GOLD COAST REPORT ON FORESTS. 57 



The best forests, however, are found on the higher ridges 

 further northwards where they have not been farmed. They con- 

 tain the ordinary Khaya of the Gold Coast apparently a new 

 species two species of cedars, both of which are new ; numerous 

 Bakus (Mlmusops Djave), Odoums, Piptadenias, the incense 

 tree (Santiriopsis Klainei), the gum copal tree (Cyanoihyrsus 

 ogea), Kokoti (Pynaertia ealaensis), Parkia biglobosa, Chen-chen 

 (Ant HI nx to.vicaria var. africana), the Waw-waw (Triploch.it on 

 Johnson it), the shingle wood tree or Off ram (Terminalio sp.), the 

 Oivama (Ulcinodendron africanus), and the Emril (Terminalia 

 sp.), another shingle wood tree. 



In the extreme northern portions of the tract of country now 

 being dealt with, the forests assume a rather drier character, and 

 deciduous-leafed trees become more numerous; they comprise two 

 species of Albizzia, Sterculia Barteri, S. cordifolia, S. torn-en- 

 tosa, Cola Afzelii, and a species of Pterocarpus. The tree, how- 

 ever, which is most characteristic of these northern forests, and 

 which makes them so valuable, is the indigenous rubber plant, 

 Funtumia elastica. It is extraordinarily abundant about here, 

 more so than I have found to be the case anywhere else, and I very 

 much doubt if the whole of the rest of tropical Africa can show 

 such a rich forest in that species. It grows at its best in the drier 

 portions of the evergreen forests, w r here the underwood is more 

 open and species of trees with deciduous leaves far from 

 uncommon. 



A large number of the rubber trees have been killed or severely 

 damaged from over-tapping, and it was a pitiable sight to see the 

 forest paths in some places literally strewn with the dead stems of 

 this species. Experience has convinced me of the fact that 

 Funtumia elastica is much less resistant to injury caused by tap- 

 ping than almost any other species of rubber-yielding tree. The 

 wood is very soft, and decays rapidly from fungoid infections 

 when exposed to the air. Once decay sets in the tree is easily 

 overthrown during the tornado season. 



For these reasons the tapping of this species has to be carried 

 out with the greatest care and at comparatively long intervals of 

 rest. 



Notwithstanding the large number of trees that have been 

 killed, there still remain an enormous number of fairly healthy 

 plants that should, with care, give handsome annual return. Per- 

 haps the best rubber forest is situated between the village of 

 Yapiakrom and Odumase, on the Yapiakrom-Odumase-Takora- 

 Adubia-jSTkwanta road. 



The Forests North of Mansu N'Kwanta. 



These are situated to the south-west of Kumasi and extend 

 northwards as far as the main Kumasi-Bibiani road. They are 

 traversed from north to south by the N'Kwanta-Amanchia- 

 Impasatia road. With the exception of a high and important 

 range of hills, situated a short distance to the north-west of 



