Chapter IX: The Nigerian Timber Trees (5)

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 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 fractured and compressed, thus giving a broken and
mottled appearance 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 the 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 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 Entandrophragmas. 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.

To face p. 320.

_Khaya anthotheca?_. White-barked Mahogany or White Mahogany, 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
pronounced, as these roots tend to form more or less stout buttresses
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 than its
“confrères.” 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 capsules
dividing into three, four and five sections. It does not exude gum so
readily as _Khaya Punchii_, 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 germination 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 of over 12
feet, and the bole is straighter and considerably taller than most of
the Khayas.

_Pseudocedrela Kotschyii_. 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, Plekkogo (Benin); Eplekgo (Jekri); Edem (Efik); Atori (Oban, Ekoi).

This tree is found in the evergreen and mixed forests of the Ondo,
Benin, Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is one of the most
common mahoganies of the forest, and reaches the largest girth of any
of the African trees. The biggest of all showed a girth of 56 feet,
measured 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 _E. 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 pentagonal 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 2½ 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 terminate 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 conditions and with favourable seasons,
an average growth of 6 feet in height may be expected. The young trees
are occasionally 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. However, 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 Mahogany. 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 pinnæ. 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 _Entandrophragma utilis_, and opens in a
similar way. The seeds are rather larger and the wings considerably
longer. It is deciduous for about a week 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 _E. 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 by a lymexylon. 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 _E.
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 _E. 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 _E. 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, Ijor).

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 entirely 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 more of a yellow-brown colour.
The leaves are pinnate, with three or four pairs of pinnæ. 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 forms comparatively
early in the life of the tree. The wood is only moderately hard; it
planes well, and takes nails; it saws easily, 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. It has a pleasant lustre, but tends to
darken a little with age, especially when not exposed to the brightest
light. The tree is a moderately fast-growing, shade-bearing species,
with soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities. Natural
regeneration appears to be moderate. It sprouts slightly from the
stump. Seed years are none too frequent. The seeds themselves are soon
eaten by boring insects when they lie on the ground; even when picked
up they soon lose their germinative capacity, 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 moisture, depth and a good deal of humus. No plantations
have been made with this tree, but a great number of isolated trees
have been planted by timber-lease holders in their areas.

In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool 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 distinctive tufts at the ends of the branches,
though not quite so much as in Entandrophragma.

The fruit, which is quite soft, is a dehiscent capsule, of a dark
brown colour; when ripe, three black seeds covered with red pulp are
released. The seeds are ellipsoid in shape and smaller than those of
_G. sp._, Obobonufwa. The seed is nearly half an inch long and covered
with white streaks following round its narrowest circumference. The
crown is very thick and dense compared with _G. sp._, Obobonufwa. 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 when freshly cut, which rapidly goes a light brown
colour, though not such a light brown as in the case of _G. sp._,
Obobonufwa. It has a strong cedar scent when freshly cut, and even the
old wood retains this scent when planed up afresh. The grain is fine,
though a little fibrous. The pores are long and open. It has, however,
a nice sheen, giving a better appearance than that of _G. sp._,
Obobonufwa. It planes easily, but does not split very well. It takes
nails fairly easily and saws without difficulty. It is not termite-
proof. It has considerable tensile strength and elasticity. In
proportion the heartwood is very large and forms comparatively early
in the life of the tree. It has a closer grain than any of the
mahogany of the Benin district.

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. Thompsonii_, 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 _Sideroxylon 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 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 without 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 3½d. to 3¾d. 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 2½d. 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 _T. 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 _T. Heudelotii_. It is found in the
Abeokuta, Ondo and Benin provinces of Nigeria. The heartwood is
brownish-red and the sapwood is white. It reaches rather a larger size
than _T. 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.

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 pinnæ. The seeds are reminiscent of
Guarea.

_Distribution._—It is found in the mixed deciduous forests of the
Abeokuta, 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.

_Turræa Vogelii_. 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 undergrowth of the evergreen forest.

The natives have no particular use for it.

_Turræa 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 Meliaceæ. 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 Meliaceæ, 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).

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 Entandrophragmas 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.

=Polygalaceæ.=

_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.

=Dichapetalaceæ.=

_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.

=Euphorbiaceæ.=

_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.

To face p. 332.

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. Rautenii_,
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. Rautenii_ 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 widespread, 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 Liverpool 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 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 Heudelotii_. Mahogany. Yeye (Yoruba); Oyen (Benin); Ile (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_ (Muell. 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.

_Distribution._—Banks of the Ogun, Olokemeji Forest Reserve.

In most respects the timber is similar to that of Heudelottii. 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 Odan, 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 buildings, 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.

_Bridelia stenocarpa_. Benin Ironwood. 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 elm. 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.

_Excœcaria 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 Olokemeji 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 undergrowth 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 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_. Iranje (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 _Uapaca 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
cultivated, 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.

=Anacardiaceæ.=

_Spondias lutea_. Non-indigenous Hog Plum or Yellow Plum. Iyeye, Akika Aka (Yoruba); Ogikan or Ogege (Benin); Nsukakara (Efik).

Although indigenous to India, it has become very widespread 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 distinguish
this tree from many of the forest trees. The little yellow fruit,
about 1 inch long and ¾ 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 pinnæ 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, 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 indigenous 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.