THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 335 
On the whole, however, this species is a little harder than 
the other. 
This tree is somewhat slow-growing and stands less shade 
than the Heudelotii. It is of the greatest value, with its aerial 
roots, in protecting and increasing the height and stability 
of the river banks at the edge of the dry forest zone. It is 
one of the few trees that are not washed out of the banks in the 
flood season, and even when they do fall over into the river 
they remain attached to the bank and lessen the force of the 
current. Natural regeneration is none too good. 
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been felled 
locally for conversion into planks. Occasionally the natives 
use the smaller trees for house-building. They also consider 
the places in the rivers immediately near or overhung by one 
of these trees as the best localities for fishing. 
Bridelia micrantha. Yoruba Ironwood. Ira Qdan, Asa Gidi 
(Yoruba). 
It is found in the Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. 
It is a small tree or shrub up to 8 feet high, with a large 
alternate leaf. The bark tends to be fibrous and can be stripped 
off in a similar way to the other Bridelias. 
The timber is very hard, moderately durable, and said to 
be termite-proof. Its small size and somewhat crooked nature 
hinders its more extensive use. , 
It is occasionally of use for house-poles in temporary build- 
ings, and makes good firewood, giving intense heat. The leaves 
yield a rich humus and improve the soil. 
Native Use.—The bark is mixed with Hausa salts and then 
drunk with lime and water as an aperient. 
Bridelia Zenkeri, syn. atroviridis. Yoruba Ironwood. Asha, Asha 
ragha (Yoruba); Oviaruza, Assivi, Ogangan (Benin). 
It is a comparatively common tree of the Abeokuta, Oyo, 
Benin and Owerri provinces of Nigeria. The roughly fissured 
bark, scaling off in criss-cross fashion, in papery or fibrous 
‘layers, is most typical of the tree. The bole is short, seldom 
reaching a greater length than 15 feet. It is usually forked about 
this height and then spreads out, rather reminiscently of the 
elm. It yields the hardest wood of all the African trees, except 
perhaps Okuta (the stone). 
It is occasionally used for house-building by the natives. 
Bridclia stenocarpa. Benin Tronwood. Arasha, Asha, Aroro 
Ashasha (Ondo), Aiveygbo (Eg.) (Yoruba); Assivi (Benin). 
This tree is found in the Benin and Calabar provinces of 
Nigeria, where it is somewhat prevalent, but found always 
singly in the forest. In habit it is not at all unlike the wych 
