189 



Under the care of Dr. Eric Drabble, F.L.S., the Museum of 

 Economic Products at the Hartley Laboratories, Liverpool University, 

 is developing. The bulk of the products from the Tropical Products 

 Exhibition held in Liverpool during September last has been 

 reserved for permanent exhibition in one of the Museums of 

 the City. 



In shops in the City the following were on sale : — Persimmons 

 the fruits of Diospyros Kaki; Custard Apples (Anon a reticulata) ; 

 Avocado Pears {Per sea gratissima) ; Green Corn Cobs (Zea Mays), 

 Chufas, the tubers of Gyperus esculentus ; and " South of England 

 Mushrooms" (Clitocybe nebularis). 



XXV -THE TIMBERS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA. 



Mr. H. N. Thompson, Conservator of Forests, Southern Nigeria, 

 has drawn up and sent to Kew a list of the chief timbers exported 

 from Southern Nigeria. Descriptive notes on the gardens and 

 plantations, together with lists (compiled by the Curators and Pro- 

 vincial Forest Officers) of the plants grown in them and of the 

 economic plants of this region, have also been forwarded by 

 Mr. Thompson. 



The present article consists of Mr. Thompson's list of the 

 timbers of Southern Nigeria, with which additional details, taken 

 from Mr, A. H. Unwind list of indigenous plants of economic 

 importance, have been incorporated. In some cases Mr. Un win's 

 notes only supplement Mr. Thompson's account of a particular 

 tree, whilst in others he deals with a timber not otherwise 

 referred to. 



(1.) Mahoganies of the genus Khaya, known to the Benis as 

 " Gadeau " or " Ogwangu." There are three species found in these 

 forests, viz. : Khaya senegalensis, R. Juss., Khaya grandifolia, 

 Stapf, and Khaya Punch i 7, Stapf, the latter being apparently 

 confined to areas that are under water for several months of the 

 year. The timbers of these species are much in demand at home 

 and have realized very good prices during the year. They are 

 generally known in the trade as " Benin Mahogany." 



(2.) Mahoganies of the genus Entandophingma, one identified 

 species of which, viz. : Entandophragma Candollei, Harms, is 

 known to the Benis as " Ikpwapobo." It is the " unscented," 

 long capsuled mahogany and furnishes a higher percentage of 

 " figured " logs than the other species. The timber from the tree 

 had a bad name in the Liverpool Market, in 1904-05, as it was 

 said to be rather "gummy," and difficult to cut into thin pieces for 

 veneering purposes. However, since the system of girdling the 

 trees and thus allowing them to die off gradually and become 

 properly seasoned was adopted (on the advice of this Department) 

 the wood has regained its good name and realised higher average 

 prices during 1906 than Khaya timber. 



