Chapter 6

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ISOBERLINIA DALZIELIICraib & Stapf.—Fara doka.LEGUMINOSAE.

This species is very similar toI. doka, the outstanding difference being its generally paler colour in all its parts, especially in the leaves which are covered with a grey bloom. Its habit is the same and its form similar, though it differs in having a higher and rounder crown when small, the leaves not drooping so markedly as those of the other species. The bole is longer and the tree attains a greater height than doesI. doka. A height of over 60 feet with a girth of 8 feet is not uncommon in forests of this species as well as in single examples. Long, clean boles with short, rounded root-flanges and high, flat-topped crowns are typical. It regenerates with the same profusion and is as susceptible to fire asI. doka, hollow stems in old trees being the general rule. This species seems to prefer stony and shallow soils and over large areas of such it grows pure, often to the total exclusion ofI. doka.

The Barkis light grey, smoother than that ofI. doka, and has rather large, oval scales which leave light brown scars. The slash is pale crimson.

The Woodis light red in colour with open grain of this colour and silvery streaks. The sap is dirty white. Weight 50 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare large, very variable in size and averaging some 18 inches. They have usually 7 leaflets covered with a soft grey bloom which gives them a bluish appearance. They are rounder, paler and softer in texture than those ofI. doka, and the bloom is particularly marked in young leaves which pass through the same grades of colouring from pink to green as do those ofI. doka.

The Flowersare in large panicles and appear in December. Each is composed of 5 irregular white petals and 5 narrow, pointed sepals, and 10 long stamens, the whole enclosed in a blackish-green, hard, rounded case which splits into two halves in the axil of which the flower sits.

The Fruitis a long, broad, flat pod, covered with a green velvet. It is about 12 inches long and 3 inches wide and splits with a report, the two halves curling up and the seeds being violently projected. This occurs in May and June.

Uses.—The young poles are used for local building purposes, but they are very soft and liable to attacks from white ants and borer-beetles and last only one season. Larger trees are locally cut into planks, and provide an inferior timber.

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ISOBERLINIA DOKACraib and Stapf.—Doka.LEGUMINOSAE.

This species, with its congenerI. Dalzielii, is a type tree of the Tree savannah and the most common of all trees in that formation. It occurs as high-crowned forest over many hundreds of square miles of the northern provinces, though it does not extend to the extreme north. It is found in all stages according to age, from the dense covering of the cleared farm land to the 40-50 feet high-crowned forests with little undergrowth except that of its own shoots or seedlings. It grows long straight boles, usually forking at 10-15 feet, and its wide-spreading limbs form a high open crown which closes the roof of the forest. Trees in a 25 feet forest have girths of, as a rule, not more than 2-3 feet, and the crown is ¾ of the total height, and narrow, the branches ascending vertically. A girth of 5-6, or more, feet is common in trees 50 feet high. The species is very susceptible to fire and the majority of large trees have hollow centres from this cause. The stem is often a mere shell, filled with the earth of white ants or with a copious volume of reddish sap which flows out and bubbles up from the base when felled. This species seems to be more exacting as to soil conditions thanI. Dalzielii, the latter predominating on higher or more stony ground, the change from one species to the other often being very marked. As a rule the species are mixed indiscriminately, especially on level country.

The Barkis dark grey with large, even-sized, rather shaggy scales. It is darker and rougher than that ofI. Dalzielii. The slash is light red, the sap sticky.

The Woodis red, varying from bright red to greyish-red, with long, silvery streaks. In transverse section the pores are large, in rows, festoons and small groups, and the rays are extremely fine and close together, showing as small red bars in radial section. In the plank the pores are long, open red lines, the grain often being strikingly waved. The sapwood is silvery with a reddish tinge. The timber saws and planes well, with a smooth finish and no polish. The weight is 50-55 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare large and pinnate with an average of 7 leaflets, dark-green and shiny. The young leaves are bright red and glistening and pass through every shade from this to the ultimate brilliant green of the new mature leaf. This is most noticeable after a fire when the forest is a blaze of colour. The leaves vary very considerably in size and average some 15-18 inches, those of smaller trees being much larger.

