THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 411 



It is common on the banks of the Itunkpe Creek, a tributary 

 of the Kwa River, near Calabar, in the same named province, and 

 also in the Owerri province of Nigeria. It belongs to the evergreen 

 forest zone. 



The timber is a reddish-brown hardwood of close grain, which 

 would saw into sizeable planks. It is a somewhat slow-growing, 

 shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. The leaves 

 yield a thick bed of humus. It appears to be one of the most 

 valuable trees in this respect. It is moderately hard, with even, 

 close-textured grain. It planes well, saws fairly easily, takes nails, 

 but does not split well. Natural regeneration appears to be good. 

 It also sprouts from the stump. 



The timber has not been exported, nor has it been cut for 

 planks for local use. It appears to deserve a trial as a local 

 timber for floor-boards or for the making of boxes. Considering 

 that so often many trees are found in the same place, it should 

 not be difficult to obtain adequate supplies. 



Native Use. — Building, but it is attacked by the insect called 

 Efiak. 



Musk Tree. Owi (Benin). 



It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria, in the evergreen 

 forests. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of about 

 8 feet with a short bole of about 10 feet. The crown is large but 

 rather elongated, and reaches down two-thirds of the height of the 

 tree. The fruit is large and more like an avocado pear in shape 

 and colour. The leaf is very large and wide, more like a teak leaf, 

 but of stronger texture, the midrib especially being very thick. 



The timber is hard, with white sapwood and green heart- 

 wood. It splits well and takes nails fairly well. It is a little 

 fibrous in texture, but can be planed ; it saws fairly easily. 



It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting 

 and soil-improving tree. The leaves make a rich humus. 

 Natural regeneration is none too good. Stump sprouts do not 

 appear to be very strong. 



It has not been exported or cut for local use, but would 

 be worth trying for house-building. 



Native Use. — The fruit is kept for four days and then the 

 inside large kernel is eaten. The young leaves are used for 

 curing boils, as an external plaster to draw the poison. 



Ekkiowa (Benin). 



It is a small shrub which is found in the Benin district of 

 the same named province. It is not very common. 



Native Use. — The seed is used medicinally for the hands in 

 case of sores which are red or raw. 



