CHAPTER VI. The Gold Coast

THE GOLD COAST

Area, 80,000 square miles.

During 1909, a most interesting and exhaustive Report on the Forest of the Gold Coast, as well as Ashanti and the Northern Territories, was written by Mr. H. N. Thompson, the Chief Conservator of Forests of Nigeria. As a result of this Report, a Forest Department was formed in 1910. This Forest Department now consists of a Conservator, Deputy, and three Assistant Conservators of Forests. However, legislation for the proper preservation of the forest and creation of Forest Reserves has not been passed, so that the scope of the Forest Department’s usefulness has been much curtailed.

It would be quite superfluous here to try and describe the forests in such a masterly fashion as has been done by Mr. Thompson, but anyone who is interested in the Gold Coast Forests should read the Report for themselves. It will suffice to give an outline of the main features of the Forest Administration and a general description of the forests.

With the author’s permission I have given a list of the timber-trees, together with the botanical names, so far as they are known.

The people of this very rich country have in a short-sighted way very much hindered real progress in Forestry by refusing to assist in the creation of Forest Reserves. Forest Reserves are, of course, simply forest permanently set aside for the production of timber or other such forest products. The people of the Gold Coast have, apparently, judging by extracts from the local Press, got the idea into their heads that the making of a Forest Reserve necessarily means the ownership of the land on which the forest stands passing into the possession of the Government. This, of course, is quite a contrary view to the true conception of a Forest Reserve, which is an area set apart by the Supreme Government as a forest for the permanent production of timber, etc., and usually managed by the Forest Department of the country. It may be a State forest, a communal forest, a municipal forest, or even a private forest which is thus placed under Forest Laws as a Forest Reserve. The user (that is, the man who has the right of usufruct in it) is not generally in a position to protect it thoroughly, and to some extent foregoes present temporary profits for future permanent returns.

The diverse forms of forests named above, under the permanent management of the State, are seen in Switzerland, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, and India, not to mention Nigeria, so that it cannot be called an isolated system.

The cocoa industry has quite overshadowed that of collecting palm fruit, making palm oil, and cracking of palm nuts to obtain the kernels, with the result that these exports are small compared with Sierra Leone even, which is a much smaller colony, with a climate less propitious for palm- trees.

The following table shows the exports for the last five years:

Tons. £

1909 14,553 113,784

1910 14,252 185,058

1911 13,254 175,890

1912 14,629 205,365

1913 9,744 159,128

In the year 1913 forest produce, in the shape of logs, etc., to the value of £3,327,743 was exported. It would be disastrous to the country if a few loud-voiced, narrow-minded people were to prevent proper measures being adopted for the welfare of the country. Considering their previous education and small experience in these wide economic matters, it is only natural that they should take this view, but, on the other hand, that is no reason why the Supreme Government should not do what is necessary for the future permanent benefit of the country. A child is not allowed to play with fire, although it may very much like to see the flames; in the same way the British people, as locally represented by the Gold Coast Government, cannot allow the inhabitants of the district to play fast and loose with their priceless treasures, the African forests, well knowing that the country will be permanently injured thereby. Examples are to be found to-day of countries which have allowed their forests to be destroyed. Spain and Portugal are typical of this, and even in Africa one has the spectacle of France putting untold millions into Forestry in Algeria in order to restore the rainfall. Morocco and Mesopotamia are further examples of countries in a similar condition, where the forests have been destroyed. Palestine, with its ancient forests of Lebanon, is the most drastic example of forest destruction, quite apart from Turkish misrule. A similar process has taken place in the Soudan, and this locality is only now being laboriously re-afforested by the Forest Department there. In India, European countries, Canada, Australia, and in the United States it has been proved that it is only by a central Government Agency that the forests will be properly preserved both for this generation and the next; therefore, before it is too late, it behoves the Gold Coast people to recognise their responsibility to future generations and allow the necessary legislation, so that the forests may be preserved and rightly utilised.

LIST OF INDIGENOUS TREES AND RUBBER VINES

(From Mr. H. N. Thompson’s Report on the Gold Coast Forests.)

=Pandanaceæ.=

Pandanus sp. Ntung (Fanti); Ntung (Ashanti); Ndau (Apollonian); Ndau (Aowin); Ekpa (Krepi).

Screw Pine. Often found near villages on the coast and where drier conditions prevail, in sheltered spots. Reaches height of 30 feet. Leaves used in mat-making.

=Gramineæ.=

Bamboo sp.

Some of these attain a great height. Used for many purposes by the natives.

=Cyperaceæ.=

Bulbostylis barbata.

Bulbostylis laniceps.

Quite small trees.

=Palmæ.=

Ancistrophyllum sp. Eye (Fanti).

Large kind of rattan. Scandent palm.

Borassus flabellifer. Makube (Fanti); Makube (Ashanti); Kube (Akwapim); Malankwi (Apollonian); Ago (Quitta); Ago (Krepi); Ago (Accra).

Borassus æthiopica.

The wood, exclusive of pith, extremely hard. Pericarp of nut edible. Savannah forests.

Raphia vinifera. Adube and Doka (Fanti); Doka (Ashanti); Tombo (general West Coast); Doka (Apollonian); Doka (Aowin); Alati (Quitta); Alati (Krepi).

Raphia Hookeri.

Wine (from stem) and bamboo palm. Piassava fibre prepared from the rachis and the leaves, poles from bamboo in building; pinnæ for baskets and thatch. Seed beaten to pulp thrown in water to catch fish.