The Flowers, which are similar in both species, are in large panicles, and each consists of 5 white, uneven-sized petals and 10 long stamens. The sepals are small, narrow and white, and the whole flower is enclosed in a hard, round, blackish-green sheath which splits into two portions in which the flower rests. They appear in February.

The Fruitis a large, broad, flat pod some 12 inches long and 3 inches wide, a dull green in colour with a smooth surface. It contains some 4 or 5 large oval, flat, pale-brown seeds which are distributed by the violent splitting of the pod, the two halves separating with a report and curling up into a spiral.

Uses.—The young trees are used for house-building poles, but only last for a season as they are very soft and readily attacked by white ants and borer-beetles. Large trees are cut into planks for local use, but the timber is very inferior.

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KHAYA SENEGALENSISJuss.—Madachi. “Mahogany.”MELIACEAE.

This common and well-known Dry Zone Mahogany occurs more or less plentifully all over the north and has a distribution from the rain forest to the French boundary. Its habitat is the banks of streams but its soil and water requirements are comparatively modest and any little valley or moist hollow is sufficient. It abounds in the more northerly “kurmis,” and on the edges of “fadammas” often shows a gregarious habit, clumps of a dozen or so growing close together. Normally it is a small tree some 50-60 feet high with a girth of 6-8 feet, but 70-80 feet and a 10 feet girth are common. Usually not more than 20 feet of its height is clean bole, but no rule can be laid down, as the stem may or may not divide into 2 or 3 large limbs which ascend vertically and form the characteristic open, wide-spreading crown. In the gregarious clumps the tree may have as many as 5 or 6 of these false stems and form an enormous crown. The bole and main limbs show a wavy habit, especially noticeable in smaller trees. The base of the bole is often much swollen by the repeated bark chipping for the bitter tonic.

The Barkis dark grey and covered with small, thin scales. A red sap exudes from the bright crimson slash.

The Woodis a deep red-brown, generally with a pronounced purple tinge which distinguishes it fromK. grandifolia, the typical mahogany hue being absent. In transverse section the rings are indistinct colour variations; the pores are small, open, single and scattered about between the long wavy rays which are close together and visible to the naked eye. In vertical section the pores are open and dark coloured, the grain showing as waved bands of varying depth of colour speckled with the pores. The wood is very hard, sometimes badly cross-grained and tough, but at others sound and fairly straight, enabling it to be sawn and planed fairly easily. It is very apt to pick up, but the finished surface takes a good polish. The pore contents glisten. The sapwood is grey with a purplish tinge. The weight is up to 60 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare pinnate with 4-6 pairs of leaflets. The leaves of young trees will bear as many as 10 leaflets. The leaf is bright and shiny when young but darkens and dulls and the greyish under surface is typical.

The Flowersare in lax panicles amongst the end leaves and are found from December to April, earlier in some parts. The panicles are 6-8 inches long and the small flowers are white with 4 sepals and petals and 8 stamens whose filaments are united to form a crown round the knobbed pistil. The tree often flowers out of season.

The Fruitsare capsules, grey, and erect and conspicuous on the top of the tree. They are from 2-2½ inches in diameter and split into 4 sections in each of which the flat, winged, mahogany-brown seeds are tightly packed one above the other. They ripen from March onwards of the next year, the seeds falling from the split capsule on the tree.

Uses.—The wood for furniture, canoes and mortars.

The bark as a bitter tonic after boiling with water, and powdered as a cure of sore backs of horses.

The leaves are gathered for camel and cattle fodder.

The seeds, dried, fried, beaten up and boiled to extract the oil, are used for anointing the body, by pagans.

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KIGELIA AETHIOPICADecne.var.BORNUENSISSprague.—Rawuya, Rahaina, Nonon Giwa. “Sausage Tree.”BIGNONIACEAE.

A large tree up to 50 feet in height with a girth of 6-7 feet. It occurs in the north mostly in “kurmis” up to 11° N. or more. It is not a savannah tree but has penetrated a great distance into them by way of the streams. It is low-branching or forking, and has large limbs forming a high or wide crown of great spread and dense foliage. Either in flower or fruit it is unmistakable.

