May 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



AFRICAN VEGETABLE PRODUCTS. 475 



the trees abundantly near the Victoria Falls. It is also found in the 

 Shire Valley, but does not extend further south than Lake Ngami ; it is 

 probably a species of Vitex. 



Moringa pterygosperma, Gaertn., is another good oil seed, but it is 

 found only in the neighbourhood of villages, and has probably been 

 introduced. In Western Africa the seeds of Carapa guineensis, Don., 

 furnish an oil much in use amongst the natives for burning in lamps, 

 and also for anointing their bodies. In Sierra Leone it is given as a 

 purgative medicine, one teaspoonful being considered a dose. It is 

 imported into the south of France for soap-making. The seeds of 

 Carapa Touloucouna, Guib. et Pert., also contain a large quantity of oil, 

 the residual nut, after expression, making a good oil cake for cattle. 

 This plant is a native of Senegambia. The seeds of the Bassia Parkii, 

 Don., are well-known as furnishing the shea butter of Western Africa. 

 Mungo Park, in writing of this vegetable fat, says that the natives were 

 then " employed everywhere in collecting the fruit of the shea-trees." 

 The butter or fat, which is contained in large quantities in the seeds, is 

 extracted by boiling in water, and is afterwards bleached. This butter is 

 in great request by the natives for many domestic uses, and it forms one 

 of the principal articles of inland commerce. The above-mentioned 

 writer, speaking in high praise of the delicious flavour of this butter, 

 says, " It is whiter, firmer, and, to my palate, a better flavour, than the 

 best butter I ever tasted made of coavs' milk." I cannot, however, 

 bear out this testimony, except as to its firmness and whiteness, for the 

 specimens which I have had the opportunity of tasting have been of the 

 most rank and disgusting flavour, though it is said it will keep perfectly 

 sweet for several months ; but if this butter or fat is not suited to a 

 refined palate, it seems to have many advantages as an article of com- 

 merce, and would no doubt prove a valuable import for the purposes of 

 soap and candle making. 



Of African edible fruits and seeds, one could almost go on to infinity, 

 for there are few indigenous that are not eaten by the natives in some 

 form or another. The blood plum of Sierra Leone, (Hcematostaphis 

 Barteri, Hook, hi.,) has a pleasant sub-acid flavour when ripe. In size and 

 form it is similar to a grape, but somewhat larger. Another fruit of the 

 same shape and form, but smaller and with less pulp, is considered a 

 favourite fruit on the Niger ; it is a species of Vitex. The fruit of 

 Sarcocephalus esculentus, AM., called in Sierra Leone "native peach," is, 

 when fully grown, about the size of a large apple. It is of a pulpy 

 nature ; the outside is rough and uneven and bears some resemblance to 

 a custard apple (Anona). The pulp of the Baobab {Adansonia digitata, 

 L.), has a very pleasant and agreeable sub-acid flavour, and is much 

 esteemed by the natives in making a kind of sherbet or cooling drink. 

 Detarium senegalense, G. et P., called Dattock on the Gambia, where it 

 grows to an immense tree, produces a fruit, the pulp of which is eaten, 

 as well as the kernel or seed. In size and shape it is like a large chestnut; 



