=The Flowers= are in white balls slightly over ½ inch in diameter, with ¾ inch stalks, in loose bunches. Their colour distinguishes them from those of other species similar and likely to be confused. They are sweet-scented and visited by bees. =The Fruits= are large, brown pods, from 6-7 inches long, 1 inch wide and ½ inch thick, straight or slightly curved. They are not very numerous, but conspicuous by their size. The seeds, about 12 in number are quadrangular, rounded, flattened, very hard and dark and light brown. =Uses.=—The young trees and the branches of the old are used for handles of implements, the angle of branching being especially suited to the shape of the large hoe (galma) handle. The gum, in solution, is applied to turban and gown cloth and a sheen produced by beating. [Illustration] =ADANSONIA DIGITATA= B. Juss.—_Kuka_. “_Baobab_.” MALVACEAE. The Baobab tree is so well known as hardly to need description. The enormous girth up to some 50 feet, large white flowers and pendulous fruits are familiar. From its earliest years it assumes the shape, in miniature, of the older trees. Though nature plays the largest part in the shaping, the cropping of leaves for food, the stripping of bark for rope and the ringing of large branches by beetles till they fall to the ground, all help to accelerate the abnormal form. Widely distributed, it is locally more than generally common, and abounds in groups. The majority of large native towns are full of it. Occasionally it can be seen without the usual stunted appearance, with slender branches and well-formed crown. An association with _Tamarindus indica_ (Tsamiya) is fairly common, the latter growing long slender stems about the former and partly embracing its trunk. =The Bark= is grey, with all shades of purple and a sheen. It has great callus-growing properties and appears vigorously alive in its power to cover up wounds. The outer bark is soft, spongy and full of sap, and it is the inner layers which are stripped off for the rope making. The slash is mottled red and white. =The Wood= is not used. It is very light, soft and crumbling, rotting rapidly under exposure. =The Leaves= are digitate with some six or seven lobes, 2-3 inches long, borne on a 4-5 inch leaf-stalk. They have sinuous margins and a tongued tip; the mid-rib is sunken and the veins regular. The surface is dark green above and smooth, but downy beneath. The leaves appear soon after the flowers.