SIERRA LEONE 33 



ficial foot. It is closely related to Paradaniella Thurifera ; the former 

 tree is more prevalent in the green forest, and the latter in the open 

 deciduous forests, which attains a girth of 10 feet and a bole length 

 of 30 feet, while the first-named species reaches a girth of over 

 20 feet and a bole length of over 100 feet. It is sold locally chiefly for 

 house-building. 



8. Griffonia palescens Koronho is felled for sale as planks at 2|d. 

 per superficial foot. 



9. Coula edulis ? (Almond Wood) is a medium-sized tree which is 

 cut into planks 1 to 2 inches thick and up to 12 feet long, and sold 

 at 2Jd. per superficial foot. 



10. Rhizophora racemosa (Mangrove) grows in pure " stands " 

 in the swamps near the sea coast, chiefly in the estuaries of the rivers. 

 It attains a girth of 4 feet and a height of 80 feet It is sold as poles 

 9 to 12 feet in diameter at the rate of 2|d. per cubic foot. Very large 

 areas of mangrove forest occur, so that ample supplies of this kind 

 of timber are assured. Locally it is often used for house-building, 

 and is preferred to many other timbers. 



11. Ochrocarpus Africanus (Mammy Apple) is a large tree attaining 

 a girth of 10 feet and a bole length of 30 feet. It is evidently not so 

 prevalent as it used to be, owing to the fact that the best trees have 

 been felled. Seedlings, however, appear very readily from the large 

 fruit when it falls in suitable germinating places in the forest. It is 

 much prized locally on account of its pretty grain and red mahogany- 

 like colour. It is sold as planks, joists or posts at 3d. or 3|d. per 

 superficial foot. 



12. Ansophyllea lamina (Monkey Apple) is a very lofty tree, 

 attaining a girth of 12 feet and a bole length of 40 feet. Although 

 moderately prevalent in the forests, it is very plentiful outside in 

 the deciduous forests. It shoots up very strongly from the stump 

 after an old tree has been cut down. Wood obtamed from these 

 stool-shoots is, however, not so good or of such large size as that 

 obtained from seedling trees. The timber is a light-brown colour, 

 but a very pretty grain, full of medullary rays, giving it a sheen not 

 unlike oak. Locally it is sold as joists and posts at the price of 

 3d. to 6d. per superficial foot. 



13. Lophira procera (Red Oak, Kokank, also known as Ironpost) 

 is sold as planks, posts and beams at 3|d. to 6d. per superficial foot. 

 It is chiefly used for house-building. A full description of this tree 

 is given under the heading of the export timbers, so that nothing 

 more need be added here. 



14. Parinarium excelsum (Rough-skinned Plum) is a very common 

 tree, which attains a girth of 12 feet and a bole length of 30 feet. It 

 yields a hard timber with open grain. It is sold locally as planks 

 or logs at 6d. per cubic foot for building timber. The fruit, which, 



