Ubgori, Lakobemi, Enymi (Benin) ; Inya (New
Calabar) ; Ekok (Oban, Ekoi).
It is a very common tree in the Calabar, Owerri, Warri,
Benin, Ondo (?) and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a large tree, with wide spreading fruit flanges. It has
darker and heavier foliage and a wider crown than Parkia
filicoidea. It often shows up on river banks with its light-
red young leaves. It should be easily distinguished from
other similar trees of this family by its cluster of beans, similar
to French beans, when ripe. These are yellow, and the spice-
like scent and the round balls of staminate flowers of a crushed
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 283
strawberry colour are not easily forgotten. Often only the
yellow pistil is found lying on the path. It likes a damp to
wet soil, and is usually found growing at the edge of, or actually
in, freshwater swamps.
Timber.—The wood is hardish, but is said to rot easily,
though it appears to be rather doubtful, and probably only
applies to unseasoned wood.
Natural regeneration by seed is good. The tree stands a
good deal of shade in its younger stages of growth. No
other trees will grow under it, and few can stand any or much
of its shade.
European Use.—It has not so far been used by Europeans
for export or local use.
Native Use.—The seeds are cooked and eaten to some
extent by the Yorubas and Benin people.
Parkia filicoidea. African Locust. Irugba (Yoruba name for
fruit); Igba the tree (Yoruba); Gumui (Mendi); Olibracha
(Egba) (Yoruba).
This is a common tree in Abeokuta, Oyo, Benin, and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria. It is found in the deciduous forests.
It reaches a height of over 60 feet, with a girth of 5 feet. One
of the most distinguishing features of this tree are the very
feathery leaves, which appear after the flowers. The large
spherical balls of the red staminate flowers enliven the tree in
the early part of the year; later in the year masses of pods,
each about 9 inches long, hang down from the ends of the
twigs. The base of the bole is often gnarled, partly with the
slight root flanges and by the almost continual cutting of
the bark by the natives. Normally the bark is brown and com-
paratively smooth. The bole is short, dividing about 20 feet
from the ground into a large number of small branches. On
the whole, as the tree advances in age the branches tend to
become pendulous. The crown, spherical in shape, is inclined
to be irregularly broken up—partly by the different length
of the branches.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood a dull-brown
colour ; for the size of the tree the sapwood is wide. It saws
indifferently well, splits badly ; it is hard to plane ; it is said to
be termite-proof. The wood is hard and tough. |
The tree is a light-loving but not soil-improving species,
except in so far as the root globules take up nitrogen and free
it for the use of other plants. Naturally, generation is none
too good. Root suckers appear to some extent; it sprouts
most readily from the stump. Perhaps the lack of young
self-sown seedlings is due to the fact that the seeds are largely
284 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
used by the natives. In a few places small plantations have
been made with this tree. It is very fire-resisting, and ap-
parently the fruit-bearing capacity of the tree is not reduced
to any extent by the prevalence of the annual grass-fires in
the localities where it is found. During the whole of its life
it is a slow-growing tree.
The yellow pulp in the pods is eaten by the natives. The
bark at the base of the tree is chipped off and used for making
a tonic when infused with water. The tree is occasionally
used locally as a house-building timber ; for this purpose it is
used chiefly as uprights in the main buildings.
The timber has not been tried for export, and it is doubtful
whether its size warrants its use for this purpose.
Tetrapleura Thonningii. Angular Pod. Aridan (Yoruba); Ig-
mikkia (fruit), Ikhememi (tree) (Benin) ; Osshosha (Ibo, Asaba).
The dark-green feathery foliage on its oval crown is very
typical of this tree, especially when it is found near a roadside
in the mixed forests. It is also often found on river banks at
the edge of the dry zone or in other parts of the mixed forests.
The indehiscent pods with four edges, leaving practically no
centre, are most typical of the tree ; they are shiny and have
a peculiar medicinal smell. The fruit is known as Igmikkia,
by which name the tree is most usually called by Europeans,
in the Benin country.
The tree is prevalent in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Oyo, Benin,
Onitsha, Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is a shade-bearer and thoroughly protects the ground
all the year round, except for about two weeks when the leaves
fall. Natural regeneration does not appear to be good, seed-
lings being rarely found, and no plantations have been made
with it, though if of more value it might be mixed with teak.
The seeds always command a ready sale at a low price.
The wood is hard, brown, and splits badly. No use
has yet been found for it. It is sometimes cross-grained, the
sapwood white.
The natives use the timber for making doors, window-frames
and benches. The seeds are sold in the Yoruba, Benin and
Ibo markets ; they are cooked for soup, which acts as a slight
aperient or is of other medicinal value.
Millettia Thonningii (Baker). Ito (Yoruba); Ebakwe (Benin).
It is found in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a small tree really, reaching a girth of only 4 feet, with
a short bole and a few somewhat slender and drooping branches.
The twigs and new leaves are distinctly of weeping habit. In
February, in the mixed forest, the bare tree shows up with
Fic. 62.—Base of Bilinga (Afzelia Africana), Fic. 62.—Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii),
14 feet in girth, Dajopa Forest Reserve 7 feet _in girth, near Oniloku Road, Oloke-
Olokemeji Reserve. meji Reserve.
Fic. 63.—Afara (Terminalia superba), base of Fic. 64.—Afzelia Africana, 14 feet in girth,
mature tree over 12 feet in girth, Oloke- showing bole and usual fork, Ijaiye Range,
meji Reserve. Dajopa, Olokemeji Forest Reserve.
To face p. 284.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 285
its beautiful clusters of lilac-coloured, pea-shaped flowers,
and later in delicate contrast to the fresh, light-green leaves.
The trunk is usually not quite straight, being bent about 8 or
10 feet from the ground. The bark is smooth, thin, and almost
of a silvery-grey colour. The branches are very whippy and
difficult to break.
Timber.—The wide sapwood is white and the narrow heart-
wood green-brown when freshly cut. It is very hard, of fine
grain and texture, and planes with a smooth surface. It does
not split; is very rough and flexible.
It is a shade-bearer and grows slowly. The fruit is a small
black and pointed pod which opens when ripe, having about
three or four beans inside. It is easily killed by fire, but
sprouts freely from the stool. It does not crack nor warp.
It has not been exported nor cut for local use, but it should
be a good wood for turnery.
Native Use.—It is used for knives and .axe-handles.
Cynometra Afzelii. Waterside Cynometra. Akushunmajadin,
Alade (Ikale); Iku (seeds), Aka, Eggi (Yoruba); Ogabezzi,
Ogikiomi Upakeka (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Benin province of Nigeria. On
the whole it is smaller than C. Mannii, though it has a similar
habit. It grows, too, in similar localities, though for the most
part it is confined to the evergreen forest zone. It also
grows more or less in gregarious groups. The shade of this
species is just as dense, if not denser than that of the fore-
going. The leaf of the Cynometra is distinguishable from most
other leaves because the mid-rib of it is placed towards the
inner or almost straight-sided edge of the leaf. In fact, if
two leaves are held closely together, they almost look as if
they were one which had been cut in half. Benin natives
have no use for this tree except as firewood.
Cynometra Mannii. Waterside Cynometra. Ekkun (Yoruba).
It is a common tree on the banks of streams in the Ibadan
and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. One of the most charac-
teristic features of this tree is the pinkish-red colour of the
fresh leaves, hanging at the ends of the drooping branches.
In November each year the large, corrugated, single bean in
each almost indehiscent pod is another curious feature of
this tree. The trunk is usually short—in fact, often divided
into three or four separate stems, almost at the base. Narrow
fringes consisting almost entirely of this species are found
on river banks. The dense shade cast by this tree prevents
any other species from growing underneath. The timber is
hard and difficult to split, and apparently it is not attacked
286 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
by white ants. The tree is a shade-bearer. Natural repro-
duction from the seed is good, it being distributed often by
water. It also sprouts from the stump. A few root shoots
also appear. The tree has not been cut for local use nor has
it been used for export. The natives use the wood for making
posts and doors.
—Cylicodiscus Gabunensis. African Greenheart. Osho, Aja, Iji (II.),
Ajaigi (Yoruba) ; Okan (Benin).
Distribution.—In the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Owerri,
Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a very large tree of the ever-
green forest zone, attaining a height of 200 feet and a girth
of 30 feet. It is armed in its earlier growth up to the pole
stage, when all the brown thorns disappear. Its long, brown
pods, up to 3 feet long and 14 inches wide, opening from one
side only, with their long, thin, papery seeds, are most typical
of the tree.
Compared to its size the bark is thin, and in old age it is
inclined to scale off in small pieces. In the distance it looks
practically smooth. This is one of the most gigantic and
impressive trees of the forest, with its enormous bole stretching
cylindrically up amongst and over the other trees, with a
large, widespreading, somewhat flatly shaped spherical crown.
The leaves are pinnate, with three of four pairs of little ovate
pinne, with one odd one at the end. The flowers are minute,
forming little, thin, knitting-needle-thick spikes of yellow
bloom. These last only a few days, and only once in thirteen
years have I seen the flower. The tree and pod are unmistak-
able, even when it is a large one. The numerous brown pods
hang down amongst the foliage and appear to be much longer
than those of any other Leguminous tree. This feature alone
distinguishes it from any similar species. The bole divides up
into a few large limbs and many small branches, making the
foliage lighter and thinner than many other Leguminous trees,
but not so thin as that of Piptadenia Africana. The root
spurns are very slight and rounded, merging into the bole
of the tree 1 foot to 3 feet above the surface of the ground. At
the base of the bole the bark is sometimes cut off by the
natives for “‘ Ju-ju ’’ purposes, and then an additional swelling
appears there.
The sapwood is white and narrow, the heartwood greenish-
brown when fresh, and yellowish-brown after it has lain in the
forest for a few years. It is very hard—in fact, one of the very
hardest of African timbers. Under cover it is very durable.
In the open it does not last so long. It is termite-proof. The
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 287
sapwood, however, rots in the open, and the heartwood softens
very considerably. It is somewhat fibrous, but it planes up
well, with a smooth surface. It does not take nails, saws well,
and splits moderately well. It has considerable elasticity.
It makes a very hot-burning firewood, but is inclined to crackle
and make sparks.
It is a moderately fast-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration appears to be fair,
but the seeds are often eaten by little boring insects, soon
after they fall to the ground. It appears to be rather exacting
as to soil, liking a deep, moist loam sand with good drainage.
It is scarcely a fire-resisting tree, but very storm firm—in fact,
one of the safest trees.
In 1906 sample logs of this tree were sold in the Liverpool
market as African Greenheart at 1s. 8d. per cubic foot, and
were stated to be good greenheart. Since then none has been
cut or shipped to England. With the exception of its use for
verandah-posts for a public building in Benin city, it has not
been cut or sawn up in planks for local use. Considering the
comparatively large quantity available, it deserves a fair trial
both for export and local use, more especially for heavy con-
structional work, such as bridges, piles, uprights.
Amongst the Benis it is sometimes a “ Ju-ju” tree, and is
said to impart strength.
Leptoderris.
Owerri province of Nigeria. It is a medium-sized tree
found growing near the Imo River, but not very common. It
has a hard wood.
Baphia nitida (Afz.). Awenu or Irosun. Borri Borri (Yoruba) ;
Otwa (Benin); Ubara (Efik).
Is a small tree, which is usually found near villages, being
left by the natives when land is cleared. The white flowers
are almost of pea shape. It has a small leaf, and does not
usually get any larger than about four inches in diameter.
It is found in the Ondo, Abeokuta, Benin and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria.
The real Camwood of commerce.
It is very slow-growing, and is not a hard wood, with dark-
red heartwood of small size in proportion to the size of tree.
It forms late, too. If the stem is wounded, even the sapwood
becomes a rich red colour like the heartwood.
The probable origin of the word “‘ Camwood ”’ is taken from
the Timani name, Cam, of the Baphia nitida tree in Sierra Leone.
From another point of view this is all the more interesting,
as the original exports of Camwood were made from Sierra
288 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Leone in the early part of the nineteenth century, and this
name “ Cam ” brings together the tree from which the Camwood
is obtained and the tree botanically known as Baphia nitida.
Native Use.—A piece of the wood and a leaf are placed on the
ground where a woman has borne a child, whether it be on
a road or in the house. Not used in. Benin as a dyewood.
Baphia polygalacea. Walking-stick Camwood. Asana, Ossusu
(Yoruba) ; Aswen (Benin); Mbomokuku (Efik).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Benin and Calabar provinces
of Nigeria.
A small tree of typical Baphia habit, which is common
in parts of the Benin district of the same named province.
It has considerable elasticity, though it dries rather hard and
does not give much in that state. It is a rather slow-grow-
ing tree, which lights the shade of the forest, and is also a
soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration
appears to be good in several places. It sprouts slightly from
the stump, when felled. No plantations have yet been made
with this tree. The walking-sticks have not been exported
to England for trial in the market.
The curiously shaped single root, sticking out almost at
right angles to the stem, makes a good walking-stick ; it is
curved as well slightly, too. When the bark is peeled off and
the stem partially charred, it looks very effective.
Baphia pubescens. Benin Camwood. Awewi (Lagos) (Yoruba) ;
Ositwa (Benin).
It is a small tree, 30 feet high and 3 feet in girth,
with usually half the bole sapwood white, and dark-red heart-
wood, which is hard and close-grained. The flowers are white,
with yellow tips to the two petals. It is often seen just outside
villages, or where two paths meet.
Native Use.—It is not used for dye, though apparently
the wood is just as suitable as B. nitida.
Baphia sp. Camwood. Mogbara (Yoruba, Ikale); Owe, Aswen
(Benin).
It has also been determined as Carpolobia lutea, and as
one of the Oleacez.
It is a shrub with a stem of about 4 feet in height. The
fruit is a small nut containing three small kernels. The wood
is very hard.
Native Use.—The seeds are eaten.
Hacrolobium palisoti. Ogaba (Benin); Nya (Efik).
It is a common tree of the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Warrti,
Benin, Owarri and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. It only
reaches a girth of about 2 feet and a height of 20 feet. The
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 289
leaf has two pairs of pinnz, with one end leaflet. The small
pod containing two or three flat seeds is most typical of this tree ;
the seeds are ? inch in diameter and of a dark-brown colour ;
the flowers are- white; the timber is cross-grained and rather
hard; the sapwood is white and the heartwood of a dark
brown. The tree is a shade-bearer, soil-protecting and improving.
It is usually found amongst the undergrowth in the thicker
parts of the evergreen forest zone. Natural regeneration
is usually good. The wood is used locally in the Yoruba and
Benin country for posts; it has not been sawn up for planks,
nor has it been exported to England.
Macrolobium stipulacee.
It was stated it was found in the Calabar province.
Nr. Macrolobium sp. Ogabeszi (Benin).
It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria. It is a small
tree of the evergreen forest zone. The foliage is very dense.
The tree has a short bole of about 15 feet, and the crown is
much branched ; the pod is rather larger than Macrolobium
palisoti. According to the natives, this is the ““Ogaba ”’ of the
waterside. The timber has not been exported to Europe, nor
do the natives use this somewhat hard wood to any extent.
Dialium Guineense. Pulley Wood, Velvet Tamarind. Awin (Ib.)
(Yoruba); Ohiorme (Benin); Amoyin (Egba).
It is found in the Ibadan, Abeokuta, Benin, Calabar and
Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. In the mixed deciduous forests
it is very prevalent in certain localities. Of medium size, it
rarely exceeds a girth of 5 feet. Where found, it often com-
prises over 10 per cent. of the standing stock of the forest.
The wood is used for small boats in Senegal. It exudes
a red-coloured sap in small quantities.
The fruit, with its flat and round, velvety little pods, is most
typical of this tree. These are of a very dark chocolate colour,
and in the distance appear almost black. The bole is usually
silver-grey. The slash is light-red, and the reddish, latex-
like substance exudes when the bark is cut. The crown is
dense and compressed, being mainly made up of a number
of small branches. In proportion the leaves are small and
make a very dense foliage. The rusty-red slashing marks,
or other marks caused by damage to the trunk of the tree,
show up most distinctively, especially against the grey surface
of the cortex, are one of the most distinguishing features of
this tree.
The sapwood is white, the heartwood is dull-red, rather
larger in proportion than we should suspect, compared with the
size of the tree. It is hard and tough, and does not split well.
19
290 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It planes up, however, with a smooth surface, is very durable and
termite-proof. It does not take nails well, but saws fairly easily.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration appears to be
good. It appears to be a little exacting in regard to soil. It
is slightly -fire-resisting, chiefly, perhaps, owing to the fact
that few weeds or grass grow in its shade. No plantations
have been made of this tree. It bears a good crop of fruit
almost every year.
It has not been felled for export, nor has the timber been
sawn up for local use. It was formerly used in the Congo
for pulley-blocks, for which purpose it is said to be admirably
suited. Amongst the natives it is sometimes used for house-
building.
Nr. Newtonia. Boji Albizzia or Giant Pod.
It is rather an uncommon tree of the Boji Hills forest ;
the enormous flat, papery pod makes it easily distinguishable
from any other tree.
The pod is about 15 inches long and 9 inches wide, with a
slight depression in the middle of one side.
Pithycolobium altissimum. Bent Pod or Gambia Pod.
It is a medium-sized tree, found at the edge of swamps
near the sea coast in the evergreen forest zone. It appears
to stand a waterlogged soil.
The pods are used for tanning hides and making ink (Moloney).
It has curious semicircular pods, which are typical of the tree,
containing eight to ten seeds.
Afzelia sp. Waterside Ekpagoize. Ekpagoize (Benin).
It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria. It is a medium-
sized tree, reaching a girth of 7 feet and a bole length of
40 feet.
This tree has often been confused botanically with Berlinia
acuminata, but it is undoubtedly an Afzelia. The flowers
are of a reddish colour and very pretty ; the foliage is not quite
so heavy as that of the other Afzelias ; the pod is rather smaller
than that of either Afzelia Africana or Afzelia cuanzensis. The
wood is a reddish-brown colour, a little cross-grained, but
more durable than the other Afzelias. It does not split well,
and can only be planed with difficulty ; the grain is very coarse
and fibrous. Samples of this timber have been shipped
to England and sold as red oak. The natives scarcely ever
use the wood, partly because the tree is not very prevalent.
Afzelia cuanzensis. Bilinga, Red-arilled Afzelia. Aiyo (Yoruba) ;
Aligna (Benin) ; Igbin (Brass) ; Onuru, Oshoshi (Ibo, Owerri) ;
Mbarakun (Oban, Ekoi).
oY
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 291
It is found in the Benin, Ondo, Abeokuta, Calabar,
Owerri and Ogoja provinces of ‘Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree, with a pod, which is usually slightly
crumpled or bent, containing about six or eight black nuts,
with a red aril at the base, and each nut is pointed more, and
less rounded, than in A. Africana. On the whole it is found
more in the deciduous mixed forest than on the edge or in
the dry-zone forest region, where A. Africana abounds. The
bark does not scale off so much as that of A. Africana. It
stands more shade than A. Africana. It does not reach such
large dimensions, though logs up to 18 inches square and
24 feet in length could be obtained.
Up to the present the tree has not been cut to the same
extent as A. Africana, though the wood is very similar and
apparently just as durable.
No separate report has been made on the timber as to its
value in the European markets.
Afzelia bella. Calabar Afzelia. Aligna (Benin).
It is found in the Calabar province of Nigeria. It is more
common in the Cameroons.
It is a small tree, with large white flowers with a pretty,
reddish streak in each petal. The pod is of usual Afzelia size
and appears rather large for the size of the tree. The type
specimen stands on the Calabar Golf Course, between the seventh
and eighth holes. It is apparently uncommon, though more
may be found on closer study of the forests. The fruits appear
to have the same qualities as those of other Afzelias. In
Nigeria it has so far not been utilized. The bark is not so
scaly as that of A. Africana.
Afzelia pachyloba (nov. sp.). Forest Afzelia or Yellow Aril. Apa
(Yoruba) ; Orodo (Benin).
It is a medium-sized tree, with long, pointed nuts with a
bright sulphur-coloured aril instead of the orange-colour of
Africana or red of Cuanzensis. It does not appear to be such
a common tree as A. Africana, but much the same number
of trees as that of A. cuanzensis.
It is found in the evergreen forests of Ondo, Benin and
Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood is brown. It
is very hard, almost as hard as Lophira, according to the natives.
Self-sown seedlings do not appear in large numbers.
It is used for similar purposes as A. Africana. It is a shade-
bearing and soil-improving tree.
No separate report has been made on the timber, and so
far it has not been exported to the English markets.
292 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
This may be the tree which yielded the so-called teak in
the Benin forests some years ago, and fetched a price of 5d.
per foot superficial.
The bark scales off in a similar way to Afzelia Africana.
Afzelia bracteata (T. Vogel). Benin Bilinga. Ekpagoize (Benin).
It has a red flower, is found in the Benin province, but is
apparently rather rare.
The Benin name indicates that it is the Ekpagoi or Berlinia
of the waterside. It is usually found near or on the bank of
a stream. It is a large tree, which is otherwise similar to the
other Afzelias.
The natives have apparently not tried it for building pur-
poses.
- Afzelia Africana. Yoruba Bilinga. Apa (Yoruba); Olokokima,
Aligna (Benin); Ayibukpo (Efik); Adja, Arachi (Asaba Ibo).
Trade Name.—Bilinga, similar wood from the French Congo,
so named for some years.
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Owerri,
Onitsha and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
The round, orange-coloured aril at the base of the black
nut is typical of this tree. It sometimes has a reddish tinge,
but it is always round and completely surrounds the base of
the nut, in contradistinction to A. cuanzensis, in which the
aril is red and pointed and much thinner in build.
The spherically-shaped crown with its flattish top is most
typical of this tree. The largish leaves and the paucity of
their number make the foliage open, so that daylight can be
seen through it. In the distance it appears dense.
The sapwood is white, and the heartwood a rich oak-brown
colour. It is one of the most durable West African timbers.
It planes well and can be worked up with a good finish. It
does not split well. It is obtainable in logs up to 30 inches
square and 30 feet in length.
Though slow in growth it would average that of many
European trees. It stands a good deal of shade in its youth,
but it is really more of a light lover than a shade-bearer. Self-
sown seedlings are few; apparently rodents eat them. In a
similar way it is difficult to make a plantation, many being
eaten or dying in the transplanting. One of the most successful
methods evolved is that of sowing seeds in lines about 4 feet
apart ; a large number then come up and provide ample for a
crop on the same land. They are not transplanted. When of
middle age it will stand fire and the shade of the tree keeps
the ground moist.
It is a soil-protecting and soil-improving tree; good crops
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 208
of seeds are borne almost every year. The flowers are reddish,
with white edges to the petals. The reddish tinge is quite
distinctive in this genus, the white being that of Berlinia.
The bark drops off in large scales in places on the trunk
- towards middle and old age, in a similar fashion to the European
plane. However, they do not leave the stem as smooth, though
the lighter patches where the bark falls off brighten the bole
up and make it quite distinctive amongst the other trees.
The timber has been constantly used by the P.W.D. at
Onitsha. In the Liverpool market it was stated that it might
be marketable as oak, at a low figure, in 1906. A similar species
was being shipped from Gaboon in 1914 and fetched a fair price.
Albizzia fastigata (Oliv.). East Indian Walnut. Ayinre langara,
Ayinre ogo (Eg.) (Yoruba); Uwowe Lugu, Uwowelabafun
(Benin) ; Uyat (Efik).
It is a large tree, up to 7 feet in girth and of corresponding
height. Fruit narrower than A. sp. ; only half an inch, with four
or five seeds in each. This species has the most durable wood
of all the Albizzias, but is not termite-proof, and has heart-
wood of a brown colour and white sapwood. The smallest
leaf of all the Albizzias is met with in this tree, having
very fine pinne.
Although not indigenous to Africa, it is now found almost
everywhere in all the mixed deciduous forests of the Southern
Provinces of Nigeria. The bark is rather rougher than that
of A. Brownti. The basa] root spurns are narrower, though
they do not project more than 2 feet up the stem. On the
whole the foliage is thicker, and the crown gives the appear-
ance of being a little denser and not so feathery as that of
A. Brownii.
The wood planes well, splits fairly easily, takes nails and
saws well. It is what the carpenters would call a wood
easy to work. The grain is of fine texture and has a certain
amount of lustre.
It is a fast-growing, light-loving tree, which does not protect
the soil. The leaves, however, form a rich humus, which
enriches the soil. Natural regeneration appears to be good,
and with the spread of farms this tree tends to increase its area
of distribution. It will stand a little shade in its youth. A
few plantations have been made with this tree.
Up to the present the timber has not been exported, but
deserves a trial as an African Walnut, though it is difficult
to obtain large-sized logs. It has occasionally been cut for
local use. It is used by the natives for firewood, and occa-
sionally, when split, for temporary house-building in the farms.
294 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Albizzia Browni:. African Walnut. Ayinre, Ayinre Bona Bona
(Yoruba); Owewe nolemare, Ikpawudu (Benin).
It is a large tree, up to 7 feet in girth, with wide fruit 2 inches
across, containing four or five seeds. There are three or four
pairs of pinnz to each leaf, which is the largest of all the Al-
bizzia leaves. The heartwood is more like walnut in colour,
though of course softer and with more open grain. It could
no doubt, however, be used as a substitute for walnut.
It is a common tree in the mixed deciduous forests of the
Abeokuta, Ibadan, Benin, Owerri, and Ogoja provinces, where
it is tending to widen its area of distribution with the spread
of cultivation.
The fruit is very papery and almost transparent. It is
rather larger than Albizzia sp., Shemusholoshi, but of about
the same length. Its smooth, almost orange-coloured bark
in the earlier stages is almost typical of the tree. As it gets
older, a somewhat more corky bark forms in large scales which
can be stripped off. The lop-sided shape of the pinne is
very typical of the tree, making the leaves look almost like
those of a true Gum Copal. The main vein is near the
straighter side of the leaf.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood a mahogany
brown. It has rather an open grain, but a good deal of lustre,
and is easily worked. It planes well and takes nails easily. It
splits fairly well and saws quite easily. It is not quite so
durable as A. fastigata, but it is more durable than the other
Albizzias, except A. sp., Shemusholoshi. It is not termite-proof.
It has considerable tensile strength compared to the other
species, and a certain amount of elasticity.
It is the fastest growing of all the Albizzias and a light-
loving tree. It scarcely protects the soil, but the leaf fall
makes a good humus. It stands a little shade in its youth.
Natural regeneration is. very prolific. No plantations have
been made with this tree. It appears to be a little more
exacting as to soil than the other Albizzias, but will grow on
almost any soil.
The timber has not been exported, but deserves a trial
as a substitute for walnut. Owing to the fact that there
are considerable supplies, and that it reaches a size to produce
logs of the requisite dimensions, it appears to offer some pos-
sibilities as an export wood. Locally it has often been used
for cutting up into planks, and is liked among the Yorubas
for this purpose. In other places it has been used as a house-
building wood, as well as for firewood. It has also been used
for making beams, planks and doors. The roots, leaves and
65.— Khaya Ivoriensis, 14 feet 8 inches in girth, Fia. 66.—Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), 8 feet in girth,
standing in Llaro Forest Reserve after forest was
Ilaro Forest Reserve.
cleared.
To face pe 294.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 295
bark have been used amongst the Yorubas for medicinal
purposes.
Albizzia sp. Walnut. Owewe nolemare (Benin); Ayinre
(Yoruba) ; Semusholoshi (Jebu) ; Akkihien, also Owewe lagebon
(Benin).
According to Mr. H. N. Thompson, Chief Conservator of
Forests in Nigeria, who has seen the fruit of this tree, it is
most certainly an Albizzia.
Chief Characteristics.—It has been described by a German
as not unlike a solitary-standing pine, with its dark foliage
of small pinnate leaves, which are larger than Piptadenia
Africana and yet smaller than Cylicodiscus Gabunensis. In
the above description it is very similar in habit to Piptadenia
Kerstingii. The dark brown bark, which is roughish, is light-
brown on the upper part of the stem. The crown is flat, con-
sisting of two or three wide, outspreading branches. It has
the usual flat, papery pod. The leaves are used by the Benin
people for soup.
Distribution.—It is found in the Abeokuta province of
Nigeria. :
Timber.—It is fairly close-grained, though not nearly so
hard as either Piptadenia Africana or Cylicodiscus Gabunensis.
Use.—The Yorubas use the bark medicinally as a stomachic,
and the trunk is usually swollen at the base owing to the cortex
being removed so often.
Albizzia rhombifolia. Walnut. Ayinre, Ayinre langara, Ayinre
ogo (Yoruba) ; Owowe (Benin).
It is found in the Ibadan and Benin provinces of Nigeria,
in the mixed deciduous forests, where it is quite prevalent.
It is a medium-sized tree, attaining a girth of about 6 feet
and a bole length of 30 feet. It is commonly seen in old farms,
and usually more than one is found in the same locality. The
thin, yellow, spiky flowers are rather pretty. The fruit is
rather smaller than that of the other species.
The sapwood is white, and the heartwood is a light yellow-
green. It is soft and not very durable; it is attacked by
white ants (termites). However, it saws well, planes well,
takes nails easily and splits moderately well. It can be cut
into good-sized planks.
Timber, yellowish-green, and yields large planks.
It is a fast-growing, light-loving tree, which scarcely protects
the soil, and only slightly improves it with its leaf fall. Natural
regeneration is good, the seedlings growing up rapidly in any
open place in the mixed deciduous forests.
The timber has not been tried for export, nor has it been
296 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
used to any extent for local use. It deserves a further trial
both as an export wood and as a wood for local floor-boards.
Its qualities are far from properly known.
Among the natives it is used as firewood.
Albizzia sp. Walnut. Ayinre Ayinre, Ayinretta (Yoruba); Ikpa-
wudu, Owawelugu (Benin).
It is a large tree, up to 6 feet in girth. It has rather
narrower pinne, but of similar round shape to A. Brownit.
It is a common tree of the mixed deciduous forests in
the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Onitsha, Owerri and
Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
The root spurns are very small. The bark gets rougher
than that of A. Brownii in old age, the crown is longer and more
feathery, and the leaves appear to be more of a silvery green.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood is of a yellowish-
brown colour, tending to become a light brown when exposed
to the air. It is comparatively soft; is not termite-proof. It
is easy to work, planing and sawing well, and taking nails
easily and splitting fairly well. It is, however, less durable
than A. Brownit or fastigata. When split and dried it is more
durable than when cut up in the ordinary way. The wood
hardens very considerably on exposure to the sun.
It is a light-loving, fast-growing tree. It scarcely protects
the soil, but the leaf fall enriches it. Natural regeneration
appears to be good. It tends to spread with the increase of
farms, more especially on the poorer laterite soils. A few
plantations have been made with this tree. The volume of
produce per acre is less than in the case of A. Brownit, but
apparently greater than any of the others. It is less rapidly
growing than A. Brownii, but faster than the others.
The timber has not been used for export, and it is doubtful
if it would repay the cost. Locally it has been used for planks,
but it is not liked so much as that of A. Brownii or fastigata.
By the local people it is used for firewood, and occasionally
for building temporary houses.
Anglocalyx ramiflorus (Taub). Ekiyawa (Benin).
It is a large tree, attaining a girth of 8 feet, but the trunk
is not over-long in proportion. It is a shade-bearing, soil-
protecting and soil-improving tree. The bark is a dark olive-
green and smooth. It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria.
Natural regeneration appears to be poor. The wood is yellow-
ish-brown and floats when quite dry. The timber was valued
at nothing in 1906 and stated to be a whitewood in the Liver-
pool market.
Native Use.—None.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 297
Ostryoderris impressa. White Oak. Awaw or Erumacie (Yoruba) ;
Ori, Ehrurumesi, Erurunuesi, Awaw, (Usshin) (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Ogoja, Benin, Owerri
and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. To be seen along the
Benin-Siluku Road, as also in the Badagry district on the
Ayobo-Osuke Road.
It is a straight-boled, tall tree, with flattish crown made
up of few straight branches with large pinnate leaves, making
it appear flatter than it really is. The bark is slightly scaly
with fine fissures. The slash is red, exuding a red latex. It
reaches a height of 150 feet with a girth of 12 feet. The white,
papery, pointed, flat, lozenge-shaped fruit, with a small kidney-
shaped seed attached to the centre of the surface of one side,
is most typical of the tree. The spurns are almost non-existent,
so that the tree can be felled near the ground without trouble.
The timber is white in the sap and brown-white in the
heart wood, but not over-hard, very tough and not splitting
easily. It is hard to fell, being very flexible. It planes moder-
ately well. The colour darkens with age.
It is a light-loving tree after the first few years. It grows
moderately rapidly. It is a soil-improving and covering tree.
Natural regeneration appears poor, though many seeds are
usually seen on the ground. Insects appear to eat them rapidly.
No plantations have been made with this tree, but experiments
would show whether it grows well from seed.
In 1906 a sample log was exported and sold in the Liverpool
market as white oak at 2s. per cubic foot, and it was recom-
mended for shipment by the brokers.
Native Use.—It is used as posts for frames on which yams
are tied in the Benin farms. In temporary houses, small trees
are trimmed and squared for the forming of the walls, instead
of dried mud.
Dalbergia saxatilis. West African Blackwood (?). Awow (Benin).
It is a small tree of the mixed deciduous forest of Benin ;
it is occasionally used by the natives for hoe and axe handles.
Dalbergia sp. West African Blackwood. Emosobegan, Paran
(Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
Dalbergia sp. North Benin Blackwood.
This is found near Aroko, in the Onitsha province, and near
Ishoka, in the Benin province. It is a small tree with very
hard wood. In habit very similar to Ormosia laziflora, with
its orange-coloured bark, which is rougher than O. laxiflora
and not so scaly. The wood is used for axe and hoe handles
by the natives.
298 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Dalbergia hostilis (Benth.). Yoruba Blackwood. Ogan Oga
(Yoruba).
This Dalbergia is fairly common in the Olokemeji Reserve,
in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria.
Copaifera sp. True Benin Gum Copal.
This tree is found near the Uhi, close to the source of the
Ossiomo River, Benin province. This apparently is rather an
uncommon tree. The Benin natives do not know how to tap
the tree for gum, nor how to use the gum.
Cf. Copaifera. Enyenewu. Enyenewu (Yoruba).
Found in the Yoruba country.
Copaifera sp. Boji Hills Copaifera.
So far it has not been tapped for the gum, the local people
apparently not knowing its value.
Bauhinia rufescens (Kew).
Found in the Oyo province.
Bauhinia reticulata (D.C.). Dry-zone Bauhinia. Abafe (Yoruba).
This Bauhinia grows in dry, open country. It is a small,
spreading tree bearing white flowers.
Uses.—The fibrous bark is used for tying, and an infusion
from the leaves is used in coagulating rubber latex. The
stem is occasionally used for making house-posts. It is a fire-
resisting tree and shades the soil.
Bauhinia Thonningii (Schum.).
This is a small shrub-like tree of the upper part of the
Benin province of Nigeria. It is found near Agbede. It has
red flowers. The sap of this tree has sometimes been used
for coagulating rubber.
Physostigma venosum. Calabar Bean or Ordeal Bean. Eseri (Efik).
It is found growing in the Calabar district. The seed is
poisonous ; used in ordeals and medicinally.
The most noticeable feature is the furrow (about 4 inch
wide and deep) in the upper side of the bean. None of the
closely allied Mimosa species show this peculiarity.
Entada scandens. Sword Bean, Match-box Bean, Mackay Bean.
Kakoba, Akhuro (seed) (Benin).
This large creeper is found in the Benin and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria. It is not very prevalent. The most re-
markable features about it are the stoutness of the stem, which
attains a diameter of nearly 1 foot and the total length of over
100 feet, and its immense pod, which is often over 3 feet in
length. The pod is divided into segments, each nearly 2 inches
square, and each containing one large bean, almost a square
in shape, 14 inches and nearly ? inch thick. These beans have
occasionally been used for making match-boxes, for which they
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES ‘299
are admirably suited. The outer part of the stem of the creeper
is very rough and almost corrugated, especially near its base ;
the leaves are very small, considering the size of the whole
creeper. It is comparatively slow-growing. It grows in the
dense evergreen forest, and when drawn taut over the first
branches of one of the large trees it is not unlike the bole of
a small tree itself. When cut, the two ends part with a bang,
like the breaking of a ship’s hawser. The natives use the
smaller parts of the stem for fly-switches, for which they are
very good and durable. The creeper is, however, not cultivated.
Entada Soudanica. Ogurohe (Yoruba).
Found in the Ibadan province.
Entada Abyssinica. Unwanwanis (Benin).
It is found in the upper part of the Benin province near
Ishoka. It is a large creeper with rather smaller bean than
£. scandens. The beans have been used for making small
match-boxes in Europe. The natives consider the bean a
“ Ju-ju.”
Dioclea reflexa. Ishe, Agbarin (Yoruba).
A climber, found in the Ibadan province.
Mucuna urens. Ox-eye Bean. Awipu (Benin).
Found in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces.
Mucuna sp. Prevssiit. Yerepe (Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve and Benin province.
Acacia pennata (Willd.). Acacia. Okwekwe (Benin).
It is found in the upper part of the Benin, Ibadan, Ogoja
and Abeokuta provinces. It is a small, scandent shrub with
very sharp thorns, but which yields one of the strongest fibres
for making fishing lines or native rope. It forms almost im-
penetrable masses which are very unpleasant to go through
without a matchet.
Acacia Sieberiana. African Rosewood. Sie (Yoruba).
This is a somewhat uncommon Acacia of the Oyo province
of Nigeria. Being of medium size, its very handsome racemes
of yellow flowers show up to great advantage. The bark is
rough, the bole short, and usually divided 8 or 10 feet from
the ground. The sapwood is white and the heartwood a rose-
pink colour, which makes it not‘ unlike the typical rosewood
of commerce. The heartwood is comparatively wide, and it
is very hard, durable and termite-proof. It saws well and
splits moderately easily, but does not take nails at all well.
Reproduction by seed is apparently poor; it sprouts fairly
well from the stump. It is a light-loving species, but being
of the leguminous family it is a soil-improving tree. The
wood has not yet been exported, but locally it has occasionally
800 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
been used for house-building, the forked stem being much
appreciated by the natives.
Acacia Farnesiana (Willd.). Farnesian Acacia. Bonni (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. It is a
small tree growing up to 6 feet in girth. It has a small pod
containing eight seeds inside. The inside of the pod is white
and the seed is brown. The flower is yellow, and is used by
girls in decorating their ears. Usually found in towns, where
it is planted. The seeds are sold in the market.
The timber is dark-red, surrounded by a narrow white sap-
wood. It is hard, like ebony. The bark is very much fissured
and peels off in large scales.
The seeds of this tree and Jagiri are used with water for
scraping the leather for making the fells smooth. Sold at Itaku
and Shapon markets.
Acacia campylacantha. Confectioner’s Gum or African Catechu.
Ede (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Oyo, Borgu, Niger, and Nassa-
rawa provinces of Nigeria.
It is a very common tree, growing almost everywhere in
groups. The stem is of a whitish to slight yellow colour,
almost reminding one of the larch, but the whole tree is armed
with short, sharp thorns. It reaches a girth of nearly 4 feet
and a height of over 50 feet. The slash is light-brown, and a
pale, yellowish-pink gum exudes from it. The tree usually
forks about 20 or 30 feet from the ground, the other branches
being rather crooked in shape. In February or March a mass
of small yellow flowers appear, and in the autumn small pods
cover the tree. The sapwood is white, and the heartwood
varies from a dull red-brown to a rich, almost rosy red. In
the latter case it is exceedingly pretty wood. The wood is
moderately hard ; it splits and planes badly, saws fairly well,
and only takes nails indifferently. The wood dries rather
harder and is more durable than when freshly cut and than
would be expected. It is said to be termite-proof. A reddish
colouring matter exudes from the heartwood, but this feature is
typical of the cutch which is obtained from a similar tree in India.
Natural regeneration by seed appears to be good, hosts of
young trees being found near the older ones. In fact, in
localities of low rainfall it is tending to spread and fill up all
vacant spaces after the annual grass-fires have burnt all the
vegetation. It is a light-loving tree which does not protect the
soil. The leaves are not unlike conifer needles, and enrich the
soil to a certain extent, more especially as the tree is deciduous.
As a timber it has not been cut for export, but certainly
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 301
the better-coloured wood, and that which has been more slowly
grown, deserve a trial.
So far, the greatest use of this tree has been the production
of the pink-coloured transparent gum which is one of the best
of the confectioner’s gums in Great Britain. Very large quan-
tities are exported every year from the Northern Provinces.
Large round tears or lumps form on the stem of the tree
when it is cut. Locally the tree is used for house-building,
but it is not considered a durable wood.
Leguminose (Mimosez).
Acacia ataxacantha. Benin Rope Acacia. Ewon (Yoruba);
Okwenkwen (Benin).
A common creeper of the mixed deciduous zone. It is
found in the Abeokuta, Oyo, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Warri,
Onitsha, Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is usually found growing in large impenetrable masses
3 to 4 feet high. It is armed throughout with short but very
sharp, bent prickles.
It often grows up in waste places where the bush has been
cleared in the mixed deciduous forest zone.
Both the Yorubas and Benis use the inside fibres of this
creeper for making a very strong kind of rope—in fact, it is
the strongest of all native-made ropes. It does not get so stiff
or harsh as that made of Eso from the Firmania Bartert.
Distemanthus Benthaniami (?) (Baill.). Alinyan (Benin).
Found in the Benin province.
Erythrina suberifera (Kew). Attagbo (Yoruba).
It is a moderately common tree of the Abeokuta province
of Nigeria. Its most distinguishing feature is the size of the
leaf, which is similar to the tulip-tree. It reaches a much
larger size than H. Senegalensis and has a girth of over 6 feet.
The bark is a dark duck-egg-green colour, with a few white,
shallow longitudinal fissures. The prickles on the stem are
more scattered and much larger than those of £. Senegalensis.
The slash is white and the bark thin when compared to the size
of the tree. The wood is white and soft, and not durable.
It cuts and saws easily, but does not plane well. It is a light-
loving tree which does not protect the soil. It has not been
cut for local use, nor for export. As a soft whitewood for
interior use it ought to find a local market.
Leguminose (Papilionacez).
Erythrina Senegalensis (D.C.). Coral-flower. Ologun she-she
(Yoruba) ; Esanigbakhehe, Ohehe (Benin).
It is a common tree in the upper part of the Onitsha, Benin,
302
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. One of
the most typical features of this small tree are the small, pink,
coral-like flowers which appear in February. The tree is armed
with a few thin but very sharp thorns; the foliage is slight
and open. On suckers or stool-shoots the leaf is much larger
and almost lyre-shaped. It is usually found in waste places
or in open clearings in the mixed deciduous forest. It yields
a soft wood which is not durable. It is sometimes used for
making fences.
Tephrosia Ansellii (Hook). Boro (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Aheokuta
province of Nigeria.
Tephrosia Vogelti (H. K. F.). Fish-poison. Were, Igun, Laye
Igu (Yoruba).
This small shrub is apparently indigenous to Africa, but
is usually seen planted in the fields of the Abeokuta, Oyo,
Benin, Owerri and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is not
unlike a large upright vetch, but with a strong, green stem,
almost woody in growth. It reaches a height of about 3 feet
and flowers very profusely, and bears a large number of pods,
not unlike those of the runner bean. The plant is cut down
and placed in the water where it is desired to catch all the
fish, chiefly in stagnant pools of rivers or ponds. The effect
of the poison from it blinds and stupefies the fish so that they
are easily caught. Under the Game Preservation Ordinance,
its use has been prohibited, but with its widespread culti-
vation and general utility it has been found very difficult
to eradicate the custom or the plant. Incidentally. it is a
very good green manuring crop for agricultural land. How-
ever, most natives are unaware of this fact, and it is
usually only planted for the purpose of using it as a fish-
poison.
Burkea.
A species of Burkea was found near the Oyan River in the
Oyo province of Nigeria.
Lonchocarpus sericeus. African Wisteria. Ipapo, Apapo (Yoruba).
This tree is found in the Olokemeji, Ibadan, Ilesha and
Calabar districts. It is a medium-sized tree, which bears lilac-
coloured flowers. As the flowers appear before the leaves in the
dry season, it is then very ornamental, and is in fact one of
the prettiest flowering trees. The wood is very hard and
the heartwood green when freshly cut.
Timber.—This is not of much service.
Uses.—Hoe-handles are made from the branches, and the
bark is used in medicine.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 303
Lonchocarpus sp. Mamu Lonchocarpus.
Found in the Mamu Forest.
Lonchocarpus cyanescens. Yoruba Indigo. Elu or Ela (Yoruba).
This is one of the intermediate forest climbing shrubs,
but has been cultivated throughout, the country.
Uses.—The well-known Yoruba blue dye is made from the
leaves. The stem is sometimes used for house-building posts.
It is a shade-bearing, soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration
appears to be poor.
Cesalpina Bonducella. Shayo (Yoruba).
The bean of this creeper is used in games amongst the
Yoruba boys.
Mundulia suberosa (Benth.). Lakuta (Yoruba); Ugbehen (Benin).
It is rather an uncommon tree, found in the Olokemeji
Reserve of the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. It is a small
tree, a part of which is used for killing fish.
Indigofera hirsuta. Indigo. Epa ile (Yoruba).
It is found in the Mamu Reserve of the Ibadan province
of Nigeria.
Indigofera stenophylla. Indigo. Aro Boro (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
~ Pentaclethra macrophylla. The Oil Bean. Apara (Yoruba) ; Opagga,
- Ukpagga (Benin); Ataka (Ibo, Asaba) ; Opochala (Ibo, Niger).
It is a large-sized tree, reaching a girth of about 12 feet
and a bole length of 40 feet. The root spurns are very extensive
and often reach 4 or 5 feet up the stem, thus quite breaking
up the base of the bole. The bark at first is a light yellow-
brown, darkening in old age to a deep brown, and scaling off
somewhat.
Chief Characteristics.—It has dense foliage and a heavy,
branched crown, and very flat pods about 1 foot long and up
to 24 inches broad, containing seven or eight large, flat brown
beans about 1 inch in diameter and } inch thick. The pods
open with a loud report not unlike the sound of a 12-bore gun.
Distribution.—It is found in the. Lower Province of Nigeria,
near the watercourses outside Abeokuta, Jebu, Ode, Benin,
Onitsha, Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja.
Silvicultural Qualities—The tree grows readily from self-
sown or artificially sown beans, as is seen in the Avenue at
Benin City, which was sown at stake in 1904. It bears pods
in the twelfth year in the open, but later in the forest. It
is usually very prolific, bearing at least some pods every year.
The bole is not always very straight, and it has a distinct
tendency to form strong side branches, and the crown is there-
304 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
fore a large oval one. The flowers are little yellow spike,
which are very inconspicuous ; they are borne on the old wood
rather on the underside of the twig, in November or December
and later. The tree stands dense shade, and it thoroughly
covers the ground and prevents the growth of weeds.
It has a tendency to branch comparatively low down,
when growing as an avenue tree, and thus does not grow
so tall. This, however, has an advantage that the large pods
have not so far to fall to the ground, and thus are not so
dangerous to passers-by. The oil-beans have been collected
and sold in England in small quantities.
The sapwood is of a dirty white colour and the heartwood
of a dark brown, forming comparatively early in the life of a
tree. The wood is very hard, but sometimes rather soft-
grained, rather fibrous in texture, and the pores are somewhat
wide and deep. It does not plane well, splits with difficulty ;
holes have to be made before nails can be put into it, and it
saws none too easily. It is very durable and termite-proof.
Considering its hard wood and comparatively early production
of seed, and the huge pods, it is by no means a slow-growing
tree. It reaches a height of 9 to 12 feet in twelve years. The
pod is the stoutest and largest, but not the longest, of all
African timber trees. The beans are collected in boxes and
sold to the factories at 6d. to 9d. each. To be made quite
safe for eating they have to be boiled nearly twelve hours,
the outer husk of the bean being rather hard, though not
very thick. The future will alone show whether this tree will
prove of greater value for timber or oil production.
Uses.—The timber has been shipped to Europe and sold
as greenheart at Is. 6d. to 1s. 9d. per cubic foot. Locally,
in the Benin City district and elsewhere, it is used for making
mortars for beating yams and other food. The beans are
eaten by the natives in most parts, though they are not con-
sidered a delicacy. The empty pods are used where firewood
is scarce, as they burn well. It is, and has been, very extensively
used as a shade-tree for public roads in the Owerri district,
as well as in Afikpo and Benin. Some people object to the
falling pods, but it is an excellent shade-tree, especially in
the dry season, as it is an evergreen tree. It is a soil-
protector, and would do for underplanting or interplanting
teak.
Pterogopodium. Agba, Pink Mahogany. Asokale, Asu Kole
(Ikale); Asre (Yoruba) (Egbado); Agba (Benin).
The scattering of the white flowers on the path or road-
way is an indication of the presence of the tree, quite apart
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 805
from the wonderful bole, exceeding nearly all others in cylin-
drical shape. hi
Chief Characteristics.—It is a very large forest tree, with
clear bole of 90 feet and open crown formed with two or three
large, upspreading limbs, flatly oval on the top. It is quite
reminiscent of an old elm in the shape of the crown. The single-
seeded winged fruit is most typical, no other species of Legu-
minosee having a similar seed except the nearly related
Pterolobium (?). The bark is comparatively thin, silvery-grey
in colour, with a few more or less well-defined ridges running
horizontally round the trunk here and there. These are most
typical, and it is the only tree which shows them. In some
places they amount to small nodules of bark.
This tree is found commonly in the Benin and Ondo pro-
vinces of Nigeria, where it is prevalent, and in the northern part
of the Benin province, and seen in almost gregarious patches
in the secondary forest. The slash is yellowish-white, and
in the younger trees a dirty pinkish sap exudes, but later on,
especially from deep cuts, the gum copal forms and gradually
hardens into solid lumps of various size.
Silvicultural Peculiarities.—It loves a deep soil with plenty
of moisture, which may even be flooded or partially water-
logged during the rainy season. A chalky or limy soil seems
to suit it best. It is a fast-growing, light-loving tree, though
it stands a little shade in its youth. The light, feathery foliage
does not shade the ground, though when in falls it enriches
it. The root spurns are most slight, extending only from a
few inches to 1 foot above the surface of the ground ; in fact,
sometimes the trunk appears to come straight out of the ground,
like a round log on end. Natural regeneration is none too good,
but this is chiefly due to lack of light in the mixed forests.
No plantations have yet been made with this tree.
It has not been exported, but it deserves a trial as a
furniture-wood for drawing tables and office equipment gener-
ally. It is sawn up into planks and boards at Koko Town,
and contains a gum which makes the saws stick a little. It
makes a good, soft wood for table tops, of a pinkish colour
and clear, close grain. The gum is sold.
Native Use.—It has been used for canoe making in the Ondo
province. The gum is used for an illuminant, and was at one
time used entirely for this purpose. In 1906 logs of this timber
were sold in Liverpool market as a kind of mahogany of light
colour.
Prosopis oblonga. Yoruba Charcoal Wood.
It is found in the Ibadan and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria,
20
306
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
and may yet be found in the Onitsha and northern part of
the Benin provinces. On the whole, it is not common, and is
seen singly. Two typical specimens of this tree stand in the
Olokemeji Reserve Arboretum. It has small, pinnate leaves,
very much like tamarind, but they are almost silvery-grey and
hang down, instead of being green and rigid, as the tamarind.
The twigs and branches are very slight, compared to the thick
ones of the tamarind. The bark of the trunk is grey, too, with
thin cortex, which becomes slightly fissured in old age. The
trunk is straight and tall, compared to tamarind. The crown
is longish and thin, with a few small branches. It is somewhat
feathery in habit and is delicate in build compared to most
dry-zone trees. It is one of the most typical of dry-zone
trees. The seed is small, about the size of apple-pips, contained
in a papery pod, from 1 inch to 1} inches long. It stands the
annual grass-fires comparatively well, despite the fact that
the bark is none too thick.
Timber.—Hard, white wood, termite-proof and very durable.
The bark is thin but rough, and small pieces can be pulled
off with the fingers. It is a deciduous tree, though it does
not lose its leaves for a long period. It is a light-loving tree,
which does not protect the soil, though the leaves (few as they
are) make a good leaf-mould. It is slow-growing, and does
not reach a girth exceeding 5 feet. Natural regeneration
appears to be poor, but further observations on this point
may disclose more. No plantations have been made with this
tree, though, with its desirable qualities, some experiments
seem to be indicated. It does not sprout well from the stump,
nor do any root shoots appear before or after it is cut down.
It has not been exported, and has only been used occa-
sionally locally.
Use.—The timber has been used for sleepers in Togo, where
it has proved the most durable of all timbers for that purpose.
In the Yoruba country it has been used for making charcoal
of the best kind for iron-smelting.
Detarium Senegalense. Hard Mahogany. Ogwega (Benin).
This is none too prevalent a tree of the Benin and Ogoja
provinces, where it is found in the mixed forests. It reaches
a girth of over 12 feet and a bole length of over 40 feet, but
in proportion to its height, the crown usually occupies more
than half of it. The crown is usually widespreading and
spherical in shape. The fruit is like a mango in form, but
after the surface begins to decay, the fibres, instead of being
fine and all coming out from the central nut, as in the mango,
spread out vein-shaped all round the nut, starting more or
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 307
less as thick veins at the base, and then subdividing into
thinner ones, spreading round the nut in an irregular manner.
The decaying fruit has a most unpleasant, not to say dis-
tinguishing, smell. However, this is more than compensated
for by the pleasant taste of it when served as stewed fruit.
The sapwood is whitish-yellow, and the heartwood brown-
red. It is hard, with somewhat fibrous grain, yet planes up
with a good surface. Takes nails, but does not split well. It
is durable, and supposed to be termite-proof, except for the
sapwood, which the white ants often destroy. It saws moder-
ately easily. In older trees the wood sometimes shows a little
figure.
It is a somewhat slow-growing tree and a shade-bearer,
with soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities. In fact, in
most cases it is only found on comparatively rich soil, and in
this respect appears to be more exacting than many other trees.
Natural regeneration does not appear to be very good, but this
may be due to the fact that animals eat the seeds. No plan-
tations have been made of this tree.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as mahogany at 23d. per superficial foot, 3s. per cubic
foot. It was reported to be of very hard texture, a dirty brown
colour, and only one log sold. Since that date, however, none
has been exported. It has not been felled for local use. The
fruit can be stewed, and makes a nice addition to the other
African fruits.
Native Use.—The shell of the nut is used for making prayer-
beads and strung on a wire.
Druosia laxiflora. Shedun (Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve and Ibadan province.
Paradaniellia Oliveri. Ilorin Balsam, African Balsam of Copaivi,
Balsam. Iya (Yoruba); Osia (Benin); Ozia (Ishan); Ozaba
(Ibo Asaba).
Found in the dry zone of the Southern Provinces of Nigeria.
A common tree, growing to a height of 40 or 50 feet.
Usé.—Balsam of Copaiba.
Xylia Evansii. Bentpod.
It is found in the Ogoja province of Nigeria in the mixed
deciduous forest zone, but it is by no means a very common tree.
A medium-sized tree, with the curious bent-shaped pod
typical of the Xylia, found in the Obubra and Ikom districts
of Nigeria, on the left bank of the Cross River. It has a hard,
red wood, which splits well. The sapwood is white, but not
very wide in an average-sized tree.
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing tree, which thoroughly
808 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
protects the soil and improves it with its leaves decaying year
after year.
The natives have not used the tree, nor has it been felled
for local use by Europeans. It has also not been tried for
export.
Pandanacee.
Pandanus candelabrum. Screw Pine. Ebbo (Benin).
In some rivers of the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Onitsha,
Owerri and Calabar provinces of Nigeria it is a common water-
shrub or small tree. Often it is seen only a tangled mass of
long prickly leaves, armed with spikes all down each side and
half floating in and above the surface of the water. Sometimes,
again, it is seen as a tree with two or three more or less com-
plete whorls of branches on the uppermost part of the stem
and a mass of drooping leaves from the crown. The white
stem is supported by several soft, corky-looking aerial roots.
It seldom exceeds 2 feet in girth and 30 feet in height. The
white flower is very conspicuous, with its cone-like shape, which
becomes more pronounced as the fruit begins to ripen and turns
green. The scent is very pungent and overpowering. The
trees form almost impenetrable thickets at the edge of the more
sluggishly flowing rivers. These often impede navigation and
have to be cut away.
The stem is very porous when dry, and cannot be said to
yield timber, though the cork-like material might serve for a
light substitute for it.
Natural regeneration appears to be very good.
The fibre has not been exported in any quantity, but it
is very tough, and. apparently very durable and of moderate
length (average 3 feet).
Native Use.—When dried the leaves are used for making
mats for wrapping goods as well as for sleeping-mats. In the
Benin and Jekri country, long (2 feet) thin receptacles are made
which are used for salt, which is sold in these bags in the
market. The bag keeps the salt dry. It is sometimes planted
near villages in damp places for the purpose of obtaining the
mat material locally, where it is not found naturally in the
swamps.
Humeriacee.
Aubrya Gabunensis. Brass Mahogany-bark Tree.
This is a very large forest tree of the Brass district, with
a bark very similar to that of mahogany, but to which it bears
no relationship.
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 309
The trees are sometimes cut down by the natives and used
for large dug-out canoes. The timber is termite-proof, and
the natives say that canoes made from this timber are very
durable, though rather heavy, and liable to become water-
logged when filled with water. It is of a dull reddish-brown
colour and has rather a coarse grain.
Rutacez.
Zanthoxylum Senegalense. Dry-zone African Satinwood. Ata,
Odan (Yoruba) ; Ughahan (Benin).
It is found in the Ibadan, Abeokuta, Benin, Onitsha
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria, at the edge of the mixed
deciduous zone and the lower part of the dry-zone forest region.
It is only a medium-sized tree, attaining a girth of about
4 feet and a height of about 50 feet. The bole always remains
armed with short, woody protrusions, each having a black
thorn at the apex. In the upper part of the bole and the
branches there are only thorns. The pinnate leaf has usually
three pairs of pinnz and one end-leaf. All the leaves are broader
and about only half as long as those of Z. macrophyllum. On
the whole, this makes the foliage appear thicker, and, in fact,
gives greater shade than Z. macrophyllum. In proportion
the bole is shorter and the crown larger and more spread out
than in the case of Z. macrophyllum. The bole has a greater
tendency to divide lower down into three subsidiary stems,
thus spoiling the length of it for timber. The bunches of
small, black seeds are smaller than those of Z. macrophyllum,
and if anything the seeds are also smaller too.
