SIERRA LEONE 35 
from Sierra Leone, whence it is all exported, and also by the fact 
that Barwood, or the Southern Nigeria Camwood, is not found in 
Sierra Leone. 
Although the above completes the description of the most important 
local timber trees, there are many others which might be used with 
satisfaction. One of these trees, known as Yabonji by the Mendis, 
has a grain, colour and softness similar to white pine, and is sold 
locally as yellow pine. Hrythrophlewm Guineense (Sassybark) yields 
a hard timber suitable for bridge-building, as it is very durable 
and grows to a large size, though not always with a very long bole. 
Mountain Mahogany, a species of Lonchocarpus, has a grain similar 
to pine, with resin-like canals in the wood. It grows to a large size, 
with a straight bole 50 feet in length and a girth of 10 feet. Comb- 
wood (Conapharingia pachysiphon) is a small tree, which yields a 
yellow wood similar in texture and grain to boxwood, though a little 
softer. Locally it is used for making native combs. There is also 
a so-called Leopardwood, termed Koligi by the Mendis, which has 
a curious striped grain a little reminiscent of a leopard’s skin; hence 
the name. The local inhabitants have various chewsticks, which 
are obtained from guttiferous trees or Vernonia species. Carapa 
Gayensis is found and used locally both as a timber and also the seeds 
for making an oil for the skin. In connection with all this local felling 
it should be noticed that there is scope for sawn timber of all kinds, 
more especially when it is taken in conjunction with the fact that 
over 2,000,000 feet board measure of planks, etc., are imported every 
year. A small mill placed near Bureh Town would probably be able 
to supply all wants as far as Freetown and the immediate neighbour- 
hood were concerned, and water power might be available from the 
Gumah River, which flows down very rapidly to the sea. A mill, 
on the whole, is more economical in conversion than the local sawyer, 
as all slabs are left to rot in the forest, but these a mill would consume 
in power-making, or they would be resawn into smaller boards or 
shingles. At present there is no sawmill in the whole country, so 
that there is an open field for this venture, with a forest adjacent 
to the market and suitable conditions of labour. 
IV. Minor Forest PRopvce. 
No account of the Sierra Leone forest would be complete without 
a description of the two chief vegetable products of the forest, namely 
Palm Oil and Kernels and Gum Copal. 
Turning first of all to Gum Copal, known botanically as Copatfera 
Salikounda, which is a true copal gum, not to be confused with the 
gum from Daniellia Ogea and other allied species, illustrations Nos. 8 
and 9 show this tree standing in the open, and also the shape of the 