Elæis Guineensis. Abe (Fanti); Arere, Abeletia (Apollonian); Beteng (Aowin); Ede (Quitta); Ede (Krepi).

Oil Palm of commerce. Derived from this tree, also, the chief supply of palm wine and piassava fibre. The coast natives use the leaf rachis for building and the leaves for thatch.

Calamus Barteri.

Scandent palm.

Calamus deerratus. (West) Uwatia and Oyea (Ash.) (Ashanti).

The common rattan; marshes.

Cocos nucifera. Kube (Fanti); Kukwi (Ashanti); Ajui (Aowin); Eue (Quitta); Eavune (Krepi); Hukwi (Axim).

Cocoanut, found in the vicinity of villages on the coast, sometimes inland.

Fan Palm or Doum. Ago (general West Coast).

Wood provides beams for building; fruit edible; leaves for thatching; and a strong wine is made from the stem.

Phœnix reclinata, or Wild Date Palm. Euchresia (Fanti); Mileishia (Apollonian); Mileishia (Aowin); Aeyedi (Quitta); Iedi (Krepi).

A small date palm; grows on the sea-shore. Fruit edible. The terminal buds are cooked as a vegetable. A wine is made from the stem.

=Liliaceæ.=

Sansevieria.

Small tree, fibre-yielding.

Dracæna arborea.

40 feet in height.

Dracæna Mannii.

30 feet in height. Yields a light-coloured dye.

Dracæna surculosa.

=Ulmaceæ.=

Trema affinis.

A small tree.

Trema Africana.

Small tree of secondary forest.

=Moraceæ.=

Ficus sp. Shedua or Abonsandua (Twi); Mousandua or Okitsiwanfu (Fanti); Shedua (Ashanti); Adowa (Apollonian); Adowa and Dupain (Aowin); Kapro (Grunchi); Aiu (Krepi); Kingkanga (Hausa).

Some Ficus are tapped for rubber, others fruited. This species is a large, smooth-barked tree.

Ficus platyphylla.

Fruit edible, cf. Vogelii, and in great demand.

Ficus Vogelii.

Medium-sized tree. Latex extracted by tapping. A good shade tree.

Ficus asperifolia. Yankran (Fanti).

Savannah forests. Called Sandpaper Tree, because the rough leaves are used to smooth planks. The ashes are used in making dyes.

Ficus elegans.

Ficus eriobotryoides.

Ficus Ottoniæfolia.

Ficus triangularis.

Musanga Smithii. Juma (Wassaw); Ajama (Fanti); Ajama (West), Ojamba (Ashanti); Eguni (Apollonian); Egeun (Aowin); Ajama (Krepi).

The Umbrella or Corkwood Tree; used as buoys for fishing-nets in Apollonia, and roof shingles in Ashanti.

Myrianthus arboreus. Niankuma (Fanti); Niankuma (Ashanti); Niankuma (Apollonian); Niangama (Aowin).

The fruit is eaten by the natives.

Myrianthus serratus.

Small tree with edible fruit.

Antiaris sp. Chenchen (Twi).

A large tree, the timber of which is liable to attacks by white ants; when seasoned, used for planks. The latex is one of the chief rubber adulterants.

Antiaris toxicaria. Ofu, Ohonton (Fanti).

Antiaris Africana.

Chlorophora excelsa. Odoum or Odum (Twi).

Timber very hard and durable; not easy to export, because it will not float in its green state. A large and valuable timber-tree found in the fringing forests, the driest parts.

=Urticaceæ.=

Urera.

A small tree, very common. Fibre very useful.

=Olacaceæ.=

Coula edulis.

Medium-sized tree with edible fruit.

Olax subscorpoidea.

=Anonaceæ.=

Anona Senegalensis.

The wild Custard Apple. Fruit edible.

Anona palustris.

Fruit edible. Both these grow in savannah forests. Roots used in making floats.

Monodora brevipes.

Found in mixed deciduous forests.

Monodora tenuifolia. Dubiddi (Ashanti).

Hexalobus grandiflora.

A large, handsome tree.

Xylopia parviflora.

Xylopia striata.

Xylopias all small trees, except Æthiopica.

Xylopia Æthiopica.

A fairly large tree. Wood resists attacks of white ants. Used for native house-posts.

=Myristicaceæ.=

Pycnanthus Kombo. Ote (Twi). Oti or Etsu (Fanti); Oti (Ashanti); Tika (Apollonian); Attenli (Aowin); Oti (Accra).

The timber is useful for domestic purposes, roof shingles, etc. A fatty oil is obtained from the seeds. A medium-sized tree, straight- stemmed; wood not durable.

=Lauraceæ.=

Tylostemon Mannii.

A small tree.

=Rosaceæ.=

Parinarium sp. Affram (Twi).

Wood used by natives for building purposes.

Parinarium curatellæfolium.

Very common locally. The fruit edible.

Parinarium robustum.

Very little known about this tree.

Parinarium polyandrum.

In the savannah forests.

Parinarium mobola.

Small tree, but good timber. Fruit edible.

Chrysobalanus ellipticus. Ababele (Apollonian).

Found near fresh-water lagoon. The fruit of a blue colour, small and edible.

=Connaraceæ.=

Cnestis ferruginea.

Agelæa obliqua.

=Leguminoseæ.=

Piptadenia sp. Dahumah (Twi); Adadawa (Wassaw).

A large species.

Piptadenia Africana. Dahomah (Twi); Odahuma (Wassaw).