The timber is very similar to that of Z. macrophyllum, the
sapwood and heartwood being the same colour, except that
the heartwood is often of a little darker shade, and bears
a greater proportion to the diameter of the tree than in
the case of Z. macrophyllum. On the whole it is harder,
and more often shows a little figure. Although it does not
reach such a large size, in many ways it is superior, the
grain being rather finer, and showing more sheen, and
if anything it works up to a finer texture when planed. It
is just as durable and termite-proof. It is a light-loving tree,
but will stand a certain amount of lateral shade. Owing to
the prevalence of grass-fires, it is slower-growing than Z. macro-
phyllum, but if anything it shades the ground better, and
considering where it usually stands, it is a slight soil-improving
tree. Natural regeneration is fair. No plantations have
been made with this tree. Samples of this timber have not
yet been exported, though, as it is a sister tree to the West
310 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Indian Satinwood, it ought to command a similar price. It
has not been felled for local use. The natives occasionally
cut it for house-building timber, but it is not at all popular,
owing to its being armed with spikes.
Zanthoxylum macrophyllum (Oliver). True Benin Satinwood.
Atagbo (Yoruba); Ughahan, Okor (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria, in the mixed deciduous forest zone,
where it is very prevalent, especially in old farms.
Chief Characteristics.—It has a very large leaf, up to 6 feet
long, with forty pairs of leaflets, each rather smaller than those
of Z. Senegalense. There are no thorns on the branches, but
many on the stem, which is thoroughly armed until old age,
when most of the woody spikes drop off. It bears a large
bunch of small, black, spherical-shaped seeds. It is a common
tree in abandoned farms of the mixed deciduous forest zone.
The thorns are more sharply pointed than Z. Senegalense and
not so woody at first, but later form a thorn at the top of
each wooden protrusion. One specimen found in the Olokemeji
Reserve had very few wooden protrusions, each armed with
a thorn, but there were larger leaves than Z. macrophyllum,
though in all not quite so long. In old age the stem is almost
smooth, and may reach a girth of nearly 6 feet and a length
of over 30 feet. The crown is slender and broken up with
three or four main branches. The base of the bole in old age
is spotted with yellow lenticels.
It is a light-loving, quick-growing tree, which does not
protect the ground, and only to a certain extent acts with its
leaves as a soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration is very
good, and on the whole, at the edge of the evergreen and mixed
deciduous forest zone, with the increase of farms it is tending
to spread in greater numbers than before, and in some places
groups of them are found, whereas in the original forest only
isolated specimens are obtained. No plantations have been
made with this tree.
The sapwood is light-yellow and the heartwood of a
darker yellow shade. In quickly grown trees it is not very
large, but in the older trees comprises more than two-thirds
of the diameter of the tree. The timber is hard, fine-grained,
planing up smooth in texture. It does not take nails well,
nor split well, saws, however, cleanly, and occasionally shows
a little figure.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as Sabicu at 2s. to 2s. 6d. per foot, and reported of a
very hard nature. Since then, however, none has been cut
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 311
or exported. Locally it has not been used in any form. It
should be noted, however, that this is a sister tree of the West
Indian Satinwood, and considering that it grows to a larger
size than that one, the timber should demand a still higher
price.
Use.—In the Benin country the timber is used for making
door-plates before putting dried clay on the top, and also used
for doors.
Zanthoxylum sp. n. Dwarf Satinwood. Boji.
Chief Characteristices—-The fruit is a mass of red berries
very similar to the Mountain Ash of Europe, but a small tree
armed with a few scattered spines of short length, but not
very woody, more in the nature of thorns. It attains a girth
of 10 inches and a height of 15 to 20 feet. \
DistributionIt was only found on the summit of the
Boji Hills from an elevation of 4,500 to 5,000 feet, where other
vegetation gave out and only grass grew otherwise.
It has a very hard, yellow wood of the usual satiny nature.
It made very good firewood on the mountain top.
Zanthorylum sp. (Kew). Pterocarpus sp. African Satinwood.
Urueben (Benin).
It is found in the Benin and Ondo provinces of Nigeria.
It is a common tree near the banks of rivers in the ever-
green forest. It is of medium-size, reaching a girth of about
7 feet ; the bole is long (40 feet) ; the root buttresses reach up
the bole about 3 feet. The stalk has a few prickles, especially
when it is small, but they disappear in old age. The leaf is
smaller than P. osun, but much the same as Akume, Pterocarpus
sp. The habit is typical of a Pterocarpus and not of Zan-
thoxylum. The bark is quite smooth and always unarmed.
The fruit is ovoid and flat, with the seed at one end, rather
different in this respect to Pterocarpus, and without the prickles
on it. The slash is white, and soon red drops of latex-like
fluid exude from the tree. The branches are upspreading
and the crown is large, though narrow, the bole being about
two-thirds of the total height.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood is yellow when
young and dark-red, like P. osun, when old. It is hard, but
splits well. Termites attack it. It is cross-grained and stands
a little bending ; otherwise it is brittle, when bent far.
It is slow-growing and a light-lover. It likes a good soil
which is moist and has depth. It does not sprout from the
stool. Seed reproduction is good, and the seedlings are found
in the neighbourhood of old trees. It is a deciduous tree for
three months in the year (dry season).
812 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It has not been cut for local use or exported to Europe.
It is used for making shovels for mud-puddling in the building
of Benin houses ; also for pegs in the walls of a chief’s house.
Toddalia sp. Oie (Yoruba).
A climbing shrub common in Tropical West Africa. The
fertile stamens are equal in number to the petals. Leaves
digitate.
Uses.—Condiments and medicine.
4igle Barteri. Calabash Orange. Shange, Bale (Yoruba).
This is a small tree growing near the villages, cultivated
for its shade and for medicinal purposes. The fruit looks
like an orange, but the shell is hard and it is not edible.
Clausena Amsata (Oliv.). Alapari, Obuko (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Simarubacee.
Irvingia Barteri. Dika Nut, Wild Mango. Oro, Auro
(Yoruba) ; Ogwi (tree), Okherli (seed) (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Onitsha,
Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
With its smooth, shining, small dark-green leaves it is
quite distinguishable from other forest trees. The very
spherical shape of the crown and the short bole are also most
typical of the tree. It is often found near river banks or in
damp localities. Wherever found, it is usually preserved by
the natives, though not actually cultivated or tended.
The flower is inconspicuous, but the fruit is like a small
mango, becoming quite yellow when ripe, though much harder
and of a much sharper flavour.
The wood is hard and durable; the sapwood is yellowish-
white and the heartwood yellow. It is impervious to white
ants.
The tree is a shade-bearer, especially in youth, but grows
very slowly. Those planted near Leopardstown, Calabar,
were only 6 to 8 feet high after ten years’ growth. It is true
they received little or no attention and occasionally the grass
was burnt near them.
No regular plantations have been made, though one plot
was planted in the Mamu Reserve in 1910. Further experi-
ments in cultivation, and especially pruning and tending to
see how early the tree will bear fruit, are worth undertaking.
A method to increase the size of the fruit, and with it the size
of the kernel, might be discovered and thus make it a profitable
tree to grow in plantations.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 318
Reported on by the Imperial Institute in 1904, and kernels
worth £14 a ton then in London.
Native Use.—House-building. The fruit is eaten, and then
the nut is cracked and the kernel beaten up and served as
soup. Fruit or nuts or both are sold in the markets of Benin
and Yorubaland.
Irvingia Smithii. Benin Dika Nut (?). Akwekwe (Benin).
It is found occasionally in the Benin province of Nigeria.
It is a tree with similar growth to Irvingia Barteri, but reaches
a larger size, up to 12 feet. The bole length is also greater,
40 feet. The fruit is larger than Irvingia Barteri, but of the
same shape. It is rather uncommon in the evergreen forest.
The crown is smaller and occupies only the upper third of
the stem. The branches are larger, too, and of lesser number
in proportion than Irvingia Barteri.
The wood is yellow in the sapwood and brown in the heart-
wood, and hard. It is hard to split. The heartwood is very
small, being only about 1 foot out of a diameter of 4 feet.
Termites do not attack the wood.
It is a shade-bearer and grows slowly. It does not sprout
from the stool, but reproduction by seed is good. The duikas
eat the fruit.
It has not been cut for local use nor exported to Europe.
It is used, by tying four seeds together like Ogwega, for
a game. The fruit is not eaten because it is not sweet.
Irvingia sp. Pwekupweku (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Benin province of Nigeria. It
is a large tree, reaching a girth of 15 feet and very tall. The
fruit is yellow, and large as an African mango, but with
a very much sweeter smell. and sweet taste. The branches
are flattish, and so the crown is wide, with a long bole
and shallow crown. It has a long, lanceolate leaf with
insignificant veins. The wood is hard, with white sapwood
and brown heartwood. It grows on good soil, which is moist
and deep in the evergreen forests. It is a shade-bearer and
grows moderately fast.
Native Use.—The fruit is used for killing rats after it has
been cooked and mixed with palm oil chop. It is then
given to them, and they at once fall down dead.
Simarubacee (Planch).
Hannoa undulata. Whitewood. Igigun (Egba); Igbo (Lagos) ;
Orisi (Igbado, Yoruba).
It is found in the Calabar, Owerri, Benin, Warri, Ondo,
Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
314. WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is a very large tree, reaching a girth of 12 feet and a bole
length of about 50 feet, which grows up very readily in old farms
or clearings in the evergreen forest and lower parts of the
mixed forests. It has a large, broad leaf, which is deciduous
for about a month in the year. The flower, which is white in
colour, is in the form of racemes (?). The bark is green, with
grey streaks up and down, and the slash is white with yellow
markings ; it smells sweet, too. The fruit is oblong and black,
more like a plum. The spurns are very slight.
The wood is very soft and white all through. It dries
without warping, but if not cut properly is liable to be attacked
by small borers of the furniture kind. It planes with a smooth
surface. It is very light, more so even than Musanga wood.
The grain is fine, though such pores as there are, are long. It
splits well and adzes well too. It shrinks considerably in
drying, but this might be obviated by girdling and drying
very gradually in shade when cut green.
It is a very quick-growing tree, almost as fast as Ricino-
dendron. It is a light-lover, and is rather intolerant of shade,
except in its youth. It grows best from seed reproduction,
as the power from the stool is very slight and soon dies back.
It was sampled in 1912 at Degema, but has not been ex-
ported to Europe. A trial as a wood for making pulpwood seems
indicated. It is split up into flat pieces for doors and mantel-
pieces, also for making the walls of temporary houses, each
piece being set upright to the other, with any round edge on
the outside.
Burseracee.
Pachylobus edulis. Native Pear (Ohan), Incense Tree, Elemi
Gum. Ibagho (Yoruba); Onumu (Benin); Eben (Efik).
It is found in all the Southern Provinces of Nigeria, chiefly
as a planted tree in the neighbourhood of villages, and on the
sides of the roads leading to them, being more prevalent in
the Benin and Oban than the other districts. It is a medium-
sized tree, reaching a girth of about 7 feet and a height of
about 70 feet.
The gum, which exudes when the tree is cut with a
matchet, smells very much like incense when burnt, and is
of a white colour. It is always planted in the villages, partly
for shade, chiefly for food, especially in the Oban country.
The fruit is first of all a grey, and then a purple colour,
and a very cylindrical plum shape, in all about 2} inches long
and rather more than 1 inch in diameter. It is very much
like turpentine to taste, especially when not quite ripe, and in
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 315
the centre of the fruit there is an oblong nut rather more than
1 inch in length, more or less round, with four ribbed edges,
all culminating at the apex. The leaves are large, consisting
of four to six pairs of pinne, which are shiny and dark-green
on the upper surface, and almost silver-grey underneath. The
trunk is often very much cut about and chipped, and little
pieces of the white gum are often seen in the old scars. It
usually bears fruit heavily every year.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood is of a faint pink
colour. It is not very hard, but more like mahogany in texture
and character. Owing to its irregular growth and branching
habit, it is often rather knotty and cross-grained.
It is a shade-bearing, somewhat slow-growing tree, which
only partially protects the soil, but on the whole improves
it with its fall of leaves. Natural regeneration appears to be
rare, chiefly perhaps owing to the fact that the natives pick
the fruit even before it is quite ripe, and take it away to
eat in their houses. It is usually planted by the natives as
a transplanted seedling, about 3 feet high. Considering the
poor flavour of the fruit, it is rather surprising that it is so
widely planted and comparatively speaking so much tended
by the natives in certain districts. It is moderately fire-resist-
ing and dew-collecting, especially in the dry seasons, the ground
in the vicinity of the trees often being quite damp with the
condensed dew falling off the leaves.
It has not been felled for export or for local use. The
tree, however, provides grateful shade in the more open parts
of the country, in the neighbourhood of villages.
The gum has not been collected for export, but is con-
sidered of value. However, no tapping experiments have been
tried.
Native Use.—The fruit is called a pear, and is liked by most
natives, who eat it raw. It is sometimes sold in the markets
at five for one penny.
Canarium Schweinfurthii. Pink Mahogany, Bastard Mahogany.
Sometimes sold as Gaboon Mahogany or African Elemi. Anikan-
tuhu, Ako, Ibagbo (Yoruba); Onumukyukyu (Benin); also
known as Ikwapbo. (The Benin name means Kyukyu or bird,
Onumu or Incense-tree.)
Chief Characteristics.—Evenly striated bark of orange to
light-yellow colour, turning grey on exposure to full rays of
the sun. The seed is small and similar to that of Pachylobus
edulis, but much smaller.
Distribution.—A few in the Western, more in the Central
west and south of Benin, and most common in the Eastern
316 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Circle, especially north of Calabar, in the mixed deciduous
forest zone, and to lesser extent in the evergreen forest zone.
It is a large forest tree, with a girth of over 12 feet and a
bole length of about 90 feet. Being more or less preserved
by the natives when found in the forests, in clearing for their
farms, it is often now seen on the roadsides. The slash is
white, and as the roots beside the road are often cut by the
natives, the yellowish-white gum exudes, forming a small
white layer on the surface of the root. This has a most
pleasant smell, and is not unpleasant to taste. It is closely
allied to, if not much the same character as, the “‘ Balsam of
Tolu.” The leaf is comparatively small, with three or four
pairs of pinne, and growing more or less in tufts, this being
reminiscent of the Mahogany family. The root spurns are
very slight, and in this respect it is more like the European Ash,
and usually there are one or two main roots which spread
out, down the slightly enlarged bole at the base. Other-
wise the tree is one of the most cylindrical in shape, falling
away with the increasing height less than almost any other.
It is a deciduous tree. The pores are very fine and rather
longer than in the ordinary mahogany, and the wood is not
so sheeny.
The sapwood is white, and in fast-grown trees often 6 inches
through. The heartwood is of a delicately pink mahogany
colour, darkening to a light-brown mahogany on exposure
to the air and sunlight. It is not very hard, and splits fairly
well. It planes up with a smooth surface. It saws well and
also takes nails fairly well. It has very considerable elasticity.
It is lighter than most kinds of mahogany. The logs will
float as soon as at all dry.
In youth it stands a good deal of shade, but later on it is
on the whole a light-demanding tree. It is a fairly quick-
growing tree, but tends to become very slow when left alone
in the open. It needs a rich soil, but is also found on poorer
land. It needs more moisture than many others. Although
not a soil-protecting tree, the leaves yield a fair amount of
humus in their annual fall. Natural regeneration is fair, but
it is rather susceptible to fire, and much of it is thus killed.
No plantations have been made of this tree.
In 1906 a sample was sold in the Liverpool market as
Gaboon Mahogany at 1s. 6d. per cubic foot full measure, and in
1907 sample logs of this tree were exported to the Liverpool
market, where they were sold as light Benin Mahogany at 2d.
per superficial foot. Since then none has been felled.
The natives occasionally cut the tree for planks, and use
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 317
the wood for making canoes, chiefly owing to its lightness
and elasticity.
Canarium sp. Rough-barked Canarium. Ekugbi, Ekugbo (Yoru-
ba); Onumukyukyu (Benin).
Chief Characteristics—A large tree, with larger fissures
than C. Schweinfurthii, about 6 inches apart ; the bark is in-
clined to scale off in between. The leaves are a little larger,
but the gum is very similar and used for similar purposes.
Distribution.—It was found in the Olokemeji Forest Reserve.
It is deciduous for about three weeks in the year, chiefly
November, but otherwise it is a soil-protecting and soil-im-
proving tree.
The tree has not been felled for export or for local use.
Nor do the natives appear to have used it for any purpose.
Canarium Mansfeldii. Gaboon Mahogany.
This species is found on the banks of the Upper Cross River.
Canarium sp. Oyife (Yoruba).
Found in the Yoruba country.
Canarium sp., syn. Schweinfurthii. Incense Tree. Anikantuku
(Yoruba); Onumukyukyu (Benin).
Found in the [aro district and Benin.
Meliacez.
~ Carapa procera. Scented Mahogany Cedar, Crab Wood, Toulou-
couna Oil. Efu Iya, Abo-oganwo (Yoruba); Ibbegogo (Benin).
It is a common tree, found in the Calabar, Ogoja, Owerri,
Warri, Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a small tree, growing to a girth of about 6 feet. The
pinne and the whole leaf are both much larger than the
mahogany leaf, even including that of grandifolia. It often
grows with a divided bole, two small stems shooting upwards
from about 3 feet from the ground. The leaves grow in very
distinct tufts on the edge of the branches. The bark is smooth
and a light-green colour, with a few vertical uprights when
the tree is old. The fruit is a large, roughly round, woody
drupe. The covering shell dehisces into eight parts, releasing
about twenty hard, brown, round-cornered, almost square
nuts. The seeds are eaten by porcupines. It is found in
the freshwater swamps in the evergreen forest and in damp
places of the mixed deciduous forest. The timber is pink
when freshly cut, and the heartwood has the red-brown typical
of the Mahogany family. The small size of the timber rather
militates against its reaching the high value of mahogany.
The tree is a shade-bearer in its younger stages of growth,
and even when older it still stands a considerable amount of
318 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
shade. Self-sown seedlings are not often seen. Perhaps this
is due to so many of the seeds being eaten by animals. The
stump scarcely sprouts after it has been freshly cut. Con-
sidering the size of the tree, a very fair number of nuts ripen
each year.
No use has been made of the seeds, though they yield a
similar oil to that of the Crab Oil Tree of South America.
In 1906 a sample of the timber was sold in the Liverpool
market as Mahogany Cedar, scented, at 24d. and 34d. per
superficial foot.
Native Use.—The bark is used by pregnant Yoruba women
and for sores and as a cough mixture. It is used underneath
palm leaves as a roofing material in the Benin country.
Khaya grandifolia, later grandis (Stapf.). Big-leaf Mahogany,
Benin Mahogany. Akor, Oganwo (Yoruba); Gadeau, Og-
wangu (Benin); Odala (Ibo Asaba); Digiten (Brass) ; Dirinshi,
Diki (Ibo Owerri) ; Asamogo (Ibibio) ; Upono (Efik) ; Obon (?)
(Oban, Ekoi).
It is found in the Ondo, Benin and Ogoja provinces of
Nigeria, at the edge of the mixed deciduous forest zone,
where it is very prevalent in some places, such as at the edge
of the Ifon Owo-Akure Road.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a large tree of the mixed forests.
It attains a girth of 14 feet and a corresponding height. It
is, however, taller in proportion than K. Punchit. It has long,
upward-tending root flanges, though not so large as those of
K. Ivoriensis or the Coast Mahogany. The crown is open
compared to the other Khayas, except K. Senegalensis. It has
conspicuously large pinnate leaves, with three or four pairs of
leaflets quite 10 inches in length, each leaflet being 4 inches
long. The stem is smoother than K. Punchii, and in that
respect more like K. anthoteka. The leaves of this species are
the most shiny of all; in fact, the others appear dull beside
them. The bole, on the whole, is cleaner than K. Punchit and
longer, though it forks or divides into a head in the charac-
teristic Mahogany way. The shininess of the leaves is one of
the greatest characteristics of this tree. The capsule is some-
what larger than K. Punchii. It is also a little thicker, and
the tip is not so long or sharp. It opens out into five segments,
as a rule, but sometimes there may be only four. The seeds
themselves are a little oblong in shape and not quite so square
as in K. Punchii, although they are just as thin and flat.
The timber is the typical Benin Mahogany, with somewhat
long pores, first of all rather pink, then a rich mahogany-brown
colour. Occasionally the sapwood is very wide in proportion
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 319
to the size of the tree, but this is more in the case of very
quickly grown trees. It sometimes shows very rich figure
of a “‘roey” nature as well as “ fiddleback,” more especially
in the root buttresses. Here, owing to the storms to which
the tree is exposed, the fibres of these buttresses become frac-
tured and compressed, thus giving a broken and mottled appear-
ance to the grain after it has been cut up lengthways. In this
species the wood of the “curls’’ often shows a rather bolder
roe than in the case of those obtained from K. Punchii or
Ivoriensis.
On the whole this is the most quickly growing of all the
Khayas. In its youth it stands a certain amount of shade,
and, in fact, always, but it would appear to demand a good
deal of light for its full and quick development. It is a
thoroughly soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. The leaves
make a rich humus. Natural regeneration is good, and, in fact,
appears to be much better than in the case of the other Khayas.
It sprouts from the stump a little. It appears to be somewhat
exacting as to soil, preferring somewhat deep, rich.and moist
sites. In plantations it has already found a place. It has
also been planted, mixed with other species of Khaya, in the
small nurseries, plantations and lines of trees made by the
timber-lease holders. It does not seem to be attacked so
severely by the leading-shoot borer as in the case of K. Punchii.
Owing to the fact that the seeds usually fall on more open
ground, it is not eaten so quickly by the little boring insects.
The timber is being constantly exported and mixed up
with the other species of Khaya. Being lighter, it floats
higher on the water than the other species, more especially
Entandrophragma,. It has occasionally been used by the natives
for making canoes, as also for sawing up into planks.
Khaya Punchii. Uhi Mahogany, Benin Mahogany. Oganwo
(Yoruba); Ogwangu (Benin); Eggi (Ibo Asaba).
This tree does not attain such a large size as either
K. grandis or K. Ivoriensis, but it often exceeds a girth of
12 feet and a bole length of 70 feet. The bottom log of a tree
is often found to show figured wood. This is perhaps owing
to the bark being constantly removed, and to thé succeeding
occlusion of the wounds following at different times, according
to when the bark is removed.
Chief Characteristics.—It has a comparatively small leaf,
with five or six pairs of leaflets. It has slight root spurns,
or protuberances, or even in some cases none at all. It is
generally particularly rough at the base, owing to the bark
having been continually removed by the local people. Higher
820 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
up, the stem is covered with brown-coloured bark, which is
slightly pitted. The leaves are in tufts, though to a lesser
extent than either K. grandis or Ivoriensis. The large masses
of small white flowers remind one of lilac. It is of the same
white colour. It flowers in February, when it is also in new
leaf. Compared with K. grandis it usually has a shorter and
somewhat more curved bole.
Distribution —It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan and
Benin provinces of Nigeria.
The capsule is of medium size, splitting open into five
segments which remain attached at the base. On the whole
it is rather thinner than K. grandis or Ivoriensis, but does not
come to such a sharp point as either of those two.
The timber is very similar in grain and texture to the other
Khayas, but if anything it is a little heavier and a little closer
texture then either grandis or Ivoriensis, especially in those
districts where it grows in the mixed deciduous forests, and
where the base of the trunk is burnt with an occasional
grass-fire.
Although not quite so fast-growing as the other Khayas,
it is a fast-growing tree with soil-protecting and soil-improving
qualities. Natural regeneration is fair, though the little thin,
flat seeds are very soon attacked by a little boring insect when
they fall to the ground. However, when rapidly gathered
after having fallen, they retain their germinative capacity
for a greater length of time than in the case of the Entandro-
phragmas. On the whole, if the locality is not too dry or fires
too prevalent, this tree tends to widen its area of distribution
with the spread of farms. The leading-shoot borer attacks
this tree in its younger stages perhaps even more than the
other Khayas, more especially when it is planted pure. In
this connection it should be noted that this Khaya, as well
as the others, is not gregarious in habit, being always found
singly, though varying much in number per square mile. This
factor rather indicates that pure plantations should not be
made, or at any rate that it should only be planted in small
groups mixed with other species, also in small groups, from a
quarter to one acre in extent. In leased timber areas it has been
planted mixed with other species. On the whole, it has not
been exported so much as the other Khayas. It has been sold
as Niger Mahogany.
Value.—3d. to 6d. per superficial foot from Sapoba, in the
Benin province. The natives occasionally cut it for sawing
into planks.
Khaya anthotheca?. White-barked Mahogany or White Mahogany,
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 321
King of the Timber. Funfun (Yoruba); Ogwangu Nufwa,
Ogigedu (Benin).
Many specimens of this tree are found in the mixed forests
on the banks of the Ovia River in the Ifon district of the Benin
province, and also isolated trees near the banks of the Owena
River in the Ondo province.
The chief characteristic of this tree is the speckled white
bark, which gives the stem generally a light, almost white or
grey colour. The white patches in the bark occur irregularly
scattered all round the bole, being chiefly confined to the lower
half of it. In young trees the four very strong lateral roots
show up prominently above the ground, leading away from the
tree more or less at right angles and remaining above the
surface of the ground for two or three feet. This feature to
some extent persists even in old age, but then it is not so pro-
nounced, as these roots tend to form more or less stout but-
tresses similar to the others, but coming out more abruptly
and forming a more shelf-like protuberance from the stem.
The timber is supposed to be lighter, and of a lighter colour
than that of the other Khayas. However, it appears to be
only rather more of a pinkish-brown when freshly cut, taking
on the typical mahogany-brown once it is exposed to the air.
So far, it has always been sold mixed up with the other species
cut in the same area, and realizes similar prices. It may
perhaps have even helped towards the scoring of the higher
average price of 6d. per superficial foot which was obtained
from one area where this species is found.
Khaya n. sp. Mahogany. Ogwangu (Benin).
This was found in the Benin province of Nigeria. In the
wood, it shows a considerable difference to the other Khayas,
being a much lighter red-brown colour and of more open
texture.
Khaya Ivoriensis. Coast Mahogany. Obi, Oganwo, Akpakor
(Yoruba).
This species is supposed to be that from which most of the
coastal mahogany is obtained, more especially in the more
low-lying regions. The wood is of a richer and darker colour
and somewhat heavier than that of the other species. The most
typical feature, though, is the very sheeny nature of the wood
and the very considerable size of the medullary rays, which,
however, are not conspicuous, as in the wood from Nigeria.
Khaya Senegalensis. Dry-zone Mahogany. Oganwo (Yoruba) ;
Ogwangu (Benin).
Chief Characteristics.—The tree has an open crown with a
few upspreading branches, and apparently much less foliage
21
822 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
than its “ confréres.”” The leaves are small, very grey, specially
on the under-surface, giving them almost the character of
Eucalyptus leaves. The bole is shorter than the other Khayas,
with a slightly scaly bark and only a small thickening of the
base and no root buttresses at all. The bark is darker than
Khaya Punchii, though the scales are often grey. The capsule
is almost frequently four-sectioned, though this is not an
absolute rule, as other Khayas have been found bearing cap-
sules dividing into three, four and five sections. It does not
exude gum so readily as Khaya Punchit, and the gum is of
a redder colour. Illustration No. 67 shows the lower part
of the bole of a tree 10 feet in girth.
Distribution.— It grows on the banks of the Ogun River
above the Iseyin-Oyo Road, Ibadan province, Akure, Benin
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is found as one of the most
prevalent trees near Obudu and in the Onitsha province north
of Ogrugu.
Timber.—It is of redder brown colour than either Khaya
Punchii or grandis, and has a greater sheen. The texture of
wood is a little closer, and, owing to the annual grass-fires
burning the stem, is slightly figured. Logs could not be cut
much more than 20 feet in length, owing to the bole not always
-being straight, though the large branches would make small
ones and curls.
Silvicultural Qualities.—It stands a great deal of drought,
though in its drier area of distribution it is usually to be found
near river banks. The seed keeps a high percentage of ger-
mination for some months after being picked. It demands
more light than either of the other Khayas, and grows freely
from the beginning. It has also a greater tendency to branch
than the other Khayas, but this may be due to its being
attacked more by the leading-shoot borer than the other species,
as more of these insects are found in the open than in the
mixed forests. It is almost gregarious, as groups of trees
are usually found together.
Khaya sp. Orro (Yoruba); Geduloha (Benin).
This tree is found in the Ilaro district of the Abeokuta
province. There appears to be some doubt as to whether
this is really a distinct species, but the fact remains that the
wood is very much darker and of rather a duller colour than
most of the other Khayas. It shows also a very rich, wide
roe, and in this respect the wood is more valuable than that
of many other species. It is somewhat similar to the best
counter-top wood obtained from the Entandrophragmas. It
does not appear to be a very common tree, but it attains a girth
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 323
of over 12 feet, and the bole is straighter and considerably
taller than most of the Khayas.
Pseudocedrela Kotschyti. Dry-zone Cedar. Hard Cedar Mahogany.
Emi gbegeri (Yoruba, Ibadan).
It is found in groups and isolated specimens in the Ibadan
province of Nigeria, in the dry-zone forest and at the edge
of the mixed deciduous areas, more especially in the Olokemeji
Forest. With its somewhat regularly fissured bark, showing a
criss-cross pattern, it is distinguishable from the other dry-zone
trees. The silvery pinnate leaves in tufts and the charred
base of the stem, combined with the grey trunk, all help to
identify it. The little mahogany-like capsule, covered with
silvery hairs when unripe, is another feature. When these
burst open, leaving the empty capsule on the tree for a time,
there is no doubt about its being of the Mahogany family.
In the distance the grey, almost silvery-coloured bark makes
it stand out as compared to others such as Dwarf Ironwood
or the Shea Butter Tree. Reaching a girth of about 6 feet
and a bole length of 25 feet, it is one of the largest dry-zone
trees.
The sapwood is pinkish-red, when fresh, and the heartwood
a rich red-brown, darkening slightly on exposure to the light.
It is harder than mahogany and heavier. The grain is closer
and on the whole finer, but with a similar sheen. It often shows
a little figure. It saws well, planes smoothly, takes nails, and
has a good appearance in the plank. It is said to be termite-
proof. It is considerably stronger than mahogany.
Somewhat slow-growing, even from naturally growing
root suckers, it is a light-loving tree, giving scarcely enough
shade to protect the soil. In its youth it is a soil-improving
tree. Natural regeneration is poor, root suckers being the
strongest form of reproduction. It sprouts slightly from the
stump, but not sufficiently for reproduction of a crop. A fair
crop of seeds is found each year, but usually, owing to grass-
fires, much of this is destroyed. Plantations are being made,
but natural growth has been encouraged in places, and gives
further promise of better growth.
It has not been exported, but it is occasionally felled for
local use. It is one of the most valuable trees of the dry
zone.
Entandrophragma utilis. Short-capsuled Mahogany, Sapeli or
Heavy Mahogany. Ijebbo, Jebu, Ashuwole, Papala (Yoruba) ;
Ogipogo, Ubilesan Onamakyuku, Plekkoge (Benin) ; Eplekgo
(Jekri) ; Edem (Efik); Atori (Oban, Ekoi).
This tree is found in the evergreen and mixed forests of
824 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
the Ondo, Benin, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is one of the most common mahoganies of the forest,
above the top of the buttresses, and one which showed
437 rings of growth had a girth of 52 feet, measured at
20 feet above the ground. This one, too, yielded 15 logs of
various sizes.
The leaves are rather smaller and show the ribs rather
more prominently than in Z. cylindrica, but the growth, which
is in tufts, is similar. It is deciduous for about three weeks
in the year, in November, when inconspicuous flowers first
appear and then the leaves. The capsule is about 3 inches
long and nearly 1 inch in diameter. It is of the usual pen-
tagonal shape, and there are five seeds, placed one over the
other on each side of the central pentagonal core. The seeds
are nearly square in shape, with a rounded back about an eighth
of an inch thick. The wings are four times the length of the
seed, making each about 24 inches long. The seeds lose their
germinative power in about three weeks, and are always
attacked by a small boring insect.
The bole has comparatively slight root spurns, which ter-
minate at about a maximum height of 20 feet from the ground.
It is very straight, and may attain a height of 90 feet. The
stem is, however, much more pitted than that of E. cylindrica.
The bark is of a green to grey colour, very reminiscent at
times of a beech-tree, especially at a distance. The crown
is flatly spherical, being composed of a few very large limbs.
The slash is white and brown; the sapwood is white and the
heartwood of a red-brown colour, with a very strong cedar-
wood scent when freshly cut. Even when the wood is seasoned
and freshly planed, this scent is very noticeable. It saws and
splits easily, planes up moderately, and takes nails fairly easily.
It is not termite-proof, but the most common attack is
by a lymexylon, if the logs are left lying unsquared in the
forests. Many figured logs have been obtained from this
species of tree. In the younger stages, the sapwood is
comparatively wide. Natural regeneration is very good in
some places. The tree grows very rapidly indeed. In its youth
it stands a certain amount of shade, but later on it is a light-
loving tree. It is a soil-protecting and soil-improving tree.
Isolated trees have been planted and small plantations made
in various parts of the country. Planted under proper con-
ditions and with favourable seasons, an average growth of
6 feet in height may be expected. The young trees are occa-
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 825
sionally attacked by the leading-shoot borer, but this is not
very serious, particularly if a suitable mixture with other
trees has been formed.
This timber has been one of the main export products
of the Sapeli and South Benin forests. The chief market
for this wood was, previous to the war, in Hamburg. How-
ever, from Hamburg, the markets of Copenhagen, Sweden,
Finland, Russia and Austria were also supplied. Being
almost half as heavy again as Khaya Mahogany, it costs
more in proportion to bring over to Europe. Owing to the
better and larger size of the logs which can be obtained from
these huge trees, there was in these markets a greater demand
for this timber for counter-tops than for Khaya timber. This
to some extent counterbalanced the disadvantage of the extra
weight. This timber was also considered of a duller colour
and more liable to split than the Khaya wood. However,
as many of the trees from which the largest logs have been
obtained are mature, and over-mature, it is natural that the
wood cannot be in a prime condition.
The timber is very popular amongst the local people for
the making of canoes and for house-building.
Entandrophragma cylindrica. Heavy Mahogany or Cedar Mahog-
any. Jebu, Oro, Issisi, Alepo, Alopa (Yoruba); Ikwabobo,
Agiekpogo (Benin); Atore (Efik).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Oyo, Ondo, Benin, Calabar
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is one of the common
mahogany-trees of the evergreen and mixed deciduous forest
zone. It is the tallest of all African trees, the bole alone
often attaining a height exceeding 100 feet. It is also one
of the straightest and most cylindrical trees in Africa. The
root spurns are very slight compared to the size of the tree,
and do not extend usually more than 10 feet up the stem. The
bark is smooth and not unlike the beech ; in old age, however,
it becomes slightly pitted and the bark scales off in places.
The crown is deeper and more spherical than in the case of
Entandrophragma utilis. The ends of the branches are most
conspicuous, with their most pronounced tufts of leaves. The
leaf is often about 4 inches long, but in young shoots may
attain a length of nearly 3 feet, with over thirty pairs of pinne.
The slash is white, with small, yellow, stone-like granules in it.
The bark is thick.
The capsule is nearly 6 inches long and an inch in diameter.
It is similar in shape to that of Hntandrophragma utilis, and
opens in a similar way. The seeds are rather larger and the
wings considerably longer. It is deciduous for about a week
326 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
in November, when the flowers, which are of a light-greenish
colour, appear, and then the leaves.
The sapwood is white and comparatively wide, except in
very old trees. The wood, when freshly cut, smells slightly
like a red herring, and in colour is not unlike the flesh of
kippered herring.
The heartwood is of a red-brown colour, rather dulling on
exposure to the air and becoming a dark-brown colour. The
pores are very long, much more so than either in the Z. utilis
or the Khaya genus. The timber splits well, saws easily, and
takes nails moderately well. It is not always easy to plane
it down to a smooth surface. It has a distinct tendency to
warp unless properly seasoned. It is not termite-proof, but
the attacks of the white ants are slow. The sapwood is more
commonly attacked byalymexylon. For interior work it is very
durable ; sometimes it has a very pretty, dull-brown wavy sheen.
Natural regeneration is good in many places. Isolated
trees have been planted and small plantations made in different
parts of the country. The growth on the whole is even more
rapid than in the case of H#. utilis. In favourable localities
it will exceed an annual height growth of 7 feet. Although
it will stand a considerable amount of shade in its youth, it
is more of a light-loving tree in old age. It is a soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree.
This is one of the chief mahoganies exported from the
Benin and Sapeli forests, but it does not attain such an average
high price as that of the Khaya genus. However, from all
accounts it appears that the majority of figured logs have been
obtained from this species; this compensates to some extent
the disadvantage of this being the heaviest wood of all the
mahoganies. It often floats just level with the water, and has
sometimes been known to sink. In pre-war days it used to
fetch 4d. per superficial foot, and the best market for it was
in Hamburg ; but, as also in the case of L. utilis, the wood was
supplied to the markets in Austria, Russia, etc. It is common
to make three logs each 30 feet long from the bole. Both
this tree and £. utilis yield some of the best curls which are
obtained from the mahogany.
The local people used to be very fond of using this tree
for making canoes, and I have seen a canoe over 80 feet long
and having a draught of over 6 feet. It has also been largely
used in house-building.
Lovoa Klaineana. African Walnut. Abuwe (Yoruba) ; Ikwahobo,
or usually known amongst the timber men and forest officers
as Anamomilla in Benin, Apobo (Jekri, Tjor).
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 327
It is one of the most prevalent trees on the banks of the
Ogba stream in the Benin province, and it is also found in the
Ondo, Abeokuta, Owerri and Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
This tree grows to a large size, reaching a girth of over
12 feet and a bole length of over 60 feet. The root spurns
are slight compared to Mahogany, extending only from 4 to
6 feet up the stem.
Chief Characteristics.—The small, almost quadrangular-shaped
capsule, which splits open with four sides and centre square in
section with only eight seeds, two placed on each face, is
about the size of a little finger. At its base the bole is not
entitely circular in shape, but tends to form four distinct narrow
small buttresses, giving it almost a quadrangular shape. The
bark is a dark brown colour, which gets rougher with old age
and scales off to a small extent. Compared to the size of the
tree it is not very thick. In the younger trees it is quite smooth
and mote of a yellow-brown colour. The leaves are pinnate,
with three or four pairs of pinnez. The four-sided capsule is
a most typical feature of this tree, and distinguishes it from
Entandrophragma. The leaves are of a dark colour.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood is a good walnut-
brown, sometimes with very striking dark-brown or black
streaks in it, The sapwood is comparatively narrow and the
heartwood farms comparatively early in the life of the tree.
The wood is only moderately hard ; it planes well, and takes
nails ; it sawseasily, and splits moderately well. It is, however,
attacked by termites, but not when used for interior work.
It shrinks but little and does not warp very much. The grain
is rather finer than that of the ordinary mahogany, but the
pores are often much longer. Jt has a pleasant lustre, but tends
to darken a litile with age, especially when not exposed to the
brightest light. The tree is a moderately fast-growing, shade-
bearing species, vith soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities.
Natural regenertion appears to be moderate. It sprouts
slightly from the stump. Seed years are none too frequent.
The seeds themelves are soon eaten by boring insects when
they lie on the ground ; even when picked up they soon lose
their germinative >apacity, and should be planted within a month
of being gathered, as they are so liable to get dry. The tree
is a little exacting in regard to soil, apparently demanding
plenty of moistwe, depth and a good deal of humus. No
plantations have keen made with this tree, but a great’ number
of isolated trees have been planted by timber-lease holders
in their areas.
In 1906 sample of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
828 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
market as African Walnut at 1d. per superficial foot. Since
then, however, the qualities of this timber have become
better known, and it now finds a ready sale at rates varying
from 2d. to 5d. per superficial foot. Although it is a mahogany
by family, it is usual to sell it as African Walnut, as the colour
and texture of the wood are very similar to walnut.
Native Use.—In the Benin province it has been used for
canoe-making.
Guarea Thompsonii. Cedar Mahogany, Cedar or Close-grained
Mahogany. Sidu (Yoruba); Obobonikwi (Benin); Akpaku
(Ibo Asaba).
It is a large forest tree of the evergreen forest zone,
attaining a girth of 12 feet, which is most commonly found
in the Benin district of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics. —The trunk is dark-brown with
smoothish bark, which has a tendency to scale off a little.
The pinnate leaves are shiny and form very dsstinctive tufts
at the ends of the branches, though not quite so much as in
Entandrophragma.
The fruit, which is quite soft, is a dehissent capsule, of
a dark brown colour; when ripe, three blatk seeds covered
with red pulp are released. The seeds are ellipsoid in shape
and smaller than those of G. sp., Obobonu‘wa. The seed is
nearly half an inch long and covered with white streaks follow-
ing round its narrowest circumference. The crown is very thick
and dense compared with G@. sp., Obobonufva. The bole length
is shorter, and the shape of it is not so regular nor so round
‘as that of G. sp., Obobonufwa. The crown is flatly spherical
in shape, reaching fully a third of the total height of the tree.
The flowers are yellow and borne in long spikes about 1 foot
in length.
The sapwood is white and the heart of a mahogany-brown
colour, with a slightish red tinge whm freshly cut, which
rapidly goes a light brown colour, thagh not such a light
brown as in the case of G@. sp., Obobontfwa. It has a strong
cedar scent when freshly cut, and ever the old wood retains
this scent when planed up afresh. Tle grain is fine, though
a little fibrous. The pores are long and pen. It has, however,
a nice sheen, giving a better appearane than that of @. sp.,
Obobonufwa. It planes easily, but does not split very well. It
takes nails fairly easily and saws wihout difficulty. It is
not termite-proof. It has considerahe tensile strength and
elasticity. In proportion the heartwood is very large and forms
comparatively early in the life of th: tree. It has a closer
grain than any of the mahogany of the Benin district.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 829
The tree is a fast-growing one, at first shade-bearing, and
later a more light-demanding species, with soil-improving
and soil-protecting qualities. Natural regeneration appears
to be fair, though the seeds are eaten by insects, and they do
not appear to keep their generative capacity for a great length
of time. It appears to be rather exacting as to soil, liking
one with a fair degree of moisture, mineral content and of
considerable depth. No plantations have yet been made of this
tree, but isolated specimens have been planted by the timber-
lease holders. It bears good crops of seed every few years.
Owing to the comparative shortage of mahogany trees
on some areas, this tree is now felled as a timber for export,
and is sold as Scented Mahogany at 3d. to 6d. per superficial
foot. Locally it has been cut for planks.
Guarea sp. Cedar Mahogany, Scented Mahogany. Sida, Sendar,
Odogbo, Akokogbo (Yoruba) ; Obobonufwa (Benin); Akpaku
(Ibo Asaba).
It is a large forest tree of the evergreen zone, attaining
a girth of over 12 feet, which is most commonly met with in
the Benin district of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics.—The bole is covered with smooth
grey bark, which peels off very gradually in large pieces more
like a plane ; it is sometimes relieved by patches of yellow or
red lichens. It has tufts of pinnate leaves at the end of the
branches.
The fruit is a greyish-brown coloured, dehiscent capsule,
which contains three large seeds covered with orange-coloured
flesh. The seed is black, and wider and thicker than the G.
Thompsonti, though the length is about the same ; this makes
it flatly ovate. The seed is covered with white streaks in the
same way as Guarea Thompsonii. The root spurns are narrow
and extend further up the stem than in the case of G.
Thompsonii, though in the younger trees the stem is very
cylindrical. The silvery-coloured bark is most typical of this
tree, thus distinguishing it most clearly from G. Thompsonii.
It is very similar in appearance to Siderorylon Aylmeri of
Sierra Leone, so that indeed it may be a species of Sideroxylon,
or even the same.
It is found in the Ondo, Abeokuta and Benin provinces
of Nigeria.
The sapwood is white and narrow and the heartwood
light-brown, rapidly darkening to a more mahogany brown.
When freshly cut it has a strong cedar scent, which goes off to
a certain extent when it is dry, but on planing the wood up
again there is always a slight cedar scent. It is closer grained
330 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
than G. Thompsonii, but it has not so much sheen. On the
whole the colour is poorer. It is not considered quite so durable
as G. Thompsonii, nor is it termite-proof. It planes well
and saws easily, splits moderately well, and takes nails with-
out difficulty. It is of a very light colour for mahogany. It
has a good, mellow texture.
It is at first slightly shade-bearing, but later a light-
demanding tree. It grows comparatively rapidly. It
thoroughly protects the soil and enriches it with its leaf fall.
Natural regeneration appears to be only moderate, perhaps
owing to the fact that the seeds soon lose their germinative
capacity or are eaten by animals. It appears to be somewhat
exacting as to soil, liking one with considerable depth,
mineral content and a fair degree of moisture.
In 1906 sample logs of this timber were considered of a
lower value than mahogany, and were sold as Scented Mahogany
at 34d. to 32d. per superficial foot. Since that date the timber
has been regularly shipped from the Benin district and sold
as Scented Mahogany, and it is usually worth from 2}d. to 6d.
per superficial foot. Owing to the comparative scarcity of
large girth mahoganies (Khaya sp.) in some localities, it is being
felled in increasingly large quantities.
Trichilia Heudelottii. Rere, Ako Irere, Asana (Yoruba); Ovallo
(Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta and Benin provinces of Nigeria.
It has a smaller leaf than Trichilia sp., and is rather
a smaller tree than 7. Prieuriana. The heartwood is brown-
red and very hard; the sapwood is white.
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting and
soil-improving tree of the mixed forest zone.
Occasionally it is used as a house-building timber, when
there is nothing else available.
Trichilia sp. Iseko (Yoruba); Ogiovalo (Benin).
It has a larger leaf than 7'. Heudelotii. It is found in the
Abeokuta, Ondo and Benin provinces of Nigeria. The heart-
wood is brownish-red and the sapwood is white. It reaches
rather a larger size than 7’. Heudelotii, attaining a bole length
of about 15 feet and a girth of 5 feet. The seeds are very
similar to those of P. Prieuriana. It is termite-proof.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration appears to be
slight It apparently demands a good soil, and is found in the
mixed deciduous forest.
It has not yet been tried as an export timber, but it might
be useful as a hard mahogany, both for export and for local use.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 331
Amongst the natives it is occasionally used as a house-
building timber, the tree having a fork at a convenient distance
from the ground.
Trichilia Prieuriana. Awe, Eriagbo (Yoruba); Igogo (Benin) ;
Somabari (Oban, Ekoi).
Chief Characteristics —It is a dark-foliaged tree, usually
found dominated in the mixed forest, with thin, scaly bark
and thin, long leaves, with four or five pairs of pinne. The
seeds are reminiscent of Guarea.
Distribution.—It is found in the mixed deciduous forests
of the Abéokuta, Ibadan and Benin provinces of Nigeria.
Timber.—It has a hard, red heartwood of close grain
and white sapwood ; it does not shrink nor warp to any
extent.
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting and
soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration appears to be poor,
perhaps owing to the fact that the seeds decay very rapidly
when lying in the ground.
In the dry season the dew condenses very readily on this
tree, and thus makes the ground very moist underneath.
It does not reach really export timber size. It has not
been used either for export or locally. However, for smaller
constructional work it deserves a trial.
Turrea Vogeliit. Asha omode (Yoruba); Ovioza (Benin).
It is rather an uncommon tree of the Benin province of
Nigeria. It is quite small, only attaining a girth of about
2 feet. It usually stands in the shade as part of the under-
growth of the evergreen forest.
The natives have no particular use for it.
Turrea heterophylla.
This tree is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria.
It is a small tree which has been specially noticed in the Ilaro
Forest Reserve. The Yorubas do not have any special use
for this species of Meliaceez. It is considerably harder than
either mahogany or cedar mahogany.
Ekebergia Senegalensis (Juss.).
It is a medium-sized tree found in the Abeokuta province
of Nigeria. It is distinguished by its white flowers, and is
found growing in the Olokemeji Arboretum. The leaves are
large for Meliacee, but the position of the flower-stalk and
the bark are typical of this family. The natives have not
used the wood thus far. It would make rather an ornamental
shrub-like tree in a garden.
Melia Azedarach. Bead Tree or Persian Lilac. Eke Oyinbo
(Yoruba).
382. WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
A tree found growing plentifully. It is of medium size,
bearing a very ornamental flower. It yields timber, gum, oil
and medicaments, and is also used in the preparation of
liquors. The fruit is poisonous.
? Mahogany. Onyemo (Benin).
This tree is somewhat uncommon in the Benin province
of Nigeria. It is closely allied to the African Walnut. It is
apparently a mahogany, so far as the texture of the timber
is concerned, and the grain is very similar too. It is a medium-
sized tree with a bark less pitted than that of the Entandro-
phragmas and with a more greenish tinge. The slash is white,
the sapwood whitish-yellow and the heartwood light-brown,
becoming darker on exposure to the air. It has occasionally
been cut in Benin and used as mahogany.
Polygalacee.
Carpolobia lutea (Don). Oshunshun (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta and Benin provinces of Nigeria
A shrub-like tree.
Polygala arenaria. Okuturupu (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Dichapetalacez.
Chailletia floribunda (Planch). Kukumarugbo (Yoruba).
This is a small tree of the mixed deciduous forest zone,
It is a shade-bearing and soil-protecting tree.
The timber is hard and durable. Locally it has not been
used to any extent, though it might find a place in temporary
buildings as verandah-posts or window-frames. The timber
is said to be termite-proof. The flowers are very conspicuous
and quite enliven the forest with their bright colours.
Euphorbiacee.
Ricinodendron Africanus. African Wood Oil Nut. Erimado,
Ekku (Ib.); Funfun Puttuputtu (Yoruba); Okkwen, Okwen-
seva (Benin).
It is a large or more often medium-sized tree with smooth
grey bark, rather thin branches in more or less whorls, and
open crown. The fruit has two lobes, with one seed in each
lobe. The leaf is digitate, with a varying number of digits,
from three to five. The leaves are rather smaller and much
thinner and finer in texture than those of R. Rautenii. The
root spurns are smaller, and do not appear much more than 1 foot
to 2 feet above the ground, nor do the roots themselves usually
extend above the ground. It reaches a girth of about 8 feet.
Fig. 72.—Forest on banks of Oshun River, looking downstream, Fig. 73.—Large Arere Tree (Triplochiton Nigeri-
Oshun Forest Reserve. cum), already girdled and dead.
1G, 74.—Forest on banks of Oshun River, looking upstream, Oshun Fic. 75.—Ride between Compartments C and I
Forest Reserve, Jebu Ode District. Mamu Forest Reserve, Funtumia seedlings o
either side, six to eight years old.
To face p. 33:
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 333
The timber is a little more closely grained than that of
R. Rautenii, but otherwise very similar. On the whole the
bole has a less good shape, tapering rather more in proportion
to its height. The timber length of the tree does not usually
exceed 25 feet. Natural regeneration is very good, though
this tree does not bear seed so heavily as the sister species.
It sprouts well from the stump, but the stump does not last.
In its youth it will stand a little shade, but is really a light-
loving tree, with soil-protecting, soil-improving qualities. It
is not quite so rapid a growing tree as R. Rautenit, even though
it is one of the quickest growing trees. It appears to like a
moist, comparatively rich soil.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as a species of mahogany. It is, however, probable
that these were logs from a different kind of tree, as the
wood is too dull a brown colour to be really like mahogany.
Locally it has not been sawn up for planks, but deserves a
trial as a box-making and pattern-making wood.
Native Use.—It is felled indiscriminately with R. Rautenti
and used for a similar purpose.
Ricinodendron Rautenii. Yoruba Coffin Wood. Ekku, Puttuputtu
(Yoruba) ; Okwen-seva, Okkwen nebo (Benin).
A large tree, up to 12 feet in girth, with stout branches
and roughly fissured bark reminding one of oak. The fruit
is slightly three-lobed, containing three seeds. The leaf is
digitate, with the number of digits varying from five to seven.
The leaves are larger and thicker and with a rougher surface
than those of R. Africanus. The crown is thicker, more wide-
spread, and roughly spherical in shape. The roots usually
come out of the ground near the base of the tree and form
rough root spurns, extending 3 or 4 feet up the bole of the
tree. The bole reaches a length of 30 feet.
It is one of the commonest trees in the moist secondary
forests and at the edge of the mixed deciduous forests in
Benin, Abeokuta, Calabar.
The timber of this tree was described as a “species of
mahogany ” and suitable for the Liverpoo] market in 1906.
Native Use.—By the Yorubas it is cut down and sawn up
into planks for making coffins. Mostly medium-sized trees
are used for this purpose. None of the natives apparently
know how to use the nuts.
Ricinodendron sp. Species of Mahogany. Okwen seni (Benin).
The African oil-nut, with four nuts in each fruit, appears
to be the same, but this larger number of nuts is the specially
distinguishing feature, and has been given a distinct name
334 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
by the Benin people. It is, however, rather doubtful if it
is really a different species from R. Rautenii.
Native Use.—It is used in much the same way as the other
two species.
Uapaca Heudelottti. Mahogany. Yeye (Yoruba); Oyen (Benin) ;
Tle (Bonny and New Calabar).
It is found in the Owerri and Yoruba provinces of Nigeria.
With its slightly curved trunk and large mass of widespreading
aerial roots, extending almost to a quarter up the height of
the tree, it is distinguishable from other trees of this zone.
Usually found growing near water, or in regions that are flooded
periodically. It sends out fresh red-coloured aerial roots. The
leaves are somewhat shiny and give a greyish appearance in
the distance. The bark is finely fissured and dark brown.
Often covered with moss at the base. It attains a girth of
about 10 feet and a bole length of about 25 feet.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing tree. It
protects the soil and enriches it with the fall of its leaves.
Its mass of aerial roots tends to moderate the speed of the
flooded river and holds the banks up, preventing corrosion,
and in many cases tends to help the formation of higher and
more solid banks, owing to the deposit of sand between and
near the network of aerial roots.
The timber is very similar to mahogany in grain, though
a little harder. It has considerable elasticity. It is finely
fibrous, and does not plane up with such a smooth finish, nor
does it split well. It is termite-resisting and moderately
tough. It saws with difficulty. The sapwood is stained with
reddish colouring matter, and the heartwood is a dull red-
brown. The pores in the timber are longer, and resemble
mahogany in this respect ; though, being fibrous to the touch,
the difference is shown.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been sawn
up for local use. Occasionally it is used by the natives for
house-building, and some of the crooked roots and branches
are used as ribs for boats and building up canoes.
Uapaca Guineensis (Much. and Arg.). False Mahogany. Abo
Emido, also known as Yeye and Yere (Yoruba); Onye (Benin).
Chief Characteristics.—Large aerial roots supporting the
bole at a height of 8 to 10 feet from the ground. When
cut, the slash is red; the sapwood is whitish, tinged with
the red colouring matter of the heartwood, which is a
dull red.
Distribuiion.—Banks of the Ogun, Olokemeji Forest Reserve.
In most respects the timber is similar to that of Heudelottii.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 335
On the whole, however, this species is a little harder than
the other.
This tree is somewhat slow-growing and stands less shade
than the Heudelotii. It is of the greatest value, with its aerial
roots, in protecting and increasing the height and stability
of the river banks at the edge of the dry forest zone. It is
one of the few trees that are not washed out of the banks in the
flood season, and even when they do fall over into the river
they remain attached to the bank and lessen the force of the
current. Natural regeneration is none too good.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been felled
locally for conversion into planks. Occasionally the natives
use the smaller trees for house-building. They also consider
the places in the rivers immediately near or overhung by one
of these trees as the best localities for fishing.
Bridelia micrantha. Yoruba Ironwood. Ira Qdan, Asa Gidi
(Yoruba).
It is found in the Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a small tree or shrub up to 8 feet high, with a large
alternate leaf. The bark tends to be fibrous and can be stripped
off in a similar way to the other Bridelias.
The timber is very hard, moderately durable, and said to
be termite-proof. Its small size and somewhat crooked nature
hinders its more extensive use. ,
It is occasionally of use for house-poles in temporary build-
ings, and makes good firewood, giving intense heat. The leaves
yield a rich humus and improve the soil.
Native Use.—The bark is mixed with Hausa salts and then
drunk with lime and water as an aperient.
Bridelia Zenkeri, syn. atroviridis. Yoruba Ironwood. Asha, Asha
ragha (Yoruba); Oviaruza, Assivi, Ogangan (Benin).
It is a comparatively common tree of the Abeokuta, Oyo,
Benin and Owerri provinces of Nigeria. The roughly fissured
bark, scaling off in criss-cross fashion, in papery or fibrous
‘layers, is most typical of the tree. The bole is short, seldom
reaching a greater length than 15 feet. It is usually forked about
this height and then spreads out, rather reminiscently of the
elm. It yields the hardest wood of all the African trees, except
perhaps Okuta (the stone).
It is occasionally used for house-building by the natives.
Bridclia stenocarpa. Benin Tronwood. Arasha, Asha, Aroro
Ashasha (Ondo), Aiveygbo (Eg.) (Yoruba); Assivi (Benin).
This tree is found in the Benin and Calabar provinces of
Nigeria, where it is somewhat prevalent, but found always
singly in the forest. In habit it is not at all unlike the wych
836 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
«lm. The leaf is of similar size and shape, the bark peels off
in fibrous layers, but is otherwise fissured in lattice-work
fashion. For the size of the tree the bark is comparatively
thin ; the slash is light-brown, sometimes a whitish-grey. The
sapwood is white and the heartwood is dark-brown and very
hard. It saws well, but is almost impossible to split, and it
will not take nails. It has a short bole of about 20 feet, is
deciduous for a few days in the year, but is otherwise a soil-
protecting and soil-improving tree. Samples were at one time
on the way to be exported, but were sunk by accident, the
wood, of course, being much heavier than water.
The natives occasionally use it for house-building.
Ezxcecaria sp. Orupa (Yoruba).
It is a small tree, up to 18 inches in girth, with smooth,
yellowish-red bark, and has maple-like seeds in pairs joined
at the base. The stem gives a greyer impression than that
of Ormosia laxiflora, and it is also much smoother.
Distribution.—It is found in the dry-zone forest of the
Ibadan, Abeokuta and Onitsha provinces of Nigeria.
Timber.—Not very hard: and of a yellowish colour.
