Liberia / by Sir Harry Johnson ; with an appendix on the flora of Liberia by Dr. Otto Stapf. - Johnston, Harry Hamilton, Sir, 1858-1927

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A fj Presented to the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY bi/ the ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY 1980 LIBERIA A Mandingo Woman V Ml f LIBERIA/ By SIR HARRY JOHNSTON G.C.M.G., K.C.B.. D.Sc. Gold Medallist Royal Geographical, Royal Scottish Geographical, and Zoological Societies: Author of " The Uganda Protectorate," " History of the Colonisation of Africa," etc. WITH AN APPENDIX ON THE FLORA OF LIBERIA By DR. OTTO STAFF, F.L.S. Principal Assistant, Kew Herbarium 28 Coloured Illustrations by Sir Harry Johnston 24 Botanical Drawings by Miss Matilda Smith 402 Black and White Illustrations from the Author's Drawing* and from Photographs by the Author and others 22 Maps by Mr. J. W. Addison, Capt. H. D. Pearson, R.E., Lieut. E. W. Cox, R.E., and the Author ** A more enviable renown England never won— no, not when from the reluctant hancJ" of the throne she wrung the Charter of her liberties, not when beneath the raging waves- she sank the Spanish Armada, not even "when her power struck down Napoleon than — when the perishing African cried to her and she listened and saved." R. R. GuRLEV (one of the founders of Liberia), Philadelphia, U.S.A., i83c>. IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. II London: HUTCHINSON & Ci Oh «/<' li^ternoster Row ^ ^ U .4V it«. CONTENTS OF VOL. II CHAP. page:: XXII. Flora of Liberia 521 Appendix IV. List of the known plants of Liberia, by Dr. Otto Stapf 570- XXIII. Fauna : Mammals 670' Appendix V. List of known Mammalia .... 754 XXIV. Fauna : Birds 758- Appendix VI. List of the known Birds of Liberia, by Mr. Charles Chubb . . . •. 787- XXV. Fauna : Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish . . . 807- Appendix VII. A list of known Reptiles, Amphibia, and Fish 832- XXVI. Fauna : Invertebrates 839> Appendix VIII. Lists of Invertebrate Animals . . 86o- XXVII. Anthropology : Historical 884_ XXVIII. Anthropology : Physical 930 XXIX. Anthropology : Sociai 1029. XXX. Folklore 1083. XXXI. Languages 1091 Appendix IX. The Vai Syllabarium or Alphabet . . iii6' XXXII. Vocabularies 1136' Index . . . .1161 V COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. II FROM THE AUTHOR'S PAINTINGS NO. A Mandingo woman ....... Frontispiece to Vol. II 14. The Bay-tliiglied Diana monkey {Cercopithecus ignila) To face p. 680 >S- The Golden cat {Felts celidogaster) .... 702 16. The Pygmy Hippopotamus {Hippopotamus liberiensis') 716 '7- The Water chevrotain (Dorcatherittnt aquaticum) 726 18. The Bongo tragelaph (Booceicus euryceros) . 730 The White-shouldered or Jentink's duiker, known to the Liberians as " Four-eyes." Peculiar to Liberia .... 738 20. The Zebra antelope {Cephalophus dorice). Peculiar to Liberia 746 21. Leone ........... Maxwell's duiker (Cephalophus maxwelUi) the "Filantomba" of Sierra : 750 22. The Great kingfisher (Ceryle maxima) ...... 778 23- The White-crested hornbill, or " Monkey bird " (Ortholophus leucolophus 780 24. Male and female Black hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata) 784 The Broad-mouthed Roller (Eurystomtis " 25- Liberians ....."... afer), Day-bat " of the 786 26. The Black-beaked Kingfisher {Akedo guenthert) . 796 27. The Red-and-blue Lizard {Agama colonorum) 814 28. A Basa man (Kru race) ...... 942 BLACK AND WHITE ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. II NO. TITLE. SOURCE. PAGE 209. The "scrub" (once-cultivated land on which forest is springing up again) . Photograph by the Author . 525 210. „,, The base of T, trunk ........ a forest tree, to ., show buttressed Photograph by Mr. Crommelin ( Photopraph by Mr. Cecil H."\ 526 _ 211. The base ofr a , cotton tree ! r- • , S27 \^ tiriinn \ -* ' ' 212. Coula etiulis Drawing by Miss Matilda Sinitli 529 213. Leaves and flowers of Bcr//;H'a aCHj«('Ko/n Drawing by the Author. 