Feathery foliage. Fruit a pod 1 foot long, 1 inch broad. A common forest tree; hard timber, good for railway sleepers.

Cylicodiscus Gabonensis? Denya (Twi); Odenya (Wassaw).

Very large tree of the evergreen forests.

Daniellia Ogea. Ahedua (Twi).

Gum Copal.

Pentaclethra macrophylla. Atawah or Althawah (Twi); Ekuana (Fanti).

The Oil-bean Tree. Fruit edible; vegetable oils and fats. Timber hard, suitable for turnery.

Detarium sp. Biunwe (Twi).

A gigantic forest tree. Timber good.

Detarium sp. Bowiwunua (Twi).

Much like the first. Timber good.

Detarium Senegalensis. Bowiwasi (Fanti).

Not so large as other species; doubtful if the timber would be durable on exposure to the atmosphere.

Parkia filicoidea.

Fruit edible. The Locust-bean Tree. Savannah forests.

Peltophorum sp. Memchin (Apollonian).

Bauhinia reticulata.

The bast fibres are very long and tough; used as ropes by the natives.

Paradaniella thurifera.

Balsam Copaiba Tree—wood oil. Timber of little value.

Tetrapleura Thonningii Prekese.

Feathery-leaved tree. Four-angled fruit (pod), edible. Used for medicinal purposes. Wood of medium hardness.

Xylia Evansii. Samanta (Twi); Samantawa (Fanti).

Pithecolobium altissimum. Augwameatee (Aowin).

A medium-sized tree, growing on river banks. A good shade tree.

Afrormosia laxiflora. Duakobin or Duabayi (general West Coast).

A large tree. Timber good, reddish colour; has been sold in Liverpool as satinwood. Canoes made from it.

Afzelia Africana. Opapao (Twi); Papao (Ashanti); Opapao (Akwapim).

A first-class, durable tree. Timber very valuable. The dominant tree of the savannah forests. Pod 4 to 7 inches long. Used for railway sleepers, furniture, and building purposes.

Afzelia fastigiata.

Erythrophlœum Guineense.

A fine, spreading tree of the savannah forests. Wood hard and durable; used for building. The Sasswood or Ordeal Tree. The bark is poisonous; infusions of it are used by the natives for the ordeal test, especially on the Kroo coast. It regenerates freely from seed. Impervious to attacks of white ants.

Erythrophlœum micranthum. Potedon (Wassaw); Potedon (Fanti); Potedon (Ashanti); Potedon (Apollonian); Etsa (Krepi).

A reddish-brown coloured poison obtained from it.

Tamarindus Indica.

Wood very ornamental; fruit edible. The tree is found near the large rivers Volta and Affram.

Macrolobium Palisotii.

Macrolobium stipulaceum.

Macrolobium sp. Wulfram (Fanti); Ofarm (Ashanti); Ndukwun (Apollonian); Kotopapa (Krepi).

Common in marshy places.

Macrolobium limba.

Macrolobium reticulatum.

A medium-sized tree.

Cynometra Afzelii.

Cynometra all grow near streams.

Cynometra Mannii.

Cynometra sp.

Fringing forests, close to streams.

Pterocarpus esculentus.

Found in the fringing forests. Small tree, of little use.

Pterocarpus erinaceus.

The Senegal Rosewood Tree. The savannah forests.

Albizzia Brownei.

Fringing forests. Valuable wood, rich brown colour; hard and very durable. Height of tree about 100 to 120 feet, girth of 10 feet.

Albizzia Angolensis.

Albizzia Abruana.

Albizzia fastigiata.

Found on disused farms. The timber should be useful for local bridge- making, etc., also furniture. A gum of little value obtained from it.

Acacia Sieberiana.

Acacia catechu.

A common tree, very gregarious, in open grass country. Catechu procured from it. Similar to the species in Burma. The heartwood less well developed than Burmese variety. Sometimes called the Cutch Tree. Gum arabic.

Baphia nitida.

A small tree, frequently found, except in the driest parts. The Camwood of commerce, though camwood is really the product of Pterocarpus.

Dialium Guineense.

Known as Sierra Leone Tamarind. Very local; fruit edible.

Berlinia acuminata.

Medium-sized tree. Gum obtained from it. Ornamental wood; does not work well.

Berlinia Auriculata.

A small tree.

Berlinia Heudelotii.

Medium height. Grows on river banks.

Cassia bicapsularis.

Cassia fistula.

Tree much like a laburnum, of medium size.

Cassia tora.

Cassia alata.

Flowers more brilliant than C. fistula. Found near villages.

Cassia lophira.

Cassia Sieberiana.

Cassia Occidentalis.

Milletia Thonningii.

Milletia Zechiana.

Bussea Occidentalis.

A small tree with bright-yellow flowers.

Newtonia insignis.

A tall tree with very smooth bark.

Calpocalyx.

A medium-sized tree of the evergreen forests.

Lonchocarpus sericeus.

Timber not much good; branches for hoe-handles.

Lonchocarpus cyanescens.

The young leaves for making blue dye.

Entada Soudanica.

A small, spiky tree; grows in dry, open country.

Entada Abyssinica.

Grows in savannah forests. Small tree.

Dichrostachys nutans.

Ormosia laxiflora.

A tree of about 30 feet in height, much gnarled and twisted.

Copaifera salikounda.

Cylicodiscus Gabunensis. Ajumkobi (Ashanti).

Sold as greenheart in the Liverpool market; 90 or 100 feet in height. Very much like Piptadenia Africana.

