Part 30

=maḍas= or =maḍat=, a poison usually made from =tururibi=, q.v. used for killing fish and vermin, as well as criminally.

=madobia=, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Poir. (Leguminosæ). An “African Rosewood” or “Bloodwood.” A large tree with yellow flowers and flat winged fruit with soft prickles. The blood-red resin from the trunk is a variety of “African Kino,” or “Dragon’s Blood,” a medicinal astringent. The bark is in some districts used as a red dye or cosmetic like =majigi=, q.v. where the latter is scarce.

=maga=, a var. of date; vide under =ḍabino=.

=maganin kunama= (Katagum), the local name for a leguminous weed with yellow flowers and inflated pods, used as a remedy for scorpion bite; Crotalaria atrorubens, Hochst.

=magariya=, Zizyphus jujuba, Lam. (Rhamnaceæ). “Jujube Tree.” A thorny shrub, resembling =kurna=, q.v. with pale brown edible berries.

=magariyar kura=, Zizyphus mucronata, Willd. (Rhamnaceæ). “Buffalo-horn.” A thorny scrambling shrub with red-brown berries; not edible.

=magiumfa= (Zanfara), vide =majimfa=.

=magudiya= (Kano, Sok., &c.), Polycarpæa linearifolia, DC. (Caryophylleæ). A common herb with heads of small scarious flowers; a common medicinal charm and ingredient of love-philtres, &c. (maganin farin jini). Syn. =fular tsofo=. cf. =bakin suda=. Also called =mai-nasara=, when used as a charm in hunting or war.

=mai-farin kai= (Sok.), Tricholæna rosea, Nees. var. sphacelata; a grass about 2 feet high with silvery fluffy flowering panicle.

=mai-kain dubu= (Sok.), Alternanthera sessilis, Br. (Amaranthaceæ); a prostrate weed with numerous small clusters of inconspicuous flowers.

=maikeri=, a var. of =dawa=, q.v.

=mai-lalita=, vide under =matsarmama=.

=mai-nasara=, vide under =magudiya=.

=maiwa=, Pennisetum spicatum, R. and S. var. a var of millet; cf. =gero= and =damro=; less wholesome than =gero=, and said to be injurious to horses.

=maje= (Sok., &c.), Pardaniellia Oliveri, Rolfe, (Daniellia Thurifera, Bennett), “West Afr. Copaiba Balsam Tree.” Syn. =kadaura= (Kano, Zaria, &c.), q.v. Both names are equally well known; sometimes loosely included under the name =ḳaro=, q.v. ḳaron maje (in Sokoto sometimes also called ḳaron darma) = the exuded balsam or oleo-resin, a variety of West Afr. copal, used as scent to fumigate clothing, to impart a gloss to beaten dyed cloth, &c.

=majigi=, Baphia pubescens, Hook. fil. (Leguminosæ). Camwood, a tree the wood of which is used as a red dye and cosmetic. (Also probably B. nitida, Afzel. in the south). cf. =madobia=.

=majimfa= or =magiumfa= (or =jimfa=), Tephrosia Vogelii, Hook. fil. (Leguminosæ); an erect shrub cultivated near houses; the leaves are much used as a poison to stupefy fish. =baina= (Kano) = the fish-poison prepared from it. cf. =ago=.

=majiriya= (Sok. and Kats.), or =minjiriya= (Kano, &c.), Erythrina senegalensis, DC. (Leguminosæ). “Coral Tree;” a prickly tree with brilliant scarlet flowers and 3-foliate leaves. The scarlet seeds are sometimes called =idon zakara=, q.v.

=majiriyar kurumi= (Kano), Phyllanthus floribundus, Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceæ); a thorny scrambling shrub with small red berries. (The term =ḳumchi=, Sok. and Zanf. is sometimes applied to this, and more widely to any thorny thicket; cf. =gumbi= and =dufuwa=).

=maka= = dried bean leaves; vide under =wake=.

=makafo=, =makafo da wayo=, a var. of =dawa=, q.v.

=maḳaimi=, vide =tsuwawun zaki=.

=maḳarfo=, Afrormosia laxiflora, Harms. (Leguminosæ); a hard-wooded tree with smooth bark and shining foliage; the wood is used for axe-handles, &c.; the bark and root are used medicinally. (Etym. probably ḳarifi—from the hardness of the wood). Sometimes also called =kariye gatari= (“break axe”). cf. =baḳin maḳarfo=, vide =kurḍi=.

=makari=, Digitaria sp.? A grass cultivated in some districts with a small grain like =acha=, q.v.

=makarin dafi= = any antidote to arrow-poison, usually vegetable substances containing tannin. cf. =bi ta ka tsira=.

=makarin faḳo=, Panicum falciferum, Trin. (Gramineæ). A wild grass 1½ to 2 feet high, with golden hairy flowering spike; seeds edible, sometimes gathered for food.

=makasar dawa= and =makasha=, vide =ḳuduji=.

=makuba=, vide under =ḍorowa=.