Miscellaneous Economic Products. 
'45 
Fire is an important matter with the natives. At their kraals the fire is seldom allowed to go out ; some log is always left in such condition that it will flare up again 
when wanted. But when moving from place to place they must either carry fire with them or produce it by friction, and they have discovered a good few shrubs suitable for 
the latter process^ No one quality is common to these except easy ignition ; some are hard, some very soft ; most are shrubs rather than trees, and one seldom goes far without 
fin^^ne or other o tto. Among these are :-Hibiscus tiliaceus (M-lolo.) ; Dombeya species, especially I). Burgessiw (Nyakowe) ; Erythrina species (Ncnugo, Insika, 
Indhlebe), L.pp.a sp. (Msumbe) j rema bracteolata (Inveyo) j Adina (Mahonhe) j &c. Generally dead dry branches are used and revolved rapidly between the hands, the 
lower end meantime resting in a hole in another log, often harder. 
The only colouring matter for food seen in use was the Annatto, Bixa Orellana, which is largely used in curries. The ash from the burned bark of Albizzia 
mossambicensis is m constant use to mix with snuff and is said to give it pungency, the ash of the dried leaves of an arborescent Aloe is in use in this Province and in Natal in 
the same way, as also through this Province is the ash of one small herbaceous plant. 
VIII.— FRUITS. 
The indigenous fruits are numerous, and to the weary traveller— whether European or native— very refreshing. It is however difficult to draw the line as to what are 
indigenous and what are alien ; so many of the better fruits being suspected of having been introduced at some previous time. The Mango for instance is found throughout the 
Zambesian forests, and is in many places the largest tree present ; it is away from all present cultivation, but looking at the history of the district during past centuries, a 
suspicion is raised that it may originally have been introduced. On the other hand its seed does not long retain germinativc power, and is not easy to transport even under 
civilised methods ; and it is not likely to have been brought a long distance by accident or under crude methods. Whether Solomon and his emissaries or visitors had anything 
to do with the dissemination of this and other fruits it is now impossible to say, but it does not seem likely that Arab slayp-raiders would have either intentionally or accidentally 
done such work, or that the Portuguese ownership is responsible for the presence of these trees in the back country. 
So also in regard to the Cashew ; it is almost ubiquitous, and still its presence is more distinctly related to human occupation than is that of the Mango. The 
Tamarind on the other hand seems the most decidedly indigenous of the three. The Orange is often present in native villages and sometimes where no habitation now exists, 
but the latter condition is usually an effect of Gungunhainas raid or some similar disturbance. Some sweet varieties are occasionally propagated by root buds by the natives, 
the half-inch roots being cut off near the tree and tied up to a pole, the fibres remaining undisturbed until the cut root has produced buds and ripened branches, when the new 
plant is carefully removed to where there is room for it. The native oranges are large and succulent, but though not actually bitter they cannot be said to be sweet. Fortunately 
they are usually quite clear of scale. 
The various imported species of Anona are cultivated by the Europeans and Banyans ; the wild Anona is spoken of as edible, but not being in condition when I was 
there, I cannot speak from personal experience. The Garcinia is also considered edible, but I think its place is probably rather as a stock for the Mangostecn than as a dessert 
fruit itself. 
The Amatungula (Carissa) occurs both wild and cultivated as a hedge ; its fruit, though edible and pretty, is nicer when made into jam than when raw. Of the 
numerous other native fruits seen by me, I do not think any one is likely to take a permanent place in tropical horticulture as a delicious dessert fruit. Some are quite good 
enough for native use, others may be improved by cultivation ; some local fruits may not have been seen by me, as I was rather late, but speaking generally, there was nothing 
outstanding among what I saw. The introduction and propagation of exotic fruits will be more immediately of advantage and remuneration than any endeavour to bring 
indigenous fruit as such before the world. 
IX. — ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. 
With such a large and widely varied forest flora it would be surprising indeed were there not some horticultural subjects of special beauty, especially since such a large 
proportion belongs to that ornamental group Papilionaceas. I was not in the Province during the rainy or flowering season, but I saw enough to make me believe that in the 
proper season the forests of the Province would be a perfect paradise of flowers. Beautiful white scented Gardenias and Oncobas, purple and violet Bolusanthus, Lonchocarpus, 
Bauhiniae, Securidaea, Millettia, &c. ; the lilac trusses of Vernonia, the Yellow Cassias, Peltophorum, Acacias, Pterocarpus, &c. ; the scarlet flowers of the Erythrinre, the 
Golden Yellow Sophora with silvery-white foliage ; the weird and curious flowers of Kigelia and of Strophanthus ; the long scandent tresses of Tecoma and the climbing 
crimson Combretums, and many others, bright, beautiful or grotesque, combine to produce in most localities a pleasing and ever-changing scenic effect. Most of the more 
ornamental kinds are already in cultivation elsewhere, but it is probable that a summer visit to Zambesia would reveal many additional and ornamental novelties, well worth a 
place in tropical horticulture. 
T 