530 ... . . 214. 215. 216. Flower o( Ber/iiiia Barteria nigritiana Female papaw tree ...... acuminata ...... . ,, ,, „ ,, Photograph by Mr. T.H.Myring „ ,, 531 532 533 217. White -sepalled Liberian bush Musscenda isertiana ...... Mussaendas ..... growing in Photograph by Drawing the Author Author . 534 218. 219. 220. Strophanthus gratus An Aristolochia llower .....unopened Drawing by l>y the Drawing by Miss Matilda Smith the Author . . 535 537 . . . . . 539 221. A rubber-producing fig tree (probably Ficus vogelii) . . . . . • . . Photograph by the Author . 541 222. 223. Western Africa An Angracum orchis of ...... Listrostachys caudata, an epiphytic orchis of West Africa ? [^A. eich- Drazving by the Author . . 543 leriauum] „ „ „ 545 224. A species of Castas, a zingiberaceous plant . ,, „ ,, 547 225. Flower-stalk of Renealmia, a zingiberaceous plant „ ,, „ 548 226. A species of Sarcophrynium, a handsome- foliaged plant in the Liberian undergrowth „ „ „ 549 227. The water-loving Crinum lily (C. natans) . „ ,, ,, 550 228. A very tall Dracaena or dragon tree . . ,, ., ,, 551 229. A Calamus palm Photograph by the Author . 552 230. Paphia vim/era palm Photograph by theDucdcMorny 553 231. Oil palms (ftos) i Photograph by Lieul.-Coloneiy ^^^ 232. The Borassus palm Photograph by the Author . 555 ix ) « Black and White Illustrations in Vol. II SOURCE. 1 HO. '33- Coconut palms .... TITLE. Photograph by Mr. Crommelin Photograph by Mr. T. H. Myring 556 557 234. Mango and bread-fniit tree . Drawing by the Author 558 jjj. Voung leaves of Anchoinaites arum . Later leaf of AMclwiiianes arum 559 236. 560 *37- Spathc and spadix of Anchoniaties dubius 561 238. Seeds of J nc/ionmiies dubius Cyrlos/fniia seiitgaUnst 562 239. . 24a A climbing Culcasia arum (C, scandens) S63 241. A white-spathed Culcasia 564 342. Ntphlhylis ccHslricta 56s Rhfklophyllum tuiiabile 566 243. . The "dear, familiar bracken' Photograph by the Author 567 244. 245. Leaf of Cyrlospenna arum Drawing by the Author 569 246. Alroxinm liberica Draiving by Miss Matilda Smith 579 347. Contphia subcurdata Drawing by the Author . 585 248. Urobolrya auguslifolia Draiving by Miss Matilda Smith 589 249. Atidrosiphoiiia adeiiostegin 607 250. Latidolphia owarimsis 617 251. Clilandra uilida 619 252. Clilandra luembianacea . 621 253. Carpodinus oocarpa . 623 254. Rauwolfia liberieiisis 625 255. Callichilia stenosepala 627 256. Conopharyngin longijlura 629 357. Conopkaryngia crassa 631 258. Voacanga caudijiora 633 259. Pltioceias whylei 635 260. Futttuuiia africana . 637 261. Fuiilumia claslica 639 262. Alafia parcijiora 641 363. Afrodaphne caudala 647 264. f«Vhs vogelii 65 365. Ficus johnslouii 653 266. Laiidolphia owariensis growing round a fig tree Photograph lent by Mr. Quinton 669 267. Black and while fiihing vulture (Gypohierax) Drawing by the Author . 671 268. Brush-tailed porcupine (Alherura) Photograph by Mr. W. P.Dando 697 269. Brush-tailed porcupine . 698 270. 271. The Head iwmys) ..... African Ground-rat or octodont of Ground-rat (Thrynomys), to ( Ihry- Photograph by Mr. Hattersley show (Photograph . 699 by Mr. Henry ^ bare and rather depressed nostrils Irving 700 \ j 272. The Scrval cat (We&t African specimen from f Photograph by Mr. Cecil //. 701 Libcrian frontier) Firm in \^ J 273. Skins of Ftlis celidogaaUr from Central Liberia Photograph by the Author 703 X 1' -l Black and White Illustrations in Vol. II NO. TITLE. SOURCE. PAGE ^. -^ /,r >• ^ ( Photngraph by Mr. Hettiy) „„, 274. The Two-spottetl paradoxure , , (A'nHrfmin) .- frvino- f '^ ^, ^. , J Ti Palm 1 • . .J.f Plwtooyaph by Mr. Cecil H. ) ^, 275. The Iwo-spotteJ paradoxure or civet firZiin ] ' 276. SkuUof Liberian hippopotamus(//i]6/>o/o/«;;(Mi- liberiensis) Photograph by the Aiithor . 713 277. Lower jaw of Pygmy hippopotamus, showing occasional three incisor teeth . . . Drawing by the Author . . 