Native Use.—The bark and roots are used medicinally. It
is sold in the Lagos medicine market.
Antidesma venosum. Aroro (Yoruba).
It is a small tree, about 9 feet high. Found in the Oloke-
meji Reserve.
Antidesma sp. Ogbamaton (Benin).
Found in the Benin province.
Tragia Manniana. Esisi (Yoruba); Ogangan (Benin).
Found in the Ondo and Benin provinces.
Microdesmis puberula (Hook.). The Benin Apata Wood. Apata
(Yoruba); Ehranpata, Esanpata, Omomeran (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan and Benin provinces
of Nigeria.
It is a small tree with' hard wood of a brown colour. It
reaches about 15 feet high with a girth of about 12 inches.
On the whole this is a slow-growing, soil-protecting and
soil-improving shrub. It serves a useful purpose in the under-
growth and is of local value as well.
Native Use.—The wood is used for making the musical
instrument known to the Benin as Apata, a kind of harp-
shaped frame made of wire, but much smaller.
Microdesmis sp. Essunsun, Ubelluname, Ubellunowe (Benin) ;
Njorgora (Oban, Ekoi); Akiti (Ibo Owerri).
It is a common tree of the Benin, Ondo, Ogoja and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria. A medium-sized tree of about 6 feet
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 337
in girth, attaining a bole length of about 40 feet. Its small,
pretty five-petalled flowers fall off the tree and cover the path
or neighbouring bushes; their scent is very pleasant and is
reminiscent of honey and flowers.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood light red brown,
rather hard, of close grain and close texture ; it planes moderately
well, but it is rather hard to saw and does not split. It is
durable under cover, but does not last when exposed to the
weather. It hardens very considerably when exposed to the
air. The timber was used for verandah-posts in the Calabar
district, but did not prove very suitable, as a large borer often
attacked it. The timber is not absolutely termite-proof. The
natives occasionally use the wood for house-posts.
Phyllanthus reticulatus. Tranje (Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
Phyllanthus sp. Awe, Erigaba (Yoruba); Eghogho (Benin).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
Cyclostemon. Oyen (Benin). This may be the same as Uafaca
Heudelotii.
It is a medium-sized tree of the Abeokuta and Benin
provinces of Nigeria. It has aerial roots and likes a damp,
moist soil. It has red flowers which come out in February.
It yields a hard, reddish wood, which is rather fibrous.
Manniophyton Africanum. Ebumen (Benin).
This is a small creeper similar to that known as Okwe by
the Benis.
Manniophyton sp. Okwe (Benin).
This is a long creeper found in the Benin and Ogoja provinces
of Nigeria.
The nut of this creeper is most commonly seen in the cooked
state in the markets, when it appears like a dark-coloured
marble. The soft shell can be cracked between the fingers,
and the hardish white nut is seen inside, being about 1 inch
in diameter and very meaty. A few of these almost take
‘the place of a meal. Thus far the plant has not been cul-
tivated, the natives only picking the fruit as they find it
in the forest. The fruit is four-cornered and contains one nut.
Palissya cordata. Ipa (Yoruba); Unwonwen (Benin); Abo
Asha (Ibadan).
It is found in the Benin forest. A medium-sized tree,
which might be examined with a view to being a source of
dyeing material.
Macaranga Barteri. Arasa (Yoruba).
A small tree or shrub found in Tropical West Africa.
Claoxylon Barteri (Hook.). Itakun, Okare (Yoruba).
It has small flowers. Found near Ipetu.
22
888 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Anacardiacee.
Spondias lutea. Non-indigenous Hog Plum or Yellow Plum.
Iyeye, Akika Aka (Yoruba) ; Ogikan or Ogege (Benin) ; Nsuka-
kara (Efik).
Although indigenous to India, it has become very wide-
spread in its area of distribution in Africa, where it is found,
partly planted or as a “ garden escape,” in all the Southern
Provinces of Nigeria. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a
girth of about 5 feet and a height of about 50 feet. The very
evenly and comparatively deeply fissured bark, in comparison
to the size of the tree, is the most typical feature of it. A
very open crown, and few straight upward- and outward-tending
branches, with very slight side branches and twigs also dis-
tinguish this tree from many of the forest trees. The little
yellow fruit, about 1 inch long and } inch in diameter, is
very much like an elongated Mirabel plum. It is between
an eighth and a quarter of an inch of yellow flesh when the
nut or stone is reached inside. The leaves are thin and pinnate,
with ten to twelve pairs of pinne on each leaf. Sometimes
the bark is rough and almost prickly. The branches and cortex
in smaller trees are more or less covered with little nodules
which sometimes develop into small thorns. The fruit is
sweet, but rather sharp to the taste, almost tart. It is,
however, refreshing in the hot weather whilst on the
march.
The timber is whitish-yellow, not very hard, although it
is scarcely attacked by white ants, chiefly perhaps owing to
the fact that any green piece of wood with some bark on it
will grow when lying on the ground. It planes well, splits
easily, and takes nails.
It is a rapid-growing, light-loving tree which does not
thoroughly protect the soil nor enrich it very much with its
foliage. Natural regeneration is poor. It is most readily
propagated by means of cuttings, which may even be about
6 inches in diameter and quite as long as posts. With the
spread of farms and other buildings it tends to become more
widely distributed over the country. It demands a moist soil
with a fair amount of depth.
The timber does not show such qualities as to justify its
export, but occasionally the larger trees might be sawn up
for planks for local use. It is very useful for making live
fences, which grow fast and do not cast much shade. In fruit
the tree also looks very pretty.
Native Use.—The tree is used for live fences for gardens
and farms. The fruit is eaten, but not to an enormous extent,
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 339
as it is said to form tartar on the teeth. Amongst the Yorubas,
parts of the roots and branches are used for axe and hoe
handles.
Spondias sp. Ekika Aja (Yoruba).
This tree may be the same as Pseudospondias microcarpa,
but it has only been determined from a specimen obtained
from the Oshun Reserve. This is somewhat further south
and in a moister region than the Pseudospondias microcarpa.
Pseudospondias microcarpa. Okika (Yoruba).
It is a somewhat rare tree in the Abeokuta and Ibadan
provinces of Nigeria. Apparently there is a small-fruited
tree of this species in the Olokemeji Reserve. The tree itself
attains a larger size than S. lutea, reaching a girth of 8 feet
and a bole of 20 feet. The growth is less free and the bark
is much darker and more fissured than S. lutea. It has not
been felled for export; the natives have no particular use
either for the wood or the fruit.
Anacardium Occidentale. Non-indigenous Cashew Nut. Kaju
(Yoruba).
This tree has become a garden escape on the Ekoi plains
near Lagos, where it forms dense thickets. It is not indi-
genous to West Africa. The tree bears well, and the Brazilians
resident in Lagos make a jam out of the fruit. The nuts are
roasted and regularly sold in the market, to Europeans chiefly.
The branches of the tree are sometimes lopped off and cut
into short pieces for firewood. It is usually of very sprawling
habit, with a short bole only 3 or 4 feet long. It is not found
in the forest proper.
Botanical name unknown. Blacksmith’s Charcoal Wood. Akkun
(Yoruba) ; Azimommon, Onyenu (Benin).
It is found in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria,
Obagie Reserve and Oyon River.
It is a large tree, with large leaves and compact crown.
It has a very small, berry-like fruit ; found growing on moist
soil in the evergreen forest, sometimes found in the fringing
forest of river banks of a dry zone.
Timber.—The timber is very hard, grey in colour and perhaps
flexible. The bark is rough and finely fissured. It is inclined
to peel off. The slash is pink. The wood is very fibrous, and
in the cross-cut section the pieces between the fibres look
like very small pinholes. The wood when freshly cut has
a sweet, rather pleasant smell.
European Use.—It has not, so far, been sold for export
or local use.
Native Use.—The stems of the small trees are used for axe-
840 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
handles, and this tree is esteemed by the blacksmith for making
charcoal. It is also cut into planks.
Anacardia sp. Rat Poison Mango. Akkum (Yoruba); Pweku
Pweku, Azemome (Benin).
The Benin native name means literally ‘‘ Rat-kill, rat-kill,”
but I have never been able to discover exactly how the
poison is used. It is rather a rare tree of the Benin forest
of the Benin province. It reaches a height of about 80 feet
and a girth of 9 feet. It bears a large fruit about the size
and shape of a good mango. This is certainly one of the best
fruits of the native trees. It has a much sweeter scent than
that of the mango, and the taste is also much sweeter.
From experiments made it is not poisonous to chickens, goats
nor sheep, but none of them, except the chickens, took it
at all willingly. The fruit is said to be very poisonous to
man, but its delicious flavour tempts the tasting of it. Cer-
tainly, in very small quantities it is not poisonous, and it
would be interesting to know in what quantities it isso. The
slash is yellowish-white. The sapwood is white and the heart-
wood of a dull brown colour. It is a hard and heavy wood.
It saws with difficulty. It is a shade-bearing and _ soil-
protecting tree. The natural reproduction appears to be poor.
The timber has not been used locally, nor has it been sampled
for export.
Celastracee.
Gymnosporia Senegalensis. Shepolo-hun (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Icacinacee.
Pyrenacantha sp. nov. Abara (Yoruba).
It is found in the Epe Colony of Lagos, Nigeria.
Sapindacee.
Lecaniodiscus cupanoides. Akika. Aka-Ishin (Yoruba) ; Utan-tan
(Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Warri, Ogoja
and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. It is a small, shrub-like
tree, reaching a girth of about 1 foot and a height of 15 feet.
The leaves are very small, the timber extremely hard and
cross-grained. The wood is used by the natives for rafters,
hoe-handles and sometimes mortar-pestles ; the root is said
to have medicinal properties.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 841
Blighia sapida. Akee or Akee Apple. Ishin Ishin-oka (Yoruba) ;
Ukpi nufwa (Benin).
It is found in the Southern Provinces of Nigeria. It has
an edible aril, which is yellow in colour. It is cooked before
being consumed. It is a very ornamental tree, and bears
fruit when quite young, which, being orange-coloured, looks
very pretty amongst the green foliage.
The fruit is more or less triangular in shape, and when ripe
splits open up to the base, releasing three black nuts with a
yellow aril. The fruit is orange-coloured with a pink flush.
It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of about 6 feet and
a height of about 60 feet. The bark is smooth and grey in
colour and comparatively thin. The crown is oval in shape
and much more open than is the case with Phialodiscus sp.
It has a moderately large pinnate leaf with two pairs of pinne.
The flowers are small and comparatively inconspicuous. It
is found chiefly in the mixed deciduous forest zone. It is
most frequently seen in the neighbourhood of villages, where
it has probably been planted.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood brown, moder-
ately hard, durable and termite-proof. It planes well, though
occasionally it is cross-grained. The wood is of fine texture
and has a certain amount of sheen. It saws well, but does
not split easily. It takes nails only moderately well. It
tends to darken a little on exposure to the air.
This tree is moderately fast-growing, at first shade-bearing
and subsequently light-demanding. It is also a soil-
protecting and soil-improving tree. It appears to like com-
paratively rich soil, though it may also be seen on poor ground,
where it does not thrive. Natural regeneration is not good,
chiefly owing to the fact that many animals eat the seeds,
besides human beings. It will bear fruit in the fifth year,
more especially from stump shoots. It sprouts well from the
stump and stands a great deal of pruning.
The timber has not been cut for export, and only occasionally
has it been sawn up for local use. It is, however, worthy of
further attention as a local building timber. As an ornamental
tree it is worthy of a place in a large garden. With its open
crown it is a comparatively clean tree, and does not harbour
flies and insects.
Native Use.—In places of timber scarcity it is occasionally
used for house-poles. The aril of the fruit is eaten after being
cooked, but apparently this custom is much more prevalent in
the West Indies amongst the descendants of the African slaves.
In many parts of Nigeria it is quite unknown as an edible fruit.
342 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Phialodiscus sp.?. Bush Akee. Awewe, Ishin Oko, Isinko
(Yoruba) ; Ukpi nikwi (Benin).
Identified from a specimen in the Forestry Arboretum,
Calabar.
Chief Characteristics —The capsule splits into three and
allows three black seeds to escape, with small yellow aril round
the base. The whole fruit and the individual seeds are much
smaller than Blighta sapida, though, as the Benin name in-
dicates, this is so similar that it is called the black variety
of Ukpi. The fruit is triangular in shape, otherwise very much
the same size as African Oak, Oldfieldia Africana.
Found in the Calabar, Owerri, Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria.
Blighia sp. Ishin Oko, Oko Ishin (Yoruba); Ukpi nikwi (Benin).
Distribution.—Ibadan, Abeokuta, Jebu Ode, Benin, Owerri
and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. Probably same as
Phialodiscus sp.
Chief Characteristics —The very insignificant white flower-
spikes, hidden away amongst the leaves, but attracting numerous
bees in February and March, characterize this variety. It is
‘a medium-sized tree, with light-green foliage, thin, lanceolate
leaves, a thin grey bark, smooth and close and oval-shaped
crown, through which one cannot see. The capsule is dehiscent,
with three black seeds with yellow arils, smaller than Blighia
sapida, but otherwise quite similar in shape, except that the
capsule is more triangular than that of B. sapida, and shorter
also and of a dark brown colour. It is not unlike the fruit
of the real African Oak, -Oldfieldia Africana, except that this
is quite spherical in shape.
Timber.—White _ sapwood and _ light-brown heartwood,
which is moderately hard. It does not plane well, and is
sometimes cross-grained ; the texture of the wood is fine, but
is a little fibrous. It saws easily, but does not split well. The
bole being very cylindrical in shape, comparatively long, even-
widthed planks can be cut out of it.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration does not appear
to be good. It is somewhat exacting as to soil, and does not
thrive in a moist sand. It is somewhat fire-resisting. In the
dry season a good deal of dew is condensed on the leaves, but
not so much as in other genera, such as Anona.
The timber has not been cut for export, nor has it been sawn
up for jocal use. It deserves, however, further trial as a local
building timber. A specimen, from which the tree was deter-
mined, stands in the forest region of Calabar.
Use.—Native implements of various kinds.
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 343
Deinbollia primata. Oju Agbigbo (Yoruba); Ebegogogbo (Benin).
It is a small, shrub-like tree found in the Abeokuta and
Benin provinces. The small orange-brown-coloured seeds are
of similar shape to, though smaller than, Blighia sapida; they
are, however, more elliptical. The stem of the tree, if found
with the proper crook in it, is used for making hoe-handles.
The leaf is pinnate. This tree only attains a small size, and
is found as undergrowth in the mixed deciduous forest zone.
Cupania akeesia. Small Ukpi nufwa. Ishin-jeje, Ishin-gege
(Yoruba) ; Ukpi nufwa (Benin).
This is a small, shrub-like tree, common in the Abeokuta
and Benin provinces of Nigeria.
Rhamnacee,
Zisyphus mucronata (Willd.). Walking-stick Wood. Ekanesie
adie (Yoruba).
This is a shrub-like tree of the dry-zone forest, but does
not bear such a nice fruit as that of Z. jujuba.
Tiliacee.
Glyphea Grewtoides (Hook.). Atori (Yoruba) ; Uwenyriotan, Uwem-
riotan (Benin).
It is a small tree, not much more than a large shrub, with
small leaves, and very common in the undergrowth of the
evergreen forest. It is not a hard wood.
It is found in the Benin, Calabar, Abeokuta, Ondo and
Ibadan provinces of Nigeria. It is usually found as one of the
smaller trees forming the undergrowth in the evergreen forest.
It yields a strong, hard wood near the junction of the roots
with the stem, though otherwise it is soft.
It is a shade-bearer, and usually grows in a moist place.
Reproduction by seed, judging by the amount of self-grown
seedlings found, must be good. It thoroughly protects the
soil and enriches it. It thus serves a useful purpose in the
undergrowth of evergreen forests.
Native Use.—It is used as a “‘ Ju-ju” whip in Benin and for
walking-sticks. Smal] stump shoots can also be used for yam
supports and for making hoe-handles. '
Cistanthera sp. False Hill Mahogany. Oro, Apata (?) (Yoruba) ;
Abolo (?) (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta and Benin (?) provinces of
Nigeria. It is a very common tree on the hill-sides of the
Olokemeji Reserve, and to a lesser extent in the Ilaro Reserve.
It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a growth of 8 feet and the
bole length of about 40 feet. The bark is very curious, with
3844 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
occasional very small, long and narrow fissures and tiny pits
scattered more or less a foot apart up and down the stem. It
is almost gregarious in habit.
The timber is a red-brown colour with a white sapwood.
It is very similar to mahogany and could probably be sold
as such. It is moderately durable. A tree which fell down
in the Olokemeji Reserve during 1910 was not absolutely
unsound in 1915.
It is apparently a slight shade-bearer and rather slow
grower. Reproduction by seed is evidently rather doubtful, as
few or no self-sown seedlings are found in the neighbouring forest.
It has not been cut for local use, nor for export, though sample
logs should be tried on the Liverpool market to test its value.
The natives use the roots for medicinal purposes, but they
do not use the timber.
Grewia carpinifolia. Itakum Okere (Yoruba).
Olokemeji.
Grewia tetragastris. Ora-Igho (Yoruba).
It is a shrub, reaching a height of about 5 feet, of the mixed
deciduous forest in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria (Oloke-
meji Reserve).
Triumfetta rhomboidea. Boko pupa, Akobolobolo, Ilasa omodo
(Yoruba) ; Nesuwa (Benin).
Triumfetta cordifolia. Esura (Yoruba).
Triumfetta sp. Apiko (Yoruba).
Corchorus acutangulus. Abo-jaga (Yoruba).
Corchorus olitorius. Eyo, Ganbe (Yoruba).
These are common plants in the Ogoja and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria.
They yield long-stapled fibre worth about £27 a ton. Owing
to the fact that they grow wild and are not cultivated by the
natives, the difficulty is to be able to collect sufficient quan-
tities in one locality to pay for the cost of retting, baling, etc.,
to make the fibre production a paying proposition.
Malvacee.
Hibiscus esculentus (F.). Okra or Achro (fruit).
In most provinces of Nigeria.
Hibiscus Grewioides.
Yoruba country (?).
Hibiscus quinguilobus (C. Don). Onegozi (Benin).
Benin.
Sida carpinifolia (Linn.). Oshopotu Dudu (Yoruba).
It is found in Abeokuta province of Nigeria, and is used
by the local people for making fibre.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 845
Urena lobata. Bolobolo Fibre. Bolobolo (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
It is a comparatively well-known fibre-plant, but has
not, however, been cultivated, the natives having many
other profitable crops to grow.
Bombacacee.
Eriodendron Orientale. White Silk-Cotton Tree, Blind Wood or
Kapok, Cotton Tree. Araba, Eggun (Yoruba); Okha (Benin) ;
Ukum (Efik); Akbo (Ibo, Asaba); Shakka (Brass).
It is a common tree in all the Southern Provinces of Nigeria,
though it is not found in the most northerly part of the drier
ones. With the exception of a few scented mahoganies, this
is the largest African forest tree. Its huge root buttresses
reach up over 20 feet from the ground. Its giant limbs, as
thick as an ordinary tree-trunk, stretch out almost 100 feet
from, and are supported on, the great column of the bole, often
itself over 100 feet high. Large muscular-like protrusions
join up the limbs with the trunk and the latter with the root
buttresses, giving the tree a peculiar look. The flowers are
white, with yellow stamens. The fruit is a soft, oblong, de-
hiscent capsule, opening when ripe and releasing black seeds
about twice the size of B.B. shot. Attached to this seed is
a ball of white fluff. This last is known commercially as Kapok.
At the time of the bursting of the capsule of this tree the whole
air near by appears filled with white flakes, and the ground
later is white as if after a fall of snow. It is almost the quickest
growing of all the African forest trees. It grows in the ever-
green forest as well as in the mixed deciduous forest.
The timber is white and soft and inclined to have little
yellow streaks. When dry it is brittle, though very fibrous
to cut when fresh by either axe or saw. It soon rots when
exposed to the weather. Natural regeneration by seed is good,
especially on the banks of rivers. It tends to extend its area
of distribution with the clearing of the heavy forest area in
making farms. It is a light-demanding tree.
In Germany, before the war, African Kapok found a ready
sale at about 9d. per pound. Samples of Kapok were sent
to England and were valued at less than those of the East
Indian variety.
The timber has been used as a “ blind ’’ wood for furniture,
and had a regular market at Hamburg before the war. It has
been tested in England for pulp-meking, but the fibre is stated
to be too short, and so it is of no use for this purpose.
346 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Native Use.—The Kapok is used for stuffing pillows, for
which ls. apiece is charged. Large oblong pieces of the root
buttresses are used as native doors and as drying slabs for
fresh dyed clothes. Whenever timber fails it is used for fishing
canoes (the cheapest kind).
Eriodendron anfractuosum. Cotton Tree, similar to Orientale.
Araba Eggun (Yoruba); Okha (Benin); Shakka (Brass).
Was determined from Western Province material, but it
is doubtful whether it is a different species from that found
in other parts of Nigeria.
Bombazx reflecum. Red-flowering Cotton Tree. Ponpola, Lauro
(Ibadan, Yoruba); Obokha (Benin); Onihokha, Benin (when
in flower) ; Titiro (Egbado).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Owerri and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria, where it is often seen in the mixed forests
and in clearings in the evergreen forest zone.
Chief Characteristics.—It has a larger leaf and thorns than
the other Buonopozense (?) (Onikokha of Benin). The most
typical feature is the very thick, tulip-like red flower of this
tree. This falls to the ground, and is seen on roadways and
pathways, indicating the presence of this tree. In February
or March, when the flowers appear, the tree is bare, so that
the bright-red flowers make it all the more striking. The tree
is smaller than the Eriodendron Orientale, attaining a girth
of about 12 feet and a bole length of 50 feet. The root spurns
are much slighter, in most cases scarcely amounting to small
buttresses. The cortex is more soft and spongy than £.
Orientale.
The timber is white, very soft, not quite so tough nor fibrous
as E. Orientale, but rather more porous. It planes more easily,
dries rather better, splits with less difficulty than Z. Orientale,
and saws with less trouble.
It is a very fast-growing, light-loving tree, which does not
protect or enrich the soil very much with its leaf fall. Natural
regeneration appears to be fair, though, considering the enor-
mous number of flowers almost each year, it is surprising
that the tree does not spread more rapidly in new clearings
in the forest.
The timber has not been tried for export nor for local use.
The bark, roots and leaves are used amongst the Yorubas
for medicinal purposes. The bush deer eat the flowers, when
they fall: the Benin native says if he does not call the tree
Onihokha, the deer will not come and eat it.
Bombaz sp.?, Bombax buonopozense ?. Ponponla (Ibadan, Yoruba) ;
Obokha, Onihokha (Benin).
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 347
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ogoja and Benin
provinces of Nigeria, in the mixed forests, where it is not very
common.
Chief Characteristics—Compared to Bombax reflexum it
has a smaller leaf, smaller thorns, but not so many on the stem.
It has a similar red flower, opening, however, much more
widely. It reaches about the same size as the Bombax.
The timber appears to be very similar in most ways to
B. reflexum. It has not been felled for export, nor has it been
used for planks for local use. Occasionally the leaves are
used for medicinal purposes.
There appears to be some doubt as to whether this is really
a separate species from that of B. reflerum. It is, however,
sufficiently different to be considered quite a distinct variety,
though perhaps not actually a different species.
Adansonia digitata. Monkey Bread, Baobab. Ose (Yoruba) ;
Usi (Benin).
It is a moderately common tree in the Onitsha and Abeo-
kuta provinces of Nigeria. Isolated specimens are also found
elsewhere. The most typical feature of this tree is the huge
thick trunk, tapering up into the branches, out of all proportion
to the length of these and the twigs. These are much thicker
than the branches and twigs of other trees. The green,
elongated spherical-shaped fruits hang by a stalk, giving the
tree the appearance of one decorated for a Christmas festival.
The leaves are truly digitate and not unlike those of the cotton-
tree, though they are thicker and darker in colour. The bark
is very thick, spongy and fibrous, and of a light-grey colour.
The bark, seeds and roots are used medicinally. The fruit
is eaten in time of scarcity.
The fibre is used in England for paper-making.
Sterculiacee.
Sterculia Rhinopetala. False Chestnut. Ekko Okpon, Orodu or
Orodo (Yoruba); Enwiwan (Benin); Otutu (Jebu); Awraw
(Egbado).
It has a smooth, light-green bark, which remains soft, but
is whitish with age. The wood is white and soft, and appar-
ently there is no difference in the heartwood. It has a small
seed with a wing on each side of it. For external work it is
not durable, but when seasoned for internal fittings, such as
doors or ceilings, it is more useful.
It is common in the Oyo, Benin, Calabar and Abeokuta
provinces. It is found in the mixed deciduous forests, espe-
cially in the Mamu and Ilaro Forest Reserves. Also, wherever
348 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
it is found there is a comparatively large number, though it
is not gregarious in habit.
It was stated to be of no commercial value in the Liverpool
market in 1906, but in a subsequent report it was said to be
worth Is. to 1s. 6d. a cubic foot, as walnut, though there must
have been some mistake in the name.
Native Use.—The mushrooms which grow on its stem after
it is cut down are used for soup. These are known as Epweperu.
Sterculia tomentosa. Okagbo (Yoruba); Ukpiwenwan (Benin).
This tree is found in the Abeokuta and Benin provinces.
It reaches a height of from 40 to 50 feet. The fruit is ripe in
December and January ; it is kidney-shaped and covered with
a dense collection of very fine reddish hairs. It grows in
clusters.
Sterculia sp. Iwu (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria and is a
medium-sized tree which yields a white wood which is none
too hard nor soft.
Sterculia tragacantha. African Tragacanth. Owun, Omunu, Omar,
Ogidu (?) (Yoruba); Oporipor, Iporipor, Okoko (Benin).
Chief Characteristics —It shows a brown slash when cut.
The bark is very fibrous and the white sapwood is full of large
open pits, which gives the wood the appearance of being entirely
fibrous. It yields a pink-coloured gum, which hardens after
a few days. It bears large oval-shaped leaves, which tend
to be bunched at the end of the twigs. The pods are less than
half the size of Sterculia cordifolia and are covered with light-
brown velvety hairs on the outside. These pods open, making
each appear coracle-shaped, with eight to ten small brown
seeds attached to the bottom rib of the pod. The foliage looks
almost grey-white from underneath. The bole of the younger
trees is greyish-white and usually for 30 to 40 feet free of branches.
It reaches a girth of about 8 feet. The wood is white and
softish, planes easily and works up to a neat finish. Silvi-
culturally, the tree stands between the light-lovers on one hand
and the shade-bearers on the other, although it is usually seen
growing comparatively free from other than natural shade.
It does, in fact, stand a considerable amount of shade in the
younger stages of growth as well as later, when it may be over-
grown by larger growing trees. It is usually found in groups
at the edge of the forest.
It sprouts again from the stump, but almost each year
large crops of seeds are borne on the tree, and this would seem
to be the chief method of reproduction.
The tree has not been cut for local use, nor has it been
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 849
exported. The Yorubas and Benis use the smaller trees as poles
for house-building, but it is not considered a good wood.
Sterculia cordifolia. Heart-shaped-leaved Sterculia. Okporoporo,
(Akure); Ogugu, Ogungun or Ogrugru, Oburuburu (Yoruba) ;
Idogoho, Okoko, Okokwo (Benin); Dikir (Efik); Ibitoto
(Bembi).
Distribution.—It is found in the Jebu Ode, Abeokuta,
Ibadan, Benin, Onitsha, Owerri, and Calabar provinces of
Nigeria. It is one of the most common trees in the mixed
deciduous forests.
Chief Characieristics—The large heart-shaped leaves and
the curious twist to the lower part of the stem, which makes
the root protuberances quite angular. It is never quite
straight and forms a heavy oval crown.
The very large, oval, soft, almost fleshy, dehiscent pod,
with its large winged seeds, is most typical of this tree. The
crown is supported by three or four large limbs with com-
paratively few side branches. The foliage is very dense, though
even in a tall tree the individual heart-shaped leaves show
up quite distinctly. It is almost gregarious in habit, usually
groups of four or five being found in one place. It is nearly
always found on the banks of small streams which may dry
up in the dry season. It is a shade-bearer, though moderately
quickin growth. The wood is cross-grained, and emits rather an
unpleasant smell when cut: The sapwood and the heartwood
are both white, with a reddish tinge through it. It is soft, but
becomes much harder when dry. It sprouts from the stump
when cut down. Reproduction by seed is moderate. It has
not been used locally, nor has it been exported. The
natives in the Benin and Yoruba countries use the butt of
medium-sized trees, especially those with a fork, for house-
building. It is not attacked by white ants.
Sterculia ur. oblonga. Opepe (?) (Yoruba); Orodo (Benin).
It is a common tree of the Benin province of Nigeria, found
in the evergreen forest.
It is a question whether this species is the one with a very
hard, leathery, half-dehiscent pod, showing about ten orange-
coloured oblong seeds inside it. These seeds have sometimes
been termed Okoko by the Benis, but they are, no doubt,
not obtained from the fruit of Sterculia cordifolia. These
seeds also are not winged, and are comparatively fleshy and
soft compared to the dry, rather hard, large winged seeds of
Sterculia cordifolia.
Sterculia cinerea. Tartar Tree. Lakole (Yoruba); Ururata
(Benin).
350 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is rather an uncommon tree of the Benin province of
Nigeria. It is found at the edge of the mixed deciduous forest
with the dry-zone area of vegetation.
Firmania Barterit. Rope Tree. Eso or Esho (Yoruba); Akoko,
Nihau (?) (Benin).
It is a large tree with duck-egg-green bark and an uneven
buttressed base, with a bole length of 30 or 40 feet and a girth
up to 12 feet.
Distribution.—It is one of the most prevalent trees in the
Olokemeji Reserve in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria, and
found all through the mixed forests of the Western Circle
and also in the Obubra division of the Calabar province, but
it has so far not been found in the Benin province.
Use.—A fibre, worth £14 to £20 a ton, is made from the
bark of young trees attaining 3 inches in diameter.
A most conspicuous tree in October and November, as it
is covered with small red flowers and is leafless at the time.
It has a papery fruit with a small round seed attached to the
base. These fruits are also most conspicuous in February
and March, making the tree look as it were covered with red
flowers’ for a second time. The large, poplar-shaped leaves
with comparatively long stalks often tremble in the slightest
breeze in a similar way to the aspen. The wood is soft, white
and fibrous, with no distinguishing colour between sapwood
and heartwood. It splits comparatively easily, though, once
it is dry, with difficulty. It is easy to plane, though difficult
to obtain a smooth surface owing to the grain often being
twisted. The light seeds almost float in the air, the result
being that they are spread everywhere, and thus come up
chiefly in the open spaces and at the edges of rides and roads,
almost to the detriment of any other species. It is one of the
fastest growing of all the African trees, and being a light-lover
as well, rapidly covers all the available ground. In fact, in
the mixed deciduous forests it tends to gain in its area of
distribution year by year. In an enumeration in the Olokemeji
Reserve, instead of finding a few thousand trees, as in the case
of most species, hundreds of thousands of this one were found.
The branches of the young tree grow more or less in whorls
at right angles to the trunk, and, combined with the compara-
tively large leaves, thoroughly cover the ground near by.
Stump sprouts grow after a tree has been felled, though natural
reproduction by seed is by far the most prevalent method.
It has not been felled for local use nor has it been exported.
The Hausas living in Nigeria cut down the small trees (saplings
1 to 2 inches in diameter), peel off the bark, dry it, and spin
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 351
it into rope, which is used for tying loads of Cola or other
produce. When freshly made it is soft and pliable, but
when it is dry the fibre becomes very harsh and rather difficult
to tie.
The wood is used for floats for fishing on the Niger.
Heritiera sp ?. Oviegikwe (Benin).
It is found in the Benin and Ondo (?) provinces of Nigeria.
The tree is large, reaching a girth of about 12 feet. The
seed is papery and full of air, so that when trodden upon it
collapses. The leaf is of medium size, more or less pinnate.
The timber is white and soft; termites attack it. It has not
been exported or used for local buildings.
Native Use.—The leaf is used medicinally, and the timber
is used for making drums (the frame) by hollowing out the
trunk of a tree. It is also used as walls for a temporary house
(when dried or not) ; for ‘this purpose it is split in pieces.
Heritiera sp. ?. Igoso (Benin).
It is an uncommon tree of the Benin province of Nigeria.
It is found in the evergreen and mixed deciduous forests.
The fruit is considerably smaller than Oviegikwe.
The natives apparently have no use for this tree. How-
ever, timber obtained from trees of this genus has proved so
useful and durable that a trial of the wood of this species seems
advisable.
Triplochiton Johnsoniit (Ch. Wright). African Maple, Bush Maple.
Arere (Yoruba); Obechi (Benin)..
This is one of the common trees of the Abeokuta, Ondo
and Benin provinces of Nigeria; it is found in the mixed
deciduous forest zone, more especially in the moister regions
of these forests. Like 7. Nigericum, it is one of the largest
of all the forest trees, reaching a height of over 120 feet and
a girth of 25 feet. The leaf has five lobes, and is thus dis-
tinguishable from J. Nigericum, which has seven. The bole
is long and clean and most cylindrical in shape ; the buttresses,
‘as a rule, do not reach such a great height as in the case
of 7. Nigericum. On the whole the bark is smoother and,
especially in the younger specimens, almost shiny. The flowers
and fruit are very similar to 7’. Nigericum.
The timber is white, both heartwood and sapwood, and
shows a considerable amount of elasticity ; rather liable to warp
when seasoned. It works up well and takes a satiny sheen.
The grain is comparatively fine—in fact, a little finer than that
of 7. Nigericum; the pores are long and very narrow; it
works up well with a plane, takes nails easily, does not split
well ; it saws with great ease ; it is not termite-proof. If freshly
352 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
cut and placed under cover, it suffers most severely from the
attacks of a very small weevil which reduces the wood to a
fine powder ; it is noticeable that when the timber is entirely
dry the surface hardens very considerably and it is less liable
and almost immune from attack. When thoroughly dry the
wood weighs 35 pounds per cubic foot.
It is a very rapid-growing, at first slightly shade-bearing and
of recent years an eminently light-loving tree. It has soil-
protecting and soil-improving qualities. Natural regeneration
appears to be very good. Self-sown seedlings show a height-
growth of over 6 feet per year. It likes a moist soil, which
need not be very rich, but it: must have considerable depth.
It is rather liable to be blown by the wind or sometimes broken,
if in an exposed locality.
Locally it has been used for boxes and other articles, which
have proved quite durable ; it has been used as inside planking
and other interior work, and so long as it is carefully seasoned
it does not warp very badly; it is probable that it is one of
those timbers that would yield better results by kiln drying.
In the Central Circle it has been sawn up as planks for a con-
siderable time, but they have been attacked to a great extent
by a small weevil. The local people use the bark for making
roofs and the wood for doors for their houses.
In 1906 sample logs of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as Satinwood, but were not considered equal to Anyeran
(Afrormosia elata). Since that date no more trial shipments
have been made, so it remains to be seen whether under the
altered conditions and the pressing demands for timber in
Europe a market cannot now be found for the vast
quantities of this timber from Nigeria and other West African
countries.
Triplochiton Nigericum. Soft Satinwood. Arere (Yoruba); Kpa
(Efik).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Owerri and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria; it is a common tree of the mixed de-
ciduous forests. One of the distinguishing features of this tree
are the maple-like leaves. This species has seven lobes to the
leaf; the leaf itself is softer and almost velvety compared
to the true maple leaf. The lobes themselves are not quite
so sharply pointed and the leaf stalk is considerably thicker.
The fruit also is very much like that of the maple, but is a
quadruple samara instead of being only a double one. The tree
is one of the largest of the whole forest, reaching a height under
favourable conditions of nearly 150 feet; the bole alone may
reach a height of 90 feet with a girth of over 20 feet. The
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 358
trunk is very cylindrical in shape, showing a well formed
figure, but not so good as either that of Agba or Gum Copal.
It is only broken up by the root buttresses, which often reach
10 to 12 feet from the ground before they merge into the stem ;
the bark is grey, sometimes almost white and almost smooth ;
in old age, shallow fissures sometimes form. The slash is
greenish-white, and a little watery sap moistens the cut after
a short interval. The crown is ovally spherical and occupies
over one-third of the height of the tree. The flowers are
mottled pink and white.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood is the same colour,
with no great distinction between them except the greater
dryness of the heartwood. The timber is soft and not
durable, and is not termite-proof; it does not split very
well, saws easily, and planes fairly well and takes nails
comparatively well; does not plane up to a very smooth
surface.
It is a very rapid-growing, at first shade-bearing,
and during the last few years a light-loving tree; it has
soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities. It is deciduous
for a short time each year; flowers in February or March,
and the seeds are borne towards the end of the rainy
season. Natural regeneration is very good; it sprouts very
strongly from the stump. It is really somewhat exacting as
to soil, liking a moist soil of good depth and with plenty
of drainage; it will not stand in waterlogged ground,
though an occasional flood does not hurt it. Plantations
have been made with this tree, and the growth thus far has
been very rapid; self-sown seedlings, however, show greater
development in the same period of time.
Locally, the root flanges are used for making doors and
occasionally the tree has been cut for planks; it is said that
the timber is not supposed to be quite so durable as that of
T Johnsonit, but in reality there is very little difference between
them.
Triplochiton n. sp. Bush Maple. Obechi (Benin).
This tree was found in 1906 in the forest near the Anwai,
not far from Onitsha Olona, in the Asaba district of the Benin
province, and is very similar in-habit and growth to the other
two species.
Buettneria. Obechi (Benin).
Benin.
Pterygota. Poroporo (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. It is
not very prevalent in the mixed forests of the Olokemeji
23
854 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Reserve, and is a large tree, 8 to 10 feet in girth. The wood
is said by the natives to be durable.
Cola cauliflora (F.). Cola Mahogany. Isienwe (Benin).
It is common in the Benin province of Nigeria, in the
mixed deciduous forest zone, where it is not very prevalent.
It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of 6 feet.
The seed is a small nut. The leaves are very dark and
are comparatively large. The bole reaches a length of about
20 feet.
The sapwood is whitish and the heartwood of a red-brown,
similar to mahogany. The texture is, however, not quite so
fine and a little more fibrous. It planes fairly well and takes
nails fairly easily, but it does not split well. It is durable
and is said to be termite-proof. It is a somewhat slow-growing,
shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural
regeneration is only moderate, and it sprouts slightly from
the stump. It is somewhat exacting as to soil, and is usually
found in a loamy sand, with plenty of moisture and depth.
It was valued at 2d. to 24d. a superficial foot as mahogany
of fair character in the Liverpool market in 1906. But since
then no more has been felled or exported.
The natives use it as firewood in the Benin country. It
has not been felled for local use.
Cola laurifolia. Laurel-leaved Cola. Foma (Yoruba).
It is an uncommon tree, found in the Olokemeji Reserve
of the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. A small tree with small
flowers.
Cola acuminata (Beauv.). Common Cola. Obi Abata (Yoruba) ;
Eve (Benin).
It is a common tree of the Calabar, Ogoge, Owerri, Warri,
Benin, Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is the ordinary Cola of the Benin villages, but it is also
found in the forest. In other parts of the country it has
been planted along the sides of the roads leading into Egbado,
Jebu, Ode, Ondo, Ikale and Ilesha villages.
Always standing in the shade and with a heavy evergreen
foliage, the cream-coloured flowers with a pink streak on each
petal show up very clearly when the tree comes into bloom
in February or March. According to the native ideas, the tree
must never be pruned, nor, in fact, should it be cut either
partially or wholly under any circumstances. However, in
passing to and from their farms, boys and young men often chip
the trunk of the tree with a matchet. This, they say, has the
effect of making it produce more fruit ; otherwise the tree
always looks very dirty, and often the trunk and the branches
“Fog "d oovy og,
‘PHYSIC woZ] “WveNsdn Suryoo] ‘essQ svau 4ysa10q POXIN— 64 ‘Ol woIT “Joog ey) yo e2pe ‘ineenmmone siege
. ] “TOATY essO—'s, OLD
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 355
are covered with epiphytic ferns or orchids. Occasionally,
once @ year or once in two or three years, the branches of the
trees standing nearest to a Cola are cut away and the ground
immediately surrounding a Cola tree is cleared of undergrowth.
The crop of fruit borne varies very much from year to year.
One year a native may make a pound or so from his Cola tree,
whereas in another he perhaps makes very little.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood a dull whitish-
yellow. It is moderately hard, very close grained and of fine
texture, with a dull lustre; is moderately durable, but is liable
to be attacked by a very small furniture borer. It is termite-
proof. It planes well, does not split easily, takes nails and
saws well. It is apparently an excellent wood for carving.
It does not shrink nor warp very much. It is more durable
for interior work than for outside, where it is liable to get soft
and to crumble away. It is sometimes brittle; it does not
burn well.
Native Use.—The fruit is eaten and is used as an article
of export both to the Northern Provinces and also to the Con-
tinent. The wood is used for making “ Ju-jus” (Esu—the
Devil) (Images of the King); otherwise it is not cut in the
Benin country.
Cola Afzelit, Monkey Cola Tree. Obidu, Obiedun, Ebidun (Yoru-
ba); Awohebitan (Benin).
The brilliant red fruits, about twelve joined together in
a spherical bunch, are usually quite a feature of the small tree.
The leaves are digitate, but joined at the base, so in reality
only a single leaf. It is a much-branched tree with yellowish-
grey bark. The crown is much divided, and sometimes the.
branches almost appear as if in large whorls.
It is found in the Oyo, Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Owerri,
Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
The wood is white and softish and not durable. It is most
common at the edge of the evergreen forest. It attains a
girth of about 6 feet and a bole length of about 15 feet. It
is a light-lover, though it stands a considerable amount of shade
in its youth.
Native Use.—The wood is used for the stock of a cross-bow
in the Benin country, and the seeds are eaten at any time.
Cola sp. Obiedum (Yoruba); Ewoha (Benin).
This is a comparatively common tree of the Benin, Abeo-
kuta and Ondo provinces of Nigeria. It is the original Cola
of the forest; a medium-sized tree with the typical Cola
foliage, found growing singly. It does not appear to bear
very heavily, and apparently in some places the local people
856 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
utilize the fruit, while in others they say it is of no value. It
appears to be a whiter and softer Cola than that of the other
species, and it does not seem to have such a strong flavour.
The timber is hard and white; it is a shade-bearing and
soil-protecting tree. Natural regeneration appears to be poor.
The wood is occasionally used by the local fetish-maker
for certain types of fetish in the Benin country. It is con-
sidered the most suitable and, in fact, the only wood for this
purpose. Although the ordinary Cola which is planted may
not be cut, this species is not immune, but it is certainly con-
sidered most proper if only the image-maker cuts it.
Dombeya Buetineri. Ewe ofo (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria, especially
in the Olokemeji Forest Reserve. It is a small, shrub-like
tree, varying from 7 to 15 feet in height. The bark is fibrous.
In 1908 samples of the fibre were submitted to the Imperial
Institute for valuation. Owing to its being rather harsh, woody
and weak, it was stated to be worth from £7 to £8 a ton.
Ochnacee.
Ochna multiflora. Canoe Tree. Uruk (Efik); Tei tei (Ijor) ;
Tei tei (Brass); Elili (Ibo Owerri).
It is found in the Owerri, Warri and Ondo (?) provinces
of Nigeria. It is one of the prevalent trees in the evergreen
and brackish swamp forest zone. The tree reaches a girth
of 15 feet and a bole length of about 60 feet. It has a large
digitate leaf, making the foliage of the tree very heavy and
dense. The bark is thick and fissured longitudinally. The
crown is long and egg-shaped. The fruit is large, roughly
spherical in shape, but ribbed in five places on the surface.
It is a shade-bearer, and reproduction is chiefly by seed. The
wood is reddish-brown and moderately hard. This is one of
the most favourite trees for canoe-making amongst the Brass
people. Having a straight grain, the log opens out well into
a canoe once it has been hollowed out in the centre.
Ochna sp. Sama'(?), Duma name.
It is found near Obudu, in the Ogoja province of Nigeria.
It is a small tree of the open deciduous forest, growing at an
altitude of about 1,500 feet. The flowers are tmbellate and
of a pretty red colour. It is a light-lover and grows at the
edge of the forest.
The natives apparently have no use for either the wood
or other parts of the tree.
~ Lophira procera. Red Ironwood, African Oak, Red Oak. Ela,
~" Ekki (Yoruba); Eba, Ebba (Benin); Eleba (Jekri); Kuru
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 357
(Brass) ; Okikopom (Ibibio) ; Enwan, Umpenek (Efik); Okut
Okot (Oban, Ekoi); Kuru (Ibo Owerri); Okut (Kwa).
Chief Characteristics.—It is a very large tree, up to 6 feet
in diameter, with orange-coloured bark, when in the shade of
the evergreen forest where it is found, but this soon becomes
quite grey when exposed to the sun. The flowers are white,
with five petals, and are very fragrant, smelling like musk,
covering the ground and scenting the forest in November
and December. In October and November the tree is very
conspicuous with its brilliant new red foliage, which almost
appears like flowers in the distance. On the banks of the
Calabar River, above the town of the same name, this is seen
to advantage. The fruit is winged, but with one wing twice
as long as the other and also broader ; the seed is sharply pointed
and almost conical in section, and not so meaty as that of
L. alata. The crown is spherical, but open; the branches are
very twisted and reminiscent of oak. The trunk reaches a
length of 90 feet and is almost perfectly cylindrical in shape,
with only the slightest indication of spurns at the base.
Distribution.—It is found inthe Abeokuta, Jebu, Ode, Benin,
Owerri, Ogoja (?) and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. It is one
of the commonest trees in the very moist parts of the ever-
green forest zone.
Timber.—The sapwood is whitish red, but the heartwood
is of a dull red colour with large, long, open pores, partially
filled with siliceous salts. This often gives the wood an almost
speckled appearance. In a tree of 12 feet girth, the sapwood
is usually only 3 or 4 inches thick, making it a very full-
wooded tree and thus reducing the amount of wood wasted
in squaring the logs. It planes well, with a smooth, shiny
surface. Strong shoots often come up from the stump, though
owing to the natural seed distribution being good, this latter
is the chief means of reproduction. It is a light-lover, with
a natural tendency to grow straight up. It is a slow-growing
tree, and the leaves, nearly a foot long and almost tongue-
shaped, are very large for such a hard-wooded tree. Even
when planted 16 feet apart it grows up straight, with only three
or four perpendicular branches or even only a fork in the
stem. It resists white ants, and the teredo worm does
not bore into logs when lying in the water. It is almost gre-
garious in habit, usually groups being found in one locality,
or, as in the moister regions, it is next to mahogany the com-
monest tree found in the forest. It will withstand floods—
in fact, there is an island several square miles in extent in the
Oshun River covered with only this species of tree. It is also
858 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
found again on the upper edge of the mangrove forest where
the first solid land begins.
The seeds have not been tested as to the proportion of
oil contained in them, but no doubt they contain a similar
quantity, in proportion to the size, as those of L. alata.
In 1906 samples of this timber in the round were sent to
the Liverpool market, where it was valued as red oak at 2s.
to 3s. per cubic foot. It was also stated to be worth shipping
in good lengths. Owing to its weight and the hardness of the
wood, and thus the extra cost of squaring logs, little or none
has been shipped to Liverpool since this report was made.
Locally it has been used for piles for wharves and bridges,
decking for bridges, wall-plates for bungalows, and occa-
sionally as verandah-posts. It can be floated with Musanga
logs or those of Hannoa undulata. Canoes made of this wood
are of the most durable kind, so that perhaps it might be tried
for boat-building.
The people of Benin use the wood for making pestles for
their Fufu mortars, and occasionally it is used as wall-plates.
Amongst the Brass people it is sometimes used for making
canoes, and amongst many tribes for making food-mortars.
Near Lagos it is used for house-building.
Lophira alata. Niam Fat, Small Red Ironwood, Meni Oil, African
Oak. Ipawhaw, Ponhon, Ipahan (Yoruba); Awigbi, Ugbeberi,
Ishan (Benin).
Small or dry-zone Red Ironwood.
It is found in the Ogoja, Owerri, Onitsha, Benin, Ibadan
and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a very common tree in the open deciduous forest
of the dry-zone form of vegetation. Often found in groups,
but it anyhow is the most prevalent tree wherever found. It
does not usually grow straight, but the stem is gnarled and
crooked, reaching a girth of about 5 feet. The tree itself only
grows to a height of about 30 feet. In appearance it looks like
a small oak, but the Shea Butter Tree, Butyrospermum Parkii,
is still more like it. However, with its reddish-green tongue-
like leaves with wavy edges, it is in reality quite different.
The branches spring out of the stem in a more upward direction
than B. Parkit, and are more irregular in growth. The bark
is orange-coloured and almost scaly on the younger trees,
though it goes a grey or black colour when exposed to the
light or the annual grass-fires. The flowers are white, sweet-
smelling and much more conspicuous than on L. procera. The
seed is placed between two wings, one nearly three times
the width of the other. The smaller wing is more pointed
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 359
than the larger; the seed, while being pointed, is stoutly cone-
shaped and rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter
at the base, and of a light brown colour.
Timber.—The sapwood is narrow and white in colour
and the heartwood is a dull red. It is very hard and tough,
but not so heavy as L. procera. It planes only with a rough
surface.
Silvicultural Characteristics.—This is one of the few trees
which successfully resist the annual grass-fires. Its otherwise
prolific seed-bearing capacity is, however, often very much
diminished, if not completely spoilt, by the flowers being burnt
in January and February, the usual time of the grass-fires.
It is a light-lover, but for the reasons already given is a very
slow-growing tree. On the whole, although the seeds germinate
well, stool and root shoots are probably the chief means of
reproduction. The soil under these trees is only partially
protected during the growing, and quite exposed to sun and
wind during the dry season.
Commercial Value-—Samples of these seeds were sent in
1909 to the Imperial Institute for valuation, when they were
found to be worth about £10 a ton; 43 per cent. of oil can
be obtained from the kernels, and this is said to be suitable
for soap-making and to be worth £25 per ton. Commercial
quantities, however, have not yet been exported.
Meni oil was formerly obtained from the seed.
Native Use-—Amongst the Yorubas the tree is used for
house-posts, especially when the stem is forked about 10 feet
above the ground. The leaves, bark and roots are all sold in
the native markets for medicinal purposes. An infusion of
the bark of the roots is supposed to be a cure for jaundice
(yellow fever, according to the natives). Strangely enough,
the seeds are not used as a source of oil.
Gomphia insculpta.
Found at Olokemeji.
Gomphia glabriana.
It is a shrub found at Olokemeji.
Gomphia nr. offinium.
Found at Ilugbro.
Guttifere.
Garcinia conrauana. False Cola, Bitter Cola. Orugbo (Yoruba) ;
Edun (Benin); Odji(?) (Brass); Efiori Efrie (Efik); Efrie
(Kwa).
It is found in the Calabar, Benin, Ogoja and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria.
860 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is a medium-sized tree with close, spherical-shaped crown.
The branches and leaves are comparatively small. The bole
is short and the branches very persistent. The most typical
feature of the tree is the large apricot-like fruit, of an orange-
yellow colour. The bark is smooth and brown in colour. It
is found in the evergreen forest. The nut is oblong, of a very
dark brown colour with small white streaks all over it. It
grows in moist soil.
The timber is very hard and close-grained, with yellow
sapwood and light-brown heartwood. It is said to be durable
and planes with a smooth surface. It is often found at a con-
siderable elevation—up to 3,000 feet towards the northern part
of Calabar province.
It is a shade-bearer, though it is often found growing alone,
having been left isolated when the original forest was cleared
to make a farm. The tree grows very slowly but bears com-
paratively early, and trees are often seen quite laden with the
yellow fruit.
The timber has not been exported, but has been cut for
local use. It was used by the Public Works Department,
Calabar, and proved useful for wall-plates. The nuts have
occasionally been exported, but they are comparatively valueless
compared to the real Cola.
Native Use.—-The nuts are sold in the Yoruba and Calabar
markets and 100 to 200 for 3d. in the Benin market. The
fruit is also eaten. The roots are used for chewing-sticks (the
best in Benin), and taste like quinine. The nuts are ground
and used medicinally for headache.
Garcinia Kola.
A little known. species, found in the Eastern Provinces,
Uwet. It was subsequently determined as Garcinia conrauana.
Garcinia Mannii.
This tree is found in the Western Provinces.
Uses.—Chew-stick is made from the root.
Garcinia, var. nov. brevipedicellata.
This tree grows in the Eastern Circle.
Pentadesma sp.?. Hardwood, Duika’s Chop Fruit. Ogbia (Yoruba) ;
Ekuso or Ikujo, Efiari (Benin).
This tree is found in the mixed forests of the Benin province
of Nigeria. One of its chief characteristics is that it has little
or no bark, but the cortex is comparatively thin, and reniains
of a duck-egg-green colour even in trees of comparatively large
size. It reaches a girth of about 6 feet and a bole length of
about 20 feet. However, it is usually very much forked com-
paratively low down, and often the stem is by no means straight.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 361
The root spurns are not very large, but spoil the shape of the
bole at the base. ‘
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting and
soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration is poor, chiefly
perhaps because ihe Duika eat the fruit; in fact, the Benin
name means the chop or food of Uso or Duika.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as a hardwood, which was considered hard and heavy.
Since then none has been shipped, nor has it been felled for
local use. Perhaps with the changed conditions in the demand
for timber, both hard and soft, a further trial would now show
whether it was of any value as an export timber.
Pentadesma grandifolia.
Distribution.—It is found in the Oban Reserve of the Calabar
province of Nigeria.
Characteristics.—It is a medium-sized tree, with large oblong
leaves having numerous glands and lateral nerves which are
about a tenth of an inch apart. The leaves are larger and
the exterior sepal shorter than in P. butyracee.
Silvicultural Qualities —It grows in the evergreen forest,
is a shade-bearer, and comparatively slow-growing tree.
Utility Although the fruit has not yet been collected, it
it probable that the nuts would contain a similar oil to those
of P. butyracee.
Pentadesma butyracee. Butter or Tallow Tree. Okarora, Ossa
(Ondo); Ekuso (Yoruba) (Ikale); Ijeni Udegbu, Agba (west
side), Udegbi (Benin); Orugbo erin (Ondo); Amu Ne (New
Calabar) ; Ikakama Udia Ebian (Efik); Ikakama Udia Ebian,
Igbofia (Ibibio) ; Ntini Nyok (Kwa).
Distribution.—It is found in the evergreen forests of the
Jebu, Ode, Benin, Warri, Owerri and Calabar provinces of
Nigeria. It is quite prevalent in its typical locality and very
damp, almost swampy, regions of the forest near small water-
ways, even comparatively near the sea.
Chief Characteristics. —It is a thin, tall tree, with dark bark
and flatly compressed crown consisting of four or five tiers of
branches, very close together in almost true whorls. The foliage
is very thick and the leaves thick and leathery. It exudes
a mass of gamboge-like latex as soon as slashed, and the slash
is orange-red. The latex solidifies on exposure to the air.
The large pear-shaped fruit has a soft rind, which usually is
pierced by the fall to the ground, and the Cola-shaped seeds
are embedded in a soft, yellowish-white pulp. The large sepals
at the base of the flower are quite typical, in their persistency
often being found at the base of unripe fruit.
862 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Timber.—It has yellowish-white sapwood and light-red
heartwood of firm texture, with a certain amount of waviness
in it, especially if the tree has been barked in its earlier years.
It is not hard, and is easy to work ; it does not appear to warp
or shrink.
Silvicultural Qualities.—It is a shade-bearer with very per-
sistent evergreen leaves. It will stand in waterlogged land
and grow almost to perfection. The branches are also very
persistent, and it is only when growing in close proximity to
other heavy foliaged trees that the bole clears itself of branches
for two-thirds of its length. The stump shoots sprout up
when the tree is cut down. The more prevalent form of re-
production is by seed. The mature tree bears quite prolifically
almost every year. The timber has not been felled for
export, but the seeds are worth £8 a ton on account of the
oil that they contain, which is considered suitable for soap-
making.
Pentadesma Nigritana. Odgebu (west side) (Benin).
Distribution.—It is found in the Oban Reserve of the Calabar
province of Nigeria.
Characteristics.—It is a medium-sized tree with black bark
on the branches. The leaves are glabrous coriaceous, 3} to
44 inches long and 1 to 14 inches broad.
Silvicultural Qualities.—It grows in the evergreen forests,
is a shade-bearer and comparatively slow-growing tree.
Utility.—The fruit has not yet been collected, but, judging
by the locality in which this tree is found, the seeds would
contain similar quantities of oil to those of P. butyracee.
Haronga Madagascariensis (Kew). Benin Roof-pole. Itue (Benin).
It is a non-indigenous tree (exotic) which is now found in
the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Owerri, Ogoja
and Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
It is commonly seen growing up in old farms in the heavier
soils of the evergreen and mixed deciduous forest zones.
The slash, which is brick-red and exudes a yellowish-red latex,
is most typical of this tree. The tree is almost gregarious, form-
ing groups nearly half an acre in extent ; the bark peels very
easily, leaving a clean white stem which hardens very much
on exposure to the air. It is a small tree, attaining a girth
of about 2 feet and a height of about 40 feet. The wood is quite
white, with a small pink pith about a quarter of an inch in
diameter ; it is a very light wood and most durable when under
cover.
The leaves are of a medium size and rough to the touch.
When 2 to 4 inches in diameter the natives cut the trees, clean
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 863
and strip off the bark, and use them for rafters in house-building,
especially in the Benin and Yoruba countries.
Symphonia globulifera (Kew). Hog Gum.
It was reported from the Calabar province.
Allanblackia floribunda. Orogbo erin (Yoruba); Izeni or Iyockan
(Benin); Atta (Efik); Egba (Ibo, Owerri).
Distribution.—It is found in the evergreen forests of the
Jebu Ode, Benin, Owerri(?) and Calabar (?) provinces of
Nigeria. This tree usually grows on less moist soil and further
away from water than P. butyraceew, though it likes a moist
and deep soil.
Chief Characteristics—The long, hard, brown, enlarged
sausage-shaped fruit hanging on a stalk shows, when cut, large
seeds scattered in white pulp, and is thus different in this respect
to Pentadesma, which has dark-brown seeds embedded in a
soft, yellowish pulp. The slash is yellow, but only exudes a
little yellow latex at first. The branches are not so verticillate
in form as Pentadesma, but are more pendulous, especially
when the tree is in fruit. They also are further apart
and give the crown a more open appearance. The fruit is
three times the length and the diameter rather more than
that of P. butyracee.