Distemonanthus Benthamianus.

Ecastaphyllum Brownei.

A small white-flowered tree.

Erythrina Senegalensis.

A medium-sized tree, found chiefly in the dry parts. It has very ornamental scarlet flowers.

=Linaceæ.=

Hugonia acuminata.

Hugonia Planchoni.

Hugonia platysepala.

Hugonia octhocosum.

The Hugonia species are all small trees growing on the sea-shore.

=Rutaceæ.=

Zanthoxylum Senegalense. Ainyere (Apollonian).

Timber good quality. Bark used medicinally. A tree of the fringing forests—from a shrub on the sea-shore to a tree of 40 feet in height inland.

=Simarubaceæ.=

Hannoa Klaineana. Feutia (Aowin).

A medium-sized tree. Timber soft.

Irvingia sp. Okurii (Ashanti).

Yields a latex copious white when tapped, but turning red on exposure. Used as a rubber adulterant.

Irvingia Barterii.

One of the species that bears the Dika Nut or Wild Mango of commerce. Edible. Vegetable oils and fats. Tree of medium size.

Harrisonia Abyssinica.

A small tree.

=Burseraceæ.=

Boswellia Klaineana.

The Ehye or Incense Tree. Timber good.

Santiriopsis.

Timber good.

=Meliaceæ.=

Khaya anthotheca. Kwabohri (Twi); Akwabohori (Fanti); Kwaboho (Ashanti).

White Mahogany. Medium-sized tree; timber good.

Khaya grandis. Appapayi or Wausauwah (Twi).

A mahogany growing on the shores of the Sacred Lake. Fringing forests.

Khaya Senegalensis.

This tree attains the height of from 50 to 60 feet and a girth of 6 feet. Grows best in open dry-zone grass country. Not easy to export, as it does not grow near waterways. A gum of little value obtained from it.

Khaya Punchii.

Found in fringing forests, rainy districts and swamps. Timber very useful in furniture-making.

Khaya Ivoriensis.

The principal mahogany-yielding tree (Mr. Thompson).

Khaya caudata.

Khaya sp. (Dubon or Dubini). Dubini (Twi); Dubini (Wassaw); Odupon or Dubini (Fanti); Odubin (Ashanti); Tiame Tiame (Apollonian); Tiama Tiama (Aowin).

The ordinary mahogany of the moist evergreen forests.

Khaya sp. Krubua (Twi); Okunmankra (Fanti).

Khaya sp. Afana or Apurro (Twi); Appapyayi (Fanti).

Two small unidentified trees from the mixed forests.

Lovoa Klaineana (Pebedum). Akwantanuro (Fanti); Kwantanura (Ashanti).

Shipped sometimes as African Walnut. A good timber-tree, closely resembling the teak in colour and structure. Very ornamental wood.

Pynærtia ealænsis. Kokotswi (Twi); Anchi (Fanti).

A good timber-tree, much used locally.

Guarea sp. Bossè (Twi).

A good timber-tree; appearance of cedar, and exported as such. Moist evergreen forests.

Pseudocedrela utilis. Effnobrodidwa (Twi); Effnokonkonti (Ashanti).

Cedar; the largest of the species. A fine timber-tree.

Pseudocedrela Kotschyii.

Savannah forests; attains a great height. Timber hard, of reddish colour, gnarled and twisted, so difficult to obtain timber of any size. Used for building by the natives. Roots, bark and leaves used medicinally (rheumatism).

Pseudocedrela sp. Tiama Tiama (Apollonian).

A new species of the cedars.

Pseudocedrela cylindrica. Peukwa (Twi); Punkwa (Wassaw); Tiama Tiama (Apollonian).

This cedar produces excellent timber.

Carapa Guianensis. Osuabise (Akwapim); Asokoru (Apollonian); Asoroa (Aowin).

A large tree of the fringing forests, growing on the banks of the streams; sometimes shipped as mahogany. Vegetable oils and fats obtained from it.

Entandrophragma cylindricum.

Entandrophragma ferrugineum.

Entandrophragma macrophylla.

Entandrophragma Septentrionale.

Entandrophragma utilis.

Found near Mansu and Supom. The timber of the Entandrophragma species is exported under the name of cedar. The cylindricum attains a height of 100 feet. Wood gummy, and unsuitable for veneers. Sometimes called “unscented mahogany.” The utilis under the name of “sapele scented wood.”

Trichilia Heudelottii.

A small tree of little value.

Trichilia rubescens.

Attains a height of 30 feet.

Trichilia Prieuriana.

Medium-sized tree with flaky bark and much-curled branches. Wood of red colour, not unlike cedar, but close-grained and hard, and has a tendency to twist when sawn.

=Malpigheaceæ.=

Heteropterys Africana.

Small tree; not very well known.

=Euphorbiaceæ.=

Ricinodendron Africanus. Assomah (Twi); Asoma (Fanti); Owama (Ashanti).

In fringing forests on the banks of streams. Vegetable oils and fats obtained from this tree. The wood is soft, but burns well; used by natives as fuel.

Bridelia micrantha.

Small tree of the dry zone. A deep reddish-brown dye obtained from this tree. It is made a fast colour by the admixture of old iron, such as old kerosene tins, which seems an important part of the fixing.

Macaranga Barterii.

Macaranga heterophylla.

Macaranga monandra.

Macaranga Rowlandii.

These four Macaranga species are all small, little-known trees. The Monandra species is a small cauliflorous tree.