715 *"" ^''- "'"'') 278. The Red River hog (Foto«,orter»5^om<s) {^''Zf,g'' 717 279. SkuUof maleWatcrchevrotain (Dorcathcriuni), from a specimen in the Hritisli Museum ; to show canines ....... long, cuived, and llattened upper Drawing by the Author . . 72 280. Foreleg of Water chevrotain ''^ ^''' """'^) ?" . . . {^'t°Jnf' 281. Hindleg of Water chevrotain .... ,, „ „ 723 282. The Water chevrotain (from a female specimen .... from Central Liberia, presented by Author to Zoological Gardens) ,, „ ,, 7^5 283. Head of type): Bnbalus West African .... buffalo planiceros (Senegalese Photograph by Mr. JV. P. Danrio 73 284. Senegalese buffalo (Biibalns planiceros), from specimen in London Zoological Gardens . ,, ,, ,, 73* 285. Horns of Red-haired nanus ?) buffalo (Bubaliis from West Africa (Ivory Coast or Gold Coast. Copied from the illustration to H. S. Pel's note on Bos brachyceros, pub- lished about 1850) 733 2S6. Same buffalo skull as No. 285 in profile 735 287. Skin of Harnessed antelope from Central (Photograph by Mr. Henry\ Liberia Irving '•'' \ J 288. The Harnessed antelope . . ... . Photograph by Mr W. P. Danilo 740 289. The Large Yellow-backed duiker (C<'A//a''o/>A"s (^ n, / , i» rr 1 from a specimen recently living J 5yt7«,//,7;v), ^/'."'"f"/''' *->' ^''- ""•'>] 74' in the Zoological Gardens .{ . . ''""'"S ] (Photograph by Mr. Henry^ 290. Head of Yellow-backed duiker . . \ Irving ) 291. Horns of West African hartebcest {Bubalis (Photograph by Mr. IIenry\ major) from Noithern Liberia . . . \ Irving j ^ 292. The White or Hairy-bellied manis (Manis trictispis) „ „ „ 749 293- Gigantic Manis (Manis gigantea), from the specimen in the British Museum . . ,, ,, ,, 751 294. A Manis from the Sierra Leone borderland of (Photograph by Mr. Cecil H.'\ Lihensi (_? Manis gigantea, immature ?) .{ Firmin j •' 295. The Long-tailed manis (il/«»,s fc«^,i««a'«/„). ^^ ^'^ """'^') [^''jHf"/'' 753 296. The African Jaijana, or leaf-walker (P/!j//o^«!/s africanus) Drawing by the Author . . 761 xi . : . Black and White Illustrations in Vol. II <•- HO. TITLE. 497. The Yellow - wattled spur (XiplMofilems nibiceps) - .... .... winged plover Drawing by the Ant/tor . . 763 298. Ardta alba (the Great egret) ,. ., 769 299. The Slaty-blue heron (i.^//f/t)</i«s^«/a»/5) .1 .1 1. 770 300. The Green heron (Biiloridcs atricapilla) . 771 301. 302. The Black The female Illate ........ hornbill hornbill (Ccratogymna (Ceratogymna atratii) data) : Photograph l>y Mr. W. P. Daiido 781 young male 782 303. Head Palm of male Elate hornbill tree hung with Weaver-birds' nests .... Drawing by the Photograph by Author the Author 783 304. 784 305. The Black and white crow (Corvus scaptilatus) Drawing by the Author . 785 306. 307. of Liberia ....... Examples of the principal poisonous Snakes A Skink (Lygosoma femandi') Drawing by Mr. James Green Drawing by the Author 809 8'5 308. The Common crocodile {Crocodihis nilotkus) . 817 309. Head of Slender-snouted crocodile (C cata- ^Photograph by Mr. Cecil H.\ 818 phraclus) . . . . y Firmin f (Photograph by Mr. P. TV.\ 310. Short-headed crocodile {Osleolamus letraspis) 819 ( Farniborough J 311. The Green turtle (C/tc/o(« oyoVis) . Draiviiig by the Author . 821 312. The Electric cat-fish (jl/a/o/i/«n(n<s) Photograph by Mr. H. My ring 313. 314. The Electric cat-fish The Bommi-fisli (Periophthalmus) .... I) Drawing by «i T. Author H 824 82s . the . 827 315. The biggest scorpion in the world (6^ inches) —Pandinus impcrator 84s 316. A Mandingo from the Upper St. Paul's River Photograph by the A uthor 317. An Americo-Liberian .... ^Photograph lent by Liberian \ y Government j 318. A Kpwesi man from Central Liberia Photograph by the Author 319. A typical Kruboy from Nana Kru . A 320. 321. A good-looking type Vanswa, near Monrovia of Mandingo from Northern Liberia. ....Vai woman from 322. 323. A and European types Mandingo cow .... Horns and heads of domestic oxen of African 324. The straight-backed Mandingo ox . 325. Mandingo cattle (Sierra Leone) 326. 327. Mandingo cow (Liberia) Mandingo heifer .... 