i MENDE NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY BV FREDERICK AVILLIA]\I HUGH IMIGEOU Author of "The Mknkk Laxgcage," 190S "The Languages of West Africa," Vol. I. I9il ; Vol. II. 1013 LONDON KEGAN PAUL. TRENCH, TRUHNER & CO. L^i> BROADW.-\Y HOUSE, CARTER LANE. E.G. 1913 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. THE LANGUAGES OF WEST AFRICA : A Lino;uistic Survey of about Three Hundred Languages or Dialects. Demy 8vo, 2 Vols., 12.S. {\d. net each. THE MENDE LANGUAGE, containing useful Phrases, Elementarj^ Grammar, Short Vocabularies, and Stories for Reading. Crown <Svo. 7s. (jd. net. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Limited. The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved IMIEFACE This vocabulary, wliicli was compiled at Sekoiidi on the Gold Coast, consists of a list of the names of as many animals, plants, itc, as the author has been able to observe personally or to obtain a description of. It does not profess to be a scientific Natural History (luide either to the Mende country or to the locality where it was compiled. It may, however, be found useful to those who, without any zoological or botanical knowledge, wish to know something of the Bush, and it can of course be used in any pait of West Africa if the assistance of an intelligent Mende can be obtained. The vocabulary is divided into sections for convenience of reference, and alphabetical order has been set aside when a grouping seemed likely to be more useful. Most of the objects named have come under the author's personal ob- servation ; but amongst the exceptions, which are from description only, must be included, besides nearly all the fish and the varieties of rice, many if not most of the larger animals. To the author's great regret, the neighbourhood of Sekondi is deficient in the larger fauna. Where "(Sch.)" appears against a name it means that the word appears in Schoen's Vocahulary of the Mende Language, 1884, but no confirmation has been forthcoming. The Mendes' own country is in the colony of Sierra Leone; but they are to be found scattered throughout tlie whole length of the coast-line of West Africa, working chieflv as labourers or carriers, from as far as Dakar on the north to Benguela on the south. In tlie f!oId Coast at tlie present time they possibly number about 1500, and their recognition of plants there at least bears witness to the range of those plants over the intei-vening territory. The Mendes, not being a seaboard people, have not yet 265291 iv NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY invented or borrowed names for all the littoral vegetation, though their comparatively close proximity to the sea, and certainly to brackish waterways, rendei's them tolerably well informed on this subject. With regard, however, to the numerous foreign plants that are to be found round about Sekondi, they can of course do no moi'e than say that they are not in their own country. As to the nature of the country round Sekondi, in the radius of an afternoon's walk there are roughly four kinds of vegetation to be met with. These are the littoral ; the dense forest, now unfortunately fast disappearing ; the jungle land which is cropped at intervals of a few years ; and tracts of open grass land which no doubt was once fertile and farmed until the invasion of the grass rendered farming it unprofitable. On this grass land one meets here and there clumps of trees or solitary fan-palms, just like on the open country far away to the north beyond the great forest. The numerous foreign plants that are to be found were no doubt introduced three or more centuries ago by the Portuguese, who have always introduced new plants into any country which they have settled. It is usually found that forest-dwelling tribes have a good knowledge of natural history, though strange myths may exist in connection with some things. Where these myths occur, the reason probably for their existence is that the objects themselves are somewhat rare, and not readily brought into close observation even by the tribe's most experienced bushman. The extent of a native's knowledge may seem rather one- sided. For example, some Mendes seem able to name almost every plant that is to be found, and they note minute differences. They can do the same with crawling insects ; but, when it comes to butterflies, there is no distinction, one name does for all. Even if a Mende has not specialised in Bush-lore, every adult male knows the common plants suitable for food, for house-building, and for the manufacture of household utensils. As to the extent of the knowledge possessed by the women, however, the author has no information, though he would judge that the leading women in the various so-called "secret" societies are equally well infoi'iiied with the men. PREFACE V Of course lapses of memory occur, chiefly in connection with the florii, and this is not surprising considering^ the hundreds of plants that go to make up the forest. These lapses, as well as dialectic differences, frequently lead to quite heated arguments as to the correct name for some- thing ; and the various parties seem usually to fail to convince each other As to tlie identiiicatiou of plant life, it is always l)y the leaf, if a blende is shown a flower and is asked the name of the plant, he will invariably demand the leaf before he will name it. This is not unreasonable when it is recalled that the leaf is with them all the year round, for very few trees are deciduous, while the flower is only with them for a biief period, and the fruit for scai-cely longer. Notes have been added to the descriptions, giving any uses or myths that have come to the author's notice, but he must state that he has not invariabl}' tested their accuracy by practical demonstration. F. W. H. MIGEOD, Traniiport Ojficer, Gold Coast Colony. September 11)12. IJNGUISTIO NOTES The alplial)et adopted is that of the Royal ( ieograpliical Society, with the following few additions : — h = ng, as in " singer," not as in " finger." o = the ordinary English "o" as in the words — toe, though, sew, so. () = " aw," as in " saw." ri = an "o" wavering between " o" and " u," and varying often from one to the other if any addition is made to the word. Xasali.sed vowels are marked —. All names are given in two forms. The