45 
From Dr. Strunk’s Table reproduced below it will be seen that 
only two of these plants (Nos, 1 and 5) shew the characters of the 
Lisombe Palm. 
TasieE II, 
| } 
= Fruit Ratio of Ratio of 
No. Fruit. Fl | Seed. flesh to | Kernel. | Shell, | kernel to 
esh. 
seed. shell 
ae See g g g- g pas 
1 5°86. 1°62 pol? 0°60 1:02 0°59 :1 
re 15:09 500 10°09 0°49 :1 2°64 8-44 031 :1 
3 3°72 04 0°61 :1 1°60 5°24 031 :1 
4 10°04 232 781 0°28 :1 1771 6°09 0-28 :1 
5 6°16 2°88 | 2°14): 1 1:04 1°84 056:1 
It is suggested in the paper that in the course of time the inferior 
seedlings might approach the Lisombe in character and that the 
Lisombe may be a sport whose peculiarities are only transferred 
with delay to its offspring (see Note on var. No. 1, Togoland, p. 43). 
is experiment appears to confirm the native reports referred to 
y Mr. Evans (p. 38), and M. Adam (p. 42) that the thin-shelled 
variety of the Oil Palm will not come true from seeds. The 
explanation put forward by Dr. Strunk does not however appear to 
@ very convincing. 
SUMMARY. 
From the information from various sources, given in detail, it 
appears that at least three distinct and fairly definite forms of the 
Oil Palm are to be met with in West Africa :— 
_ 1.) The typical form of laeis guineensis appears to be known 
under the following native names in Southern Nigeria: Udin 
(Beni), Ope-Pamkora (Yoruba), Ak-por-ro-jub, Okporo Eyop 
(Efik), Ok-po-ruk-pu, Okporokpo (Ibo), [krék Eyop (Ibibio). In 
the Gold Coast it seems likely that the forms known as Abe-pa an 
Abe-dam represent the typical Oil Palm, and that Abe-tuntum, 
Adi-be* and Abubu-be* should also probably be included. In 
Dahomey the varieties Dé, Kissédé ; Togoland, Dé, Ede or Deti 3 
Angola, Dihohé, Dihisué all appear to represent the typical variety 
of Elaeis quineensis called by Welwitsch var. macrosperma, ch 
Flora of Tropical Africa, viii. p, 125, this variety is not main- 
tained. The thickness of the endocarp in Abe-pa is from 3-4 mm, ; 
in Okpéré. Eyop 2-3 mm.; in Abe-funtum or Abe-tuntum, 3 mm.; 
in Kissede 3-5 mm.; Dé and Dihdhé 4—4°25 mm. 
The position of the White Oil Palm of the Gold Coast, Abe-fita, 
seems somewhat doubtful, and it seems possible that, owing to the 
character of its oil, &c., it may represent a distinct variety. The 
endocarp is from 2°25-3 mm. thick. 
(2.) The King Palm, or Abe-Ohene of the Gold Coast, has already 
been referred to under Southern Nigeria, where it appears to have 
its home. In the Eastern Province it bears the names, Afia Ok 
Eyop, Af-fiako-jub (Efik), Efiako Eyop (Ibibio), Ojina, Ojuku 
* These two forms, however, shew a very high pereentage of oil, see p. 40. _ 