328. Mandingo cattle (Liberia) 329. Mandingo bull (Sierra Leone) 330- Mandingo bull 331. Mandingo cow (from Central Liberia) 33*- A Liberian goat (female) xii Black and White Illustrations in Vol. II SOURCE. PAGE HO. 333- Dwarf male goat TITLE. (Liberia) .... West Photograph by the Atithar 914 334- The Maned sheep of Liberia (and of f Draiving by the Author (fyo>n\ 9'5 Africa generally) \ Author s photograph) ) Ewe maned sheep (Liberia) of Photograph by the Aiillior 917 ... 33.';- . . . 33''- Ram maned sheep (Liberia) of ,, ,. „ 919 337- 338- Ewes of maned sheep browsing of Monrovia Grebo chiefs from the ...... in the streets Maryland coast . . ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 921 923 — Bebe " a Grebo man, 339- " Papa, wife, Maman, and child et (Cape Palmas) ... I ,, Photograph by the ,, late Mr.\ 924 340. A Kruman from Sas Town \ Sam Hall ' )' 925 34"- 342 A Mandingo Northern Liberia Krumen (to show from ..... the Kwaiia country, their short, sturdy legs) Photograph by the Author 927 . ,, ,. ., 931 343- A the Ca valla River ..... native of the coast (Berebi) to the east of Drawing by the Author """ . i-'ber>a»\ 933 344- " Kru women are hideous, short, and squat ". I'P';?"'^''''/''' 934 ....... *;f \ uovcrunieut ) 345- Gora women Photograph by Ihe Author 935 (Photograph by Sir Siineon\ 346- A Kpwesi man from Ihe Dukwia country 936 ' \ Stuart j (Photograph by ihe late Mr.) 347- A prognathous type of Kruman 937 • \ Sam Hall / 348- A pug-nosed type of Kruman . Photograph by the Author 939 349- A Kruman with beard . 940 350- A woman of the Susu tribe (Eastern Sierra f „, ., ^ , ,, . , , \ Leone), Mandingo stock, showing natural \ PI'°}og''}ph by Mr. Cecil H. \ 941 growth of head hair I Finuin i 35>- Mandingo wearing amulet Photograph by the Author 943 A Vai youth and maiden 352- 353- Vai servants Gora men on banks ..... Photograph by Mr. T.H.Myriug 945 946 354- 355- 356. A A De man Kruman from ..... of St. Paul's River Sctra Kru Photograph by the Author 947 949 95° A Kruman from Sino f Photoi;raph by the lute Mr.) 357- 951 ( Sam Hall f 358. A Kruman from the Dewa River Photograph by Ihe Author 953 359- A man of the Gbalin tribe (cannibals of Western Liberia) 955 360. A chief of the Grebo country, Maryland (Photograph by the Liberian\ Goverumeut 957 (_ J 361. An unmarried Kru maiden 958 362. A Buzi chief visiting Monrovia Photograph by the Author 959 363- A Kruman and his wives (Cape Palmas) 961 364- Mandingos from Northern Liberia . 963 365- A Mandingo with skull cap 965 366. Kru women gala attire, with enormou in finger-rings, rams' horns, and bead necklaces 965 xiii Black and White Illustrations in Vol. II - MO, 367. A Kru woman with '• shield " finger-rings ami hair ornaments Photograph bv the Aittlior 967 368. Kru woman ...... f Photograph by the Liberiau Govermiinit \ 968 369- Gora women A Basa woman ...... of the civilised type (becom \ Photograph bv the Author J 969 370- ingly and appropriately clothed) 971 37'. A Vai chief (Sinko) and his wives . Photograph by Mr. Croiimielin 973 37*. A woman (Western Liberia) Vai . Photograph by the Author 974 373- 374- A Vai women ...... Vai woman with silver head ornaments Ram's horn set in silver, a common ornameni tl Photograph by Mr. " IT Croiiitiie/iit 975 977 375- worn under the arm by Mende and Vai women, etc. Drawing by the Author . 978 376- A Gbandi woman from Western Liberia showing style of hairdrcssing Photograph by Mr. H. Reynolds 979 377. Pattern inscribed on back of Vai woman Drawing by the Author . 980 378. Pattern inscribed on back of Vai woman 980 379- Cicatrisation on back of Kpwesi man 980 380. Tattooing on chest of a Gibi Negro 981 381. Marks on Kruman's face, forehead, and temples 982 382. Two Dt men the one on right hand : show missing incisor tooth in upper jaw 983 (Photograph by Mr. Cecil H.} 383. Preparing a rice plantation Firinin 98s y J 384- Women cutting rice with small knives . 