Phillips.] 4bo [Nov. 2, 1888, and 



ters, representing in the markets of Europe a value of from twenty-five 

 to thirty francs. The production is 24.000,000 kilos., and can be indefin- 

 itely increased. The oil is expressed and barreled in casks of 500 litres 

 capacity, in which form it is transmitted to Europe. The fruit is eatable, 

 and, when cooked, tastes like the scorzonerci ; raw, it makes a very good 

 salad. From the fibres of the palm are woven dress-stuffs, mats, hats, 

 baskets, nets, etc. 



The aracidd is a species of ground nut, largely cultivated by the natives. 

 and used in the preparation of culinary delicacies. A fine oil is expressed 

 from it, which, in commerce, passes for olive-oil. At present the almond- 

 palm, palm-oil and arachid constitute seventy-five per cent of the exports 

 of tlie Congo. 



Caout-chouG is very abundant. The gum is brought by the natives in 

 black or white balls, the former looking like Perigord truffles ; the latter, 

 however, are the more esteemed. It grows luxuriantly and sponta- 

 neousl3^ 



Trees; the Baobab is found on the coast from Ponta da Lenha, and 

 reaches colossal proportions, often measuring about twenty-two metres in 

 circumference. One at Landana can scarcely be encompassed by seven- 

 teen persons forming a circle around with outstretched arms, hand in hand. 



The Kolla is a lotty tree, of frequent occurrence ; it bears a rounded 

 fruit the size of a small melon, from which caffeine is extracted. 



Colored woods abound, red. brown, yellow, all susceptible of easy 

 manipulation ; the tavoula (a red wood) is especially in demand ; at least 

 a dozen tons of woods are annually exported from Banana (1886). 



The Cottonwood tree often attains a height of over 200 feet ; the Kusu- 

 Kusu, the Redwood, the Camwood, the Teak, Acacia, Ebony, Arbor- 

 vitpe, Saffu, abound. 



Fniit Trees : hanann., mango (each of which latter trees furnishes, 

 yearly, 400 kilos, of fruit, from which an alcoholic beverage of very fine 

 quality is extracted), the papayer, the maracouja, the lemon, meagang (or 

 yellow grape), pineapple, exist in enormous profusion. 



Copal exists in quantities as yet undetermined. 



Cotton grows wild in the Lower Congo, and all the conditions favorable 

 to its fullest development exist. The specimens already obtained are said 

 to warrant the belief that it can equal the usual American article. 



Tobacco is cultivated throughout all Africa, but of varying qualities. 

 It has a good taste and an exquisite aroma. 



Pepper (called by the natives, pepe or pili-pili) is abundant ; its fruit 

 is red : it is both large and small. 



Sugar Cane has only once been cultivated, and the experiments are not 

 complete; abandoned in one place, in 1886 plantations have been formed 

 in another on a very large scale. 



Vegetables. The onion, alone, of all European vegetables, does not 

 seem to thrive ; salads, radishes, peas, carrots, turnips, string beans, cab- 

 bage, parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, potatoes, all grow well. 



