i82 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



Dracana fragrans, Ker, from Sierra Leone and 

 Guinea ; D. ovata, Ker, from Sierra Leone, and 

 Dianella triandra, Afz., from Sierra Leone. 



I must briefly allude to the Screwpine family 

 (Pandanaces), which is extensive in West Africa, but 

 of which seemingly little is known. The epidermis 

 from the leaves is much used, as is the case with 

 many palms, for mats and like work. 



Of this family I may mention the FanjaJinee 

 (Mandingo) of the Gambia, or the self-fire-consuming 

 tree, as the natives consider it, and as its vernacular 

 name implies. This tree favours much the Pandaniis 

 2itilis, and is to be found in the neighbourhood of fresh 

 water. I have seen it in quantities in the Upper 

 Gambia. The natives assert that the fruit when 

 matured bursts, spontaneous combustion follows, and 

 the result is fire desolation to the site. No Mandingo 

 would have such a tree in his compound, viewing it 

 as more treacherous than a fire-stick. 



It is open for consideration whether jute cultiva- 

 tion might not also, with monetary advantage, be 

 undertaken successfully in our Possessions. The 

 low-lying lands that are to be found bordering the 

 vast inland waterways along the West Coast offer 

 suitable and rich sites. 



In Kew Report for 1881 will be found the following 

 from a commercial report, by Mr. Victor Drummond 

 to the Foreign Office, April 7, 1881 : — 



" It is now about ten years since the American 



