THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 413 



Mahogany. Alode (Benin). 



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

 province of Nigeria. 



In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool 

 market as a species of mahogany of a soft nature. Since that 

 date none has been felled. Perhaps with the changed conditions 

 with regard to the demand for all timbers similar to mahogany 

 a further trial with the timber of this tree should be made. 

 Natural regeneration is not very good. It is a rather slow- 

 growing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. 



Spiny Tree. Oaha (Benin). 



It is a small tree found in the Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta 

 provinces of Nigeria. The small, rather thin and longish spines 

 on the stem are the most typical feature of this tree. It usually 

 grows with aerial roots. It reaches about 3 feet in girth, and 

 on the whole is more common in the secondary forest than in 

 the primeval. The wood is moderately durable, especially when 

 used for inside work, such as verandah-posts. 



Native Use. — It is sometimes used for small poles for hut- 

 building. 



House Post. Ewai (Benin). 



A common tree in the Benin and Abeokuta provinces of 

 Nigeria. It is a slow-growing tree which has a very hard 

 brown wood ; it is a shade-bearer. The seed is a small nut. 

 The wood is used by the natives of Benin for building-posts, 

 rafters and small planks. 



It is found in the moist evergreen forest zone and is some- 

 what common in the Obagie Reserve of the Benin district. 



Ussehin Chew-stick. Okuta (Yoruba) ; Okuta, Opahan (Benin). 



It is rather a rare tree of the Benin, Ondo and Abeokuta 

 provinces of Nigeria. The name means "a stone," and has appar- 

 ently been given because of the hardness of the wood. It 

 is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of about 5 feet. The 

 wood is almost white, and there is little difference between 

 sapwood and heartwood. In the Ussehin country of Benin 

 it is used as a chew-stick. The Yoruba states that it is the 

 hardest of all native woods. 



Akpo (Benin). Hardwood. 



It is rather an uncommon tree of the Benin province of 

 Nigeria, also a very hard wood, a medium-sized tree. The brown 



