THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 359 
than the larger; the seed, while being pointed, is stoutly cone- 
shaped and rather more than a quarter of an inch in diameter 
at the base, and of a light brown colour. 
Timber.—The sapwood is narrow and white in colour 
and the heartwood is a dull red. It is very hard and tough, 
but not so heavy as L. procera. It planes only with a rough 
surface. 
Silvicultural Characteristics.—This is one of the few trees 
which successfully resist the annual grass-fires. Its otherwise 
prolific seed-bearing capacity is, however, often very much 
diminished, if not completely spoilt, by the flowers being burnt 
in January and February, the usual time of the grass-fires. 
It is a light-lover, but for the reasons already given is a very 
slow-growing tree. On the whole, although the seeds germinate 
well, stool and root shoots are probably the chief means of 
reproduction. The soil under these trees is only partially 
protected during the growing, and quite exposed to sun and 
wind during the dry season. 
Commercial Value-—Samples of these seeds were sent in 
1909 to the Imperial Institute for valuation, when they were 
found to be worth about £10 a ton; 43 per cent. of oil can 
be obtained from the kernels, and this is said to be suitable 
for soap-making and to be worth £25 per ton. Commercial 
quantities, however, have not yet been exported. 
Meni oil was formerly obtained from the seed. 
Native Use-—Amongst the Yorubas the tree is used for 
house-posts, especially when the stem is forked about 10 feet 
above the ground. The leaves, bark and roots are all sold in 
the native markets for medicinal purposes. An infusion of 
the bark of the roots is supposed to be a cure for jaundice 
(yellow fever, according to the natives). Strangely enough, 
the seeds are not used as a source of oil. 
Gomphia insculpta. 
Found at Olokemeji. 
Gomphia glabriana. 
It is a shrub found at Olokemeji. 
Gomphia nr. offinium. 
Found at Ilugbro. 
Guttifere. 
Garcinia conrauana. False Cola, Bitter Cola. Orugbo (Yoruba) ; 
Edun (Benin); Odji(?) (Brass); Efiori Efrie (Efik); Efrie 
(Kwa). 
It is found in the Calabar, Benin, Ogoja and Abeokuta 
provinces of Nigeria. 
