24 



Secondary Forest. — Where the original forest has been wholly or 

 partially cleared for farming or fuel supplies and the land subsequently 

 abandoned, a new forest growth is found differing not only in the 

 absence of a high canopy but in the paucity of species . Timber or rubber 

 trees are generally absent and aliens such a.s Mangif era indica and Arto- 

 carpus integrifolia often occur. Of the original forest trees the commonest 

 species surviving are Eriodendron anfractuosum, Triplochiton Johnsoni, 

 Ricinodendron africanum, Chlorophora excelsa (large trees generally 

 spared from the original clearing), Terminalia superba, Peter sia viridi- 

 flora, Albizzia sp, Piptadenia africana, Pycnanthus Kombo, Elais 

 guineensis and Musanga Smithii. The last named is often to be seen 

 in pure stands, and in these cases its reproduction is entirely vegetative. 

 Its rapid and close growth is effected by means of stilt roots, similar 

 to a " runner " of an herbaceous plant, which constantly roots, forming 

 new trees . It seems unique in this respect amongst West African trees . * 



T. F. Chipp, "The Reproduction ul Musanga Smithii." — Kew Bulletin No. 2, 1913. 