Mæsobotrya cauliflora.

A small tree; has conspicuous red fruit.

Mæsobotrya sparsiflora.

A small, little-known tree.

Megabaria Trillesii. Chuiansa (Apollonian).

Small tree bearing poisonous fruit.

Microdesmis puberula. Aforwa (Wassaw); Offenma (Ashanti); Chuiansa (Apollonian).

A small tree. Wood very useful in the making of agricultural instruments, also chew-sticks.

Uapaca Heudelottii.

A large tree; very common on river banks.

Hasskarlia didymostemon.

A small tree; wood of little worth.

Hymenocardia acida.

Hymenocardia Chevalieri.

The Hymenocardia are both small trees of the savannah forests.

Excœcaria.

Small tree of the savannah forests.

Phyllanthus reticulatus.

Small tree of the savannah forests.

Bridelia ferruginea.

An antidote against poisons.

Bridelia atroviridis.

Not well known. About 10 feet in height. A small tree of the savannah forests.

Discoglypremna caloneura.

A small tree of the savannah forests.

Elæophorbia drupifera. Kamhan (Fanti); Dudu (Apollonian); Ajurlo (Krepi).

A small tree growing near the sea.

Cleidion Gabunicum.

A small tree. Chew-sticks obtained from it.

Antidesma venosum.

Antidesma laciniatum.

Antidesma anbryanthum.

A white latex obtained from it.

=Anacardiaceæ.=

Spondias lutea. Atwaba (Fanti); Atawa (Ashanti); Twani (Apollonian); Tongoma (Aowin); Akukan (Quitta); Akukan (Krepi).

Found in the fringing forests. A very fine tree. Fruit edible, called Hog-plum—like yellow plums in appearance; a sharp, acid taste, not unpleasant.

Odina sp.

A small, uncommon tree.

Pseudospondias microcarpa.

A fair-sized tree, not unlike the Spondias lutea.

Trichoscypha.

A small tree, little known.

=Celastraceæ.=

Salacia debilis.

A tall shrub, 20 feet in height.

=Icacinaceæ.=

Apodytes Beninensis.

A small tree, little known.

=Sapindaceæ.=

Blighia sapida. Takwadua (Twi); Takwadua (Wassaw).

Often planted near villages. A useful shade tree, and part of the fruit edible, called Akee. In the forest a good-sized, straight tree. Timber excellent; hard, good grain, and easily worked.

Paullinia pinnata.

A small tree or shrub.

Phialodiscus unijugata.

Small tree. Wood of little account.

Lecaniodiscus.

Small tree. Wood of little account.

Eriocœlum.

A river-side tree.

Aphania.

Small tree, little known.

Deinbollia insignis.

Small tree, little known.

=Melianthaceæ.=

Bersama Chippii.

A small ornamental tree with sweet-scented flowers.

=Rhamnaceæ.=

Zizyphus Spina-Christi.

A small tree with edible fruit. Wood very useful in cabinet-work.

Lasiodiscus.

A small, little-known tree.

Zizyphus mucronata.

A small tree of the savannah forests.

=Vitaceæ.=

Leea.

A small tree of the savannah forests. Fruit edible.

=Tiliaceæ.=

Grewia carpinifolia.

Glyphæa Grewioides.

Triumfetta sp.

Three small fibre-yielding trees. The Grewia has brilliant yellow flowers.

=Malvaceæ.=

Hibiscus tiliaceus.

A yellow-flowered tree. Wood durable under water.

Thespesia populnea. Fref (Fanti); Eijan (Apollonian).

A small tree growing on sea-shore.

=Bombacaceæ.=

Bombax Buonopozense. Akata (Twi); Akata (Denkira); Ekuba (Apollonian); Eku (Aowin); Kafro (Grunchi); Agutesi (Krepi); Akronkron (Accra).

The Silk Cotton Tree. Red-flowered. A tall tree with horizontal branches with spiny protuberances. Grows in the mixed forests. It yields a kapok (fibre) similar to the Eriodendrons.

Bombax brevicuspe. Kuntunkun (Twi); Kuntunkuni (Denkira).

A new species of cotton-tree. Timber used for canoes, bark for dye, and cotton for native pillows.

Bombax sp. Eku (Twi); Nyi-nu-kobin (general West Coast); Akata (Denkira); Ekuba (Apollonian); Ekui (Aowin); Kafro (Grunchi); Agutesi (Krepi); Akronkron (Accra).

This species is confined to the rain forests of the maritime zone.

Adansonia digitata.

The Baobab Tree. The pulp of the fruit is eaten by the natives; flavour acid. The seeds are washed, pounded and steeped in water for ten days. The North-west Ashanti natives use it to flavour soup. This tree is very rich in wood fibre, which realises from £9 to £10 per ton, and is of great commercial value. A gouty-looking tree, and grows in open country, rocky soil.

Eriodendron anfractuosum. Ongina (Twi); Enyena (Wassaw); Onyina or Enyena (Fanti); Enyena (Ashanti); Enyenga (Apollonian); Enyo (Aowin); Gung (Grunchi); Ofwho (Quitta); Ofwho (Krepi).

The white-flowered silk cotton-tree of the fringing forests, one of the largest trees of West Africa. The wood is very light, and should be useful in making light wood articles, such as boxes and toys, but there is no market for it at present. The fibre is good, and the wood should also make pulp in paper-making; but there is no market, owing to the expense involved in collecting it.

