FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 287 



Kookomboya (^Sterculia cinerea, Rich.). — Tree of 

 moderate height. The wood makes good poles for 

 tents, and the bark stripped from the young branches is 

 used as cordage. S. W. Trop. Africa. — Kew Museum. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land. 



Sterculia Barteri, Mast. — The wood of this tree is 

 used on the Niger for floats by fishermen. The bark 

 is described as resinous, with a disagreeable odour. — 

 ' Flora of Tropical Africa,' D. Oliver, vol. i., p. 218. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



Cola or Kola {Cola acuminata, R. Br.) — Tree 20 to 30 

 feet high, well known as furnishing the " Kola nuts," 

 so much esteemed by the natives for their bitter 

 flavour. These nuts are said to possess the power of 

 rendering putrid water agreeable, but are chiefly used 

 for satisfying the craving of hunger and to enable the 

 user to endure prolonged labour without fatigue. The 

 roots, called " chew-stick," are used in Sierra Leone 

 for cleaning the teeth and sweetening the breath. 

 Various other virtues are ascribed to this plant. — 

 ' Flora of Trop. Africa,' D. Oliver, p. 220 ; ' Kew 

 Museum Guide,' p. 21. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea. 



Waltheria indica, L. — Perennial plant or undershrub 

 employed as a febrifuge in Surinam. — 'Treasury of 

 Botany,' Lindley and Moore. 



Distribution : Throughout Tropical Africa, Cape de 

 Verd Islands. 



