60 



The latter is of low value, but it might be used for the manufacture 

 of rough bags (Bull. Imp. Inst. 1903, p. 20). The Buaze fibre is 

 used by the natives of the Moravi country for stringing beads, 

 according to Livingstone (Kew Bull. Add. Ser. ii. p. 7) ; and 

 fishing nets are made from it in British Central Africa. 



The fibre from the twigs is difficult to extract, and no efficient 

 process of degumming has been discovered. The best results 

 might be obtained if the thin bark were scraped on the spot ; and 

 the scraped fibre could then be degummed later (Bull. Imp. Inst. 

 1908, p. 21). The natives of British Central Africa scrape off a 

 small quantity of the fibre and chew it thoroughly until all the 

 gum is removed (Davy, Bot. Dept. Zomba). 



From experiments carried out at the Imperial Institute (Bull. 

 Imp. Inst. 1908, pp. 19-22) it appears that the bark from the twigs 

 is capable of yielding about 37 per cent, of clean fibre. The 

 irregularity in the length of the fibre, due to the much-branched 

 character of the twigs, is a bad feature of the material. It could 

 be used in the place of flax tow. If suitable means of getting 

 rid of the gums can be found, this fibre will be of a useful 

 character. 



The seeds contain a drying oil. In certain parts of Africa the 

 following uses have been attributed to the root : — as a remedy for 

 snake-bite and hydrophobia ; as an ingredient in an antidote 

 against the Issa arrow poison prepared from the seeds of 

 Strophanthus gratus ; and as a remedy for stomach complaints; 

 the leaves are considered to be a remedy for snake-bite (Pharm. 

 Journ. [4], xxi. p. 833). 



The plant is stated to grow freely in a wild state, but it does 

 not appear to have been cultivated systematically anywhere. 

 Propagation could be readily effected by means of seed. As the 

 best fibre is obtained from the twigs growth in coppice is 

 indicated. Dr. Livingstone and others have noticed that it grows 

 in poor soil among the rocky hills in East and British Central 

 Africa. 



Ref.— Kew Bull. Add. Ser. II. 1901, pp. 7-8,— Bull. Imp. Inst. 

 1908, pp. 19-22. 



Cakpolobia, G. Don. 



Carpolobia alba, Don; lfl. Trop. Afr. I. p. 135. 



Old Calabar. 



The fruit is edible according to Welwitsch (Hiern, Cat. Welw. 

 Afr. PI. i. p. 48). 



Carpolobia lutea, Don; Fl. Trop. Afr. I. p. 136. 



Vernac. name. — Oshun-Shun (Yoruba, Millsori). 



Lagos ; Abeokuta ; Niger ; Old Calabar. 



The wood is very hard, resists the white ant, and is used for 

 house posts and walking-sticks. In Yoruba a decoction of the 

 bark, applied externally and internally is used as a cure for 

 rheumatism. Fruit edible. (Kew Bull. 1891, p. 210.) 



