OIL BEANS, SEEDS AND NUTS 



461 



ample light for its development. According to the investigations of 

 the Imperial Institute, the nuts were found to yield 55-2 per cent, 

 of fat, which was solid and cream-coloured. Owing to the fact that 

 this is a larger yield than that obtained from the nuts of L. alata, the 

 decorticated kernels were valued at £12 per ton c.i.f. Liverpool. 

 This tree is one of the most prevalent in the evergreen forests 

 of Nigeria, the Gold Coast, and Sierra Leone, so that very considerable 

 amounts of the seeds could be obtained, provided a remunerative 

 price is paid to cover the cost of production. According to the analysis 

 made at the Imperial Institute ^ the kernels contain : 



Guttiferae, Pentadesma Butyracea. — The Tallow Tree. From this 

 a large number of fat-yielding kernels are obtained from each fruit. 

 The nuts are irregular tetrahedral shape. The shell is not very thick 

 and easily broken when the nuts are dry. When fresh the kernel is 

 lightish-yellow in colour, and the nut is brown. According to the 

 investigations of the Imperial Institute the fat obtained is of a 

 pale-yellow colour, and has a pleasant smell and taste. In smell, 

 in fact, it is very much like Shea butter. 



On analysis it showed : 



The samples from the Southern Provinces of Nigeria showed rather 

 a lower saponification and iodine value. 



From its appearance and chemical constants it seems possible that 

 this fat might be used in the manufacture of edible fats. The kernels 

 were valued, when in good and dry condition, at from £8 to £10 per 

 ton in the United Kingdom. 



Allanblackia floribunda. — The numerous nuts or kernels from the 

 large fruits of this tree have not yet been used for any commercial 

 purpose. They appear to contain an oil. In this family, too, there 

 ^ Official Report, Oil Seeds, Fats and Waxes, Imperial Institute, 1914. 



