THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 411 
It is common on the banks of the Itunkpe Creek, a tributary 
of the Kwa River, near Calabar, in the same named province, and 
also in the Owerri province of Nigeria. It belongs to the evergreen 
forest zone. 
The timber is a reddish-brown hardwood of close grain, which 
would saw into sizeable planks. It is a somewhat slow-growing, 
shade-bearing, soil-protecting and soil-improving tree. The leaves 
yield a thick bed of humus. It appears to be one of the most 
valuable trees in this respect. It is moderately hard, with even, 
close-textured grain. It planes well, saws fairly easily, takes nails, 
but does not split well. Natural regeneration appears to be good. 
It also sprouts from the stump. 
The timber has not been exported, nor has it been cut for 
planks for local use. It appears to deserve a trial as a local 
timber for floor-boards or for the making of boxes. Considering 
that so often many trees are found in the same place, it should 
not be difficult to obtain adequate supplies. 
Native Use.—Building, but it is attacked by the insect called 
Efiak. 
Musk Tree. Owi (Benin). 
It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria, in the evergreen 
forests. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching a girth of about 
8 feet with a short bole of about 10 feet. The crown is large but 
rather elongated, and reaches down two-thirds of the height of the 
tree. The fruit is large and more like an avocado pear in shape 
and colour. The leaf is very large and wide, more like a teak leaf, 
but of stronger texture, the midrib especially being very thick. 
The timber is hard, with white sapwood and green heart- 
wood. It splits well and takes nails fairly well. It is a little 
fibrous in texture, but can be planed ; it saws fairly easily. 
It is a somewhat slow-growing, shade-bearing, soil-protecting 
and soil-improving tree.- The leaves make a rich humus. 
Natural regeneration is none too good. Stump sprouts do not 
appear to be very strong. 
It has not been exported or cut for local use, but would 
be worth trying for house-building. 
Native Use.—The fruit is kept for four days and then the 
inside large kernel is eaten. The young leaves are used for 
curing boils, as an external plaster to draw the poison. 
Ekkiowa (Benin). 
It is a small shrub which is found in the Benin district of 
the same named province. It is not very common. 
Native Use.—The seed is used medicinally for the hands in 
case of sores which are red or raw. 
