4. “Abe-bobe.” Fruit usually rather small, red and black, pericarp thick and soft, nut with a thin kernel (easily broken in the teeth). Trees rather scarce. This is probably identical with the “Lisombe” variety from the Kameruns.
5. “Intermediate form between 2 and 4.” Similar to the last but with a thicker shell to the nut.
6. “Seedless kind.” A very rare kind, nearly corresponding with the “Difumbe” variety from Angola, which, however, possesses a kernel but no shell.
The following are the percentages based on the total weight of the fruit, in each case taken as 100:—
| Name | Pulp | Contg. oil | Fibre etc. | Nut | Contg. Kernel | Shell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. “Abe-pa” | 30 | 20·13 | 9·87 | 70 | 19·6 | 50·4 |
| 2. “Abe-dam” | 37·5 | 24·03 | 13·14 | 62·5 | 16·87 | 45·63 |
| 3. “Abe-tuntum” | 32·5 | 14·33 | 18·17 | 67·5 | 17·55 | 49·95 |
| 4. “Abe-bobe” | 63 | 36·02 | 26·98 | 37 | 19·98 | 17·02 |
| 5. “Interm. 2 and 4” | 51 | 30·34 | 20·66 | 49 | 20·58 | 28·42 |
| 6. “Seedless” | 100 | 76·00 | 24·00 | rarely a trace | ||
Nos. 4 and 5 seem to be most valuable from a commercial standpoint, although at present Nos. 1 and 2 are the most commonly used, owing to the comparative scarcity of the first two mentioned. No. 6 is chiefly interesting from a botanical aspect, and is probably incapable of reproduction. The sacred palm known in the Gold Coast as “Abe-ohene,” and identical with “Ope-Ifa” of Southern Nigeria, belongs to a new species called E. Thompsonii, Chev., but the fruits are not employed for the extraction of oil.
OTHER OIL SEEDS.—Experiments were conducted at the Imperial Institute in 1908 with the kernels of the “Crabnut” (Carapa procera, D.C.). The kernels were found to contain nearly 50 per cent. of oil, which was reported to be worth about £20 10s. per ton, but the residual cake could not be used for feeding purposes, owing to the presence in it of a bitter constituent, and, on account of the rather low manurial value, was estimated as worth only £2 per ton (Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, vol. vi., 1908, p. 362).
The oil seemed to be well suited for soap-making, but would not be suitable for lubricating or for edible purposes. The nut does not occur in such profusion as to warrant profitable exportation from localities where the oil palm is found.
TIMBER. Mahogany.—The most valuable and commonly exported timber is that known in the European and American markets as “African Mahogany.” The value of that shipped from the Gold Coast in 1913 was estimated at £366,000.
Several red woods are included under the name of Mahogany, but the best quality is said to be obtained from Khaya senegalensis, a large tree of the Natural Order Meliaceæ. This tree is known by the native (Fanti) name of “Dubini.” In the same language the names “Okumankra” and “Akwabohori” are applied to two trees which are said to be exported as Mahogany, but of these the identity has not yet been determined.