The Barkis grey or light brown with small, soft, corky scales, rather scattered and leaving lighter brown patches.

The Leavesare 12-15 inches long, pinnate, with 3-5 pairs of opposite leaflets and a terminal leaflet. The leaflets are obovate with broad tip and small point, and are increasingly longer and larger from below upwards, the lowest pair about 2½ inches long and 1½ inches broad, the upper pair 4-5 inches long and 2-2½ inches broad, the terminal as broad, but not so long. The nerves are prominent beneath but grooved above. The colour is light green and shining, smooth beneath. The margins may be serrate, the teeth quite sharp, or may be quite entire.

The Flowersare in panicles up to 4 feet in length hanging from the branches in February to April. The short flower stalks are curved, the calyx is fleshy, 4-lobed and pale green, and the corolla has a trumpet-shaped tube some 3 inches long, ending in a large, reddish-purple, wrinkled and lobed mouth on the lower side of which lie the 4 stamens and pistil with flattened stigma. The outside of the curved tubular portion is white with reddish lines, and the shape and length of this tube decides the species. There is an unpleasant odour to the flower. The corolla falls entire with the stamens attached.

The Fruitis like an elongated marrow, 12-20 inches long and 3-4 inches broad, greyish in colour with a slightly rough skin. The apex is pointed. Scattered about in the fibrous pulp are a number of small seeds which are let loose by the rotting of the fruit, which takes a long time to mature.

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LONCHOCARPUS GRIFFONIANUSDunn.—Tuburku.LEGUMINOSAE.

This is a large deciduous tree which extends up to 11° by way of the streams and “kurmis” and which, below that latitude will grow away, though not far, from their influence. It attains a height of 60 feet with a girth of 8 feet or more and has an enormous spreading crown with drooping twigs and delicate pinnate foliage which gives heavy shade. Bole lengths of 30 feet are seen in close forest and in the open there may be a number of stems from the ground level or near it. The pods, like strips of tanned leather, are the most distinctive feature, as they persist for some time.

The Barkis smooth, with small, very thin, close-fitting scales which remain attached by their centres before falling. The colour is grey or light brown. The slash is pale yellow, soft and thick.

The Woodis whitish-grey. In transverse section the rings are indistinct lines, the pores are very irregular festoons, dense on some zones and single and scattered in the rings. The rays are very fine and close and much waved, and are visible as a fine stippling in vertical sections. In vertical section the pores are open and their brown colour adds a tint to the wood. It is soft, very easy to work with all tools, the planed surface having a slight sheen. Weight 40 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare pinnate, 9-10 inches long with three to four pairs and a terminal leaflet. The main stalk is very slender and those of the leaflets very short. The leaflets are obovate, with a tongued tip, the lowest pair rounded, the intermediate pairs narrower and the terminal larger and broader. The upper surface is dark and shiny, the under side paler and smooth. The mid-rib is prominent beneath and slightly sunken above. There is a marked contrast between the colour of the leaflet stalks and the under side of the leaflets when viewed from beneath.

The Flowersappear on the leafless tree in February or March. They are on 6-7 inch long spikes all over the bare twigs, and are a delicate blue or mauve colour and pleasantly scented. They are “pea-flowers,” ¾ inch long, the calyx reddish-purple, the standard petal with a cream centre splash and the keel white. The flowering period is very short and the leaves follow and cover the tree in a few days.

The Fruitsare flat pods, 3-5 inches long and ¾ inch broad, very slightly embossed at the seeds, light brown with a grained surface, very like tanned leather, containing up to 3 flat, bean-shaped, dark brown seeds. A large number of pods fall entire without producing seeds.

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LONCHOCARPUS LAXIFLORUSG. & P.—Farin Sansame, Shunin Biri, Halshen Sa.LEGUMINOSAE.

A small tree some 15-20 feet high, occasionally 30 feet, occurring commonly throughout the drier savannahs, often in small patches or clumps. It resemblesStereospermum Kunthianum(Sansame) in form and leaf but in no other detail. The form is stunted and similar to the majority of the trees in the northern bush savannah, though larger examples with big oval crowns and a 10 foot bole are not uncommon. A curious branching habit is noticed where the main stem grows partly round the base of the side limb forming an enlarged joint. The branches are markedly drooping. The pale bark, purple flowers, narrow flat pods and greyish-green leaves are distinctive features.