Timber.—The sapwood is whitish-yellow and the heartwood
yellowish-red and moderately hard. It is not attacked by
white ants; it does not split easily, but planes with a smooth
surface. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a height of about
80 feet, with a bole length of 20 feet and a girth of 8 feet.
Silvicultural Qualities—It is a shade-bearer and grows
comparatively slowly. Natural reproduction is chiefly by seed,
though fine and succulent stump shoots appear when a tree
is cut down.
The timber has not been exported nor has it been used
locally ; the natives occasionally cut the bark for medicinal
purposes, but otherwise apparently have no use for the tree.
Ochrocarpus Africanus? sp. of Allanblackia. African Mammee
Apple, Mahogany (Calabar). Igoda (Benin); Ereruku, Edeng
Edem (Calabar); Baulan Bolo (Degema, New Calabar) ; Okut
and Otun (Oban, Ekoi).
Distribution.—It is found in the Calabar, Owerri and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria, occurring sparsely in the evergreen
forests in several localities, where it takes the place of Khaya,
which is not prevalent in such places.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a large tree, with orange-
coloured bark, especially in young specimens, and a little scaly.
In habit otherwise rather like Mahogany, after which the
364 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
timber has been named. It is much harder and has little resin
canals typical of the order. It is not attacked by white ants.
It reaches a height of 100 feet, with a bole length of about
40 feet and a girth of 12 feet. The root spurns are only slight.
The large, elongated, spherical-shaped fruit, with rough, pale
orange-coloured rind, speckled brown in several places, is most
typical of this tree. Generally speaking, it could easily be
mistaken for Mahogany Entandrophragma by anyone not very
familiar with both species.
Timber.—The sapwood is white, with a pinkish tint, and the
heartwood a dark red, with small medullary rays as well as
very prominent resin-like canals which, when dry, are filled
with a yellow substance.
Silvicultural Qualities. —It is a shade-bearer, but likes a
certain amount of overhead light in middle age. On the whole
it is slow-growing, except for a short period when the chief
height-growth is put on. A few stump shoots sprout when the
tree is cut down, but the more common form of reproduction is
by seed.
Viility.—It has not been felled for export, but the Public
Works Department felled and converted a good deal at the
Etehetem sawmill, and it was favourably reported on as a hard
mahogany. It has occasionally been used by the natives for
making canoes.
No botanical name. Oshusi (Ibo, Owerri).
Distribution.—It is found in the Owerri province of Nigeria.
It is a comparatively common tree in the evergreen swamp
forest.
Characteristics.—The timber is not over hard, but it reaches
a height of 100 feet. and a girth of 8 feet. The bark is smooth.
Silvicultural Qualities.—It is a shade-bearer and a com-
paratively slow-growing tree. The most prevalent form of re-
production is by seed.
Utility—It has not been felled for export, but was used in
the construction of the Imo railway bridge .as piles.
Buronona (New Calabar).
This is a medium-sized tree of the Owerri province, and is
found near.the Imo, not far from the railway bridge. Several
piles of the temporary bridge were made from the timber of
this tree.
Ochrocarpus sp.?. Ebattan, Ehranezi (Benin); Buronona (New
Calabar). .
Distribution.—It is found in the Owerri, Benin (?) and
Ondo (?) provinces of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a very straight, thin-stemmed
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 365
tree, with several whorls of branches near the top of the tree,
very much compressed together. The flowers are red sprays,
which look very pretty at the beginning of the dry season.
It occurs near the freshwater swamps, comparatively close
to the sea. In many places it is almost gregarious in habit,
more especially near Degema. It reaches a height of 100 feet,
and a girth of 6 feet, often with a bole length of 50 feet.
Timber.—The sapwood is white and the heartwood is light
brown; both appear to be equally durable. It is termite-
resisting. It planes with a smooth surface ; the grain is very
fine. A red latex exudes when it is cut.
Utility.—It is chiefly used for door and window frames, and
does not warp nor crack, even when put in green. It attains
a large enough size to be used as piles, some of which were
used in the construction of the temporary railway bridge at
Imo. The natives do not use the wood, and it has not been
felled for export.
Silvicultural Qualities.—It is a shade-bearer and a com-
paratively slow-growing tree, though on less wet soils it seems
to grow faster. The more prevalent form of reproduction is
by seed. Weak stool shoots also come up after the tree is
cut down. The foliage is dense and persists for several years.
Bixacee.
Bixa orellana.
This tree grows well in the Olokemeji Arboretum. It is
found up to a height of 10 feet, and is cultivated for the sake
of its seeds, which yield the orange dye called “ annatto.”
The tree bears pods very freely. Samples were sent to the
Imperial Institute in 1906 and were valued at about 5d. a
pound.
Flacourtiacez.
Smeathmannia pubescens. Moyida (Yoruba).
It is a medium-sized shrub found in the Western Provinces.
Soyauxia sp. Ogohomeh, Oyohomeh (Benin).
This tree was found on the mountain slope above Ogabi
in the Obudu district. The fruit is edible.
Soyauxia sp. Aye (Yoruba); Owowe, Owawe (Benin).
It is found in the Ondo, Benin and Ogoja provinces of
Nigeria, growing at the edge of the evergreen forest. It is
a medium-sized tree, with a bole length of about 30 feet and
a girth of 6 feet; on the whole, it is of more slender build and
habit than the Terminalia, to which it is apparently closely
allied. The flower is very small, white and spherical, being
366 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
only a quarter of an inch in size; it is most frequently seen
lying scattered about in patches on the path or roadway,
giving out a very sweet scent. The seeds are double winged,
like Bougainvillea. The leaf is smaller than that of the Ter-
minalia and the foliage generally less dense; the sapwood is
white and somewhat wide, the heartwood of a light-brown
colour, and on the border-line of being a hardwood. The
wood is not very durable unless under cover ; it is not very
common, though where it is found there are a fair number
of trees which would form a good supply of timber for local
purposes. The natives do not use this wood, as they say it is
liable to attacks by white ants.
Oncoba dentata (Oliv.). Parisha (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria. It is
a small, shrub-like tree, armed: with moderately long thorns.
It belongs to the evergreen forest zone. The flowers are
large, white and conspicuous.
Oncoba glauca (Foster). Kakandika (Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji and Abeokuta provinces.
Oncoba spinosa (Rich). Kakandika (Yoruba).
This is a small, shrub-like tree found in the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria. It is moderately common, and several
hedges have been made with it in the Olokemeji Arboretum.
The most distinguishing feature of this plant is the large,
spherical-shaped white flowers. The petals are large and con-
spicuous, with a mass of yellow stamens in the centre. In habit
it is not unlike the thorn ; the ends of the twigs are armed with
a short spike.
It stands trimming pretty well. Each year it flowers
fairly regularly, so that it makes quite an ornamental plant.
It bears green fruits with a conspicuous bunch of the old sepals
at the top. This fruit is rather smaller than a tangerine orange,
but quite spherical in shape, with a hard, woody rind.
Flacourtia Ramontchit. Abeokuta Plum. Oshere (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Flacourtia flabescens (Kew). Niger Plum.
Found in the Western Provinces.
Uses.—Edible plums, medicine and hedge plants.
Homalium, cf. H. Africanum (Benth.). Atu or Abo Ako (Yoruba).
This is a hard-wooded tree of the Yoruba country, which
is used to some extent locally. It is also found in Benin.
Being a shade-bearing and soil-protecting tree, it is of
value in the forest, apart from the production of timber. It
is a slow-growing tree apparently.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 367
Lecythidacez.
Napoleona Whitfieldii. Ito (? Yoruba); Uruhe (Benin).
It is doubtful if these are the correct native names for
this species.
Napoleona imperialis. Speckle-fruited Napoleona. Boi Boi
(Yoruba).
It is found near Ode district, Oban and Igbeshe, in the
Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a deciduous shrub with pretty white flowers, very
shiny leaves, which are alternate, and bears a spherical, orange-
coloured fruit (with a russet-like surface having white lenticels
scattered nearly all over it), which ripens in March at the
Olokemeji Reserve.
This shrub protects and enriches the soil with its fall of
leaves. Considering the attractiveness of the flower and the
fruit, it is surprising that it has not more frequently been
planted in gardens, where it should be placed in a shady
corner. It is slow-growing, and does not need much light.
It likes a moist, fairly deep, good soil, especially near a
river bank.
Native Use.—The stem is occasionally used for making hoe
or axe handles, for which it is suitable, as the wood is com-
paratively tough, close-grained and hard. The knottiness of
it is an advantage either for the handle or for fixing the hoe
or axe head.
Napoleona Vogelii (Hook). Orokwa, Ogemme (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Benin, Ibadan and
Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics —It is a medium-sized shrub-like tree,
with orange-shaped fruit, though not quite spherical, having
small white lenticels on the surface and roughness like a russet
apple. It does not attain a girth of more than 3 or 4 feet.
It is usually found in the mixed deciduous forests, though
‘more often in clearings in the forests ; however, it stands a good
deal of shade. The wood is comparatively hard, but it does
not reach much size. The tree protects and enriches the soil
with its fall of leaves, and serves a very useful purpose as a
shrub amongst the undergrowth of the forest. It might be
planted in gardens, where both the flower, which is large and
white, and the fruit would be admired. It usually bears a large
number of both. It is rather a slow-growing tree. The natives
use the wood for making matchet handles.
Napoleona Owariensis. Adere, Isiurem (Lagos).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
868 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Rhizophoracez.
Wethea sp. (Spreng). Odu (Yoruba).
This tree is found in tropical West Africa.
The flowers have an involucre of two bracteoles. The
fruit is fleshy ; seeds with an aril.
Wethea sp., cf. Africana. Odu (Yoruba) ; Itobo (Ibibio) ; Munon
(Efik).
This tree grows near Lagos.
Rhizophora racemosa. Red Mangrove or Salt Mangrove. Egba
Ibadudu (Jeb. Yoruba); Ehrodo, Ibadudu (Benin); Odo
(Jekri). ;
Poga oleosa. Inoi Nut, African Brazil Nut. Iku (Yoruba); Inoi
(Benin); Inoye (Efik); Ikoi (Oban); Inoi (Ekoi); Ekom
(Ibo Owerri) ; Imonon (New Calabar).
It is found in the Benin (?), Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja (?)
provinces of Nigeria, in the evergreen zone, both of the level
and hill country. On the whole, it is more prevalent as the
eastward side of the country is approached. In the forest its
presence is usually indicated by the heaps of broken shells
left lying near the roots of neighbouring trees, on the path or
roadside. The reddish-brown interior and cross-section of
the inner covering of the shell is a most typical feature. The
nut itself is roughly spherical in shape, with a surface almost
evenly covered with little nodules, giving the nut very con-
siderable resiliency against cracking. It is nearly half an inch
thick, and inside there are two or three kernels. Each of
these is a chocolate-brown colour with thick (almost three
thirty-seconds to one-eighth of an inch) red-brown shell. Each
is about 4 inch long and rather more than jinch thick. This
thick shell quite spoils the flavour of the nut, which is sweeter
and contains more oil than the Brazil nut. It can, however,
be removed with a pen-knife. The trunk of the tree is light-
grey, with comparatively thin cortex. It reaches a girth of
about 12 feet and a bole length of about 60 feet. It usually
forks at about 50 or 60 feet from the ground, and this is one of
the typical features of the tree. The crown is rather open,
with several main limbs and comparatively few branches.
Another place where it is commonly seen, both in the Degema
and Calabar districts, is in the old farms, standing as isolated
specimens, or standards overshadowing all the secondary
growth. It is one of the few trees that are preserved when a
fresh clearing is made for a farm. The fruit is the shape of
a large greengage, the fleshy part of which soon breaks away,
leaving the hard nut inside. The fleshy pericarp is about
a quarter of an inch in thickness.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 369
The sapwood is white, tinged with pinkish stripes, and
the heartwood pinkish-red, with very wide and numerous
medullary rays, which are most numerous, and in fact more
so than in any other tree, and are very typical of this
timber. The wood is soft, splits well, is of somewhat open
texture and rather fibrous grain. It planes up well with a
smooth surface, takes nails well, and saws well. It is liable
to be attacked by white ants. The sapwood is fairly narrow.
It is a moderately fast-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. Natural] regeneration only appears to be
slight, chiefly owing to the fact, perhaps, that most of the nuts
are gathered and eaten by the natives. It is somewhat exacting
with regard to soil. It appears to like one that is somewhat
rich, deep, moist and with good drainage. In waterlogged
areas it becomes stag-headed. No plantations have been
made of this tree.
The timber has not been exported, not has it. been cut for
local use. It appears, however, to be worthy of a trial as
a substitute for light cedar or mahogany, especially from wind
falls, which are not infrequent owing to the way it is left stand-
ing in the forests.
Native Use.—The nuts are used by the natives, and are
considered very valuable, in the most out-of-the-way parts
of the forest, as a source of food. They used to be sold in
the Calabar market 250 for 3d. Further notes as to the oil-
bearing properties of this nut will be found in the section dealing
with the oil seeds and nuts.
Combretacee.
Terminalia sp. Yellow Terminalia, Black-bark Terminalia. Idigbo,
Opepe, Epepe (Yoruba); Egoyn nebbi, Egoyn nikwi, Egoyn
lukan (Benin).
According to the Yorubas this is the Idi of the forest.
Distribution.—It is found in the Ondo and Benin provinces
of Nigeria.
Chief Characteristics —It has a slightly fissured bark, in-
creasing in age, light-brown in colour in youth, but darkening
with age, almost appearing black in the distance, rather forming
a criss-cross pattern. It flowers in May with small spikes or
thin, stiff racemes, each with little yellow balls of staminate
flowers. It has a compressed crown of two or three whorls
of branches, but not so typical as that of 7’. scutifera. It is,
however, much more widespreading, chiefly due to the fact
that the tree on the whole is shorter and stouter than 7’.
scutifera. The trunk is much more cylindrical, and the root
24
870 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
spurns are very slight, and not buttress-shaped as in 7’. scutifera.
The contrast between the light-green foliage and the dark-
coloured bole is so great that the tree is quite unmistakable
in this respect. The only one at all similar in this is False
Shea Butter, Mimusops Djave, but even the trunk of this one
appears lighter than the former. The slash is dark-brown,
almost black, on the outer edge and yellow on the inside. The
fruit is not unlike a large hazelnut, but the shuck is of looser
build, and the interior seed can be more easily seen than in
the case of the nut.
The sapwood is a faint yellow colour and the heartwood
a good yellow. It is of the hardness of an ordinary softwood,
with a straight, even grain and somewhat open pores. It
planes well, takes nails, splits very easily and saws well. For
outside work it is not durable unless very thoroughly dried.
For interior fittings it is very durable. It is liable to attacks
by termites outside. It seasons well, with only a small amount
of shrinkage and slight liability to warping.
It is a fast-growing, slightly shade-bearing tree, with strong
soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities. Natural regenera-
tion appears to be fair. It sprouts from the stump, but is not
very strong. It likes a good soil, with fair drainage but a
good deal of moisture. It will stand a certain amount of
flooding. It is occasionally almost gregarious. No plantations
have been made with this tree. It reaches a girth of over
14 feet and a bole length of about 70 feet.
The timber has not been cut for export, but occasionally
it has been sawn up for planks for local use. It deserves,
however, a further trial for export as a floor-board and for local
use for a similar purpose. There are comparatively large
supplies, and the dimensions of the tree are such that large
planks and boards could be cut out of it.
Native Use.—The tree is occasionally felled for making
canoes, but it is not taken unless there is a shortage of other
harder kinds.
Terminalia sp. Orange-barked Terminalia, Ayo, Aiyo (Yoruba) ;
Ayo, Ulazo (Benin).
Distribution.—Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is one of the typical trees of the mixed deciduous forest
zone, though it appears to be confined to certain localities,
such as the Olokemeji Forest Reserve and other places.
Chief Characteristics.—Moderately thick bark, rather remind-
ing one of Triplochiton, but with a certain amount of roughness
and slight fissures. The crown is very pointedly oval and
long, the leaves appearing only slightly terminal and not
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 371
typically so. The branches tend to flatten out in old age,
though they are slightly pendulous at the tips. The bole
reaches a girth of about 10 feet and a height of 50 feet. The
light patchy, orange-coloured bark is a most typical feature
of this tree. Satinwood is the only one at all similar in
this respect, but it is much smoother.
Timber.—White, with a faint yellow tint ; the pores are much
shorter than those of the other Terminalias, such as 7’. scutifera
and Togoensis. The grain on the whole is finer and of closer
texture. The timber is somewhat harder than either 7’. scutifera
or T. sp., but not so hard as that of 7. Togoensis. It planes
well, takes nails, saws easily, but does not split so well. It is
attacked by termites, but is durable for interior work. It is
somewhat more brittle than 7. sp.
It is a moderately rapid growing, light-demanding tree, with
soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities. Natural regenera-
tion does not appear to be good. It sprouts, but poorly
from the stump, and if at all shaded dies away. It likes
a moderately good soil, with a fair amount of moisture and
depth.
The timber has not been cut for export, and only occasionally
has it been felled for cutting into planks for local use. It
deserves, however, a trial as a local flooring board. The avail-
able quantities so far discovered are not large enough to justify
its trial as an export wood.
Utility —The wood is used for planks and for canoes. It
is likely to furnish timber for the home markets.
Local Use.—It has been used for making canoes, and also
for sawing up into planks for house-building.
Terminalia scutifera. Shingle Wood. Afara (Yoruba); Oaha
Egoyn, Egoyn nufwa (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Ogoja, Owerri, Warzi,
Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
The chief characteristics of this tree are the thin and far
up-reaching root flanges and its thin, grey-coloured bark.
It attains a height of about 200 feet and a girth of about
16 feet. The bole length often exceeds 100 feet. The crown is
compressed and flat, with few main branches. It is usually
found near water.
The timber is light-brown to almost yellowish-white, with
darker streaks. The sapwood is almost white, but when dry
is barely distinguishable from the heartwood, though when
freshly cut the heartwood appears drier, and thus shows up
against the damper sapwood. The wood is soft and planes
easily, though not always giving a smooth surface. It is also
37
7)
a
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
easy to saw or cut with a chisel and splits well. It is attacked
by termites.
On the whole the tree is a light-lover, and even the young
self-sown seedlings only grow in comparatively open places
near rivers, where there is no shade directly over them, though
there may be trees to one side or the other. It is one of the
typical trees of the evergreen and mixed deciduous zone,
growing always on damp and deep soil. Natural reproduction
by seed is good. Stool shoots grow, but do not persist
for a great length of time. It often forms small pure groups
in the secondary forest, and in suitable localities tends to be
more prevalent in the secondary than in the primeval forest.
In Nigeria it has been used as planks, but is not considered
very good. On the Gold Coast it has been used for shingles.
The natives occasionally use the tree for making canoes,
also for bowls, plates, and native doors in the Benin country,
but owing to its softness it is not considered of much account.
In figure No. 108 there is a picture of a very large specimen
found in the Ikrigon Forest Reserve.
Terminalia Togoensis. Dry-zone Terminalia. Idi, Idi Odan (Yo-
ruba).
Found in the Oyo, Benin and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is a very common tree, with slight foliage and small stem,
which is usually forked about 10 feet from the ground. The
slash is yellow and almost dry, which is most typical of
the tree.
The wood is soft, though harder than most of the other
Terminalias. It works easily, but does not split well. The
sapwood is white and the heartwood of a pale yellow colour.
The bark is rough and widely fissured. Natural regeneration
by seed does not appear to be good, though stump shoots appear
when the tree is cut down. It stands a considerable amount
of fire, but it is a light-loving tree.
The local people find the stem useful for house-building
posts, as it is comparatively durable and forked in shape.
Terminalia avicennioides.
It was stated it was found in the Calabar province.
Terminalia Brownii. Inya joko (Yoruba).
Found in the Abeokuta province.
Combretum racemosum. Ogan pupa (Yoruba); Akoso, Orsorsor
(Benin).
Found in Olokemeji and Benin. Climbing shrub with red
flowers and white bracts.
Combretum Lawsonianum. Ome (Benin).
It has red flowers and is found at Agege.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 373
Combretum mucronatum. Okan pupa (Yoruba).
It is found in the Mamu Forest.
Combretum Zenkeri. Ogan (Yoruba).
It is found in the Yoruba country.
Combretum micranthum. Okan (Yoruba).
It is found in the Yoruba country.
Combretum glutinosum.
Combretum paucinervium.
Combretum Hartmannium.
These are climbing Combretums found in the Yoruba
country.
Anogeissus leiocarpus (G. and P.). Yoruba Chew-stick. Ayin
(Yoruba).
Distribution.—It is found in the Oyo and Abeokuta provinces
of Nigeria.
_ Chief Characteristics.—This tree reaches a height of about
70 feet in favourable localities and a girth of 9 feet. With
its birch-like foliage and the drooping and sweeping of the
pendulous branches in old age, it is certainly the ‘‘ Lady ”
of the African ‘‘ open woods.”’ The little spherical fruits cover
the ground in the early part of the dry season. The com-
paratively smooth bole, giving way to small scales of light-
brown bark as the tree gets older, is a typical feature. It is
often forked, especially low down. The bole is thin and slender
in build, with upward tending branches, also very slender in
build, but dark in colour. A blackish gum exudes when it
is cut. The slash is yellow before the gum runs out.
Timber.—The sapwood is yellowish-white and the heart-
wood dark-brown to almost black in some specimens. It is
hard, durable and termite-proof. It does not plane nor split
well, takes nails with difficulty, but saws fairly easily.
Silvicultural Qualities—It is a light-loving species, though
in its youth it will stand a little shade. It is one of the first
trees to appear on disused land, so long as the soil is good.
‘Its foliage is a little acid, as it kills all grass, even Ekon, and
for this purpose is invaluable as a tree for admixture with
more valuable species. It is somewhat exacting as to soil.
Once it gets started after being planted, or as a self-sown
seedling on good soil, it is a rapid-growing tree, which is only
hindered in its growth by the annually recurring grass-fires.
Wherever it is protected it develops into a straight-boled, large
tree. The branches are very persistent, so that close planting
is most necessary. Several plantations have been made with
this tree.
Utility—The tree is burnt for its ashes for fixing native
374 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
dyes ; the roots are used for chewing-sticks, and the bark is
used medicinally by the natives.
It yields a good firewood which gives great heat. The
smaller poles make very useful hut-building timber, as it is
so often forked.
It should find a place as an avenue tree, owing to the delicate
green, the dropping nature of its foliage, and the moderate
amount of shade cast on the road.
The timber has not been tried for export, but with its dark
black and sometimes streaky coloration it is worthy of a
trial. Locally it has occasionally been cut for planks and for
house-building. It is not liked because it is so hard. The
sapwood is rather wide. The timber is sometimes rather
knotty, especially containing dry knots. It is sometimes
attacked by a large borer, making large holes in it.
Laguncularia racemosa. White Mangrove or White Button.
This species is found growing in the swamp regions, also
on the coast. It yields timber, tanning, dyeing materials and
medicaments.
Myrtacee.
Eugenia Owariensis (Beauv.). West African Allspice. Adere
(Yoruba).
It is a common tree of the Olokemeji Reserve and the
Abeokuta and Oyo provinces.
With its comparatively short bole (about 8 feet) and wide,
almost spherically-shaped crown, it is one of the largest and
most conspicuous of the dry-zone trees. The tree attracts
the pigeons, but not so much as the wild fig. The flowers
are very minute and insignificant. The fruit is very small
and poor.
Reaching only a girth of about 4 feet, it does not yield
very large timber. Although moderately hard and durable,
it has not yet found a place in the local market. It is doubtful
if it is termite-proof. It might be used for making boxes or
for small articles of furniture in localities where wood is
scarce.
It is a comparatively slow-growing tree, almost soil-
improving, and of a light-loving nature.
Owing to its comparatively dense foliage partially shading
the ground and thus killing the grass, it is a distinctly helpful
species in the protection from fire of a dry-zone forest.
Natural reproduction by seed is only moderate, but stump
shoots are strong, and it appears that root suckers also come
up in certain places.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 875
Eugenia Owariensis. Isinren (Yoruba).
This tree is found in the dry-zone forests—a spreading
tree which flowers in February.
It yields timber, edible fruits and medicaments.
Melastomacez.
Memecylon sp., nr. Barterii.
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve in the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Araliacee.
Cussonia Nigerica (Hutch.). Elephant Sugar-cane. Sigo (Yoruba).
This is an evenly and rather deeply fissured small tree of
the dry-zone forest, which has in the main only a great tuft
of large digitate leaves at the top of the stem. It is occasionally
branched, when it gives an appearance of bearing all the leaves
at the end of the stem. It is fairly common in the Olokemeji
Forest Reserve of the Abeokuta province. This tree is one
of the few digitate-leaved trees of the dry zone, and is certainly
one with the largest ; it is a fire-resisting tree. The natives
occasionally use the stem for house and verandah posts.
Umbelliferz.
Heptapleura Mannii. Found in the Oban Reserve.
Sapotacez.
Mimusops multinervis. Emido or Sleeper Wood. Ako Emido
(Yoruba) ; Aganokwi (Benin).
This species is found in the Abeokuta and Oyo provinces
of Nigeria; it is most common, and, in fact, forms almost
half the crop in the belt of forest just on the south side of the
railway four to six miles east and west of Olokemeji Station.
The most distinguishing feature of this tree is the grey, thick,
deeply-fissured bark. With its comparatively short bole and
stout, crooked branches, it is not unlike an oak. It reaches
a height of about 80 feet and a girth of about 15 feet. The
root spurns are practically non-existent. The trunk tapers
off quite abruptly after each series of branches. The crown
is rather long and sometimes almost pear-shaped. The foliage
is dense, and, for the size of the tree, the leaves are small.
The flowers are small and white and conspicuous. The fruit
is a small round nut, about half an inch in diameter. The
leaves are a very dark green colour, but on the upper surface
are often shiny.
3876 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The sapwood is white and, for the size of the tree, com-
paratively narrow. The heartwood is a deep red colour, which
it retains even after the wood is dry. In sections from older
trees it exhibits isolated white streaks, scattered here and there
through the heartwood. This is made of a small mineral
deposit which is closely allied to apatite. It is one of the
hardest of the African woods and also the most durable; it
splits most satisfactorily ; it saws very cleanly, planes well,
but owing to its extreme hardness takes nails with difficulty.
It is termite-proof. It is just as durable in, as out of the ground.
It burns with a fierce heat and, in fact, makes the hottest fire
of any of the West African woods. The grain is very close,
though sometimes it shows some figure. The knots in the
wood produce some pretty “curl” effects.
The tree is a shade-bearing, soil-improving species of the
mixed deciduous forest. It is very slow-growing, often not
showing a greater height-growth than 6 inches per year. In
its youth the branches grow more or less in whorls of three or
four branches; these branches are very persistent. Natural
generation good ; it demands a good soil, but will stand a great
deal of moisture, not to say flooding of the area for several
months of the year. It flowers in February; the roots are
comparatively deep-growing and there is a distinct tap-root.
Some plantations have been made with this tree. It has been
tried as a species to mix with ebony, and for this it seems suit-
able. In similar localities this species and ebony are often
found.
Locally it is used as a house-building wood and occasionally
for firewood. The timber has been cut up into sleepers and
found to be most durable. When it was used in an unseasoned
state, and in very dry territory, it was found to split—but
this was scarcely a fair test of the wood. It has also been used
as joists and for the framework of buildings, for which purposes
it has proved very useful. Local carpenters have complained
about its hardness, but usually the tools used have not been
of such high quality necessary to give the best results when
working on this wood.
The timber has not been used for export, but it deserves
a trial, especially for railway sleepers.
Mimusops Djave. African Pearwood, False Shea Butter Nut,
Cross River Nut. Aganokwi No. I. (Benin), Nyam (Efik).
It is found in the Benin, Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria. It is also known as Cherry Mahogany.
It is a moderately common tree in the evergreen forest zone,
up to the end of the mixed deciduous forest zone. It is
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 377
one of the giant forest trees, attaining a girth of over 30 feet
and a height of over 200 feet; its bole is one of the
straightest of African trees, the trunk often reaching over
100 feet without a branch. The crown is flattish and almost
symmetrical in its roundness ; it is formed with three or four
main limbs spreading out at almost right angles to the trunk.
The foliage is heavy and the sword-shaped leaves almost appear
as though they were digitate, looking at them from the base
of the tree. From a short distance the trunk looks almost
black, but on closer inspection the bark is seen to be deeply
fissured in a comparatively even lattice-work fashion. The slash
is white and a thick white latex exudes. The root spurns are
only slight, except in old age; otherwise the bole is one of the
most cylindrical of African trees. (In illustration No. 100 a tree of
about 8 feet in girth shows the very straight and even thickness
of the bole.) The fruit falls to the ground about the beginning
of November, and crushes on contact with the ground, showing
the yellow floury pulp inside. The pulp has an extremely
dry, sweet, almost nauseating taste and is inclined to stick
in the throat. This huge fruit, the size of a man’s fist, is almost
like a huge plum, with rough opaque surface and almost spherical
in shape ; inside, embedded in the pulp, are two, three or four
lobed nuts, smooth and shiny on the more rounded face
and rough on the other; in some respects they are roughly
kidney-shaped when looked at sideways. The flowers are
white and small; the tree loses its leaves for three or four days,
when fresh ones come out again.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood of a rich red
colour, often showing figured rosy grain ; it is very hard, heavy
and very durable, and is sometimes cross-grained, though
usually the texture is fine and planes up with a smooth surface ;
it saws well, but is too hard to take nails, except in very thin
wood. The sapwood is usually only two or three inches wide ;
the heartwood forms comparatively early in the life of the
tree. On the whole, this tree has a more open grain than the
other Mimusops.
Although the tree can stand a little shade in its youth, it
is really a light-loving species : after the first year the height-
growth rapidly increases when trees standing in a plantation
have plenty of light. In illustration No. 93 some trees only twelve
years old show how rapidly they develop under suitable con-
ditions. None of these trees have yet come into the nut-bearing
stage, but it appears that in favourable localities the trees will
bear fruit between the fifteenth and twentieth year.
It is a soil protecting and improving tree—in fact, the thick
378 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
leaves form some of the finest soil found in the forest. Natural
regeneration is not usually very good, because the seedlings
have little or no light, growing as they do from seeds which
have fallen under the parent tree. Duika and various other
animals spread the seeds in old farms where the trees have
a chance of growing up. The timber has occasionally been
shipped to Europe and has been sold at Hamburg as pearwood at
6d. per superficial foot, but the more rosy and figured wood has
also found a sale in Liverpool, as it sometimes looks almost like
a pinkish mahogany ; it is, however, by no means well known,
and further trials with the wood should certainly be made.
Small consignments of the nuts have been exported from the
Cross River and sold in Liverpool as a substitute for Shea nuts ;
they are found to be of a similar nature and of similar value
for making an edible oil. The original cost was rather
high, so that the nuts did not yield a profit on the transaction ;
however, with greater quantities being brought the cost should
not be so high, and also, since this first experiment was made,
the price of all oi] nuts has risen enormously, so that at the
present time there is an ample margin between the cost of
production and the selling price. In the Cameroons the Balong
natives dry the nuts, which they split open in two pieces, pick
off the thin shell and boil out the thick buttery-like substance,
which is used for cooking.
On our tour through their country we also tried it in place
of lard, and found it quite suitable and quite pleasant to the
taste and only about half the cost. In Nigeria, only the Oban
people apparently know anything about making this butter
from the nuts; in other parts it is quite unknown. The
tree is not felled, but, on account of its size and all-inspiring
form, is considered “Ju-ju”; pieces of the bark are
chipped off and used as medicine to increase a person’s
strength.
By the way, the constant cutting away of the bark at the
base of the tree and the continual struggle of the tree to overgrow
these wounds causes the grain to grow quite unevenly and
wavering, thus forming figured wood.
Mimusops lacera. Benin Pearwood. Aganokwi (Benin).
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as mahogany of a good, rich colour. It is found in
the swamps near the Osse and Cross Rivers.
Dumoria Heckeli (A. Chev.). Oban Mahogany.
It is found in Tropical West Africa. It yields a fair timber.
An immense tree of the Oban Reserve, similar to Mimusops
Djave.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 879
Omphalocarpum procerum. Ikassa (Benin), Apassa, Ukpassa (Efik).
‘It is found in the Calabar, Benin and Ondo provinces of
Nigeria.
It is a common tree of the evergreen forest. It reaches
a height of 60 feet with a girth of 28 feet. The bole is short
and the crown long, but narrow. The huge, flatly spherically-
shaped fruits, quite 9 inches in diameter and 6 inches thick,
are most characteristic of the tree. These protrude just from
the trunk or heavy branches with little or no stalk. The de-
pression in them, top and bottom, is quite an inch deep. There
are about sixty seeds inside, more like nuts. The leaf is large.
The sapwood is white and heartwood is brown-red. It is
very hard.
It grows slowly and stands the shade. The seeds germinate
well. It does not sprout from the stump nor do root shoots
appear. Elephants and other animals, porcupines especially,
eat the fruit.
The seeds are used in playing Ikbo, a Benin game. The
seeds also are used, tied in front of Apata sticks, for making a
musical instrument, or tied to the ankles of small boys to make
a noise like a rattle when they start to walk.
Butyrospermum Parkii. Shea Butter Tree, Dry-zone Oak. Emi-
emi or Emi-gidi (Yoruba).
This is one of the most prevalent trees of the Oyo province
of the Southern Provinces of Nigeria and of the Borgu, Niger
and Nassarawa provinces of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria.
In places it is almost gregarious, but it is most commonly found
in mixture with the Dwarf Red Ironwood, Lophira alata. In
appearance it is most like a gnarled old oak, except that the base
is often burnt and partially hollow. It is a large tree, reaching
a height of about 40 feet and a girth of over 10 feet. The root
spurns are comparatively short and rounded ; the bole is short,
attaining a length of up to 25 feet ; the crown is almost spherical,
but rather inclined to be broken up by three or four main
branches; these are very thick in comparison to the size of
the tree, but not so much in proportion as in the case of the
Baobab. The bark is grey and very deeply fissured, more or
less in criss-cross fashion, and even with deeper and wider
fissures than that of the oak. The slash is white, and a small
amount of thick white latex exudes very slowly from the cut.
In the case of the Dwarf Ironwood scarcely any ordinary sap
exudes and no latex. The leaves are about 10 inches long,
a very dark green and shiny, and not unlike the hart’s-tongue
fern, but somewhat broader at the end; the greenness of
the leaves, their shininess, and the greater thickness dis-
380 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
tinguish them from those of the Dwarf Red Ironwood. The
under surface of the leaf is whitish, sometimes almost grey ; the
flowers are white and come out in December ; the fruit is like
a small green plum and ripens in May. The leaves persist
over one season. The green pericarp covering the nut
can be eaten and is not unpleasant to the taste. The nut
itself is not unlike a chestnut in its being brown and shiny ; the
shape, however, is more oval, with one comparatively sharp
. ridge.
The sapwood is white and comparatively wide ; the heart-
wood is a rich dark-red colour; it is very hard and durable ;
it is termite-proof; it splits very badly, does not take nails
well; it is hard to plane and is sawn none too easily. It does
not warp or crack to any extent while it is seasoning under
proper conditions ; it burns with great heat, but rather less
than in the case of Emido.
It is a rather slow-growing tree, with soil-protecting and soil-
improving qualities ; as a light-loving species takes up a good
deal of space. Natura] regeneration appears to be poor, and may
be due to the fact that the flowers appear, or before the young
fruit has only just set, as the annual grass-fires run through
the open deciduous forests where this tree is found. On the
other hand, root suckers grow in great profusion. It also sprouts
well from the stump. It is one of the most fire-resisting trees,
and the thick bark no doubt protects it from its worst ravages.
It may be considered one of the most typical trees of the drier
parts of the open deciduous forests. A few sample plots have
been tried with this tree, but it does not stand transplanting
at all well. Rodents such as the cut-grass (ground pig) are
very fond of the nuts, and no doubt destroy a great number
whilst they are germinating. Fire-protecting root suckers and
other young trees have thus far proved the most effective method
of increasing the number of mature trees. It does not appear
to be very exacting as to soil, but no doubt the growth is best
on moist alluvial flats so long as they are well drained.
Locally the most valuable part of the tree is the nut, from
which the Shea butter is boiled out after three days; it is a
general article of diet instead of palm oil, in those districts
where the latter is hard to obtain. Locally, also, the largest
trees are cut down and made into mortars for beating food ;
these fetch a price of 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. apiece; they are con-
sidered not only the most suitable, but also the most durable,
except those made of the wood of the Oil Bean (Pentaclethra
macrophylla). In other places it is used as a house-building
timber.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 381
As far as Europeans are concerned, the chief value of the
tree lies in its nuts, which are either exported quite unprepared
or in the form of the butter as the natives make it, in large
elliptical-shaped sausages about 2 feet long and 9 inches in
diameter. For these purposes it has become a regular article
of commerce, and only lack of suitable means of transport
prevents much greater quantities being collected and exported to
the European markets. In Europe its most suitable use is
said to be as a medium or inside substance of chocolate creams.
The butter itself has a most peculiar and rather nauseating
flavour, which is removed on its being refined and purified.
The timber has not been tried for export.
Chrysophyllum sp.?. Round Star Apple. A species of Star
Apple. Agoma (Benin).
The fruit is quite spherical and supposed to be larger than
C. Africanum. It is somewhat similar to C. Kainato. The
natives squeeze the fruit in order to eat it.
Chrysophyllum Africanum. African Star Apple or Edible Star Apple.
Osangbalumo (Yoruba); Otien (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Owerri,
and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. It is a medium-sized tree,
often found growing at the roadside at the edge of the villages
or as an avenue leading up to them.
The most characteristic feature of this tree is the silvery
underside of the leaf, which is formed by minute white hairs.
In the fruiting season, another characteristic is the golden-
coloured, pointedly pear-shaped fruit, which bursts on falling
to the ground. A white latex exudes from the fruit ; this latex
is sucked out and is tartly sweet to the taste. Inside the fruit
are five thin, elliptic-shaped seeds; these are brown and very
shiny. Their position inside the fruit probably gave rise to the
English name.
The wood is white and soft ; it cuts easily and planes well,
but does not split well. The grain of the timber is fine and
the texture smooth. It is a moderately fast growing tree
and the wood is not durable. The slash is white, and the
tree exudes a white latex when cut ; the foliage is very dense,
and the dark upper surface of the leaves is a great contrast
to the underside. It is a soil-protecting and soil-improving
tree. The timber has not been exported to Europe. It is
occasionally used by the natives for making “ Ju-jus”’ such as
the devil.
Chrysophyllum sp. Monkey Star Apple or Monkey Otien. Osang
Palambi, Osang Edan (Yoruba) ; Ekuso (?), Ekpuro, Otiemmie
(Benin).
882
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
This is a moderately prevalent tree in the Calabar, Ogoja,
Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree with a small leaf. It attains a
girth of about 8 feet. The golden-brown of the underside of
the leaves is most typical of this tree and makes it easily dis-
tinguished from Chrysophyllum Africanum ; in fact, in passing
through the forest this is one of the few trees having brown
tomatose hairs on the underside of the leaf. The crown is
broad and flat and heavy. The bole is not too long and is
covered with a smooth light-brown-coloured bark.
The Benin native name means that it is the Monkey Otien,
that is to say, not the one that men may eat. It is usually
found in the evergreen forest.
The timber is white, light and soft, and is attacked by
termites. It has not so far been cut for export or local use.
Native Use.—The fruit is sometimes eaten by the Benins.
Chrysophyllum albidum (Don.). White Star Apple. Osum Agba-
lumo (Yoruba).
This is one of the Star Apples of the Yoruba Forest, where
it is found chiefly in the Abeokuta province. It is not very
prevalent. The fruit is not so esteemed by the natives as
that of Osangbalumo. The bole is somewhat straighter and less
branched than that of C. Africanum. The wood is white and
soft ; the stem is not absolutely round, being somewhat fluted
at the base, with narrow and thin spurs which extend 4 to
6 feet up the stem. The natives occasionally use the wood
for household utensils. It has not been cut for export.
Chrysophyllum Welwitchii.
This so-called Forcados Star Apple was found in the forest
just behind the station of Forcados. It is not a very common
tree.
Malacantha sp. nov. Akala (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve and neighbouring
parts of the Abeokuta and Ibadan provinces. In many places
it is very prevalent, though it does not grow actually gregariously.
It reaches up to a medium size. The bole does not exceed a
length of much over 15 feet and a girth of 5 feet. With its
four narrow, somewhat long (up to 4 feet) buttress root spurns,
the base of the stem forms a rather irregular shape. The
bark is roughish and scales off to a slight extent as the tree
becomes older.
The leaves are inclined to be placed at the terminals of
the shoots and twigs, and the main veins are very prominent,
giving the impression that the leaf has only comparatively
recently opened. The leaf is a little rough to the touch, and
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 383
rather dry and thickish. It is a distinctly yellowish-green
colour. The foliage is very sparse.
With its none too straight stem and comparatively slight
amount of foliage it presents a poor appearance.
The wood is of a pleasant light-yellow colour and com-
paratively hard. It planes up with a smooth surface and
saws easily. It does not take nails well, nor does it split easily.
It is termite-proof.
Natural regeneration appears to be slight, but stool and
root shoot reproduction seem to be strong. The seeds are very
small and appear like little round, spherical nuts. Although
it will bear a slight amount of shade in its youth, it is a
light-loving species later on.
Occurring as it does in the mixed deciduous forests, near
the lower edge of the dry-zone vegetation it should prove a
useful tree, especially as it is comparatively fire-resisting.
Although comparatively slow-growing it attains sufficient
size to be cut up into verandah-posts and banister rails and
uprights.
On the whole, quite a respectable quantity of timber could
be obtained in the aggregate from the large number of trees
found growing in the forests.
Pachystela cinereum (Pierre). Osan odo, Orban igba (Yoruba).
Found in the Abeokuta province.
Ebenacee.
Diospyros Mombuttensis, syn. Sinensis. Walking-stick Ebony
or Yoruba Ebony. Ogan pupa, Aggan Egbo (Egba) (Yoruba) ;
Ungungmekkan (Benin).
It is a small tree with reddish-coloured stem and very thin,
scaly bark, often branching near the base and usually forming
several stems up to 18 inches in girth instead of one main stem.
It has a large, alternate leaf, with large leaf scars, amounting
to projections from the twigs. The fruit is like an acorn,
but of reddish colour, with a very small, low-rimmed cup. The
twigs are reddish colour too, which is most typical of the tree.
It is common in the Benin, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Oyo and
Ondo provinces of Nigeria.
Timber.—-Very hard, whitish-brown wood.
#. Use.—Walking-sticks, as it often grows forming a natural
handle.
Native Use.—Walking-sticks.
Diospyros sp. Benin Ebony. Owegbo (Benin).
A medium-sized tree, yielding a black ebony, which is
prevalent in the Benin forests. The bark scales off like D. atro-
384
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
purpurea. It is a larger tree, though, than the last named.
It likes the dense forest with a deep, damp soil.
In proportion the sapwood is white and very wide.
The tree is slow-growing, shade-bearing, with soil-protecting
and soil-improving qualities. Natural regeneration is weak.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been sawn
up for local use.
Native Use.—Firewood.
Diosypros mespiliformis. Monkey Guava or Yoruba Ebony, Kanran,
Etini (Yoruba) ; Igedudu (Benin).
From the similarity of its fruit to a medlar it obtains its
botanical name.
It is found in the Abeokuta and Ibadan provinces of Nigeria,
in the mixed deciduous forest zone. In places such as the
Olokemeji Forest Reserve and neighbourhood it is very pre-
valent and almost gregarious in habit. As regards height, and
almost always as regards girth, it is the largest of almost all the
ebony-trees, with the exception of one species found near the
Niger, reaching a girth of over 14 feet and a bole length of 70 feet.
At the pole stage, and as it gets older, the bark is evenly fissured,
vertically and horizontally, breaking up into small black-edged
sections of about 2 inches long and'‘} inch wide. Until it is much
over 2 feet in girth the cortex is smooth, dark-green or black.
After this it becomes rather rough, with small fissures. Although
often very cylindrical in shape, the bole sometimes has very con-
siderable taper—in fact, more so than many other trees. The
branches come out almost at right angles to the stem and are very
persistent, still remaining as short snags for many years after they
have been broken off by storms or other agencies. The leaves are
smallish and lanceolate in shape, and almost appear to be silvery
on the under surface and very dark green on the upper surface.
The thinner branches appear silvery-grey, though they are
very similar, but thinner in comparison to M. multinervis,
which are found in the same locality growing side by side.
The leaf has a few fine veins. The fruit is flatly spherical, and
is like a little medlar with its russet-brown rough surface and
the dried-up sepals of the flower on it. It is, however, larger
than than of Multinervis.
The sapwood is white and narrow and the heartwood dark-
brown to black, sometimes even green-black. It is very hard—in
fact, almost the hardest of all African woods, with perhaps
the exception of Yoruba Ironwood, Red Ironwood, and African
Greenheart. It splits fairly well. It is inclined to be brittle,
especially in timber from larger specimens, planes well and
saws well, but is difficult to nail. It is termite-proof. Occa-
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THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 385
sionally a large boring beetle burrows into the wood when it
is lying on the ground. However, the grubs which do this
damage are considered a delicacy by the natives, so that wherever
found they are soon collected and eaten. The younger tree
grows with branches more or less in whorls, but not so
regular as those of M. multinervis. When fresh it is liable
to warp. It keeps its colour better than most of the ebonies.
It occasionally shows a little figure. In proportion it has the
largest heartwood of any of them, and for this reason is a
most valuable tree.
Diospyros Kamerunensis. Cameroon Ebony.
This tree has been found in the Boji Hills Forest as well
as in the Cameroons. Although not of great size, it yields a
comparatively large and black-hearted ebony. The fruit is
much larger than that of most other species. It is comparatively
prevalent at an elevation of about 1,000 feet in the Boji Hills.
Up to the present it is doubtful if it has been worked at all.
The natives have no use for the tree.
Diospyros Barteri. Ebony Nut or Yam Stick. Ivioha (Benin).
Small ebony-shrub of the Benin province of Nigeria, found
near Okomo in rather moist ground. The natives have no
use for the wood.
Diospyros bipendensis. South Cameroon Ebony.
It is supposed to be found in the Oban Reserve.
Diospyros crassifiora. Benin Ebony. Aborkpor (Benin).
It yields the black ebony of the Benin country and is
somewhat prevalent. Found in the Benin, Abeokuta and
Onitsha provinces of Nigeria. A tree with a small leaf.
It forms almost pure groups or even small stands, of half
a mile and less in extent, near the banks of the Niger. It can
stand swampy ground. It used to be cut in the Onitsha
district.
Diospyros sp. Benin Ebony. Isanhianme or Ehrenyegbo (Benin).
A common tree of the Benin province of Nigeria. It is
supposed to yield a good ebony. It does not reach a very large
size. It is a soil protecting and improving tree. Locally it
is used for house-building.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liver-
pool market as mahogany at ls. 6d. per cubic foot. Since that
time it has not been exported.
Diospyros atropurpurea (Gurke). Brown Ebony. Igedudu (Yoru-
ba) ; Igedudu (Benin).
It is a small tree, attaining a girth of about 4 feet. The
heartwood is usually brown with black streaks, giving it a
curious and diverse streakiness, not unlike black marble or
25
386 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Indian Blackwood. The flower is reddish-purple coloured
and quite conspicuous, growing out of the upper surface of the
twig without a stalk of any kind. The bark is almost black
and peels off in very thin, oblong-shaped flakes; the cortex
underneath is green. In old age it is hollow at the first
branch joint.
It is found in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
About one-third of the diameter of a mature tree is heartwood.
Apparently a slow-growing tree, though none have been planted.
It is a shade-bearer in the evergreen and mixed forest ; natural
regeneration is not good. A large cerambix or other borer
makes finger-thick holes in the sap and heartwood of old trees.
It should be an export timber of value, but it was only
valued at £5 to £10 a ton in 1906. It has been used for mirror
frames.
Native Use.—For firewood in the Benin country, where it
is considered very good.
Diospyros suaveolens. Benin Ebony. Oohoo (Benin).
It is a small-sized tree, with very small heartwood and a
small, oblong, almost lanceolate leaf. The bark, which is quite
black, has slight fissures and is much harder than that of
D. atropurpurea.
It is prevalent in the Benin country, Nigeria.
It likes to grow near water, but not in a swampy place.
It is a slow-grower and shade-bearer, being found as an under-
growth in the high forest. It is not attacked by white ants.
The wood is hard and durable. ;
Native Use.—It is used for house-building as rafters, as
well as for axe-handles of any kind. Small trees are used for
making bows (long) for shooting birds.
Diospyros verrucosa. —
This tree, although named from the Cameroons, is found in
the Abeokuta and Benin provinces of Nigeria. The twigs are
very rough compared to the other species.
Diospyros dendo?. Cross River Ebony. Ebubri etu, Obiliteto
(Efik) ; Itiuyang (Oban, Ekoi).
It is a medium-sized tree with dark-green, smooth bark,
with large lanceolate leaves and strong upward-spreading
branches, which makes the bole shorter than it would other-
wise be. The fruit is almost pear-shaped, containing .four
long, thin, wedge-shaped seeds, brown outside and white
inside.
It is found in the Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria,
in the evergreen forest zone of the hill forests.
The crown is rather irregular in shape, being supported
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 387
with two or three main limbs from the bole. It reaches a
girth of about 6 feet and a bole length of 12 feet.
The sapwood is wide and white and the heartwood black.
The tree is occasionally attacked by a large borer, which makes
large holes nearly ? inch in diameter. The timber is very hard,
but if the tree is killed by fire it becomes a little more brittle
than is usually the case. In old trees which may be left lying
in the forest, the middle of the heartwood often decays away
with ground-rot. It planes well and saws well. Nails often
split it. It splits moderately well, especially when free of
knots.
It is a very slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. On the whole, it is more exacting as to
soil than most other trees, being usually found on a good loam
rich in humus, which is moist and with fair drainage. Natural
regeneration is none too good. Stump shoots are very weak,
and often do not occur. It has not yet been planted. It is very
susceptible to fire—in fact, more so than perhaps any other tree.
The timber has been exported for many years from Calabar,
but of late in decreasing quantities, owing to the exhaustion
of the nearer sources of supply, and to the fact that only small
billets under 3 feet in length, not square, and only 3 or
4 inches in cross-section were cut. The usual native method
of procedure is very curious. On making a clearing for a farm,
any ebony standing there gets killed with the fire, and having
comparatively few roots and being very heavy, the tree falls
down. Before abandoning the farm the native may put a mark
on this tree, or at any rate make a mental note of its existence.
After a year or two, if he is in need of money to buy clothes, or
wishes to purchase anything, he goes back to this old farm, finds
this tree, perhaps externally somewhat charred, and perhaps the
centre of the heartwood rotted away; he proceeds to cut it
into lengths of about 10 or 12 feet. These he then splits length-
ways into segments with a rounded side of about 5 inches,
the two split sides about 4 inches, and the inner surface about
3 inches. In order to get these long pieces of suitable dimension
to carry to the nearest factory or trading station, he cuts them
into three or four billets ; two or three of these, according to
weight, are tied together and carried to the factory. It is sold by
weight, and sometimes 200 billets go to the ton, though a smaller
quantity of a larger size would be better and secure a better
price. This method should be compared with the superior
one adopted by the natives of the Cameroons. Compared
to the usual price of £6 or £7 per ton for Calabar ebony,
Cameroon wood usually fetches £10 to £12.
388 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Diospyros xanthoryplamys. Okahimi (Benin).
This is one of the Benin ebonies and is not very prevalent.
It is said to yield a good ebony.
Maba Manniti. Benin Maba.
It is a common tree in the Benin and Ondo provinces of
Nigeria. It only reaches a girth of 4 feet and a short bole
of about 10 feet. It is much branched, even low down, the
branches being persistent and crooked. The leaves are small,
rather less than ebony itself. The leaf is really a long,
pinnate one, with thirty pairs of pinnz. The fruit is white,
soft and oblong, with small seeds.
The tree has a white sapwood with a black heartwood,
rather small in proportion to the size of the stem. It does
not split well. Termites do not attack it, but occasionally the
gigas borers make holes in it. It grows slowly and stands a
good deal of shade. It sprouts well from the stool and the
seed also grows fairly well. It grows in the damp, deep soil
and does not stand fire at all. It belongs to the evergreen
forest zone.
This tree has not been cut for local use or exported to Europe.
It is used as firewood, and is considered better than most other
woods, even Ohia, Celtis ap.
Oleacee.
Schrebera Golungensis. Hard Yellow Wood. Opele (Yoruba) ;
Udegwoga (?) (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria, Olokemeji
and Ilaro Reserves.
It is a large tree, reaching a girth of about 10 feet. The
smooth, light-green. bark with yellow patches differs from the
Celtis species, which is rougher, and the Afrormosia species, which
is orange-red and peels off. The leaves are small for the size
of the tree. The crown is narrow and long and the branches
forming it slender. The curious small pear-shaped dehiscent
fruit, showing four oblong niches for seeds, is most typical of the
tree. In other respects the habit and build of the tree is similar
to the Celtis species, especially with the root spurns slightly
corrugating the base of the bole. It is not a common tree,
but usually a fair number of specimens are seen in any locality
where it has been found. The bole is very straight and free
from branches for quite a height of the tree.
The timber is a dull-yellow colour, fine grain, of smooth
texture and moderately hard. It planes to a smooth,
almost shining surface. It scarcely shrinks or warps when
drying.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 389
It sprouts slightly from the stump, though the shoots do not
seem to have much strength.
The timber has not yet been exported, though its valuable
quality should assure it of a market. Sample planks used
at Olokemeji proved most durable.
Native Use.—The fruit is used by the Yorubas for divining
the future.
Loganiacez.
Strychnos densiflora (Baill.). African Strychnos Tree. Attako
(Yoruba) ; Egbeda (Benin).
It is found in the dry-zone forest of the Ibadan and
Benin provinces of Nigeria, where it seems to be very
prevalent.
Chief Characteristics.—It is a small tree or shrub, up to
12 feet high, with small leaves and very hard wood.
It is of slow growth, but on the whole is a shade-bearer
and soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural regenera-
tion appears to be poor.
It has not been planted.
Apparently the seeds have not yet been examined as to
their value. The timber is too small for export or local use,
except for hut-building.
Use.—The Benin natives use the stem for making snares
for Duika and the branches for making brooms, as they are
very tough.
Anthocleista nobilis. Ogugu, Sapho, Apa Oro (Yoruba); Orri-
mogungun, Oriweni (Benin).
It is found in the Ibadan, Abeokuta, Benin and Ogoja
provinces of Nigeria.
It has huge soft leaves, and is one of the first plants to appear
on a clearing in the dry-zone or mixed forests. In old age
the leaf is much smaller, and the mass of white flowers along
the uppermost branches is most typical of the tree. It is often
almost gregarious, and in most places more than one tree is found
in the immediate neighbourhood. Reaching a girth of about
3 feet, its stem does not exceed 20 feet in height. There
are usually two or three main branches into which it divides.
The wood is soft and white.
It is a light-loving, rapid-growing tree, which is soil-pro-
tecting and soil-improving in youth, but is too open in crown
after a few years. It should, however, prove a useful nurse
for superior species in the dry zone.
Native Use.—Firewood in places where wood is scarce.
390 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Apocynacee.
Alstonia Congensis (Eng.). Pattern Wood, Stool Wood. Ahun,
Awun, Ogudugbu (Yoruba); Ukhu (Benin); Ekuri Ebu (Ibo
Owerri); Abo, Idu (Efik); Ofemm (Bembi); Etiap, Oguk
(Oban, Ekoi).
It is a large tree, growing up to a height of 100 feet and
10 feet girth. The white lenticels on the bark are very typical
of the tree, and give it the appearance of having a rust disease.
The crown is formed of two or three whorls of branches and is
very flat in old age. The tree grows always in whorls, though
it may have more than one stem. In the distance the leaves
appear to be digitate, but in reality three to seven are found to
be growing out of the end of one stalk, all being much the same
size. The crown is flatly umbrella-shaped. It has compara-
tively few branches. The root flanges are slight, soon merging
into the trunk. At the base of the bole, however, they are
not absolutely round in shape, but have two or three large
ridges, sometimes almost subdividing it. The slash is white,
with yellow spots. A chalky white latex exudes when it is
cut, rapidly running down the stem like a streak of whitewash.
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Owerri,
Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria in the evergreen and
mixed deciduous forest zone. Itis a very common tree through-
out this region and is usually found growing singly.
The timber is white, there being little or no difference
between sapwood and heartwood. When dry, it is very
light and soft. It splits and planes easily, saws well, and
takes nails easily. The grain is close and fine and very even
in texture. Although dull, it works up to a smooth finish.
It is attacked by termites. It is not durable in the open, but
under cover it lasts quite well. In drying it is liable to shrink and
warp a little, but with care this can be avoided. It seasons
comparatively quickly. It cuts easily with a knife or chisel
and might take the place of lime as a carving-wood. From
its texture it should take stains very well.
It is a very fast-growing, at first slightly shade-bearing
and latterly a light-loving tree, which thoroughly protects
the soil and enriches it with its leaf fall. Natural regeneration
appears to be good, as it sprouts well from the stump. It
seems to like a good soil with plenty of moisture, and will
even withstand floods. It is not fire-resisting. The crown
and branches are liable to be broken with a high wind.
In 1906,samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as a whitewood, but it was considered to be of no value.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 391:
It deserves a further trial as a. pattern-wood, comparatively
large quantities being available. Locally it has not been
sawn up for planks.
In Calabar the timber is used for stools, which are carved
out of large solid blocks of this wood in one piece, without
a joint.
Native Use.—In the Benin country the timber is used for
doors and the roots for medicine.
The box of the musical instrument Asologun, a kind of
zither, is made of this wood in the Yoruba country. The latex
is used for mixing with real rubber latex of the Anyo or Fun-
tumia elastica tree.
Voacanga Africana (Stapf.). Cloth Shrub. Dodo, Giwini (Yoru-
ba); Igbo (Benin).