first is the indefinite and simple form of the noun ; the second, in brackets, the definite form. The second is the form the native invariably uses if he says the name of the thing without any additional words. The indefinite form is only used when another noun follows it, forming a compound noun ; or when an adjective follows it. If the student uses it alone he will not be understood. In answer to a que.stion as to the name of a thing, it is the definite form that alone is used. The cause of the change is the addition of a pronominal root, " i," which modifies the final vowel of the word in a variety of ways depending on its strength or tone. The following aie examples : — oi = "oi," each vowel is almost, but not quite, pro- nounced separately, and the "i" in some words becomes nearly " e." oi = "oy " in "boy." ui = either long " i " (i), or almost " wi." For instance, " wuloi," small, is pronounced commonly " wuli." ai = usually " e," as in "mesh." ai = " ai," as in " high," " my." viii NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY In the definite form the accent is always moved to the end of the word ; as nika, a cow ; nikei, the cow. After the double consonants " kp," " gb," a " w " is commonly heard before "i" and " e," but it is comparatively rare to hear it before the other vowels. Initial consonants are liable to many phonetic changes, as, "t" into "1"; " ng " into "w" or "y" or "g"; "p" into " w " ; " mb " into " w " ; " Nd " into " 1," &c. Some words, such as names of small insects usually seen in large numbers, are more commonly met with in the plural. The indefinite plural termination is "-nga" added to the indefinite form singular, and the definite termination is " -sia " joined to the definite form singular. The latter is the more commonly used. There are other plurals, but they do not need to be mentioned here. Many names of plants are compound words. The following words are commonly found in their composition : — La (lai) or nda (ndai) . Leaf. Usually compounded in the name of a herb, or occasionally a shrub. Never with a tree. It emphasises that the leaf is , the principal part. Tifa (tife) or lifa (life) . Shrub, plant. Ngeyako (ngeyakoi) . Runner, creeper. Further, Ngulu (ngului), nguru \ rn , I '^•\ ^' i iree. (ngurui) j Powe (powe) .... Flower. It is not used quite in the English sense of flowers :is apart from the plant. Ngu (ngui) .... Fruit. Lit. Head. Ku (kui) Buttress of a big tree, or wing of a capsule. Kolo (kole) .... Bark. (Also skin, paper.) Hape (hapei) .... Root. Nja (ujei) Sap. Lit. Water. YOCAIU LAKY ANIMALS Binda (binde) Hagbe - wulri (hagbe- wului) Heke (liekei) .... Kpema (kpeme) . Ndopa (ndgpe) . . . Ngiito (ngotoi or ngnti) Ngulu (nguli) Sandi-lopa (.sandi-lope) . Tewu (tewui) .... Tewe (tewei) .... Tnwa-wulu (tnwa-wulni) Antelopes Zebra aijitelope (Cephalophus donae). A very small antelope (? Neo- tra<jtts sj).). Bush cow, almost black, with spiral horns. ? Eland. Water- chevrotain {^Dorfatherium aquaticum). The harnessed antelope (T^'a^e^opAz^ srripfug). Also a general name for antelope. An antelope with twisted horns ; brown with white stripes. Applied to the Bongo trage- laph. {Boocerciis euryreros.) Also the Water-buck, with long, curved horns [Colms sp.). Hartebeest {Buhalis major). Some Mendes seem to mix Ngoti and Nguli, as regards Harte- bee.st. An antelope with long horns; bigger than the Harnessed antelope. Three white bands, one at neck, one at loins, and one between the two. (From de- scription.) Bush-cow ; a buffalo {Buhahis sj).). " Bush-goat." Duiker. In Sierra Leone English Filantomba. {^Cephalophui< sj).) TO NATURAI. HISTORY VOCABULARY Kwala (kwalai), or Kwara (kwarai), or Kwa (kwai) Bamf) (bamni) Gbegi (gbegi) . . . Kalo (kaliii) . . . . Konjo (konjo) Ngoru (ngoroi) Nguwa (nguwe) . Ndogl)o-yusn (ndogb(_ ynsni) Tuwa (tmve) . Monkeys I Any monkev, not otherwise speci- j fied. Baboon. Gorilla (Scli.). A large monkey. A fabnlons anthropoid inhal)itant of the forest. Query a gorilla. A monkey with yellowish back and whitish belly. Ape ; chimpanzee (Simia froiflo- <hjte.). A monkey with the upper and outer parts black, the inner parts red (Sch.). A fabulous anthropoid inhalntant of the forest with magical powers. Big. black monkey with long tail. Gone (gonei) . Lulu (Inlui) . . . Manyale (manyalei) Kendawi (kendawi) Koli (k.jli) .... Koli gole (Koli gole) Kowulo (kowului), or Kewuln (kewuloi) Moni (moni) . Njala (njale) . . _ . Nyangbe (nyangbei) rygL> (PL'gyi) • • Cats The common domestic cat. Ditto. Ditto. xV cat (Sch.). A leopard. The white leopard. > The Serval cat [Felts sercal). An animal of the cat kind. Lion. The golden cat. A big wild cat, very savage. (Fe/is ceJido- (jasfcr or Fe/is aurata.) A species of wild cat larger than Nyangbe. NATURAL niSTOUV VOCAIU'LAIIV 11 Hiivi (bi)vi) Kaikulu (kai kulni) Kponde (kpondei) Ngela (ngelai) Xgualu (ngualii) . Sese (sesei) Note. — Ngualii, iJijvi, Squirrels A l)ro%vii squirrel. Also called Ngelai. (Iround squir- rel. Brown with a white stripe along its sides : lough greyish tail. Eats gi'ound nuts. A squirrel ; said to have a bigger liead than Sese. See Kaikului. A squirrel. A squirrel. (Not to be mixed up with Chiji and Seje, which see.) Kaikulrd, and Sesei are said to be all nearly alike, but Kpondei is bigger. Chiji (chiji), or Siji . . F.jba (fobai) .... Vnlo (v(.le) .... Fulu-gbete (fnln-gbetei) Gowulo (gnwulni) Lende (lendi) Kiwulo (kiwului), or Kuwulo (kuwuloi) Nyina (nyine) . . . Sewulo (sewuloi) Tondo (tondoi) Tuli (tuli) . . Rats, &c. A mouse, light yrev colour with fluffy tail. A small brown rat witli a black stripe down its spine. A large rat with very dark hair. A rat, 6 inches long, with white stripes down its sides. Lives in the bush, and may be commonly seen bolting across the path. A brown rat, 6 inches long, no marks. Mouse. " Ground pig." A giant rat that burrows in the ground. ]NLich esteemed for eating. Rat. The common house rat. Ground i-at OYOctodowtiThrijnumys). Brown ; grows to the size of a small rabbit. Common large house rat. A rat of sorts, brown, with long nose and strong odour (? Batliyer- gidae). 