LIBERIA 67 



3. The African Oak {Oldfieldia africana), Paulai of the Mendis 

 is more common in the southern than in the northern part of the 

 forest. It attains a large size, but has not yet been exploited either 

 by a European or a native fii-m. This is one of the most durable of 

 African timbers. As it has already been described in the chapter 

 on the Sierra Leone trees, further notes on this tree are unnecessary 

 here. Illustrations Nos. 5 and 6 show this tree to advantage, especially 

 its straightness of growth. 



4. The real Satinwood {Zanthoxylum macrophyllum), not an 

 uncommon tree, of small size. It is most easily recognised by its 

 very long pinnate leaves. One leaf may attain a length of 6 feet. 

 There is another species of Zanthoxylum which also has a similar 

 kind of timber. 



5. African Walnut {Lovoa Klaineana). This tree is not very 

 prevalent, but is scattered in small groups throughout the forest. 



6. Cedar Mahoganj^ a species of Guarea which attains a large size. 

 It is none too prevalent, though it is scattered singly throughout the 

 forest. 



7. African Pearwood [Mimusops lacera) is a very good reddish 

 timber, often with figure in the grain. Although much harder than 

 mahogany, it has been sold as such. 



8. The Iroko {Chlorophora excelsa) is common near the old farms, 

 but is not so prevalent in the forest proper. It has not yet been 

 exploited from here, nor is it cut locally. 



9. The Red Ironwood Tree {Lophira procera) is very prevalent, and 

 attains much the same size as elsewhere. It has not yet been exploited. 



10. The so-called Mahogany, the timber of a tree, a species of 

 Parinarium, known as Pauwilli of the Mendis. This is one of the 

 most prevalent trees in the forest. It is also somewhat gregarious, 

 as many as forty specimens being sometimes found in one group. 

 The timber of this tree was exported from Southern Nigeria some 

 years ago. It grows to a height of 150 feet, with a clear bole of 

 60 feet in height, and upwards of 18 feet in girth. Illustration No. 2 

 shows the trunk especiallj', and the base of one of these trees. 

 A most typical scene in the northern part of the Gola Forest is shown 

 in illustration No. 12, several of the trees in that picture being 

 Pauwilli. 



All the above-mentioned trees have been cut and exported in the 

 log from various parts of Western Africa. There are, however, several 

 other trees which might be cut and used as export timbers, as, for 

 instance : 



11. The White Mahogany {Canarmm Schiveinfurthii), which attains 

 the same size as elsewhere, but is not so commonly found. 



12. Rhodesian Mahogany {Afzelia bracteata ?), which is fairly common 

 and attains a medium size. 