It is a common shrub-like tree in the Ogoja, Onitsha, Benin,
Warri, Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. The
tree is usually noticeable from its white wax-like, trumpet-
shaped flowers, which have a very fragrant scent, and which
very rapidly wither when cut. The bark is thin and extremely
fibrous and hard to break, so much so that the natives of the
Asaba district make grass-like fibre out of it and mix it with
a silk fibre to make a very durable kind of cloth, which the
natives wear. It grows in waste places and requires light.
It sprouts well from the stump.
Conopharyngia durissima.
This tree is found in the Western Provinces. It is of a
similar size to C. pachysiphon, and the timber is just as
durable.
Conopharyngia pachysiphon. False Boxwood. Dodo? (Yoruba) ;
Ibbu (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Warri, Benin and Ondo
provinces of Nigeria. A small tree, attaining a girth of only
4 feet, with a large leaf, bearing large spherical-shaped fruits
in pairs. The large creamy-white, strongly scented flowers
are conspicuous to both sight and scent. The bark, even in
its younger stages, is covered with small yellow lenticels. The
wood is hard and yellow in colour, and there is no difference
between sapwood and heartwood. The latex has sometimes
been used as an adulterant for rubber. It is a shade-bearer,
and is found at the border of the evergreen and mixed deciduous
forests.
The natives of the Benin country use the roots for medicinal
purposes.
Farquharia elliptica. Onanisankianmon (Benin).
This is a member of the new genus of Farquharia found by
892 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Mr. Farquhar in the Benin province of Nigeria, near Ugumu.
It is not stated whether the natives use this as a source of
rubber or not.
Landolphia florida (Benth.). Rubber Vine. Ibugidi, Ibo-akitipa
(Yoruba).
A vine found throughout Southern Nigeria, though most
abundant in the dry-zone fringing forests and in the inter-
mediate forests, and at Ottoa, Benin province. It bears white
flowers having yellow centres.
Uses.—Milky juice is obtained from this vine, but it is
not good rubber, and has no market value.
Landolphia scandens. Ibo (Yoruba); Ubamiogon (Benin); Otopoi,
Otanta (Ibo Asaba).
Taro.
Landolphia Owariensis, var. rubiginosa.
Found Anwai River, Asaba district.
Landolphia Owariensis. White Vine Rubber. Ibo tabong (Yoruba) ;
Ubamiogon, Ubgo (Benin); Otta farfridi (Ibo Asaba).
Found Benin City and Mamu.
Landolphia Senegalense. Ibo akitipa (Yoruba).
It is found in the Oyo province of Nigeria, and it is supposed
to be one of the sources of vine rubber.
Landolphia Thompsonii (Ches.). Corrugated-fruited Rubber. Ibo-
gidi (Yoruba); Ugbamiogun (Benin).
Abeokuta, Benin and Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
A vine growing abundantly throughout the rain and
fringing forests. It has white flowers with yellow centres
and a bright-yellow edible fruit. No rubber is obtained from
it, but only a pasty mass from the latex.
Landolphia Petersiana.. Large-fruited Landolphia.
Found in the Oban Reserve and Benin province.
Landolphia bracteata. Autopoi (Ibo Asaba).
Found at Idanre, Anwai, Asaba district.
Carpodinus hirsuta (Stapf.), var. djenge. Flake or Paste Rubber,
Root Rubber, Brown Cluster, or Brown Medium. Ibo Ilecki
(Yoruba) ; Uboto, Obo, Ubanakwi, Ake. Abache (Benin).
It is found in the Onitsha, Benin and Warri provinces of
Nigeria. It has a mauve-coloured flower with a musk-like
scent.
The rubber was bought near the Niger until the vines from
which it was taken were destroyed.
Carpodinus Barteri, syn. Clitandra Barteri. Mauve-flowered Vine
Rubber. Ibo (Yoruba); Akhe (Benin); Akwarri, Offonkwari
(Ibo Asaba).
Anwai River.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 893
‘Carpodinus fulva. Pear-shape-fruited Rubber. Ikwian (Benin).
Found in the Asaba district, Benin province.
Clitandra elastica. Brown Medium Rubber. Ubabikpan (Benin) ;
Beckindanko (Hausa).
Benin province,
A vine of the dry zone, found in the Okwoga district and
at Adani in Awka district. It also yields root rubber.
It yields a good rubber, sold on the Niger for Is. 3d. to 1s. 6d.
per pound (1911). Extracted by tapping and coagulated by
boiling, also with salt.
Clitandra visciflua (Hall. Fil.). Ubake (Benin).
Found in the Benin province.
Clitandra Togolana (Hall). Ibo, Agba (Benin).
It is a large tree, up to 60 feet high (?). Olokemeji.
Clitandra cirrhosa. Oban Rubber.
This is one of the commoner vines of the Oban Forest Reserve.
In recent years, owing to the low price of rubber, it has not
been tapped to any extent. The cost of collection to the natives
is rather high, with the extended preparations and amount of
food they must take with them in this forest. Added to this
there is the cost of the licence and the cost of taking it over
the long distance to the market, so that they do not think it
pays to collect this rubber.
Rauwolfia vomitoria (Afzel). Swizzle-stick. Iraigbo, Asofeyeje
(Yoruba) ; Akata (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin, Warri,
Owerri and Calabar provinces of Nigeria, in the evergreen
and mixed deciduous zone, where it is very prevalent.
It is a small tree of 12 feet in height and 18 inches in girth,
with almost always four branchlets to each branch, forming
regular whorls in this manner. It has a soft, thin leaf and a
round, small green fruit. The stem is. usually forked near
the ground, and each side branch is forked again and the
uppermost branches divided into four separate twigs, making
thus a most convenient shape for a swizzle-stick. The stem is
more or less dotted with a few white lenticels. The bark peels
off very readily and cleanly with a knife, leaving the bare white
stem, especially in the smaller branches.
The wood of the smaller branches is soft, showing a small
pith in the centre, but that of the stem in the larger specimens
is comparatively hard, and more like an inferior type of box-
wood. The sapwood is usually a little softer than the
heartwood.
It is a moderately fast-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration is good. It
394 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
sprouts well from the stump, and a certain number of root
suckers appear. It stands pruning well.
The tree does not really reach a large enough size to yield
export timber, or to be of much value for local use. It is,
however, commonly used as a swizzle-stick.
In places where building timber is scarce, it is occasionally
used in house-building. It could be, and sometimes is, used
as a live fence.
Polyodoa umbellata (Stapf.). Oak or Boxwood. Aini (Egba) ;
Erin (Yoruba); Osu (Benin).
It is a medium-sized tree which grows to a girth of 4 feet.
The young stem is easily recognized by the longitudinal strips
of lenticels, joined together with the dark-green cortex, showing
between each strip. When older, lenticels appear on the stem
and it may be quite grey or white.
The wood is a dirty yellow colour and very hard, resembling
box in the fineness and the hardness of its grain. It is used
by the natives for making combs for the hair; these combs
have six prongs about 6 inches long and are sold at 6d. to Is.
apiece. It is used for house-building, and is considered the
most durable timber for this purpose ; it is forked about 15 to
20 feet from the ground. The bark is used medicinally by the
natives (Yorubas).
The leaves are a yellowish-green, gradually turning a rich
dark-green. The small greengage-sized fruits appear in pairs
at the ends of the shoots, and occasionally in threes, but this
is rare.
It likes moist ground, though it will stand a long dry season,
so long as it has the shade of other trees. It is a distinct shade-
bearer, though it grows a fair height when it hasa chance. The
flowers are white and have a very pleasant smell.
Only a very small quantity of latex exudes when the tree
is cut, and so does not give the impression of belonging to
the rubber family of Apocynacez.
The sapwood is a similar colour to the heartwood. It is
not always straight, but this is owing to its slow growth causing
it to be amongst the dominated trees. In older trees the
stem is usually quite white, except where the bark has been
removed.
A sample was sent to England in 1914 and was said to
be valueless as a substitute for boxwood. In 1906 samples
were shipped to Liverpool, where it was sold as a species of
oak at 1s. 9d. per cubic foot, but it was not considered as good
as that obtained from Awaw, Eba, Lophia procera or Ostryo-
derris impressa.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 395
Native Use.—The chief tree for all tool-handles and house-
posts. The most durable kinds are in Egba, and they are
not attacked by white ants.
Alafia Landolphioides. Ubamiagon (Benin) ; Ata frifridi (Ibo Asaba).
Found at Illushi, Asaba district, Oke Igbo, Ilesha district.
Carissa edulis.
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria. The fruit is edible.
Motandra Guineensis (A. D.C.). Bodekadun (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
It has not been used for making rubber.
Strophanthus Preussii. Elephant Poison. Isha gere, Isha’ kekere
(Yoruba).
Found in the Shagamu, Lagos and Calabar districts.
A climbing shrub, attaining the height of 12 feet. The
flowers are creamy in colour, deepening to orange, with purple
spots and streaks.
Strophanthus bispidus (A. D.C.). Isha fere (Yoruba).
Found in the Ilesha district, Oyo province.
Holarrhena Wulfsbergit (Stapf.). The Male Rubber Tree or False
Rubber Tree, according to the Yorubas, or sometimes known as
the False Ireh Tree. Ireh-ibeji, Ireh-ako, Ako-ireh (Yoruba).
This tree being found in the Abeokuta and Oyo provinces of
Nigeria, it is not very prevalent, nor does it grow in large
numbers in any one place. With its smooth, dark-green bark,
speckled irregularly all over with white spots and lenticels, it
is easily distinguishable from the almost silver-white or grey
beech-like stem of the true West African Rubber Tree.
At a height varying from 10 to 15 feet the bole sometimes
divides and forms two very straight stems, one much smallar
than the other. In the African Rubber Tree (Funtumia elastica)
usually only one stem is formed.
Again, in its sparse and rather drooping foliage it is very
different from the real rubber-tree. The leaves are much
longer, more sharply pointed, and in fact more lanceolate than
those of F. elastica. The foliage often gives the appearance
of being withered or that the tree is drying up.
Large raceme-like masses of small flowers appear in February
or March, which are much more prominent than those of F. elastica,
these being more hidden among the leaves, although individu-
ally having larger blossoms. Later on, a thin round pod, nearly
2 feet in length, forms in pairs, which hang down and make
the tree look most grotesque. On the other hand, F. elastica
pods are stout and short and almost hidden by the foliage.
896 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
The tree reaches a girth of 36 inches and a total height of
about 50 feet.
The slash is greenish-white, and a very little white, rather
watery latex exudes from the cut. The wood is white, soft,
planes easily, and splits comparatively easily. It saws fairly
well and takes nails with comparative ease. It is not termite-
proof.
It is a moderately fast-growing tree of a light-loving nature.
Natural reproduction by seed appears to be fair. It sprouts
slightly from the stump.
Being found in odd and poor places in the mixed deciduous
forests at the edge of dry-zone vegetation, it should prove
useful for temporary house-building purposes and for cutting
up as cratewood for bananas, etc.
Pleiocerus Barteri (Baill.). Irena, kekere (Yoruba).
The fruit is very much like a Cola and fairly common in the
forest. It is very sticky to the taste.
It is a medium-sized tree, in habit similar to the Cola-tree,
and most people would classify it from its external appearance
as a species of Cola.
It is found in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
Picralima Klaineana?, Agege (Yoruba).
Found at Agege, Yoruba country.
Oncinotis gracilis. Ornamental Rubber Vine, Allerle (Benin).
Found in Ogodo Dry-zone Forest.
Name unknown. Ikwian (Benin).
An uncommon tree of the Benin province of Nigeria. It
attains a medium-size and bears large fruits. The wood is
used as firewood.
Borraginacee.
Ehretia cymosa (8. and H.). Ija oke (Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji.
Cordia sp., ? Platythyrsa. Drum-wood Cordia. Ako Ledo (Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria.
Cordia Irvingii. Acorn-like-fruited Cordia.
It is a medium-sized tree, similar to Cordia Millenti. It is
found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria.
Cordia Millenti. Omon or Omo (Yoruba); Omah (Benin).
This tree is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Benin,
Owerri, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria.
It is an irregularly shaped tree, often with more than one
stem. The light-coloured bark, especially when it is scaly,
often gives the impression that the tree is luminous at night.
Fia. 87.—Koko Town, with raft of mahogany logs moored near the bank.
Fic. 88.—Mahogany logs floating in the river above Koko Town.
To face p. 396.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 397
The leaf is large. It is a common tree in the Benin district,
of medium-size.
It yields a softwood, which has a certain amount of
resonance. The sapwood is white and the heartwood a mid-
brown colour. It is not very durable, except under cover.
It stands a good deal of shade. It sprouts well from the
stump. It bears fruit irregularly, and seedlings are scarce in
the forest. The wood has not been exported, and none of its
qualities so far assure it of finding a good market in Europe.
Native Use.—The natives use the wood for making drums.
Verbenacez.
Avicennia Africana. White Mangrove. Ogbun (Lagos); Ede,
Eyhrodo (Benin); Odonumon (Efik).
It is found in the Colony, Ondo, Warri, Owerri and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria. It is seen partly in pure groups, and
also mixed more or less in groups with the other areas of
Red Mangrove and Laguncularia sp.
It is a small tree, growing up to 2 feet girth and about
40 feet high.
The bole appears silvery grey and the branches very slender.
The leaves are of a lighter green than those of the Red Mangrove.
The aerial roots are smaller and not so extended as in the case
of Racemosa. On the whole, it occurs in the quieter and less
exposed localities, away from the sea, and it seems to appear
only secondary to R. racemosa, which is the first tree to appear
in the mangrove formation. The slash is white; the cortex
is thin.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood a light brown
when freshly cut. Is moderately hard, and durable when dry
and used away from water. It is termite-proof. In structure
it is similar to teak, being a member of the same family, but
the grain is more open and the pores are considerably larger and
longer, giving the wood a more open texture. It planes up
with a smooth surface, splits well, takes nails moderately well
and saws easily.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, at first shade-bearing, and
later on a light-demanding tree. Natural regeneration is good,
but it does not appear to be extending as fast as R. racemosa.
It sprouts from the stump; root suckers and aerial root shoots
grow in considerable numbers. On the whole, it tends to die
out sooner when the ground becomes dryer than R. racemosa,
and its area of distribution from the coast inland is much
less wide.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been sawn
898 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
up for local use. For the natives this tree forms what is con-
sidered the best “salt bush” in the Jekri country. It is still
used for the manufacture of salt, which is considered much
stronger than and superior to imported salt. It is also used for
poles, house-building, boat and canoe houses and wharves.
Vitex grandifolia. Ori (Yoruba) ; Owenkundignon, Oriri Ogikiomi (?)
(Benin).
It is found in the Benin, Onitsha, Owerri and Ogoja pro-
vinces, in the open deciduous forest zone.
The digitate leaf is much larger than that of V. Cienkowskz,
and on the whole the tree is larger too, reaching a girth of
10 feet and a bole length of 30 feet. The fruit is rather larger,
but similar in shape and taste to the former. The branches
are very persistent, and coming out more or less in whorls
from the bole, give the tree a most distinct appearance.
The sapwood is white and the heartwood at first light-
brown, and then darker brown. It is rather more open-grained
than the teak. It does not split very well, but can take nails ;
neither does it plane easily, but can be worked up to a smooth
finish. It is very durable and termite-proof.
At first fast growing and later rather slower, it is on the
whole a little faster growing than V. Cienkowski. It withstands
the fires in an extraordinary manner, and only occasionally
does the bole get so deeply burnt that the tree becomes hollow.
It bears a large crop of fruit almost every year.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been sawn up
for local use. It deserves further attention than it has received
up to the present, more especially as it is of the same family
as the teak.
Native Use.—The fruit is eaten, and occasionally the smaller
trees are used for house-building.
Vitex Cienkowskiz. Ori, nla (Yoruba).
It is a medium-sized tree, attaining a girth of about 8 feet
and a bole length of about 25 feet. The bark is rough, divided
up with long, narrow vertical fissures, which are more or less
regular in their distribution. The crown is spherical, somewhat
widespreading, and usually occupies about half the height of
the tree. The large, shiny, dark-green digitate leaf is most
characteristic of the tree. The fruit, not unlike a large acorn
without the cup, is edible and has a slight honey taste. It
attracts the bees from far and near.
This tree is found in the Oyo and Abeokuta provinces of
Nigeria.
Timber.—Hard, brown wood, very similar to teak. It is
often rather knotty and sometimes cross-grained.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 399
At first fairly fast-growing, later on it is rather slow. It
is very fire-resisting, but does not thoroughly protect the soil.
It has not been felled for export, nor has it been sawn up for
local use. It serves a useful purpose amongst the dry-zone
vegetation, and is one of the larger trees of that zone.
Vitex Fosteri. Ori-eta (Yoruba); Obuban, Ibang (Benin); Ogi
(Calabar).
Chief Characteristics.—It is a medium-sized tree with thin,
white bark and voluted stem, which is not overstraight beyond
15 or 20 feet, soft and fibrous; one of the common trees
in the mixed forest, though also found in the evergreen forest.
It has a thin, digitate leaf. It usually stands as one of the
dominated trees in either forest. The leaves. often look
silvery, but this is an optical illusion, owing to their being so
thin and white on the underside.
Distribution.—It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Jebu,
Ode, Benin and Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
Timber.—It is a hard, white wood of even texture and smooth
grain, which is apparently durable for interior work. It is
somewhat like hornbeam, though not quite so hard. It works
up with a smooth surface.
Silvicultural Qualities.—It is a shade-bearer, though, if planted
pure, it is doubtful whether its foliage would thoroughly protect
the ground, owing to its being so thin. Natural regeneration
by seed is apparently good.
Use.—It would probably make good verandah-posts, door-
frames and window-frames, but so far has not been tried. As
there is plenty of it, proper supplies could be obtained in the
provinces named.
Value.—At present doubtful, as it is an untried wood ;
however, belonging to the same family as teak, it should find
a place amongst the valuable small timbers for local use.
Vitex diversifolia.
It has been noted from the Oban Reserve.
Clerodendron Thonningiit. Egwa, Oriakuku (Benin).
It is an ornamental shrub of the Benin province of Nigeria,
found near the Osse River.
Clerodendron Thompsonii. Egwa oviakuku (Benin).
A medium-sized shrub with woody stem found in the Benin
province.
Clerodendron scandens (Beauv.).
It is a large shrub with hard wood of the Benin province
of Nigeria.
Clerodendron volubulu. Ebenote (Benin).
Found in the Benin province.
400 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Clerodendron splendens (Kew). Adabi (Yoruba).
A medium-sized shrub found in the Abeokuta province. The
stem yields small wood for farm implements.
Labiate.
Ocimum viride (Willd.). Efinrin (Yoruba); Aramoho (Benin).
Found in the Yoruba and Benin country.
Scrophulariacee.
Cycinium camporum (Engl.). Arojoku (Yoruba).
Flowers white. Found at Obba on the Hill, Ondo province.
Bignoniacez.
Spathoidea campanulata. Red Tulip Tree. Oruru (Yoruba); Okokwi
Okwekwe (Benin) ; Essenim (Efik); Osukaregigi (Bembi).
This tree grows in the fringing and intermediate forests.
It is of medium size and has large trumpet-shaped flowers,
not unlike those of the tulip.
Uses.—This tree is often used for ornamental purposes.
Timber, edible seeds and medicaments are obtained from it.
Stereospermum accuminatissimum. Osualong (seed), Okwekwe,
Aguana (Benin).
This is a somewhat common tree of the Benin province of
Nigeria, and certainly with its red flowers it is one of the most
handsome. It is not unlike the so-called African Tulip Tree,
Spathoidea campanulata. On the whole, it is a smaller tree,
with a round, almost spherical crown; the wood is soft and
white and not durable. It bears a large number of seeds, but
few appear to germinate. It sprouts feebly from the stump,
is a light-loving tree, and also a soil-protecting and soil-im-
proving species. It deserves greater attention for planting in
gardens and at the edges of recreation grounds of all sorts.
Stereospermum Kunthianum (Cham.). Ayagdo (Yoruba).
This tree is found in the Abeokuta province and Erin,
Tlesha. It is very similar to the tulip-tree, but has a more
orange-coloured flower.
Kigelia Africana. Sausage Tree. Orora, Pandoro (Yoruba) ; Ogia-
himi, Esiskwi (Benin).
It is a common tree of the Ogoja, Owerri, Onitsha, Benin,
Ondu, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. The
most typical feature of this tree is the long sausage-shaped
fruit, which hangs by a stalk about 10 inches long; the flowers
are red, the leaves large and open. It is a small tree, often
very much branched. It is usually found in old clearings
at the edge of the mixed deciduous forest. The wood is not
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 401
durable. The natives use it for fences, and the roots are mashed
and used by Benis for cuts in the fingers. The bark and fruit
are also used medicinally by the Yorubas.
Markhamia tomentosa. Iru, Aya, Iwe (Yoruba).
It is found in the Abeokuta province of Nigeria, in the
mixed deciduous forest zone.
It is a tree 4 to 6 feet in girth, with a large leaf having five
pairs of pinne, the lowest being very small, like stipules. A
deciduous tree bearing small fruit. A very common tree.
The timber is a soft, white wood, which is not used. It
is attacked by white ants, and is not durable except under
cover.
The tree is a light-lover, quick-growing, and non-soil-im-
proving. Natural regeneration is moderate, so that it does
not spread too much. The tree has not been felled for export
timber, nor has it been cut for local use.
Newbouldia levis. Benin Ju-ju Tree. Akkoko (Yoruba) ; Ikhimi
(Benin).
It is found in the Calabar, Ogoja, Owerri, Warri, Onitsha,
Ondo, Benin, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria.
It is a small tree, scarcely exceeding 4 feet in girth. It
has a large, oblong, dark leaf. It is most commonly seen in
the middle of a compound with a pot at the base of it. The
flowers are trumpet-shaped, white-coloured at the base and
rose-red at the mouth. The fruit is a long, thin black pod,
which opens releasing many flat, winged seeds. The seed is
yellow and in the middle of the wing.
The timber is white and soft.
It has not been exported or cut for local use.
Native Use.—The tree is used to mark boundaries. It is
a “‘ Ju-ju” tree, both in and outside the compound. It is some-
times used for fences. It is used by the Yorubas for rafters.
Acanthacee.
Thunbergia Vogeliana (Benth.). Blue Benin Thunbergia. Ohwohiro
(Benin).
This is a shrub with handsome blue flowers ; it is moderately
common in the Central Circle.
Rubiacee.
Sarcocephalus eu-esculentus. Sierra Leone Peach. Egbesi (Yoruba) ;
Aragbaihi (Benin); Amellaky or Egbessye of Sierra Leone.
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Benin, Onitsha, Owerri
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria, where it is common in the open
deciduous forest.
26
402
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
In habit it usually takes more of the shape and form of
a shrub rather than a tree, though where it is protected a longish
main leader grows up, but even this droops. It rarely
attains a height of more than 15 feet and a girth at the base
of about 18 inches. The leaf is large and oval, opposite, and
rather leathery to the touch. The fruit is not unlike a peach,
except that its surface is not smooth, but is pitted in small
depressions, giving it a more special peach colour. The flesh is
very woody and tough, interspersed with small seeds not unlike
those of the strawberry. When ripe the birds eat them. The
roots are of a yellowish-brown, especially when the cortex is
rubbed. The slash is yellow. The leaf is very shiny.
It does not really reach timber size, but the sapwood is a
light yellow and the heartwood a darker yellow.
It is a moderately quick growing, light-demanding, soil-
protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration is
poor, but reproduction by root suckers and stool shoots is very
strong. It is very fire-resisting, and recovers easily from any
effects of fire.
Native Use.—In cases of scarcity of building-timber, occa-
sionally short sections are obtained from it for hut-building. It
is, however, usually too short. The roots are used medicinally
in the following way: roots about a } inch in diameter
and upwards to ? inch are thoroughly washed in water
and cut up into sections of about 4 inches long and boiled in
water. The solution thus made is strained off, and is drunk
either hot or cold in fairly large doses for the relief of venereal
disease (G.) in its earlier stages. Most of the natives affirm
that it gives great relief, though they acknowledge that it
does not prove a cure for it.
Sarcocephalus esculentus. Weatherboard Wood. Opepe (Yoruba) ;
Obiache (Benin) ; Awessu (Jekri).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria, where in certain localities it is very
prevalent.
It is a large tree of the evergreen forest zone, which attains
a girth of 12 feet and a corresponding bole length. The bark
is slightly rough and scaly, but in an even manner. It bears
a large edible fruit 2 inches in diameter. The fruit is not un-
like a peach in shape and colour, but with a rougher and softer
skin. It is very closely and finely pitted with tiny holes in
its surface. Inside, the flesh is pinkish-white. It is commonly
seen at the edge of freshwater swamps in the Benin, Ifon and
Ondo districts. It likes soil with good drainage, but it may
be very moist.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 403
The bole is very straight, and not unlike that of real African
Oak in appearance. The leaves are rounded and moderately
large, and inclined to be leathery in texture, with two stipules
at the base. In the young seedlings the stem is more quad-
rangular in shape than round, and there are a few almost
straighter furrows running vertically up it.
It tends to spread with the opening up of the evergreen
forest. The root spurns are very slight and round, merging
into the stem a foot or so above the ground. The slash is
yellowish-white, and a rather dirty colour. Mucilage-like latex
gradually exudes from the cut.
Timber.—The wood is very durable indeed, both for exposed
places and for interior work. It is moderately hard, a little
open and fibrous in grain, of a yellow to orange colour,
with slight variations in its distribution through the wood. It
planes well and saws easily ; splits fairly well, takes nails, and
does not warp or shrink very much. There is only a slight
difference in colour between the sapwood and heartwood, but
the sapwood is not quite so durable. It is termite-proof. It
is usually very straight-grained, free of knots and other internal
defects—in fact, it is one of the cleanest of all the African
timbers.
It is a very fast-growing, at first slightly shade-bearing and
later light-loving tree, which thoroughly protects and enriches
the soil with its leaf fall. In fact, after the first two years it
is very impatient of shade, and grows very slowly, if it is at all
under large trees. In suitable places natural regeneration is
very good. Fair crops of seeds are borne almost every year. In
some places, notably north of the Ikoha in the Benin province,
it is almost gregarious in habit. It sprouts well from the stump.
Here again, unless there is sufficient light, it does not grow
rapidly, and even tends to die down. In the nursery, seeds
generate readily, but often fall a prey to the Duika, which eat
the young seedlings. The tree does not stand transplanting
very well, as it throws back its development very considerably.
Small plantations have been made in one or two places. Close
planting appears to be the correct method, as the branches
are rather persistent and liable to form knots or places of
decay in the stem, if they do not drop off when they are quite
small.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold as a hardwood in
Liverpool market, where it was considered to show little or
no merit. However, since that date there have been increased
demands for all good timbers, so that it seems worthy of a
further trial. Locally it has been used for making canoes, or
404 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
has been cut up for planks. It has also been used for bridge-
building and other constructional work, and being one of the most
durable, ever wider use is being found for it, quite apart from
any likely demands for export.
Native Use.—It is felled for sawing up into planks and making
canoes, and is considered one of the best of all local timbers,
except Iroko.
Sarcocephalus sambucinus (2). Yellow Wood. Opepe (Yoruba) ;
Ebengiku, Obiache (Benin); Eben (Jekri).
It is found in the Ondo, Benin and Warri provinces of
Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree of the swamps, both near rivers
and near the sea coast—in fact, it will grow in waterlogged
places—whereas the Sarcocephalus esculentus, to attain large
dimensions, likes drained soil.
The fruit is only an inch in diameter, but of the same colour
as the former. The pitting of the surface is more widely dis-
tributed and the pits are shallower. The bark is less scaly, with
a very slight roughness or fissured surface. The wood is not
so durable as the former, especially in exposed places. On the
whole, the leaves are larger than 8. esculentus and a little thinner.
The sapwood is whitish-yellow and the heartwood of a
deep yellow colour. It is more fibrous and rather more open-
grained than that of S. esculentus. The pores, too, are longer.
On the whole, it is easier to work, a little softer, planes well,
takes nails, splits well and saws easily. It is doubtful if it
is termite-proof.
Although really a light-loving tree, it can stand more lateral
shade than S. esculentus. It is a thoroughly soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree, the foliage making a very rich
humus. It is much more slow-growing than S. esculentus,
though on the whole it will stand closer together, and
yet grow well. It sprouts well from the stump. Natural
regeneration appears to be good. It is sometimes almost
gregarious in habit, and in some places one of the few
valuable trees in the swamp region. It is also often one
of the few of merchantable size. No plantations have been
made with this tree.
In.1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as cedar, but it was only considered of poor quality.
It deserves, however, further trial now. Locally it is occa-
sionally sawn up for planks.
Native Use.—It is sometimes used for making canoes, but
it is not liked by the natives, because they say it is not so
durable as S. esculentus. :
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 405
Sarcocephalus sp. Swamp Opepe. Oppepera (Yoruba); Eben
Obiache (Benin). Perhaps the same as the foregoing species.
Morinda sp. Brimstone Wood.
Ekiti district, Ondo province.
Morinda lucida. Brimstone Wood. Oruwo (Yoruba); Obiache
(Benin).
Found in the Yoruba and Benin country.
Morinda longiflora. Ekiti Morinda.
Found in the Ekiti district, Mamu Reserve.
Pausinystalia sp.
It is found in the Eastern Calabar province of Nigeria.
It is a medium-sized tree found growing in old farms. It has
globular-shaped flowers with yellowish-red anthers, making it
very pretty and conspicuous. It hasa hard, yellowish-white wood.
Saccoglottis Gabunensis. Mahogany, Tala. Ugu (Benin); Attalla
(Jekri); Edat (Efik); Tala (Brass); Tala (New Calabar) ;
Edat (Oban, Ekoi).
It is a large tree, attaining a girth of 15 feet and a height
of 150feet. Nearly. always found on swampy ground, or anyhow
where the rainfall is high, as, for instance, in the Oban district.
One of the first trees to be seen in the forest immediately
behind the mangrove swamps. The bark is roughly fissured
like elm, but more regularly, and the slash is red. The fruit
is an indehiscent nut with small nodules on it, about the size
of a walnut, which exudes a liquid not unlike honey. Bees
often frequent the tree for that reason. A reddish sap exudes
when the tree is cut.
It is found in the Benin, Warri, Owerri and Calabar
provinces of Nigeria.
The wood is hard and dark-red, with a fairly close grain,
though easy to work. The sapwood is usually very narrow
and yellowish-red.
It is evidently a shade-bearer, and stands a good deal of
shade in its youth. Natural regeneration is fairly good where
the rainfall is high. It seems a moderately fast grower, though
no actual measurements have yet been taken. It is almost
gregarious, especially in Oban. In 1906 it was valued in the
Liverpool market at 3d. to 6d. a superficial foot as a mahogany
of mild texture and fairly good colour. It has, however, not
been used by the Public Works Department.
Native Use.—In the Benin, Warri and Calabar provinces
the bark is stripped off in rolls about 3 feet long and sold for
making gin bitter, by placing it in the liquid. A bundle of
bark is sold for 5s. at Calabar. In the Degema and Brass
districts it is one of the common canoe trees.
406 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Mitragyne macrophyllum. False Opepe. Burokossa, Bulokossa,
Ugbodokossa (Benin); Ebar (Brass); Ebar (New Calabar) ;
Ubuen (Efik).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ondo, Benin, Warri, Owerri
and Calabar provinces of Nigeria.
It is a large tree, attaining a girth of over 12 feet and a height
of over 100 feet. It has a very large leaf. The tree is often
more or less gregarious, more especially in the moister or almost
swampy parts of the evergreen forest zone. The bark is of
a dull-green colour, comparatively thin, and only slightly fissured
in a large tree.
The sapwood is yellowish-white and the heartwood of a pale
yellow colour. It is almost a hardwood, does not split well,
planes up smoothly and saws comparatively easily. It hardens
considerably on seasoning and is very durable under cover, but
not so much on exposure to the air. The dense foliage makes
a thick layer of humus under the trees, as a few of the leaves
fall off each year. It is thus a soil-improving and soil-protecting
tree. It would probably be found to make a good mixture,
in groups of about half an acre in extent, with mahogany in
the evergreen forest zone. In the Brass district it is one of
the commonest trees which is used for making canoes ; it has
also occasionally been sawn up for planks. It has not yet
been exported to England, but at any rate locally it should
command a wider use in house-building of all kinds.
Mitragyne Africanum. Akpakossa (Benin).
It is found in the Benin, Ondo, Warri and Calabar pro-
vinces of Nigeria.
It is @ somewhat common tree on the borderland of the
mixed deciduous forest and the dry-zone vegetation. The
tree is of small size, attaining a girth of about 6 feet and a
bole length of 25 feet ; the leaf is very large, but does not reach
the size of M. macrophyllum. It is most frequently found in the
swampy places at the edge of the deciduous forest ; like the
sister tree, it is more or less gregarious, though the groups are
usually not very large.
The timber is of a dull yellowish-white colour, and
planes well; it does not split very easily and is very
durable.
This species is a shade-bearing tree of soil-protecting and
soil-improving qualities, owing to the dense bed of leaves, which
in turn makes a bed of humus at the base of the tree, and thus
grass-fires are very much hindered in spreading. The timber
has not been exported to Europe and the natives scarcely ever
use this wood.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 407
Randia malliefera. Buje nla (Yoruba).
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve.
Randia octomera (Hook.). Buje (Yoruba); Assun (Benin).
It is found in the Benin province. It is a shrub with
spherical-shaped fruit like an apple, with the sepals projecting
from the top. The fruits yield a black dye which is used by
the natives.
Randia cladanthra (K. Sch.).
It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria. It is a
woody shrub having a hard wood, and rather pretty red
flowers in the autumn, which brighten the evergreen forest
very much.
Randia maculata (Kew). Buje, Buji dudu (Yoruba).
A shrub having large, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is very
ornamental.
Randia cordata. Blue Dye. Buje (Yoruba).
It is a small tree, 15 to 20 feet high. Found in the Olokemeji
Reserve.
Randia macrantha. Kan Kan (Yoruba).
Found in the Ondo province.
Nr. Randia. Ukape (Benin).
Found in the Benin province.
Mussenda erythrophylla (Sch. and Thonn.). Kamatete (Ibo,
Owerri).
Found in Obudu, Ogoja province.
Mussenda termiflora (Benth.). Mamu (Yoruba).
Found in the Mamu Reserve.
Mussenda Isertiana. Igi Ira (Lagos) (Benin).
Lagos.
Pavetta Baconia (Hiern). Idofun, Igbo (Yoruba); Akapano
Iyokheze (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Warri, Benin, Ondo
and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. A small, shrub-like tree,
reaching about 3 inches in diameter, most common as an under-
growth plant in the evergreen forest zone. Many specimens
are found in the Obagie Forest Reserve. It stands the shade
well, is moderately hard, and sprouts well from the stump.
The natives of the Benin country cut young specimens very
largely for use as yam-sticks.
Hymenodictyon bracteatum. Obadon (Benin).
Found in the Benin province of Nigeria.
Corynanthe paniculata (Welw.). Olikiba Anikiba (Benin).
So far it has been found in the Benin province of Nigeria,
but either this species or Johimbe should be found in the Calabar
and Ogoja provinces.
408 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
It is a medium-sized tree of the mixed forest zone, which
is moderately prevalent in certain localities.
The timber is brown, hard and durable. It planes well
and splits moderately well. It takes nails and saws moderately
easily for hard wood. It is considered termite-proof by
the natives.
It is a somewhat slow-growing tree, a shade-bearer, a soil-
protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration only
appears to be slight. It does not sprout very prolifically from
the stump. No experimental plantations have yet been made.
This is a sister species to C. Johimbe, which yields the bark
containing the very useful alkaloid Johimbin, but as yet the
bark of this tree has not been tested for a similar substance.
In the timber report of 1906 it is valued at 24d. to 3}d.
a foot as a species of gummy mahogany, and in another case
as fancy wood at ld. per superficial foot or 1s. 6d. to Is. 9d.
a’ cubic foot.
Amongst the Benin natives it is used for wall-plates, for
which purpose it is highly esteemed.
Crossopteryx Kotschyana. Ayeye (Yoruba).
A small tree found in the dry-zone forests, of no special
value. The fruit is leathery ; the flowers grow in panicles.
Native Use.—Parts of the tree are used in medicine by the
natives.
Sabicea calycina (Benth.). Agan Aparo (Yoruba).
Found in Iro.
Canthium glabriflorum (Hiern). Attan (Benin).
It is a common tree in the Calabar, Ogoja, Warri, Benin
and Ondo provinces of Nigeria, also in the Cameroons.
It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of 9 feet,
but with a bole length of about 60 feet, rather longer in pro-
portion to the girth. The flat, wide crown is typical of this
tree, as are also the large tripinnate leaves and the brown,
stringy bark with slight fissures. The branches spread out
almost in two or three whorls near the top of the tree. The
light can be seen through the crown. The flower is white, in
large, umbel-like masses of small flowers, borne on the upper
side of the branches. It flowers in November.
The sapwood is white and fairly broad and the heartwood
is brown, like cedar. Termites attack in the open.
It is a light-lover and grows quickly, in old farms especially.
It sprouts well from the stump, but there are no root shoots.
Seed production is good, and seedlings appear in near open
spaces.
It has not been cut for local use or exported to Europe.
Fic. 89.—Funtumia Rubber Plantation on Fic. 90.— Mahogany Plantation (Khaya
both sides of the road, Igwoshudi, Benin. Punchii), twelve years old, near Noami,
on the banks of the Osse River, Benin
Province.
Fig. 91.—Entandrophragma log with three Fig. 92.—Stump of Khaya Punchii with log
sides already squared and fourth partially at base, left in the Benin Forest.
cut ready for squaring.
To face p. 408.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 409
The branch is used. It has to be placed on a boy’s head
and is said to make him grow. The boys do it themselves in
the Benin country, The wood is also a firewood in Benin.
Composite.
Vernonia conferta. Big-leaf African Cabbage Tree. Onimagugun,
Shapo (Yoruba); Orimagugu, Oriweni, Onamagungun (Benin).
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Benin, Onitsha and
Ogoja provinces of Nigeria, in clearings at the edge of the
mixed deciduous and dry-zone forests. It is a very common
small tree or large shrub, springing up in all old farms. The
very large bright-green leaves, set opposite to each other on a
small, comparatively, stout, green, succulent stem, are most
typical of this plant. The fresh leaf, especially on the smaller
plants, is not unlike a very open cabbage leaf, but of a lighter
green hue. As the plant gets older the leaves do not attain
such a size. The flowers are small, but grow on large, open
and much-branched spikes. The stem is comparatively soft
and pithy, scarcely forming a real woody tissue. When dried
they can be used for firewood and kindle easily. Occasionally
it is used for making live fences.
Vernonia Nigritana (O. and H.). Bitter Leaf. Ewuru or Oko
(Yoruba) ; Ihagobo (Benin).
This is found in the upper part of the Benin province of
Nigeria, near Sabongida, in the deciduous zone. A small
shrub-like tree, the leaves of which are used for soup. The
dried stem is used for kindling wood. The roots are sometimes
used as chew-sticks.
Vernonia amygdalina. (Del.). The Bitter Leaf. Ewuru (Yoruba),
Oriwu (Benin).
Yoruba Chew-stick, also known as the Chew-stick of Ewuro,
thereby clearly showing the Yoruba origin of some of the in-
habitants of Sierra Leone, as Ewuro is also the name of it in
the Sierra Leone country.
It is found in the Abeokuta, Ibadan and Benin provinces,
where it grows in openings in the mixed forests.
It is a small shrub, reaching a height of about 5 feet,
having soft leaves, with rather a greyish tint, which are covered
with very fine silvery hairs. It is commonly found in old farms
and by the side of the roads, usually in small bushes or clumps.
It sprouts up when cut down, and thoroughly shades the
ground. However, it is sometimes so thick that it rather
hinders plantation operations, though once the other plants
are established it acts as a useful little “nurse.” The leaves
are picked off by the natives and cooked in water for making
410 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
soup. They have a distinctly bitter flavour, but make a very
healthy vegetable soup. The leaves are often sold in the local
markets. This shrub is occasionally left more or less in line
as a small living fence.
Vernonia cinerea (Les.). Ash-coloured Fleabane. Elegbe Oju
(Yoruba).
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta
province of Nigeria. A large, woody shrub, one of the chew-
stick family, the leaves of which are sometimes used for
making soup.
Lycopodacee.
Lycopodium phyllamaria (Linn.).
This is a small Lycopodium found in the Benin province
of Nigeria. It was obtained from the uppermost branches of
a very tall tree, growing at the edge of a deep valley about
8 miles north of Benin City.
NON-INDIGENOUS TREES OF NIGERIA
Myrtacez.
Eucalyptus amygdalina.
A specimen of this tree stands on the old beach at Akassa,
Warri province.
Eucalyptus tereticornis.
Lagos Island.
Eucalyptus rudis.
Lagos Island.
Eucalyptus tessitaris.
Lagos Island.
Eucalyptus citriodora.
A specimen of this tree stands in the Botanical Gardens
at Calabar.
NOTES ON NIGERIAN TREES OF WHICH THE BOTANICAL
NAMES ARE NOT KNOWN
Itufiak or Etufiak (Efik). Essunwoi (Yoruba); Tako (Benin).
It is a medium-sized tree of the freshwater swamps, with
heavy dark-green foliage; it grows quite gregariously in stands
of one to ten acres in extent. The trunk reaches a girth of about
7 feet and a bole length of about 30 feet. The roots spurns are
comparatively slight, and do not extend much over a foot up the
bole. The foliage is very heavy and it casts a most dense shade,
making patches of this forest the darkest of almost any in Africa.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 411
It is common on the banks of the Itunkpe Creek, a tributary
of the Kwa River, near Calabar, in the same named province, and
also in the Owerri province of Nigeria. It belongs to the evergreen
forest zone.
The timber is a reddish-brown hardwood of close grain, which
would saw into sizeable planks. It is a somewhat slow-growing,
shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. The leaves
yield a thick bed of humus. It appears to be one of the most
valuable trees in this respect. It is moderately hard, with even,
close-textured grain. It planes well, saws fairly easily, takes nails,
but does not split well. Natural regeneration appears to be good.
It also sprouts from the stump.
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been cut for
planks for local use. It appears to deserve a trial as a local
timber for floor-boards or for the making of boxes. Considering
that so often many trees are found in the same place, it should
not be difficult to obtain adequate supplies.
Native Use.—Building, but it is attacked by the insect called
Efiak.
Musk Tree. Owi (Benin).
It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria, in the evergreen
forests. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of about
8 feet with a short bole of about 10 feet. The crown is large but
rather elongated, and reaches down two-thirds of the height of the
tree. The fruit is large and more like an avocado pear in shape
and colour. The leaf is very large and wide, more like a teak leaf,
but of stronger texture, the midrib especially being very thick.
The timber is hard, with white sapwood and green heart-
wood. It splits well and takes nails fairly well. It is a little
fibrous in texture, but can be planed ; it saws fairly easily.
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting
and soil-improving tree.- The leaves make a rich humus.
Natural regeneration is none too good. Stump sprouts do not
appear to be very strong.
It has not been exported or cut for local use, but would
be worth trying for house-building.
Native Use.—The fruit is kept for four days and then the
inside large kernel is eaten. The young leaves are used for
curing boils, as an external plaster to draw the poison.
Ekkiowa (Benin).
It is a small shrub which is found in the Benin district of
the same named province. It is not very common.
Native Use.—The seed is used medicinally for the hands in
case of sores which are red or raw.
412 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Satinwood. Okwaba (Benin).
This tree is found in the mixed forests of the Benin province
of Nigeria.
In 1906 sample logs of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as satinwood, but were not considered worth shipping.
Since then, however, none has been cut for export or for local
use. Perhaps owing to the increased demands for all kinds of
timber a further trial should be made with this one for satinwood.
Natural regeneration is poor. It is a somewhat slow-growing,
shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. It reaches
a large size.
Ubellu, genus? Annamamilla (Benin).
It is found in the Benin province, Nigeria.
It is a small tree, the name often confused with the mahogany-
walnut, Lovoa Klaineana, which is also sometimes known as
Annamamilla in the Benin country. The leaves are impari-
pinnate. It is a softwood with light-brown heartwood and
little black, spherically-shaped fruit, unarmed.
Native Use.—Firewood of good quality. Not used otherwise.
Big Hardwood. Arugbo (Yoruba) ; Eto (Benin).
It is a very large tree with a wide crown. The timber is of a
brown colour, but the sapwood is white. It is extremely hard
and durable ; even when felled in the farms it will be six years
before it has rotted away. The bark is a dark-green with white
lenticels scattered over it.
It is rather a rare tree in the Benin province of Nigeria.
Standing a good deal of shade, it is a soil improver and __pro-
tector. Natural regeneration does not appear to be very
plentiful.
It does not sprout up when coppiced.
Native Use.—None.
Ifon (Yoruba). Owehe (Benin).
Is a small tree which has scented wood. It reaches a girth of
20 inches only. Before going to market, according to the natives,
the feet, hands and body should be washed with a solution
prepared from the bark of this tree mixed with soap. The object
of this operation is to effect quick sales at the market.
Ewayron (Yoruba).
A leaf for wrapping up food, found in the Yoruba country,
also used in Benin for roofing houses.
THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 413
Mahogany. Alode (Benin).
This tree is found in the mixed deciduous forests of the Benin
province of Nigeria.
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool
market as a species of mahogany of a soft nature. Since that
date none has been felled. Perhaps with the changed conditions
with regard to the demand for all timbers similar to mahogany
a further trial with the timber of this tree should be made.
Natural regeneration is not very good. It is a rather slow-
growing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree.
Spiny Tree. Oaha (Benin).
It is a small tree found in the Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria. The small, rather thin and longish spines
on the stem are the most typical feature of this tree. It usually
grows with aerial roots. It reaches about 3 feet in girth, and
on the whole is more common in the secondary forest than in
the primeval. The wood is moderately durable, especially when
used for inside work, such as verandah-posts,
Native Use.—It is sometimes used for small poles for hut-
building.
House Post. Ewai (Benin).
A common tree in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces of
Nigeria. It is a slow-growing tree which has a very hard
brown wood; it is a shade-bearer. The seed is a small nut.
The wood is used by the natives of Benin for building-posts,
rafters and small planks.
It is found in the moist evergreen forest zone and is some-
what common in the Obagie Reserve of the Benin district.
Ussehin Chew-stick. Okuta (Yoruba); Okuta, Opahan (Benin).
It is rather a rare tree of the Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta
provinces of Nigeria. The name means “‘a stone,” and has appar-
ently been given because of the hardness of the wood. It
is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of about 5 feet. The
wood is almost white, and there is little: difference between
sapwood and heartwood. In the Ussehin country of Benin
it is used as a chew-stick. The Yoruba states that it is the
hardest of all native woods.
Akpo (Benin). Hardwood.
It is rather an uncommon tree of the Benin province of
Nigeria, also a very hard wood, a medium-sized tree. The brown
414. WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
heartwood is used by the natives for planks. It is thought
rather highly of by the Benin natives, especially for wall-plates
and joists. In the past it has been only hewn by them, but
not sawn. ,
Ukpaigwi, Okpaigui (Benin).
Rather an uncommon tree of the Benin province of Nigeria.
It grows to 10 feet in girth and yields a soft wood which is
attacked by white ants. It is a shade-bearer and soil-protecting
tree. The roots are used by the natives for medicinal purposes.
Oruru (Benin).
It is a tree found in the Benin province of Nigeria.
It is a small tree, reaching a girth of 2 feet. After three
years it comes up in an old farm. The slash is red and a little red
sap exudes slowly. It is usual to find thirty small ones in one
place, from root suckers, but also from stool shoots if a tree has
been cut down before. It is similar to Eranpata in this respect.
The fruit is round and small and like peas, only a little larger.
The flower, which is white and quite small, grows in small clusters.
The wood is not hard and white all through. It is attacked
by termites, except when placed in the house, where it is more or
less protected.
Reproduction by stool shoot is the best method.
It is a shade-bearer and grows slowly. It grows in good
soil of some depth and also in the evergreen forests. When it
appears in old farms, it stands the fires well.
It is a soil-improving and soil-protecting tree, and tends
to spread with the extension of cultivation, especially in the
evergreen and mixed deciduous forest zone.
As it does not reach timber size, it is not worth trying as
a building timber.
The fruit is edible; after eating it the tongue becomes almost
of a blue colour. The root is used medicinally. The branches are
used as pegs in the top of the walls of the houses in Benin,
partly for fixing the roof.
Fic. 93.—Mimusops Djave, about twelve Fic. 94.—Mature Light African Greenheart
years old, standing near Prison, Degema (Piptadenia Africana) standing in the
Station, Eastern Circle. middle of Degema Station.
Fic. 95.—Young Oil Bean Tree in bearing Fia. 96.—Red Oak (Berlinia’ acuminata),
(Pentaclethra macrophylla), Degema Station, 20 feet in Girth, standing near the Som-
breiro River, Degema Station.
To face p. 414.
CHAPTER X
THE FORESTS AND TIMBER PRODUCTION OF
THE BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS
Runnine parallel with the Nigerian boundary, a strip averaging
75 to 90 miles in width, and running back from the coast about
300 miles, we have the British sphere of the Cameroons, in all, an area
of about 31,000 square miles. From the forest-zone point of view
this land area can be divided into really three different zones. First
of all, nearest the coast, there is Victoria, the Cameroon Mountains,
followed by the bank of the Mungo. Past the crest of Kuppe
and the Manengube Mountains and onwards along the Mbo,
Foto and Bambuto Ranges round to the headquarters of the Cross
River and to the Nigerian boundary, we have about 7,000 square
miles of an almost unbroken evergreen forest zone.
The second area comprises a beautiful open grassland with
only scattered trees, covering largely the Chang, Bamenda, Kontsha
and more northern districts of the British sphere, in all about
17,000 square miles. _
The third section comprises the heavy evergreen and deciduous
forests on the banks of the more northern rivers, such as the Mo,
the Cam, and covers approximately an area of 7,000 square miles.
From the forestry point of view, the most accessible, and there-
fore the most valuable, of these areas are situated in the first-named
zone, therefore we will consider this area more in detail.
To begin with, it can be subdivided into three almost distinct
forest divisions; following the watersheds or basins of (1) the
Mungo River, (2) the Cross River, (3) the Akwayefe, Ndian, Moko,
Meme Rivers and the Rio del Rey district. Taking the third arca first,
we have comparatively large areas of forest covering both level and
hilly country up to an elevation of about 3,000 feet, but with the sides
of the valleys less timbered than in the Mungo River forest zone.
Amongst the species of trees which have been felled and exported
from this area are the following: Mahogany Sarcocephalus, Bitter
Bark, Saccoglottis Gabunensis, Light Mahogany, Khaya Huryphylia,
Ebony, Diospyros Kamerunensis, Red Ironwood or Bongossi, Lophira
procera, Long-capsuled Mahogany, Entandrophragma Rederi.
Amongst the more prevalent trees of the lower lying land, including’
415
416 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
the Tiko plain, are the following: Mahogany, Khaya Klainei, Long-
capsuled Unscented Mahogany, HEntandrophragma Condollei, Scented
Mahogany, Entandrophragma utilis, Cedar, Guarea sp., Red Ironwood,
Lophira procera, Canarium Schweinfurthii, Brown Ebony, Diospyros
sp., Terminalia, Scutifera, Afzelia pachyloba, Berlinia sp., two kinds
of Camwood, Walnut, Lovoa Klaineana, Pterocarpus tinctorius, as
well as the valuable orange-coloured wood of Sarcocephalus sambucinus
and Mahogany-like species of Guttifere and Uapaca Staudtii.
Some of the “stands” of this timber, and especially on the hill
slopes of the Cameroon Mountains, are very thick and dense, more
especially near Debundscha, with its annual rainfall of 423 inches.
One of the most interesting and unique stands on the mountain-
side is that of tree-fern, about 30 feet high, as an undergrowth, and
heavy mahogany, Entandrophragma Rederi, and Ongekea Kamerunensis,
chiefly at an altitude of 3,500 to 4,000 feet, also quite untouched except
in the neighbourhood of Buea.
Only the smallest part of all this area, and in fact only that on
the bank of the Meme, had been at all operated upon before the war,
and the forests on the banks of the Akwayefe were quite untouched.
All the higher slopes and the northern sides of the Cameroon Moun-
tains, and beyond as far as Mount Gonistan, were also quite unused.
All through this part the villages are comparatively few and far
between, and even in those parts where they are closer together, the
population in each is very small, and the forest growth is so thick
that they make little impression upon it. Added to that, the chief
crop grown by the natives is the cacao-yam, for which only compara-
tively small areas are necessary, and in many cases this is grown in
small spaces in the shade of giant forest trees. Also, all through this
area only comparatively small patches, compared to the whole, have
been cleared and planted with cacao. Again, the area occupied by
the European-owned cacao and rubber plantations is very small,
and chiefly found near Victoria and a little both westward and east-
ward at the base of the Cameroon Mountain (Mount Fako).
Turning now to the Mungo River region, we have in some ways
an even more valuable forest area. Here, indeed, one German firm
had actually made a felling over an area of nearly one square mile
and had sold nearly all the timber’ in Germany.
Amongst the more prevalent species found are the following :
Bush Oak, Chlorophora excelsa, Black Ebony, Diospyros Gilgiana, Pear-
wood, Mimusops Djave (which is found in immense specimens on the
edge of the Kumba road), Inoi Nut, Poga oleosa, with its light-reddish
wood with wide medullary rays; African Greenheart, Cylicodiscus
Gabunensis, a magnificent tree; Shinglewood, Scented Mahogany,
Guarea glomerulata, Brown Teak, Brachystegia cynometroides, Long-
capsuled Mahogany, Entandrophragma Condollei, the Oil Bean, Penta-
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 417
clethra macrophylla, Red Ironwood, not quite so prevalent; Lophira
procera, Paddle Wood, Uvaria Busgenii, Gum Copal, Pterogopodium
sp., Wild Mango, Irvingia Barteri, Light African Greenheart, Pipta-
denia Africana, Camwood or Barwood, Pterocarpus santalinoides,
Wood Oil Nut, Ricinodendron Africanum, Hard Yellow Wood, Coula
edulis, and Ironwood, Bridelia stenocarpa. Although the Bakundu
and Balong natives are more active in their farming operations near
the banks of the Mungo, there are still very large areas of compara-
tively untouched forests, and more especially in the upper regions
of the river. In four separate places beyond the crossing of the
Bakossi Road there are four different rapids or waterfalls on the river,
which would provide water-power for saw-mills, or other wood-using
industries. On the left bank of the river, beyond the Bakossi crossing,
there is an area almost without population in which there are large
numbers of Oil Palms, as well as other forest trees. On this road,
too, is seen the very picturesque waterfall and narrow gorge of a
tributary of the Mungo, which is also suitable for generating power
for one kind of mill or another.
Turning now to the Bakossi forests, which culminate in the more
or less isolated peak of Mount Kuppe (altitude 6,300 feet), the land is
all covered with forest with the exception of some rocky points on thé
eastern side. Asmall amount of land has been cleared at an altitude of
about 3,000 feet, for the making of tobacco plantations, but. the rest,
with the exception of the taking of a few trees for local felling, remains
intact. The Bakossis have made large farms in the valleys, and are
very industrious, but still the forests situated higher up are largely
untouched. It is interesting to notice that the walls of the round
and conically roofed houses are made with about five circular rows
of tree-fern stems, cut to the length of the height of the wall and
placed one behind the other. These are most durable and are a
most unique example of the utilization of the produce of these forests,
although many of the tree-fern “stands ”’ have been cut down and
have quite disappeared; a few remain in isolated places.
Some of the more common species found in this forest are the
following: Bush Maple, Triplochiton schleroxylon, Ebony, Diospyros,
Mahogany, Khaya Euryphylla, Bush Teak, Chlorophora excelsa, Gum
Copal (Copaifera Demeusii), Bilinga (Afzelia Zenkeri), Hardwood (Mul-
lettia sp.), Scented Mahogany (Hntandrophragma Candollei), Light
Mahogany (Canarium Schweinfurthii), Hardwood (Dialium Standtii and
Newtonia Zenkert), Yellow Hardwood (Ongokea Kamerunensis), African
Whitewood (EHnantia chlorantha), Camwood (Pterocarpus Soyauzii).
There is less forest near the Manenguba Mountains, most of it being
situated on the banks of the Mo and Mbu Rivers (tributaries of the
Cross River). Continuing along the boundary line between the grass
country and the tree-fern forest, we have the Mbo and Foto Ranges,
27
418 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
with their dense evergreen forests up to an altitude of 5,000 feet.
Amongst the more valuable trees are the Cola (Cola laterita), Cam-
wood (Pterocarpus Soyauxii), Albizzia species, Ibadan, Ficus Vogelit.
Below this point, at about 4,000 feet, Iroko, Chlorophora excelsa, Cork-
wood, Musanga Smithii, and tree-ferns reappear, as well as Acacia
Farnesiana. The Wild Date, Phenix sp., occurs again about this
altitude. The Oil Palm occurs again in the valleys. On the lower
slopes there are Ricinodendron, Bombax, Sarcocephalus, and Trema.
Continuing farther northwards we have the Bambuto Ranges, with
their fringing forests on the banks of the streams, and the bamboo
groves at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. Willows and small Abys-
sinian plants are found, and with the flowering of Delphiniums in the
grass we might almost be in Europe. Toward the Cross River side, the
mountains are very steep, and isolated peaks, such as that of Monkwa
Rock, stand out in solitary grandeur amongst the lower forested
mountains of the Cross River. In the Cross River basin we have
mainly six large rivers, all joining the Cross River. On the right or
northern bank these are the Manyu, Mo, Manya, and Oyi, above
Mamfe, and on the left or southern bank the Mbu and Manja, as
well as the Awa, joining below Mamfe. All except one of these rise
amongst the forests, and it is on the banks of these that the finest
forests are situated, although in some parts, such as near Tinto, the
natives have been more active in farming and have cleared large
areas of them. This is more the case nearer the villages, and
nearer the roads, even where the forest has been cut down, there are
almost continuous groves of Oil Palms, less than a quarter of its
produce having as yet been collected or sold. Amongst the most
valuable timber trees of these forests are the Ebony (Diospyros), Bush
Teak (Chlorophora excelsa), African Whitewood (Enantia chlorantha),
Camwood (Pterocarpus Soyauxia), Bilinga (Afzelia Africana), Hard-
wood (Millettia sp.), Sapeli Mahogany (Entandrophragma Candollei),
Light Mahogany (Canartum Mansfeldii), Hardwood (Newtonia Zenkeri),
Wild Mango (Irvingia Barteri), Mukonja (Terminalia superba com-
bretacew), White Cedar (Pycnanthus Kombo), Red Oak (Berlinia acu-
minata), Berlinia species with very large pod, three species of Walnut,
Albizzias, Red Ironwood (Lophira procera), African Wood Oil Nut
Tree (Ricinodendron Africana), Parinarium sp. (Dialium).
