47 
The form sent from Old Calabar under the name Mbana Eyop 
differs somewhat from all the others in its smaller flask-shaped 
fruits. The endocarp is from 1°25-1°75 mm. in thickness. 
The oils from the fruits of many of these various forms are under 
examination at the Imperial Institute, and further light may be 
shed on the subject as the result of their analyses. 
Reproduction of the varieties of the Oil Palm from Seed:—It has 
already been noticed that Mr. Evans in his letter of August 19th, 
1908, to the Director of Kew expresses a doubt as to whether the 
thin-shelled variety comes true from seed, and a similar doubt js 
expressed in M. Adam’s account of the thin-shelled forms of 
Dahomey and in Dr. Gruner’s account of the Klude variety of 
the Oil Palm in Togoland. 
r. Strunk has also clearly shewn that in the small experimental 
of the Oil Palm without further careful evidence. 
The suggestion that seedling palms may only show the characters 
of their parents after some years of growth does not seem highly 
probable,* but it does appear likely, especially since the varieties 
grow intermingled, that cross fertilization may occur between the 
different forms. 
he Victoria experiment is unfortunately on too small a scale to be 
of any great value, though the results, so far obtained, lend some 
colour to the suggestion that the seed used was of a hybrid nature. 
From the foregoing facts it is clear that careful experimental 
work should be undertaken before any extensive sowings of the 
seed of a particular variety of the Oil Palm are made. 
Experiments should be on the following lines and eareful records 
ould be kept. 
(1.) Experimental plots of as many varieties as possible should 
be sown under the most favourable conditions and a sample of the 
seed sown in each case should be kept for future comparison. 
(2.) Female infloresences should be fertilized by male in- 
floresences from the same tree. This should be done with a few 
well marked varieties and with more than one individual of each 
variety. Care would have to be taken to prevent cross fertilization. 
The seeds produced should be sown in experimental plots, ’ 
3.) Experimental plots might also be made on poor soil for 
comparison with those on good ground. 
Observations and careful records are also required as to the 
character of the fruits borne by the same individuals of definite 
varieties over a period of years together with information as to the 
conditions of situation, moisture, &c. From such data it should be 
possible to discover whether any fluctuation occurs in the general 
characters of the fruit, in different seasons. 
* The different characteristics of the three kinds of palm are in my opinion 
not accidental or due to variation of environment such as soil, situation, sur- 
rounding vegetation, rainfall or atmospheric humidity, because I have seen the 
three kinds growing in contiguity in very sandy loam under identically the same 
conditions, which clearly demonstrates that the differences are inherent not 
extrinsic, (Hitchens, Hastern Proy, 8, Nigeria, see p. 37.) 
