FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 277 



" Arnatto " or " Rocon " is prepared from the red pulp 

 covering the seeds of this plant. Used for dyeing 

 silks, staining cheese, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea. 



Oncoba spinosa, Forsk. — Shrub. The fruit, which is 

 edible, has a hard shell, used for ornamental purposes 

 by the natives of Upper Guinea. Some snuff-boxes 

 made of these fruits are exhibited in the Kew 

 Museum from Natal. — Kew Museum. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Mozamb. 

 District. 



POLYGALE^. 



"Buaze"' fibre plant of the Zambesi {Securidaca 

 longipedmiculata, ¥v&s.,var. farvifolid). — Shrub. Fibre 

 from twigs used for making fishing-nets, cord, &c., 

 by the natives. — 'Treasury of Botany,' Lindley and 

 Moore. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea. 



PORTULACE^. 



Purslane (Portulaca oleracea, L.). — Annual herb. 

 Antiscorbutic. Used in salads as a pot-herb, and for 

 pickling. — ' Treasury of Botany,' Lindley and Moore. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Lower 

 Guinea. 



