CHAPTER VII. Togo

TOGO

INTRODUCTION.

During the latter part of 1911 I had the opportunity of visiting Togo. Since August 1914 it has been in the occupation of British and French troops, administered as a co-dominion.

Forest Station work has been the main work of the Forest Department since the inception, both under the District Officer and subsequently under the trained officer. There is only 1 per cent. of forests in the whole country.

Lome, the capital of Togo, formed my starting-point, and there His Excellency the Governor and the Secretary of the Colony advised me as to the best route and supplied me with many interesting details as to the system of taxation, etc.

Taxation.—In Lome every man above sixteen years of age has the choice of paying 6s. per year or working twelve days for the Government. On the coast it is found that the natives prefer to pay the tax, but inland the twelve days’ work is usually given. This Government work consists of plantation and road making, bridge-building, erecting rest-houses, and many other kinds of public work.

The subject may be divided into three sections:

(1) The Forests between or at the Stations.

(2) The Forest Department Plantations.

(3) District Plantations.

I. THE FORESTS BETWEEN OR AT THE STATIONS.

Near Lome the ground is very sparsely covered with thorny shrubs and occasional Baobabs, Adansonia digitata, but on nearing the valley of the Schio the soil improves and small plantations of sugar-cane appear. Though no attempt has been made here to develop this industry, the natives of Tagblekovke and other places sell large quantities of the cane. Oil palms are seen on both sides of the line, chiefly, however, on the river banks, owing to the annual grass fires. Scattered silk cotton- trees also occur along the river banks, otherwise only the normal dry- zone vegetation is found.

The rainfall, however, is quite sufficient for the growth of a deciduous forest. The remains of fringing forests on the banks of the Rivers Schio, Lili and Haho consist of Pterocarpus erinaceus, Erythrophlœum Guineense, Terminalia Togoensis and a few specimens of Afzelia or Cynometra.

FIG. 17.—=One-year-old Oil Palms amongst seven- to ten-year-old Trees, 1911.=]

FIG. 18.—=Two-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode.=]

FIG. 19.—=Three-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode.=]

FIG. 20.—=Four-year-old Oil Palm Plantation, Sokode.=]

To face p. 116.

Passing on to the Haho-Baloë district, plantations occur at the junction of these rivers in an open plain of scanty dry-zone forest. A fringing mixed forest of the normal type, varying from 200 to 500 yards in width, was found on the banks of each river, and as it formed a complete fire protection, was left untouched. In the open forest the most common trees are the Pseudocedrelas, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Butyrospermum Parkii and Terminalia.

The rainfall varies at this spot from 28 to 39 inches annually. The higher rainfall is probably the true average, if considered in conjunction with the natural vegetation. A great change in the vegetation was noticeable between Nuatjä and Atakpame; the typical dry- zone trees, such as Pterocarpus erinaceus, Shea Butter, Lophira and others, were soon left behind, and on nearing the hilly country of Atakpame a more flourishing condition was evident. Oil palms were growing in profusion both on the banks of the rivers and also on the sides. Large cotton-trees, Triplochiton Nigericum, Iroko, Chlorophora excelsa, Sterculia cordifolia and other trees of this kind were seen. The rainfall is much higher here, averaging from 58 inches, spread over the months of April, May, June, July, August and September, and a little in October. This rises to 58 inches, falls to 52, 105 miles to the north of Atakpame, in the Sokode District. This is spread over the usual rainy season of West Africa; more rain, however, falls in September than in the northern part of Southern Nigeria during the same month. After leaving the hills of Atakpame behind, we took the road to Sokode, and between the Rivers Tagbadja and Au the following dry-zone trees were most prevalent: Lophira alata, Shea Butter, Terminalia Togoensis and Pterocarpus erinaceus. As we advanced the Shea Butter Tree ceased, but more Terminalia were seen; Pterocarpus in groups and Pseudocedrela Kotschyi became very prevalent. Fringing forests were seen in the level country which followed along the banks of the Ana River.

On the third day’s march I found a large specimen of Khaya Senegalensis and several smaller ones at a place just above the eighth parallel of latitude, below which the Khaya Senegalensis is rarely found. Beyond this were Paradaniella thurifera, Borassus flabelliformis, Fan Palm, Afzelia Africana and Shea Butter, and less of the species already mentioned.

These were succeeded by small pure forests of Berlinia Kerstingii, Afzelia, Ormosia laxiflora, Bauhinia reticulata, Erythrina Senegalensis, Parinarium polyandrum and Parkia Africana, syn. filicoidea. Nearing Blita rest-house, bamboos appeared, Agave rigida, and also a Ceara-rubber plantation.

It was interesting to find on inquiry that this plantation was the result of 1,000,000 Ceara seeds distributed to the natives in 1907. The vegetation on the banks of the rivers and streams consisted mostly of deciduous forest, with typical dry-zone trees at the edges. In addition, Pentadesma Kerstingii and Dalbergia melanoxylon were seen.

The last-named species has, according to German botanists, been confused with Diospyros mespiliformis, so far as the timber is concerned. The last two miles before reaching Sokode were covered with extensive plantations.

Dry-zone Trees.—Between Sokode and Bassari, a distance of 37 miles, are the Malfakassa Mountains, of which the summits are mostly bare, owing to the annual grass fires, but a dense growth of Berlinia Kerstingii, Terminalia and Afzelia Africana grow in the moister valleys.

On the more open ground the usual dry-zone trees were seen, and the Khaya Senegalensis on the banks of each of the four rivers.

The rainfall is the same as that of Sokode, about 52 inches, although the atmosphere is moister, which is partly due to the higher altitude.

The somewhat cooler temperature of the air causes heavy dews, and these also, in their turn, increase the moisture of the air. The differences are thus very marked between Sokode and Bassari as to the atmospheric moisture, and also as to the variation in the growth of the trees at the two stations.

After a short visit of two days I left Bassari for Jendi, 70 miles to the north-west. One range of hills on the way is noticeable for the pure formation of iron ore which “crops out” and causes the tree-growth to be small.

The vegetation becomes very sparse towards the valley of the Oti, 30 miles distant from Bassari, and this is owing to a great change in the climatic conditions as compared with Bassari, as well as the annual grass fires. The sole representatives of the dry-zone vegetation, which, near Bassari, had originally consisted of Khaya Senegalensis, Afzelia and Shea Butter trees, are the Baobabs, Adansonia digitata.

The rainfall is only 43 inches per year. The poor vegetation found near Jendi gradually gives way, between that station and Kete-Kratschi, to more typical dry-zone trees, such as Shea Butter, Lophira, Afzelia and Berlinia Kerstingii.

Oil palms were found on the third day growing near the banks of the streams, and more Afzelia in the open country. Mimusops multinervis and Diospyros were found near the River Volta, at the edge of a wide belt of evergreen forest.

The dry season is much prolonged in most years. On the average the rainfall is 46·8 inches. At the next station on the tour, Pfandu, the rainfall rises to 55 inches per year. Near the summit of the station hill the soil is poor, but excellent on the lower slopes.

The climatic conditions of Pfandu, a substation to Misahöhe, are unfavourable, and labour is less obtainable. The road between these two stations passes through very poor dry-zone forest, but on entering the Misahöhe mountainous region we came upon a fine evergreen forest. The most common trees noticed were Khaya Klainii, Mahogany, Iroko and Terminalia superba, the shingle-wood tree, also Triplochiton, Sterculia cordifolia, Carapa procera, Piptadenia Africana, Pentaclethra macrophylla, Detarium Guineensis, Brachystegia spicæformis, Berlinia acuminata, Afrormosia laxiflora, Satinwood, Alstonia Congensis, Ricinodendron Africanum and Eriodendron Nigericum. The mahoganies of this district were remarkably fine trees, mostly over 10 feet in girth.

A written permit, costing 3s. per tree, has to be obtained for cutting trees, and also permission from the Commissioner, before forest land may be cleared.

The high rainfall of Misahöhe, which is 62 inches per year, produces a very moist atmosphere.

After a visit of three days to the Misahöhe Station, I left for Palime, the terminus of the Lome Railway. On the way down the mountain, the contrast between the eastern and western slopes was very noticeable, a deciduous forest covering the eastern slope and an evergreen forest the western. For the first 10 miles from Palime on the way to Lome, mahoganies, oil palms and other trees abounded, but gradually gave way to the same drier type of forest as that seen on the Nuatjä railway- line.