The Barkis light grey or yellowish and fairly smooth, the scales being small, close together and corky. Narrow ridges of cork form on the branches and that of the stem thickens for protection against fires. The slash is yellow with black streaks, very distinctive.

The Woodis light yellow, of uniform colour. In transverse section the rings are marked and the concentric lines of hard and soft tissue very plainly seen. The pores are large and small, few, scattered about in the lines of soft tissue in festoons. The rays are straight, variable in width, some visible, others not, to the unaided eye. The areas of hard tissue are clearly divided into rectangles by the sharp lines of soft tissue and the rays. The wood is hard, heavy, not difficult to saw and planing to a smooth finish with a slight sheen. The weight is 55 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare a foot long with 5-7 leaflets, the terminal longest, the lowest pair shortest. They are grey-green and waxy to the touch and with the exception of the mid-rib the venation is raised on the upper and not on the lower surface. They are 3-4 inches long and tapering to both ends.

The Flowersare in numerous panicles at the twig ends, a mass of purple at first erect, then drooping. The panicles are up to a foot long and the flowers are papilionaceous with a white splash on the face of the standard petal. The calyx is dark purple. They appear from January to March and are fertilised by bees, flies and wasps and other insects.

The Fruitsare pods, from 2-5 inches long according to the number of seeds, generally 2, rarely 3, and an inch in width. They are flat, light brown or whitish in colour, in pendulous masses, very conspicuous and the seeds are chestnut brown, ½ inch long, shiny, flat and with a deeply indented hilum. They remain on the tree for a long time.

Uses.—An infusion of the roots with water is used as a tonic.

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LOPHIRA ALATABanks.—Namijin Kadai, Mijin Kadai. “Meni Oil Tree.”DIPTEROCARPACEAE.

This is one of the type species of the tree savannah and strongly resembles at first sight the Shea, since both have strap-shaped leaves. This is the only close resemblance and even they are easily distinguished from one another, see below. It attains a height of some 40 feet with a girth up to 6 feet, and has a tall, regular, rather open crown occupying at least two-thirds of the height and often more. The branches ascend at an acute angle to the stem so that the form is narrowed, another distinguishing feature between it and the Shea. It prefers good deep soils and its northern limit is about 12° N.

The Barkis light grey with even-sized scales 1-2 inches long, 1 inch wide and ¼ inch thick. That of the smaller branches is softly corky. The scales are not prominent, nor is there a milky sap, two other features distinguishing it from the Shea. The slash is crimson with bright yellow edges.

The Woodis a dull reddish-brown. The transverse section shows indistinct light rings, close together, the pores small and scattered singly and widely throughout the hard and soft tissue which is clearly separated in thin, wavy concentric dark and light lines. The rays are exceedingly fine and invisible to the naked eye. In vertical section the pores show as if filled with some chalky matter and the grain is straight with the hard and soft tissue marked in fine lines, and the rays as numerous small bands in radial section. The wood is hard to saw and plane, picking up in places, but elsewhere finishes smooth. It is tough and strong and weighs 65 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare strap-shaped, some 12 inches long, 3-4 inches broad, with an inch stalk. The margin is waved, the mid-rib alone prominent on both surfaces. The venation is extremely delicate, visible when held to the light. The new leaves are bright red, the red colour fading from the base upwards. The surface is shining, the texture soft. Clustered round the end 3-4 inches of the twigs, they appear like rosettes. The delicate venation, short stalk and red tips distinguish it from the Shea.

The Flowersare in clusters on long stalks amongst the leaves and resemble Apple blossom. They are white, cup-shaped, 1½ inches across, with 5 notched white petals and a ring of numerous yellow stamens round a stout bifid pistil. The calyx consists of 5 sepals, 3 small and round, 2 larger and red tipped, the latter enlarging to form the wings of the seed. They are scented, visited by bees and appear from November to February.

