204 
mation that has been published in the Bulletin from time to time. 
The pericarp, endocarp and endosperm percentages are based 
upon the weight of one fruit, which was the weight obtained from 
an average of several typical fruits from each variety. The per- 
centages of oil and kernels are based upon the weight of bunch 
when freshly cut. It is proposed to undertake experiments in the 
pollination of the thin-shelled variety—‘‘ Bissombe ’’ of the Por- 
tuguese Congo and the results will be awaited with much interest. 
The varieties of the Oil-Palm, so far noted existing in the Portu- 
guese Congo, together with their native names, are as follows :— 
(1) Elaeis quineensis, Jacq. var. microsperma, Welw. (Fl. Trop. 
Africa, vill. (1902) x); forma tenera, Becc.. or Kew Bull. 1914, 
No. 8, 287, var. communis, C ev., forma tenera, Becc. Thin 
shell which can easily be cracked with the teeth. Fruits large 
and oblong, very fleshy pericarp, soft thin shell, weight of one 
average fruit, 14-95 grams. 
Analysis.—Fleshy pericarp forms 80-6 % of fruit. 
35 <endocarp 4, . 10-7 % 
3 @ndosperm .,; - 87..% 
Oil ii init words 20 % 
gens gy CEO Bors yy 
The native name in the Portuguese Congo for this variety is 
er This palm does not appear to be very plentiful 
ere 
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3? 
3? 
(2) Hlaeis guineensis, Jacq., var. macrosperma, Welw. (Aponts. 
p. 584) or var. communis, Chev. Kew Bull. 1914, p. 286, forma 
dura, Bece. Hard thick shell. Common variety palm. Weight 
of one average fruit, 16-1 grams. 
Analysis.—Fleshy pericarp forms 54:3 %, of fruit. 
3 
eae 5 
(3) Elaeis guineensis, Jacq. var. repanda, Becc. Chev. (he. 
p. 61) a variety with green tinted fruits, when oung and unripe 
all green, but when ripe green at tips only. Weight of one 
average fruit, 18-2 grams. ‘ ie 
Arialysiai—Floshy pericarp forms 50-0 9% of fruit. 
»  endocarp .,, 380 %  ,, 
_»» endosperm ,, 12-0 % 
Giles sae $6082 gyno BBO 
Kernels oe 
