ii8 



FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



VI. 



Gums * (using the vulgar and general term for them, 

 including gums, resins fossilized and unfossilized), 

 especially fossil " gums," should play a much more 

 important part in the exports of the West Coast. The 

 following table shows the quantity of this article of 

 commerce imported from British West Africa during 

 the five years ended and inclusive of 1885 : — 



The gums and resins known in the trade with 

 average values are : — 



" Senegal " (Acacias of various species) gar. per cwt. 



Sierra Leone {Copaifera Gtnbourtiana), natural 6d. to lod. 



[per lb. 

 „ „ „ cleaned is. to u. 6d. 



[per lb. 



* Gum is soluble in water or swells in it ; the best and most 

 useful gum dissolves entirely, forming an adhesive mucilage; 

 resin in essential oil, boiling fixed oils, also in ether and chloro- 

 form. Many are soluble in alcohol ; but a few, such as copal 

 and amber, either not at all soluble in alcohol or only partially. 



