412 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Satinwood. Okwaba (Benin). 



This tree is found in the mixed forests of the Benin province 

 of Nigeria. 



In 1906 sample logs of this timber were sold in the Liverpool 

 market as satinwood, but were not considered worth shipping. 

 Since then, however, none has been cut for export or for local 

 use. Perhaps owing to the increased demands for all kinds of 

 timber a further trial should be made with this one for satinwood. 

 Natural regeneration is poor. It is a somewhat slow-growing, 

 shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. It reaches 

 a large size. 



Ubellu, genus ? Annamamilla (Benin). 



It is found in the Benin province, Nigeria. 



It is a small tree, the name often confused with the mahogany- 

 walnut, Lovoa Klaineana, which is also sometimes known as 

 Annamamilla in the Benin country. The leaves are impari- 

 pinnate. It is a softwood with light-brown heartwood and 

 little black, spherically-shaped fruit, unarmed. 



Native Use. — Firewood of good quality. Not used otherwise. 



Big Hardwood. Arugbo (Yoruba) ; Eto (Benin). 



It is a very large tree with a wide crown. The timber is of a 

 brown colour, but the sapwood is white. It is extremely hard 

 and durable ; even when felled in the farms it will be six years 

 before it has rotted away. The bark is a dark-green with white 

 lenticels scattered over it. 



It is rather a rare tree in the Benin province of Nigeria. 

 Standing a good deal of shade, it is a soil improver and pro- 

 tector. Natural regeneration does not appear to be very 

 plentiful. 



It does not sprout up when coppiced. 



Native Use. — None. 



Ifon (Yoruba). Owehe (Benin). 



Is a small tree which has scented wood. It reaches a girth of 

 20 inches only. Before going to market, according to the natives, 

 the feet, hands and body should be washed with a solution 

 prepared from the bark of this tree mixed with soap. The object 

 of this operation is to effect quick sales at the market. 



Ewayron (Yoruba). 



A leaf for wrapping up food, found in the Yoruba country, 

 also used in Benin for roofing houses. 