12 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Bats Dava (clave) .... Small bat. Ndeve (ndevei) . . . Small bat. Taja (taje) Medium sized bat. Inhabits fan- palms. Tuka (tnke) .... \Mvr bat. Pig, &c. Ndonde (ndonde) . . Pig. Hele (lielei) .... Elephant. Nja-hele (nja-helei) . Hippopotamus. Mali (mali)' .... Ditto. Dog, &c. ISTgila (ngilei) . . . Dog. Kovvi (kowi) . . . . ? Jackal. Subu (subui) .... Hyena. Domestic Animals Nika (nikei) .... Cow generally. jS'ika-hina (nika-hinei) Bull. Nika-ha (nika-hei) . . Cow. Note. — Hinei = male, and Hei = female, are added to the names of all animals to express sex. Toha(n)i (toha(n)isia, { ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^.^^^ plu.) ) Mbala (mbalei) . . . Sheep. Nje (njei) (Joat. So (sui) Horse. Geloba (gelobai) . . . Camel ; a Fula woid. Unclassified Kainya (kainye) . . Ant-eater (Mams frirusj)iff). Kimba (kimbe) . . . Giant ant-eater {Ma7iis gigantea). NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY L3 Nuni (iiuni) Ndanda-kuld (ndanda- kiilui) Ha^ijbe (hagbei) . Pekulu (pekuli) . . , Pewe (pewi) . Cbuln (^iibuli) Piwi (piwi) Seje (sejei) . Jiinibu (jiiinl)vii) Hua (huei) A water animal, said to eat fish and crabs. Jiurrows into river bank. Its cry is " lioom-booin- boom." > ? Mon^joose. ? Weasel. " Bush cat." An animal the size of a rabbit ; dark brown, and mouth set underneath. Climbs oil palm-trees for the nuts, and ? burrows in the ground. " Bush cat." The palm civet, or two spotted paradoxure {.\un- dinia). "Tree bear." A hyrax. Calls at night as it climbs a ti-ee, with an increasingly slnill note. Pointed nose ; short toes ; dark brown ; size of a rabbit. It has a gland in the middle of its back covered with white hair, which parts and closes. {Proravia dor^alis.) Porcupine (HystrLr crisfata). Said to be something like a Piwi, but smaller. ? A hedge-hog. A small fabulous animal celebrated for its magic medicinal power. Its bones ai'e used for amulets (Sch.). Any animal. Plural, Hiaangesia = animals in gfeneral. Nwoni (nwoni) Te (tei) .... Te hina (te hinei) Te ha (te hei) . . Te lo (te loi) . . BIRDS Bird. Common fowl. Cock. Hen. Chicken. 14 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Lolo (loloi) .... Duck. Dowi (dowi) .... Duck. Tolotolo (tolotolni) . . Turkey. Bombo (boml)()i) . . Gere (geri) .... Ndogbo-gere (ndoglx)- geri) Nja-gere (nja-geii) . Hewe (hewe) .... Kuanja (kuauje) . Kokogbia (kokogbiei) . Knwo and Kuwe (knwei) Sekpende (sekpeude) Hekuln (sekuli) Yiba or Jilja (vibe or jibe) Hawks, &c. A brown eagle, inclining to grey in pai'ts {Hnliarius corifer). A brown hawk. The " l)ush-geri." Like the (!eri, but lai'ger. The " water-geri." Bi'own tish- hawk. tSome say same as Boniboi. Same as ? (leri or ? Nja-geri. Same as Nja-geri, but said to have diffei'ent claws. Same as Bomboi. Big black-and-white fish- eagle. (? Gypoliiero.r.) Lai'ge gi'ey hawk. Small speckled hawk. Catches small birds. A kestrel. Vultiu-e. Bani (bani) .... Bongboto (bong])otr)i) . Hohn (hohui) .... Water-birds White wading bird, smaller than Yonembe. Name doubtfid. Pelican. The blackish coi'moi'ant {Phalacro- rora.r rarhd). Also, the Pigmy Goose (Netfopus auriJiis). Size of a big pigeon. Body like a diick's ; bi'east white with thick plumage; back greenish; tlu'oat l)i'own ; feet webbed and black ; beak shoit, hooked, yel- low with black ti[). NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 15 Kakibo (kak.il)oi) . . Many - colourcil kiii<.'iislicr. Lil. Hank l)iu rower. {^ Alriilo tjwn- tlieri.) Tliis name is also apparently j^iven to a "greenish bird abont the size of a, sparrow, not a water- bird. Kekt'le (kt'kt'lc) . . . Hnippet. A small <i;reyish wadinj; bird. The smallest of the waders. Kiniji (kinfji) .... (Irey wading bird, about a foot in lenoth, or more. Beak yellow with black on top. Nja-nwoni (nja-nwoui) . Water-bird. Applied to cormorants and any other not special!}' distinguished w;iter-bird. Nja-koku (nja-kokui) . (Irey water-l)ird, larger than a pigeon. Nyegbe-solf) (nyegbe- I c . n • t_ i •' '^ .,...■ ■ V - <= > hmall greyish-ifreen heron. Solol) ) O J !r> Sanga (sange) . . . Black-and-white kingfisher (? CeryJe maxima). Solo-wa (snlo-wai) . . The same as Nyegbesoloi. Teve-nwoni(teve-nwoni) 8tork, black with white neck. About four feet in length. (Dissura ejjiscojnis.) Toni (toni) .... Plover {^Cliarailridae — % Xipliidop- terus albicep>i). Tutu (tutui) .... Leaf-walker. Length over a foot. Brown, and white throat. Beak I inch, bluish, continued as a horny forehead. Legs long, with very long toes. [Ph>jU()- ])exus afi 'lean m.s. ) Yonembe (yonembe) . (ueat white heron. The egret. Length 4 feet, or more. Plumes obtained from its back. [Ardra alha.) Also, the smaller reddish-white egret, which also has plumes (^ Diclirumanasf^a ru/a). 16 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Bomo (bomui) Bomo-kulo (bomo-kului) Powo (powui, or powi) . Povovf) (povovni) Doves, &c. Small dove, some all brown, some with white l)reast. Lit. Small -bomoi. Small brown ground-dove. Big brown ring-dove. Usually seen sitting in full view on bare branches, the highest possible. {Turtur semi-toiyuatus.) Green pigeon. Always hide them- selves in thickest part of trees. Found in interior and in man- groves on coast. [Vinago ralra.) Bush Fowl, etc. Fokulo (fokului) . Hoke (hokei) .... Kete (keti) .... Kokolowe (kokolowei) ? also kowedowe Kokoye (kokoyei) Sasalo (sasaloi) Quail. Small, brown. (S//?ioecus cj'-) Guinea fowl {Aijelastea). Guinea fowl (Sch.). Like the Sasaloi. Calls at night. Bush fowl. A francolin. Calls by day. Name derived from its call. Brownish. Red legged partridge. Greyish, mottled. Calls at evening and at night. Name derived from its call. Parrots Fabo (fabni) .... Parrot. Fawu-gbekpe (fawu- I ^ , gbekpi) i ^''y P^^^'^'°^- Gbegbe (gbegbi) . . . Parrot. Note, — Fawu-gbekpe is a combination of fabo and gbegbe. NATl^RAL HISTORY VOCABl'LARV 17 Gulii (^aile) Kpulo (kpuloi) Kwabuma (kwabunie) Piangbia (piangbie) HORNBILLS ? Toucan. A reputed two-beadeil bird from a hoiny growtb on the top of its head. Size of a crow. Blackish with long tail. {Ceratoijyinna at rata.) A kind of hornbill (Sch.). White crested hornbill or "Monkey bird " (Orfho/ophn.