Chapter III: Sierra Leone (2)

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.

=Leguminosæ.=

_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 purposes. A fragrant
resin is exuded and much used as a scent by the Creoles and natives.

_Erythrophlœum 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.

_Erythrophlœum sp._ near _E. micranthum_.* † Sasswood or Redwater 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 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 Peltophorum 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 Sieberiana_.* 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 for its 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).

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. Heudelotii_.* †

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 Kpendeideli (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 substitute 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 conspicuous
flower. It is much used in cabinet-making.

_B. Heudelotiana_.* Helei (Mendi).

A large tree, 50 feet in height.

_B. sp._ near _B. stipulaceæ_.* Tzabembi (Mendi).

A large tree, the seeds of which are made into counters by the Mendis
to play Warry.

_Brachystegia sp._* Bodgei (Mendi).

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.

_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); Firbandu Ndambabuli (Mendi).

A small tree.

_Baphia polygalaceæ_.* 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 Brownii_.* 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 fastigiata_.* 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.

_Newtonia insignis_.*

A tree about 80 feet in height, with well developed buttress roots.

_Peltophorum_.* Njomboguli (Mendi).

A large tree.

_Ormosia monophylla_.*

=Linaceæ.=

_Ochthocosmus Africanum_.* Tuanyei (Mendi).

A small, fairly common tree.

=Humiriaceæ.=

_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.

=Rutaceæ.=

_Zanthoxylum macrophyllum_.* Spiny Satinwood. Witkoran (Timani); Pfui II (Mendi).

This tree yields a very pretty yellow wood, with a somewhat 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.

=Burseraceæ.=

_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.

=Meliaceæ.=

_Lovoa Klaineana_.* † African Walnut.

It is a medium-sized tree, not very common; the value of the timber
varies from 1¾d. 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 everywhere. It
yields a mahogany-like wood, which has been sold in the Liverpool
market.

_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 Heudelotii_.*

_Trichilia sp._ near _T. Prieuriana_.*

A medium-sized tree.

_Trichilia sp._* Jawei (Mendi).

_Turræa sp._*

A small tree, from 12 to 15 feet.

=Polygalaceæ.=

_Carpolobia alba_.* Bofelei or Gibofoyoi (Mendi).

It is a small tree called Poor Man’s Candle.

_Carpolobia lutea_.*

A shrub or small tree.

=Dichapetalaceæ.=

_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.

=Euphorbiaceæ.=

_Ricinodendron Heudelotii_. Mahogany. Kino (Timani); Boi (Mendi).

This tree yields a mahogany valued at 2d.-3½d. per superficial foot.
It is rather an uncommon tree, but as it seeds very readily and
develops rapidly, more could be planted. A large number are found
along the river banks.

_Ricinodendron Africanus_.* Gbolei (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 Heudelotii_.*

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 5½ 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).

_Flueggea 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 laciniatum_.

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.

_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 diœcious 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 Barteri_.* 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.

_Mæsobotrya 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.

=Anacardiaceæ.=

_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 lutea_.* 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.

_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.

=Icacinaceæ.=

_Leptaulos daphnoides_.* Propri (Timani); Bongani (Mendi).

A small tree.

=Sapindaceæ.=

_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.

=Tiliaceæ.=

_Glyphæa Grewioides_.* Swamp Rice. Beibolei (Mendi).

A decoction of the leaves is used for curing gonorrhœa.

=Bombacaceæ.=

_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.

=Sterculiaceæ.=

_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 Europeans, owing to its bitter taste. The price varies
from £10 to £12 a measure (160 lb.).

_Cola angustifolia_.* 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.

=Ochnaceæ.=

_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.

=Guttiferæ.=

_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 butyraceæ_.* Chewstick. Komdi (Timani); Mdayen (Mendi).

Chewstick. This is a very prevalent tree, though it does not reach
very stout dimensions. The roots are used extensively 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.

_Vismia leonensis_.*

A small tree of 15 feet.

_Allanblackia floribunda_.*

A medium-sized tree.

=Violaceæ.=

_Alsodeia sp._*

A small tree. Some of these yield timber.

_Alsodeia sp._*

A medium-sized tree growing near the river.

=Flacourtiaceæ.=

_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_.

=Rhizophoraceæ.=

_Anisophyllea laurina_.* Monkey Apple. Kant (Timani); Kanti (Mendi).

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.

=Combretaceæ.=

_Anogeissus_.* †

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 _T. 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.

=Myrtaceæ.=

_Eugenia calophylloides_.*

A small tree.

=Melastomaceæ.=

_Memecylon_, cf. _M. spathulandra_.†

It is a small tree growing in the swamps near Bureh town.

=Araliaceæ.=

_Cussonia Djalonensis_.

A medium-sized to large tree growing in the savannah forests. It has a
thick grey, rough bark.

=Sapotaceæ.=

_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 (Mendi).

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.

=Ebenaceæ.=

_Diospyros sp._* †

A medium-sized ebony.

_Maba Mannii_.

A tree.

=Loganiaceæ.=

_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.

=Apocynaceæ.=

_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.

_Polyadoa 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 peninsular
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 3½
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.

_Conopharyngia crassa_.*

A small tree bearing a double fruit as large as a child’s head.

_C. longiflora_.*

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 Afzelii_.

A small tree.

_Pleiocarpa tricarpella_.

A small tree.

_Rauwolfia vomitoria_. Kawogei (Mendi).

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.

=Asclepiadaceæ.=

_Xysmalobium granitiolum_.

A small tree in the river bed.

=Borraginaceæ.=

_Cordia sp._ Kpetellahen (Mendi).

It is a large tree growing on river banks. The bark is edible.

=Verbenaceæ.=

_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 Koinadugu
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_.* †

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.

=Bignoniaceæ.=

_Spathodea campanulata_.* Tulip Tree.

It is a large tree yielding timber, edible seeds and medicaments. It
is also used as an ornamental tree.

_Newbouldia lævis_.* Anyolo (Timani); Bogi Ponamagbei (Mendi).

It is a tree reaching a height of 40 feet. Its use is principally
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.

=Rubiaceæ.=

_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.

_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 1¼ 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. Njelei (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 jasminiflora_.* Pegblagei (Mendi).

It is a tree of about 20 feet in height; the flowers white and much
like jasmin. Scrapings of the bark are used for irritation of the skin
at rice-harvest.

_Mitragyne_. Mbuandae or M’boy (Mendi).

A large, tall tree, 100 feet high and 4½ 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 Freetown 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 genipæflora_.*

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 malleifera_.* 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. caudata_.*

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.

=Compositæ.=

_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.