=Sterculiaceæ.=

Heritiera utilis. Awabima (Twi); Pteryyota Wawampe’e (Ashanti); N’yankon, Yankom or Yankun (general West Coast).

Good timber-tree, medium-sized.

Sterculia cordifolia. Wawapupuo (Twi); Duamenyi (Fanti).

Tall tree; height, 60 to 100 feet. The wood of little value, as it is very soft. Found in the fringing and intermediate forests.

Sterculia tomentosa.

Height, 40 to 50 feet. Intermediate and fringing forests. The fruit grows in clusters, kidney shaped, with a dense, reddish tomentum.

Sterculia Barterii.

Flowers when the tree is leafless—appears covered with red flame. The wood is soft and of little value; it should make a good paper-pulp. The inner bark used to make rope.

Sterculia tragacantha.

A medium-sized tree. Wood of little worth.

Triplochiton Johnsonii. Wawa or Wawwaw (Twi); Owawa (Wassaw).

A good timber-tree. Bark used locally for roofing. Strong, works well and has satiny sheen. When used in exposed places it is subject to dry-rot. Tall, straight-growing tree. Should be useful for inside building.

Cola Afzelia.

Fringing forests. Monkey Cola. Fruit bright-red in colour, something like Kola. Tree grows to a height of 40 or 50 feet.

Cola laurifolia.

A very small species.

Cola acuminata. Bessi (Ashanti); Esseri (Apollonian); Ewasi (Aowin); Gwe (Grunchi); Evi (Quitta); Guru (Hausa).

The Kola Nut of commerce is obtained from this tree.

Cola caricifolia.

Mansonia altissima.

Timber-tree; useful for domestic purposes.

Cola cordifolia.

Found in the savannah forests.

Cola sublobata.

Cola vera.

The Hausa, supposed to be the best.

Cola verticulata.

Tree little known and of little value.

=Scytopetalaceæ.=

Scytopetalum Tarquense.

A small tree of the evergreen forests, bearing white flowers.

=Ochnaceæ.=

Lophira procera.

Lophira is also called the Kaku or Red Ironwood Tree; the most durable timber of the West Coast. Very valuable as fuel; it has highly calorific properties. It grows solely in the maritime zone, in swampy land. It is of great weight, and will not float. Very useful for piles in wharves, etc.

Lophira alata.

A very fine, tall tree, growing from 20 to 50 feet. The bark is dark and rough; timber very hard and durable. The seeds are rich in oils. The tree is sometimes mistaken for the Shea Butter Tree. Common in open grass country.

=Guttiferæ.=

Pentadesma butyraceæ. Pija (Wassaw); Pija (Fanti); Ehukei (Apollonian); Asuaindokun (Aowin); Bromabina (Axim).

Butter or Tallow Tree. An edible fat is obtained from the seeds. Also used in soap-making. A thick yellow juice exudes from the tree when cut. A fine tree.

Allanblackia floribunda. Suein (Apollonian); Anane (Axim).

Small tree, not well known.

Garcinia Guineensis. Ablari (Fanti).

A purgative is made from a decoction of the leaves.

Haronga Madagascariensis. Ngodua (Fanti); Kursua (Apollonian).

A yellow dye is obtained from the bark. The leaves are used as a medicine for dysentery. There is a red watery exudation from the bark.

Psorospermum.

A large shrub, sometimes may be called a tree, in the savannah forests.

=Cochlospermaceæ.=

Cochlospermum tinctorium.

A large shrub of the savannah forests. The bark is used in rope- making. A yellow dye is obtained from the roots.

Lindackeria dentata.

A medium-sized tree.

=Violaceæ.=

Alsodeia. Notonima (Ashanti).

A shrubbery tree of little value.

Smeathmannia pubescens.

A shrubby tree with conspicuous white flowers.

=Flacourtiaceæ.=

Oncoba echinata.

A small tree with white cauline flowers.

Oncoba Gilgiana.

A large shrub.

Oncoba dentata.

A small tree.

Rawsonia spinosa.

A medium-sized tree.

Smeathmannia pubescens.

A shrubby tree with conspicuous white flowers.

=Lecythidaceæ.=

Napoleona Vogelii.

A small tree, grows by river banks. The wood is easily worked. Fruit edible.

=Rhizophoraceæ.=

Anopyxis ealænsis. Kokoti (Wassaw); Anchi or Kokoti (Fanti); Abari (Apollonian).

Good timber-tree, much used for fuel.

=Combretaceæ.=

Combretum Afzelia.

Found near rivers.

Laguncularia racemosa.

White Mangrove. Grows in swamps.

Anogeissus leiocarpus.

A tall tree, from 30 to 50 feet in height. The roots are used as chew- sticks. The heartwood very durable, brown or blackish-brown. The grey ash of sap and heart woods used as a mordant. Tannin and gum obtained from this tree.

Combretum Zenkerii.

A large, shrubby tree.

Combretum sp. Esseah or Essia (general West Coast).

The “Stinkwood” Tree.

Terminalia sp. Emril, or Emil or Emiri (general West Coast).

The wood is used locally for shingles. In intermediate forests. Branches in tiers or whorls. A huge tree, bark black.

Terminalia superba. Offram (Twi); Offram (Fanti).

Found in the fringing forests, of great height and extremely straight. Branches in whorls, barely noticeable in the full-grown tree. Timber medium strength and hardness, light coloured, with discoloured patches. Works up very well, but of no great value for export.

Terminalia macroptera.

Found in the savannah forests.