This condition of vegetation continued until Lome was reached, a distance of 75 miles.

II. THE FOREST DEPARTMENT PLANTATIONS.

During 1907 there was a Forestry Conference in Berlin with regard to the afforestation of the Colony of Togo (which is wooded only to the extent of 1 per cent.), with the result that the area of Haho-Baloë was first chosen, and the plantation started at the junction of the rivers.

A fringing mixed forest on each bank of the river was left untouched, as they formed a fire protection for the plantation. Pseudocedrelas, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Butyrospermum Parkii and Terminalia were the most common trees found in the open forest between the rivers.

The altitude of this area above sea-level is about 480 feet. It slopes slightly from north to south and is triangular in shape.

Seedlings were first tried, but did not survive the first season, and since that time seeds have been sown, and this proved a great success. Eight species of trees have been used to form these plantations:

(1) Teak, Tectona grandis.

(2) Afzelia Africana, also called Rhodesia Mahogany or Apa.

(3) Sasswood, Erythrophlœum Guineense.

(4) African Mahogany, Khaya Senegalensis.

(5) Khaya Klainii, Mahogany.

(6) Iroko, Chlorophora excelsa.

(7) Kapok, Ceiba pentandra.

(8) Anogeissus Leiocarpus, Chew-stick Tree.

One-sixth of the total area, however, has been planted with teak; in all, 491,300 seedlings. The Erythrophlœum seedlings are most numerous, the wood of this species being hard, durable and termite resisting. It has been used with great success for piles and trestles in bridge- building.

Afzelia and the two mahoganies will be valuable and useful timbers, especially the mahoganies, as they are indigenous to the country, and there is not the element of speculation attending introduced trees.

In addition to the eight chief species named above, a few specimens of Detarium Guineense (the Dita fruit of Sierra Leone) and Cynometra were planted, but their growth is slow. A mixed crop, consisting of Parkia filicoidea, the Locust Tree, Prosopis oblonga, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Detarium Guineense (Senegalense), has also been planted.

The mixture is a good one, but the growth has been slow. The general appearance of the area where teak has been planted, in spite of the fact that the bush was left standing, is that of a teak plantation, for the teak has outgrown all the indigenous trees and formed a complete thicket.

Owing to the lack of drainage in the soil, as well as attacks of the borer, the Khaya Senegalensis has grown slowly. Slow growth is noticed also in the Apa, Afzelia Africana, but that seems to be typical of the tree.

During the first year the cost of planting (including building and labour) worked out at £4 4s. an acre, but by the third year this amount was reduced to £1 2s. The valuation of the whole plantation is at least £10,000.

The second Forest Department’s afforestation area is Mo-Kamaa, which is being planted in a similar manner and with similar planting methods to the area situated near the Haho-Baloë. Tax labour has been used to a large extent in these plantations. The situation is particularly suitable for planting operations, owing to its being protected on two sides by the rivers from the annually recurring fires of this locality. The altitude is about 500 feet above sea-level.

As in the case of Haho, nurseries were made for oil palms only, various species being sown in lines, between which the forest growth was left standing, so as to form shade for the seedlings. Approximately 600,000 seedlings have survived, about 400,000 Khayas and 200,000 teak.

Dry-zone mahogany, Khaya Senegalensis, and teak have been planted in addition to the oil palm. The Khaya, even up to 12 feet in girth, is found all over the locality, and near the bank of the Kamaa a few oil palms.

The teak has grown much faster than the Khaya, the average height of the former being 6 feet and that of the latter only 2 feet. The teak seedlings are beginning to outstrip the indigenous trees in the locality.

The mixture of these two trees, as far as can be judged, has been a great success. For, by the persistent foliage of the Khaya falling to the ground at a different period to that of the teak, the necessary protection to the soil, when the teak-trees are leafless, is thus given, and the Khaya (Mahogany) benefits by being drawn up by the quickly growing teak, and in both cases there is less tendency to form strong side branches.

With the advent of the proposed railway, the timber in this locality will be of great value; but even without this advantage the present value is at least £1,000.

The planting scheme contemplated is enormous, and includes an area of 96,000 acres. An actual start has been made with 295 acres.

It is an interesting fact that the mixed plantations in the afforestation areas have nearly all been made by the Forest Department, and the pure plantations by the Commissioners at the District Stations.

Approximately 300 acres are composed of mixed plantations and 256 of pure plantations.

The following mixed plantations are found in the Haho-Baloë afforestation area:

(1) Sasswood and Teak.

(2) Sasswood, Teak and Mahogany, Khaya senegalensis.

(3) Sasswood, Teak and Khaya Klainii.

(4) Sasswood, Afzelia and Cynometra Afzelia.

(5) Sasswood and Afzelia Africana.

(6) Sasswood, Khaya Senegalensis and Afzelia Africana.

(7) Sasswood and Khaya Klainii.

The most profitable mixture of all these is the teak, Khaya Klainii and Sasswood, though all have something in their favour.

These mixed forests need much attention, as one species frequently outgrows another, one suppressing the other, and the mixture consequently no longer existing. More European supervision is required to remove suppressed or crooked trees.

III. DISTRICT PLANTATIONS.

Avenues of trees suitable for street-planting have been largely made in Lome. The Terminalia catappa (almond-tree) is one of the most useful trees for this purpose; at least 12 feet of the stems are quite free from branches, and thus the trees cannot harbour many insects.

The coconut, though made use of for this purpose, is not so suitable, as it lacks height-growth; the Dracæna also, which does not improve the roadside, and a species of Ficus, probably platyphylla, which loses its foliage in the dry season, are neither of them a success. Near the Government House a large number of Casuarina equisitifolia have been planted; these have flourished well, as they can stand the ocean wind blowing almost continuously at Lome.

In the Experimental Gardens, which are situated 80 feet above sea-level, there are many interesting varieties.

The soil, a mixture of very poor sand with a great deal of iron, is not favourable to height-growth of the teak (Tectona grandis); the seeds, though in great quantities, are small and ill-developed. The mahogany, too, showed poor height and girth growth, the locality was evidently not suitable for it. Other trees that did not seem to thrive were Cedrela odorata, the Cigar-box Cedar Tree, Pithecolobium dulcis, Funtumia elastica, Bread-fruit, Artocarpus incisa, Ficus Vogelii, Borassus flabellifer, Bixa orellana, Acacia catechu, Casuarina equisitifolia, Manihot Glaziovii and Manihot dichotoma; but the oil palms, Elæis Guineensis, and Ficus elastica were doing exceeding well and were of a healthy green colour. Bamboos and the usual tropical fruits had also been planted. The Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra according to German botanists, and Eriodendron Nigericum according to Kew botanists), which has been planted too far apart, has made very little growth.

Under the guidance of the Director I visited the Agricultural School at Nuatja, 50 miles from Lome. Experimental work of all kinds was carried on here. In the nurseries were to be found Kapok, Ceiba pentandra, cotton and oil palms. In a machinery shed were a cotton gin and press, and husking machines for other seed. Lectures are given early in the year, and as the season advances practical work takes their place.

A great drawback to the extension of the Atakpame District plantations (95 miles from Lome) is the shortness of labour, as the natives pay their tax instead of working.

The main plantations have been made on the east side of the station, on a slope facing south. Teak has been very largely planted here, no less than 25,400 seedlings since 1901, when the work was started. Others are Treculia Africana, African Bread-fruit, Sasswood, Mimusops multinervis, the hard red wood of the Olokomeji Reserve, Kapok, Ceiba pentandra, and Cashew Nuts. A new Piptadenia, named Kerstingii after Dr. Kersting, was tried, but most of the plants died. An avenue of Eucalyptus citrifolia, with its delicate foliage, has developed well and fully deserves mention.

The teak has grown well everywhere, except in a small swampy area, where the trees look unhealthy. The very large crops of seeds during the last three years have caused the height-growth to fall off in comparison with earlier years.

Most of the trees are planted too far apart, but nevertheless, seeing the whole hillside, east of the station, covered with a teak forest produces a very wonderful effect on the mind.