The Fruitsare winged seeds, the wings formed by the enlargement of the 2 sepals. At first red, they become light green and leathery, the larger 4 inches, the smaller 2 inches long. The fibrous-coated seed elongates till it is a pointed cone an inch long, light brown as are the now dry wings. The seed contains a single kernel, loose when ripe, about March. Few natives will allow that this tree has any seeds, even when shown them, a popular obstinacy.

Uses.—The wood is too tough to carpenter satisfactorily, but is suitable for building posts. The seed contains some 45 per cent. of oil, said to be suitable for soap after testing, but this is not extracted locally.

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MAERUA ANGOLENSISDC.—Chichiwa.CAPPARIDACEAE.

A small tree, widely distributed throughout savannahs of both types, flourishing equally well in dry sandy soils and richer loamy soils. It is straggling, often growing in the shade of other trees and partly supporting itself by them. In the open it is a slender tree about 15 feet in height, the stem dividing and the open low crown with drooping branches. Occasional examples will reach 25 feet with a 2 feet girth. It extends up to 13° N.

The Barkis dark grey to almost black. That of the smaller branches is dark brown, profusely spotted with small white lenticels which give it a mottled appearance, a most distinctive character. Galls on the new twigs and on the stem are very common.

The Leavesare simple, ovate, but variable in length to breadth, averaging 2 inches long and 1 inch broad. The tip is rounded or slightly cleft with a small projection of the mid-rib. The colour is pale and the surface smooth. The mid-rib is prominent beneath, otherwise the venation is practically unnoticeable. The stalks are ½-1 inch long and the last ¼ inch is thickened and bent at an angle and when the leaf is plucked the stalk nearly always parts at this bend.

The Flowerscan be found from November to April and the individual flowers for a long time, almost ripe fruits and new flowers occurring at the same time. They are in leafy racemes of large size. Each has a slender stalk, a long column-like torus, 4 sepals which bend right back and finally fall off, no petals and a number of long white stamens, in the middle of which is the long slender style with the ovary at the tip. The lower part of the calyx is tubular, with the torus inside, and round its mouth is a toothed ring.

The Fruitforms at the end of the pistil, the sepals having fallen, the calyx tube shrunk and the toothed disc being exposed. It enlarges up to 6 inches in length and is constricted at intervals so that it looks like a string of irregular-sized beads. Sometimes two seeds lie alongside, and there may be as many as 30. The fruit is yellow and finally brown when ripe, and is similar in appearance to that ofCassia goratensis, though the restrictions are not so narrow as those of that species.

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MAERUA CRASSIFOLIAForsk.—Jiga.CAPPARIDACEAE.

A medium-sized tree from 15-30 feet high and up to 4 feet in girth, which grows in dry localities as far north as 14°. It is quite common in N.E. Sokoto. It has a short bole, up to 12 feet, with ascending branches and can be at once distinguished by its heavily pruned appearance, the lateral branches being very short and resemblingRandia nilotica, the rosettes of leaves being borne on stunted shoots on long, straight, tough branches. The form varies from the short tree with wide, compact crown to the tall, narrow growth of larger specimens.

The Barkis dull grey, smooth in young trees and longitudinally scaled in older trees.

The Leavesare in tufts at the end of short woody shoots and are ¾ inch long and ⅓ inch wide, tapering at the base, with a broad tip, in the shallow cleft of which projects the mid-rib. They are a dull, dark green and limp and leathery in texture.

The Flowerswhich appear in February rise from the leaf-bearing shoots on ½ inch stalks. Each has a calyx of 4 sepals, light green, which fall back to the stalk with maturity, some 30 white stamens with green anthers, all rising from a short column, and a long pistil with thickened stigma. There is a faint perfume.

The Fruitsare like those ofMaerua angolensis; long, jointed pods formed by the growth of the clubbed pistil. They are brown when ripe and break into sections. The seeds are 10-20 in number and ripen about April.

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MIMOSA ASPERATALinn.—Gumbi, Kaidaji, Kardaji.LEGUMINOSAE.

A very common shrub which inhabits marshes, the banks of rivers and the fringes of lakes, in fact, any low-lying, inundated ground, forming dense, impenetrable thickets, often of large extent. On the banks of rivers it is frequently associated with a species ofSalixor willow. It has numerous stems and long erect or drooping shoots, 10 to 12 feet in length. The whole plant is covered with hairs.