Terminalia Togoensis.

A small tree of dry zone, of no particular value.

Pteleopsis.

A large tree. Timber little used.

Strephonema Apoloniensis.

A small tree, species little known.

=Myrtaceæ.=

Eugenia Guineensis.

A large tree. Work used for many purposes. Fruit edible and medicinal.

Eugenia Owariensis.

Grows in the dry zone. A spreading tree.

Psidium Guajava. Aduaba (Apollonian).

The Guava Tree. Fruit edible.

=Sapotaceæ.=

Omphalocarpum sp. Assoro (Twi); Ketibubaka (Aowin).

A workable wood obtained from it, also guttapercha. The seeds worn as ornaments at their feasts by Apollonians.

Mimusops multinervis.

Grows to the height of 60 or 80 feet, with a corresponding girth. Timber hard and durable, red in colour, with a fine grain. Its weight and hardness are against its ordinary use, but it is a fine wood for sleepers.

Butyrospermum Parkii. N’ku (Fanti); N’ku (Akwapim); Iakuni (Quitta); Sakuni (Krepi).

Shea Butter Tree. One of the most valuable trees, found very frequently. Bark thick, rough, and often gnarled and twisted. Flowers creamy-white, leaves straplike. The fruit is something like a yellow plum, ripe in May. It is very similar in appearance to the Lophira alata, but the Shea butter tree exudes a white latex when cut; the Lophira does not. Timber good, but as the tree is usually only from 20 to 30 feet in height (occasionally 50 feet), it is not large enough for most purposes. The vegetable oil or butter has an agreeable sweetish taste, much used in cooking.

Mimusops sp. Opapea (Twi); Opepeli (Fanti).

Vegetable oils from all the Mimusops species.

Mimusops Djave. Baku (Twi); Baku (Fanti); Baku (Ashanti); Makure (Apollonian); Makwe (Aowin); Abaku (Accra).

Vegetable oils and fats obtained from M. Djave. A very good timber- tree.

Vincentella impressa.

A new species. A large tree, found growing on the river banks.

Chrysophyllum albidum.

Edible fruit. Not so well known as Chrysophyllum Africanum.

Chrysophyllum Africanum.

The Star-apple Tree, often cultivated for its fruit, and also as a shade tree.

=Ebenaceæ.=

Diospyros mespiliformis.

A tree of the fringing forests—the Ebony Tree. Very abundant. Of medium size, 50 to 60 feet in height, 6 to 8 in girth. The heartwood is usually streaked with brown. The larger trees are generally hollow.

Diospyros Mombuttensis.

Diospyros xanthochlamys.

=Oleaceæ.=

Schrebera Golungensis.

Found in the fringing forests. Very uncommon. A large tree; timber very good.

=Loganiaceæ.=

Strychnos emarginata and others.

Anthocleista sp.

A medium-sized tree, near fresh-water swamps. Large white flowers. Wood of no special value.

Anthocleista magnifica. Honum (Twi).

A small tree with very large leaves.

Anthocleista nobilis. Otendui (Fanti); Tendeba (Apollonian); Tendeba (Aowin).

A small tree, of little value.

=Apocynaceæ.=

Landolphia bracteata.

A vine-like tree. Does not yield rubber.

Landolphia ferruginea.

Like the above.

Landolphia Owariensis. Pau (Twi); Kwantama (Wassaw); Opaina (Fanti); Jama (Ashanti); Kwantama (general West Coast); Amale (Apollonian); Faia (Aowin); Danko (Hausa); Jahdanko (Accra).

Two kinds of rubber obtained: “root-rubber,” after crushing the bark and stems and washing out the rubber, or “white-ball,” by tapping and scoring, and coagulating the latex as it exudes by lime-juice rubbed on the bark. It is valued at 1s. 9d. to 2s. a pound, the root-rubber at 1s. 6d. a pound.

Landolphia florida.

A quantity of milky juice which becomes a pasty mass, but has no market value.

Landolphia Droogmansiana.

Good rubber obtained when growing in dry ground, worthless when in swampy ground.

Landolphia Senegalensis.

Landolphia Thompsonii.

Widely spread in the fringing forests; does not yield good rubber, only a pasty mass from the latex.

Landolphia scandens.

No yield of rubber.

Landolphia Klainei.

Inferior rubber.

Carpodinus hirsuta. Alibida (Hausa).

Very robust and hairy (hence its name). Found in mixed forest belts. It yields a flake or paste rubber, extracted by tapping and coagulated by boiling.

Clitandra elastica. Beckindanko (Hausa).

Yields a good rubber, sold at 1s. 3d. or 1s. 6d. a pound.

Funtumia elastica. Fruntum (Ashanti); Efunmundon (Apollonian); Efunmundon (Aowin); Puni (Krepi).

The yield of this rubber-tree is called the Lagos or Silk rubber. Found in the evergreen rain forests. Very little inferior to Para rubber. The amount procured from F. elastica is less than Para rubber.

Funtumia Africana.

Spurious rubber-tree; though in appearance very much like F. elastica, the leaves are coarser and pods longer. The latex, when coagulated, forms a sticky mass like birdlime, sometimes used for adulterating other latices.

Alstonia Congensis. Niamidua (Twi); Sindra (Ashanti); Nimeribaka (Apollonian).

Wood rather soft; only fit for inside building or toy-making. It grows best in the swamp country. A fairly large tree, slightly buttressed with smooth bark. The natives mix the latex with rubber.

Rauwolfia Cumminsii.

