the configuration of the ground. Dwarf trees and shrubs, whose 

 height and form are controlled by the sea breeze, are characteristic 

 of this stretch. The species here encountered are of the forest next 

 inland, and vary according to its composition. Common amongst 

 them are Elceis guineensis, Cocos nucifera, Phoenix redinata, Pandan us 

 candelabrum, Conopharyngia spp, Alchornea cordifolia, Voacanga 

 africana, Ixora laxifolia, Octhocosmus Chippii, and Ipomea involucrata. 

 There is but little soil in the area except where humus has collected 

 from the vegetation. When the sand is exposed it is fixed, but gener- 

 ally a laterite cap forms the ground surface. 



A Peculiar Grouping on a Sand Spit. — On the neck of land between 

 the large lagoons and the sea in the south-west corner of the Colony 

 is found an unusual grouping of plants. The area is somewhat pro- 

 tected by the flora of the beach. The soil is pure sand except where 

 a certain amount of humus has collected from fallen leaves. With 

 the exception of a few Palmacece there is practically no bush or shrub 

 undergrowth, and the tall forest is composed of remarkably few species, 

 the Meliacece and Sapotacece being conspicuously absent. The com- 

 monest trees are Lophira procera, Erythrophlceum micranthum, and 

 one at present unidentified species known locally as Freibli {Fla- 

 courtiacece) . These are very prolific and well represented in all stages 

 of growth. Other trees are Chlorophora excelsa, occasionally Deiarium 

 sp., and Pycnanthus Kombo. 



Mangrove. — A general description of this formation will be found 

 in works dealing with " Plant Geography." Apart from the usual 

 constituents, such as Rhizophora sp, Avicennia sp, Laguncularia 

 racemosa and Hibiscus tiliaceus, Parkia biglobosa is also recorded in 

 this association. The mangrove forests of the Gold Coast are not of 

 any great extent. 



Transition from the Sea Shore Vegetation to the Evergreen Forest. — 

 In this zone the farms made by the coast villagers are a principal 

 feature. Tall trees occur occasionally, but are more in the nature of 

 landmarks. The forest that is seen is that of a small tree type and 

 not that of a tall tree type which has become dwarfed owing to its 

 habitat, as is found near the beach. It suggests that in all this zone 

 the existing forest is of recent secondary growth. 



From a point of view of forest produce this belt is valueless, the 

 trees serving only as a protection to the ground. It is essentially an 

 agricultural area from the requirements of its considerable population. 

 East of Dixcove this zone passes into or is represented by a pure 

 stretch of Elceis guineensis, and north of Chama this pure forest is of 

 considerable extent. This area is, however, well within the wedge of 

 Savannah Forest that is encroaching from the east, following on the 



