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Uses of the bark.—Among the natives of Central Africa, the 
bark is the most useful product of the Brachystegia tree, and 
serves them for an extraordinary number of purposes; in fact 
certain species appear to be almost essential to their existence 
in the present state of native economy 
Sim(?) considers na the utilization of Brachystegia bark 
in Portuguese E. Africa “is a forest problem of equal importance 
with the utilization ee all the timber in the Province, and well 
deserves skilled management, and may some day bring a large 
revenue.” 
In 1907 enquiries from the United States were received as 
to the occurrence and use of Brachystegia bark-cloth in the 
Transvaal and adjacent territories; these suggested a possible 
commercial value for the article if obtainable in quantity and at 
areasonable price. A note published in the Transvaal Agricultural 
Journal(?) called attention to the matter and asked for further 
information. In December 1908, the following unsigned letter was 
received in response :—-“‘ In your ‘Journal’ for Jan. of 1907 which 
has just come into my possession I noticed some remarks therein re 
‘Brachystegia barkcloth’; the description and bark leads me to 
think that I have an enormous quantity of a very similar tree on 
this farm, so I am taking the liberty of sending you 3 (three) 
different kinds of bark taken from trees here, one or more of which 
may be suitable for the requirements of your American enquirer. 
These barks are used extensively by both natives and farmers 
for building purposes; the natives also utilize it for weaving 
into grain sacks and game nets. When damp it becomes quite 
pliable and very strong, but very brittle when dry. The natives 
chew the bark before using it for the manufacture of game nets 
and snares. The sample marked ‘ Makevuti ’ is considered the 
strongest. ‘M’donde’ comes next, and ‘M’Sassa’ third.”— 
(Unsigned), Glen ByoR, Salisbury, December 7th, 1908.—The 
specimens of bark never arrived, and the name of the corre- 
spondent was not trace Py 
A letter was also received from Mr. Tom Oxden-Willows, who 
wrote that he had seen the tree, as described in the J oor in 
the Melsetter District of Rhodesia ; the kind known as “ M’Tond 
(B. edulis ?) existing in very large quantities between Umtali anid 
Melsetter, where it had been cut for telegraph poles. 
The Native Commissioner, Melsetter, kindly supplied the 
following information about three kinds of Bark-cloth trees :— 
1. A tree called “ Muwuzhe ” which grows to about 30 feet 
in height. Bark smooth and of a light grey colour. Leaves are 
in pairs on the stalk and are about 1} inches long, and about 
4 inch wide and. of a dull green. Trees found at an altitude of 
about 2,500 to 3,000 feet, in large numbers. 
2. A tree called “‘ Mufuti” (probably B. Boehmii or B. fili- 
formis) grows to about 20 feet in height, has a rather rough bark 
of a dark grey colour and leaves very similar to the ‘Muwuzhe.” 
It is found in great numbers at an altitude of 2,500 to 3,000 feet. 
he 