987 385- Outskirts of Gora village, showing small clay receptacles for grain (possibly fetish huts) Photograph by Mr. T.H.Myriiig 989 386. Roof framework of Vai house (oblong \ o shape) ['"''"'"g'"/''' h "'^ Siberian "j 991 I Government J 387. Vai houses in process of construction Photograph by Mr. T.H.Myring 993 388. Houses in a Grebo village (interior of Mary- land) Photograph by the Author 99S 389- In a Padcbu village near the Central Cavalla.|'''''2'°'S''''''*'' '^ "" l-iberian\ \ Government 995 J 390- Nyenewodoke, on the Liberian bank a village of the Cavalla River, Ketiebo country . ,, 997 39'- A " Club " or Strangers' House in a Vai village | P''°'°8'"'P>' h Lieutenant- \ 999 \ Colonel Cecil Powney j 39*- A native kitchen in a Gora village . lOOI 393- ^\^}^,'^^"'^^'^^^^°°'^^P°'=°"'^^'y,'^»^^e"^fi^''olograph by the Liberian] Liberia Government 1003 . \ f 394- A woman making clay pots (Photograph by Mr. Cecil H.} \ Firmin 1005 j (Photograph by Mr. David\ 395- Pottery from Western Liberia I Vallance, from specimens \ "I inRoyal Scottish Museum, 1007 j \ Edinburgh j 396. Women pounding food in wcoden mortars f Photograph by Sir Simeon \ y Stuart 1009 f xiv , \ Black and White Illustrations in Vol. II NO. 397. Native harp, sword, and scabbard, and Man- dingo wooden plates from North-western Liberia Photograph by the Author . loi I „ ,,, (Photograph by Mr. Cecil H.\ 398. Woman J. carding cotton .. -j fryj,,- " I0'2 399. Woman making cotton thread ... ,, ,, ,, 1013 400. Cotton-weaving in Western Liberia . . ,, ,, ,, 1014 401. A Mende loom on western frontier of Liberia. „ ,, ,, 1015 402. Large piece of cotton-stuff woven and dyed in 403. A Liberia girl ....... Western Liberia also drum from Western from the Central ; St. Paul's River, Photograph by with (Photograph by Mr. Harold the Author , 1017 lOlt hand fishing net . . . . . .Reynolds ^^ f A Gora man firing gun from armpit Photograph by Mr. H. Reynolds 1019 404. 405. 406. A West African forge A Mandingo with sword ..... . . Drawing by the Author Photograph by the Author , , . 1020 1021 407. A Gbandi horn-blower blowing ivory trumpet yPAo/o^z-rt/)/! by Mr. Cecil H.~\ (at Gene, Mano River, Western Liberia) . (^ Firmin j •* 408. ... Native methods of carrying loads throughout 409. 410. A The Western and Central Liberia Mandingo hbrse ...... Bere Nyana" or men's devil of Western (Photograph by Mr. " „ Photograph by ,, the Author ,, Cecil H.\ . 1025 1027 Liberia (the "Bundu " of Sierra Leone) .\ Firmin ) ^ 411. A devil-mask of Western Liberia Photograph by the Author 1033 ... . . . 412. A devil-mask of Eastern Liberia ,, ,, ,, '°35 " Sande " or "Boni" girls (of the Initiation ( Photograph by Mr. Cecil //."| 413. ^_ -'' School), Western Liberia . Firmin . . . | j ..... *' 414. The entrance into a Vaitown of the " Femba or women's devil Photograph by Mr.T.H.Myring I039 415. The women's devil parading a Vai town 1041 ... . ,, ,, ,, 416. The " Femba " parading the town „ IO43 „ ..... ,, The " Femba " begins to run I045 417. 418. The " Femba" in pursuit Dance following on the "Femba's .... " ,, ,, „ ,, ,, ,, 1047 419. 420. 421. Dance of the " Femba Dance of the "Femba": " ..... women retreat shaking . ,, ,, ,, „ ,, „ 1049 1051 422. 423. rattles Dance of the " Femba Kruboys practising a marriage dance " ..... „ ,, „ „ „ ,, 1053 '055 '057 . . ,, „ ,, 424. Europeans and natives on the banks of the St. Paul's River „ „ ,, 1081 425. The Royal antelope (Neotragus pygm^us) ''^ "" '"''} '°^^ . {"^^Z.^/wo^"^ 426. German " factory " at Harper, Cape Palmas, were written down ...... where some of the author's vocabularies Photograph by the Author . I160 MAPS IN TEXT IN VOL. II HO. TITLI. SOURCE. 16. Sketch-map showing limits of Forest Region, Westj Drawn by Mr. J. W. Addi-\ 523 j\frJQa I son and the Author J Sketch-map of West Africa, to show area of Mandingo 17. peoples, languages, and influence .... ,, ,, ,, 929 18. Sketch-map to show distribution of principal language- families of West .\frica ,, .. .. 