356 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



Trdchomeria vitifolia. Hook. f. — Small plant. 

 Roots very large and eaten by Negroes, and also 

 used in medicine. — ' Flora of Tropical Africa,' Oliver, 

 vol. ii., p. 525. 



Distribution : Lower Guinea. 



Bottle or Club Gourd, White Pumpkin, Charrah of 

 the Arabs, &c. {Lagenaria vtdgaris, Ser.). — Climbing 

 plant. The fruit is said to be eaten by the poorer 

 classes in India, where it is also used in poultices. It 

 has bitter and slightly purgative properties. The 

 shells of the fruit or gourds are largely employed in 

 the Tropics for domestic utensils, musical instruments, 

 snuff-boxes, buoys used in swimming across rivers, 

 and for a variety of other purposes. A decoction of 

 the leaves mixed with sugar is used in jaundice. The 

 seeds are said to be used in medicine in India, and 

 to yield an oil of a light yellow colour. — ' Useful 

 Plants of India,' Drury, &c. 



Distribution : Cultivated throughout Tropical and 

 Sub-Tropical Africa. 



Loofah, Konyikon, or Native Sponge of Western 

 Africa, Bonnet or Dish-cloth Gourd of North America, 

 &c. {Luffa cegyptiaca, Mill.). — Herb. Cultivated 

 throughout the Tropics for its fruits, which, when 

 young, are eaten. The close vascular network of the 

 inside of this gourd serves as a scrubbing-brush, 

 sponge, and to strain palm-wine. It is also made 

 into light ornamental articles, baskets, &c. The 



