288 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Leone in the early part of the nineteenth century, and this 

 name " Cam " brings together the tree from which the Camwood 

 is obtained and the tree botanically known as Baphia nitida. 



Native Use. — A piece of the wood and a leaf are placed on the 

 ground where a woman has borne a child, whether it be on 

 a road or in the house. Not used in Benin as a dye wood. 

 Baphia polygalacea. Walking-stick Camwood. Asana, Ossusu 

 (Yoruba) ; Aswen (Benin) ; Mbomokuku (Efik). 



It is found in the Abeokuta, Benin and Calabar provinces 

 of Nigeria. 



A small tree of typical Baphia habit, which is common 

 in parts of the Benin district of the same named province. 

 It has considerable elasticity, though it dries rather hard and 

 does not give much in that state. It is a rather slow-grow- 

 ing tree, which lights the shade of the forest, and is also a 

 soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. Natural regeneration 

 appears to be good in several places. It sprouts slightly from 

 the stump, when felled. No plantations have yet been made 

 with this tree. The walking-sticks have not been exported 

 to England for trial in the market. 



The curiously shaped single root, sticking out almost at 

 right angles to the stem, makes a good walking-stick ; it is 

 curved as well slightly, too. When the bark is peeled off and 

 the stem partially charred, it looks very efEective. 

 Baphia pubescens. Benin Camwood. Awewi (Lagos) (Yoruba) ; 

 Ositwa (Benin). 



It is a small tree, 30 feet high and 3 feet in girth, 

 with usually half the bole sapwood white, and dark-red heart- 

 wood, which is hard and close-grained. The flowers are white, 

 with yellow tips to the two petals. It is often seen just outside 

 villages, or where two paths meet. 



Native Use. — It is not used for dye, though apparently 

 the wood is just as suitable as B. nitida. 

 Baphia sp. Camwood. Mogbara (Yoruba, Ikale) ; Owe, Aswen 

 (Benin). 



It has also been determined as Carpolohia lutea, and as 

 one of the Oleacese. 



It is a shrub with a stem of about 4 feet in height. The 

 fruit is a small nut containing three small kernels. The wood 

 is very hard. 



Native Use. — The seeds are eaten. 

 Macrolobium palisoti. Ogaba (Benin) ; Nya (Efik). 



It is a common tree of the Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ondo, Warri, 

 Benin, Owarri and Calabar provinces of Nigeria. It only 

 reaches a girth of about 2 feet and a height of 20 feet. The 