1093 CHAPTER XXII THE LIBERIAN FLORA AS will drawn up be evident from a comparison of the in an appendix at the end of list this of plants chapter contributed by Dr. Otto Stapf, the flora of Liberia, like its fauna, whilst typically West African, has certain individual peculiarities, is associated nearest with the vegetable products of Sierra Leone, and belongs to the botanical sub-region which might be styled " Upper Guinea." This means a narrow belt of densely forested country along the West African coast beginning to the south of the River Gambia, and extending perhaps as far east as the country of Dahome. This forest belt is of varying width, as may be seen by the appended sketch-map. It is usually associated with a rainfall of not less than ninety inches per annum, usually more. To the north- wards, the West African forest belt (affected by the recent extension of human action in agriculture) changes with more or less abruptness into the park-like region of luxuriant grass, herbs, and rich forest in the river valleys, together with occasional shady trees out in the open. This park-like country in West Africa Is not of much greater average width than the forest belt. It is soon affected north of the eleventh degree of N. Latitude by the rapidly decreasing rainfall, which to the north of this eleventh parallel drops generally from sixty inches to an average thirty-five and less. These conditions create a country much healthier for human beings and much more VOL. II 521 I Liberia <*' richly endowed with a large mammalian fauna ; but regions of it lying away from great and small rivers are rather sparsely endowed with vegetation. For although the rainfall in this steppe country may be greater than, or as great as, that of England, the descent of the rain is limited to a few consecutive months in the year, and during the remaining months a blazing sun parches the vegetation. Somewhere to the east of the Volta River, the flora of Upper Guinea merges into that of Lower Guinea, which (I think it will be found) extends considerably north of the Congo region, to the mouths of the Niger and the country of Lagos. The birds and perhaps other groups of animals follow much the same divisions, though here and there in individual cases there is an overlapping. In the flora, at any rate, a good many species or sub-species that are common to Dahome, Lagos, the Niger Delta, the Cameroons, the Congo, and Angola do not extend westwards into the Gold Coast Colony, still less into Liberia. At the same time there are some exceptions to this rule, such as Funtumia elastica, the rubber tree of Lagos. The range of this species appears to extend from Uganda, in East Central Africa, to the eastern half of I^iberia. Beyond this — namely, the hinterland of Sino County — it has not as yet been traced to the westward, and certain other trees and birds have the same western limit — that is to say, they just reach the eastern half of Liberia, and do not penetrate westwards into Sierra Leone. East of the Niger Delta the forest region of West Africa extends in a much broader belt two-thirds of the distance across the continent, to the shores of Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and the northern part of the Zambezi- Nyasa basin. In all probability the peculiar West African flora of to-day, like the West African fauna, was once that of all Africa south of the Sahara Desert, of Southern Arabia, possibly 522 Liberia <•- of India and Malaysia. The affinities of the West African flora with that of the Malay Archipelago and Peninsula, Burma and Southern India (and perhaps Brazil), are nearly as marked as the resemblance between the West African fauna and that of Eastern Tropical Asia, and even of South America. This relationship has led to much confusion in botanical nomenclature. Various rubber trees and vines of Tropical Africa were, until recently, grouped under the same genera as Apocynace^e of the Malay Region and of South America. Subsequent examination showed the differences to be