146 BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN AFRICA. 



necessary areas are available on the Blue and White Niles 

 within a distance of 100 miles from Khartoum. 



Of other forest produce, gum is the most important. It 

 is obtained chiefly from hashab {Acacia Verek), talha {Acacia 

 Seyal), and small quantities from sant {Acacia arahica). 

 Hashab yields the best gum, and it comes chiefly from 

 Kordofan. It is said to be also plentiful in Kassala. Pro- 

 tection from fire is absolutely essential in the gum-yielding 

 forests. It is estimated that about 3,000 square miles are 

 stocked with hashab trees. Talha gum is collected chiefly on 

 the Blue Nile, where the tree is said to appear over a very 

 large extent of country. 



The Sudan is rich in good fibres, of which that of marak 

 (Leptadenia Spartium) is said to be best. 



Tans are derived from the fruit pods of Acacia arahica, and 

 the bark of the red variety of Acacia Seyal. There are 

 other trees which yield tans. 



Caoutchouc and gutta-percha are reported to exist. A 

 species of Ficm is said to yield rubber, while Calotrojns 

 procera, gives gutta-percha, which is, however, of small 

 value. 



Eesin is produced by Balsamodendron peduncidatum. 



So far Mr. Muriel's report. There seems to be no doubt 

 that a good field for action exists, and the Government has 

 organised a small Forest Department under Mr. Broun, 

 late Conservator of Forests in Ceylon, and originally of the 

 Indian Forest Department. It is too soon to speak of the 

 results. 



MAURITIUS. 



Area = 705 square miles ; population = 371,023, or 526 to 

 the square mile. 



Forest conservancy has been aimed at for many years, but 

 somehow matters have not progressed much. At present the 

 areas under the control of the Forest Department amount to 

 137 square miles, equal to 19 per cent, of the total area. A 



