442 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



&c., and is often very beautifully carved ; while the 

 oil obtained from the fruit is an important article of 

 trade, and is used for burning, for cooking, and in the 

 manufacture of candles and soap. In fact the uses 

 of the cocoa-nut tree are innumerable. — 'A Manual of 

 Indian Timbers,' Gamble, p. 422, &c. 



Distribution: Cultivated on the West Coast of 

 Africa, 



Pandane^,. 



Pandanus sp. — The split leaves of a species of 

 Pandaiius are used on the Niger for making pouches, 

 specimens of which are in the Kew Museum. 



Typhace^. 



Typha angiistifolia, L. — ^Aquatic plant. The Kew 

 Museum contains a specimen of fibre prepared from 

 this plant in Melbourne ; it is said to be a first-rate 

 paper material. A specimen of paper made from 

 this fibre, and a sample of down obtained from the 

 plant, and said to be used in Victoria, Australia, for 

 stuffing beds, cushions, &c., are also in the Museum. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea. 



AROIDE^E. 



Pistia stratiotes, L. — Aquatic plant, considered by 

 the Hindus to be cooling and demulcent, and is 