generic —more than merely specific. And so such names as Kickxia, Tabernamontana and others were originally applied to African rubber trees, which now figure under the separate genera of FuHtumia, Conopharyngia, etc. (The Malayan Kickxia yields no rubber.) Liberia is the forest country of Africa par excellence. Probably in this part of the Dark Continent the forest belt is deepest, even at the present day. Here the inroads of man on the dense virgin forest of the Equatorial regions have been least apparent, at any rate westward of the Niger : nevertheless in the coast belt of Liberia the primeval forest has had to give way to a dense scrub of palm, wild coffee, and low, shrubby trees. Here the forest had been originally felled for agriculture. The denseness of the interior woodland is at once a guarantee of unexploited wealth and a terrible hindrance to the civilisation of the country. It is remarkable how closely the big trees grow together and at the same time to what a relatively slight depth of soil their roots penetrate. Indeed in most parts of the country, except in the accumulations of alluvial soil, the hard granite rock is at a depth of only six or seven feet below the leaf mould of the forest. The roots of the trees spread out rather than grow down. They often interlace with one another on the surface. Great trees are easily uprooted and 524 ^ The Liberian Flora blown down by the wind when man has exposed them. They herd together closely (as it were) in the dense forests for protection against the wind and their insecure hold of the shallow soil — shallow but amazingly rich. Amongst the noticeable features in Liberian flora (I write 209. THE "SCRUB" (ONCE-CULTIVATED LAND ON WHICH FOKKST IS SPKINCING LI' AGAIN) from the point of view of the ordinary observer) are the following trees and plants : In the coast regions of Liberia is found the " water tree" (^Tetracera potatorid). This is a low tree or bushy shrub, sometimes with a climbing habit, which is celebrated for a very abundant sap that tastes like pure water. The stems are cut and slashed by the natives, and the water pours down and 5=^5 Liberia <- will soon fill a cup. It is usually tasteless, and said to be quite wholesome. Among the Anonaceous order, which is so common in Tropical forests, and which produces several fruits that are quite palatable (such as the Sour sop), there are trees of 2IO. THK BASE OK A FOREST TRKK, TO SHOW BUTTRESSKO TRUNK utility or interest. The Guinea pepper {Xylop'ia athiipica) is a tree sometimes of considerable height, growing in fairly dry places, and yielding aromatic fruits, which, when dried and powdered, form a sort of pepper, much appreciated in Liberia, but too aromatic for the European taste. This tree yields a useful wood for masts, oars or paddles. yVnother spice (and the Liberian forest is rich in spice-producing substances) is 52O ^11. lllfc liAJih Ul- A CUl lO.N IKKh, Liberia <- Monodora mytistica, the seed-vessels of which are known as " African nutmegs." They are large in size, from four to six inches across. The flowers of this African nutmeg are also very large and noticeable — white inside, pale green outside, spotted with red-purple. All the stagnant fresh water of Liberia abounds in " water- lilies," apparently all, or nearly all, belonging to the widespread species Njmp/i^a loius, though obviously developing into peculiar varieties, sometimes with very long stalks that rise high out of the water. In the eastern part of Liberia there is a variety or sub-species much smaller in size, the outer sepals of which (round the white petals) are deep blue. This is a beautiful little water-lily which might well be introduced to cultivation. Amongst the Mallow order {Malvacea) there are, of course, many species of Hibiscus, amongst which is the plant that yields the " okro " vegetable so popular throughout West Africa, where amongst other qualities it is prized as a mild aphrodisiac. The young fruits of this