Rauwolfia vomitoria.

A small tree, not over 20 feet in height.

Polyadoa umbellata.

Tree of 30 feet in height, growing in the fringing forests near rivers.

Holarrhena Wulfsbergii.

Grows in the fringing forests. A tree with drooping branches. Flowers white and fragrant. The wood is very soft, of little value.

Voacanga Africana.

A small tree, widely distributed. It has a milky latex, which is used in adulterating rubber.

=Asclepiadaceæ.=

Kanahia consimilis.

A shrubby tree growing near water.

=Convolvulaceæ.=

Prevostea Africana.

A small tree, little known.

Prevostea Heudelotii.

Small tree; wood of no value.

=Borraginaceæ.=

Cordia Irvingii.

Found in the rain forests of the Okwawu hill system. Timber used locally for shingles. A spreading tree, reaching to about 60 feet in height.

Ehretia cymosa.

A small tree. Wood used for various purposes. Fruit edible and medicinal.

=Verbenaceæ.=

Lantana camara.

Shrubby tree.

Lippia adoensis.

Shrubby tree.

Vitex megaphylla.

Both Vitex species grow in the savannah forests.

Vitex cuneata.

A common tree about 30 feet in height. Of no known value.

Avicennia Africana.

One of the tallest trees in the mangrove association, yielding a workable wood, medicine and tannin.

Clerodendron splendens.

A shrubby tree.

=Bignoniaceæ.=

Spathodea campanulata. Osisiru (Ashanti).

A medium-sized tree, found in the fringing forests. Provides a useful timber, medicine, and from the seeds an article of food. Large yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.

Dolichandrone lutea.

A tree of about 30 feet in height.

Kigelia pinnata.

The fruit has a thick rind and is edible. Timber and drugs obtained from it. Sometimes called Sausage Tree, from the sausage-shaped fruits which hang down a long stalk. A small tree.

Newbouldia lævis. Sasanemasa (Ashanti).

An evergreen tree, from 30 to 40 feet in height. Pink trumpet-shaped flowers. The natives use it as a boundary tree.

=Acanthaceæ.=

Acantha montana.

A shrubby tree having medicinal properties.

=Rubiaceæ.=

Mitragyne macrophylla. Baya (Twi); Yar-yar, or Ya-ya (general West Coast); Baya (Aowin).

A large tree growing in the fresh-water swamps. Timber good.

Sarcocephalus esculentus. Kusia (Twi); Ekusawa (Fanti); Kishia (general West Coast); Baya (Aowin).

Good timber, used locally. Wood of a golden yellow colour, very ornamental, hard and durable, easily worked.

Sarcocephalus Russegeri. Osupawa (Fanti).

The Russegeri grows in the savannah forests.

Gardenia tenuifolia.

Fruit edible. A bushy, ornamental tree.

Urophyllum hirtellum.

A shrubby tree. Dyes obtained from it.

Randia genipæflora.

A small tree having fine trumpet-shaped flowers.

Randia maculata.

A bushy tree, very ornamental when in flower.

Oxyanthus tubiflorus.

A very ornamental shrub or small tree. Timber, dyes and medicine obtained from it.

=Compositæ.=

Vernonia conferta.

A large-leaved, small tree. The timber of one variety fairly good.

Flintwood, not identified. Okisibisi (Fanti).

Good timber, used for mine-props.

APPENDIX

GOLD COAST—FOREST EXPORTS

------------+------------------+------------------+------------------- | 1909. | 1910. | 1911. Product. +----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+-------- |Quantity. | £ |Quantity. | £ |Quantity. | £ ------------+----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+-------- Cola nuts | — | 93,850| — | 77,716| — | 93,099 | | | | | | Lumber |9,838,959 | 82,937|14,938,749|148,122|13,975,196|138,836 | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | | | | | | | Palm kernels| 11,598 |112,425| 14,182 |185,058| 13,254 |175,891 | tons | | tons | | tons | | | | | | | Palm oil |2,007,296 |120,978|2,044,868 |161,388|1,610,209 |128,916 | gals. | | gals. | | gals. | | | | | | | Rubber (raw)|1,233 tons|263,694|1,438 tons|355,876|1,191 tons|219,447 ------------+----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+-------- TOTALS | 12,831 |673,884| 15,620 |928,160| 14,445 |756,189 | tons | | tons | | tons | | | | | | | |2,007,296 | |2,044,868 | |1,610,209 | | gals. | | gals. | | gals. | | | | | | | |9,838,959 | |14,938,749| |13,975,196| | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | ------------+----------+-------+----------+-------+----------+--------

------------+------------------+------------------ | 1912. | 1913. Product. +----------+-------+----------+------- |Quantity. | £ |Quantity. | £ ------------+----------+-------+----------+------- Cola nuts | — |134,231| — |144,705 | | | | Lumber |23,573,891|228,748|37,392,100|366,097 | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | | | | | Palm kernels| 14,628 |205,364|9,744 tons|159,128 | tons | | | | | | | Palm oil |1,444,432 |112,885| 860,155 | 65,652 | gals. | | gals. | | | | | Rubber (raw)| 888 tons |168,729| 588 tons | 87,915 ------------+----------+-------+----------+------- TOTALS | 15,516 |849,957| 10,332 |823,497 | tons | | tons | | | | | |1,444,432 | | 860,155 | | gals. | | gals. | | | | | |23,573,891| |37,392,100| | sup. ft. | | sup. ft. | ------------+----------+-------+----------+-------