numerous, small, oval seeds embedded in a very fibrous pith. The flowers are 

 fertilized by bats. Found in savannah forests of the rift valleys mainly below 2,000 

 ft. and on fertile soils. 



Squirrels are said to be very fond of the fruits, whether they actually eat the 

 pulp and seeds is not certain but Africans say they gnaw off the end of a fruit to 

 get at the sap upon which they become quite tipsy. Rhinoceros also eat the fallen 

 fruits biting chunks out of them. 



The wood is used for making stools (E.A.) for hoe handles, mortars and drums 

 (Nyasaland). The trunk is regarded as one of the better canoe woods, and it is a 

 protected canoe tree in most districts on the Lake-shore. The root is soaked with 

 various other roots and the liquid drunk as a cure for syphilis ; an infusion of the 

 leaves with other leaves is a cure for another venereal disease, kaswende (N); the 

 bark is pounded, sifted and boiled and mixed with cipembere, {Eandia sp.,) and 

 mbambanjoma and then used as a balm for sores. Locally where stones are scarce, 

 the fruits are frequently used as fire stones for standing pots on a fire as they seem 

 completely fire-proof. 



Ref. 14; 17; 26; 27. 



274. K. pinnata (Jacq.) DC. Cucumber tree. 

 Mvunguti (G), muungutwa (Y). 



A fine straight tree 20-50 ft. high, only growing to perfection below 3,000 ft. 

 Bark thick, smooth, dark-grey, leaves seven or nine largo leaflets, 5 ins. long, terminal 

 one the smallest; flowers on long pendulous stalks, bell-shaped, 2 J ins. long, intense 

 crimson or claret coloured inside and velvety; fruits 12-20 ins. long, on long stalks 

 sometimes weighing 8 lb. 



Wood, soft, yellowish or whitish, suitable for boxes. Roasted fruits are put 

 into native beer to ferment it, the fruit is also said to be poisonous. 



Ref. 14; 17; 18; 26. 



275. Kirkia acuminata Oliv. (Simarub.) 

 Mtumbu (G), ntund'uwa ( ? ). 



A small tree up to 30 ft. with smooth grey bark; leaves semi-deciduous, some- 

 what clustered at the ends of the branches, alternate multifoliolate, leaflets subopposite 

 or alternate, obliquely lanceolate serrulate, red in winter; flowers greenish- white, 

 small, forming a broad leafy panicle ; fruits dry oblong, separating at length in four 

 linear oblong one-seeded cocci. Found on the poorer soil of the rift valleys. 



Much used for live fence posts. The timber is useful, sapwood is wide and 

 light-grey in colour, the heartwood is greenish-brown. The wood has a most attrac- 

 tive figure due to the very numerous growth rings which are wavy and irregular, 

 the result is a pleasing, '' burr walnut " eff^ect. Although it is severe on cutting tools, 

 it is comparatively light in weight. Shrinkage is small and the wood seasons fairly 

 easily if cut in thin sizes, thick sizes retain their moisture for exceptionally long 

 periods. In South Africa the wood is used for furniture. Weight 33-44 lb. per 

 cu. ft. 

 Ref. 14; 22; 28. 



276. Lachnopylis sambesina (Gilg) C.A. Sm. (Logan.) Wild lauristinus. 

 Nakawaka (Y). 



A tree 40-50 ft. tall, stem square with brown hairs; leaves evergreen in whorls 

 of three, simple, on very short leafstalks, blade 2J-3 ins. long, oblong ovate; flowers 

 in dense terminal cymose panicles, small white, sweet scented; fruit a capsule 

 containing numerous small seeds. Found in forest of high mountain areas. 



Wood is useful. 

 Ref. 9; 14; 26. 



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