THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 261 
and found growing near the banks of rivers in all the southern- 
most provinces of Nigeria. 
It is stated to be useful for oars and masts for small boats, 
according to the report on the Exhibition of 1867. Since that 
date, however, it has not been used for this purpose. The 
bole reaches a girth of about 5 feet and a length of about 
45feet. The crown is narrow and comparatively long, but rather 
compressed and compact. The foliage is dense and compara- 
tively close together. The root spurns are slight and narrow, 
not extending very far up the bole. In proportion to its height 
the trunk is thin and very cylindrical in shape, though occa- 
sionally near the base it may not be absolutely round and 
tends to bulge out rather more on one surface than the other. 
The fruit, when ripe, is like a bunch of black keys, or 
little short, round-ended pieces of wood, all projecting out of 
one central stalk or fork, which is the most typical feature of 
the tree. The cortex is comparatively thin, and remains 
smooth even in the mature trees. The bole tapers only very 
slightly, and does not divide or send out any branches until 
the crown is reached. 
The sapwood is white, as also the heartwood, except that 
the latter tends to have a very light yellowish-brown tinge, 
especially as it seasons. It is moderately hard, showing great 
elasticity, planing with a smooth surface, splitting moderately 
well, taking nails and not warping or shrinking to any great 
extent. Even fresh it is comparatively a dry wood. It saws 
well and shows considerable textile strength, as also strength 
in compression, is moderately heavy and termite-proof. The 
texture of the grain is very fine and even, and the grain is 
very straight. ' 
This tree is somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil- 
protecting, and _ soil-improving. Natural regeneration is 
moderate. It does not sprout from the stump. It stands a 
certain amount of flooding, but it seems to demand a good 
soil with plenty of moisture, including a very moist atmo- 
sphere. No plantations have been made of this tree. 
The timber has not been felled for export, nor has it been 
cut for local use, but it appears to deserve a trial as a substitute 
for lancewood, or other woods which show considerable elas- 
ticity. It should be noted that it belongs to the same family 
as that of the lancewood. Owing to the straightness and com- 
parative evenness of the bole for a very considerable length, 
it might be suitable for shafts or even telegraph poles. 
The fruit is used as a kind of comestible amongst most 
of the natives, as it has a peppery taste which is not unpleasant. 