If the teak alone is taken as a basis of valuation, the total value cannot be less than £2,500.

The Sokode District plantations have a great advantage over those at Atakpame, as tax labour has been used almost entirely and the population is much larger than elsewhere. As soon as an experiment with regard to agricultural crops, fruit and forest trees proved satisfactory, plantations were at once made.

The orchards, farms and plantations begin on the south-east slope of the hillside, round the station to the south, finishing to the west and north-west of the office building. The plantations occur between the altitude of 1,000 and 1,260 feet. The variations of soil are very remarkable, from poor laterite to rich loam, from sand to swamp; but it is not to be wondered at, when the large area is taken into account.

As at nearly all the other stations, teak has been the most extensively planted tree, some 81,000 seedlings having been set out on an area of 115·9 acres. Oil palms have also been planted in great numbers. These are set some distance apart to get the full benefit of the sun and develop large crowns and stems. Some of the other species planted are: Khaya Senegalensis, Iroko, Funtumia elastica, Ficus elastica, Ceara Rubber, Para, Hevea Braziliensis, Manihot dichotoma, Manihot heptaphylla and Manihot Pianhyensis. Three or four species only of the following trees: Albizzia Cæsalpinia, including Sappan, Cassia florida, Cedrela odorata, Berlinia Kerstingii, Ceiba pentandra, Detarium Senegalense, Diospyros mespiliformis, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Eucalyptus, Melia azedarach, Morinda citrifolia, Ormosia laxiflora, Parkia Africana, Pentadesma Kerstingii, Poinciana regia, Pseudocedrela Kotschyi, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Aspidosperma Quebracho.

The mixed plantations are not very plentiful, but teak and oil palms have been planted together, though not systematically, and have proved a very profitable mixture, which is worthy of notice here. In its early years the oil palm is a shade-bearing tree, so that the shade of the teak does not hinder its growth. In the oil-bearing season the teak is leafless, which is beneficial to the formation of fruit in the oil palm. The dense foliage of the oil palm kills the adventitious shoots or side branches of the teak, so rendering pruning unnecessary. In the dry season the soil is protected most thoroughly by the evergreen foliage of the oil palm, and its masses of small roots conserve the moisture of the soil, while the wide-spreading roots of the teak allow the surface water to run away. For instance, teak and Iroko are not so suitable a mixture, as they both cast their leaves at the same time, though when planted together the teak tends to accelerate the height-growth of the Iroko, and also keeps it freer from the attacks of the gall bug.

If space permitted, many more instances of the advantage and disadvantage of these mixtures might be given.

Orchards have been largely planted at Sokode too. Oranges, limes, tangerines and Cola vera have done well, and the Spondias dulcis yields very large fruit. The date palms have not yet fruited. Fibre plants, including sisal hemp, and the Panama palms seem to be growing well; fibre for Panama hats is obtained from this palm.

A substation of Sokode, Bassari, was my next stopping place. The station is situated on the northern side of the mountain, overlooking the valley of the River Kamaa. The plantations, with the exception of the Ficus elastica, which is 200 feet higher up, are all planted below the station. The approximate altitude is 1,350 feet above sea-level.

The following species have been most extensively planted: Teak, Oil Palms, Afzelia, Khaya Senegalense, Iroko, Ebony, Kapok, Funtumia, Ficus elastica, Manihot heptaphylla, Manihot Pianhyensis, Aspidosperma Quebracho, Cæsalpinia Sappan and Cassia florida. Large orchards had been made, and these contained tangerines, lemon and many other kinds of tropical fruits; and very fine specimens of Eucalyptus trees showed how suitable this locality was for them.

About 200,000 trees have been planted here within ten years.

Funtumia, when planted with teak, grows well in this area, as the shade of the teak is beneficial to it; but planted alone, the leaves become a poor colour and drop prematurely. The same thing is noticeable when planted with mahogany.

In the case of Ebony, one of the knottiest forestry problems of Europe, viz. that of finding suitable trees for admixture, has been solved. Many of them died when planted pure, but the gaps being filled with teak, the ebony seedlings, put into competition with this fast-growing tree, have been “drawn” up quicker than they would have otherwise grown, and have done remarkably well.

The most northerly station that I visited was Jendi, approximately on latitude 9·30, at an altitude of 640 feet above sea-level. The method of planting was slightly different at Jendi, agricultural crops being grown for three years between the rows of forest-tree seeds, only the oil palms and teaks being planted out as one-year seedlings from the nursery.

Besides these two species, Khaya Senegalensis, Afzelia Africana, Date Palms, Ceara Rubber, and Rambong Rubber have also been planted. Altogether 457,200 seedlings are growing.

As firewood alone is worth 3d. a bundle, timber of all kinds is very valuable in this locality, the teak plantation alone being worth £200.

Kete-Kratschi, the station adjoining Jendi and overlooking the Volta Valley, is a specially interesting one, because it was started by Graf Zech, the late Governor of Togo, who was so desirous of seeing plantations made everywhere. At this station the plantations were first made half a mile away, and these have done better than the later ones planted to the east of the station.

Teak has been largely planted, and considering the poor soil and low rainfall, has done remarkably well. For the first time a parasite in the shape of a species of Loranthus was found growing on the upper branches of two large teak-trees, but no diminution in the growth of the teak was noticeable. Afzelia, Khaya Klainii and Khaya Senegalensis have been planted in large numbers, and experiments made with Albizzia lebbek, Poinciana regia, Acacia catechu and Ceiba pentandra. A few oil palms and Casuarinas have found a place in the plantations. Eight miles from the Volta Valley is the station of Pfandu, situated on an open, isolated hill with a sheer cliff to the east and sloping gradually away to the north-west and south.

The only variation here in the planting system was that Cassada was largely used as an agricultural crop between the rows of tree seedlings, which were put in the year after the Cassada had been planted. Though the Cassada afforded a shade for the young seedlings, the latter did not seem to show sufficient growth to warrant a further trial of the system. The teak especially thrives here, the tree having reached a height of 36 feet and a girth of 14 inches, and these trees have already been felled for house-building purposes. The plantation is valued at £550.

Ceara rubber is now being tapped on a large scale. Sasswood, Erythrophlœum Guineense, Iroko, Oil Palms, and Funtumia elastica have been planted in large numbers, and a few Afzelias, Diospyros mespiliformis and Kapok trees.

The hill station of Misahöhe overlooks the valley of the Chedscho and Agu, with the highest mountain in Togo opposite. The people have means to pay the tax here, so labour is scarce and prisoners are employed in keeping the plantations clean. The altitude of the highest plantation is 1,800 feet above sea-level. Manihot Glaziovii has been planted in greater numbers than any other tree; next comes Teak, then Para Rubber, of which one had been tapped with satisfactory results, Funtumia elastica, Oil Palms, Khaya Klainii, Sasswood and Cola vera. Small plantations of Ficus elastica, Cocoa and Anogeissus leiocarpus have also been made. One curious mixture was seen, Teak and Cola vera; the teak-trees tended to grow much faster, and the Cola benefited by the shade.

The most northerly and the driest stations are Sansane Mangu and Kalangasshi, where I was told 1,037 acres had been planted with Teak, Khaya Senegalensis, Ceara Rubber and Afzelia. It is proposed to form the third afforestation area of 15,000 acres at Kalangasshi.

In smaller quantities are to be found the Locust Bean, Parkia filicoidea, Manihot Glaziovii, Shea Butter, Iroko, Ficus elastica, Oil Palms, Funtumia elastica, Afzelia Africana and Kapok. Some teak and a few other trees had been planted at Bismarckburg, an old substation to Kete-Kratschi, and the same varieties at Ho, a substation to Misahöhe.

I was unable to obtain figures as to the number of trees planted at the above three stations, but teak is reported to be doing well at them all.

In addition to the species of indigenous trees planted, and also introduced, species such as Teak, Tectona grandis, and many others have been planted on a small scale.

To face p. 126.

IV. NOTES ON INDIGENOUS TREES

=Pandanaceæ.=

Pandanus Togoensis. Kpa (Ewe).

6½ feet in height.

Pandanus Kerstingii. Abá (Tschaudjo).

32½ feet in height.

=Gramineæ.=

Oxytenanthera Abyssinica.

Bamboo. 19½ feet to 26 feet in height.