< leurolo- phux). The common hornbill. A black bird with white breast and very thin bod}'. Very en- larged beak as with all the hornbills. (LopJioreros vielarw- leiu:u!i.) Weaver Birds (Ploceidae) Mbaku (mliakui . . . Weaver bird. Ndogbo-baku (ndog- A weaver bird which builds its bobakui) nest on palm trees. Nests hang down to a length of 3 feet. Black with red slashes. The weaver bird which builds spherical nests on young man- groves overhanging the water, or on oil palm trees. Brown and black. Eggs brownish, blue and green weaver bird. Called also Sele. Dea (deai) A weaver bird. Konu-baku (konu-1>a- kui) Ta-baku (ta-bakui) . The Ddabn (ndabni) jreenish bird. ^V eaves a nest on grass or on a shrub. Nest is a bag which closes with a leaf sewn on, just allowing space for the bird to pass in. Egffs to five Sele (selei) or Jele "ofe" "^P to nve in blue mottled with brown Same as Ta-bakui. number. 18 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Unclassified Bondn (bondni) . . . Smaller than a sparrow. Many- hued green, and sharp pro- jecting beak. Bovo-nwoni (bovo- j g^^^^j ^j^^^^, ^^j^.^ nwoni) j Bundo-sokele (bundo- I .< n u- j • a „i -. ^„ t^^^. , ,.- ^ > Small bu'ds m nocks on larms. sokeli) ) Diadia (diadie) ... A small rice-eating bird. Black with brilliant scarlet neck. Gbofeo A small bird with a single note call. A legend pertains to it. According to Schoen (Vocab.), supposed to utter the voice of spirits. Goma (gome) .... Black and white crow {Corrii^ xrcqnilafus). Goro-nwoni (goro- A black bird larger than a spar- nwoni) row. They are said to live in flocks. Guwa (guwai) .... The " clock bird." Green, red under its wings. Crested. Has a call like a harsh " gaw." See also Njopo-gbulei. (? Turaco sp.) Jangabina (jangabine) . Ostrich. Jeme (jemei) .... A honey sucker. About size of sparrow. Many-hued green. [Necfarim'uJae.) Jonga (j<mge) .... A kind of long-legged bush fowl. Jengbe-kuld (ienglie- ) ,r • i • i »,..,• ^•' *' llummmg-mrd. kuloi) ) '^ Jowi (jowi) .... See yowi. Kegewe (kegewei) . . " Witch-bird." Said to be as big as a parrot. Calls at evening. The fable is that children are changed into it. Kobule (kobijlei) ... A kind of fowl with very short legs (Sch.). NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 19 Kpa-ndeve (kpu-mlevo) ) c^^^,.^,i^,^^. or Kpa-dove j ' Kpopo-manja (kpopo- ( Wood-pecker (Pirv/ae). manje) J Note. — In some dialects of Mandingo " manja " or " mansa " is the word for "king." Kpoyo-nwoni (kpuyo- A yellow bird slightly larger than nwoni) a sparrow, mottled with darker hues and with dark spots. Lif. the " cowry-bird," pi-obably on account of the dark patch on the otherwise white cowry shell. Kpwi (kpwi) .... A purple-brown bird that flies like a dove. Mbalu (mbalui) ... A black bird with a yellow band on the back of neck, .size of a sparrow. Pangba-mbalo (pan- Another name, l)ut apparently not gba-mbalni) well known. Mabweji (mabweji) . . Another name for Mbalni. ]\^ote. — There was considerable difficulty to get a generally approved name foi' this bird. Mbu (mbui) .... Owl. ]\Iemb() (membni) or A tiny bird with red breast and Membui neck. Ndnine (ndnine) ... A many-hued bird said to say, " Ye mia T' i.e. Who is it? Ndikpwa-bwa(ndikpwa- " Broad -mouthed roller" [Eurij- l)wai) ^foiini!< afer). A brown bird, size small dove, yellow beak, blue underbody. Ndulii (nduli) .... A lirown bird with white breast, size of a grey parrot. Has a, mournful cry. 8aid to kill snakes. Njupo-gbule (njopo- "Clock-bird." Green all over and gl)ulei). also under its wings. Thisnnd Giiwai are sometimes mixed. 20 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY SiiTune .... Sikonde (sikonde) Sokele (sokeli) Sokele-gulu (sokele- | gului ^ j Sokele-maiija (sokele- manje) Tindo (tindoi) Tnlo-kenge (tolo-kenge) Yegbe (yegbei) . Yoru (yoiui) . . . Yovn (yovui) . Yowi (yowi), also jowi A mythical bird up a moimtaiii in Mende country. Very big. A small bird having a varied plum- age and pleasing song (Sch.). Tiny birds. Many always seen together. Query a name ap- plied to any small birds in a flock. See Bundo-sokele. A flock of Sokeli. A small black and white bird (male), a fly catcher, with a tail nearly a foot long in the breeding season. The female is brown, and is (query) called " sokeli " only. [Mtiscicajndae — TerpsipTione.) A small bird with a slate-coloured head, from description. Water-wag-tail [MofaciUidae). " Night-jar." Bird size of a dove, mottled brown. Sits on the ground at dusk, and does not move till almost trodden on. See Yowi. [Caprimulfjiis sp.) A small pretty bird, pointed beak, many-coloured. " Pepper l)ird." Like a span-ow in appeai'auce. Eats peppers (capsicums). (? Py<:nonotu>f har- hafus.) Same as Yegbe. NATURAL IIISTORV VOCAIUTLARV 521 REPTILES, &c. Snakes Kali (kali) Snake ,<fenerally. Fowa-ngeyaknina (fowa- A small snake with bi<f head, llearl ngeyakome) bright green. Upper p;irt body green with bluish-black bars. Rest of ))ody an un- certain green. Very long tail. ( Thelolornis kirflandi.) Gooko (gookoi) . . . Small fat snake, grey with brownisli bars. Bite may kill in twenty- four hours. {Dipsaf/omorphuti ptdrej'ulenfu^.) (luru (gurui) or Gni-n J^lack cobra, grows up to 6 feet. (gurni) Has whitish-red discoloration on throat. Very deadly. {Nam ni(jnc(jUis and vielano- /I'lira.) Kenji-guli (kenji-guli) . Tree col)ra. Poisonous. Grows up to 6 feet. Green, and towards tail green and brown. So called from its likeness to " kenji," the seed cone of the Eqfia vinifera. {Dendraspdx ciridis.) Kpiti-bfimbo (kpiti- />//." Grass-bnmboi." Some green- bomboi) or kpiti- ish on back, some blackish- hu-l)r)mbni l)lue. (irows up to 3 feet. Under this name are classed Lycophidium fascAatum, Boodon lineatus, and Simocephalus poensis. Kuli (kuli) .... A greyish-green mottled snake up to 6 feet. [Dipmdomorplinx hlandinyi.) ]\laha-gali (maha-gali) . lAI. " King-snake." Saiil to grow 3 feet, thick as a man's arm. Harmless. Eats ants. Like 22 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Ndawumlo-gali (nda- wundo-gali) a puflf-adder in appearance. (From description.) Small bluish-green snake, barks like a little frog. {Gldorophis heterolepidofus.) Also query any green snake. Ndovo-pole (ndovo-pole) Lit. Toad-swallower. A thickish snake up to 2 feet. Slightly poisonous. Brownish - grey with black marks. {Causus rliomheafus.) thin faintly-striped brownish snake up to 3 feet. Identified as Boodon lineahis and Ghloro- jiliis irregiolaris. Lit. " Fallow- farm Kuli." Python or other constrictors. A snake of dark colour, like Gurui. Poisonous. (From description.) LH. Water- Gurui. Water -cobra, like Gurui. Puff-adder. Applied to both Bitis nasirornis and Bitu gabonica. Njijpo-guli (njnpo-guli) A Ndili (ndili) . . . Ngu-volo (ngu-voloi) Nja-wuru (nja-wurui) Tu})u (tupui) . Kogo-nje (kogo-njei) Kolo (koli) Kpeni (kpeni) Ndainba (ndambe) . Ndokulo (ndokuli, or ndokui) Njaka (njake) . . . Lizards, Arc. Lit. Mother of ants. The slow- worm. Said to have a head at each end, owing prob:ibly to both ends being the same shape. A lizard, female of Njake, greenish. Flat-bodied, striped and speckled lizard. Natives always kill them, saying they are poison- ous. (? Lygomma fernandi .) Crocodile of any species. Chameleon. Eggs white. {Chame- leon ttp.). Red-headed lizard. Njake is said to be the male and Koli the female. {.Agama cnlonorum.) NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 23 Pania (parne) . . Banasowe (banasowe) (ibasonde (ifbasonde) Jibele (jibele) Kpe<,'1)e (kpegbi) Kputu (kputui) . NdovA (ndovoi) . llaku (hakui) Nja-vele (Nja-vele) Niraku (iiijakui) . Jekende (Jekende) . Nwoiii (nwoni) Kemi (kemi) . Botn (bntm) . . . . JJuani (buani) Folema (foleme) . Gbele (fjbele), or Bugi- buwi (Tbende (i,d)endei) Hala (haie) . . Jara (jare) . . Jengbi (jengbi) . Jowa (jowe) Monitor, commonly called iguana. ( Varamis nilotir.us). Frocs, itc. A flesli-coloured climbini; froj' [Hijla arborea). (5reen tree frog ; also grey. Bull-frog. Frog. Tadpole. Toad. TOHTOISE, kc. Tortoise. Also sometimes applied to turtle. Turtle. Cral). A small red crab. Oyster. Nvvoni-gei = oyster shell. A bivalve (Sch.). Fisn Something like Kondoi. Calls with a loud click. In fresh water. Comes out to eat grass. ? Manatee. Fresh water. Very small. Swim in shoals. A sea-fish, about two feet, with streamers from its mouth. Lies square on its stomach. Big mouth. (Fantis call it Kokote.) A very small fish in swamps. Fresh and salt water. An eel- shaped fish, with l)ig head. A fish (Sch.). Garfish (^Srornhresocidae). An eel -shaped fish, supposed to control the quantity of water in certain places, and hence is worshipped (Sch.). 24 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Kata (katei) .... A kind of very large cat-fish. Kole-nye (Kole-nyei) . Fresh water. A very big scaly fish, called in Sierra Leone English " kute." Kolo-nye (knlo-nyei) . An eel -shaped fish with jointed shell (Sch.). Kondo (kondui) . . . Small fish in mangrove swamps. Jnmps and climbs trees. Swims with its head out of water. [Periophfhahnus.) Kpelo (kpeloi) . . . A biggish fish with numerous spines round its neck. Al)out a foot and half long. Kpikpi (kpikpi) . . . Electric fish ; 2| feet long. Nye (nyei) .... Fish generally. La-nye (La -nyei), or ) ,-, , , a c t. \ :K • h r resh water ; 4 feet louir. Da-nyei j '^ Makondo (makonde) . A fish like Hale ; 9 inches long. Mbnla (mbnle) . . . Big sea-fish ; 3 feet long ; very big head. Ndegbe (ndegbei) . . A large cat-fish. Like Hale ; 3 feet long. Ngoka (ngoke) . . . Fresh water. A fish called in Sierra Leone English " Mangrove page." Biggei* than Gbende. Pele (pelei) .... Fresh water. A fish, white in colour ; 6 inches long. Pepe (pepi) .... A shrimp. Poll (pOli) Herrings, or other fish which are usually smoked and dried. In Siei'ra Leone English " Bonge." Tombo (tomboi) . . . Mullet (Sch.). Tumu (tumui) . . . Shark. Tupu-nye (tupu-nyei) . A fish resembling Tupui, the puff- adtler. About a foot and a half long. Vulu (vului) .... A fish (Sch.). NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 25 Fu-hani (fii-haiii, or fu- hai) (;i)ali (i,^l)ali) . . . , Falo (falesia, pi.) Fuli (fuli) Gili (gilisia, pi.) . (xDWn-pupu (gown-pupu- isia) Knwo (kovvuisia) . Kpaina (kpaiiie) . Ndnwo (doiigesia) INIbombolo (mbomboli) . Ndo-gowo (ndo - gowo- isia) Ngelemahviisia Pupu (pupuisia) . Note. — Ants are usually Definite pi INSECTS Ants Lit. Living thing. Insect gener- ally. Ants. Big black ant, winged. Comes to tlie lamp at night. Red ant. Makes its nest in leaves folded. Very painful sting. See Ndowo. Brown ant, winged. Comes out after rain and drops its wings. White ants, i.e. termites. Big aiits, head and tail l)lack, middle section brown. Driving ants, blackish [Anomina). The big black stinking ant {Palto- thyreus pestilentius). Red ants that build a house of leaves joined together. They sting. Some Mendes confuse them with Falesia, and say Falesia are black and Don- gesia red ; others the reverse. A black ant that stinks. Reddish travelling ants. (Ndo = underground.) Small black travelling ants. Very small ants, red. Also applied generally to any small ants. referred to in the plural number, ural suflSx is " -sia." Flies, Wasps, kc. Ndi (ndingesia) . . . Flies generally. The house fly. Fo (foi) A big'black biting fly. The " Man- grove-fly " and "Tsetse." Mamu-vo (mamu-V(ji) . " Mangrove-fly." 26 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Ndivo-vo (ndivo-Vdi) Kalo(kaloi) . . . Puje-vgfo (pvije-vgfoi) Fundi (pimdisia) Ndogbo-li (n(logi)O-li) . Gumu (L'umuisia) Dumbeka (dumbeke) Kpakpadia (kpakpadie) Mbele-lnkpe (mbele- lukpei), or mbe- hikpei Nja-nenye (nja-nenye) Komi (Komisia) . Boboni (bnbuni) . Dagba (daglie) Higbo (bigl)oi) Bongbo (bongboi) Dnmba (dombe) . Pewe (pewei) . . Jimo (jimoi) . . . Mniwulo (nioiwuloisia) A fly that bores a hole in a tree. It bites. Large green or black flies. They may also be called Fni. An insect that flying into the eye causes a smarting pain like that of pepper (puje). M()S(putoes. Lit. Bush-fly. A very big fly, like a house fly. Sandflies ( Chironoviidae). Firefly ( Diaphanes leucopijua — Mala- roderviidae — Lamj^yridae). Dragon-fly. A mosquito-like fly with long legs. Named from its swinging motion. A fly that buzzes in circles on the water. Bees. A very small bee that makes a hanging tunnel-entrance to its house. A very small bee {Melipuna, ? Trigona). A very large black wasp. Msikes a white hanging comb, often sus- pended from a nail. [Sphegidae — Eumenes or Pelopaeus.) A mason wasp. Builds a mud- house on a wall. Brownish with a yellow stripe on the side of the abdomen. A wasp that burrows in the ground. A mason wasp. A small yellow wasp. A'^ery small winged insects that build a honey-combed house on the Seme tree. An excre- scence is formed, which is full of cells. NATURAL HISTORY VOCAUrLARY 27 Siln (siloi) . . . Ka-silo (ka-silni) Giji-lv (f.'iji-lvi) • Jenji-lo (jenji-lni) Jokondi (jokondi) Spiders Spitler (JleforopO'fa renaton'a — Ara- neae) ; also spiders generally. Spider. Often so named in stories. Big yellow spider {Ncphila .