THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 307 
less as thick veins at the base, and then subdividing into 
thinner ones, spreading round the nut in an irregular manner. 
The decaying fruit has a most unpleasant, not to say dis- 
tinguishing, smell. However, this is more than compensated 
for by the pleasant taste of it when served as stewed fruit. 
The sapwood is whitish-yellow, and the heartwood brown- 
red. It is hard, with somewhat fibrous grain, yet planes up 
with a good surface. Takes nails, but does not split well. It 
is durable, and supposed to be termite-proof, except for the 
sapwood, which the white ants often destroy. It saws moder- 
ately easily. In older trees the wood sometimes shows a little 
figure. 
It is a somewhat slow-growing tree and a shade-bearer, 
with soil-protecting and soil-improving qualities. In fact, in 
most cases it is only found on comparatively rich soil, and in 
this respect appears to be more exacting than many other trees. 
Natural regeneration does not appear to be very good, but this 
may be due to the fact that animals eat the seeds. No plan- 
tations have been made of this tree. 
In 1906 samples of this timber were sold in the Liverpool 
market as mahogany at 23d. per superficial foot, 3s. per cubic 
foot. It was reported to be of very hard texture, a dirty brown 
colour, and only one log sold. Since that date, however, none 
has been exported. It has not been felled for local use. The 
fruit can be stewed, and makes a nice addition to the other 
African fruits. 
Native Use.—The shell of the nut is used for making prayer- 
beads and strung on a wire. 
Druosia laxiflora. Shedun (Yoruba). 
Found in the Olokemeji Reserve and Ibadan province. 
Paradaniellia Oliveri. Ilorin Balsam, African Balsam of Copaivi, 
Balsam. Iya (Yoruba); Osia (Benin); Ozia (Ishan); Ozaba 
(Ibo Asaba). 
Found in the dry zone of the Southern Provinces of Nigeria. 
A common tree, growing to a height of 40 or 50 feet. 
Usé.—Balsam of Copaiba. 
Xylia Evansii. Bentpod. 
It is found in the Ogoja province of Nigeria in the mixed 
deciduous forest zone, but it is by no means a very common tree. 
A medium-sized tree, with the curious bent-shaped pod 
typical of the Xylia, found in the Obubra and Ikom districts 
of Nigeria, on the left bank of the Cross River. It has a hard, 
red wood, which splits well. The sapwood is white, but not 
very wide in an average-sized tree. 
It is a slow-growing, shade-bearing tree, which thoroughly 
