314 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



foot or more long. It is stacked by the Foulahs for 

 horse provender. — 'Flora of Tropical Africa,' D. 

 Oliver, vol. ii., p. 158. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Lower 

 Guinea, Mozambique District, Cape de Verd Islands. 



Ground-nut, Arachides, Earth-pea, Mothu o siaht, 

 &c. {Arachis hypogaa, L.). — Herbaceous. Cultivated 

 to an immense degree in Western Tropical Africa 

 and elsewhere for its seeds, which are largely exported 

 to this country, France, Germany, &c. They yield 

 an oil largely used by perfumers for pomades, &c., 

 and is now extensively used in soap-making ; it 

 makes a good substitute for olive oil in pharmacy, 

 and as a lubricant for delicate machineiy and for 

 burning in lamps is stated to be well adapted. The 

 refuse cake after the oil has been expressed is used in 

 this country and elsewhere for feeding cattle. It is 

 said to have an agreeable sweet taste, and to be very 

 digestible. The seeds are used in Tropical Africa 

 and in various other parts of the world as food, either 

 roasted or boiled, and are also prepared in various 

 ways as a sweetmeat, &c. — ' Medicinal Plants,' Bentley 

 and Trimen, vol. ii., No. 75 ; 'Flora of Tropical 

 Africa,' D. Oliver, vol. ii., p. 158. 



Distribution : . Cultivated throughout Tropical 

 Africa ; Cape de Verd Islands. 



Desmodhmi gangeticum, DC. — Erect undfershrub 

 three to five feet high, considered to be febrifuge and 



