A LESSON FROM THE ELEPHANTS 



These are but a few of the many Highland timbers 

 which might be economically imported into America 

 for special purposes as soon as their value becomes 

 known or as existing supplies of similar timbers from 

 other sources become exhausted. 



Although the coast forests are not so extensive as 

 those of the Highlands, they may be of even greater in- 

 terests to the intending importer of African woods, for 

 here there are several forests within easy access of the 

 sea. Many species could be readily exploited by the local 

 Fundis, native sawers, and transported by dhow along 

 the coast to the main ports. It might even be possible to 

 re-open export trade along the old routes by dhow 

 from Arabia, Persia and the Malabar Coast. 



One of the most interesting coast woods of high value 

 is Dalburgia melanoxylon, locally known as M'pingo. 

 This is an excellent substitute for ebony. Following my 

 suggestion it has been called, "African Blackwood" and 

 has met with some success in Europe and America. 



Apart from the land forests, there are very extensive 

 mangrove forests along the tidal creeks. Mangrove 

 flourishes between high and low water, and if seed trees 

 are left, readily regenerates itself from embryo plants 

 which drop from the branches of the mother trees. The 

 chief species is known locally as M'koko, this is Rhizo- 

 phora mucronata. It affords the main supply of build- 

 ing material and fuel for the coast towns and villages. 

 A very considerable quantity of this species is exported 

 in the form of borities, poles, annually to Arabia and 



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