FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 357 



seeds afford an oil, and are said to be emetic and 

 cathartic. — ' Oil-seeds and Oils in the India Museum,' 

 Cooke, p. 56 ; ' Guide to the Museums of Economic 

 Botany, Kew,' 1883, p. 71. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land, Lower 

 Guinea, Mozambique District. 



Papengayeof the Negroes {Luffa aaitangula, Rxb.). 

 — Climbing plant. The young fruit is said to be one 

 of the best native vegetables of India, and is much 

 esteemed by the natives in curries, &c. The root in 

 decoction is purgative, and is said to check cholera. 

 An oil expressed from the seeds is useful in impcetigo. 

 This species is said to present both bitter and poison- 

 ous, and edible sweet varieties. — ' Useful Plants of 

 India,' Drury, &c. 



Distribution : Tropical Africa. 



Narras (Acanthosicyos horrida, Welw.). — Furze-like 

 spinous shrub, attaining five feet or more in height. 

 The fruit is eaten by the natives of Mossamedes. 

 The seeds are also said to be eaten. — 'Treasury of 

 Botany,' Lindley and Moore, &c. 



Distribution : Lower Guinea. 



White Gourd of India {Benincasa cerifera, Savi.). — 

 Herbaceous plant. The fruit, the flesh of which is 

 white, is a common vegetable in some parts of India, 

 and is extensively used by the natives in curries, &c. 

 Under the name of Petha it is sold as a preserve 



