286 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



Central, Mozambique District, Cape de" Verd 

 Islands. 



Benten in Yoloff, Bintaforo in Mandingue, Silk 

 Cotton or Kapok (Eriodendron anfractuosum, DC). — 

 Large tree. The cotton obtained from the fruits is 

 used for stuffing pillows, &c. An oil is extracted 

 from the seeds, of a dark brown colour. A solution of 

 the gum of this tree is used in medicine. The leaves 

 are sometimes used as a substitute for Ochro {Hibiscus 

 esculentus, L.). — 'Useful Plants of India,' H. Drury, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea. 



Sterculiace^. 



African Tragacanth {Sterculia Tragacantha, Lindl.). 

 — Tree 40 to 50 feet high. The gum afforded by this 

 tree in great quantity is commonly found in parcels of 

 Senegal (Arabic) gum. — Spon's ' Encyclopaedia of the 

 Industrial Arts, Manufactures and Commercial Pro- 

 ducts,' p. 1686. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea. 



" Ndimb " of Casamance {Sterculia f cordifolia, 

 Cav.). — Tree 60 to 80 feet high. The Negroes eat 

 as a delicacy the aril which encloses the bottom of 

 the seed. The wood is hard, and is employed in the 

 construction of embankments, domestic utensils, &c. 

 — ' Flora Senegambia,' Guillemin et Perrottet, vol. i., 

 p. 80. 



Distribution Upper Guinea. 



