CHAPTER IV 
LIBERIA 
I. Tue Goua Forest. 
Tus comparatively narrow strip of Africa, extending from Cape 
Palmas on the east to the Mano River on the west, an area of 40,000 
square miles, is a Negro Republic under the nominal protection of 
the United States. It is bounded on the west by the British Colony 
and Protectorate of Sierra Leone, and on the north and east by the 
French possessions of Senegal and the French Ivory Coast. 
Some years ago a large rubber company was formed to exploit 
the wild-growing rubber vines and trees, and until recently fairly 
large amounts were secured. Apart from rubber, however, there 
are large forests, one of the best being the Gola Forest, on the 
western boundary and contiguous to the Sierra Leone Protectorate. 
This Gola Forest is formed by the confluence of the Morro and 
Mano Rivers, being thus triangular in shape and approximately 
250 square miles in extent. No natives actually live in it, though 
there are a few villages at the edge, such as Yandahun and Dambarra. 
The typical forest is seen in the view of the River Morro near the 
junction of the Mano. Here herds of elephants roam and make tracks 
through the dense growth of numerous trees; in fact, the only paths 
there have been made by the elephant. The Chief of Tunkia always 
has at least ten youths with him learning the art of elephant-hunting, 
for which a large fee for tuition is paid. In illustrations Nos. 10 and 
12 views of the inner parts of the forest are given. 
II. THe Most VaLvuaBLe TREES. 
The chief species of trees suitable for cutting for export are the 
following : 
1. Mahogany (Khaya ivoriensis), probably, a very well textured 
wood with some very pretty medullary rays and a thorough sheen 
on it when planed. [Illustration No. 13 shows a specimen of this tree. 
2. Satinwood (Afrormosia laxiflora), a large tree with smooth bark, 
which varies from light green or yellow to an orange-red shade, thus 
making it very conspicuous in the forest. See illustration No. 11, 
which shows one of these trees of medium size. 
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