The range of hills Nda Ali is also forest-covered and is situated
in the Cross River basin.
More or less adjacent to these areas, and partly between these and
the Meme River forest, are those of Gonistan and the Rumpi Moun-
tains. These again are quite untouched, although, lying some distance
away from navigable rivers, they may subsequently prove of greater
value when eventually opened up with the forest tramway or other
means of transport. The species of trees found here are very
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 419
similar to those found in other parts. On the whole, Red Ironwood
(Lophira procera) is most prevalent in Ogu and Mbu, as also both
Mahoganies, Camwood (Pterocarpus sp.), African Greenheart (Pip-
tadenia Africana), Corkwood (Musanga Smithii), False Iroko (Chloro-
phora excelsa), Hog Plum (Spondias lutea), Wild Mango (Irvingia
Gabonensis), Hard Mahogany (Detarium Guineense). Numerous small
Oil Palms occur in places. On the banks of the Fi, Cedar (Carapa
procera), Hard Mahogany, Trichilia, an anacardiaceous tree; the
hard whitewood Akboro (Benin), the brown hardwood, Microdesmis,
African Greenheart (Piptadenia Africana), Heritiera sp., Scented
Mahogany, Guarea Thompsonii, Chrysophyllum Africanum, and a very
hard wood known as Alikongeba by the Yorubas are found. Near the
Rumpi Mountains the following are more prevalent ; the Sarcocephalus
sp., Berlinia, Piptadenia Africana, Cylicodiscus Gabonensis, Oroko,
Lophira procera, Satinwood, Zanthorylum macrophyllum, Pattern-
wood, Alstonia Congensis, Shingle-wood, Terminalia scutifera, Pear-
wood, Mimusops Djave, Corkwood, Musanga Smithii, Scented
Mahogany, Guarea sp., White Cedar, Pycnanthus Kombo, Camwood,
Pterocarpus sp., brown hardwood, Microdesmis, Wild Mango
(Irvingia Gabunensis), Gaboon Mahogany, Canarium Schweinfurthit,
Bilinga (Afzelia pachyloba), and Walnut.
Out of the total of 14,000 square miles of forest, 6,000 must be
deducted as being inaccessible for many years to come. Again, out
of this 8,000 square miles, 4,500 square miles will be made accessible
as soon as those areas lying nearest the rivers have been opened up
for timber extraction. Therefore only these last areas will be taken
into consideration at the present time.
The chief timber forests comprised in this area are those situated
between the Mfu and Fi, the Fi and Mbu, and the Manja and Mak
Rivers.
On the whole, in the Cross River basin there is an area of fully
2,000 square miles of exploitable forests, within reach of streams or
rivers deep enough to float logs in the rainy season. In the Akwayefe,
Ndian, Moko, and Meme River valleys there is another 700 square
miles. Again, on the banks of the Mungo and its tributaries there
is an area of about 800 square miles suitable for the extraction of
timber. In all, then, there is an area of 3,500 square miles of forest
which could be utilized at the present time. Assuming that only one
tree on every four acres is of value for export, and that each tree is
worth a nominal amount of £1, therefore the whole forest is worth
£575,000. In addition to these there are many other trees which
would become valuable either for export or for local use as soon as
the forests were opened up and utilized, and this would at least double
the value of the forest. This, also, is one of the last remaining large
tracts of forest where the population is smaller and the requirements
420 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
for forest products less than those to be had in the forest. There is thus
a surplus for export. Up to the outbreak of war, out of all this area
only 47,000 acres, or 734 square miles, had been, or was being, leased as
timber areas. Outside these areas some 285,000 acres, or 445 square
miles, had been alienated, chiefly on the lower slopes of the Cameroon
Mountains and in the neighbourhood of Mount Kupe. Under the
old German law, ten marks per ton was charged on Ebony, Mahogany,
Bush Oak, and one or two other species, and five marks on all soft
woods, except certain trees which had proved unprofitable to export.
Compared with those in force in Nigeria, these fees were very low, and
despite the fact that on the average the Cameroon forest would be
more difficult to exploit than the average one in Nigeria, there should
still be more profit in the former ; also, with the considerable number
of water-power sites available, timber conversion could be undertaken,
and thus the cost of transport cheapened in comparison with the
value of the product to be transported. Well-squared logs, large
flitches or planks of timber could be cut and transported. Under
the German Colonial land law, with the exception of 15 acres per
head allowed to each native, all the land could be declared Crown
land, so that no difficulty would be involved in leasing land to timber
companies ; that is to say, it was first declared to be Crown land and
then subsequently leased to timber companies. The natives, how-
ever, then received no royalties on the trees which were felled. Thus
those in the immediate neighbourhood had no incentive to work
in the forests as they do in Nigeria. Sufficient emphasis was not
laid on the fact that a timber company should possess ample capital.
In afforestation a great deal had been planned, but only a small
amount had been executed. In the north, at Fontwans, in the Dschang
district, a 40-acre teak plantation had been made. At each of the
stations themselves, Dschang, Mbo, Djutisha, various experimental
plots of trees had been planted. Nearer the coast, at Kumba, valuable
test plantations, aggregating some 400 acres, had been planted with
Ebony, Diospyros suaveolens, Umbrella Tree, Musanga Smithii,
Casuarina, Casuarina equisitifolia, Cigar-box Cedar, Cedrela, Iroko
(Chlorophora excelsa), Djave Nut (Mimusops Djave), Teak (Tectona
grandis), Para Rubber (Hevea Braziliensis), Cacao (Theobroma cacao),
and Oil Palms (Elesis Guineensis), Red Ironwood (Lophira procera),
Mahogany (Khaya euryphylla), and Heavy Mahogany (Entandro-
phragma sp.).
At Mussake at an elevation of 6,000 feet on the side of the
Cameroon Mountains, there was a quinine plantation. At an elevation
of 3,000 feet at Buea there were small experimental plantations of
tea, Ceylon and ordinary, quinine and Casuarina. Several of the
roads had been planted with avenues of cypress and Biota trees.
On the coast at Victoria, small Casuarina plantations had been made.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 421
For the furtherance of all agricultural and forestal interests, the very
extensive Botanical Gardens had been made. Not only is it the
largest, but it contains the most extensive collections of plants of
economic value and for ornament of any place on the West Coast
of Africa. The very numerous test plots of most of the tropical
commercially known plants, such as Nutmeg, Rubber, Cocoa, Cola,
Cocoanut Palms, Oil Palms, Vegetable Ivory Palms, demonstrated
how these grew in the Cameroons.
Then the agricultural areas of Cacao-yams, Casada, Sugar-cane,
Rice, one and all were destined to demonstrate the value and pos-
sibilities of growing these products in the Cameroons. Then again
the forest tree plots of Teak, Casuarina, Mahogany (Swietenia macro-
phylla), Trinkomalee Wood (Berrya ammomilla), Gum Copal (Copaifera
Demeusii), Candle Nut (Aleurites Moluccana), Balsam of Peru (Toluifera
Pereire), Terminalia sp., Dillenia Indica, show how these trees will
thrive in this locality. In growth, an avenue of Indian Almond,
Terminalia Catappa, could not be compared with those at Lome.
Again, all showed what forest products and forest trees were most
suitable to that climate.
In the garden Museum, there were collections of timbers,
fibres, rubber, gums, resins, as well as mineral products ; also
very full collections of the seeds, nuts and fruits of the trees and
plants. Finally, there was the large and well-equipped building of
the Experimental and Agronomical Institute, where chemical analyses
of the soil and other processes could be undertaken and tested. Here
also all the very full meteorological results were tabulated, as well
as other observations on the spot. This served also as a centre to
which planters or Government officers could send specimens or material
to be named or to be examined as to their value. Allied with this, but
having a separate building, was the Agricultural School, where pupils
were trained in the elements of agriculture and forestry, so that they
might subsequently act as instructors at the different Government
stations and also serve as assistants on the plantations.
Although economically much more backward than Nigeria, and
with a smaller population in a proportionate area than that in the
Southern Provinces, the possibilities in the development of the forest
products are even greater, especially in regard to that of palm kernels
and all the various kinds of timber for which West Africa is gradually
becoming well known. The main difference in working would appear
to be that owing to the lack of population, much greater use of animal
and mechanical means of transport, and especially mechanical
appliances, as well as machinery, are necessary to make the labour most
productive, as well as to economize without upsetting the present
agricultural system and the very necessary production of food-stuffs
for the local population, as well as for sending to the larger towns.
422 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
THE CONGO FRANQAISE, OR THE FRENCH GABOON
To English-speaking mahogany producers and users the latter name
conveys more, and reminds them of one of the chief products, Gaboon
Mahogany, Oukoumea Kiaineana, which had but a poor name in the
London market. This rich French colony, however, should mean
a great deal more to us with its huge extent, upwards of 300,000
square miles, and its comparatively large open waterways all flowing
into the giant Congo. Its comparatively thin population per unit of
area, and its almost impenetrable forests make it one of the largest
of the last remaining primeval forests of Africa. Already before
the war it was the largest timber exporting country of the West Coast
of Africa. However, its somewhat ill-regulated timber trade had one
or two drawbacks and laboured under several disadvantages. Most
of the timber was shipped in the round—i.e. round logs. This means,
of course, that in stowing these logs in the ship space is lost between
them, and that space is charged for by the shipping company, despite
the fact that it is often filled with “‘ dunnage ” in the shape of Ebony
billets or even Camwood. In the round log, too, there is all the
sapwood, and for this the merchant does not expect to pay much, if
anything, and there is no doubt that it tends to depress the value
of the timber, whatever it may be. The mere fact that the log is
in the round is sufficient. Quite apart from that factor, too, a round
log, even when it is a beautiful bit of redwood, never looks so well
nor so workmanlike as a hewn squared log with clean-cut sawn ends.
The sapwood, being softer than the heartwood, is more easily damaged
than the heartwood in the squared log, so this is an additional reason
why the round log often does not look as well as a squared one.
Amongst the most important timbers exported from the French
Gaboon which are known and have been found suitable to the English
market are the following :
1. Okoume or Angouma. Gaboon Mahogany. Oukoumea
Klaineana.
2. Zaminguila or Ombega. Mahogany. Canarium ?.
3. Duika. Mahogany. Irvingia Barteri ?.
4. Kambala. Oak. Chlorophora exceisa.
5. Mandji or Bilinga. Afzelia Africana, or sometimes said to be
Sarcocephalus Pobegundii.
The first named has always sold at a cheaper rate in the London
market than the timber obtained from the other genii of West African
Mahogany, such as Khaya, Entandrophragma, Pseudocedrela and
Lovoa. First of all, as with other timbers, the Gaboon Mahogany
is shipped in round logs, which are cut none too straight at the ends,
owing to the rough usage they get in the long transport by water ;
before and when reaching the port of shipment they are often much
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 428
damaged externally, which gives them a bad appearance. The wood
is not only lighter in weight but also lighter in colour than the other
West African Mahoganies, and both these qualities detract from its
value. The grain is more open; it rarely if ever shows any figure,
in comparison to the highly figured logs from Benin and Bassam.
Having been tested very thoroughly as to tensile, torsion and com-
pression strengths since the beginning of the war, it has not proved
to be nearly as strong as the other West African Mahogany. These
tests having been conducted with scientific accuracy and impartiality,
they are to be trusted. Thus, for some purposes, such as aeroplane
propellor construction, Gaboon Mahogany has proved unsuitable.
However, it is only the very best, very strongest and most durable
kinds of mahogany that will stand the most severe strains, such as
wood is subject to when used in this work. However, that does not
preclude the wood from being used for similar purposes as the other
kinds of West African Mahogany, where the strains and stresses are
not so great and where the lighter colour is no advantage. In fact,
in many positions a greater lightness in the weight of the wood would
be a distinct advantage, which should be pressed for all it is worth.
Zaminguila is becoming better known, though previous to the
war it could not be said that it had an established place in the market.
Duika Mahogany is scarcely known, and may be the wood of
Irvingia Barteri.
Kambala or Oak, which is also known as African Teak, is much
better known now, and in fact there is a steady demand for it, chiefly
under the Nigerian name Iroko, which has been exported from Benin
and Lagos in Nigeria in the form of “squared” logs.
Thus far very few forest regulations have been issued in the Congo
Frangaise and very little replanting has been done. However, for
the present, the supplies appear to be very large, but they will no
doubt get more costly as the timber has to be cut and obtained from
the much more distant and inaccessible forests. Apparently there
is little or no Khaya Mahogany in those regions, so that there is little
fear of real competition between the main species of Mahogany found
in the different West African countries. The natives work the timber
chiefly, cutting and bringing it to the ports themselves.
THE BELGIAN CONGO
This, the greatest and largest river system in Africa, gives its name
also to the largest compact forest area of that country. Of the 800,000
square miles, probably 700,000 are covered with forests of one type
or another. From the mangrove swamps on the islands at the mouth
of the Congo, through the dense evergreen forests of the Upper Congo
to the dry-zone open deciduous or almost treeless areas of Katanga,
424 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
an almost illimitable amount of unused sylvan wealth is to be found.
Despite the obvious advantage of the Congo River, with its 3,000
miles suitable for timber transport and its hundreds of tributaries
with many more thousand miles of streams, capable of floating logs,
only the smallest quantities of mahogany are exported from the
Belgian Congo.
No doubt the large size of the river and the great distance of some
of the forests from the sea have hindered a more rapid and intensive
exploitation of the forests. In fact, Mahogany (Khaya sp.) as an
export timber is not really so well known as Redwood (Pterocarpus
sp.), though the former has been shipped in the round. In the past
a better known Belgian wood was blockwood or boxwood, known
as Polyadoa umbellata or Dialium Guincense. Other forest products,
however, such as Gum Copal (Daniella sp.), are found in huge quantities,
in large blocks weighing over a hundredweight, and have been
exported for many years.
Large quantities of rubber, too, have been exported, and Oil Palm
products, such as kernels and oil, are of increasing export importance,
especially since Les Huileries de Congo have started working up the
Oil Palm forests with modern means of transport and machinery
on three different tracts of 10,000 hectares each.
The railways of the Congo, supplementing as they do the water-
ways, have also not been used to any extent for the shipment of
timber, though vast quantities of firewood have been burnt on them
as well as conveyed to the various stations both near and on the River
Congo. To some extent the paucity and low density of population
per unit of area has tended to hinder the working of heavy produce
such as timber, which is difficult to transport compared to rubber,
with its higher value per unit of weight. Owing to this fact, too,
near the mouth of the Congo there is an almost savannah forest
on the banks of the river, which has given the country the appearance
of not being an afforested one. In the past the system of huge,
exclusive trading concessions over specific areas being granted only
to one firm also hindered any free development of the more lower-
priced forest produce such as timber.
SPANISH GUINEA
From Eloby, a little-known port situated in the middle of the coast
of the Spanish possession south of the Cameroons, a great deal of
Gaboon Mahogany (Oukoumea Klaineana), Redwood (Pterocarpus
Soyauxia), and several other timbers have been exported. Despite
the fact that the forests are not extensive, but almost untouched,
and very rich in mahogany, a comparatively small number of firms
have been working these areas. Apparently there are no forest laws,
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 425
and there is little or no security for any forest rights one may uematre
from the natives. It would be perhaps advisable to work areas here
in conjunction with those in the Southern Cameroons. It is supposed
to be more unhealthy in this part than in others, though probably
this is due to the local conditions. Khaya is less common than else-
where, while Redwood (Pterocarpus Soyauzii), Gaboon Mahogany
(Oukoumea Klaineana) and Bilinga (Afzelia sp.) are common woods.
Again, Canarium Schweinfurthii and other species are also very
prevalent.
NOTES ON THE CAMEROON TREES
Palme.
Raphia vinifera (Raph.). Wine Palm.
It is found in the district of Victoria. The leaves are
60 feet long. Palm wine (called Mimbo) is obtained from this
tree, also piassava fibre.
Elesis Guineensis (Jag.). The Oil Palm.
It is found in the Buea and Victoria districts chiefly, but
is one of the most widely spread trees of the Cameroons. Oil,
kernels and cake are obtained from it, also palm cabbage from
the growing shoots at the top. The oil is collected by the
primitive efforts of the natives.
Phenix reclinata. Swamp Palm.
-It is largely used in the Dschang and Ossidinge districts
for making palm wine, by tapping near the root.
Commelinaceez.
Palisota hirsuta.
Found in the Victoria district.
Iridacee.
Antholyza Zenkert.
Found in the district of Dschang.
Ulmacee.
Trema Africana.
Found in the district of Buea.
Moracee.
Chlorophora excelsa. Bush Oak. Vai (Bali); Abwang (Bare) ;
Ntong (Fontem and Bangwa); Emang (Bakossi); Obang
(Bafo); Bobang (Balong); Mokongo or Momangi (Bakundu) ;
Momangi (Bakwiri); Bang (Duala).
One or two found on an area of 24 acres in the dis-
tricts of Johann Albrechts Héhe and Mbo. Height, 974 to
162 feet. Time of flowering, December to February.
426 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Musanga Smithii (R. Br.). Umbrella Tree. Ikomba (Bare) ;
Ekombo (Bakossi); Ekomba (Bago); Bokombo (Bakundu) ;
Lisengi (Bakwiri); Bosenge (Duala).
The wood is soft and like cork in texture. Found in the
district of Dschang and along the coast. Height, 974 feet.
Myrianthus arboreus. Bokukulende (Bakossi) ; Wokeku (Bakwiri) ;
Bokeku (Duala).
Found in the Undu districts of Buea and Dschang.
Treculia mollis (Engl.).
Height, 483 to 65 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Treculia Africana. Boembe (Bakundu); Bwembi (Bakwiri).
Found in the districts of Buea and Dschang.
Myrianthus arboreus. Wokaka (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Fako, Buea.
Ficus populifolia.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe.
Ficus Capensis. Ekol (Bakossi); Ekolo (Bakundu); Monja
(Bakwiri).
Found in the districts of Buea and Dschang.
Ficus courania. Wotenge (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Buea.
Ficus Schimperia. Njondji (Bakwiri).
Found in the districts of Dschang and Buea.
Antiaris toxicaria.
Found in the district of Buea.
Olacacez.
Ongokea Kamerunensis (Engl.).
It grows to the height of 97} feet and has a yellowish
heartwood. Found in the district of Johann Albrechts
Hohe.
Strombosiopsis tetrandra.
Height, 324 feet to 974 feet. Found in the district of
Johann Albrechts Hohe and Bipindi.
Coula edulis. Bokumia (Bakundu); Bonwula or Woula (Duala) ;
Wokomea (Bakwiri).
Height, 483 to 974 feet. Found in the district of Johann
Albrechts Hohe. Time of flowering, October. This is a good
building wood.
Strombosia grandifolia (Hook.). Ifondo or Wofondo (Bakwiri).
Grows in the Dschang district chiefly, but spreads over
the Cameroons.
Strombosia glaucescens (Engl.).
Height, 324 to 65 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 427
Anonacee.
Enantia chlorantha (Oliv.). The Yellow-wood Tree. Bopalo or
Bololo (Bakundu) ; Woyoyo (Bakwiri) ; Nje or Banuke (Duala).
Height, 48? to 65 feet. The wood is a beautiful yellow
and is used in furniture-making and carpentering, and the
bark for building native houses. Found in the district of
Johann Albrechts Héhe.
Uvaria Busgenii. Bopanda (Bafo); Bopande (Bakundu); Wofe
(Bakwiri); Bope (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Uvaria microtricha (Diels).
Height, 65 to 97} feet.
Monodora myristica (Dun.).
Found in the district of Fako, Buea.
Hexabolus megalophyllus (Engl. and Diels).
Height, 65 to 974 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Hexabolus salicifolius (Engl.).
About 65 feet high. Found in the Bipindi district.
Hexabolus grandiflorus (Benth.).
65 to 81} feet high, widely spread over the Cameroon
country.
Xylopia parviflora (Guill. and Perr.), (Engl. and Diels).
65 to 81} feet in height. Found in Bipindi and Johann
Albrechts Hohe districts.
Isolona pleurocarpa (Diels).
Height, 482 to 81} feet. Found in Bipindi district.
Myristicacez.
Pycnanthus Kombo (Warb.). Nutmeg. Ngitsa (Fontem or Bangwa) ;
Pitchong (Ossidinge) ; Ngosame (Bakossi) ; Bosambe (Bakundu) ;
Esamba (Bakwiri); Bokondo (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe. It is a
tall tree. Used for building purposes.
Staudtii stipitata (Warb.).
Height, 974 to 1234 feet. Found in the district of Johann
Albrechts Héhe. The wood is hard.
Staudtit Kamerunensis (Warb.).
Height, 974 to 113} feet. Found in West Africa. This
tree has a hard reddish wood.
Lauracee.
Tylostemon crassifolius (Engl.).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district. This tree
has a very hard yellowish-brown wood.
428 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Rosacez.
Parinarium chrysophyllum (Oliv.).
Height, 482 to 81} feet. Found in the Bipindi and Johann
Albrechts Hohe districts.
Parinarium (small). Ndikombo (Fontem or Bangwa).
Found in the Ossidinge district.
Leguminose.
Piptadenia Africana (Hook.). Redwood. Erundu or Wunga
(Bakundu); Edundu (Balong); Jondo (Bakwiri); Bolondo
(Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe. It flowers
in October and changes leaf December to January. Height,
974 to 195 feet.
Piptadenia Winklert (Harms.).
93 to 39 feet in height. Found in the Duala district.
Millettia sp. Bongongi (Bakundu); Bongongi (Duala); Bongongi
(Sanaga River).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Hylodendron Gabunense (Taub.). Bokata (Bakundu).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe, Bipindi,
Minifia and Gabun. Height, 65 to 974% feet.
Platysepalum. Djengu (Bakwiri); Tada (Duala).
Found in the district of Buea.
Lonchocarpus Zenkeri. Sosong (Bakossi); Epuepue (Bakwiri).
Macrolobium Preussit (Harms.).
65 feet in height.
Macrolobium Mannii. Mokowa (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Buea.
Macrolobium Zenkerii (Harms.).
65 feet in height. It grows in the Bipindi district.
Oxystigma Mannii (Baill.), (Harms.). Softwood. Bosipi (Duala).
Height, 130 feet. Found in the district of Victoria. The
wood is used in building.
Pterocarpus Soyauxii (Taub.). Bo (Balong); Boa (Bakundu) ;
Muenge (Duala); Hiol or Mbia (Bakoko).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe. Height,
81} feet to 973 feet. The wood is mediumly heavy, blood-red
in the heartwood, difficult to plane; used in making heavy
furniture.
Copaifera Demeusit. Bobanja (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe. Height,
97} feet.
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BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 429
Tetrapleura Thonningii (Benth.). Kombolo (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe. Height,
482 feet.
Pentaclethra macrophylla (Benth.). Combolo (Duala).
A huge tree, over 65 feet in height, with tough, fibrous,
reddish wood. Found in thedistricts of Johann Albrechts Hohe,
Bipindi and Jaunde. It yields Owala oil.
Albizzia Welwitschiti (Welw.). Goo (Bali); Esang (Bakossi) ;
Elund (Balong); Isaka (Bakundu); Esakasaka (Bakwiri) ;
Bobai (Duala).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district.
Albizzia Brownti (Walp.), (Oliv.). Isaka (Bakwiri).
Height, 65 to 974 feet. The wood is hard and much used
in building. It grows in the districts of Bipindi, Mimifia and
Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Albizzia fastigata (E. Mey.), (Oliv.).
Height, 97} feet. Found in the district of Johann Albrechts
Héhe. The wood is moderately hard.
Berlinia auriculata (Sol.).
Height, 32} to 65 feet. Found in the Batanga and Bipindi
districts.
Berlinia acuminata (Sol.). Mbava (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Teko (Buea). Height, 482 to
81} feet.
Erythrophleum micranthum (Harms.).
65 to 130 feet in height. Found in the Bipindi district.
Erythrophleum sp.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Erythrophleum Guineense (Don).
Height, 97} feet. Widely found through West Africa.
The wood is much used for house, bridge and ship building.
Ostryoderris impressa.
Found in the Jobann Albrechts Hohe district.
Cynometra Mannii (Oliv.).
A high tree found in Victoria and Bimbi and on the
coast.
Cynometra multynge (Harms.).
Over 65 feet in height. Found in the districts of Johann
Albrechts Héhe and Bipindi.
Scorodophleus Zenkerii (Harms.).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe, Bipindi
and Urwald. Height, 483 feet.
Parkia Zenkerit (Mim. Harms.).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe and Bipindi.
Height, 48} to 65 feet.
430 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Wacuminata.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Baphia.
Found in the district of Rio del Rey.
Baphia Barombiensis.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Pterogopodium sp.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Afzelia Africana (Smith).
Height, 323 to 65 feet. Found in the Batanga, Lokundje,
and Bipindi districts.
Afzelia Zenkeri. Lom (Bakoko); Bobolo (Malimba).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe. A giant
tree with edible seeds.
Brachystegia cynometroides (Harms.).
Height, 1132 feet. Found in the districts of Johann
Albrechts Héhe and Mimifia.
Erythrina excelsa. Mokamu (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Buea. Height, 65 feet. Time
of flowering is December and January.
Dialium Staudtii (Harms.).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe.
Dialium Guineense (Willd.).
Height, 814 to 974 feet. Widely spread through the
Cameroon country.
Dialium Zenkeri (Harms.).
About 32} feet high. Found in the Bipindi district.
Distemonanthus Benthamiasus (Baill.).
Height, 974 to 130 feet. Found in the districts of Johann
Albrechts Héhe and Mimifia. ,
Distemonanthus sp.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Calpocalyx Dinklagei (Harms.).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe and
Bipindi. Height, 32 to 482 feet.
Newtonia Zenkeri (Harms.).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe and
Bipindi. Height, 974 to 1132 feet.
Adenocarpus Mannii.
District, Fako, Buea.
Detarium macrocarpum (Harms.).
Height, 81} to 974 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Indigofera Africeps.
Found in the district of Fako, Buea.
Phutophyllum mirabile.
Found in the district of Rio del Rey.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 431
Galium aparine.
District, Victoria.
Daniella caudata.
District, Johann Albrechts Héhe.
Afrormosia laxiflora.
District, Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Cylicodiscus Gabunensis (Harms.). Edum (Bafo); Emang (Bakossi).
District, Johann Albrechts Héhe. A tree with enormous
trunk and bark resembling the pine; the wood is reddish.
Height, 974 to 130 feet.
Trachylobium sp.
District, Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Filleopsis discophora (Harms.).
Height, 483 feet. Found in the Bipindi district. Called
by the Kameroon Holz Syndicate “‘ Milletia.” A big tree with
huge paper-like pods.
Stemonocoleus micranthus (Harms.).
Height, 81} to 97} feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Pithecolobium altissimum (Oliv.).
Height, 482 to 81} feet. Found in Bipindi.
Stachyothyrsus Staudtii (Harms.).
Height, 81} feet. Found in the Mimifia and Bipindi districts.
Linacee.
Phyllocosmus sessilifilorus (Oliv.).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe. Height,
483 to 81} feet.
Erythroxylacez.
Erythrozylon Mannii (Oliv.).
Height, 482 feet. Found in the districts of Johann
Albrechts Hohe and Bipindi.
Rutacee.
Fagara Rederi (Oliv.). Wongo (Bakundu); Woongo (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Buea.
Fagara altissima (Engl.).
Found in the Bipindi district. Height, 484 to 81} feet.
Zanthoxylum Senegalense. Nitone (Fontem or Bangwa).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Simarubacee.
Irvingia Barteri (Hook.). The so-called Wild Mango. Bope
(Bafo) ; Bopek (Balong) ; Weke (Bakundu) ; Bwiwa (Bakwiri) ;
Bwiba ba mbale (Duala).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district specially, but
widely spread through West Africa.
432 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Irvingia Gabunensis. Etue or Etu (Bakossi); Botuba (Bafo) ;
Bopala (Bakundu).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Odyendea Gabunensis (Pierre).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district. Height,
65 to 97} feet.
Klainedoxa Gabunensis (Pierre).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district. Height,
65 to 974 feet.
Klainedoxa grandifolia (Engl.).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Pierreodendron grandifolium.
Found in the Rio del Rey district.
Burseracee.
Pachylobus Zenkeri.
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Pachylobus edulis (G. Dom). Bosao (Bakundu); Sao or Bosao
(Duala); Bokuka (Etam).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district. A fruit tree
of about 65 to 97} feet in height, having dark-green, alter-
nating, bipinnate leaves, smooth bark and reddish to grey-
yellow wood. The wood is used to make axe-handles; the
tree also yields resin.
Pachylobus var. (Mbafo according to Engler). Bosao (Bakundu).
A fair-sized tree with reddish and greyish-yellow wood.
It has a good heartwood, used for the axles of wheels ; also for
calabashes. Found throughout West Africa.
Canarium auriculatum. Bweii (Bali); Wotua (Bakwiri).
Found in the Victoria district.
Canarium Schweinfurthii (Engl.).
Height, 113 to 130 feet. Found in the Johann Albrechts
Héhe district principally, but is fairly common throughout
West Africa. The wood is white and is used for building.
Canarium Mansfeldianum.
Found in the Ossidinge district.
Meliacez.
Entandrophragma Rederi. Njokubwele (Bakundu) ; Won (Bakwiri).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district.
Entandrophragma utilis.
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Entandrophragma Candollei (Harms.),
Height, 974 to 130 feet. Found in the Johann Albrechts
Hohe district. The wood is similar to mahogany.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 433
Guarea glomerulata. Bobe ba ndiko (Bakundu); Lilualamombe
(Bakwiri); Timba or timba nundi (Duala).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district. This wood
is, like mahogany, used for furniture, also window-wood.
This tree is frequently attacked by boring insects.
Trichilia rubesilus (Oliv.). Lfassoa (Bakwiri).
Found in the Buea district. Height, 174 to 324 feet.
Trichilia Prieureana (Juss.).
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district. Height,
324 to 39 feet.
Khaya Klainii (Pierre).
The most valuable mahogany is obtained from this tree.
It is abundantly found in West Africa.
Khaya euryphylla (Harms.).
From 97} to 130 feet in height. Found in the districts of
Johann Albrechts Héhe and Buea.
Khaya Senegalensis.
Found in the district of Victoria.
Turracanthus Zenkert (Harms.).
Found in the Jaunde and Buea districts. Height, 65 feet.
Carapa procera (D.C.).
Height about 65 feet. Found in the Johann Albrechts
Hohe district. It yields a wood very like mahogany, useful
in building and carpentry.
Euphorbiacez.
Ricinodrendron Africanum (Mull. Arg.). Esango (Bakossi) ;
Wonjasanga (Bakundu); Wonjangasanga (Bakwiri); Nijang-
sang (Duala); Ehan (Bakoko).
Height, 48% to 81} feet. Found in the Johann Albrechts
Hohe district.
Lepidoturus occidentalis. Longoso (Bakundu) ; Longoso (Bakwiri) ;
Joloso (Duala).
District, Mbo.
Macaranga sp.
Found in the district of Buea.
Macaranga rosea. Boka (Bakundu); Njon bwele (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe. Time of
flowering, November.
Bridelia stenocarpa (Mull. Arg.). Esenge (Bakundu); Mosenge
(Bakwiri); Tata (Duala).
District, Johann Albrechts Hohe. It flowers in February
and changes leaf in December and January. The wood is
light yellow with large, open pores.
28
434 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Bridelia macrocarpa. Esenge (Bakundu).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe.
Alchornea floribunda (Mull. Arg.).
Sometimes found over 81} feet in height. It is widely
spread over the Cameroons.
Alchornea cordifolia. Dibobonga (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Antidesma lacimiatum. Liwoma (Bakwiri).
It grows in the Buea district.
Claoxylon Preussii (Pax.).
It is found in the district of Buea.
Croton pyrifolius.
Found in the district of Buea.
Phyllanthus discoideus.
Found in the district of Buea.
Uapaca Staudtii (Pax.). Bosambi (Bakundu).
Found in the district of Buea.
Hevea.
A rubber-tree which needs less soil than the Funtumia.
Its extension has been hampered by lack of seed. It suffers
much from root diseases. The tree is found in the Buea district.
Sapium Mannianum (Mull. Arg.), (Bth.).
Height, 48} to 974 feet Widely spread over the Cameroon
country.
Grossera paniculata (Pax.). Nama tubave (Bakundu).
It grows in the Bipindi district. Height, 453? to 65 feet.
Anacardiacez.
Sorindeia trimera (Oliv.).
Height, 483 feet. Very plentiful throughout the Cameroons.
Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich., Eng].).
Height, 324 to 482 feet. Found in the Buea district and
throughout the Cameroons.
Trichoxypha Bipindensis (Engl.).
Height, 65 to 97} feet. It is found in the Bipindi district.
Sapindacez.
Phialodiscus Zambesiacus.
Found in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Deinbollia pycnophylla (Gilg.).
Height, 65 feet. It is found in the Bipindi district.
Tiliacez.
Desplatzia Dewewret.
Found in the (Boanda) Buea district.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 435
Grewiopsis globosa. Ebonga evodi (Duala).
This is a small tree having yellow fruit, the size of a man’s
fist, used as food for elephants. ~
District, N.W. Africa.
Grewiopsis discophora.
District, N.W. Africa.
Malvacez.
Pavonia Schimperiana.
Dschang and Buea district.
Bombacacez.
Ceiba pentandra. Silk-cotton Tree. Monga (Balong); Mungongo
(Duala).
Yields timber, bast, tanning materials, wool for stuffing,
oil, etc. ; fruit woody.
Adansonia digitata. Baobab. Sometimes called ‘‘ Asses Bread.”
It yields timber, fibre, tanning materials, etc. The pulp
of the fruit and the seeds are edible. Found in the savannah
forests and also near villages.
Eriodendron. Silk-cotton.
District, West Africa.
Bombax buonopozense. Silk-cotton.
District, West Africa. The tree yields timber, wool for
stuffing, fibre, oil, etc.
Sterculiacez.
Sterculia oblonga (Mast.). Engele or Ongele (Balong); Bongele
(Bakundu); Ekonge (Bakwiri); Bongele or Bopum ba niji
(Duala).
It grows in the district of Johann Albrechts Hoéhe. A
large tree having opposite leaves and smooth bark, which
rapidly turns red when exposed to the air. The wood is much
used for planks.
Sterculia tragacantha. Poose (Bakundu); Ndototo (Bakwiri) ;
Pio (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe. It flowers
in November.
Sterculia grandifolia. Kamdjok (Ossidinge).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe and
Ossidinge.
Sterculia cordifolia. Lom (Bakoko).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Hohe and
Ossidinge.
436 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Sterculia acuminata, syn. Cold acuminata (?).
Much cultivated in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district
and on the mountain slopes. The nut of this tree is very much
used in chocolate-making and is very refreshing.
Sterculia rhinopetala (K. Schum.).
Height, 81} ‘to 1133 feet. This tree yields an excellent
building wood.
Cola sp.
Found in the districts of (Muea) Buea.
Cola suleata.
It is found in the district of (Boanda) Buea.
Cola altissima (Engl.).
Height, 65 to 973 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Cola marsupium.
Found in the district of (Boanda) Buea.
Pterygota Kamerunensis.
Found in the district of Mungo River.
Xeropetalum Dombeya.
Found in the Dschang district.
Triplochiton sceleroxylon (K. Schum.). Nkom (Bakossi); Ejuong
(Jaunde).
This tree yields a good timber and furniture wood. The
leaves are very similar to those of the maple. Found very
plentifully in the Cameroon country.
Theobroma cacao. Cocoa Tree.
There are about twenty species of this tree. The Cameroon
country is the richest in the world for cocoa. It grows chiefly
in the low-lying country of the Mungo, Wari and Sanaga
Rivers, in the Duala and Yabassi districts and Edea; also on
the slopes of the Cameroon mountains. It is much attacked
by cockchafer grubs (brown rot) and bark bugs. The world’s
supply from 7’. cacao has been going on for five hundred years,
and consequently has developed varieties showing a marked
difference from the original type.
Syctopetalacee.
Oubanguia Klainei (Teigh.).
District, Buea. Height, 482 to 65 feet.
Ochnacee.
Lophira alata (Banks). Ironwood. Boko (Bakundu); Ndonge
(Bakwiri) ; Bongossi (Duala).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Hohe and Mbo.
Diameter, 74 to 10} feet. Height, 162} feet. The time for
flowering is December and January and February for ripe
fruit. A good, very hard wood, used for stair treads.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 487
Ouratea monticola.
Found in the Buea district.
Guttiferz.
Endodesmia calophylloides (Bth.).
Height, 81} to 130 feet. It grows abundantly throughout
the Cameroon country.
Garcinia punctata (Oliv.).
Height, 65 to 81} feet. Plentiful in Cameroon, specially
in the Johann Albrechts Hohe district.
Pentadesma butyracewm (Dom.).
A very high tree. Common throughout Cameroon.
Haronga paniculata. Konkwa (Bali); Worolongo (Bakwiri) ;
Tolongo (Duala).
Found in the districts of Dschang and Buea.
Symphonia globulifera (L. fil.).
Height, 65 to 974 feet. Found throughout the whole of
West Africa.
Flacourtiacee.
Flacourtia Ramintilit. Wondo (Bakwiri).
Found in the Dschang district.
Barteria aromatica.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Barteria fistulosa. Ant-trees (Musimba).
Found in the Buea district.
Lindackeria dentata.
Found in the Buea district.
Scottellia Mimfiensis (Gilg.).
Height, 48? to 973 feet.
Caricacee.
Carica papaya.
Found in the district of Victoria.
Thymelacez.
Lasiostphon glaucus.
Found in the district of Victoria.
Rhizophoracee.
Poga oleosa. Njove or Njole (Rio del Rey).
District, Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Poga conophora (named after Muller). Njove or Njole (Rio del
Rey).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
438 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Rhizophora mangle (Roxb.). Mangrove. Tanda (Duala).
It grows freely on the coast of West Africa. The bark is
much used in tanning.
Alangiacez.
Alangium hegonifolium.
District, Buea.
Combretacez.
Combretum cinerea.
.It grows in the Dschang district.
Terminalia superba (Engl. and Diels). Nkom (Bakossi); Bokome
(Bafo); Bokome (Bakundu); Djombe (Bakwiri); Mukonja
(Duala).
Height, 65 to 974 feet. It grows abundantly throughout
the Cameroon country, but especially at Johann Albrechts
Hohe. The wood is hard, light yellow and close grained ; much
used for making windows and shutters.
Melastomacez.
Amphiblemma polyneuron.
District, Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Memecylon macrodendron (Gilg.).
Height, 482 to 65 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Araliacee.
Schefflera Hookeriana (Harms.).
Found in the Buea district.
Myrsinacee.
Mesa lanceolata.
Found in the Dschang district.
Sapotacez.
Mimusops sp.
Mimusops Djave (Laness), (Engl.). Nsab (Bare); Bonjabi
(Bakundu); Njabi (Duala).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Héhe and Mbo.
Height, 1783 feet. Diameter, 64 feet. There is frequently
a clear bole of 97} feet, containing 6,380} cubic feet of wood
(181 cubic metres). The nuts are much valued locally as food.
Chrysophyllum Africanum.
District, Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Chrysophyllum macrophyllum. Wonjanja (Bakwiri).
District, Johann Albrechts Héhe and Buea.
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 439
Omphalocarpum Radlkoferi (Pierre).
Height, 65 feet. Found throughout West Africa. This tree
yields timber and a sort of gutta-percha.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Kotschy.). Shea Butter.
District, N. West Africa. This tree yields a gutta-percha-
like resin, edible fruits, and from the seeds a fat (Shea butter).
Omphalocarpum Pierreanum (Engl.).
Height, 65 to 81} feet. Found in the district of Bipindi.
Ebenacee.
Diospyros sauveolens (Gurke). Ebony.
Height, 324 to 482 feet. Found in the district of Johann
Albrechts Hihe.
Diospyros atropurpurea (Gurke). Ebony. Efindofindo (Bafo) ;
Findefinde (Balong); Epindepinde (Bakundu); Findefinde
(Bakwiri) ; Epindepinde (Duala).
District, Johann Albrechts Héhe, Bipindi and Buea, and
Muyuke. The tree flowers in April and May; the fruit is ripe
in October. It yields timber, tanning and dyeing materials,
mucilage, edible fruit (date-plums), fish-poison and medica-
ments. The wood is very hard and of a yellowish colour, the
bark black. It is principally used for furniture.
Diospyros megaphylla (Gurke).
Height, 324 to 48} feet. It grows near Bipindi.
Diospyros Bipindensis (Gurke).
Height, 483 feet. It is found in the Bipindi district.
Diospyros Kamerunensis (Gurke).
Height, 483 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Diospyros Dendo (Welw.).
Height, 483 to 65 feet. It is found throughout the
Cameroon country. ,
Diospyros Gilgiano (Gurke).
Height, 483 to 65 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Diospyros nsambensis (Gurke).
Height, 482 to 65 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Diospyros mamiacensis (Gurke).
Height, 482 to 65 feet.
Diospyros aggregata (Gurke).
Over 65 feet in height.’ Found in the Bipindi district.
Diospyros incarnata (Gurke).
Height, 32} to 39 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Diospyros mespeliformis (Hochst.).
The sapwood is yellowish-white and close-grained. It is
very useful in turnery. The tree is found widely spread over
West Africa.
440 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Loganiacee.
Nuzia Mannii (Oliv.).
District, (Fako) Buea.
Anthocleista Zenkerii, also known as Bopolo-polo.
Found in the Johann Albrechts Héhe district.
Strychnos gnetifolia (Gilg.).
Height, 65 to 97} feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Apocynacee.
Kicksia elastica. Dinjongo (Bafo); Dinjongo (Bakundu); Man-
jongo (Bakwiri); Ebonga manyongo (Duala).
Found in the districts of Johann Albrechts Hohe and Buea.
Ranwolfia macrophylla or gonioclada. Enonge (Bakundu); Kanja
(Bakwiri) ; Bandonge (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe. The time
of flowering is October and March.
Rauwolfia vomitosia.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Alstonia Congensis. Kuge (Bakossi); Bokuk (Balong); Kanja
(Bakundu) ; Wokuka (Bakwiri); Bokuka ba mhale (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe. The wood
is used for making stools in the Kamerun country.
Polyadoa umbellata.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Funtumia elastica. Ireh Tree. (Lagos rubber.)
Found widely throughout West Africa. The chief rubber-
yielding tree. The tree suffers from the attacks of stag-beetles.
Landolphia Dawei. (Savannah rubber.)
Found in the primeval forests of West Africa. Several
species yield rubber, dyes and edible fruits (from which drinks
are made).
Convolvulacee.
Ipomea involvucrata.
District, Rio del Rey.
Borraginacee.
Cordia Irvingia. Bola (Bakundu); Womba (Bakwiri); Bomba
(Duala). ‘
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Cordia yombomba. Jom (Ossidinge); Yombomba (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Hohe.
Verbenacee.
Avicennia tomentosa (Jacqu.). White Mangrove. Bunja (Duala).
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe and very
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 441
frequently among coast vegetation. Height, 32} to 48% feet.
The wood is very beautiful.
Vitex cuneata.
Found in the district of Johann Albrechts Héhe.
Vitex Bipindensis (Gurke).
Height, 324 to 482 feet. Found in the Bipindi district.
Clerodendron. Mumbambe (Bakwiri).
Found in the district of Buea.
Scrophulariacee.
Selaginella Vogelit.
Found in the district of Victoria.
Bignoniacez.
Spathoidea campanulata. Jon (Bali); Etutu (Bakundu); Mbako
(Bakwiri) ; Bwele ba Mbongo (Duala).
Found in the Dschang district.
Kigelia acutifolia. Sosong (Bakossi); Wulule (Bakwiri).
Found in the Dschang district.
Markhamia lutea. Abbe (Bakossi); Mawelu (Bakwiri); Mabanga
(Duala).
Found in the Dschang district.
Acanthacee.
Thomandersia laurifolia.
District, Rio del Rey.
Rubiacee.
Adina macrophylla (Lepr. and Guill.), (K. Schum.).
Found in the district of Victoria, Height of tree, 48} to
81} feet. A yellowish wood, used in building and very good
for furniture.
Sarcocephalus sambucinus (Wint.). Tabu (Bali).
A very common tree in West Africa. It is a good building
wood.
Plectronia glabriflora.
District, Dschang and Buea.
Oxyanthus speciosus. Wyfongo (Bakwiri).
District, Dschang and Buea.
Canthium glabriforum.
District, N.W. Africa. This tree has grey bark and is
like a palm in appearance. It yields resin, and calabashes
are made from the fruit.
Morinda citrifolia (L.).
Height, 482 to 65 feet. It has a yellowish wood. A very
common tree in West Africa.
442 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Randia cladantha (K. cladantha).
Height, 65 to 81} feet. Very common throughout the
Cameroon country.
Composite.
Vernonia frondosa (Oliv.). Bopolopolo (Duala).
Found in the district of Rio del Rey.
Vernonia conferta. Bopolopolo (Duala).
Found in the district of Rio del Rey.
Helichrysum fetidum (Cass.).
Found in the districts of Victoria and Buea.
SOME CAMEROON TREES ONLY KNOWN BY
NATIVE NAMES
Abange ( Jaunde).
Adom (Jaunde).
Akaka (Jaunde); Ikaka (Bakundu). The wood is soft and nut-
brown; it smells like pencil-wood.
Akondog (Jaunde).
Ase (Jaunde); Njokubore (Bakundu). The fruit is similar to
the Entandrophragma (Meliacez), the root buttressed, and
the leaves with rosettes on the branches.
Awong (Jaunde).
Bosambai (Jaunde).
Dibanga (Jaunde). A mediumly hard, greyish-brown wood with
brown medullary rays; it is used for making furniture.
Ebe (Jaunde); Borimba (Bakundu). A giant tree with oval
leaves, smooth on the top and having brownish hairs underneath.
Ehemba (Jaunde).
Ejan (Jaunde).
Ekoah (Jaunde).
Enjog (Jaunde).
Esang (Jaunde).
Lawonong (Jaunde).
Lobog (Jaunde).
Otungue (Jaunde).
Ebunja (Bakundu).
Ekambamba (Bakundu).
Enjenju (Bakundu).
Esok (Bakundu).
Idjnake (Bakundu).
Mbonda pondo (Bakundu). A very close-grained, hard wood.
Mondoa (Bakundu).
Bowasa (Duala).
BRITISH SPHERE OF THE CAMEROONS 443
Bwiba ba njon (Duala). A hard wood used for stair treads. At
the Basel Mission the timber worked at was £2 per 35 cubic
feet—Steyer and Pingel, at the rate of 10 shillings per
35 cubic feet—the latter firm working all kinds of wood of
medium size.
Ebon (Duala).
Etotum (Duala).
Palambanja (Duala).
Tabako (Duala).
Eselebaka (Bakoko).
Ewnon (Bakoko).
Mpang (Bakoko and Basa).
Sibugang (Basa).
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‘enea | ‘angen | “442 | onjea | 492 | conten |
G. “Inseulpta, 359;
Offinium,
Gongola or ce onncla gwang-
wala (Nupe), 218
Gojigovi (Kpedyi), 142
Gongui (Mendi), 43
Gonguonkiur ee 89
Gonistan Moun! 16
Gonwé (Mendi), 42°
Gonwi (Mendi), 42
Goriba, et 244; G. (Hausa),
195, 2 00, 216
“ Gorli” seeds, 462, 463
Goro, 223
Goron biri “a G. ruwa (Hausa),
Gossypium Peruvianum, 76
Gotti (F6), 140
Government of Forest Reserves,
Central and Federal, 165
Govwi (Mendi), 42
Graminer (Gold Coast), 93;
(Togo), 127; (Nigeria), 196,
199, 218
Grand Basa, 70; G. Forests of,
72, 73, 74, 76, 82; @.
swamps, 71
al ae 69; @G. Port,
ce Treeless Savannah,
1
Grazing Reserves, Nigeria, 163
nheart,” 52, 75, 280
3 G. Carpinifolia,
3G. Gigantiflora,
Mollis, 190, 201 ;
G. iretragastis, 344; G.
Villosa,
Grewiopsis aur phars, 436; G.
Globosa, 435
Tiffonia palescens Coronko—
cut locally, 33
Ground nuts, 63
Grumilea vanosa, 89
Guaicum officinale, 175
416,
hares sp. near
tricha, 50, 228; G. species,
329, 416; G. (Satin Mahog-
any) description, 28, 67,
101, 328; G. ‘Thompsonii,
228, 328, 520, 330, 419
Guava, 7853 . Mistletoe found
on,
oe or Gudzawuwu
(Ewe), 1
Gueguirotta baka (Agni), 84
Guele (Bondoukow), 83
Guere (Neyau), 87
Guesu (Bete), Bl
Guiango (Agni), 8'
Guiera Sa: 198, 199
Guima Djuma (Bondoukou), 83
Guinea Corn, ve
&. (Spanish),
Pepper, 219 ;
424; d. (Up 7
Gum, 278, 208 ; e. P Atrican, 176,
417; G. ‘Arabic, 98, 204}
Gum—continued.
226, 234, 444; G.
Gumwi (Mendi), 45
Guna, 193
Gung (Grunchi), 105
Gurara River, 211
Gurji, 199
Gurjiya (Hausa), 190, 209;
Gurjiya or G a, 223
e 2ii
Guttifere 2 (Sierra Leone), 54;
(Liberia), 77 ; (Ivory Coast),
(6 y 38 (Nig 0 ee
‘Ogo), ; eria), 154,
aap 416, 447 ; (Cameroons),
Gwinn (Hausa), ae Peas
Kats., and Zanf.), 2:
Granger daji (Hausa), 10, 219,
owing kusa (Hausa), 2)
aire un (Haus or a “Téghen
usa, 29
Gwe (Grunchi), 1 h ‘
Sars pore Sere paisnaiis 191,
Gynandropais pentaphylla, 190
Haake (Berlin Firm), deperi-
carping process, 477
Habenarias,195 |
geebisscie (Attie), 86
218
Haho-Baloé District Planta-
tions, 117, 119; Afforesta-
tion arse, 120, 121
Haho River, 117
Haiefai (Abe),
Hainde aa). &
Hainfain (A tte) 80
Haipi (Bondoukou), 86; (Agni),
86
Hakue (Attie), 85
Halu (Adionkron), 8'
Hamburg Market, fe, 325, 826,
345, 378
ge 68
Han Sawmill, 159
Hana Gobard (Zanfara), ly
Hanabali (Oban, Ekol), 280
pene ee ef z
wofaru (Agni),
Hankufa, 190
Hannoa Klaineana, 85, 100,
232; H. Undulata, 134,
ih, "210, 218, 221, 233, 313,
Hano (Hausa), 221
Hanwego cPondookou), 85
Hapo (Ebrie), 8'
Hare (Mtbonol), 87
ar (near Hamburg, Ger-
Hisawood: 360, 413, 417; Big
F H., 410 ; Yellow H., 417
* Harmattan,” 181
Harmon, 54
Harms, 205, 211
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Haronga Madagascariensis, 55,
107, 362; H. Paniculata,
437
Harrisonia Abyssinia, 100
a Cais 52,
Hate atte), 8
Hausa, 163, 18, 198, 205, 206,
350 ; H. Salta, 335
Hausaland, 188, 189, 190, 196,
200, 205, 207, 211, 216, 217
a compared, ¥ ae Heis-
te
Heeria eapue 17
Heinokohun (Mendi), 59
einsia gasminifiora, 61
Heisteria parvifolia, 257, 456;
H. species, 258
Helei (Mendi), 47
Heleilahin (Mendi), 57
Helichrysum togdum, 442
Heliotropum, 1
Hellebolei (hiendi), 47
Hendje, Hengné (Agni),
H., soft-wooded, 485
Hendui (Mendi), 54
Henna, 192
Heptapleura Mannii, 375
Heritiera, 54; H. species, 351,
419; H. Utilis, 77, 106
Hete bake (Mbonoi), 85
Hetere (Bondoukou), 84
Heteropterys Africana, 102
85 ;
Hevea, 434; H. Braziliensis,
123, 180, =s
Hewe (Mendi), 4:
Hexabolus Patapum: 43, 96,
263, 427; H. Morepetal
130 ; H. Salicifolius, 427 ;
H. Senegalensis
Hibiscus, 201
Hibiscus Esculentus, ber H.
Grewioides, 344 ; H. Quin-
quilobus, 344; H. species,
190; H. Tiliaceus, 105
Hides and skins exported Togo,
Forest,”’ 241
Hiol or Mbia (Bakoko), 428
Hippocrates, 191
Ho Sub-station (Togo), 126
Hobo hapi (ave ), 86
Hofa (Abe), 8
Hog Gum, 363 ; H. Plum of the
Creoles, 52, 108, 222, 2382,
$38, 419
Hogogo cata SeeTne) 184
Hoke (Mendi), 4
Holkenene ‘Africana, 59; H.
Ova 59; H. Walfs-
bere 112, 142, 288, 395
-» The Us eful Plants
of. Africanum, 366 ;
Molle, 55; H. species, 55
Honey exported,
Honum (Twi), on
Hooker, Sir may 496
Horns ex
Hore Chestnut en: 129; H.
Radish Tree, 44, 219
House post, 413
Hugonia acuminata, 100; BE.
octhocosum, 100; H. Plan:
H. Playsepala,
eee 100 ;
au (Mendi), 43
wll Dore for Congo parnele:
. Price of Cake, 4
fitigtrinios (Sierra Leone), ate
(Ivory iat): 85; (Ni:
Hure (Plapo), 87
Huti (FS), 138
Huwi Djenjei (Mendi), 58
Hydrocharitacee (Nigeria), 195
dc 194; H. Guineensis,
Hydrophyllacesw (Nigeria), 194
Hylodendron Gabunense, 428
Hymenocardia acida, 52, 103,
135, 202; H. Chevalieri,
103; H. Hendelotii, 52;
oem 62; H. Ulmoides,
Aiymenodictyen Bracteatauni,
H. Kurria, 1
Hiypeniuinas (Nigeria), 0
Hyphene, 244, 459; H. Corio-
cee, 127; H. ‘Thebaica, 195,
216, 218 ; H. Togoensis, 127
Hyrax (squirrel-like animal), 467
Takuni (Quitta), 10:
Ibadan, 159, 174, 175, 185, 240,
241, 247, 249, 251, 252, 263,
269, 275, 285, 288, 289, 294,
299, 301, 305, 307, 313, 322,
323, 331, 336, 339, 342, 349,
354, 362, 367, 370, 383, 389,
391, 393, 396, 401, 409, 418,
75, 489, 490, 493 ; ‘
Foresta, 244; Ibadon-Jebu-
Ode jad, 170 ee Planta-
tions, 176,
Reserve,
178, 179; I.
Thadudu Cenin), 368; =I.
(Jebu, Yoruba), 368
Thagho (Yoruba), 314, 315
Ibbegogo amine 317
Ibbu (Benin), 3
Ibegogo (Bexin), "o29
Ibeshe, 367
Ibi, 188
Ibibio Province, 185
Ibitoto (Bembi), 349
Ibo-Akitipa (Yoruba), 392;
I.-tabong (Yoruba), 392;
I, Tlecki ‘yoruba), 392
Tbo (Benin), 393; I. (Yoruba),
3
Ibo country, 158, 253; I. lan-
guage, 185; I. markets, 284
Ibos, 474
Ibugidi or Ibogidi (Yoruba), Ae
Icacinacee (Sierra Leone), 5
(Ivory Coast), 87% (oid
Coast), 104 ; tiigeria), 340
Ida Plantation, 167
Idagbon (Ondo), 230
Idah (Yoruba), 20
Idanre district,
Idi, Idi Odan (Yoruba), 372
Idigbo (Yoruba), 3
Idjawli (Akposso), ve
dajnale (Bakundu), 442
Idofun Aube 407
Iedi (Krepi), 9
Ifainaki Wb), 230
Tess (Babwinl), 433
318 ;
Ifon Province, 275, 402, 412,
466, 473
Ifondo or potas (Bakwiri), 426
Ifwan (Efik), 2'
Igata Gforsbay 60
Igba (Yoruba, tree), 283
Igbagon Stream, 488
Igberi (Yoruba), 260
Igbeshe, 31
Igbin (Brags), 2
Igbo (Benin), 345, 891; (Yo-
age 265 ; (Lagos), et
Igedudu Benin). 384, 385;
Ira (Lagos), 407
refeely (Egba), 313
Igili (Mendi), 51
INDEX
Igmikkia fruit (Benn), 284
lgoda (Benin), 3
lgogo (Benin), 357, 331
igoso, 351
Igun (Yoruba), 302
thagobe (Benin), 409
ege (Benin), 256
Th (koi), 229; (Ibo, Owerri), 276
Ija oke (Yorub: Da), 396
Ijaiye, old town site, 167
Tje (Benin), 256
Ijebo (Yoruba), 228
Tjebbo aruba Jebu, Ashu-
wole), 32:
Ijebu-Ode District, 278°
Tjeni (fruit, Benin), 256
Ijeni Udegbu (West Side), 361
Tjor, 185
agar * Pater nores ** 155, 158,
Tkaka Ceean, 442
Ikakama Udia Ebian (Efik,
Ibibio), 361
Ikale Village, 854
Ikan (Benin), ace
Ikassa (Benin), 3
Ikate (Yoruba), 233
Ikbo (a Benin game), 379
Ikereoha (Benin), 257
Ikhemeni tree (Benin), 284
Ikhimi (Benin), 401
Ikoha (Renta | core 403
Tkoi conan
Ikom, 1 I. District, 239, 472
Ikomba (Bare), 4
Ikoto, 244
Ikpa “ukoro (Yorabe); 241; I.
wudu (ee pe 94
Tkpan (Efik
Ikpanya tng 277, 278
Ikpoba Road, 447
on Reserve, ao 168, 171,
172, 173, 178, 3
Iku, Seeds Ceoruba, 285, 368
Ikwabobo (Benin
Ikwapbo (Yoruba), B15
Ikwapo (Benin), 2:
Ikwepokin (Benin), © 38
Ikwian (Benin), 3:
Tlaka (Benin), Kid
Tlakosin (Yoruba), 265
Tlaro Reserve, 160, 166, 167,
170, 173, 322, 343, 347
Tlasa Omodo ’(Yoruba), 344
i eesey and
Tlobe ai , 487
Torin, Balsam, 44, 307
Ilspoba Road, 447 .
