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seeds of the Oil Palm have been received at Kew from the Conser- 
vator of Forests. The thin-shelled variety is quite common and 
well known in this Province, and the yield of oil both from the 
pericarp and from the kernel is stated to be greater and of a 
better quality than that obtained from other varieties. 
According to the report of Mr. C. Hitchens, Provincial Forestry 
Officer, Eastern Province, June 1908, three principal varieties of 
the Oil Palm may be recognized, all of which have native names 
though they have not yet been botanically differentiated. In the 
Ikot-Ekpene and Uyo districts the varieties are named as follows 
by the Efiks and Tbibios :— 
(1.) A-sog-e-jub = Soft shell palm nut 
(2.) Ak-por-ro-jub = Hard shell palm nut 
(3.) Af-fia-ko-jub = White palm nut 
By the Ibos, the most numerous and extensive oil-producers in 
the province, these varieties are known as :— 
1.) Au-su-ku (2.) Ok-po-ruk-pu (3.) O-ju-ku 
From rough linear valuation surveys the distribution of the 
three kinds in the moist zone is assessed as follows :— 
(1.) 30 per cent. (2.) 60 per cent. (3.) 10 per cent. 
The following characteristics are given for these different 
varieties :— 
seed, sufficiently detached from the endocarp to rattle when dry. 
In November, 1908, fruits and seeds of four varieties of Elaeis 
guineensis were sent to Kew by the direction of the Conservator of 
Forests with their various native names :— 
Efih 
: tbo. Lbibio. 
(1) Osik Eyop Osuku Eduege Eyop 
(2.) Okpéré Eyo Okporokpo Ikrik Eyop 
(3.) Afia Okpi Eyop  Ojjina Efiako Kyop 
4.) Mbana fp Ekuebuba Ayarambana Eyop 
The three first-named varieties apparently correspond with those 
mentioned above, and the following particulars are given as to the 
fruits and seeds :— ° 
“No.1. This has a large fruit of a deep orange-claret colour 
becoming yellower at the base ; the fruits of this variety are longer 
than the others ; the pericarp is very rich in oil; the best oil of all 
is obtained from this variety. 
‘No. 2. This has a large fruit, shorter and larger round than 
No. 1, of a red-yellow colour ; the fruit is the most agar all 
the varieties ; it is very nearly as valued for its palm oil and 
kernels as No. 1. 
