36 
species are sharply marked, and I have never yet come across 
individuals possessing characters intermediate to those of the two 
types. 
" The second variety, the Ope-Arunfo, is distinguished by its 
‘ fleshy small nuts and soft kernels’ (Dawodu). I am not acquainted 
with this plant, and am unable to separate it from the ordinary 
typical species. According to Mr. Dawodu, the latter gives a 
better yield, both in nuts and oil, tree for tree, than either of the 
two above-mentioned varieties.” 
The thin-shelled variety has been found in the Agege and Abeo- 
kuta and Oshogebo districts. . 
_ Central Province.—F'rom the same source, the following informa- 
tion—supplied by Dr. Unwin—is taken with regard to the three 
varieties of Oil Palm found in the Benin district, Central Pro- 
vince :— 
“(a.) The Udin of the Benis. This is the commonest of the 
three, and is the typical plant. It bears, when mature, two to seven 
bunches of nuts ; the latter are of small size, but very numerous on 
each bunch. ; 
“(b.) The sparsely distributed Ogedudin, or King Palm tree. It 
bears about the same number of bunches of nuts as the former, but 
the individual nuts are longer and contain a very small kernel. I 
have seen a specimen of this plant in Benin City, where it is looked 
upon as sacred, and find that it belongs to the same variety as that 
known to the Yorubas as the Ope-Ifa. 
Bs (¢.) The none too common Agonokwi, with small bunches of 
it containing from 20 to 40 nuts only. The latter are, however, 
very large, and the oil is only used for cooking purposes. It is said 
to spoil the commercial article when mixed with it.” 
s Saghirpaen of the leaves, male flowers, fruit and seeds of the 
rake wea varieties i the Oil Palm collected at Oka, Benin 
» have been received at Kew f inci 
Officer, Benin eee ew from the Provincial Forestry 
Benin , Yoruba 
ae Phe age ae Ope-Arunfo 
-) Ogiedi, Ogedudin Onpe-If 
(3.) Udin | a 
e. 
r reports reproduced below, 
Y ba 
Eastern Province—W; 
bath fas iva Wet Pye regard to this region information has 
Sir W, Redetoa Se Secretary of State for the Colonies from 
2 > Governor of Southern Nigeria, and fruits and 
