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The Liberian Flora 



blown down by the wind when man has exposed them. They 

 herd together closely (as it were) in the dense forests for 

 protection against the wind and their insecure hold ot the shallow 

 soil — shallow but amazingly rich. 



Amongst the noticeable features in Liberian flora (I write 



209. THE "scrub" (once-cultivated LAND ON WHICH FOREST IS SPRINGING UP AGAIN) 



from the point of view ot the ordinary observer) are the 

 following trees and plants : 



In the coast regions of Liberia is found the " water 

 tree" (^Tetracera potatoria). This is a low tree or bushy shrub, 

 sometimes with a climbing habit, which is celebrated for a very 

 abundant sap that tastes like pure water. The stems are cut 

 and slashed by the natives, and the water pours down and 