Andropogon Sorghum. Wo (Ewe).

Used in broom-making and roof-covering.

=Palmæ.=

Raphia vinifera. Ala (Ewe); Taro (Tschaudjo); Kpakó (Anago); Ollo (Akposso).

Leaves used for brooms and brushes, mats, baskets, weaving, etc.

Phœnix spinosa or Phœnix reclinata.

32½ feet high. Leaves, weaving nets, etc.

Elæis Guineensis.

Oil palm. Covering for roofs from leaves.

Weaving of all kinds, coco fibre, carpets, brushes. Nuts.

Borassus flabelliformis or Hyphæne Togoensis, Hyphæne coriaceæ.

Plaiting for hats, nets, etc.

Carludovica palmata.

=Flagellariaceæ.=

Flagellaria indica L.

The tough outer stems used as ropes.

=Bromeliaceæ.=

Ananas. Atóto (Ewe).

An attempt has been made to bring the Togo pineapple into the markets, but without success. Fibre much used in weaving, etc.

=Liliaceæ.=

——: Dzogbeblôbe (Ewe).

Sansevieria Guineensis. Baugbaningbamu (Tschaudjo).

Long, flat leaves, 4⅞ feet long. Fibres useful in commerce. Bowstring hemp.

Sansevieria cylindrica.

6½ feet long. Fibres useful in commerce. Bowstring hemp.

Aloe Barteri.

Aloe Buettneri.

Fibre from leaves of both Aloes.

=Amaryllidaceæ.=

Agave Sisalana.

Mauritius hemp.

Both have been introduced into Togo. Fibre used in weaving.

=Taccaceæ.=

Tacca pinnatifida. Dzogbenyabo (Ewe); Ludjŭ́ (Tschaudjo); Bōti (Dyakossi).

Used as a vegetable, having tubers like a potato, about the size of the fist. Leaves much divided. Fibres used in weaving all sorts of articles.

=Musaceæ.=

Wild bananas.

Mohammedan rosaries are made from the seeds.

Musa textilis.

Fibre much used.

=Marantaceæ.=

Aframomum.

Leaves for roofs.

Clinogyne flexuosa. Fita (Haussa); dworom (Asante).

Leaves used in paper-making.

=Ulmaceæ.=

Celtis Prantlii.

Dwarf variety. Bark fibre very much used.

Celtis integrifolia. Tyentyem (Mangu); Diki (Haussa); Kokojắ (Losso); Patakli (Atakpame).

130 to 162½ feet high. Wood not very good.

=Moraceæ.=

Chlorophora excelsa. Logo asagu (Ewe); Ssäre (Tschaudjo); Ukloba (Akposso); Odum (Asante); Sserre (Kratschi); Roco (Dahomey).

130 to 195 feet high. From 39 to 65 feet in circumference. One of the highest trees in the Colony. One of the most useful trees of West Africa for building purposes and furniture.

Musanga Smithii.

65 feet in height. The wood very light, sometimes takes the place of cork. Wood used for cigar boxes, also sometimes in cellulose factories.

Myrianthus arboreus. Avogolo or awogolu (Ewe).

Myrianthus serratus.

Like horse chestnut in appearance; orange flowers. Wood brittle, used for fences.

Antiaris Africana (syn. Antiaris toxicaria). Logo (Ewe); Ssäre (Tschaudjo).

Fruit fig-like.

Ficus grandicarpa. Furu (Tschaudjo).

Milky juice oozes from bark when cut. 65 feet in height. Bark smooth; regular branching. Figs gathered in March.

Ficus vallis choudæ.

Ficus exasperata. Fola (Tschaudjo).

Ficus bembicicarpa. Kedā (Tschaudjo).

There are about 30 varieties of figs.

Ficus lutea.

Ficus rokko. Kedā (Tschaudjo).

Ficus tiliifolia. Adyokŭkola (Tschaudjo).

Ficus umbrosa. Tisemu (Tschaudjo).

Ficus djurensis. Tura (Tschaudjo).

Ficus brachypus. Ebö (Ewe); Bauri (Haussa).

Reddish bark. Wood heavy.

Ficus tesselata.

Ficus dusenoides.

Ficus Togoensis.

Ficus sokodensis.

=Proteaceæ.=

Faurea speciosa.

Protea Bismarckii. Düdürede (Tschaudjo).

Wood yellowish-red in colour, used for furniture. Height 32½ feet.

=Olacaceæ.=

Ximenia Americana.

Yellow heartwood resembles the scented white sandalwood.

=Anonaceæ.=

Uvaria chamæ. Agbana (Ewe); Pereng (Kabure); Liasá (Atakpame); Padiivīn (Difale).

Small tree with edible fruit. Wood greyish-brown, fairly heavy.

Cleistopholis patens. Baledia or Welengéle (Tschaudjo); Nuso or Aru (Atakpame).

Height 32½ feet to 65 feet. Wood light—used for barrels and drums—of a grey colour.

Hexalobus monopetalus. Tschabola buanda (Tschaudjo); Tumbalaka (Atakpame).

Grows to large tree in Gallery Forests—small in Savannah. No trial of wood made yet.

Xylopia æthiopica. Tso (Ewe); Ssosi (Tschaudjo).

Light yellow wood of flexible nature, used for masts of boats.

Xylopia parviflora. Tschabolabunda (Tschaudjo).

Root wood takes place of cork.

Xylopia Eminii. Akatapuressosi (Tschaudjo).

Fairly large tree, wood reddish, used for furniture.

Anona sp.

Root wood of all the species forms a substitute for cork.

=Myristicaceæ.=

Pycnanthus Kombo. Óbala (Atakpame).

Soft wood. Used in box-making.

=Capparidaceæ.=

Cratæva religiosa. Anamolum (Tschaudjo); Dengma (Mangu); Tschengunga (Asante). Wood can be turned easily—like boxwood in appearance.

=Rosaceæ.=

Parinarium curatellifolium. Molemṓle (Tschaudjo); Insofaniwŏche (Mangu); Pótepote (Kratschi); Yafo (Kpedyi).

Trees of stunted appearance in Savannah, but growing higher in better soil. Wood is oak-like and very hard—uniform texture. Used for wooden pegs or pins, and other purposes in building, when durability is important.

Parinarium subcordatum. Bende noso (Tschaudjo); Insuopangi (Mangu); Pekĭre (Losso).

Used for rafters in roofs by the natives of Mangu.

Parinarium polyandrum. Bende noso (Tschaudjo).

Parinarium mobola.

Never attains any great height.

Parinarium Kerstingii.

Attains much greater height than the last, a tree worthy of notice.

=Leguminosæ.=

Albizzia Brownii. Pangalan (Tschaudjo); Kokpara (Atakpame).

Large, handsome forest tree, with greyish-green cracked bark. Wood fairly hard. Light sapwood, dark brownish heartwood.

Albizzia Angolensis. Atikuzẽ (Ewe). Kŭpaussŭto (Tschaudjo).

Height 97½ feet. Diameter 4⅞ feet.

Albizzia fastigiata. Asihuë (Atakpame).

The Albizzias are all proof against the termites on account of their hardness. Wood of A. fastigiata used for the felloes of wheels.

Acacia catechu.

Acacia Arabica. Magarua or Bagarua (Hausa).

About 19½ feet in height. Characteristic tree of the Steppe north of Oti. Numerous.

Acacia suma. Gudjápūpŭ or Gudzawuwu (Ewe); Chrinika (Atakpame).

Height 32½ feet. Yellowish-white wood, heavy and very hard; used for agricultural implements.

Dichrostachys nutans. Ssossōsi (Tschaudjo); Beniti (Agome).

Hard wood—dark heartwood, almost black—used for making walking-sticks.

Prosopis oblonga. Akä́ka (Ewe); Pato (Tschaudjo); Pangi (Mangu); Kaki (Atakpame); Kpánenã (Kratschi).

Hard wood—termite-proof. Young branches used for handles of axes and hatchets.

Tetrapleura Thoningii. Prékese (Ewe).

A stately tree, only known in Akposso at present. The wood not yet much used.

Piptadenia Kerstingii. Kapaussuto (Kabure).

Huge tree—stands singly. Blossoms in January, when it is leafless. Fruit appears in April.

