THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 261 



and found growing near the banks of rivers in all the southern- 

 most provinces of Nigeria. 



It is stated to be useful for oars and masts for small boats, 

 according to the report on the Exhibition of 1867. Since that 

 date, however, it has not been used for this purpose. The 

 bole reaches a girth of about 5 feet and a length of about 

 45 feet. The crown is narrow and comparatively long, but rather 

 compressed and compact. The foliage is dense and compara- 

 tively close together. The root spurns are slight and narrow, 

 not extending very far up the bole. In proportion to its height 

 the trunk is thin and very cylindrical in shape, though occa- 

 sionally near the base it may not be absolutely round and 

 tends to bulge out rather more on one surface than the other. 

 The fruit, when ripe, is like a bunch of black keys, or 

 little short, round-ended pieces of wood, all projecting out of 

 one central stalk or fork, which is the most typical feature of 

 the tree. The cortex is comparatively thin, and remains 

 smooth even in the mature trees. The bole tapers only very 

 slightly, and does not divide or send out any branches until 

 the crown is reached. 



The sapwood is white, as also the heartwood, except that 

 the latter tends to have a very light yellowish-brown tinge, 

 especially as it seasons. It is moderately hard, showing great 

 elasticity, planing with a smooth surface, splitting moderately 

 well, taking nails and not warping or shrinking to any great 

 extent. Even fresh it is comparatively a dry wood. It saws 

 well and shows considerable textile strength, as also strength 

 in compression, is moderately heavy and termite-proof. The 

 texture of the grain is very fine and even, and the grain is 

 very straight. 



This tree is somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil- 

 protecting, and soil-improving. Natural regeneration is 

 moderate. It does not sprout from the stump. It stands a 

 certain amount of flooding, but it seems to demand a good 

 soil with plenty of moisture, including a very moist atmo- 

 sphere. No plantations have been made of this tree. 



The timber has not been felled for export, nor has it been 

 cut for local use, but it appears to deserve a trial as a substitute 

 for lancewood, or other woods which show considerable elas- 

 ticity. It should be noted that it belongs to the same family 

 as that of the lancewood. Owing to the straightness and com- 

 parative evenness of the bole for a very considerable length, 

 it might be suitable for shafts or even telegraph poles. 



The fruit is used as a kind of comestible amongst most 

 of the natives, as it has a peppery taste which is not unpleasant. 



