MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 



than any of the others. Both the bark and the ripe dry 

 seedpods are used. Of the two the seedpods are the 

 more valuable and contain on an average from 20 to 

 30 per cent, of tannin. When the unripe seedpods are 

 collected they are carefully dried in the sun before being- 

 exposed for sale. 



(3) Galol bark. The " Galol " tree is as common 

 as the " Marra." It is a species of Acacia allied to 

 A. latronum, and as a rule only the thin bark stripped 

 from the root of the tree is used. This bark is com- 

 paratively rich in tannin, practically the same as the 

 " Watta " leaves, but the leather produced is of a darker 

 -colour and not quite so good. The total matter absorbed 

 by hide powder is from 23 to 27 per cent. 



(4) Jinna bark. The bark of this species of Acacia 

 is very commonly used in the town of Zeyla. At present 

 I have been unable to identify the tree, only having seen 

 the bark. It is said by the natives to be as good as the 

 "Marra." 



(5) Mangrove bark. There are two varieties of man- 

 grove known to the Somalis, namely, " Gandallo " 

 (Rhizophora mucronata, Lam.) and " Takai " (Avicennia 

 officinalis, Linn.) Both these are, found at various 

 places along the coast but I have not heard of the bark 

 of either being used for tanning purposes. Both grow 

 freely on the island of Saad-ud-din, near Zeyla. The 

 trunks and the larger branches of both these trees are 

 .used by the inhabitants of Zeyla in the construction of 

 their huts and houses. 



Timber. Somaliland is not a country where one would 

 expect to find valuable timber but there are one or two 

 .trees which are certainly of economic importance. Of 

 these the juniper (Juniperus proccra, Hochst.) known 

 to the Somalis as " Dthiyib," and the box (Buxus 

 Hildebrandtii, Baill.), called " Dossogh," are the best 

 known. Although it would scarcely pay to export the 

 former, even if it were found in sufficient quantities, 

 the latter, which is very common and grows freely all 

 over the Golis Range, Wagar mountain and other 

 suitable localities, should be of value. The boles appear 

 to be of sufficient thickness, straightness and length to 

 demand a sale. 



