CHAPTER IV 

 LIBERIA 



I. The Gola Forest. 



This comparatively narrow strip of Africa, extending from Cape 

 Palmas on the east to the Mano River on the west, an area of 40,000 

 square miles, is a Negro Republic under the nominal protection of 

 the United States. It is bounded on the west by the British Colony 

 and Protectorate of Sierra Leone, and on the north and east by the 

 French possessions of Senegal and the French Ivory Coast. 



Some years ago a large rubber company was formed to exploit 

 the wild-growing rubber vines and trees, and until recently fairly 

 large amounts were secured. Apart from rubber, however, there 

 are large forests, one of the best being the Gola Forest, on the 

 western boundary and contiguous to the Sierra Leone Protectorate. 



This Gola Forest is formed by the confluence of the Morro and 

 Mano Rivers, being thus triangular in shape and approximately 

 250 square miles in extent. No natives actually live in it, though 

 there are a few villages at the edge, such as Yandahun and Dambarra. 

 The typical forest is seen in the view of the River Morro near the 

 junction of the Mano. Here herds of elephants roam and make tracks 

 through the dense growth of numerous trees ; in fact, the only paths 

 there have been made by the elephant. The Chief of Tunkia always 

 has at least ten youths with him learning the art of elephant-hunting, 

 for which a large fee for tuition is paid. In illustrations Nos. 10 and 

 12 views of the inner parts of the forest are given. 



II. The Most Valuable Trees. 



The chief species of trees suitable for cutting for export are the 

 following : 



1. Mahogany {Khaya ivoriensis), probably, a very well textured 

 wood with some very pretty medullary rays and a thorough sheen 

 on it when planed. Illustration No. 13 shows a specimen of this tree. 



2. Satin wood {Afrormosia laxiflora), a large tree with smooth bark, 

 which varies from light green or yellow to an orange-red shade, thus 

 making it very conspicuous in the forest. See illustration No. 11, 

 which shows one of these trees of medium size. 



