FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 299 



branches as dunnage for the roofs of houses in India. 

 The root-bark is used by the natives of Senegal and 

 Senegambia in the treatment of chronic dysentery. — 

 ' Forest Flora of North-West and Central India,' Dr. 

 Brandis, p. 81 ; 'Flora Senegambia,' Guillemin et 

 Perrottet, vol. i., p. 144. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Lower 

 Guinea, Mozambique District. 



Rhamne^. 



Jujube or Ber Tree {Zizyphus jiijuba, Lam.). — A 

 loosely-branched tree or shrub, ten to forty feet high. 

 Used for hedges in West Africa, being periodically 

 topped. Wood used in India for saddletrees, agri- 

 cultural implements, oil-mills, &c. The bark is 

 astringent, and is employed in the Moluccas in 

 diarrhcea and to strengthen the stomach. The roots 

 and seeds are used in fevers, and the powdered root- 

 bark is mixed with oil and applied to ulcers. Leaves 

 used to polish gems. This tree is largely cultivated 

 by the Chinese, who preserve the fruits in syrup, 

 and also use them in a dried state ; these fruits 

 occasionally find their way into the London market. 

 A lac is produced on this tree in India. — 'Manual 

 of Indian Timbers,' J. S. Gamble, p. 89 ; ' Useful 

 Plants of India,' H. Drury, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Lower Guinea, 

 Mozambique District, Cape de Verd Islands. 