Piptadenia Africana. Alagbáta (Atakpame).

Wood doubtless of great value.

Entada Abyssinica. Ondutu (Tschaudjo); Kiria (Hausa); Ketschikantscha (Kratschi).

Tree stunted, leafless in the dry season. Wood spongy, not of much value.

Entada scandens. Klokpakpa (Ewe).

The well-known Liana, with husks 3¼ feet long, growing abundantly in the coast provinces. The fibre is much used in the making of nets, ropes, etc.

Parkia Africana. Wo (Ewe); Ssuto (Tschaudjo); Dorana (Haussa) Soroño (Asante); Gotschö́ne (Kratschi).

Height 65 feet. The hard, heavy, pale yellowish wood, locustwood of Sierra Leone. In commerce known as Caindah wood.

Parkia filicoidea. Ena (Atakpame).

Grows plentifully on the coast of Atakpame.

Parkia biglobosa.

Height 97½ feet. Bark from a clear grey to dark brown, much furrowed.

Erythrophlœum Guineense. Tsa (Ewe); Kekëū (Tschaudjo).

Wood much valued for its heartwood and because of its rarity. Withstands the attacks of termites, and therefore much used in house and ship building, wheels for gun-carriages, etc. Takes a foremost place in export of wood.

Burkea Africana. Tschĭ́sili (Tschaudjo); Kiriandutschi (Haussa); Esseresu opĭrimú (Asante); Atakpla (Atakpame); Kinkiri (Kratschi).

Height 78 feet. Broad crown. Leaves covered with silky hairs; wood used by the natives for sword handles.

Cynometra megalophylla. Agumuắ (Tschaudjo).

Found in the coast forests.

Cynometra Afzelii.

Cynometra sp.

Detarium microcarpum. Depapātē (Tschaudjo); Naparli (Mangu); Kökpakpa (Kratschi); Záklu (Misahöhe).

A very heavy wood of a brown colour. Used in boat-building.

Detarium Senegalense.

Has a larger fruit than the D. microcarpum. A beautifully marked hard wood. Grows to a great height. Found exclusively on the coast.

Detarium Guineense.

Tamarindus indica. Keditia (Tschaudjo); Samia (Haussa); Tamarese (Asante); Kö́pu (Kratschi).

Grows near farms and in the prairies. A clear-coloured wood—very heavy to work; will not float in water; used for mill-wheels, powder coal, etc.

Afzelia Africana. Papac (Ewe); Welu (Tschaudjo); Apakka (Anago); Ukpami (Akposso); Kao (Haussa); Papau (Asante); Kebarre (Kratschi); Kpakpa (Fõ).

Height 48¾ feet. A very beautifully marked wood. Proof against attacks of termites; much valued in building and for table-making, also mortars for crushing yams.

Daniellia thurifera. Lipiti or Dsati (Ewe); Tschato (Tschaudjo); Orokpo (Anago); Auwolo (Akposso); Masche (Haussa); Saingja (Asante); Kenjang (Kratschi); Sa (Fõ).

Height from 65 to 97½ feet. Common in the prairies. The sapwood is white, and the heartwood reddish and very hard. Barrels are made from it.

Berlinia Heudelotiana. Ademá or Baba (Ewe); Buda͡u (Tschaudjo); Kochoá (Kratschi).

Large tree with white showy flowers, growing on banks of rivers. Heavy wood of light brown colour. Only of secondary importance.

Berlinia Kerstingii. Tau (Tschaudjo).

65 to 97½ feet high, grows on open prairie. Wood used for rafters in house-building.

Berlinia acuminata.

Berlinia tomentosa.

Bauhinia reticulata. Klo (Ewe); Bākū (Tschaudjo); Nyama (Mangu); Okokotaka (Asante); Tamenasi (Atakpame); Aklō (Anecho).

Fairly heavy wood of dirty brown colour, easily worked. Very plentiful in the prairies.

Dialium Guineense. Zigbli or Toë (Ewe); Madŭ́ (Atakpame).

32½ to 48¾ feet high, valued as a wood for building, known as Black Tumbler or Velvet Tamarind on the market.

Distemonanthus Benthamianus.

One of the hardest woods of Togo, a gigantic tree.

Cassia Sieberiana. Gagamagati (Ewe); Tschamanu (Tschaudjo).

Grows best on dry, stony parts of the prairie. Light brown wood, extraordinarily hard, proof against termites. When burnt it causes headache.

Swartzia Madagascariensis. Subando (Tschaudjo).

A small tree growing by river banks and on the prairies. Heartwood reddish black.

Cordyla Africana. Kessing (Tschaudjo).

Wood used in table-making.

Ormosia laxiflora. Kedeleā or Kodoleā (Tschaudjo); Kokoro or Golloklo (Mangu); Obri (Asante); Kekpili (Kratschi); Akũgre (Kpedyi).

Beautiful clear brown wood, used by the natives for building. It is termite-proof.

Baphia nitida.

A small slender tree. Tons of the wood are sent yearly to England as red dye-wood.

Milletia atite. Atite (Ewe); Sso abalu (Tschaudjo).

Spread through all the colonies. Wood very uniformly marked of clear yellowish-white.

Pterocarpus erinaceus. Doti (Ewe); Tim (Tschaudjo); Segbe (Mangu); Keleyu (Kratschi).

Used as a red dye. Height 65 feet. Very heavy wood of reddish-brown colour. Sold as teak—one of the best woods of commerce.

Pterocarpus esculentus. Keruwowo (Tschaudjo); Futu (Kirikiri).

Smaller tree than the last, found in prairies. Wood fairly heavy and yellowish-white.

Lonchocarpus sericeus. Lo (Ewe); Bäbäle (Atakpame); Alobla (Kpedyi).

Found in prairies and terrace woods. Flowers reddish-violet. Wood not well known.

Derris Stuhlmanii. Tschaloware (Tschaudjo); Bembu (Mangu).

Height 32½ feet. Hard, yellowish-white wood.

Andira inermis.

Fairly large mountain tree. The Cabbage Tree of the W. Indies. Hard, yellowish-white wood. The partridge wood of commerce.

Erythrina Senegalensis. Yrewo (Ewe); Nyimu (Mangu); Baklesu (Atakpame).

Slender tree 32½ feet in height. Bark deeply cleft, cork-like, and thorny. Wood very light and useful in many ways.

Dalbergia melanoxylon. Atiyi (Ewe).

The heartwood is almost hard as iron, proof against attacks of insects. Used for pillars and piles, also in the making of musical instruments.

Brachystegia spicæformis.

Macrolobium stipulaceum.

Pentaclethra macrophylla.

=Zygophyllaceæ.=

Balanites Ægyptiaca. Kunjanapcule (Mangu); Gushiocho (Kratschi).

Height 19½ to 26 feet. A beautiful golden brown wood, used in the making of ploughs, clubs, sticks.

=Rutaceæ.=

Fagara zanthoxyloides. Eché or Alãfe (Ewe); Kelengma͡u (Tschaudjo); Polu-Dyenye (Mangu); Tigu Schirafinsa (Mangu); Ata (Anago); Uche (Akposso); Che (Fõ); Klongbaŭ (Tim).

A fairly large tree of the prairie. In appearance like an apple-tree. Bark rough and knotty.

Limonia Warneckei. Kugŏ́nu (Tschaudjo); Nguni (Kabure); Tyanka or Hogogo (Atakpame).

Wood light yellow, uniform, hard, and very heavy.

Limonia Preussii.

=Simarubaceæ.=

Hannoa undulata. Dikbere (Tschaudjo); Yayabé (Mangu); Kelantori (Kratschi).

The wood is of a light greyish-white colour, fairly heavy.

=Meliaceæ.=

Khaya Senegalensis. Frimu (Tschaudjo).

A large tree sometimes attaining a height of 130 feet and over. 13¼ feet in diameter. Has a beautiful surface; is most useful in commerce for furniture, carriages, cases for microscopes, etc. The fruit is about the size of an apple, with four valves and four rows of flat seeds.

Khaya Klainii.

The seed vessel has five valves, and the fruit is larger than the last. Known as the African or Gambia mahogany of commerce.

Pseudocedrela Kotschyi. Alu (Ewe); Dituturi (Tschaudjo); Krŭbete (Asante); Kedemponasi (Kratschi).

