542 A HANDBOOK OF CONIFERS 



long-pointed, gradually becoming smaller as the tree advances 

 in age until they are scale-like, arranged in opposite pairs and 

 pressed close to the shoot. Cones ovoid, ^f in. across, \-\ in. 

 long ; scales 4, one pair slightly shorter than the other, woody, 

 roughened with small warts, narrowed to and conspicuously 

 spurred near the blunt apex. Seeds ovate or lance-shaped, dark 

 brown, with two wide -spreading wings. 



The Mlanji cedar was first reported from the Mlanji Mountains 

 by ]\Ir. Alexander Whyte in 1891. It has since been reported 

 from Zomba, Melsetter, Chimanimani, and the N. Transvaal. 

 The late Dr. Masters named the tree from the Chimanimani range, 

 Rhodesia, W. Mahoni, by reason of its dull dark green (not 

 glaucous green) leaves and its more oval, short-stalked cones. 

 As these characters have since been found to be unreliable the 

 tree is now included with W . Whytei. Mr. Whyte ^ described 

 the Mlanji cedar as the most prominent tree in the forests in 

 1892, but reported that it was fast disappearing through the 

 prevalence of forest fires. In 1895 Mr. John McClounie made an 

 official survey of the forests and reported to the Colonial Office 

 the following year. ^ He estimated that the best forest occupied 

 700-800 acres of the plateau round the source of the Tuchila 

 river ; there were 200 acres around the Likubula and a further 

 100 acres about the Luckenya, averaging altogether about 150,000 

 large trees. These trees were protected, and as early as 1895 

 plantations had been started elsewhere. A good deal of subse- 

 quent planting has been done in the Shire Highlands, and 

 Hutchins reported^ that " planted trees are doing well in Kenya 

 Colony." 



Wood yellowish or light yellowish brown, fragrant, straight- 

 grained, easily worked, of excellent quality, equalling the best 

 yellow pine, and suitable for general building purposes. It is 

 one of the most useful timbers of the region and may become 

 one of the most important soft-woods of the African continent. 

 As the wood is very inflammable, trees are easUy injured by forest 

 fires. 



W. Whytei thrives in Cornwall, and a tree grew weU for a 

 number of years in the garden of the late Mr. Osgood Mackenzie 

 in Ross-shire. 



^Kew Bull. 1892, pp. 122-123. 

 ^Loc. cit. 1896, pp. 216-217. 

 ^ Forest. Rep. Kenya Col. 



