LIBERIA 67 
3. The African Oak (Oldfieldia africana), Paulai of the Mendis 
is more common in the southern than in the northern part of the 
forest. It attains a large size, but has not yet been exploited either 
by a European or a native firm. This is one of the most durable of 
African timbers. As it has already been described in the chapter 
on the Sierra Leone trees, further notes on this tree are unnecessary 
here. Illustrations Nos. 5 and 6 show this tree to advantage, especially 
its straightness of growth. 
4. The real Satinwood (Zanthoxrylum macrophyllum), not an 
uncommon tree, of small size. It is most easily recognised by its 
very long pinnate leaves. One leaf may attain a length of 6 feet. 
There is another species of Zanthoxylum which also has a similar 
kind of timber. 
5. African Walnut (Lovoa Klaineana). This tree is not very 
prevalent, but is scattered in small groups throughout the forest. 
6. Cedar Mahogany, a species of Guarea which attains a large size. 
It is none too prevalent, though it is scattered singly throughout the 
forest. 
7. African Pearwood (Mimusops lacera) is a very good reddish 
timber, often with figure in the grain. Although much harder than 
mahogany, it has been sold as such. 
8. The Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) is common near the old farms, 
but is not so prevalent in the forest proper. It has not yet been 
exploited from here, nor is it cut locally. 
9. The Red Ironwood Tree (Lophira procera) is very prevalent, and 
attains much the same size as elsewhere. It has not yet been exploited. 
10. The so-called Mahogany, the timber of a tree, a species of 
Parinarium, known as Pauwilli of the Mendis. This is one of the 
most prevalent trees in the forest. It is also somewhat gregarious, 
as many as forty specimens being sometimes found in one group. 
The timber of this tree was exported from Southern Nigeria some 
years ago. It grows to a height of 150 feet, with a clear bole of 
60 feet in height, and upwards of 18 feet in girth. Illustration No. 2 
shows the trunk especially, and the base of one of these trees. 
A most typical scene in the northern part of the Gola Forest is shown 
in illustration No. 12, several of the trees in that picture being 
Pauwilli. 
All the above-mentioned trees have been cut and exported in the 
log from various parts of Western Africa. There are, however, several 
other trees which might be cut and used as export timbers, as, for 
instance : 
11. The White Mahogany (Canarium Schweinfurthii), which attains 
the same size as elsewhere, but is not so commonly found. 
12. Rhodesian Mahogany (Afzelia bracteata ?), which is fairly common 
and attains a medium size. 