65 feet in height. The wood is of a greyish colour, serviceable in building and furniture industry. The natives use it for drums and barrels.

Carapa procera.

Not much known, though used in Senegambia as a building mahogany.

Melia Azedarach.

A small, much cultivated tree; the purplish blue flowers are like the Spanish elder. The sapwood whitish, the heartwood reddish. Easy to work; used in the making of furniture.

Ekebergia Senegalensis. Frimŭabalŭ́ (Tschaudjo).

A large tree growing in the mountainous districts. Wood light yellow and fairly heavy, and uniform texture.

Trichilia emetica. Adyanyapesō (Tschaudjo).

Trichilia Prieuriana. Dilifū (Tschaudjo).

These two are small trees, fairly easy to work, of a light yellowish- coloured wood.

=Polygalaceæ.=

Securidaca longepedunculata. Foji (Tschaudjo); Dyōro (Dyakossi); Ua magungŭ́na (Haussa); Atakpati (Atakpame).

Small tree. A strong useful fibre obtained from the small branches.

=Euphorbiaceæ.=

Phyllanthus discoideus. Kongkonga (Tschaudjo); Dantivi (Atakpame); Kamfuắ (Bagu).

A tall primeval forest tree—occasional clumps in the villages. Hard heavy wood of a beautiful red colour.

Hymenocardia acida. Adudze (Ewe); Atidje (Atakpame).

The wood is fairly hard, light brown, with the year-rings clearly marked. Very brittle, so only fit for firewood.

Hymenocardia ulmoides. Taboia (Atakpame); Bälä (Afem).

Height 130 to 162½ feet.

Uapaca Togoensis. Egba (Ewe); Kidgeling (Tschaudjo); Nagudi (Atakpame).

A prairie tree of medium size. Beautiful brown-coloured wood; used for firewood.

Uapaca Heudelotii. Oli (Atakpame).

Grows in the terraced woods. Useful in building.

Alchornea cordifolia. Tschufṓu (Tschaudjo); Awowlo (Atakpame).

A small prairie tree. The hollow twigs are used in pipe-making.

Sapium Guineense.

Sapium Kerstingii.

Sapium Mannianum.

These three trees are not of much importance.

Ricinodendron Africanus.

Vegetable oils and fats obtained from this tree. The wood is soft and used for fuel.

=Anacardiaceæ.=

Mangifera Indica.

Mango tree. A greyish wood, useful for building purposes.

Anacardium occidentale. Atisiā (Ewe).

Reddish, fairly hard wood, used in boat-building, also for charcoal.

Spondias lutea. Kinyelu (Tschaudjo); Akiko or Agliko (Atakpame); Nayile (Konkomba).

Tall, slender tree. The fruit is edible, yellow, and downy. Abundant in the prairies, now introduced in many localities. Bright-coloured wood, fairly hard and heavy.

Pseudospondias microcarpa. Onyangba (Atakpame).

Stately tree, 65 feet in height. Nothing is known of the wood.

Lannea acida. Eknalokpoe (Ewe); Käla (Tschaudjo); Tyĕtĕbu (Mangu); Asogedaka (Atakpame).

A common tree in the prairies. The greyish hard wood is used by the natives for arm-rings, chairs, etc.

Lannea Barteri. Tingbatau or Patandeu (Tschaudjo); Bēnature (Mangu); Akú (Atakpame.)

This tree has a characteristic spiral bark. It grows to a height of 65 feet, with reddish edible fruit.

Hæmatostaphis Barteri.

Has a beautiful fruit of a delicious flavour, the blood-plum of Sierra Leone. The wood has not yet been tried.

To face p. 136.

Heeria insignis.

The wood is much valued in the making of specially good furniture.

=Sapindaceæ.=

Blighia sapida. Adza or Adja (Ewe); Peso (Tschaudjo); Aki (Asante); Keká (Kratschi).

The wood is light yellow, not of any value. Planted near houses as an orchard tree, and also for its shade. 97½ feet in height.

Eriocœlum Kerstingii. Nimwau Pesō (Tschaudjo); Yevo-Gboma (Atakpame).

97½ feet in height in the coast forests. A good furniture and building wood.

Talisiopsis oliviformis. Waogbŭ́m (Tschaudjo).

Perhaps identical with Zanha golungensis. 65 to 97½ feet high, with reddish bark. Wood used for furniture and building. The fruit is downy, of an orange colour, and edible.

Allophyllus Africanus. Weti (Atakpame); Kōtīa (Yendi).

A small bushy tree. The wood used for cleaning the teeth. Useful for working in many ways.

=Melianthaceæ.=

Bersama Doeringii.

This tree has aerial roots. The blossoms in long bunches of white flowers.

=Rhamnaceæ.=

Zizyphus Jujuba.

A small shrub-like tree with edible berries. The wood is used in saddle-making and for agricultural implements.

Zizyphus mucronatus. Pangbaïngu (Tschaudjo); Sausanyebui (Mangu).

The wood is used in wagon-building.

=Tiliaceæ.=

Grewia gigantiflora. Adzadze (Ewe); Tolábŭ (Atakpame).

Grewia villosa. Adzadze (Ewe); Yumba (Mangu).

The natives use the wood for handles of spears.

=Malvaceæ.=

Thespesia populnea.

The sap-wood is a bright red, and the hard heartwood a dark red; used for carriage-building and furniture.

=Bombacaceæ.=

Bombax Buonopozense. Fulṓ or Folṓ (Tschaudjo); Sanbúgo (Mangu).

Grows on high ground and also by the streams. Height about 162½ feet. A marvellous sight when covered with its crimson blossoms. The bark is smooth and bright grey, with rough cracked appearance. Of small account in commerce.

Adansonia digitata. Adido (Ewe); Kuka (Haussa); Dádie (Asante); Kelle (Kratschi).

Called also bread-fruit tree.

Ceiba pentandra. Wu (Ewe); Komu (Tschaudjo); Ogu (Anago); Ju (Akposso); Huti (Fõ).

Wood little used, though it should be valuable in the cellulose factories.

Eriodendron Nigericum.

=Sterculiaceæ.=

Sterculia tragacantha. Akplẽ or Loloẽ (Ewe); Kaderabobo (Tschaudjo).

Sterculia tomentosa. Akpoklo or Bofuti (Ewe); Modetu (Tschaudjo); Bolusila (Mangu); Oduduku (Atakpame); Kelipotu (Kratschi); Apokpo (Anecho).

Sterculia oblonga.

The wood of these three trees is soft and of little value. The fibre strong and tough. Tree medium height.

Cola cordifolia. Uuti (Ewe); Dagbongbore (Tschaudjo); Nutssunutssu (Anago); Anwolo (Akposso); Eussŭ́ (Misahöhe).

A huge tree of the Gallery Forests, also found singly near villages. The leaves are a foot long. The wood hard and heavy, used in Senegambia for strengthening the coast and for rafters.

Cola acuminata.

The tree resembles the poplar. Proof against the attacks of insects; useful for carriage and furniture-making, and ship-building.

Cola laurifolia. Jojau (Kabure).

The wood is very pliable and used in the making of bows (for shooting).

Cola caricifolia. Alensuneku (Atakpame).

Cola astrophora.

Cola supfiana.

Cola Afzelii.

Triplochiton Johnsonii.

Triplochiton Nigericum.

Pterygota Schumanniana.

The wood of these five trees is little known.

Firmiana Barteri. Tschingbelika (Tschaudjo).

From 130 to 162½ feet high. The regular, pyramidal-shaped trunk ends in plank-like roots. The natives make cups and bowls and floats from the wood. The flowers are a beautiful scarlet, appearing before the leaves.

=Ochnaceæ.=

Ochna Afzelii. Tanam (Tschaudjo).

Moderately high tree, with hard, beautifully-marked bright brown wood. Used in turning and table-making.

Lophira alata. Parapára (Tschaudjo); Akpakpla (Anago); Otugba (Akposso); Kekrefunde (Asante); Belengbe (Kratschi); Kotublassu (Fõ).

A very common tree of the prairies, so much like the Shea butter as to be frequently mistaken for it. The wood is hard, heavy, and dark, reddish-brown, and sold as African oak.