Tlugbro, 359
un, 159
Tilushi capi plaice, 395
Tlysanthes,
Imo, Railway, 364; Imo River,
87
Imonon (New Goisban), 368
Imonor (Ibo), 2!
Imperial HO) itate, Teak sam-
ples sent to, 171; Report
on Irvingia Barteri, 313
Imperial Institute Bulletins, 20
aaa ree or Ehye, 100, 229,
315
Inaainen ‘Mendi), 4!
tne, yey 174, Dae I. Almond,
176; ‘JT. Blackwood or
I. vie
‘(Big leaved),
‘yoruba Indigo,
fera, 191; I. Africana,
Indie oO: I. ‘Arrecta, 129;
a Srirsuta, baa I, Secundi-
flora, 221; . Stenophally,
308
33
513
Indoabaka (Mangu), 140
Ingidido (Hausa), 190, 213, 219
Inkum, 168
innuwar Bauna (Hania). 214
Inoi, 368; I. or
Inoye (Bi 368, 416, 451; ;
Inoi (Ekoi), 368
“* Inselburgs,” 189
Insofaniowéche (Mangu), 130
Insuakoto (Mangu), 1
qaeroneg (Mangu), 130
Intya (Dyakossi), 145
Intya Joko (Yoruba), 372
Inya (New valeter)s 282
Inyere (Ekol), 2:
Inyi (Ibo), Der A * Ibo, Onitsha
Onert; 275
Inyin Tree, e, 234
Ipa (waruba’, 337
Ipahan ore oe
Ipapo (Yoruba), 3
Ipawhaw Wronbe. 7032, 358
Ipetu, 337
Ipka market, 473
Ipomea, 194; I. bona-nox, 203
I. involvucrata, 440
Ira Odan (Yoruba), 335
Iragbo Amuje fv orate) 257, 393
Iraigbo {Yoruba), @
Iranje (SOrUbA)e ae
Ireh Ako, 395; I. (False) Tree,
395, 440; Ireh-ibeji, 395 ;
T, Rubber (Funtumia elas-
tica) Elan teone, Nigeria,
180 ; Togo,
Trena-kekere (Yoruba), 396
Irere (Yoruba), 3
Tridacese (Nigeria). 195 ; (Came-
Iringl (105, 220
Iro District, 408
Iroko, 19; guewes estion by Dr.
Un’ 2, 67, iz 119,
120, Hoa 125, 126;
(chlorophora excelsa) Plan-
tations (Nigeria), 154, 158,
159, 162, 164, 168, 171, 172,
215, 228, 249, 252, 254, 418,
498°; i gy lantations (Togo),
149,
Ironpost, 27; Uses of, 28;
Phage ‘Leone, cut locally,
Ironwood, 174, 176; Dwarf
Ironwood, 323, age 417
Trosun (Yoruba), 2: aa 287
Iru (Yoruba), a
Irugba (Yoruba), 2303 ; (fruit),
Irugbo Abatta Gare 282
Irvingia, 85; Barteri, 68,
74, 100, 179, 230, 812, 313,
417, 418, ta 423, 445, 446,
454; Gabunensis,
419,” 432; me Smithii, 191,
203, 204, 210, 221, 313, 454 ;
I. sp., 100, 313
Isain (Attie), 86
Isanhianme (Benin), 385
Isbe (Yoruba), 299
Iseko (Yoruba), 330
Isha fere (Yoruba), I. gere
(Yoru ae vere 395
Ishan (Benin
Ishan, » pie (Yoruba),
ee oo jeje (Yoruba), 343;
I. oka (Yoruba), 341, 342
Ishishiya (Zanfara), 220
Ishoka, 299
Isienwe (Benin), oA
Isinko (Yoruba), 3
Alene (Lagos), $e; (Yoruba)
Islii of the Akus, 61
Isoberlinia, 19, 232, 233; I.
Dalzielii, 205, 220; I. doka,
191, 200, 205, 220, 280; I.
sp., 234
Isolona pleurocarpa, 427
514
Issa oku (Yoruba), 262
Ita of the Yorubas, 232 ; (Ikale),
246, 247; I. gangan (Egba),
246; Ita-ita (Yoruba), 247
Itaku market, 300
Itakum (Yoruba), 337; I.
mountain, 18; I. okere
(Yoruba), 344
Itebe (roofing canes), 164
Iteruku (Efik), 279
Itiuyang (Oban, ees 386
Ito (Yoruba), 284, 367
Itobo tibia) 368
Itue (Benin), 3:
Itunkpe Dek ° trib. of Kwa
River), 411
Ivialegbi (Benin), 457
Ivioha (Benin), 385
bin 80 ; ‘Exported (Togo),
0-144) ; Ivory Coast, 66,
6, chap. v, 81-90, 157;
Forest exports, 90; List
of trees, 83-89; I. coast
mahogany, 81; method of
felling, 81; working the
forests, 82
Iwe (Yoruba), 401
Iwu (Yoruba), 2.
Txora radiata, 197, 204
Iya eae), 285 ; >" -voruba), 231,
Iyawy (Red Cedar), 32
Travel Rome 232, 388
Tyoha (Benin), 26:
Tyokheze ea)
sane ean (Colons.),
Izenagan (Benin), 256
Izeni or Iyockan (Benin), 363
Jackson, D. G., 496
daghous! (Mendi), 51
agiri, 800
Jahdanko (Accra), 111
Jalei (Mendi), 46
Jama (Ashanti), Ia 4s
Jamostima (Mendi
Jan Sayi (Hausa), “$11, 222;
J. Yaro or Jitache, 222
Jandari (East Hausa), syn.
orgo,
Jashuli (Mendi), 61
Jasmin, 61
Jatropha curcas, 193
Jaunde District, 429, 433
Jawei (Mendi), 50
Jawul (Hausa), 221
Jebere of the Ondos, 230
Jebu or Jebu-ode, 152, 153, 154,
159, 303, 342, 349, 354, 357,
361, 378
Jekri Country, 808, 398, 474;
Jekris, The, 163, 236, "238
Jendi (Togo), 118, 135, 469
Jerusalem Thorn, 221
Jeti (Ewe), 141
Jibda kassa, 193
Jimshi (Sok.), 220
Jina Jina (Sok. and Zauf.), 219
Jirga (Sok. and Kato.), syn.
rag eOk ss Zaria, ‘Kano,
te.), 2
Jiri (Hagea) 215, 225; J. dan
sarikin es tura (Sok. and
¥ ato.). 225
Johann Albrechts Héhe, 425,
428, 427, 428, 429, 480, 431,
432, 483, 484, 435, 438 439,
Tohimbin atkalot, 408
John Obey, 2
Jojan (ature), 138
Jol (Timant) Chena)» 42
Toloso (Duala), 4:
Jom (Ossidinge), 40
Jon (Bali), 441
Jondo (Bakwiri), 428
Ju (Akposso), 138
“Ju-ju,” 164, 248, 246, 286,
287, 299, 343, 355, 486
Jujube Tree, 222
Juma ey assem; 95
Jumbowilli, 4
Justocoa, toa
Kaba, 218, 244
Kabeova, 193
Kabu or Ebba Kernels, 460
Kadanya (Hausa), 214, 281;
K. or Kadai, 224
Kadanyar kurumi, 225; K. rafi
(Hausa), 214, ‘939, 333
Kadaura (Hausa), 191, 205, 220;
(Kano, Zaria), 221
K4de (Hausa), 141
Kaderabolo (Techandjo), 138
Kaduna R..,
Kafro eye be
ardaji,
Kaiguigo [Pescnron), 86
Kaikai (Hausa), 2
Kaikumba (Mendi). 55
Kainya (Hausa), 230
Katwa (Hausa), ie rd
Ka Jafeo (Hausa), 2
Kaju (Yoruba), 330"
Kakaleka (Bondoukou), 88
Kakana (Agni), 89
Kakanla (Kratsehi), 140
Kakatown, 70
Ka Ki ganin bula (Zanfara), 221
Kakoba er 163
Kakoro (Fanti), 8
Kaku or Red tronwood Tree, 107
Kakunt (Timani), 49
Kala (Tschandjo), 1
Kalangasshi Station ¢ (Togo), 126
Kalangon daji, 2:
Kam (Timani), ro
Kamaa River (Togo), 121, 124
Kamatete (Ibo Owerri), 407
Kambala, 422, 423
Kamban (Fanti), 103
Kambui Hills, 25, 39, 160
Kamerun Holz Syndicate,
“ Millettia,”” 481
Kameruns, 189, 211
Kamfua (Bagu), 135
Kamori Aguire (Agni), 87
Kanahia ennsimilis, 112
Kanakan crore), 246
Kanda Bark, 2:
Kandari Ganee), 192, 212, 223
Kangahan, 2
Rania, (akin and Bakundu),
Kanjanancule (mangu), 134
Kaniu (Hausa), 222
Kankan (Yoruba), 407
Kankandika (Yoruba), 366
K4nn4 (Anante), 140
Kano. 288: 190, 198, 201, 207,
21
Kanran (Yoruba), 178, 280, 384
Kant. (Timani), 55
Kanti (Mendi), 55
Kanton (Fanti), 85
Kanumfari (Hausa). 224
Kanwo (Hausa), 220
Kanya (Hausa), 214, 224
Kao (Hausa), 182
Kapok or Pentandra (Ger-
man Hotaniste) Erioden-
dron (Kew Botanists), 122 ;
K. fibre. 53.90, 105, 120, 128,
124, 125, 126. ‘150, "209, 226
345, 346: K. plantations
(Toso), 149
Kapro (Grunchi), 94
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Kapus (Timani), 43
Karangia, 199
Karan masalachi, 199
Karene District, 46
Karfa (Bambara), 83
Kargo (Hausa), 207
eat District, 31; K. Forest,
seh gatari,
Karjara’ (Kano), 2:
Hee ACOs vie and Zanf.),
Kasfiya, 214; K. (Sok., Kats.,
and Zanf, ), 225
Raab Rash (Kontagora Kols.),
Kaskawami, 190;
us, 190
Kassekui (Mbonoi), 86
Kassewe Hills, 25, 86, 89, 46
Katai (Timani), 46
Katambiri (Hausa), 225
Katanga ae pret 423
Katank (Timani
Kati abe 88 ; a Cana,
K. canna-
193
Kaiisa wr tIndenle), 87
Kauwi (Mendi), 58
Kawo (Hausa), 190, oe 205, 220
Kawogei (Mendi), 5'
Kawuri (Hausa), ane, 219
Kayo (Bondoukou), 86
Kebarre (Kratschi), 132
Keda (Tschandjo), 129
Kedeled or Kodole& (Tschandjo),
133
Kedempo (Atakpame), 141
Kedemponasi (Kratachi), 135
Reditie ( (Tschandjo), 182
Kedjetjelo (Tschandio), 146
Keiwgo (Bondoukou), 86
Keka (Kratschi), 137
Kekéii (Tschandjo), 182
Kekpili (Kratschi), Be
Kekung (Timani), 4
Kelantori i(Rratschl), 134
Kelengmau tinge ae 134
Keleyn (Kratschi). 1
Kelipotn (Kratachi), 38
Kelle (Kratschi). 128
Kengiie (Mbonol), 85
Kenjang (Kratechi), 132
Kennema, 54, 59, 160, 493
Kent, 25
Kerana, 198
Kere (Yoruba), 270
Kersting, Dr. (Piptadenia Ker-
atineil experiments), 128
Keruwowo (Tschandjo), 188
Kesang (Tschandjo), 139
Kesrede, 466
Kersing (Tschandio), 1383
Kote: Rrotecht Saere (Togo),
118, 124, 126. 143
Ketibntake (Aowin), 109
Ketschikantscha (Kratschi), 131
Ketum (Timani), 60
Ketyelenea ued nadieh 146
Kewe (Mendi). 4
K’fut (Timani), Be
Khaya, 50, 121, 228, 828, 380,
363, 425: K. ‘anthoteka,
100, 818, 820; K. caudata,
. K. euryphyila, 415,
417, "420, 438; K. grandi-
folia, 318; K. grandis, 75,
81, 101, 3i8, 319, 320, 322 ;
K. Ivoriensis, 66, 81, 82, 86,
101, 318, 319, 320, 321, 324;
K. Klainii or Klaineana, 119,
120, 121, 126, 185, 416, 433 ;
K. punch, 8i, 100, 101, 318,
319, 322; K. Senegalenais,
17, 20, 81, 101, 117, 118,
20, 121, 123, 124, 125, 126,
134) 177, 190, 191, 203; 211,
229! 229, 318, 321, 483; K.
sp., 101, ben 318, 319, 320,
321, 323, 4
Kiangue ittonol), 89
earn oat 143; K.
elas
Kidgeling (Tschandjo), 136
Kidney-tree Cotton, 7 76
Kigelia, 60; K. acutifolia, 441 ;
K. 'Eithiopica, 192, 204, 215,
225; K. Africana, 145, "400 ;
K., var. Bornuensis, 215,
aout K. pinnata, 113, 145,
Kili (Mendi), 41
Kimba (Hausa), 219, 233
Kinchia, 195
King of the Timber, 318
Kingkanga (Hausa), 94
Kinguei (Mendi), 53
Kinkonawon (Mbonoi), 84
Kino (Timani), 50
Kinyelu atecnandie): 136
Kiria (Hausa), 131
Kiriandutschi {tpehandio), 132
Kiriya (Hausa), 207, 220, 238
ere (General West Coast),
Kita (Timani), 48
Kiukuesin (Attie), 84
Kiumba {Bondonkog), 89
K’Kuperb (Timani), 4
ere sp ea Gabunensis, 230,
; K. Grandifolia, 432
Klo (awe), 133
Klokpakpa (Ewe), 1381; (Krat-
schi), 132
Kiongbau (Timani), 134
Kobei (Mendi), 54
Kobi (Bambara), 85
Kobwi (Mendi), 46
Kochoa Gea), 182
Kodago, 218, 2:
Kode lia (Tschandjo), 140
Kofe (Mendi), a
Kofei (Mendi), 5
Koghia bera Uronth), 88
Koinadugu District, 59
Kojaget (Mendi), 56
Kokank (Lophira Procera) cut
locally; Sierra Leone, 33
Kokara (Hausa), 220
Kokiya (Hausa), 215; or
Kokiyar biri (Kontagora),
Koko Port, 151, 156, 157; K.
Town,
Kokochiko (Hausa), 223
Kokoja& (Losso), 128
Kokomazur (Mbonoi), 8
ore or Golloklo Dreehandio),
Kokoti ler Fanti), 108
Kokotsi (Fanti),
Kokotswi et
Kokpara (takpame) 130
Kokue (Attie), 88
Kola (hes, 4 “Baboon K.
() ee), 3; Baboo as
54 Bark, 145; Bitter
icntea from Sierra
Léoue) 63, 106. See also
Co
Kola nuts, 54, 63, 69, 80, 106,
150, 223
Kolei (Mendi), 48
Koligi (Leopardwood), 35
Kologalei (Mendi), 5
INDEX
Kombo seeds, 458
Kombolo or Combolo (Duala), 429
Komdi (Timani), 55
Komigbulei (Mendi), 53
Komoe Tiver, 82
Komu fapenandis), 138
Kondi (Mendi), 5
Kongkong ae aang kone
(Tschandjo), 135, 1:
Kongo (Tschandjo), Tol
Kongofura on eee 142
Kongoli (Mendi), 62
Kongolu (Tschandjo), 140
Kongowura Cel ciaag 139
Konkwa (Bali), 4
Kontagora, 189, 190, 200, 210
Kontah or Rhodesian Mahogany
(see Afzelia African), 32, 47
Kontsha District, 415
K6pu (Kratachi), 132
Koran tablets made . from
eae deal ba Kotachyana,
Koriga stream, 200
Horanke cTimanh),
di), 45
Kotin, (Yendi), 137
Koto Dyakossi, 142
Kotokie (Indenia), 87
Kotopapa (Krepi), 98
Kotopuan (Attie), 84
Kotschii, 214, 216
Kotublassu (F6), 139
Kouanda (Attie), 87
Kowi or Kuwi (Mendi), 4
Kpa (Efik), use y = tawe), 127
Kpaini (Mendf),
Kpako (Anago), 127
Pa pang (FS), 132
K’Pal (Timani), 46
K’Palen (Timani), 58
Kpénena (erate 131
Rpagioe (Mendi), 5
Kpendei (Mendi), 4
Kpendeideli (end, 47
Kpessei (Mendi),
LS ab ee ‘Mendi), 59
Kpoe (Ewe), 139
Kpoye (Sierra Leone), 457
Kreangt (Asanté), 141
Krekete (Bambara), 88
Krendja a (Agni), 85
Kroo Coast, 98
Krubete (Asanté), 135
Krubua (Twi), 101
Kruti (Tschandjo), 139
Kuakie-kuakie (Agni), 88
Kuangua (Agni), 84; K. iniama
(Agni), 85
Kuanguan (Agni), 84
Kuatiecuale (Agni), 86
Kube rector 93
Kiie (Attie), 84
Kuge (Bakossi), 440
Kugonu (Tschandjo), 134
Kuka (Hausa), 138, 190, 210, 223
Kukorn (Timani), 45
Kukuki, 190, 210, 223 -
Kukumarugbo (Yoruba) 332
Kuli pia (Bondoukon), 8:
Kulil (Timani), 61
Kumba District, 416, 420
Kumchi (Sok. and Zant. ), 222
Kuntunkun (Twi), 10.
Kuntunkuni aw 105
eri (Kabure, Tschand-
jo), 1
Kupkup (Timani), 6
Kuppe Mountains, 115, 417, 420
ordi Gam * fi
ure (Agni),
Kuriya (Sok. and Zanf. Ey, 223
Kurna (Hausa), ie
Kurnan nasara, 1 OID: (East
Hausa, Te eataghea), 309
Kursua (Appolonian), 107
Kuru (Brass), 357; (Ibo,
Owerri), 357 ; (Ijor), 229
Kusia (Twi), 113
45; (and
515
Kuwi or Kowi ae 49
Kuwul (Timani), 4: ‘
Kwa (River), 152, 469
Kwaboho (Ashanti), 100
Kwabohri (Twi), 100
Kwaiebo River, 151, 152
ee or Kwakwar (Hausa),
Kwalo nut, 218, 244
Kwandaruja, 220
Se en 192
wantama (Wassaw, General
West Coast), 111
Kwantanura (Ashent, 101
Kwari (Hausa), 224
Kwina ease! 222
Kyliingia
Kyukyu or bed, 315
Labiate (Nigeria), 194, 400
Labuje goriya (largest huts), 223
Laburnum compared to Cassia
fistula, 99
Lagenaria, 159 ; L. vulgaris, 193
Lagos, 151, 156, 157, 169, 170,
174, 176, 185, 189, 243, 264,
339, 358, 368, 395, 410, 464 ;
L. Public Works, 160 ; L.
Sawmills, 159; L. Re-
serve, 163; L. River, 151
Lagostreemia ( L. flos Regine), 174
Laguncularia racemosa, 56,
108, ait 397; L. sp., 397
La Hou, 81, 82
Lakole (Yoruba), Pee
Lakoshe (Yoruba), 2'
Lakosin (Yoruba), de, 265
Lakuta (Yoruba), 803
Lalong grass, 56
Tauyastine County experimente,
Lande (echandto), 140
Lando » 302; Lando-
pha (large ’ fruited), 892 ;
bracteata, 100, 392; L.
Dawei, 440; Dre
mansiana, 111; L. ferru-
ginea, 110; L. - Porida, 111,
192, 8025
111, 197, 392 ; L; owari-
ensis jenge, 58; L. owari-
ensis, var. rubiginosa, 392;
L. Petersiana, 392; ¥
scandens, 111, 392; L.
Sengalensis, 111, 302; L.
Thompsonii, 111, 392
Lane Poole (species trees, Sierra
ne), 41
Langaua (Kratschi), 146
Lannea acidissima, 86, 186; L.
Bartel
» 136; L. sp., 87
Lantana camara, 112; L.
salvifolia, 193
Lasiodiscus, 104
Lasiosyhon Glaucus, 437; L.
Kraussii, 195
Latex, 58, 95, 109, 111, 250, 252,
254, 266, 292, 392
Lauracezn ( Coast), 96;
Cameroons), 427 ; (Nigeria),
195, 266
Lauro (Cedar-like), 250, 346
Lawonong (Jaunde), 442
Lawsonia alba, 192
Laye, Igu (Yoruba), 302
tee cupanioides, 53,
Lecythidacee (Gold Coast), 108 ;
(Nigeria), 367
Leea, 105; I. Guineensis, 197
Leguminose, (Sierra Leone), 44 ;
(Gold Coast), 96 ; as beria),
72; (Ivory
(Nigeria), 191, 197, 199, 219,
269, 276, 277, "301, "305, 447 5
(Togo), 180
516
Leicester Posie, ra
Lemon trees, 1:
Lentibulacer (Nigeria), 194
Leopardstown (Calabar), 312
Leopardwood, pee en eG 35
Lepidoturus occidentalis, 4
Leptadenia lancifolia, 199
Leptaulos dapunoldes, 53, 87
Leptoderris, 28
Lia nuwasaure Moher i 142
Liane, liana (fibre), 72, 131
Lias4 (Atakpame), 129
Liberia, position of, 17; L.,
chapter iv, 66-80; L.
Gola Forest, 66; L. valu-
able trees, 66-69 ; L. Trees
and Rubber Vines, 70-79 ;
L. Forest a aa 80
Liberian oetees
Lifui (Ewe), 1
Light African Greenbeatt, 279
Lignum Vite
Lili River, ame
Liliacee (Sierra Leone), 42;
(Liberia), 70 ; (Ivory Coast),
83; (Gol a’ Coast),
(Togo), 127 5 3; Nigeria, 195,
199
Lilualamombe (Bakwiri), 433
Lime trees, 124
Limonia, 221; L. Preussii, 134 ;
L. Warnecke, 134
Linacew (Sierra Leone),
(Ivory Coast), 85; (Gord
cope 100; (Cameroons),
43
Lindackeria dentata, 107, 437
Linociera Mannii, 88 ; L. nilo-
tica, 142
aatt or Dsati (Ewe), 132
Lippia Ukambensis, 193
Liptonychia, 54
Lisombe Palm, 243
Lissochilus arenarius, 195
Liver Sausage ie a
es 252,
480°
Liwoma (Bakwirl), 434
Lloyd, Frank J., Analysis of
Cake, 481
Lo (Abe), rt L. (Attie), aa)
er (Ewe), 134
Lobog (aude) ,
Locust, 491; L. aati 45, 73;
Tree, 97, Se 126, 153,
207 ; L. wood, 131
Loganiacess (Sierra Leone), 5:
(Ivory Coast), 88 ; ‘ord
Coast), 110; (Togo), a5
(Nigeria), 102, 197, 215,
224, 389; (Cameroons), 440
Logo (Ewe), 1
Logoasagu (Ewe), 128
Loho (Abe), 83
Loko, 219
Lokoba (Attie), 86
Lokobua (Attie), 86
Lokoja, 188, 189, 202, 206
Lom (Bakoko), 430, 435
Loma Mountains, 25, 58, 160
Lomburu (Bondoukou), 87
Lome Experimental Sardens,
3; Railway, 119,
Taxation, 116; \Gapital)
Togo, 116
saa i oe 35, 46; L. Bar-
: L. cyanescens, 46,
219, 221, 303;
220, 221; L.
72, 85, 99, 133, 302; L. sp
; L. zenkeri, 72, ‘931, 428
London markets, 157; (Erith),
480
Tonge (Bakunda, Bakwiri),
Loofah gourd,
ir: L. alata,
109, 139, 190, 200, 202, 209,
214, 232, 234, 357, 358, 379,
436, 445, 446, 459, 460, 461 ;
Lophira procera, 19, 27,
33, 54, 77, 87, 107, 159, 160,
209, 229, 277, 356, 358, 359,
394, 415, 416, 417, 419, 4 460°
Lophotocarpus Guyanensis, 195
Lopi (Timani), 42
Loranthacee (Sierra Leone), 43;
rere Peis
Loranthi hus, 'L. langwensis,
; " leptslopus (Red
flowering L.), 2
Lovoa, 101, 177, 238, 326, 412,
416, 422; Klaineana, 28,
p.
Lubei (Mendi), 5:
Lubi or Snuff, rg
Lubiniati (Adionkron), 85
Ludjt (Tschandjo), 128
Luep (Timani), 52
uffa Acutangula, 194; L.
Pret ery 194; L. Sou-
danica,
eee Ses (Gold Coast),
Lycopodacer (Nigeria), 410
Lycopodium phyllamaria, 410
Lymexylon, 326
Lythracee (Nigeria), 192
Maba (Benin), 388; M. Mannii,
57, 388; M. Warneckii,
142
Mabanga (Duala), 441
Mabump (Timani), 47
Macaranga, 337; M. Barteri,
52, 102; M. heterophylla,
52,102; M. Hendelotii, 86 ;
M. Monendra, 52, 102;
M. Rosea, 4 ; M; How:
landii, 102; M. BP.,
Mackay or Sea bean, 69, a 298
Macrolobium elongatum, 47;
M. Limba, 46, 47 H
Mannii, 428; M. ‘hee
lobium, 289 ;” M. Palisotii,
46, 85, 98, 288, 289, 449;
M. Preussii, 428; M. reticu-
latum, rae M. sp., 46, 98,
(Hausa), 190,
29 5 La or Madavachi
(Sok.), 2
Madobia Caanea), 206, 221, 231
Mesa lanceolata, 438
Mesobotrya cauliflora, 103; M.
sp., 52; M. stapflana, 86;
M. sparsiflora, 103
Magariya, 198, 213, 222
Magariyar kura, 198, 222
Magarua or Bagarua (Hausa),131
Magbevi (Mendi), 50
Magoro (Hausa), 222
Maho River, 39
MMAnDEaLy 60, 67, 75, 77, 119,
120, 228, $23, ‘s20, 332, 334,
363, 364, 405, 413, rig 420,
421, 422, 424, 445, 446
African, 20, 120, 185, 149, 175,
205, 222
African, West, 211, 422, 423
Bark Tree, Brass, 308
Bastard, a
Bean,,205
Benin, 57, 78, 157, 266, 268,
316, 319
Cedar, 26, 28, 328, 329, 330;
Hard Cedar M., 323
Cherry, 376
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Mahogany—continued.
Close-grained, 328
ta, 7:
Dry Zone, 177, 229
Duika, 423
43;
Gaboon, 29, 315, 816, 317,
320, 419, 422, 424
Hard, 306, 419; Hard cap-
suled, 323
Heavy, 102, 151, 157, 418, 420
Khaya, 423, 325; M. Khaya
Senegalensis, , 19 20,” 21;
Light, 415, 417
Pe aoeiien, 177, 178, 415,
Mountain, 35, 46, 68, 72
» 815
Plantations
lainii),
Red, 267
Reserves, 167
Rhodesian or Kontah, 26,
67, 205
Sapeli or Heavy, 102, 151,
157, 418, er
Satin, 28, 50,
Scented, 817, 718, 329, 416,
417, 419
Seedlings (Growth, Felling,
egy 187
a
Spanis!
Spbatitute, $7
Timber, 226
, 319
Unscented, 416
White or Galvon, 29, 320;
Waite parked , 320
Maize, 204, 4
Maje ‘Gas, 190, 191, 205;
‘eo 221
Majigi, 2
Majiriya (eno), 221
Mak (River), 419
Makarfo (Hausa),
221, 233
Makasar adwa, el
Makua (Mbonoi), 86
Makube (Ashanti), 93; (Fanti),
83, 93
Malacantha sp. nov. 382;
M. Warneckeana, 141
Malankwi (Appolonian), 93
Malei (Mendi), 4
Mallotus pee mem 197
Malmo (Hausa), 213, 224, 232
Malphigeacee (Gold Coast), 102
Malvacee (Liberia), 76; (Gold
Coast), 105; (Togo), 137;
Nigeria, 190, 344; (Came-
Toons), 435
Mambo (Mendi), 47
Mamboi (Mendi), 51
Mambui (Mendi), 47
Mamie Kini, 88
Mamtfe, 418
Mammea sapota, 55; M.sp., 230
Mammee (Timani), ), 85
Mammy or Mammee Apple
(Ochrocarpus Africanus), 29,
re 65; Mammy supporter,
Mamu Lonchocarpus, 303; M.
Reserve, 160, 166, 170, 172,
173, 176, 178, 179, 180, 246,
264; 278, 303, $12, 347, 373,
302, 405, 407
Manchester (prepared to take
kernels), 481
Mandji, 422
Moneneube Mountains,
Togo) (Khaya
eine) y'
202, 205,
416,
Mangifera, 75; M. Africana,
aa M. Indica, 222; M.
, 75
Mango,” 75, 196, 222;
; M. Tree, 75
Mangrove, 19, 488; M. Bark,
226; Red M., 234, 368, 396,
451; White M., 108,
397, 440 ; White
Me 374; White
Nut M.,
257
Mangrove Foresta, 20, 33, 56,
es M. Swamps, 18, 151,
Mangu natives, 130 ; M. station
(Togo),
Manihot dicotama, 122, 123, 148 ;
M. Glaziooii, 122, 126 ;
heptaphylla, 123, 124, 148;
M. Pianhyensis, 123, 124,
148; M. iets, 47
Manja R\, 418, 419
Mannia Africana, 85
DEAREIOED (8 Africanum, 337;
M. sp., 337, 452
Mano River, 39, 66, 68, 69
Mansu, 102
Manya River, 418
Manyu River, 418
Maradi, 210
Marantacesw (Nigeria), 246; M.
(Togo), 128
Maremper, 25
Mareya spicata, 52
Marga (Hausa), 206
Margarine made from Palm
Kernel Oil, 480; from
Shea Butter Nuts, 1538
Marike (Hausa), 92, 212, 223, 232
Marine supplied with timber, 187
Markhamia Lutea, 144, 441;
M. tomentosa, 144, 401
Maro, Ps
Marua,
Masche (Hansa), 132
Mat (Timani), 48
Match-box Bean, 298
Maticke (Ho), 146
Mauritius Hemp, 128
Mawelu aeenh), 441
Mbafo, 4
Mbarboldede (Mond? 64
Mbako (Bakwiri), 4
Mbana Oyop (Old Galaban), 466
Mbang (Attie), 84, 445, 4
Mbaoa (Ba
Mbarakun (Oban, Ekoi), 290
Mbauwi een 53
Mbawe (Abe), 8
Mbomdi (tend, 46, 47
M. sp.,
Mbomo-kuku_( Hak), ot M.-
nkuku (Efrie), 2
Mbonda poate Gairndo), 442
Mbosse (Agni
i), 8
Mboti Buma Pa stie), 88
M’boy (Mendi), 62
Mbrahu (Abe), 89
Mbu District and River, 417,
418, 419, 487
Mbuande (Mendi), 62
me Messrs., Lagos Sawmill,
‘iaiges (Mendi), 55
Measurements of planted trees
(Olokemji Reserve), 183
Mebeli (Mendi), 55; M. deli,
48; M. or Mbelignii, 45,
55
Megabana (Trillesii), 103
Mekhi (Attie), 83
gs eS {CAINETOORS ashi
(Ivory Seat ®
(igen) 375 5
one), 56
Melia Azedarach, 123, 135, 148,
191, 222, 331
Meliacee (Cameroons), 432, 442,
445, 446; M. (Gold Coast),
100; M. (Ivory Coast), 85;
ices
INDEX
M. (Liberia), 74; M. (Ni-
geria), 191, 196, 211, 222,
317, 331; M. (Sierra Leone),
49; M. (Tog 0), 1
Melianthaces: (Gold Const), 104;
(Togo), 187
Memchin (Appolonian), 97
ui sae ae 415; M. (River),
Memecylon macrodendron, 438;
M. polyanthemos, 88 ;
ef. M. spathulandra, 58; M.
sp. (near Barten), 375
Mend or Mendis, 26, i, _
;. M. (Sierra Leone), 2!
ot Meni i» oil, 358, 350, 459
Menispermaces (Nigeria), 193,
; M. (Sierra Leone), 43
meres 194; M. umbellata,
Mesua Ferrua, 176
Metchi (Attie), 83
Miam (Ekoi), 228
Mfu River, 419, 487
Mgua (Abe), 83
Michelia Champaca, 177
Microdesmis puberula, 52, 103,
ia 419; M.sp., 230, 336,
Mijin kade (Hausa), 209
mies (Appolonien) (Aowin),
Milk weed, 199
Miller Bros Bros., ee , Koko Town
awm
Millet (Bull-rush), 199, 204
Millettia attite, 133; M., ef.
drastica, 48; M. Lane-
Poolei, 48 ; M. pallens, 48 ;
M. thodantha, 48; M.
servicens, 203; M. 8D., 85,
233, 284; M. Zechiana,
Mimbo (Palm Wine), 425
Mimifia District, 430, 431
Mimosa asperata, 191, 209; M.
Dinklagei, 48, 73
Mimosee (Nigeria), 301
Mimusops, 57, 78, 110, 197;
M. djave, 57, 110, 179, 229)
370, 376, 378, 416, 419, 420,
446, 455; M.
378, 456; M.
18, 109, 118, wer 141, 167,
186, 228, 375, 456 ; M. 8p.,
28, 29, 57, 4
Minjiriya (Kano), 2
Minahone (Togo), ita, 125, 126,
Mististoe, 43; M. Giresn). 259 5
M. (parasite ), 170, 246
my ae 62; M. Africana,
5, 192, "202, 214, 225,
108; M. jnermis, 145 ;
macrophylla, 89, 113, "145,
280, 406; value of M.
specie ies, 146
Mixe: Siantations, 124
Mo River, 415, 418
Mobo (District), 420, 425, 433,
438; Mobo River, 417;
M. Foto Mounteine, 415, 417
Mobonran (Ijaw), 2
Meeua, 198; M. ‘Angolensis, 219
Mogbara (Yoruba), 278; M.
(Ikale and Yoruba), 288
Mohammedan rosaries,
M. Teachers’ use of Vitex, 66
Moigbwamy (Mendi), 43
caer ae Afforestation area,
120
Mokamu (Bakwiri), 430
Moko River, 415, 419
517
Mokongo or aouenee (Bakundu
and Bakwiri), 42
Mokowa (Bakwiri), 138
Moleméle se aenaTis 0), 130
Mollugo, 1
Moloney, 300
Momangi, 445, 446
Momordica balsamina, 194
Mon (Attie), 84
Mondetu (Tschandjo), 138
M. | Mondoa (Bakundu), 442
Monechma, 194
Monga (Balong), 435
8,
53, 223, 347;
aur 355 ; M. Guava, 215,
Monkwa Rock, 418
Monocotylendonons orders (Ni-
geria), 195, 197, 199
Monodora brevipes, 96, 265,
457; Inyristica, 43,
72,°84, 427, 457; M.
myristica, var. grandifolia,
265; M. tenuifolia, 72, 96,
264, 265, 457
Monotes Kerstingii, 139
Monrovia, 70, 73, 78
Moo River, 51
Moor Plantation, 241
Moracesw (Cameroons), ee M.
(Gold Coast), i : M. (Ivory
ee 83 ; (Liberia),
70 §. GRizerta), 193, 197,
199, 215, 218; M. (Sierra
Leone), 42; M. (Togo), 128
Mocelle (Senegalensis), 62, 192,
Morinda Citrifolia (The Brim-
stone), Sierra Leone, cut
locally, 31, 32, 60, 68, 89,
128, 146, 197, 204, 441; M.
confusa, 61; Ekiti Morinda,
405; M. longiflora, 405;
M. lucida, 405; M. quad-
rangularis, 61; 8D.,
79,
Worings pterygosperma, 44, 219,
Morineeee® (Nigeria), 219, 453
M. (Sierra Leone), 44
Morro (River), 39, 66, 68, 69
en Mesozygia, 83; ; M. 8p.,
Mosaic-work and inlaying, 146
Mosangui (Attie),
Mosenge sae "138
Motandra Guineensis, 395
Mountain Ash, 311
Mousandua Fant), 04
Moyamba,
Moyida Crorube), 365
Mozambique, 211
Mpang (Bakoko and Basa), 443
Mpenie (Efik), 277, 278
Mpot, 1
Mpuri (Oban, Ekoi), 266
Mucuna pruriensis, 203; M. sp.
Preussii, 209; M. urens, 299
Muea (Buea ‘District), 436
Muell, 215
Muenge (buat) 428
Mukul, 418; M. (Duala), 488,
Munchis, 54
Mundulia suberosa (Bentu), 303
Mungo River, 415, 419, 436
Mungongo (Duele) ), 485
Munon (Efik), 3
Muruchi, 216
488
Musk Tree, 411
518
Muskat Nut, 72
Mussenda, 197, 203; M. ery-
throphylla, 407; M. Iser-
ra , 407; M. tenuiflora,
Mussake, 420
Myole Polie (Abe), 83
iantbus arboreus, 42, 83, 95,
129, 256, 426; M. serratus,
42, 71, 83, 95, 129, 197,
204; M. sp., 42
Myristicaceew (Cameroons), 427 ;
(Gold Coast), 96; (Ivory
Coast), 84; (Liberia), 72;
(Nigeria), 266; (Sierra
Leone), 44; (Togo), 130
‘h, 221
Myrsinacee (Cameroons), 438
Myrtaceew (Gold Coast), 108;
(Ivory Coast), 88 ; (Liberia),
78; (Nigeria), 192, 197, 213,
224, 874, 410; (Sierra
Leone), 56; (Togo), 140
Na (Attie), 86
N
fruited, 367; N. Vogelii,
108, 197, 867; Whit-
fieldii, 367
Naprampogo (Dyakossi), 142
Narenga (Dagomba), 143
NRaACAWS, 200; N. Province,
gear or Nabuli (Dyakossi),
Native Court Plantation, 180
Nayile (Konkomba), 136
Nbob (Moyen Cavally), 86
Ndambabuli (Mendi), 48
Ndat (Etik), 231
Ndau (Appolonian, Aowin), 93
Ndawi or Ndawei (Mendi), 43,
44; N. (Badgi), 44
Ndebere (Attie), 89
Ndeh, 19, 168 ; N. people, 467
Ndeiwei (Mendi), 52
Balen Dipttioh 415; N. River,
419
Ndonge (Bakwiri), 436
Ndototo (Bakwiri), 435
Ndukwun (Appolonian), 98
Negro Pepper, 219, 260; (N.P.
small-Howering), 262
Negro Republic, 66
Nelsonia Campestris, 194
Nephrodium Asplenium, 196
Nesuwa (Benin), 344
Nettle-tree, 218
Newbouldia levis, 60, 79, 113,
144, 192, 225; N.L. com-
pared with Markhamia
185 5
News, Mr. E. D., Analysis, 482
Newtonia, 280; N. Insignis, 49,
99; near Newtonia, 290;
N. Zenkeri, 417, 418
New Zealand Kauri Gum, 87
Ngitsa (Fontem or Bangwa), 427
Negnanake (Abe), 86
Ngodua (Fanti), 107
Ngolo ngoloti (Abe), 86
N’goloduloi (Mendi), 54
Ngosame (Bakossi), 427
Ngua (Abe), 87;
(Attie), 87
Nguangua (Mendi), 52
Nguepe (Attie), 86
Nguni (Kabure), 134
Neguobi or Kusibiri (Attie), 88
Nhuei (Mendi), 53
Abo
Niagalei (Mendi), 55
Niam Fat, 358, 459
Niamidua (Twi), 111
Nianga (Agni), 35. N. Magui
(English), 83 ; (Indenie), 83
Ashanti, Aowin,
Dian), 95
Niger Delta, 152, 185, 189; N.
Estuary, 151; . River,
153, 156, 168, 174, 188, 474 5
N. Province, 300
Nigeria, chapter viii; Afforest-
ation, 166-182; Amount
of forest land, 17; Bush
Savannah, 201-202; Ever-
green Fringing Belts, 203-
205; Forest Department,
184~188; Forest Exports,
226; Imports of Timber,
227; Indigenous _ Trees,
235-414; List of Nigerian
Trees, 218-225 ; Mahogany
or Timber Industry, 155—
160 ; Measurements of
planted trees in Olokemaji
Reserve, 183; Park Savan-
nah, 202-203; Permanent
Forests, 160-166; Review
of the Botanical Features,
188-200 ; Ports,
and 151-154 ;
Schedule of Protected Trees,
228-234; some trees of
Hausaland, 205-217 ; South,
67; Southern Provinces,
chapter ix, 498, 494, 495;
Tree Savannah or Savannah
Forest, 200-201
Nigerian Swamps, 19
Nihau (Benin), 350
Ni-Kaffei (Mendi), 53
ikke ee Niko Nuts, 267, 269,
5
Nikli (Mendi), 52
Nimeribaka (Appolonian), 111
immini Mountains, 25, 39, 58,
6!
Nimwau Peso (Tschandjo), 137
Ningei (Mendi), 42
Ningo (Bambara), 87
Niondobi (Bondoukou), 86
ja (Efik), 272
abi, 445; N. (Duala), 438
jahewe (Mendi), 43
jakpe (Anlo), 145
jakpokpo (Anecho), 145
jangsang (Duala), 433
jasun (Ekoi), 229
elei (Mendi), 61
jokubore (Bakundu), 442
jokubwele (Bakundu), 432
jomboguli (Mendi), 49
jondji (Bakwiri), 426; N.
Bwele (Duala), 433
jorgora (Oban, Ekoi), 336
ove or Njole (Rio del Rey), 437
kiebe (Mbonoi), 83
kissi River, 276
Nkohen (Ekoi), 229
Nkom (Bakossi), 438
age ad coal 109; (Fanti),
Nkue (Attie), 87
Nkula (Gaboon), 258
Nla Ali Hills, 418
Noami River, 238
Nobe, 199
Non gwanki, 219
Normal tye of Fringing Forests,
Notonima (Ashanti), 108
Nsa-sana (Efik), 451,
Nsa-sana kernels, 452
Nsab (Bare), 438
Nean eee 228; (Oban,
0:
253
Nesukakara (Oban, Ekol), 328
Ntaba (Bambara), 87
Aaazaaaa
iaiatiatta tal tat tat tt
452;
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND‘ FORESTRY
Ntagne (Attie), 88
Ntini Nyok (Kwa), 361
Ntong (Fongtem and Bangwa),
4
Ntung (Fanti and Ashanti), 93
Nuatjé, 117; N. Agricultural
School, 122; N. Railway,
119 .
Nukoi (Mendi), 59
Nun River, 151, 174
Nunu (fruit of Danya), 222
Nupé Canoes, 215
Nuso or Aru (Atakpame), 130
Nutmeg, 421, 427; N. African,
264, 457; N. Calabar, 457 ;
N. Calabash, 265 ; N. yellow
flowering, 265, 457
Nutssunutesu (Anago), 138
Nuwo (Ekoi), 231
Nuxia Mannii, 440
Nya (Efik), 288
Nyakpekpe (Ewe), 145
Nyam (Hfik), 376
Nyama (Mangu), 133
Nyankon, Yankom or Yankun
(General West Coast), 106
Nyimo (Atakpame), 146
Nyimu (Mangu), 134
Nyi-nu-Robin (General West
xno i
ymphea,
Nympheacew (Nigeria), 193
Nyomdobai (Mendi), 53
Nyumbuyambei (Mendi), 62
Oaho (Benin), 37, 413
Oak (Bush O.), 416; O. (Dry
407
Obala (Atakpame), 130
Oban Pa7, 162; 0. Hill
Forests, 19, 164, 159; O.
3; O. Reserve,
Obang (Bafo), 425
Obba’on the Hill (Ondo Pro-
Obbo (Akp aah 140
10 POsso.
Obeche or Obechi, 153, 159, 230,
351
Obi (Yoruba), 821; O. Abata,
Obiache (Benin), 159, 228, 402,
4 405
04,
Obidu (Yoruba), 355
Obiedum or Obiedun (Yoruba),
355
Obiletu (Efik), 280
Obiliteto (Efik), 386
Obo (Oban, Ekoi), 318
Oboba or Obobo (Yoruba),
251
Obobonikwi (Benin), 228, 328
Obobonufwa (Benin), 328, 329
Obokha (Benin), 346
open Came ag
Obon:
Obubs (New Calabar), 281
Obuban (Be
Obubra oreste 19, 177, 239,
273, 274, 307, 350, 472
Obudu District, 356, 365, 407,
4
Obuko (Yoruba), 312
Oburuburu (Yoruba), 349
Ochna Afzelii, 189; O.
flora, 233, 866; 0.
64, 356 (new sp.), 190
chnacem (Sierra Leone), 54
(Liberia), 77; (Ivory Coast),
87; (Gold Coast), .
(Togo), 189 ; (Nigeria), 190,
209, 356, 447, 459; (Came-
roons), 436
Ochrocarpus Africanus, 29, 33,
55, 88, 159, 363, 462
it
Odenya won 97
Odgebu (West side), 362
Odiki, 445, 446
Odina acida, 76; O. Barteri,
212, 222; O. sp., 52, 104,
191
Odji_ (Asaba), 253; (Brass),
_, 233, 399; (Ibo), 228, 253
Odjiwawa (Ibo), 231
Odo (Jekri), 368
Odoko (Yoruba), 232
Odonomo-kyu-kyu (Benin), 229
Odonumon (Efik), 397
Odoum or Odum (Appolonian),
83 ; (Asante), 128 ; (Hausa),
215; (Twi), 95
Odu (Yoruba), 368
Odubin (Ashanti), 101
Odudu (Ondo), 230
Oduduku (Atakpame), 138
Odupon (Fanti), 101
Odyendea Gabunensis, 432
Cicological Division of Forests
{after Warming), 18
Ofarm (Ashanti), 98
Ofemm (Bembi), 390
Offenma (Ashanti), 103
Offonkwari (Ibo, Asaba), 392
Offram (Twi, Fanti), 109
Offun (Lagos), 247
Ofika (Timani), 42
Ofriyio (Efik), 253 -
Ofu or Ohonton (Fanti), 95
Ofun (Yoruba), 234
Ofuntum (Appolonian), 89
Ofwho (Quitta, Krepi), 105
Ogaba (Benin), 288, 289, 449
Ogabeszi (Benin), 289
Ogabezzi (Benin), 285
Ogabi, 365
Ogan or Ogun River, 152, 169,
170, 174, 252, 272, 276,
322, 334
Ogan or Okan (Yoruba), 373;
O. oga (Yoruba), 298; O.
pupa (Yoruba), 230, 372,
, 383
Ogangan (Benin), 335, 336
Oganwo (Yoruba), 177; or
Ogangwo, 229, 319, 321;
Oganwo or Oganwu (Benin),
177, 318, 319
Ogba Forest, 160; O. Planta-
tions, 166, 176, 177; O.
EIONENG Hs 271; O. River,
7
Ogbamaton (Benin), 336
Ogbia (Yoruba), 360
Ogbogo nut, 463
Ogbun (Lagos), 397
Ogea (Yoruba), 278
Ogeddin (Benin), 243
Ogemme (Benin), 367
Ogi (Calabar District), 399
Ogiahimi (Benin), 400
Ogidu (Yoruba), 348
Ogiedi (Benin), 243
Ogigedu (Benin), 321
Ogihu (Benin), 245
Ogikan (Benin), 328
Ogikiomi (Benin), 285
Oginni or Inyi (Yoruba), 449
INDEX
Oginyi (Benin), 275
Ogiovala (Benin), 330
Ogiovu (Benin), 249
Ogo (Akposso), 140; (Yoruba),
ad ; O. Province, Nigeria,
Ogodo Dry Zone Forest, 39
Ogohen (Benin), 159, 252
Maelomes or Oyohomeh (Benin),
5
Ogoja, 19, 237, 239, 240, 243,
244, 247, 249, 251, 252, 255,
257, 258, 259, 262, 263, 266,
270, 273, 275, 277, 278, 279,
281, 288, 284, 289, 291, 204,
297, 298, 299, 301, 303, 305,
306, 309, 312, 317, 322, 324,
387, 340, 343, 344, 345, 346,
350, 354, 355, 357, 358, 362,
363, 365, 369, 379, 381, 382,
383, 390, 396, 397, 400, 401,
402, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408,
Ograw (Yoruba), 252
Ogrugru Province, 322;
(Yoruba), 349
Ogu {Anaso), 188; 0. District,
Ogudugbu (Yoruba), 390
Ogugu (Yoruba), 232, 349, 389
Oguja (Yoruba), 278
Oguk (Oban, Ekoi), 390
Ogungun (Yoruba), 349
Ogunshileh, 159
Ogurohe (Yoruba), 299
Oguru (Brass), 266
Ogwangu (Benin), 321
Ogwega (Benin), 306
Ogwi ‘Tree (Benin), 312
Oha (River), 263
Ohau (Benin), 251
Ohehe (Benin), 301
Ohia (Benin), 246, 247, 388
Ohianamemme (Benin), 246
Ohiomo of the Benis, 230
Ohiorme (Benin), 233, 289
Oie (Yoruba), 311
Oil and Colours Journal, 482
Oil Bean tree, 45, 73, 97, 178,
380, 416; Beans, 68, 303,
304
Oil Beans, seeds and nuts,
chap. xi, 447-463 ; Analysis
of—
Ben oil seed cake, 453
Betu oil, 454
Carapa Guineensis, 458
“ Chevi ” seeds, 462
Citrullus vulgaris, 453
Dumoria Heckeli, 456
“ Gorli ’’ seeds, 463
Inoy nut, 450
Irvingia Barteri, 454
Kombo seed, 458
Lophira alata, 459-460
Lophira procera, 460-461
Meal after extraction of oil,
448, 450
Mimusops Djave, 456
Moringa pterygosperma, 453
Nsa-sana kernels, 452
Oil after extraction of meal,
448
OL aco South Nigeria seeds,
Shea butter, 455
Oil Ben tree, 453
Oil Investigations by the Im-
perial Institute, 448, 463
Oil Nuts, 69, 163, 165
Oi, Seed and Feeding Cakes,
by the Imperial Institute,
484
Ojamba (Ashanti), 95
Ojia (Yoruba), 230
Oju Agdigbo (Yoruba), 343
kagbo (Yoruba), 348
Okahimi (Benin), 388
Okakan, 163
°
519
Okan (Benin), 229, 286
Okankan, 240
Okare (Yoruba), 337
Okarora ossa (Ondo), 361
Oke-Igbo (Ilesha District), 396
Okenuhen District, 240
Okha (Benin), 231, 345, 346
wehe (seed) (Benin), 179, 230,
12
Okika (Yoruba), 339
Okikopom (Ibibio), 357
Okilolo (Ijor), 282
Okisibisi (Fanti), 114
Okitsiwanfu (Fanti), 94
Okkwan (Benin), 277
Okkwen (Benin), 332; O. nebo
(Benin), 333
Oko (Ibo, Owerri), 266; (Yo-
tuba), 409; O. Ishin
(Yoruba), 342
Okoko (Benin), 348, 349
Okokotaka (Asante), 133
Okokwi (Benin), 400
Okokwo (Benin), 349
Okoni (Kratschi), 143
Okor (Benin), 310
Okot or Okut (Oban,
Kwa), 357, 363
Okoume, 422
Okporoporo (Akure), 349
Okra or Achro (fruit), 344
Okrika Port, 162
Oktobun District, 463
Okume d’Ivoire (Colons), 85
Ekoi,
Okwekwe (Benin), a: 400
Okwen (Benin), 231; 0. seni
(Benin), 383; O. seva
(Benin), 332
Okwo River, 282, 488
Okwoga Plantation, 167
Olacacee (Sierra Leone), 43;
(Liberia), 71 ; (Ivory Coast),
83; (Gold Coast), 95; (Togo),
129; (Nigeria), 191, 257,
456 ; (Cameroons), 426
Olax, 43’; O, subscorpoidea, 95
Oldenlandia, 192; 0. grandi-
tiora, 202; O, Senegalensis,
202
Oldfieldia Africana, 26, 51, fi
75, 86, 342; O. (importe
as
‘eak), 7:
Oleacew (Ivory Coast), 883:
(Gold Coast), 110; (Togo),
142 ; (Nigeria), 288, 388
Olein, 480
one Lyop er ani 466
takpame),
Olibracha (Egba, Yoruba), 283
Olikiba (Benin), 407
Olim, 445
Olina, 446
Oliver, Daniel, 496
Ollo (Akposso), 127
Olodu (Yoruba), 244
Ologun She-she (Yoruba), 301
Olokemeji (Arboretum, Forests,
Reserves, etc.) (oke=hill,
meji=two), 19, 123, 160,
166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 174,
175, 177, 179, 185, 245, 246,
256, 260, 264, 266, 270, 278,
302, 306, 307, 310, 312,331,
334, 359, 365, 367, 370, 371,
372, 374, 375, 382, 387, 395,
396, 464, 490
Olong, 445, 446
Olosan (Yoruba), 229
4
520
Oluwa (Benin), 244
Omah (Benin), 396
Omar (Yoruba), 348
Ombega, 422
Ome (Benin), 3'
Omo (Yoruba), 780, 396
Omocham (Benin), ‘266
Omoin (Egba), 246
Omomeran (Benin), 336
Omon (Yoruba), 396
Omphalocarpum, 78; O. ela-
im, ss ; oO. Pierreanum,
439 procerum, 379;
Oo daalkoteri 439; O.sp.,
% 09
Omaunu or ee (Benin), 258,
$14; kynkyu (Benin),
815, 31 a
Omunu (Yoruba), 348
Ona River, 152
sre Hates
magugu, or
fvortay 409
Onanisankianmon (Benin), 391
Oncoba dentata, 108, 366 ;
opamagungun,
oriweni
echinata, 108,
Giliana, 108; 0. glauca,
366; O. spinosa, 139, 196,
204, 223, 366
Ondo (Circle, Forest, Province,
and Reserve), 19, 152, 154,
160, 170, 180, 235, 236, 240,
247, as ee 2651, 252, 256,
325, 327, 329, 330, 336, 340,
342, 346, 351, 355, 356, 362,
365, 369, 379, 381, 382, 383,
390, 396, 397, 400, 401, 402,
404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 413
Odutu (Tschandjo), 131
Onegozi (Benin), 344
Oni River, wh, 10 160
Onihokha (tree in flower) (Benin),
346
Onikokha Benin), 346
Onion, 199
Onitsha Province, 153, 154, 173,
174, 244, 251, 252, 255, 270,
275, 276, 279, 284, 297, 301,
303, 305, 308, 309, 349, 353,
Po 398, 400, 401, 409, 472,
47
Onitsha-olona District, 353
Onomokyukyu (Benin), 228, 323
Onuru (Ibo, Owerri), 290
Onyangba (Atakpame), 136
Onye (Benin), 334
Onyemo (Benin), 332
Onyena (Fanti), 105
Onyenu (Renin), 339
Onyina (Fanti), 105
Oohoo (Benin), 386
Opaga (Benin), 178
Opaega (Renin), 303
Opahan (Benin), 413
Opaina (Fanti), 111
Opanao (Twi, Akwapim), 97
Opti (Atakname), 140
Ope. Zomba), 241, 246; O.
Ifu No. 1 (Yoruba), "243;
O. Igbo (Benin), 245; O.
trumfo (Yorubo), 243
Opele, 247, 248 ; (Yoruba), 388
Open ‘Deciduous Forest, 19
Open Orchard Forest, 18
Opepe (Ikale, Ijor), 973 ; (Yo-
rubs), 228, 369, 402, 404;
O.-ira (Yoruba), 231, 349;
bag 0., 406; Swamp O.,
05
Openera (Yoruba), 405
Opilia celtidifolia, 191
Ophioglossum wg maar 196
Opobo (Nigeria), 481; O. Port,
152; O. River, 151
Opochala (Ibo, Niger), 803
Opon (Yoruba), 2
Oporipor (Benin, 3
Opoto (Yoruba), ai
Opputtu (Benin), 250
Ora-Igbo (Yoruba), 344
Orange Cee 312; O.
(common), 74, 12
Orban-igba {Sorabs) 383
Orchards ee ae
Orchid, 195, 264
Orchidaceze (Nigeria), 105, 246
nde bark, 275, 276; 0. tree,
Oregbon 3 I comma), 250
Orella, 445, 446
Ori Genin), 297; (Oban,
pxol) = 235; O. Oy Oe
398; O.-eta (Yoruba), 399 ;
0.-nla (Yoruba), 398
Met Ona ga O. Planta-
Orlakuku (Benin), 899
Oriri Ogikiomi (Benin), 398
Orisi (Igbado, Yoruba), 313
Oriweni (Benin), 389
Oriwu (Benin), 409
Orli (Anago), 143
Ormocarpum bibracteatum, 191,
Ormosia laxiflora, 99, 117, 123,
133, 232, 234, 270, 207. 308,
336; O. monophylia, 4 9, 231
Oro (Brass), 283, 252; (Egba),
249; (Yoruba), 179, 230,
231, 312, 343; 0.-Igbo,
Oroba (Mbonoi), 86
Orodo (Benin), 291; (Brass),
res ; O. or Orodu (Yoruba),
Orogbo or Orugbo (Yoruba), 359
Oroko, 42, 70, 250, 253, 410;
False O., 249
Orokpo (Anago), 132
Orokwa (Benin), 367
Oron Port, 152
Oropa of the Yorubas, 232
Orora (Yoruba), 400
Orrimogungun (Benin), 389
Orro (Yoruba), 322
Orsorsor (Benin), 372
Orupa (Yoruba), 336
Deven Benin) 414; (Yoruba),
Oruwo (Yoruba), 405
Oryza silvestris, 199
Osan (Yoruba), 232; O. odo
(Yoruba), 383
Osangbalumo or Osum Agbalum
(Yoruba), 881, 382; 3 i
Edan (Yoruba), 381; O.
