390 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



The juice from the plant is used to hasten the in- 

 spissation of Central American Rubber {Castilloa 

 elastica, Cerv.).- — ' Economic Products of India,' Watt, 

 part v., No. 657. ' Dictionary of Economic Plants,' 

 Smith, p. 88. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



Ipomcea biloba, Forsk. (Convolvulus Pes-Capra;, L.). 

 — Creeping and twining plant, found on the sea-shore ; 

 it is a good sand-binder and is eaten by goats, horses, 

 and rabbits. In India the natives boil the leaves and 

 apply them externally as an anodyne in colic, and in 

 decoction use them in rheumatism. — ' Useful Plants 

 of India,' Drury, p. 259. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Cape Verd Islands. 



Ipomcea aquatica, Forsk. (I. reptans, Poir.). — Annual. 

 Commonly eaten by the poorer classes of India as a 

 vegetable. The roots are also said to be eaten. — 

 'Economic Products of India,' Watt, part vi., No. 

 414. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



Sweet Potato (Ipomcza Batatas, Lam.). — PerenniaL 

 This plant has long been universally cultivated in 

 tropical and sub-tropical regions for its tuberous 

 roots. It forms one of the chief articles of food of 

 the natives of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, 

 It is cultivated in the South of France and Spain, and 

 makes an excellent preserve, which is highly prized by 