=Guttiferæ.=

Pentadesma Kerstingii. Budyonū (Tschaudjo).

Grows on the wooded banks of streams. A tall, slender tree with lightish brown wood, very similar in texture to that of the Ochnaceæ family. Used by the natives in various ways.

=Dipterocarpaceæ.=

Monotes Kerstingii. Kesáng (Tschaudjo).

Height about 48¾ feet. It is found frequently in the prairies. Easily recognized by the likeness of its leaf to a curved hollow of a hand. The wood is only useful for burning.

=Flacourtiaceæ.=

Oncoba spinosa. Kpoe (Ewe); Krutū (Tschaudjo); Kongowura (Kotokoli).

A tall, thorny shrub, with white rose-like flowers. The wood is capable of taking a good polish, used in inlaying.

Caloncoba Gilgiana. Efiohlĕ (Ewe).

A fair-sized tree. The wood is also used for inlaying.

=Rhizophoraceæ.=

Rhizophora mangle. Woto or Atrati (Ewe).

Rhizophora mucronata.

Little is yet known of the mangroves of Togo. The Rhizophora mucronata of East Africa has a reddish brown wood, hard and heavy, but easily worked; used in building.

=Combretaceæ.=

Combretum sokodense. Ssissiku (Tschaudjo).

Flourishes in pasture land and by streams. The bark is cork-like and deeply corrugated, the wood brownish and very hard. Height, 35 ft.

Combretum Kerstingii. Alembole (Tschaudjo).

Hard, greyish-brown wood, used for firewood.

Terminalia dictyoneura. Ssua (Tschaudjo).

Terminalia macroptera. Ssua dau (Tschaudjo).

These two Terminalia both have a beautiful glossy brown wood, useful for many purposes. Both are about 48¾ feet in height.

Terminalia Baumannii. Opäti (Atakpame).

A beautiful prairie tree, the wood not yet tried.

Terminalia superba.

Terminalia Togoensis.

Pteleopsis Kerstingii. Ssissinā (Tschaudjo).

A fair-sized tree in the Bassari savannah. The natives say it has neither flowers nor fruit, but this naturally cannot be the case.

Anogeissus leiocarpus. Tsetse or Echéché (Ewe); Kodelia (Tschaudjo); Anyi (Anago); Ogo (Akposso); Kánnâ (Asante); Kakanla (Kratschi); Chlehó (Fõ).

A tree 97½ feet high, growing on the river banks and on the moist savannahs, very widespread. The fruit is much like that of our alder. The wood very hard, proof against attacks of the termites, with a black heartwood like ebony, and used as such. The most valuable wood of the Colony.

=Myrtaceæ.=

Syzygium Guineense. Tschapēa (Tschaudjo).

A fair-sized tree on the shore slopes. A white, easily-worked wood. Used by the natives for making tools, images of their gods, chairs, etc. In some parts for building purposes.

=Araliaceæ.=

Cussonia Barteri. Fegblo (Ewe); Kongolu (Tschaudjo); Indoabaka (Mangu); Digo (Anago); Obbŏ (Akposso); Bōnugŭ́ (Misahöhe); Gotti (Fõ).

A characteristic tree of the Baobab savannahs near Misahöhe. The wood is spongy and cannot be worked, but the ashes are of use in making a blue dye.

=Umbelliferæ.=

Peucedanum araliaceum, var. fraxinifolium. Ländo (Tschaudjo).

A tree under medium height, of the pasture lands. The bark of the young shoots is used for squirts and syringes. The wood is easy to cut.

=Sapotaceæ.=

Butyrospermum Parkii. Yotsa or Yo (Ewe); Ssomū (Tschaudjo); Káde (Hausa); Krangkú (Asante); Kedempo (Atakpame); Aiomiti (Kirikiri).

The Shea butter tree. Height 48¾ to 65 feet. The tree is so plentiful that it is a rare thing not to find one in any district. The fruit is soft and edible; the wood a beautiful brownish-red of even texture, and capable of taking a good polish. Much used in furniture-making.

Pachystela cinerea.

An immense tree growing along the coast. Wood unknown in the market.

Chrysophyllum obovatum. Katumbulia (Tschaudjo).

A tree of medium height with edible fruit. Its wood not known in commerce. It should be of use, as are most of those belonging to this family.

Malacantha Warneckeana. Akara (Atakpame); Pusum (Lamatessi).

A large tree found among the mountain streams, and also in the plains of the coast regions. The trunk has on the outside wavy cross-lines that look like a border, and give it a very curious appearance. The hard wood is made into shuttles, shovels, scoops, etc., by the natives.

Mimusops multinervis. Ewelisomū (Tschaudjo); Bräkrankū (Asante); Gjira (Kratschi); Ewäti (Anecho).

Mimusops Kerstingii. Ewelisomu (Tschaudjo).

The wood of both these two Mimusops is like that of the Butyrospermum in colour and structure. Rarely found higher than 32½ feet.

Mimusops lacera. Wueti (Ewe).

The tallest and most beautiful tree in the immediate neighbourhood of the sea. Its hard red wood is made into walking-sticks, also for inlaying and veneering of furniture and parquets.

=Ebenaceæ.=

Diospyros mespiliformis. Dongke or Jeti (Ewe); Tingalō (Tschaudjo).

A semi-cultivated tree growing to the height of 81¼ feet. The trunk is often from 3¼ to 4¹⁄₁₆ feet in diameter. A widely spreading shady tree. Its height in the prairies is much less. Found very abundantly and takes a high place as in copses and park lands. The fruit is edible, round, and of a bright red colour. The heartwood is hard and durable, and black as ebony. The tree is of great value commercially for many purposes as ebony.

Diospyros mombuttensis. Liä-nuwasaure (Tschaudjo); Etjannaka (Akposso).

A tree growing only from small to moderate size on the hill slopes, with a bright-red fruit—a thorn-bearing tree. The wood is durable and hard, used for shovels, walking-sticks, rafters, etc., and the flexible branches in the making of traps.

Diospyros tricolor.

One of the most frequent trees on the shore and prairies of the coast region, growing only to the height of a man. It has a yellowish-red three-sided fruit; the stem seldom attains more than the thickness of the finger. It is used for walking-sticks. A hard white wood.

Maba Warneckii.

A fair-sized noticeable tree, rarely found, and little known.

=Oleaceæ.=

Linociera nilotica.

A small, unimportant tree. The wood is light brown, of even texture, and great durability.

=Loganiaceæ.=

Strychnos Buettneri. Kongofura (Tschaudjo).

Strychnos laxa. Wagbebĕ (Ewe); Naprámpŏgo (Dyakossi); Egbo (Atakpame); Go͠ngóvi (Kpedyi); Yokharaúgu (Dagomba).

Both these trees have a strong stem of bright-coloured wood, with a fine grain, and should be of value. The fruit of the Buettneri is edible, something like an orange.

Strychnos pubescens. Kongŏ (Tschaudjo).

The natives only use it as firewood.

Anthocleista Kerstingii. Kuwondëü (Tschaudjo); Egu (Atakpame).

Height 97½ feet, growing in the terraced or gallery woods, and also in small groves. The trunk is very straight at first, then widely branched. The trunk of the young trees is marked with leaf-scars; the leaves attain the length of feet, and are used by the natives as quivers for their arrows. The white, easily-worked wood is used for many purposes.

=Apocynaceæ.=

Holarrhena Wulfenbergii.

A tall tree of the Agome Mountains and the coast forests of Sokodé- Bassari, also found singly near villages and farms. The white wood is fairly heavy and easily worked, used in carving figures, etc.

Conopharyngia crassa.

A tree of varying height, with drooping branches. Found only in Misahöhe.

Voacanga Africana. Kongkong (Tschaudjo).

A fair-sized, widely-spread tree in copses and by the streams. The wood is like that of the Holarrhena, only of a deeper shade. The round white-coloured fruit, growing two together, look like spots on the dark foliage.

Kickxia Africana (syn. Funtumia elastica).

Reaches the height of 65 feet. Growing in Misahöhe and Kete-Kratschi. The wood is little known. All the trees of this family are distinguished by a rich milky juice in bark, leaves, and fruit.

Alstonia congensis.

=Borraginaceæ.=

Cordia Gharaf.