Palambo (Yoruba), 381
Osbeckia, 194
Ose (Yoruba), 347
Oshen or Oshun River, 162, 357
Oshere ene: =
Osho (II.), 2
Oshopoto Dudu (Yoruba), 344
Oshoshi (Ibo, Owerril), 290
Oshun Reserve, 160, 889
Oshunshun (Yoruba), 332
Oshusi (Ibo, Owerri), 364
Osta, 307
Osisiru (Ashanti), 113
Ositwa, (Bento) 288
Ossa (Ondo), 361
Osse River, 154, 166, 238, 241,
78, 399
Osshosha (Ibo, Asaba), 284
Ossidinge District, 425, 482, 435
Ossiomo River, 158, 298
Ossizza Factory, 273
Ossusu (Yoruba), 288
ahah impressa, 277, 297,
894, 4
Osu (Beata. 394
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Osuabise (Akwapim), 102
Osualong (seed) (Benin): 400
Osukaregigi (Benin), 400
Osun _ (Yoruba), 178, 229, os i
o dudu (Yoruba), 273
. pupa pita ie a
Otanta ee vp
Ote (Twi), 9 » Oti oe Etsu
(Accra, Adhanti, Fanti), 96
Otendui (Fanti), 110
Oti Sterne, 131; Valley (Togo),
Otien (Benin), 381
Otopoi (Ibo, Asaba), 89:
Otta farfridi (Ibo, ‘Asaba), $92
Ottelia lancifolia, 195
Ottoa (Benin Province), 302
Otugba (Akposso), 139
Otun (Oban, Eko), 363
Otungue (Jaunde), 442
Otutu (Jebu), 347; O. of the
Yorubas, 230
Otwa (Benin), 287
Oubanguia err 436
Oukot CEfik), 2
Oukoumea Pinneans, 422, 424,
425, 445, 446
Ouratea’ monticola, 437
Ovalla (Benin), 330
Ovia Riven a 372, 821
Oviaruza (Benin), 335
Oviegikwe (Benin), 351
Ovinni (Benin), 276
Ovioza (Benin), 331
Ovu (Benin), 250
Owala erg 447; ©. (Gabon-
ais), 85; O. oil, 429
Gwams (Ashanti), 102
Owango, 445, 446
Owawa (Wassaw), 106
Owawe or Owowe (Benin), 365
Owe (Benin), 288
Owehe (Benin), 412
Owena Reserve, 160; O. River,
162, 154, 156, 3 321
Owerri, 158, 178, 236, 240, 247,
249, 251, 252, 257, 259, 268,
279, 281, 282, 284, 286, 287,
288, 291, 294, 301, 303, 304,
308, 318, 317, 322, 327, 338,
398, 400, 401, 405, 447, 450,
466, 472, 473, 4
Oweggu (Brass), 228
Owewe (Benin), 294; O.
bon (Benin), 295:
nolemare (Benin), 294, 205
Owi (Benin), ares
Owun (Yoruba), 3
Owussu, 158
Oxyanthus speciosus, 62, 441;
O. tubfiflorus, 114; O
unilocularis, 62, 197
Ox-eye Bean, 299
Oxystelma Bornuense, 199
Oxystigma Mannii, 428
Oxytenanthera Abyssinica, 127,
196, 218
Oyan River, 302
Oyen (Benin), 384, 337
Oyife (Yoruba),
Oyo, 19, 152, 158, 154, 262, 266,
273, 288, 284, 298, 299, 300,
301, 325, $47, 355, 372, 373,
374, 875, 378, 383, 392, 395,
Ise:
Road, 170, 322 so
Oyon i 339
Ozaba, 8
oni ‘enim, 230; O. Beans,
lage-
Pachylobus edulis, 283, 314, 815,
432; . var, ¢ Pp.
Zenkeri, 432
Pachypodanthium,
staudtii, 44
84; P.
Pachystela Cinereum, 383; P.
‘African, 273; P. Edible-
fruited, 272 ; P. Indian, 178
Paddlewood, 263, 417
Padiivin (Difale), 129
Pakie-pakie (Agni), 88
Palambanja (Duala), 443
Paletuvier rouge (Colons), 88
Palime Station (Togo), 119
Palisota hirsuta, 425; P. thyrsi-
flo:
Palin oe Odata, 386
ahissya irda’
Palm Arac, 2443 BP. Belt (ac-
14.
15.
16
cording to Millbourne),
465; Black Run Palm or
Palmyra, 244; P. Bottle or
Toddy, 244, 459; P. Cab-
bage, 58, 425, 479; P.
Cocoanut, 218, 237, 244,
421; P. Date, 124, 125, 210,
217, 240, 459; Swampy
Date, 239 ; Wild Date, 240 ;
P. Deleb, 41, 200, 216, 217,
218; P. Dum, 94, 200, 216,
217, 218, 244, 459; P.
Everlasting Life or King
Palm, 241, 242, 466; P.
Fan, 244, 459: P. Forked,
244: P. Fruit Industry,
92; P.F.I. Cultivation, 21,
22, 26, 41; P.F.I. Liberia,
68, 70; P. Hookers, 235 ;
P. Kernels, 63, 90, 150, 226,
444,479; P.K. Cake, 226;
P.R. Oil, 226; P.K. Shells,
226: P. Lisombe or_ Soft-
shelled. 243. 466, 467; P.
Method of Extraction, 38;
P. Oil export, 25; (Gambia),
21; (Gold Coast), 115;
(Ivory Coast), 99: (Sierra
Leone). 63, 64; (Liberia),
80; (Nigeria), 226: P.O.
Plantations (Togo). 116, 117,
118, 149: P.O. Nurseries,
121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 153,
197, 218, 228, 226, 227, 240,
241, 242, 438, 420, 425, 444,
447, 484: P.O. Small, 243;
(Sacred Oil Palm), 243, 244,
421; P.O. White. 466;
The Oj] Palm and Palm
Industry, chapter xii, 464-
484—
isthetic Asnect, 464
Botanical Descrintion of
Tree, Fruit, etc., 465
The Growing of the Oil
Palm. 467
Fruit-Rearing Age. 468
Oil Palm Plantations and
Crops, 468
sper rmetinn of Oil Palms,
‘Native Method of Making
Oil and Kernel Inspection,
473
. Amount of Produce used,
eaten, and growing, 476
. Evronean Machinery for
extraction (Pericarnine), 477
. Buropean nut-cracking, 477
. Furorean neeg of the Oil,
Kernels, Palm Wine, etc.,
479
. Value of Oil and Kernels,
4°20 f
. Import Ports in Fngland
and U.S.A. for Oil and
Kernels. 489
The Crushing of Palm
Kemels in Africa and
Enoland, 480
Palm-Kernel Produce, An-
alvsis, ete., 481
and 17. Valve of Palm-
Kernel Oil and Cake, 482
INDEX
Palm—continued.
47, ae of Palm-Kernel Cake,
1 ea ol 2g
19. Site Value of Kernel
20, Week Thican Shipping in
polation to Farm Produce,
21. Bibliography of the Oil
Palm, 484
Palm, Palmyra, or Black Run,
244; P. Piassawa, 235; P.
Roofing, 239; P. Royal,
237; P. Sacred, 243, 244,
466; P. Swamp, 425; P.
Tombo, 234, 286, 237, 244,
464; P. Vegetable Ivory,
421; P. West African,
241; P. Wine Tree (Raphia
Vinifera), 38, 179, 216, 218,
236, 244, 425, 464, 479
Palme (Sierra Leone), 41;
(Liberia), 70 ; (Ivory Coast),
83; (Gold Coast), 93;
(Togo), 127; (Nigeria), 195,
216, 218, 235, 447, 459;
(Cameroons), 425
Palmas, Cape, 66
Palmine, 480
Palmwood, 445, 446
Palmyra,” 216, 218, 244
Pambei (Mendi). 41
Panama hat fibre, 124; P.
Palms, 124
Pancratium trianthum, 195
Pandacem (Ivory Coast), 85
Pandanacee (Sierra Leone), 41;
(Liberia), 74; (Ivory Coast),
83; (Gold Coast), 93:
(Togo), 127; (Nigeria), 308
Pandanus Candelabrum, 41, 74,
83, 308 ; P. Fibre, 234; P.
Kerstingii, 127; P. snecies,
93; P. species near Cande-
fabrom, 41; P. Togoensis,
127
Pandoro (Yoruba). 400
Pangalan (Tschandjo). 130
Pangbaingu (Tschandjo), 137
Pangi (Manen), 131
Panguma Hills, 25
Panicum stagninum, 199
Panyero (Tsachandio), 143 ; Pan-
yerobuda, 143
Papac (Ewe), 132
Papala (Yoruba), 323
Papao (Ashanti), 97
Panan (Asante), 132
Papaveracess (Nigeria), 193
Panilionacem (Nigeria), 301
Para, 123; P. Rubber, 126, 180,
420
Para Dakne (Attie), 87
Paradaniella, 169: P. Oliveri,
19, 190. 191, 202, 202. 205,
220, 231. 307: P. (Rore-
Parasolier (Colona), &3
Parinarium, 19. 67, 22, 233, 418 ;
P. Chrvsovhvilum. 428;
P. Curatelifolinm. 96, 130,
192, 2N1, 213, 219, 269:
P. excelaum, 33, 44, 69, 72,
262: P. Gabunenne, 289,
459; P. intermedia, 148 ;
P. Kerstineii, 120; P.
macrorhvllum. 44, 72, 192,
700, 218, 219, 982: ®.
mobola. 98, 932: P. nolyan-
drvm, 96. 117, 192. 212. 219,
269; P. Robustum, 84, 96,
521
267, 268; P. species, 266 ;
a ee aed, Mahogany),
; (small), 428; (White
Oak), 72 : P. subcor-
Pattern Wood, 390, 419
Patti Forest, 202
Pau (Twi), 111
Paulai (Mendi), 26, 51, 67
Paullinia pinnata, 104, 191
Pausynistalia Lane-Poolei, 61 ;
P. species, 230, 405
Pauwilli, 67
Pavetta Baconia, 61, 146, 407;
Barteri, 192; P. Cras-
Bipes, 146
Pavonia schimperiana, 435
Pawi Kpaoloe (Mendi), 51
Pe (Abe), 88
Peach (blossom compared with
Stereospermum kKunthia-
mum), 145, 401; P. (Sierra
6), 62. 70, 214
Pear. native (Oban), 314, 315;
P. Tree, 445, 446; P.
Wood, 416, 419
Pebulai (Mendi), 62
Pechi (Attie), 89
Pedaliacer (Nigeria). 194
Pegblagei (Mendi), 61
Pekire (Losso). 130
Peltetoram, 46, 49; P. species,
Pennisetum. 196: P. pedicel-
ietom. 201; P.typhoideum,
199,
Pentaclethra Macrophylla, 45,
68, 73. 85, 98. 119, 168,
178, 231, 308, 880, 416, 417
Pentadesma, 77; P. Brty-
racer, 55, 69. 107, 222, 361,
262, 263. 487, 461; P.
Grandifolla, 28); P. Ker-
ftingli, 118, 123, 139: P.
Leucantha, 88: P. Nieri-
tana, 362: P. anecies, 360
Peregun (Yoruba). 245
Pereng (Kabmure), 129
Peranlaria tomentosa, 199
Pert (Timani). 52
Peristrophe bicalyenlata. 194
Permanent cultivation. England,
Germany. South Provinces,
Nigeria, 495
Permits for Tree-cutting (Togo),
19
Persian Tilne, 922, 331
Pesin (Attie), RO
Peso (Tschendjo), 127
Petwnn, 176
Peucedanvm araliareum, var.
fraxinifolium. 140
Peukwa. (Twi). 101
Pfandi (Mend), 46
Pfandn station (Togo), 118,
119
Pfui aaa 49; P. TI (Mendi),
Phialndiscus species, 341, 34°,
456i:
455: P. Unijveatrs, 453,
104; P. Zambesiacus, 434
522
Phenix Dactylifera, 148, 217,
409; F. mecumata, ¥4, 127,
439, 445; 4. species, 418 ;
2. spmosa, 127, 44U
Phrynium, 234
Phutophyuum mirabile, 43@
Phyllantous Viscoideus, 52, 135,
434; 2. riorloundus, 193%,
222; J. Keuculatus, 1vé,
193, *387 5 L. species, 337
Phyliocosmus Alricanus, 85;
£. sessuiflorus, 451
Physalis, 194
¥bysic nut, 193
#hysostigma venosum, 298, 450
Piampian (fant), 54
Pianro (Agni), 87
Piassava upre, 48; Cameroons,
425 ; bixported, dierra
Leone, 63 ; Gold Voast, Ys ;
ivory Coast, yU; Liberia,
638, (0, 3U; Nigeria, 244,
236, 239; ‘Logo, 15U
Piche Apoko > { Attie), 83
ares ae bout, su; P. Klain-
eyn:
Pierrsodendron Grandifolium,
Pigeons, seed carriers, 251, 252
¥1j)a (Wassaw), (tanta), 107
Pineappie, 127
Pink mahogany, 304
Pinus Mercusi1, 175
Pio (Duala), 435
Piper Umbellatum, 197
Piperaceszs (Nigeria), 197
Piperomia Petucias, 197
Piptadenia Atricana, 45, 68, 73,
75, 97, 119, 141, 197, 229,
279, 286, 295, 417, 419, 428 5
reenheatt, 48; P.
lieri, Pb. Kerstingii,
123, 133 205; ¥. species,
96; P. Winkleri, 428
Pitchong (Ossidinge), 427
Pithecolobium Alitissimum, 97,
ey 460; P. Dutcis, 122;
Placodiscus Pseudostipularis,
37
Plantains as Charms, 2
Plantations (Higane) 0-184 ; H
(Togo), 121
Planting schemes (Togo), 121
Piatycerium Sabian, 179
Platysepalum, 4
Platythyrsa, 396
Plectronia Glabriflora, 441;
Vanguerioides, 146
Pleiocarpa Fricarpella, 59
Pleioceras Afzelii, 59; P. Bar-
teri, 396
Plekkogo (Benin), 323
Plenisceras Barteri, 197
Plun i AbooRtay 366 ; P. Blood;
Common, 52, 269 ;
Hoe Jamaica, Spanish, 0
Yellow, 52, 103, 222, 330,
338; BP. Mirabel, 338 ; P.
Niger, 366
Poana-Poana, 445, 446
Poga Conofora, 437; P. Oleosa
229, 368, 416, 437, 450
Poinciana drepanophylia, gt
P. Regia, 123, 125, 1
Polu-Dyenye (Mangu), ne
. Polyadoa Klliotii, 58; P. Um-
bellata, 112, 232, 304, 424,
44
Polyalthia Oliverii, 71
Polycarpxa, 193
Polygala arenaria, 191, 332; P.
butyracea, 197, 462 ;
Clarkeana, 197
Polygalacex (Sierra Leone), 50;
(Togo), 135; (Nigeria), 191;
197, 332, 462
Polyspheria Macrostyla, 204
P.
”
Polystachys Odorata (Mistletoe-
nke rarasite), 170, 246; P.
species, 240
Polystemonanthus Dinklagei, 74
Ponamagpi (iMendi), 6U
Pondei (lend), 62
Earn, Pongoi-hini (Mendi),
fo]
Ponhon (Yorubd), 358
Ponpola or Ponponia (Ibandan,
Yoruba), 346
Pontya ixceisa, 83
Poor man’s candle, 50
Poose eee kunaut, 435
Poplar,
Poposi (boot), (Ebrie), 86
Popowia mer 196, 463 ;
Wohyteii,
Porcupme, he
Porepore (Abe), 87
YForoporo (Yoruba), 353
Porphyranthus Zenkeri, 85
Port Harcourt, 152
Potato, sweet, 204
Potedon (Appolonian, Ashanti,
anti, Wassaw), v!
Potepote heen 180
Poyndua (fanti), &'
Prain, Lt.-Col, » Director of
vane Royal Botanic Gardens,
ew,
Pranpran Ce anti), 84
¥rekese (Kiwe), 131
Premna Hispida, 60; P. Zen-
Keri, 143
Prevostea Africana, 112; P.
Heudelotii, 112
Pride of India, ee
Propri (Vimani), 3.
Prosopis Obionga, 420, 131, 191,
233, 30d
55
¥rotected Trees of Nigeria, List
ran Classes with soyalties,
2
Pseudocedrela, 50, 75, 117, 119,
422; P. Cylindri
P. Kotechyil,
135, 177, 191, ae 211, 222,
d Lr. "apecies,
P. Uti ilis’ 50; F
Pseudocinchona ote 9
cece Microcarpa, 104,
136, 339, 434
Psidium Guajava, 78, 100
Psilanthus Tibrssteokess 61
Psorospermum, 107; P. Sene-
galense, 190, 201, 202 :
Pteleopsis, 109; P. Kerstingil,
4!
140
Pterocarpus, se E 446; P.
73; PR.
Esculentus, 46, 85, 98, 138,
197, 210, 220, 238, 272; P
cus, 178; P. Osun, 220,
274, 275, 811; P. Sa
oldes, 417; P. Soyauxii,
158, 275, 417, 418, 424, 425
8; P. species ” (go-called
Camwood), 273, 311, 416,
419, 424, 445
Peerogopodiuim, 304; P. species,
Pterolobium, 305
Pterygota, 3653; P. Cordifolia,
37; P. eemerunene 436 ;
P. Schumanniana, 138
prenyy ae Wawampe’e (Ashanti),
1
Public Works Department, South
Nigeria, 45, 186, 187
Pulley Wood, 289
Pullum (Timani), 53
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Pumpkin, 193
Puni (drepi), 111
f#unkwa (Wassaw), 101
Pupalia lappacea, eee
Pusum (Lamatessi),
Puttuputtu ricer 22, 333
Pwekupweku (Benin), 31%
Pycnanthus Dinklagei, 72; P.
Kombo, $4, 44, 72, 34, 96,
anu. 231, 266, 418, 419, 427,
Byun 196
rynertia ealensis, 75, 101; P.
Occidentalis, 36
Pyrenacantha species nov., 340
Quelipe Kelipe A Bond seueu), 88
Quinine Plantations, 420
quiquaie Indica, 203
Rafters exported (Nigeria), 226
Kahaina (Hausa), 102, 215, 225
alley guppued with timber,
Rainfall distributors, 486
Rake, 196
Raken giwa (Hausa), 221, 224
Rama, 190 as
Ra 2B,
eee rubber (Ficus elas-
ing plantations (Togo),
14)
Ramos River, 151
‘Randia Candata, 62, 407; B.
Cladanthra, 407, 442; k.
Genipwtiora, 62, 113; near
hk. Macrantha, 62, 407;
Rk. Maoulata, 79, 114, 407;
‘B. Malleitiora, 62, 225, 407 :
i. Nilotica, 1, aus ch
Octomera, 407 ; ip.
near &. candata, 62 407.
Banger (Nigeria), 185, 186
Raphia near K. Gertneri, 41;
RK. Hookeri, 93, 235, 239,
464; R. Ruffia, 235, 239,
464; {R. Vinifera (gee
e tree), 38, 41, 68,
palm win
70, 93, 127, 17¥, 195, 204,
216, 218, 234, 235, 236, 425,
tan,
240; BR. Be
>; R. nin
B. Substitute, pri
Rauwoltts Cumminsii, 110; RB.
Macrophylia, 440; BR. ap.,
197; B. Vomitoria, 59, 78,
89, 112, 393, 440; R.
Welwitschii, 197, 224
BRawaya, 190
Rawsonia spinosa,
Rawuya, 192, 218; "Gok. ), 225
Red-arilled Afzelia, 2
Red Cedar (Laphorbiacem 8p.),
cu ,
61,
Cotton Tree, 58, 76; R.
Flowering Bilk C. ‘Tree, *209;
Red Fn HOBEL 133
Red Ironwood or Ironpost, 26,
27, 64, 67, 77, 107, 732, 154,
160, 169, 209, 276, 356, 358,
870, 880, 384, 415, 416, 417,
418, 419, 420, 459°
Red Mangrove, 397
Red oak (Lophira procera) a
Sierra —
277, 281, 282, 356, 418;
Red Oak (Sterculia” cordi-
45
Redwood (Colons), 84, 159, 424,
425, 428, 445, 446
Rendle, Dr. A. B., M.A., D.Sc.,
ERAS. 4
Rere (Yorabay, 330
Reserve, Definition of, 160, 161;
objects of R., 162
Rhamnacew (Goid Coast), 104;
(Togo), 137 ; (Nigeria), 198;
213, 222, 343
Rhaptopetalum, Sieghemi, 87
ahborhae, 139, 254, 868, 451;
BR, (Liberia), 78, 234, 438;
BR. Mangie, 78, 139, 234,
438; R. Mucronata, 139;
R. Racemosa (Mangrove)
(Sierra Leone), cut locally,
Bhizophoracee (Sierra Leone),
55; fliberis), 78; (Ivory
Co; (Gold Coast),
108 ; (Tex), 139; (Nige-
Tia), 197, 368, 447; (Came-
roons), 437
Rhodesia, 17
Bhodesian Mahogany (Afzelia
Se rea 17, 120, 149
Rhynchosia, 191
Rice, 199, 421, 499
Ricinis communis, 193
Bicinodendron, 278, 314; RB.
Africanum, 50, 86, 102; 119,
136, moe 231, 342, 333, 417,
418, 433 , 4545 R. Hende-
Ricin.
334,
Ridi,
Bikio (Abe), 86
Rimi tama) By 209, 231;
: or
Risga, 193"
Ritchiea sp., 196
Riverine Natives, 187
Rock Elm (Chlorophora excelsa),
; (African Oak or Teak,
Description), 29, 253
Roco (Dahomey), 128
Hoey be Counter-top Mahogany,
Rogeria adenophylla, 194
Rokell River, 36, 39
Ronier (Colons), 83
Ronietta, 46
Roofing palm, 239
Roof ole (enin), 363
Rope Tree, 350
Rosacew (Sierra Leone), 44;
(Liberia, 72; (Ivory
Coast), 84; (Gold Coast),
96 ; (Togo), 130; orate
(Cameroons), 428
Rosewood (Dalbergia sp. and
INDEX
392; Gambia R., 252;
Lagos or Silk R., 111, 440;
Maile Rubber Tree, 395 ;
Mauve-flowered Vine R.,
392; Oban R., 303; Orna-
mental R., 396 ; Para B.,
111; Pear-shape fruited
R., 393; Planting R.
(Sierra Leone), 46, 39;
Rambong R., 125, 149;
Raw Kk. exported (Gold
Coast), 115; Red Kano R.,
216 ; ‘Root’ R., 111, 392;
Savannah R., 440; Spuri-
ous R., 111; True Rub-
ber Tree, 79; Rubber Vine
or Whiteball R R., 58, 68,
79, 392; West African R.,
395 ; Whiteball B.., 111
Bubiacee (Sierra Leone), 60;
(Liberia), 79 ; (Ivory Coast);
89; (Gold ” Coast), 113;
ome). 145; (Nigeria), 192,
197, 199, 31 4, 225, 401;
(Cameroons), 441
umf or Runh
umfu or Run opus 221
Rura (Hausa), 215, 219°
Russegeri, 113
Russia, 492
Russian Market, 325, 326
aay Steppes, Afforestation,
Rutaces (Sierra Leone), 49;
(Liberia), ag ae Coast),
85; (Gold Coast), 100;
(Togo), 134, 309 ; (Nigeria),
me 221, 309 ; (Cameroons),
Ruwenzori, 189
Sa (FO), 1382
Sabarra, 198, 199
Sabicea ealycina, 408
Sabicu, a 310
Sabine, 2
Berchavter officinarum, 196;
8. spontaneum, 201
Saccoglottis ie ea 49, 85,
158, 231, 238, 405, 415
tie? or Mbauwi (Mendi),
Sacred rie 101; 8. Oil Palm,
Sadan mayu mania: 220
Saga Bean, 480
Sagbei (Mendi), 55
Sago (Bendoukou),
‘alm, 1
Saingja (Asante), 132
Sakuni (Krepi), 109
Salacia debilis, 104
Paria Al igeria), 193, 218
Salix, 1
Sama, 358
Samanta nel 97
vant. 97
87; 8.
Pterocarpus er
46; soce woud (Senegal),
98,
bl Rotation,” 162
Rottbeellia exaltato, 201
Rough-barked Canarium, 317
Rough-skinned Plum (Sierra
qeone) cut locally, 33, 44;
(Liberia), 72
Bubb, 58, 68, 71, 234, 421,
4, 4875 ‘african R., 68,
298; Balata R., 52;
Brown Cluster or Brown
Medium R., 392, 393; RB.
Company ‘(Liberia), 66 ;
Corrugated-fruited R., 392
= Exports (Liberia), 79:
R. Exports (Nigeria), 226 ;
R. Exports (Ivory Coast),
90; R. Exports (Sierra
Leone), 63; R. Exports
(Togo), 150; False R.,
395; Flake or Paste’ R.,
2
Samarin gangs, 2
panne Naniemte, {(Bondoukou),
Samia (Hausa), 132
San (Attie), 84
Sanaga River, 436
Sanbtgo (Mangu), 138
Sandalwood, white scented, 129
42, 95; (S.
8.-3.
8.-S.
Sandpaper Tree,
Leaf), 252
Sanga-sanga (Ijor), 229;
(New Calabar), 279 ;
(Sok. and West), 220
Sangongo (Bambara), 89
Sannaba (Mbonoi), 86
Sansami, 215; 8S. or Sasami
syn. Jiri dan sarin, jeter
(Sok. and Kats.), 2:
Sansane Station hs on
page hear 94; Cylindrica,
5 Ss Guineensis, 127
ee Sant 5 pods, 2
5238
pant pores: 100; S. Klaineana,
Sanza, rae Minika, Seka
(Agni), 8
Bapelenceuted Wood (Entandro-
phragma utilis), 1UZ; 3s.
or Sapeli, 151, 157, $23, 3
Sapho (Yoruba), 389
Papilaces, ce Ma 434 :
5
(Gold Coast), 1u4
aes Coast), 87; &.
(Liberia), 76; 8. (Sierra
Leone), 53 ; Ss. (Togo), 137
Sapium Guineense, 136; 3.
Kerstingii, 136; 8. Manaia-
num, 1486, 434
Sapoba, 320
Sapotacexs oa Coast), 109;
(Liberia), (Ni igeria),
192, 197, ais 224, 375, 447,
455 5 (Sierra ‘Leone), 57;
(Togo), 141
Sappan, 122
Sarcocephafus, 415; S. escu-
lentus, 62, 79, 59, 113, 158,
214, 228, 402, 404; S. eu-
esculentus, 401 ; . Pobe-
guini, 89; S. Pobegundii,
422; S. Russegeri, 113, 192,
201, 202, 214, 224;
sambucinus, 146, 404, ” 416,
441; S.sp., 231, 405, 419
Sasabant, 219; %S. (Hadeija),
Sasanemasa (Ashanti), 113
Sassandra (Port), 69, 81, 82;
S. (River), 81, 82
Sasswood, 30, 45, 97, 120, 121,
123, 125, 152, 229, 275;
nee Plantations (Ery-
puronn eeu Guineense) (To-
Sassybark, 35, 275
Satinwood, 30, 49, 66, 67, 73,
74, 88, 119, 164, 174, 251,
309, 310, 370, 412, 419, 445,
446; 8. ‘(African), 271, 309,
311; 5 (Dry Zone African),
309; S. (Dwarf), 311;
(Solty) “74; 8. Gott), 352; 4
(rue Benin), 810; S.
(est Indian), 311; 8.
(yellow), 230, 271
Sausage-tree, 113, 215, 225, 400
Sausanyebui (Mangu) , 137
Scale Insects, 250
Scandent Palm, 93
oo 117; S. (Valley
Schizogiossum, 192
Schmidelia Africana, 53, 191
Schrebera Golungensis, 110, 230,
247, 248, 383
Schwenkia Americana, 194
Scitamine (Nigeria), 195, 197
Scoparia dulcis,
Scorodophleus *denkerll, 429
arr feeding experiments,
Seoticiia conacer, 88; 8S.
{hameraneny,, er 232 ; 8.
Mimfiensis,
Screwpine, 41, a "03, 234, 308
Scrophulariacese (Cameroons),
441; 8. (Nigeria), 194, 400
Seuridacs, lor longepedunculata, 135,
Sea Bean (Mackay), 69, 72
Secretariat and Timber supply
conditions i! igeria), 187
Seglie (Mangu), 1
Segna (Attie), 85
Selaginella Vogelii, 441
Senan (Attie)
Sendar (Yoruba), 329
Senegal, 66
Senegambia, 58, 135
Senna (Senegal), 199
Sesamum, 194; S. Indicum, 194
524
Sesbania Agyptica, 219; S.
leptocarpa, 219; §. ocu-
leata, 219
Sesedo (Yoruba), 262
Sésséu (Atakpame), 145
Shagamu District, 395
Shaki, 153
Shakka (Brass), ete Pda 346
Shange (Yoruba)
Shapo Obibere (Yoruba, 256
Shapon Market, 2
ebarar lobbi ‘Sok. , ef. Alambo,
Shasha (River), 152
Shayo (Yoruba), 303
Shea Butter, .B.
118, 126,
153, 169,179, 192, 202, 209,
214, 224) 296) 231, 323, 379,
380, 439, 444, 455: Talse
Shea Butter, 370, 376
Shea Butter ‘Nuts, exporta
(Nigeria), 204, ‘226, 378,
456; (Sierra Leone), 63 ;
(Togo), 150
Shea Nut Cake, 460
Shedua or r Abonsandua (Ashanti),
94; 8. (Twi),
Shedun (Yoruba), 2 233, 270, 807,
Shemusholorht, 294; S. (Jebu),
Shepolo-hun (Yoruba), 340
Sherbro, 37
Shero (Dagomba), 145
Shifting cultivation (Gambia,
Gold Coast, Nigeria, Sierra
Leone, etc.), 485
Shen ae See: 119, 179, 371,
Shirinya, 216
Shisinya, syn. Shiriya (Sok.), 219
Shunin-biri (Hausa), 220, 221.
Sun, Farin sansami (Sok.
and Kats.)
Siamese Cassia, 1G
Sibugane (Basa), 44
Sida, 190; S. 2, eptnifolla, 344 ;
8. (Yoruba), 329
Sideroxylon Aylmeril, 57, 329;
8. Joneleeane as 57, 78
Sidu (Yoruba), 3
Sie (Yoruba), 60°
Sierra Leone, 17, 25, 65, 66, 72,
73, 160, 287, 492, 493, 494
Sierra ‘Leone, chap. fil, 5S
I. The Forests, 25; 3 1.
Notes on Timber Trees, 26 ;
III. Trees cut for local use,
‘381; IV. Minor Forest Pro-
duce, 35; The Forest
Denartment, 39; VI.
Indigenous Forest. Trees,
41; Appendix I, II. Forest
Exports, 63, 64; A dix
So (Abe), 83
Soap Tree, 62
Sobos Tae) e8
Sofo (Attie), 8
Soft-shelled pam, 243
“* Softwood,” 428
Sogoto, 213
Sokodé-Bassari coast forests,
142; S. District, 117, 173 ;
S. Plantations, 118, 123, 124
Sokoto, 189, 190, 198, 200, 201,
207, 210, 211, 215, 216
Solanacere (Nigeria), 194, 225
Solanum, 194; S. incanum, 194 ;
oor , Melongena, 194; 8S. sp.,
Somabari (Oban, Ekof), 331
Sombreiro River, 151
Soppo, 445, 446
Sopubia, 194
Sorghum, 199, 204; S. vulgare,
196; S. vulgare, are sac-
charantum, 196, 1
Sorindeia uglandifclia. ar 8.
trimera, 434
Sorono eae er 131
Sorowa (Agni), 8
Sosong (Bakes!) 428, 441
Sotibia (Fanti), 85
Soudan or Baie Zone, 189,
190: 191, 198, 200, 203, 208,
Soumbaras, 90
Sounoum (Fanti), 87
Sour Gourd, 223; S. Sop, 71
Soyauxia sp., 36
Spanish Elder compared with
Melia Azedarach, 135;
Mahogany, 175; S.
ce
Spathodea, 233; S. campanulata,
60, ea 144, 197, 204,
Spermacoce, 192
ponenaces Zeylanica, 194
Bui Fe ; ee, 43; Mountain S.T.,
lum,
Spiny Tree, 413
Spondias dulcis, 124; 8. lutea,
52, 76, 87, 103,” 136, 196,
222, 232, 389, 419; com-
Bared to Pseudospondias
microcarpa, S. sp.,
198, 212, 222, 7931, 239
Sponges, 163 ; from vines and
lianes, 23°
Spruce i oa (ce. Pacific
Railw: 489
Ssire Teele}, 128, 129
Sserre (Kratschi), 128
Ssissiku (Tschandjo), 139
Ssissina (Tschandjo), 140
Sso abalu (Tschandjo), 133
Ssomii (Tschandjo), 141
Ssosi (Tschandjo), 1
III. Timber Imports, 65
Sierra Teone (Monntains), 206
Sizo (Yoruba), 375
Silk Cotton Tree. 105. 116, 100,
209, 223, 230, 435
Silkworm. 216
Siluko River, 238; S. Road
25R 5 8. Sub-iistrict (Benin),
ee (Gold Coast 100 ;
. (Ivory Coast), 85; 8.
(Liberia), 74; 5S. OSigaria),
191, 198, 210, 312, 313, 453,
454: 8. (To), 184
Sime or Semei (Mendi), 42
Simua (Attie), 84
Sino Rasin, 73, 79
Sino Kim (Town), 70
Sisal Hemn. 124
Skiwaka (Hansa), 225
Smeathmannia lpvigae
78;
8. pubescens, 365 ;
8. an., 77
Smilax Kraussiana, 195
Ssossosi (Tschandjo), 131
Ssua i Techend he 8. dau
(Tachandjo), 1
Ssuto (Tschandjo), 131
St. Barbara (R.), 151, 154; St.
Bartholomew (R)., 151; St.
John’s aa ee 74; ‘Bt. Paul! 8
River, 70, 73
Stachyothyrsus Standitil, 431
Stag-beetle attacks on Fun-
tumia elastica, 440
“ Stands,” 162, 169, 238
Star Apple, 57, 110; African
» 57, 3815 edible 8. _ ”
Forcados 8. A.
8.A., 381; White 8.A., 882
Staudtia. Kamerunensis, 427;
8. stinitata, 427
Stearin, 480
Stemonocoleus micranthus, 431
eran oe hanyts, 44;
ania’
Steppe Ae a0, 190
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Sterculia, 87, 106, 138, 233
acuminata, syn. cola acumin-
ata, 436
Barteri, 106, 232
cinerae,
cordata, 232
cordifolia, 54, 106, 117, 119,
169, 348, 349, 4 435
grandifolia,
oblonga, 76, * 138, 282, 435 ;
8. near oblonga, 349
see 347, 436
sp., 76, 348
tomentosa, 106, 138, 190, 202,
210, 223, 348°
tragacantha, 54, wae 435
Sterculiaceex, 20; (Gold
Coast), 106 s (Ivory
Coast), 87 ; 8. (Liberia), 76 ;
8. oe an 190, 196, 210,
223, 347; pag ee Leone),
6 (Cameroons),
435 ; 8. ‘ erezon 138
Stereospermum acuminatissi-
mum, 400; 8. Kunthia-
mum, as ” 192; 201, 215,
225, 400; 8. leonense, 60
“ Stinkwood ” Tree, 108
Stool Wood, 390
Strephonema Apolomensls, 109
Streptocarpus nobilis, 197
Striga, 194; 8. Senegalensis, 194
Strombosia’- glaucescens, 426 ;
. grandifolia, 426; 3.
Pustulata, 83
Strombosiopsis tetandra, 426
Strophanthus hispidus, 192, 395 ;
Ss. es 395; S. sar-
Mmentosus, 1
Strychnos ainifolia, 192; 8.
Buettneri, 142; 8. denai-
S. ‘emarginata,
laxa, 142; . pubescens,
;, 8. spinosa, 202, 214 ;
8. triclisioides, 192
Stylochiton Dalzielii, 196
Subanda (Techandjo), 1383
Suein (Appollonian), 107
Sugar Cane, 196, 199, 421; S.
Loaf Mountains, 55;' 8.
Palm, 177; 8. Plantations,
116 ;'8. Plum, 84, 51
Sukai I, 8. Son endl, 57
Sundew, 1 93
Supom, 102
Surrey price of cake, 482
Susuwuru,
Swamp Date Palm, 239; 8.
(Freshwater), 118; 8.
planting, 175; S. rice, 53
Swartzia Madagascariensis, 133,
191, 219
Sweden Market, 324
Swietenia bijuga, 148;
ec fel hreg al 174; 8. macro-
phyll
Swiztonticke t 30, 78, 393
Sword Bean, 298
Sycopetalum Tarquense, 107
Syctopetalacess id Coast),
107; 8. (Ivory Coast), 87 ;
8. (Cameroons), 436
Symphonia globulifera, 88, 8363
Syzgium Guineense, 140
Taba ni ka samu Cagis) (ef.
Kurnan nagara), 2
Tabako (Duala), 448
Taboia (Atakpame), 136
Tacca involucrata, 195; T.
pinnatifida, 128
Teche (Togo), 128 ; (Nigeria),
Taceribe Velen s 84
Tada (Duala), 4:
Teecazea (Barter) 192
Tafashia (Hausa), 21 4, 225
Tagalel, 207
Tagbadja River (Togo), 117
Tagbekove Village, 116
Tahl of the Soudan, 208
Takanda, 196, 199; or Takan-
dar giwa (Kats., Sok., and
Zanf.), 221; Takandar giwa
(Hausa), 210, 213
Takwadua (Twi, Wassaw), 104
Aas (ve aud fa. 231, 238,
: ew Calabar), 405
Talaki or Talakin Y; }
199, 206, 221, 229, 232
Tamarese (Asante), 132
Tamau (Tschandjo), 139
Tambelei (Mendi), 41
Tamenasi (Atakpame), 133
Tanda (Duala), 438
Tangerine, 124
Tanna (English), 86
Tannin, 56, 108, 208
Tano Forest and River, 82
Taramniya, 2138, 223
Taro (Tschandjo), 127
Tartar Tree, 349
Tata (Duala), 433
Tatairo (Moyen Cavally), 86
Tau (Tschandjo), 133
Taupwi (Young Trees, Mendi), 41
Taura (Hausa), 202, 206, 221
Tauwi (Mendi), 41
Tawatsa (Hausa), 209;
Tawatsa, 221
Taxodium distichum, 175
Tchiat Kottse (Attie), 89
Tchiko (Attie), 86
Teak, 42, 70, 120, 121, 122, 124,
126, 169, 170, 171, 500;
Brown Teak, 416; Burma
T., 162, 168; Bush Teak,
417; T. plantations (Tec-
tona Grandis), 470; T.
(Togo), 149
Tebo (Attie), 85
Tectona grandis, 120, 122, 126,
148, 183, 420
Tegai (Mendi), 45
Tei-tei (Ijor, Brass), 356
Teko District (Buea), 429
Teli (Bambara), 85
Tema (Timani), 42
Tendeba (Apollonian),
T. or
110 ;
Tephrosia, 191; TT. Ansellii,
3 Tr.
Teredo borer, 157 ; T. Worm,357
Terle (Mendi), 57 :
Terminalia, 117, 118, 119, 169,
202, 230, 416, 445, 446; T.
Altissima, 88; T. Avicen-
nioides, 223, 372; T.
Baumannii, 140, 212, 223 ;
Black bark Terminalia, 369 ;
T. Brownii, 372 ; T. catalpa,
122, 148; T. catappa, 176,
421; T. dictyoneura, 140;
7. Dry zone, 372 ; T. Elliotii,
223; TT. Ivoriensis,
; T. macroptera, 109,
140, 192, 202, 212, 223;
T. Orange-barked, 370; T.
scutifera, 56, 369, 370, 371,
416, 419; T. sp., 56, 108,
192, 212, 223, 369, 370, 371,
421; T. Superba, 56, 109,
119, 140, 179, 183, 230, 438,
445, 446, 498; T. Togensis,
19, 109, 117, 140, 233, 371;
T. Yellow, 369 a Lael
Termites, 31, 70, 73, 249, 257,
268, 280, 311, 388, 408
Tetere (Mbonoi), 89
INDEX
Tetracera erocarpa, 77; T.
Dinklagei, 77;’ T. ‘pota-
toria, 77 ; T. sp., 77
Tetrapleura, 220, 231; TT.
Prekese, 97; Thonningii,
85, 131, 197, 220, 284, 42y
Teyei (Mendi), 57
eobranis ci 420, 436
espesia populuea, 105, 137
Thistleton-Dyer, Sir W. T.,
K.C.M.G., C.LE., 496
Thomandersia laurifolia, 441
Thompson, Mr. H. N., Conserva-
tor of Forests, South Nige-
Tia, Report on Ashanti,
Gold Coast, and Northern
Territory, 91, 101; Brought
Khaya Senegalensis seed
from Shaki district 177;
Opinion as to Albizzia sp.,
‘hymeleacez (Nigeria), 195;
(Cameroons), 437
Tiamatiama (Agni), 86; (Ap-
polonian), 86, Hees Wes
53;
(Gold
Toons), 434
Tim (Tschandjo), 133
Timani or Tunani, 26, 40
Timba or Timba nundi (Duala),
433
Timber, 40, 165, 498; Condi-
tions of working in Liberia,
69; TT. dogs, 155; T.
exports (Cameroons), 444;
(Sierra Leone), 64; T.
Imports (Sierra Leone),
comparative statement, 65 ;
T. Industry (Nigeria Law),
Felling T., 158; T.
serves (Nigeria), 158; T.
Yield, Temperate Zone, 161;
T. Yield Tropics, 161
Timbuctoo, 198
Tingbatau or Patandeu
(Tschandjo), 136
Tinya, 193
Tisal (Togo export), 150
Tisemu (Tschandjo), 129
Titiro (Egbado), 346
Tiupe (Attie), 84
Tochitschifie (Atakpame), 144
Toddalia sp., 312
Toddy, 70
Togba (Atakpame), 145
Togbeli (Mendi), 48
Togo, 17, 173, 189, 306, 469,
500 ; T., chap. vii, 116-150 ;
Introduction, 116; Forests
between or at the Stations,
116-119; Forest depart-
ment plantations, 119-122 ;
District plantations, 122-
127 ; Indigenous trees, 127—
147; List of Introduced
species planted, 148; Cen-
sus of Plantations, 149;
Forest Exports, 150
Togo, Tour by Dr. A. H. Unwin,
116-150
Toi-tsi (Ibo), 233
Tokei (Mendi), 43
525
Tolabu (Atakpame), 137
Tolongo (Duala), 437
Toluitera Pereire, 177, 421
Toman or Tonas (Hausa), 211
Tombo Palm, 41 ; (General West
Coast), 93, 234
Tonga (Bondoukou), 83
Toon, 173
Tortoza, 26; (Timani), 51
Totengei (Mendi), 61
Toto (Yoruba), 246
Totohote (Attie), 85
Touloucouna oil, $17
Toye (Mendi), 51
Trachylobium sp., 431
Tragacanth, 54
Tragia Manniana, 336
Trakuan (Attie), 84
Treculia Africana, 83, 123, 233,
256, 426; T. mollis, 426;
T. sp., 256
Trema affinis, 42, 94, 249, 425;
T. Africana, 42, 94, 248,
249, 425; T. Guineensis,
197; T. sp., 420, 421
Trevor, Mr, E. W. J. (Peri-
carping machines), 477
Trianthema monogyna, 194
Trichilia, 419; T. acutifolia, 86 ;
T. Candollei, T.
drata, 3. T.
135, 191, 211, 222; T.
qecnel ota, 50, 75, 102, 232,
sp. near T. Prie
330
Trichodesma Africanum, 192
T. Bipin-
2or3 Te
sonii, 106, 139, 230, 251,
253; TT. Nigericum, 18,
117, 139, 159, 178, 188, 230,
351 ;; . TOV. Bp.,
T. scleroxylon, 87,
417, 436
Tripoli senna, 199
Tritonia, 195
Triumfetta cordifolia, 344; T,
Rhomboidea, 344; T. sp.,
105, 191, 344
Triwa (Agni), 83
Trochomeria, 194
Tsada, 191, 202
Tsadar Lamarudu,
labunda (Tschandjo), 130
Tschaloware (Tschandjo), 134
Tschamanu (Tschandjo), 133
Tschapéa (Tschandjo), 140
Tschato (Tschandjo), 132
Tachengunga (Asante), 130
Tschingbelika (Tschandjo), 138
Tschuou (Tschandjo), 136
Tscisili (Tschandjo), 132
Tsetse or Echéché (Ewe), 140
Tsiberi Kinkini, 193
Tsibra or Tsura (Sok.), 225
Tso (Ewe), 130; Tea (Ewe), 132
Tsung Oil (Chinese Wood Oil),
451, 452
Tte (Attie), 84
Tuanyei (Mendi), 49
Tudi (Zanfara), 222
Tui (Mendi), 41
Tuinynelli (Mendi), 57
526 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY
Tukuruwa Palm, 195, 216, 218
Tulip (Tree), 60, 144, 405;
Tictean T. tree, 400; Re
T. tree, 400
Tulipier de eter (Colona), 89
Tuloi (Mendi), 5
Tumbalaka (Atakpame), 130
Tumuku, 194
Tuna, Tunas, or Tunam (Hausa),
2,
Tunfall (Timani), 60
Tunka (Mendi), 41
Tunkia, Chief of, 66
Tuntumi (Timani), 57
Tura (Tschandjo), 129
Turndogo (Bondoukou), 84
Turracanthus Zenkeri, 433
Turrea Heterophylla, 331; T.
sp., 50; T. Vogelii, 331
Tursuje (Hausa), 222
Turtle-backs, 189
Turubi, 195
Tome or Tingma (Tschandjo),
Twani a ial 103
Twe (Neyau),
ane or Hogogo ae,
entyem (Mangu), 1
Tyenyedlo or Pasau (Techandjo),
étébu (Mangu), 136
Tylostemon crassifolius,
Mannii,
Tzantbi (Mendi), 47
Ua magungtina (Hausa), 135
Uapaca Benguelensis, 86 ;
Bingervillensis, 86 ;
Guineensis, 51,
215, 231, 334;
lotii (Sugar Plum, Red
Cedar) cut locally in Sierra
Leone, 34, a 102, 136, 334,
335, ree . Staudtii , 231,
416, Toruenale, iat
Ubabikvan tt
Ubake (Benin),
Ubanakwi "Benin. 892
Ubara (Efik), 287
beget A las 412; U. (nuts),
Ubelloname, Ubellunowe(Benin),
Ubuen (Efik), 406
Ubgo (penta); 392
Uboto (Benin), 392
Uche (Akposso), 134
Udeni (Ibo), 230
Udeni (Ibo, Owerri), 278
Udi Plantation, 167
Udia Ebiong (Efik), 232
Balt (Benit), 241; U. (Benin),
Uganda, 211
Ugbamiogou (Benin), 892; or
Ubamiogon (Benin), '392,
Ugbehen (Benin), 303
Ugbodokossa an. 406
Ugenia Owariensis, 1
427;
Uhi Forest, B80 298
Uhie (Ibo), 2
Ukan (fornba), a
Ukana (Efik), 2:
Ukape (Benin), 407
Ukhu (Benin), 390
Ukloba Pine 128
Ukpa (Efik
Ukpa TEAS, 229; Ukpa-Kara
(Brass), 281
Ukpagga (Benin), 303
Uknags or Okpaigwi (Benin),
Ukpami (ARneeeO, 122
Ukpassa (Efik), 3
Ukpi nikwi of the Benis, 232,
342; U. Nufwa (Benin),
341, 343; Small Ukpi
(Yoruba), 348; U. en-
wan (Benin), 3
Ukpoi (Oban, Ekoi), 266
Ukposa (Benin), 265
Ukukon (Benin), 239, 240
Ukum (Efik), 231, 345
Ukung (Efik), 229
Ulazo (Benin), 370
Ulmacee, (Ivory Coast),
83; (Gold Coast),
(Togo), 128 ; (Nigeria), 193;
197, 218, 246 ; (Cameroons),
TRE Gs Uz Salers: ee nushinog-
bon (Benin),
Umaja or mara C1 (Benin), 263
age er (Togo), 160 ; (Nige-
Tia
Umberium (Timani), 43, 71, 268
Umbrella tree, 95, 283, 252, 420,
426, 485, 488°
Ume (Benin), 158, 178, 273, 275
Umowenek (Efik), 229
Uncaria Africana, 197, 203
Undu District, 426
Ungari (Timani), 53
Ungive (Mendi), 53
Ungu teat oa 277
ungu (Ibo),
pl ag ee 383
Uae (Benin), 2
United Bintese rectentiog in
Liberia, 66
Uno (Efik), ’233
Unscented Mahogany, Entan-
drophragmacylindricum,210
Unwin, Dr. A. H., suggestion
as to name
Unyenghen (Benin), 264
Uoli (Akposso), 143
Upakeka Benin), 285, 449
Upeka (Benin), 273
Upper Cross Rives 817
Upper Niger, 58
Uputtu of the Benis, 230
Ureben (Benin), 273°
Urens lobata, 190, 345
Urere, 95, 257
Urginea, 195; U. Indica, 195;
UD. Nigritana, 195 ; wv.
Spp., 199
Drovig lian hirtellum, 113
Urostigma, 193, 216
Urticacese ao Coast),
(Nigeria), 2
Uruaro (Benin), he
Uruba su (Bete), 89
Urueben (Benin), 311
Uruhe (Benin), 272, 367
Uruiju Arogu 1 (Yoruba), 263
Uruk (Eftk
Ururata (Benin), 349
U.8.A., Southern States, Decid-
vous Cones; native of, 175
Usi (Benin), 3.
Uso or Dinks 361
Usshin Soko 297
Uta (Ikale), 246
Utan-tan (Benin), 340
Utriculavia, 194
Uuti (Ewe), 188
Uvaria Afzelii, 44, ne 263; U.
Busgenii, 263, ier 427; H
U. Chama, 129, v
Dinklagei, 71; U. Tans:
carpa, 44; v. Microtricha,
427; 0. Seabrida, 71;
Uz. sp., 44
Uwanwanis (Benin), 209
Uwar Yara (Kano and Kata-
gum), 216, 218
95 ;
Uwen (Efik), 230; Uweny-
riotau or Uwemriotan
(Benin), 343
Uwonwen (Benin), 337
Uwowe Lugu (Benin), 293; U.
Labafun (Benin), 293
Uyat (Efik), 293
Vandakiie (Attie), 85
Vangueria nigrescens, 62; V.
chrysocarpa, 197;
euonymoides, 204
Vai (Bali), 425
Velvet Tamarind, 47, 289
Verbenacez (Sierra Leone), 59;
(Ivory Coast), 89; (Gold
Coast), 112; (Togo), 143;
(Nigeria), 193, 197, 215,
224, 397 ; (Cameroons), 440
Vernonia, 35, 194; V. amyg-
dalina, 194, 225, 409; V.
cinerea, 410; Vv. conferta,
62, 114, 409, "442; V. fron-
dosa, 442; _ V~. ‘nigritana,
194, ee Vv. pencgalenels,
147; oy 225
Vetch, 302
Vetweria a enoldes, 201
Vi (Abe), 86
Victoria ‘District, 416, 420, 425,
428, 431, 483, 441, 442
V. Botanical Gardens, 176: 5
V. Falls, 17
Vigna, 191 ; Vv. sineusis, 192, 204
Vincentella ampressa, 110
Violacee (Sierra em 55;
(Gold Coast), 10:
Violetwood, Description of
yes Leone), 80; African
Visinia’ leonensis, 55
105 ;
Vitex, 232; V7 - angolensis, 197 ;
Vv. Bipindensis, 441; v:
camporum, 143; V. *clen-
kowskii, 59, 148, 144, 193,
202, 215, 224, 398;
cuneata, 112, 148, 441; Vv.
diversifolia, 193, boa, 399 ; H
V. doniana, 59; fosteri,
399; V. grandifolia, 59,
898; V. megaphylla, 112;
Vv. micrantha, 60, 89; V:
oxycuspis, 60
Vitis, 193; V. pallida, 198;
- quadrangularis, 193, 293
Veacange Africana, 59, 112, 148,
197, 204, 341; V. ob
59, 197. 204, 224;
7 Thonnersit 59
oandzeia su eran 192
Volta River, 98, 1
Volto Valley, 134
Wa, 198, 216, 219
Wa: ava CAppoionten), W. (In-
Wacenneta, 430
Wadda Tree, 197, 294
Waghebe (Ewe), 142
Wala (Bondoukou), 89
Walehe (Abe), 84 {y"
Waku 164, a 205, 416,
419: Africa:
W., 208;
W., East Indian, 29, 208
Waltherla eunricena, 190
Walwei (Mendi), 4
Wan mi, 219
Waogbum (Techandjo), 187
Ware Borf yore (Agni), 87
Warie (Agni), 8
Warri Port, ibis W. (Province),
162, 156, 235, 236, 239, 251,
tusa,
Vv.
ware’ (a 4: 406, ere re
Water Lily, 193 ; W. Melon, 193,
199, 471
Water Kola, 210
Waterside cynometra, 285
Waterside Ekpagoize, 290
Water Tree, 77
Wawa (Appolonian) (Indenie),
7; Wawa or Wawwaw
(Twi), 106
Wawe (Mendi), 61
‘Wawapupus (Twi), 106
We (Trepo), 87
Weatherboard Wood, 402
Weihea Africana, 197; W. sp.,
gf sinicans, 368; W. sp.,
Weke (Bakundu), 431
Welu (Tschandjo), 132
Were (Yoruba), 302
Western Africa, Logs exported
from, 67; Conditions of
working, 69
Weti CAE pened: 137
Wheat, 199
Whismore, desertion. of, 34
White Ants, 29, 286, 401
White-ball ‘Rubber 79
White Cedar (see Pycnanthus
Kombo), 34, 44, 77, 266
White Mahogany, 49, 67, 100
White Oak (Parinarium sp.), 32,
523 Setryed erris impresea,
277, 2
ier ae 7; OW,
97
Whitewood,
(American), 2 , 313
Wild Custard Site: 95, 190, 262
Wild Date aon 94, 240, 418
Wild Fig, 4
Wild Indigo > Yoruba), 219, 221
Wild Mango, 100, 312, 417, 419,
431
Wild Plum, 72; W. Rice, 199
Willow, 218
Wine Palm, 70
Wismao (Sierra Leone), 68
Witkoran (Timani),
Wo (Ewe), 127, 131
bili | or Wokuka (Bakwiri),
440
Wokekv (Bakwiri), 426
Wokotelimon Lape), ni
Womba (Bakwiri), 4
Wondo (Bakwiri), ar
Wongo (Bakundov), 431
Wonjaneasanga (Bakwiri), 433 ;
or Wonjasanga (Bakundn),
433
Wonjanja lee 438
Wood Oil Nut, 4
Wood, — Syrartel, Togo,
15
INDEX
Woods (exported Ivory Coast)
for cabinet era etc., 90
Woongo (Bakwiri), 4
Worolongo (Bakeiriy. 437
Wotenge (Bakwiri), 426
Woto or Atrati (Ewe), 139
Wotobe Evowobe (Mbonoi), 87
Wu (Ewe), 1
Wueti (ive) aad
Wulfram (Fanti), 98
Wulule (Bakwiri), 441
Wuyan damo (Hausa), 223
Wych Elm, 335, 336
Wyfongo (Bakwiri), 441
Xeropetalum Dombeya, 436
Ximenia Americana, 129,191, 202
Xylia qranel 45, 75, 7, 939,
3
Xylopia’ thiopica, ee ae 84,
96, 130, 219, 260, x.
sp. Dink lagei, 43, a: &
sp. near X. Eliotii,”
X. Eminii, 130; Parvis
flora, 13, ‘43, 84, Se. 130,
196, | 204, 262, "427s 5
Striata, 96
Xysmalobium. 192 ;
tiolum, 5!
Ya (Hausa), 219
Yabassi District, 436
Yabonii, 35
Yafo (Kpedyi), 130
Yam, 195, 204-265, 3044, 71,
491; "Y. aa charms, 255 ;
X. grani-
Y. crushing, 182; Yams |
as food, 186; Yam stick,
385, 490
Yandahun Village, 66
Yankran (Fanti), 95
Yar or Abi River, 82
Yaru (Yoruba), 259
Yawi (Mendi), 54
Ya-ya or Yar-yvar (General West
Coast), 113
ast),
Yayabé (Mangu), 134
Yellow , 291; Y-backed
‘Duika, 250; "Y flowering
nutmeg, 265, 457;
Plum, 222; Y. poppy, 193 :
¥. wood, 71, 76, 427 ; Hard
yellow wood, 388, 404, 417
Yenagoa, 477
Yere (Yoruba), 334
Yerepe (Yoruba), 299
Yevo-Gboma (Atakpame), 137
Yewa River, 151
Yeye (Yoruba), 334 -
Yinrin-Yinrin of Ijaws and
ales, 230
527
Yokharauku (Pegomba), 142°
Yokomi (Mendi), 53
Yola, 207 ; Y. mosque, 217
York, 46
Yoruba, 158, 163, 164, 185, 212,
243, 253, 256, 270, 284, 298,
349, 373; Yoruba Market,
313; Yorubas, The, 170,
246, '247, 250, 252, 260, 267;
283; 295, 301, 303, 318, 331,
338, 349, 359, 389, 304
Yoruba Blackwood, "298 ; Y.
Blue Dye, 308: ¥. Charcoal
Wood, 305; Y. Chewatick,
373 5 Y ood, 335:
Y. Ebony, 384; Y. Indigo,
5; _¥. Ironwood, 276,
335, 384; Y. Soft Cane,
246
Yotsa or Yo, 141
Yowi or ca a (Atakpame), 145
Yrewo (Ewe), 1
Yukugo (Bondoukow), 83
Yumba (Mangu), 137
Zacoba (Agni) (Attie), 86
Zaki banza, 195
Z4klu (MisahGe), 182
Zamarke (Hausa), 219
Zaminguila, 422, 423
Zanha golungensis, 137
Zanthoxylum, 309, 310, 419;
a _macrophyllum, 30, 67,
309, 310; Z. sp.,
Zaria, 185, 189, 190, 200, 206,
207, 216, 489
Zech, Graf fate Governor of
Togo),
Zeronga in a 89
Zimingela, 445, 446
Zinder, 198, 210, 211
Zindi ee Kanuri), 223
Zini River, 8:
Zizyphus Tajuba, 187, 198, 213,
222, 343; Z. mucronata,
104, 187, 198, 222, 343;
a pina-Christt, 104, 198,
222
Zo; saging 219; Z.,
“Bagarumar makka (Sok. a,
Zone Goiniénne of Chevalier, 189
Zone Sahélienne, 189; By
Chevalier, 198
Zungeru, 189, 241
Zuwo, 216
Zygophyllacee (Togo), 134
Printed in Great Britain by
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED
WOKING AND LONDON
aes