The Thornson the stems are in three’s, below each leaf, one thorn directly under the leaf, with a pair a little higher up on either side. The thorns on the stems are all the same size and shape, but those on the leaves differ as described below.

The Leavesare 3-5 inches long with 6-8 pairs of pinnae, bearing up to 40 pairs of long, narrow leaflets. The leaf is sensitive and folds up tight in the evening, the leaflets falling back under the mid-rib. On the upper side, between each pair of leaflets, is a short, slender and very sharp thorn, pointed well forward, and between the lower 4 or 5 pairs is a pair of sharp thorns with broad bases in the same plane as the leaflets. These thorns are absent in the upper part of the leaf. The young leaf is hairy.

The Flowersare in spherical heads about ½ inch in diameter, either white or mauve. Each minute flower has a calyx of 4 sepals, 8 stamens with white or mauve filaments and white anthers, and a long pistil.

The Fruitsare pods, 2-2½ inches long, ½ inch wide and ⅛ inch thick, slightly curved. They are covered with erect, bristly hairs whose tips curve forward. On the green pod these hairs are golden brown; on the ripe pod they are unpleasantly penetrating. The pod splits transversely into 15-20 segments, each containing a small bean. The outer rim of the pod remains intact, the sections dropping out in the same manner as those ofEntada sudanica.

Uses.—It is used as a fence round farms for protection against grazing, and in places where there is an acute shortage of fuel demands a price in the markets.

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MITRAGYNE AFRICANAKorth.—Giyeya.Giyaiya.RUBIACEAE.

A large tree which inhabits “fadammas,” “tabkis” or annually inundated areas. It has several erect, straight stems ascending to a height of 60 feet in large specimens and the foliage reaches almost to ground level. From the branches, especially noticeable when one of these is horizontally inclined, are a number of slender erect shoots, like those of pollarded willow. The crown is the same width throughout with a narrowed or pointed top. The tree coppices very well and would provide a rotation crop if properly worked. It will not stand drought and a succession of dry years will kill the tree, subsequent wet years only serving to rot the dead trees. This is of frequent occurrence in the farthest north.

The Barkis light brown or grey and smooth, a few scales showing on the lower part of the stem in season. The slash is light brown, rapidly darkening.

The Woodis a very light brown. In transverse section the rings show broad bands of a darker colour, a purple tinge which is clearly seen in vertical, especially radial sections. The pores are minute, quite invisible to the naked eye, and with difficulty seen with the lens, in rows between the extremely fine rays which are waved and very close together. The grain is very close and fine; seasons well and is slightly liable to borer beetle attacks, works well with all tools, the plane producing a nice clean finish of a velvety nature. It is one of the best all-round timbers for many purposes and its small sizes are a great misfortune. The weight is 40 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesvary somewhat in shape from a narrow oval to a broad, rather square oval, both shapes with a pointed tip. They are 3-4 inches long and 2-2½ inches broad with ½-¾ inch stalk. They are in opposite pairs as is so typically seen at the base of the flower or seed head. They are paler beneath than below, very soft and thin in consistency and the venation appears almost white by contrast.

The Flowersare in yellowish balls an inch in diameter, sweet-scented and appearing at the beginning of the rains, though a few blooms may be found at odd seasons. Each flower is about ½ inch long with 5 long sepals narrow at the base, broad at the tip (obconical); a tubular corolla with 5 lobes between each of which protrudes the anther of a stamen, grey in colour; and a long pistil terminating in a reddish stigma, shaped like a bee-hive. The flowers are at first white and then turn yellow.

The Fruitsare in spherical heads ¾ inch in diameter and dark brown in colour. Each fruit is what is called di-coccous,i.e., the fruit is formed of two separating carpels, containing seeds. The fruiting heads are most conspicuous and enable the tree to be identified from some distance.

Uses.—The timber has been used lately by the Industrial Schools with great success, and in Sokoto it has been found one of the best for all purposes where large sizes are not necessary. The native makes bowls and spoons from it and it is a good source of poles for building houses. It is supposed to rot rapidly if exposed to wet.