A fair-sized tree known only in one locality. A hard, durable wood used in building. There is no doubt that there are other species in Togo, and so far as the Cordia has been used, it has proved to be a most useful tree.

Ehretia cymosa. Okoni (Kratschi).

Found in the coast regions, growing to the height of 13 to 16¼ feet. Seldom met with. It has masses of white blossoms; the fruit is a berry about the size of a pea. The wood has not yet been proved.

=Verbenaceæ.=

Vitex Cienkowskii. Fõ (Ewe); Panyero (Tschaudjo); Orli (Anago); Uoli (Akposso); Koto (Dyakossi); Gidjiko (Kratschi); Fõjiti (Anecho); Narenga (Dagomba).

A large barkless tree, with spreading crown. Leaf with five divisions in the form of a hand, the flowers in large clusters of white blossoms. Ink is made from the shiny black, edible fruit and the young leaves. This tree is widely spread over the hill slopes and forest prairies. The wood is moderately hard and useful for inlaying; the natives make ribs of boats from it.

Vitex Camporum. Panyerōbuda (Tschaudjo); Insuakoto (Mangu); Idjawli (Akposso).

Leaves with three divisions, the underside hairy. Flowers blue, in clusters like the last. The fruit is more like an acorn, and the tree shrub-like. The natives make fishing-tackle from the wood.

Vitex cuneata.

Premna Zenkeri.

A tall tree growing on the mountain slopes of Bassari. Leaves simple and broad; the small, white flowers are in panicles a foot long. The wood is entirely like the V. Cienkowskii.

Avicennia Africana. Amu-ati (Ewe).

A broad-spreading leafy tree from 39 to 48¾ feet in height, and about 7 inches in diameter; leaves dark green, the underside grey, and flowers a smudgy white. Its wood is used for boat-building in Gabun, but little known elsewhere. It is closely allied to the Avicennia officinalis of East Africa, which has a beautiful, violet-coloured wood; is very hard and heavy.

=Bignoniaceæ.=

Spathodea campanulata. Adadasé (Ewe); Gbetschigbetschi (Atakpame).

A wonderful leafy tree, 97½ feet in height, with wide-spreading crown of foliage, and greyish-green warty trunk. In the flowering time the tree is a mass of crimson flowers—a beautiful sight in the coast woods and on the hill slopes. In Europe it goes by the name of tulip-tree. The buds are filled with a sweet, watery fluid, which the children use as squirts. The wood should be of great service, but does not seem to be used.

Newbouldia lævis. Lifui (Ewe); Akinale (Tschaudjo); Aboboë (Atakpame).

A medium-sized prairie tree, found plentifully also near the villages, where the small branches are used as material for fences. When the tree is young, it stands very erect, but later the remarkably long branches bend to the ground. The flowers are either rose-coloured, violet, or bright blue. The bright-coloured wood is fairly heavy, uniform in texture, very similar to the V. Cienkowskii.

Markhamia tomentosa. Tschitschíñe (Atakpame).

Appears to grow only among the mountains. The flowers are yellow, with red stripes; the leaves and husks both yellowish brown. Children use the flower buds as playthings. The wood is like that of the Newbouldia lævis.

Markhamia lutea.

Usually found as a shrub, but occasionally to the height of 19½ to 26 feet high, with rough or warty, blackish bark, and yellow flowers in great quantities.

Stereospermum Kunthianum. Essobelīa (Tschaudjo); Eké-deká (Atakpame).

A small tree seldom found taller than 32½ feet, a greenish-grey bark, divested of leaves. When in bloom it has much the appearance of a peach-tree. The flowers, which appear before the leaves, are pink, edged with white and reddish-brown, with striped and spotted lip. Found frequently in the forest savannahs, and occasionally on the highlands. The brownish dye from the bark is used by the girls for their lips, and chewed as Kola. The wood is much the same as the last three species.

Kigelia Africana. Nyakpekpe (Ewe); Abilū (Tschaudjo); Njãkpokpo (Anecho); Njãkpẽ (Anlo).

Found in damp places in the prairies and on the banks of rivers. The well-known liver-sausage tree. The wood is suitable for small buildings.

Kigelia pinnata.

Rubiaceæ.

Hymenodictyon Kurria.

All belonging to this family have simple leaves in pairs. Found as a shrub and a small tree in the terraced woods and mountains. The solid wood, of a clear mahogany colour, is much used in India for agricultural implements, but little known here in Togo.

Crossopteryx Africana. Tyenyeṓlo or Pasau (Tschaudjo).

Crossopteryx Kotschyana.

Found to the height of 32½ feet in the prairies of the coast zone and a few scattered inland. According to the opinion of an importer, this wood is one of the best of Togo. It is clear brown, very hard and heavy, and of fine texture. The natives make shuttles and tablets for the Koran from it.

Adina microcephala. Barā (Tschaudjo).

A tree of 97½ feet in height, growing on the river banks of Sokodé- Bassaris. The wood takes a very high place as to value, but it has a peculiar odour and an oily feeling to the touch. The fibres from the twigs are made into tooth-brushes.

Mitragyne macrophylla. Yŏwi or Togba (Atakpame).

A gigantic tree growing on the swampy banks of streams, with an excellent wood used by the natives for making doors, drums and barrels.

Mitragyne inermis. Intyú (Dyakossi); Shero (Dagomba).

Smaller than the last, found on ground which is occasionally under water. Its yellowish-white wood is used for beams and rafters. It forms also a beautiful, easily-worked furniture wood.

Mitragyne Africana. Séssëu (Atakpame).

A small tree which flourishes in swampy places and parts overflowed by the streams. Its blossoms are used as hay. The particularly valuable wood is proof against attacks of the termite, very hard, and much used in building. The wood of all the Mitragyne species are valued in Tropical Africa on account of their durability and being proof against weather and easily worked.

Sarcocephalus sambucinus. Akukobasa (Ewe); Kedjetjelo (Tschaudjo); Nyimo (Atakpame).

A small shrubby tree, with long, tendril-like branches, white fragrant flowers, and strawberry-coloured fruit. The wood is used considerably for mosaic work and inlaying.

Gardenia Thunbergia. Fifei (Ewe); Kau kutoku (Tschaudjo); Lángan͠a (Kratschi); Fifäti (Anecho).

A small tree or shrub with rigid branches, fragrant white flowers, and yellow, spindle-shaped fruit, tasting like a crab-apple, scattered in small clumps over the prairie. Spoons and similar articles are made from the white, fairly hard wood.

Gardenia ternifolia. Kau këure (Tschaudjo); Nassarlĭ or Nabuli (Dyakossi).

Similar to the preceding tree in appearance, etc., but the fruit is cylindrical in form, like a small cucumber.

Gardenia medicinalis. Kau belia or abalia (Tschaudjo).

The same characteristics as the last; the fruit is much smaller, round, and furrowed.

Gardenia assimilis.

Gardenia Abeokutā.

These trees are all found in the higher forests as undergrowth, and are very similar in every respect.

Plectronia vanguerioides. Dädäfunde (Atakpame).

Medium-sized tree. Occasionally found as a shrub in the coast and mountain forests. The wood is only useful as firewood.

Pavetta Baconiana. Genferrebiesó (Mangu).

Pavetta crassipes.

Used as firewood.

Morinda citrifolia. Amakḗ (Ewe); Ketyĕlenga (Tschaudjo); Aké (Atakpame); Maticki (Ho).

A tree 32½ feet in height, with a broad, shady crown, seems to be bearing blossoms or fruit all the year round. The flowers are in the form of little round bunches; the fruit is greenish-yellow, spongy, and growing together in large masses—each fruit about the size of a pear. The white wood is not of much value, but the rootwood is sold in the native markets for making yellow dye. Two species of this tree seem to be known in Togo, one found frequently on the coasts, the best known, and another variety in North Togo, less common and with a much smaller fruit.

=Compositæ.=

Vernonia Senegalensis. Avenya (Ewe); Tusima or Tingma (Tschaudjo).

The only one of the family which attains a height of 19½ feet, and stem of 6 or 7 inches in diameter. The leaves are a greyish-green; the flowers, a yellowish-white, appear in great masses. The wood is fairly heavy, light brown in colour, and very easy to work. Of the many varieties from which the twigs and roots are used for brushes, this one is the most valuable.