CHAPTEB XI 



PRODUCTS NOT ANALYZED 



North African Doum Palm 



{HyphcBue Thelaica) 



A NATIVE of north tropical Africa and South Arabia. It 

 is called Gingerbread Tree (English) ; Kerzim (Bornou); 

 Kolongo (Bagirmi) ; Goreba (north of Kano) ; and Farobier 

 (Senegal). 



Seeman says that the fruit is much larger than the date, 

 and equally nutritious. The spongy internal part of the 

 fruit is an important article of food, and when mixed with 

 an infusion of dates constitutes a cooling drink. The rind 

 is thick and mealy, containing a bitter but not disagreeable 

 juice. Baker says that " the fruit is pounded between two 

 stones, and the edible part detached. This is eaten raw, or 

 boiled into a delicious porridge with milk. It has a strong 

 flavour like gingerbread. 



*'The leaves are used for thatching, mats, etc.; and for 

 the best kind of hats." 