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MONOTES KERSTINGIIGilg.—Wasani, Gasa kura, Farin Rura.DIPTEROCARPACEAE.

A small tree of the better types of savannah not extending much north of 11°, and very locally distributed. In certain localities,e.g., S.E. Sokoto and W. Bauchi, it is very abundant and over hundreds of square miles will be found pure in patches and elsewhere composing 40-50 per cent. of the growth. It is slender, erect, up to 30 feet in height, with a stem of 1½-2 feet in girth, with the stem bare of branches up to 10 feet and the crown high, open and narrow. Trees in the open will grow large, round, compact crowns. The distinguishing features are the very light under surface of the leaf and the enlarged sepals which surround the fruit. The species resemblesParinarium.

The Barkis grey with light patches and fairly smooth, with small, close-fitting, not very prominent scales. The slash is dark red.

The Woodis a light brown-pink. In transverse section the rings are distinct as numerous very close fine lines, the pores are minute, numerous and crowded in small festoons interspersed with numerous single pores, the soft tissue being poorly developed. The rays are so fine and close as to be only just visible with the lens. The grain is very close and wavy and the planed surface reflects the light so as to produce a “shot” appearance, with a sheen. The wood is very hard to work with saw and plane and very cross grained. The weight is 64 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare oval, some 4 inches long and 3 inches broad, slightly cordate at the base, broad at the tip, with a ½ inch long downy stalk. The upper surface is dark green, shining and rough to the touch, with the venation below the surface, and the mid-rib bends at each lateral. The under surface is grey and velvety, the whole venation being prominently marked. At the base of the leaf there is a curious oval space where the blade of the leaf meets over the stalk at the bottom and again at the third lateral, leaving a gap through which the base of the mid-rib seems to appear.

The Flowers, which appear in the rains, are in small axillary clusters, each about ½ inch in diameter, with a 5-pointed calyx, 5 long white pointed petals, a mass of long stamens filling the corolla and a short straight pistil. They are very inconspicuous.

The Fruitsare capsules, ½ inch in diameter, roughly round and wrinkled when ripe, with 3 cells in each of which is a small seed loose in the cell. The capsule is hard, fibrous and loosely porous in transverse section. Round it are the 5 greatly enlarged sepals, modified into wings, bright red at first, then drying pale brown. The fruits are very persistent on the tree, many not falling till the new leaves appear. The red wings are conspicuous from a great distance.

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MORINGA PTERYGOSPERMAGaertn.—Zogalagandi, Bagaruwar Makka.MORINGACEAE.

This is a very familiar little tree, an exotic from India, which is planted in compounds in the north. It grows some 15-25 feet high with a single stem often forking or dividing into 2 or 3 stems at or near the ground. It is distinguished by its tripinnate leaves, white flowers and long triangular, pointed pods.

The Barkis a deep bluish grey and smooth.

The Woodis white, very soft and of no use whatever.

The Leavesare tripinnate, about a foot long, with some 6 pinnae, each with some 2-5 pinnules, some again with one or two pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet. The terminal leaflets are generally larger than the others and all are variable in size and shape from small oval to large spear-shaped leaflets. The foliage is very sparse and graceful.

The Flowersare white, in loose panicles, in flower for many months in the year, during the dry season. Each has a 5-parted calyx with unequal sepals, 5 white petals, the 2 upper ones smaller than the others, 5 stamens with and 5 stamens without anthers, and a slender style. The flowers are sweet-scented.

The Fruitsare long, triangular capsules up to 18 inches long, slightly jointed, with 2 grooves down each side, a sharp beak at the tip, light brown in colour and splitting down the 3 edges to release the seeds. These are blackish with 3 papery wings so shaped as to overlap and fit into one another, the bottom of the one seed touching the top of the wings of the one below it. The white pith, with a sheen, is indented to hold the seeds.

Uses.—It is commonly used as a fencing to compounds, the mats or cornstalks of which the fence is composed being tied to the growing trees. The roots are eaten as horse-radish and the leaves fresh as a vegetable. The seeds yield a very fine oil (oil of Ben) which has been pronounced as suitable for watch lubrication.

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OCHNA HILLIIHutch.OCHNACEAE.

