132 



FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



same genera, and even species, on both the East and 

 West Coasts. Landolphia florida, one of the African 

 rubber vines, is a striking example of this wide 

 distribution." 



I am informed by Mr. Ingham Clark that Sierra 

 Leone copal, on account of its pale colour — almost 

 white — is most largely used ; and that the trees are 

 now cut for this gum, the trade becoming, as in Sene- 

 gambia, a season one. He is of the opinion that this 

 fact is aifecting the practical value of Sierra Leone 

 copal, as, not being fossilized, it is very tender, and 

 must be sparingly used in the making of first-class 

 varnishes. It is sold in the United Kingdom, after 

 having been subjected at the port of shipment to a 

 rough washing. 



This article is also found among the exports from 

 the French Settlements of Assine and Gaboon, as also 

 in the exports from the Portuguese Possessions below 

 the Congo, as will be readily judged by the market 

 names of "Angola" and "Benguela," which are 

 the most valuable of the West African resins. The 

 quantity that has found its way from the Portuguese 

 Possessions into the United Kingdom from 1881 to 



1885 stands as under : — 