•<}/. — Araueae). l>ig brown spider with a bad sting. Ta r a n tul a ( Lyscoxa — A raneae) . Jujunie (jujuiue) Kimbo (kimboi) . . jNIaneku (manekui) . Kine-kine (kine-kine) Jvondn (kondoi) . Kongo-wetn (kongo-we- tui) Ndiinye (ndanye) . . Papapfili (|)apapuli) Petu (petui) . Crickets, etc. A blaekisli cricket, 1^ inch long, with big thighs to hind legs. A big cricket, .3 inches long. It is eaten roasted. Perhaps male sex only. A large cricket, said to be the female of Kimbni. An ugly sort of insect, 1| incli long, grey, with strong, jointed antennae. Locust. Destructive kind. Grey striped locust, said not to be hurtful. A flying insect, body 1 inch long, dark brown, ugly appearanc^e. Big feet. Active. It is said that if it bites a man's toe in the grass, and the bite itches, rain will come, (irisshopper, or locust. xVll colours of rainbow in a close pattern. Grasshopper, or cricket, or locust. Beetles Bewe (bewe) .... A bright-coloured beetle that bur- rows underground. Bowi-V(jf(i (bowi-vofni) . A beetle that I'olls a ball of dung. 28 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Gondo-vnt'n (gon<lo-vu- A horned beetle in tlie ■' pambe " foi) palm. Also a giant beetle, black, with three horns. Kpendi-bo (kpendi-bo) A giant beetle, up to 5 inches long, black with white back. Not horned. Kine-kine (kine-kine) . A beetle, 1 inch long, green and brown striped horizontally. Antennae jointed, longer than its head. Big head and power- ful jaws. Said to bore into trees to lay its eggs. Big feet. Makes a chirruping. Compare Kine-kine under Crickets. Ndn-vofo (ndn-vi)foi) . A beetle, 1^ inch long. Long pro- boscis. Black and brown. Developed from " Mbawe." Cooked and eaten. Yao-vofo (yao-vof«ii) . A small scarlet insect, usually seen running about on the ground in large numbers together, often under a cotton tree (bombax). Grubs, Maggots Boji-lm-guli (boji-hu- White maggot, 3 inches long, found guli) in rotten wood. Said to turn into " Kondo-wundoi." Fuvulu (fuvului) . . . Wood-borer. A verj^ small insect. Hokpo - gboli (hok[)o- A very big grey caterpillar with a gbcjli) horn. Said to eat a man's navel when he is asleep, hence its name (hokpo = navel ; gboli = suck, drink). It is power- ful enough to give a spring sideways, doubling itself for the purpose. Kpekpeli (kpekpeli) . Caterpillar. Mbawe (mV)awe) . . . Big white grul) in oil paluis. Eaten with rice. Said to develop into " Ndovofoi." NATURAL HISTORY VOCARULARY «9 Meme-tumbu (iiieine- A wliite gvub, 3 inches long, fouinl tumbui) in rotten wood. Pupunye (pupunyei) . A grey insect with l)ig body and two horns on its head. Walks backwiirds. Size about half- inch long. Burrows in the ground. Also, the grub in a sheath, half-inch long, that hangs on the walls of a house. Sowa (sijwai) .... A catei'pillar that makes a portable house by gluing sticks and leaves together. Black with yellowish Ijars. Cockroaches Kpekpe (kpekpei) . . Cockroach. Nja-gbekpe (nja-gbe- 1 .. Water-cockroach." kpei) ) Ngoro (ugijroi) ... A kind of ? cockroach, small, green, hairy. Ticks, Leeches, &c. .Tike (jike) Jigger. An insect that burrows into a person's feet. Kpavi (kpavi) . . . Flea or dog-louse. Kpenirbe-yauwi(kpeni(- ^ . i_ i i c i. ^ ,'^ •' -s ^ ^ 'A bed-bug of sorts, be-yauwi) J !Mum<i-li (muni(j-li) . . Lice that infest domestic fowls. Nyala (nyalai), or nya ) rn- i, (nyai) / Ngavi (ngavi) . . . Louse. Th\n (tnlui) .... Leech. Snails Koh") (knlni, koli) . . Snail. Konde (konde) . . . Snail. Fafa-gonde (fafa-gonde) Intermediate sized snail. 30 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Gbowo-gonde (gbowo- (Jiant snail. A great delicacy as gonde) an article of food. Jomoko (jomokoi) . . A small snail (Sch.). A white moth 1 inch lone:. Moths, Butterflies i Any butterfly. Any moth. A dark greyish-brown moth 2 inches long. Thick antennae. Konde-wonde wondi) Kundo-wnndi wundi) Kondo-wundn wundui) Note. — Above three names may all possibly be the same, and there may be something special in an insect's appearance that causes this name to be given to insects so greatly different ; or possibly they may be misnamed. Kogonde (kogonde) . Fufu (fufui or fufuihti) Kunde (kundi) (konde (kundo A big ? fly, many-coloured body, black wings with yellow marks. ^ > A big metallic-coloured butterfly. Cicadas Senene (senene) . . . Cicada {Pyena limhnta). Kpindi-lvwi (kpindi-(^^.^^^^^ l(lWl) j Ndondn (ndondni) . Ndondo-lengesia . . Konu-ngu (konu-ngui) Kalondo (kalondoi) . Centipedes, ifcc. . Millipede. Grows to about 6 inches long. Harmless. (Jiilus sp. — Chiluynatha). . The young of the above. They may be met in the road crowded together in dozens. Centipede. Stings. ( Syngnatha). A flat centipede, different from the stinging one. Shorter and broader. ( Syniinatha). NATUllAL HISTORY NOCAIU'LARV 31 Kekema (kekeme) Leleme (leleme) . Yenge-yange (yenge- yange) Gboli(gboli) . . . . Unclassified Scorpion, both the large black one which grows up to 6 inches long (Pan(fi!ius i)/i/>i/rafor), and the smaller species. The irreen mantis. Dahihye (daiiihye) Hita (hite) . . Sini (sini) . Dumbeka (dumbeke) The big stick insect {Phaxmidae), Any worm. Includes earth-worms and body-worms as Guinea- worm {Filaria medinensis). (luinea-worm was until quite recently unknown in Mende country. Hence no distinctive name. A crawling insect said to burrow horizontally below ground, and to bite. 8ome kind of insects resembling white ants. They are eaten. A small insect that causes a skin disease in appearance like craw-craw. A small insect like a lady-bird, with transparent wing cases overspreading the whole body. Same name as that given to the firefly. Baga (bagai) or Baga- wului Bagyi (bagyi) TREES A medium-sized tree. Leaf heart- shaped, 12x9 inches, brittle. Sticks of this tree are used to spin cotton on. Flowers in cymes. A big tree, used to make mox-tars for pounding grain. Dyes cloth reddish-yellow. 