822 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 
than its “ confréres.”” The leaves are small, very grey, specially 
on the under-surface, giving them almost the character of 
Eucalyptus leaves. The bole is shorter than the other Khayas, 
with a slightly scaly bark and only a small thickening of the 
base and no root buttresses at all. The bark is darker than 
Khaya Punchii, though the scales are often grey. The capsule 
is almost frequently four-sectioned, though this is not an 
absolute rule, as other Khayas have been found bearing cap- 
sules dividing into three, four and five sections. It does not 
exude gum so readily as Khaya Punchit, and the gum is of 
a redder colour. Illustration No. 67 shows the lower part 
of the bole of a tree 10 feet in girth. 
Distribution.— It grows on the banks of the Ogun River 
above the Iseyin-Oyo Road, Ibadan province, Akure, Benin 
and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is found as one of the most 
prevalent trees near Obudu and in the Onitsha province north 
of Ogrugu. 
Timber.—It is of redder brown colour than either Khaya 
Punchii or grandis, and has a greater sheen. The texture of 
wood is a little closer, and, owing to the annual grass-fires 
burning the stem, is slightly figured. Logs could not be cut 
much more than 20 feet in length, owing to the bole not always 
-being straight, though the large branches would make small 
ones and curls. 
Silvicultural Qualities.—It stands a great deal of drought, 
though in its drier area of distribution it is usually to be found 
near river banks. The seed keeps a high percentage of ger- 
mination for some months after being picked. It demands 
more light than either of the other Khayas, and grows freely 
from the beginning. It has also a greater tendency to branch 
than the other Khayas, but this may be due to its being 
attacked more by the leading-shoot borer than the other species, 
as more of these insects are found in the open than in the 
mixed forests. It is almost gregarious, as groups of trees 
are usually found together. 
Khaya sp. Orro (Yoruba); Geduloha (Benin). 
This tree is found in the Ilaro district of the Abeokuta 
province. There appears to be some doubt as to whether 
this is really a distinct species, but the fact remains that the 
wood is very much darker and of rather a duller colour than 
most of the other Khayas. It shows also a very rich, wide 
roe, and in this respect the wood is more valuable than that 
of many other species. It is somewhat similar to the best 
counter-top wood obtained from the Entandrophragmas. It 
does not appear to be a very common tree, but it attains a girth 
