84 COLONIAL REPORTS MISCELLANEOUS. 



Taking everything into consideration this tract of country pro- 

 mises the best results so far as a suitable climate for the residence 

 of Europeans is concerned. It is well watered; there is abun- 

 dance of flat ground suitable as sites for stations and recreation 

 grounds, and it appears to be free from the damp night mists that 

 are such an objectionable feature of the Aburi climate. 



As far as the forest vegetation is concerned there appears to be 

 but little difference between that found on the hills and the ordi- 

 nary evergreen forests of the plains. A species of Khaya with 

 large leaves, probably Khaya grandis, is common about here, 

 and so is the Odoum (Chlorophora excelsa). The cedars (Pseudo- 

 ccilrela sp.), on the other hand, are poorly represented. 



Other useful trees to be met with are the Offram or shingle-wood 

 'jree (Terminalia sp.), the gum copal tree (Cyanothyrsus ogea), 

 and Cordia Irvingii, a species that yields an excellent timber, 

 from which very durable shingles are manufactured. 



The dominant species in these forests, however, are the same 

 as those found in the evergreen vegetation of the plains, and con- 

 sist of the Dahomah (Piptadenia africana), the Waw-waw (Trip- 

 loch? ton Johnsonii), Eriodendron an/ractuosum, the Chen-chen 

 (Antiaris ioxicaria. var. africana), the Assomah (Parkia biglo- 

 bosa), the Kokoti (Pynaertia ealaensis), the Owama (Ricinoden- 

 dron africanus), Stercitlia cordi folia, and Sierctdia Barteri. A 

 few wild examples of Funtumia elastica were also seen. 



There appears to be a more pronounced difference in the her- 

 baceous vegetation, and many species of plants not met with in 

 the plains were found here. The bracken fern, for instance, was 

 seen on several occasions on these hills, as well as a beautiful 

 little wild balsam (Impatiens sp.), and a species of Begonia. 



The chief agricultural crops grown are maize, koko, yams, 

 bananas, ground-nuts, and cocoa. Plantations of the last are, I 

 believe, being rapidly extended every year, and this crop has 

 already replaced the hill-rice that used formerly to be cultivated 

 here on a large scale. 



The Afram Plains. 



From Abetifi the plains situated to the north-east were visited. 

 They are clothed with vegetation characteristic of the " dry 

 zone." Belts of evergreen forest are, however, found along the 

 immediate banks of the streams and in the moist depressions so 

 often met with in this type of country. Extensive outcrops of 

 laterite and schistose rocks are found scattered about the plains, 

 and on them the vegetation is of the most scrubby and dwarfed 

 character. 



The soil formed by the weathering of these rocks is nevertheless 

 fairly rich, and supports good tree growth wherever it is moist 

 and has accumulated to a sufficient depth. These rich patches of 

 soil are usually met with just below the lower level of the 

 ' strike " of the outcrops, whilst narrower deposits border the 

 channels of the streams. 