32 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Belegafe (belegafe) . Beli-mbaml)e (be li- ra banibe) Bobo (boboi) Bombi (Ijomlii) Bonga (lionyai) Bomli (bondi) Buna (l)une) . Buwi (buwi) Boni (boni) B'j-wnhi (bo-Avuliii) A A tree (jMonrovia). Smooth oval leaf 5x3 inches, with re^'ular strong veins. A tree (Kumasi). Leaf 6x11 inches, smooth, soft, ribs alternate and even. Leaves opposite. rubber tree. Leaves 6 x 2| inches, pointed oval, alternate. {Funtumia elastica — Apocy- naceae.) Bofi (bofii) A tree. Leaves alternate, 3x1^ inches, smooth, thin. Flower axillary, small, yellow, one lobe developed. Fruit a cap- sule |-inch diameter, orange coloiu'. Splits in three, a seed in each section. It is eaten. Branch stripped and dried is used as a torch. (? DoiJonaea viscosa — Sapindai-eae.) A tree. Leaves 7 x IJ inches, smooth, hard, opposite. Fruit a soft leathery pod, 5 x | x y ^^ inches. A tree vised for the forked posts for supporting the veranda of a bush house. A tree. A forest tree with leaves 12x12 inches, heart-shiiped, partly lobed and cleft. Fruit a ? fol- licle, scarlet, edil)le, 6 inches diameter, flesh )•, with about six white seeds in central hollow. A tree (Monrovia). A sap tree with large fleshy leaves. The juice is said to cure tooth- ache. The " l)ao1)iib '■ tree. Leaf palm- ately parted, five Itwflets. NATL KAL IIISTOJIY VOCAliULAllV ;33 Easily reco<jnised by enormous trunk and thick branches. Kruit whicli han<.(s sin>,dy Ijy long strings is eaten. De- ciduous. An open country tree. (Adansoriia tlujitata.) Dena (dene) . . . . ?A tree. See also under water- plants. Dewe (dewei) or Ndewe A tree. Leaves far apart, 3x3 inches, tender, jagged edge. Thorns on trunk. Dewe-hiiia (dewe- Lit. Male Dewe. A tree or shrub, hinci) (Monrovia.) Five parted leaf, 6x6 inches. l)ie(dii) A tree yielding sweet gum (Sell.). Dumbele ((luml)el(') . . Lime and orange. See Saroi. Dumbele-nyenye (dum- Lime tree. Limes rubbed on are bele-nyenye) said to cure craw-craw, a skin eruption. Fa (fai) A tree (Kumasi). Compound oppo- site leaves. Leaflets opposite, 1 X J inch, tender. Fakali (fakali) ... A sap tree. The " Pawpaw." Male and female. Very large palmate leaves very deeply cleft. Fruit size of a melon, golden colour when ripe. {Car lea papaya.) Fruit has great digestive properties, and tlie leaves are reputed to make tough meat tender if packed in them for a time. Nyine-fakali (nyine- The pawpaw with pear-shaped fruit, fakali) So called from a woman's breasts. Feve (fevei) .... A big tree (Monrovia). Leaf 1^ X 1| inches, stiflf, thin. Fofowi (fofowi) ... A tree (Kumasi). Leaf 18 x 14 inches, strongly ribbed, stiff', somewhat rough. Seven leaves sprout from crest of leaf-stalk, c 34 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Fole (fole) . Fare (fine) Fulo (fuli) . Gbende (gbende) <^l39Ji (gK'Ji) . • • • Gboiigbato (gbongbiitni) Gboye (gboyei) . . Gomba (gombe) . (lonio (gomoi) G o n w o (g o n w e) or Gonwo-wai. [Lif. Big-gonwo) Guava (guave) . . Heiulii (liendoi) . Hege-gulu (hege-gului) Fruit yellow, edible, big as a man's fist. Looks like bread- fruit. A sort of ? ash tree. A tree. A big forest tree, exudes gum (ndengbe). Leaf lob-sided, very tendei', 4x3 inches or more. A big tree (Monrovia). Follicle 6x3 inches, seeds red with black tip, not eaten. Any plum tiee; hog-plum. Sour orange tree. A big tree. Leaves 9x3 inches, alternate. Tree used for forked posts in house building. A rul)ber tree, A rubber ficus. Starts as a creeper on a palm, and as it grows crushes and kills it, standing afterwards as a tree. Leaf 8 X 3J inches. (? Urticaceae). Applied also to the banyan tree (Gonwe). It seems to be applied also to various Ficus trees. Guava. Leaf lance-shaped, 4 x 1| inches, stiff, ribs strong on back, does not lie fiat. Alter- nate. Flower white, scented. Fruit yellow, size of small .ipple. Grows wild round Sekondi. [PsiJium Guajava — Myiiitreae). A very hard redwood tree [LnjiJu'ra procera). Called by Fantis " Kaku." Lit. Soap tree. Not a distinctive name, Init applied to several NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY J35 trees, some portion of which may be utilised to make soap. Hewe (hewe) .... A tree with .scented bark. Leaves alternate, smooth, 5 x 1| inches. Fruit pounded is eaten as medicine " for the belly." Hole (hrile) .... A tree with juice used for catchinir birds. Jiawa (jiawai) ... A rubber tree. Like Bol)oi in ap- pearance. [Funtumia africana — Aporynacea''.) Jnkn (jnkr.i) .... A tree with small feathery leaves which are used to heal wounds. Kafa (kafe) .... A tree (Conakry). Leaf oval, stiff, 3 inches. Red capsule with five seeds each, black, orange and yellow. The leaves in- fused are said to cure tooth- ache. Kafa-wui Kafa-fruit. Kafi (kati) A tree. Leaves stiff, obovate, 4i X 2J inches, opposite. Berries reddish-yellow, | inch diameter, in clusters with a seed inside each. The seed has a second covering. They are eaten and taste like a grape. Kamama (kamame or The "sandpaper" tree. Leaves Kamami) or Kag- alternate, but some at head ami or Kami " opposite. Leaf 6x4 inches, very rough, oval, but some on same tree have a single deep cleft on each side. Used for polishing wood. Women are said on some occasions to scrape their breasts with them until they bleed. Kawo - wulu (Kawo- A tree for making trumpets which wului) are called " kao-buli." 36 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Kendu (kendui) . KinJOTo (kinjurOi) Koba (kobe) . . Koba-ha (Koba-hei) Kobo (koboi) .... Kojaga (kojagei) or Xguli (nguli) Kowelege (kuwelege) Kpakpa (kpakpei) Kpato (kpati)i) A tree bearing a hard-shelled fruit like the cocoa-nut (Sch.). A tree. Children make a plaything of the ? hard fruit ? kernel, which is strung on to a string. A tree. Leaves 6 x 4i inches, stiff, smooth in front, rough at back, alternate. Fruit red, peachy, 2x2x1 inches, splits, hollow, black seeds. Leaves infused, put on a boil, draw it out. Lit. Female-kobe. Leaf 11x7 inches, heart-shaped. The gum-copal tree, and the gum itself. (? Copaifera dinldagei — Lef/uiiiinotiae.) A big tree with very soft wood, white. It is used for making boxes for specie. Leaf pal- mate, oval, 7x7 inches over all. (? Triplochiton Johnaonii.) Called by Fantis " waw-waw." A tree (Kumasi and Monrovia). White juice comes out of stem. Leaves 10 x 2i inches, whorled in fours, tender. (? Ant ia lis toxicaria — Urti- caceap.) A tree that folds its leaves at night. Leaf compound, abruptly pin- nate, leaflets irregular oval, about 2 x Ij inches. Com- pound flower like half a ball of fluff almost. Tree exudes resin largely when bored