GOLD COAST REPORT ON FORESTS. 89 



occurs, aiid the age gradations are good. This species should 

 have a great future before it. 



6. Erythrophlceum guineense, the Potrodoin of the Ashautis and 

 Akwapims (the sass wood or ordeal tree). Local in its distribu- 

 tion, but very abundant wherever it does occur. Attains a large 

 size. Wood hard and fairly durable. Used for building pur- 

 poses on the Niger. Bark poisonous, infusions of it are used by 

 some of the natives (especially on the Kroo coast) for the ordeal 

 test. Regenerates itself freely by seed. Young plants numerous 

 and age gradations satisfactory. This species often invades the 

 belts of evergreen forest to be met with in the dry country. 



T. Lophira alata (one of the so-called African oaks). The 

 commonest tree of the open grass country. Universally distri- 

 buted there, is closely related to the Kaku tree (Lophira procera} 

 from the evergreen forests of the maritime zone, the wood of 

 which is the most durable to be found in tropical West Africa. 

 On good soil it attains a large size, but is usually of a crooked 

 and stunted growth from injuries caused by the annual fires. 

 Seeds small, but very rich in vegetable oils. Natural regenera- 

 tion very good. Age gradations well represented. 



The following species are confined to the evergreen belts of 

 forest found in the open grass country : 



8. Mimusops multinervis. Confined to the vicinity of the 

 streams. Wood hard, reddish in colour and very beautiful, often 

 figured ; exported from the Niger as African mahogany ; attains 

 large dimensions. Not very common on the Afrain Plains. 

 Natural regeneration by seed rather poor. 



9. The ebony tree, Diospyrox mespiliformis . Not common. 

 Attains a large size. Heart wood black and furnishes one of the 

 ebonies of commerce. Also found in the mixed evergreen and 

 deciduous forests of the intermediate zone (between the moist 

 evergreen belt and the dry zone). Age gradations poorly repre- 

 sented. 



10. Berlinia acuinincla or a closely related species. Extremely 

 common along the banks of streams on the Afrain Plains. Wood 

 hard and fairly durable. Usually of crooked growth. 



11. The Camwood tree, the Odwen of the Akwapims, Baphia 

 nitida. Very plentiful in some of the evergreen belts of vegeta- 

 tion. Scarcely attains the dimensions of a small tree. 



12. The Senegal rosewood tree, Pterocarpus erinaceus. Con- 

 fined to the open forests. Local in its distribution. Never 

 attains a large size in this country. Natural regeneration good. 



13. Carapa guianensis. The Osuabise of the Akwapims. Con- 

 fined to the evergreen belts near the banks of streams in the open 

 country. Attains greater dimensions here than I have seen any- 

 where else. Also found in the moist evergreen zone of vegeta- 

 tion further south. Wood has a great reputation in the Senegal. 

 Seeds are rich in vegetable oils. 



14. Tamarindus indica. The tamarind tree. Local in its dis- 

 tribution. Found in the open forest just outside the evergreen 