plant —okroes — are used in soup or are boiled as a vegetable. They are gelatinous and slimy, with an agreeable flavour. Other forms of Hibiscus yield strong and useful fibres, or have seeds which are ground up into strong-smelling perfumes. There is certainly one indigenous species of wild cotton {Gossypium -pumtatum .?) which has not yet figured in any collection of plants from Liberia, but which is in all probability the plant yielding the cotton so much manufactured in the interior. But the American form of cotton, Gossypium peruvianum (probably in- troduced from South America), and also G. barbadense, the Sea Island cotton, are common throughout the coast belt of Liberia. The magnificent Bombax or silk cotton tree found in Liberia is B. buonopozense. Its flowers are noteworthy and very picturesque. They are crimson-scarlet throughout, bell-shaped, 528 hi /^ix^ft^ . i<xX 212. COULA KUULIS 1. Flowering branch (nat. size). 2. Flower (enlarged i. 3. Section of flower (enlarged). 4. Fruit (nat. size). 5. and 6. Fruit with fleshy exocarp removed (nat. size). 7. Section of fruit with fleshy exocarp removed (nat. size). S. Embryo (enlarged). VOL. 11 2 Liberia <*- with short, fleshy petals and bundles of numerous stamens. During the flowering season the ground round the base of 213. I.KAVKS ANI)| Fl.OWKRS OK BKKI.INIA ACUMINATA the tree is covered with these scarlet-purple flowers that have fallen from their slender stalks. The Kola nut tree is indigenous to Liberia, but rarely 530 -•> The Liberian Flora met with (except when planted) on the coast. Drawings made for this book by Miss M. Smith show the character of the flowers, leaves, and seed-vessels (vide pp. 411 and 413). Amongst the Olacirite should be mentioned the Coula edulis. This produces oily nuts of very pleasant taste and, I should think, very nutritious. They are much eaten by the natives, and may prove valuable to commerce. Representing the Connarace,e and the great papilionaceous group are numerous trees and shrubs with beautiful flowers, some of which might be introduced to our horticulture. Among these I would men- tion a form of Connarus discovered by Mr. H. Reynolds in the interior of Liberia. This has panicles or bunches \ of very numerous, fairly large flowers of a beautiful creamy white or pale buflf- yellow. A species of Rhynchosia (a bean) is an ornamental climber, also with thickly clustered bunches of cream-white flowers, rather like those of a sweet pea, and of a velvety texture. The Lonchocarpus tree (L. sericeus) has great bunches of 214- flower ok berlinia lilac-coloured flowers, rather like Wistaria. This is very common in the forest, and the ground round the base of the tree sometimes presents a lovely spectacle, being covered with a carpet of mauve blossoms. A very handsome tree of the Bean order is Berlinia acuminata, the aspect of which (as regards leaves and flowers) is sufliciently delineated in my illustration. This conspicuous flowering tree is very common throughout the coast region of Liberia. Amongst tall trees of the Rose order is Parinarium^ 531 -*> The Liberian Flora which bears bunches of pinkish flowers that are succeeded by fruits of a dirty yellow colour, the size of a large egg. These 2l6. FEMALE PAPAW TREE are very mealy, and vapidly sweet, but they are much appreciated by the natives. There are numerous shrubs and trees of the genus Com- bretum, with long sprays of crimson or deep red flowers very handsome, and often making quite a gorgeous spectacle by the side of the path in the dense forest. 533 Liberia <•- Common flowers in the scrub, especially in marshy districts, are the various forms of Dissotis, some of which have large, geranium-like flowers of bright purple, with yellow stamens. 217. WIHTK-.SKl'Al.I.KU MUSS^NDAS GROWING IN LIliKKlAN BUSH Amongst the plants of the Passion-flower order may be indicated the Smeathmannia, very common in the coast region of Liberia, with big, white camellia-like flowers growing 534