This is a small tree, common locally in parts of Zaria, Bauchi and S. Sokoto, not extending north of 12°. It is as a rule slender and erect, up to 15 feet in height, older trees forming a round crown, younger ones often shrub-like. The yellow flowers and red and black fruiting stage are very conspicuous and the serrate obovate leaves are typical.

The Barkis smooth, a dull grey or brown, with small scales. The slash is yellow, rapidly darkening on exposure.

The Leavesare obovate, 3-4 inches long, 1½-2 inches broad, with cleft tip and finely serrate edges. The venation is prominent on the upper surface. The young leaves are shiny and tinted red, and the mature leaf is tougher and grey-green with a waxy bloom.

The Flowersare borne on a short woody shoot, 4 or 5 together with 1-2 inch, slender stalks. Each has a calyx of 5 pale green overlapping sepals, 5 yellow petals smaller than the sepals and a ring of numerous stamens round an erect pistil. The flowers appear in February or March and the petals sometimes only remain 24 hours on the flower.

The Fruitsare drupes, or small plums, in a ring round the much swollen torus or disc. The sepals enlarge and turn crimson, as does the disc, and the seeds, at first green, turn black and shiny, shrivelling when the surrounding pulp dries up. The branches are often borne down by the weight of the large crop of fruit which is a most conspicuous feature. The elongated pistil and the remains of the stamens appear like bristles on the torus. Most of the seeds are destroyed by a grub.

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ODINA ACIDAWalp.—Farun mutane.ANACARDIACEAE.

A large tree, similar in flowers, fruits and leaves toO. Barteri, but differing in the absence of hairs on leaves and flower spikes to the extent of those onO. Barteri, and distinguished from it at once by the very smooth bark. It reaches large sizes, but not great heights, the average proportion being some 30 feet high with a girth of 6-8 feet. A very short, stout bole divides into a number of large, widely spreading limbs, the twigs drooping down to near the ground. The crown is open and rounded and of great width, affording little shade. Its habitat is the granite country, where it grows in large quantities on the plains or up in the rocky hills, stunted specimens flourishing on almost bare rock with the roots in the smallest cracks. The branches are very flexible and can be bent almost double without snapping. It is called “Farun mutane” as against the “Farun doya” ofO. Barteri, because it is used for food and medicine.

The Barkis silvery grey, smooth to the point of shining, with occasional scales and a few lenticels. Very old trees cast large scales from the lower trunk. The bark frequently shows a marked spiral twisting round the stem and there are folds and creases like a skin. Resin exudes from the slash which is light red and of crumbling texture.

The Woodis practically the same as that ofO. Barteri, q.v., for the most part consisting of a soft, dirty white wood, readily sawn and planed and of little value, the small heartwood being red-brown. The weight is about 25 lbs. a cubic foot.

The Leavesare pinnate, 18 inches long with some 4 pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet. These are broad at the base, narrowing towards the tip, the margins sinuous, the basal lobes unequal, the short stalks flattened, the upper surface light green, shining, with a few hairs and a pronounced stickiness to the touch. They appear after the flowers. Young leaves are very slightly tinged red.

The Flowers.The spikes of both sexes appear from January to April. The male spikes are up to 9 inches in length, the flowers in irregular clusters with gaps, especially on the lower part of the spike, without flowers. Each has a small, 4-part calyx, 4 petals and 8 short, erect stamens. A few hairs are scattered about the spike, which is scented. The female spikes are some 3 inches long and sparsely flowered. Each has a small, 4-part calyx, 4 petals, the rudiments of 8 stamens and a rounded ovary with 4 stigmas. There is no scent. Though the spikes of both sexes appear well before the leaves, they may persist till the leaves are practically full grown.

The Fruitsare similar to those ofO. Barteribut very shiny. They hang in dense clusters of spikes, ripening from green to red to a purplish black, resembling cherries. There is a thin skin and juicy flesh round a large, hard stone containing a white kernel attached to the top and not filling the cavity. The fruits ripen in June and the crop is often prolific.

Uses.—The fruits are eaten fresh. The bark is boiled in water and the infusion taken as a medicine for stomach troubles.

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