54 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



which is said to be the richest and most fluid oil 

 known, yielding on pressure 80 per cent. Of the 

 Dika nut it is stated, "Another remarkable produc- 

 tion is the Dika almond, which on strong pressure 

 yields from 65 to 70 per cent, of grease resembling 

 the butter-cocoa, fusible at 122° F., and fitted for the 

 manufacture of soap." 



And of the Niko nut I give the following analysis 

 by Mr. I. A. Voeleker, which I have taken from Kew 

 Report 1881 :— 



Oil (of a yellow colour, readily drying into a thick varnish- 

 like mass) 59'43 



Albuminous compounds (containing ' 75 nitrogen) . . . . 4 ' ^9 



Sugar, gum, mucilage, &c 29*75 



Woody fibre (cellulose) 3 "60 



Mineral matter (ash) '94 



Moisture 1'59 



100 -00 



I may here remind my readers of the seed of the 

 Shea butter tree (Butyrospermum Parkii), and the 

 butter or tallow tree of Sierra Leone {Pentadesma 

 butyracea), and of the physic {j'atropka curcas) and 

 castor-oil {Rici7ius communis) nuts. 



The chief centre of the ground-nut crushing 

 industry is Marseilles : and at Harbourg, Bordeaux, 

 Dunkirk, Nantes, Caen, there are important mills. 



The finest ground-nut oil is used as a substitute for 

 and mixture with olive : it is also used in Holland in 

 the manufacture of butterine : the next qualities are 

 good for lubricating and engine oils, while the inferior 