into by insects. The resin does not harden. " Shade " tree or " rain " tree. A tree near streams. Leaves oval, pointed, smooth, 3x2 inches. Some opposite, others irregu- NAXrHAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 37 Kpende (kpende) Kondu (konilui) Kiindi (kuiidi) larly. Flower racemt', yellow, in-egular, flattened sides, Mnch diameter. tree near streams. Leaves opposite, 3x1^ inches, one side larger than other, stiff. Fruit like a walnut almost in appearance. Komi-gtde (komi-gnle) A tree. Leaf 2 x | inches, oval, pointed. Young leaves crushed loosen nasal mucus and clear head. A tree with attractive but worthless fruits (Sch.). A tree. Opposite leaves, 7 x 1| inches, smooth on front. Fruit has big seeds which are crushed and boiled and used to kill lice on the head ; also jiggers. Also applied to the Cashew nut tree. Kuwi (kuwi) .... A tree. Leaves G x 3 inches, alter- nate, pointed oval, smooth and tender. This tree and Seme are often not cut down when they clear farms. They are used for marks for each per- son's allotment. A tree (Kumasi). Leaves op- posite, smooth and tender, u}) to 8 inches long. Young leaves 2 x | inches are red. See Tundui. A tree with leaves growing in a tuft from the trunk. Leaf is like a stiff oil-palm leaf. (? Dracaena sp. — LUiaceae.) Lit. Ink-tree, an invented name. Leaf compound, palmate. 5 or more leaflets, each 8x3 inches, oblanceolate. Leaf stalks op- Kuwn (Kuwni) Kwuye Lelema-bule (lelema- bule) Luwa - wulii (luwu wului) ... 38 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Mambo (mainboi) . . A Moigbama (moigbame) . Mbele (mbele) " . . Mbeli (mbeli) . Mbili (mbili) . . . Mbundo (mbundoi) . Mbundo (mbundni) . Ndaha (ndahei) . Ndaiida (iidande) posite. Mohammedans make ink of its leaves, tree. Leaves mostly opposite, smooth, stiff, perfect oval, 2 X 1| inches. Leaves grow close to stalk. Soft nuts f inch diameter, with velvety shell, edible. A tree. Leaf 6 x 1-| inches, stiff. A big tree, the " sasswood." Com- pound leaf, the leaflets very small . {Eryth roph laeum guine- ense — Leguminosae.) A big forest tree with red oily juice under bark, which dries out like sealing-wax. Leaf 6x3 inches, opposite, smooth, thin. (? Khaya sene<jah'nxis — Meliareae.) A big fore.st tree with sweet-scented bark. - Leaf 5x1 inches, smooth. {^ Boswellia kleinei or Santiriopsis kleinei — .) The camwood tree. Leaves alter- nate, 4x2 inches, polished surface. Small white flowers, one lobe developed, yellow at base of petals. Used to dye Ndiivu fibre red. (JJaphia 7iitida — Le(jiuninosap.) A tree used for making mortars for pounding grain. A fig tree. Leaves slightly rougher than " Kobe," 6^ x 3 inches, alternate. Fruit 1^ inches diameter, hangs close to branch, i-ed. The inner bark is eaten as an astringent for thirst, and the Hausas mix it with kola-nut to chew. A very hard wood tree. Trunk as NATURAL HISTORY VOCARl^LARV 39 Xilawa (^udawai) X (1 o g b (1 - (1 u ni b e 1 e (u<logV)()-ilumbelo) Xdiiku - wulu (iidijku- wului) Ndovo-te (ndovo-tei) . A Xgengele-tumbe (ngeii- gele-tumbi) Ngomba (ngoinbe) . Xgwrn-lolri (ngnro-lnlni ) Nguli (nguli) . . Nguwn (nguw*") . if a collection of vines. Fibrous bark with unpleasant smell. Bark used as a purge to kill worms. Leaves, which shut at night, Ij inches long, nar- row, fringed. Long thorns on the young shoots. A species of plum tree (Sch.). Lit. Bush-lime. hi appearance like an ordinary lime tree, but no scent to the leaves. Flower like a white camel ia. Eleven petals, scented. A tree used for chew-stick (for cleaning the teeth in the morning). Leaves 3 x 1| inches, smooth, oval, alternate. Axillary buds. Fowers have a strong odour, tree with stiff leaf arrange- ment. A tree. Three whorled leaves, 5x2 inches, oval, smooth, stiff. Fruit a five-valved capsule, pink. Leaf is eaten with " crincre " (Monrovia). A tree. A medicine for coughs is made of it. A tree like the Kola (Sch.) A big sap-wood tree. " Umbrella tree." It grows up first in forest cleai'ings. Leaves, about a dozen crown the leaf stalk, 12 X 2 inches. {Musanga S 01 if hit — .) See Kijjaga. Silk cotton tree irrespective of species {Bomhar Buonopozense and hrevicuspis, also Erio- demiron anfraduusum — Mal- vaceae). 40 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Titi Yi-ndi . Nikili (nikili) Njawa (njawe) Njenyani (njenyani) Njeko (njekoi) Nyille (nyale) .... i!Tyaina-wa (nyama-wai) N w o n i - \v u 1 o - j a k y (nwoni-wulo-jakni) The red cup-like flower of the Bombax. Tlie pollen-bearing stamens of Titi. A tree (Kumasi). Leaves alter- nate, 3x1 inches, smooth, i-ibs uneven. Leaves sprout axillary. Fruit yellow, ^ inch diameter, hard, big seed in- side. A tree with berries pigeons eat. Berries have a slightly acrid smell. Query, only grows in grass country. Lit. Spoil-water. A tree with bitter medicinal bark (Sch.). A tree or shrub with climbing branches. Leaf heart-shaped, 8 X 4J inches. Berries split either into two or three, hang from own stalk in clusters, about \ inch diameter. Two antennae J inch long project from top of berry. Leaves infused make a purge. Ber- ries, very acid, eaten to cure diarrhoea. Berries ])ounded in hot water milke a black for painting basins, ilrc. Leaf is put on to cuts and wounds. in Sierra Leone English called " Christmas." [Alchornea cordi- folia or ronJata — Euplior- biaceae.) X tree (^lonrovia). Leaf 8x3 inches, smooth. A small tree. Leaf 2 inches, oval, smooth. Scarlet pods in bunches, seeds inside. Like an acacia. A tree. Leaf 1 x \ inch, smooth, alternate. It is eaten on rice. NATHRAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 41 Poma - magbf (poma- magbe) . . . . Po-ngulu (po-nguliii, tir pongu'i) Pu-hondo (])u-boiid()i) . Saba-wulu (saba-wului or saba-wui) Saro (saroi) .... Sema (seme) . . . . Solikpo (solikpni) Su-wulu (su-wului) TijO (tijni) Root used for a purge. ( N woi i i = bird ; wulo = small.) A tree (Knmasi). Leaves opposite, 6x2^ inches, rough. They sprout at joints of the stem. A tree with spatulate leaves, up to a yard in length, opposite. Stem is thorny. A foreign tree or shrub. Leaf pointed, ovate, up to 6 inches long. Flower like wood- anemone. Prickly capsule containing seeds used to make an orange dye which is called Annatto. (Bira orellana — Bixaceae). See JNlbundo. Lit. European Mbundo. A big tree. Leaf 6x2 inches, tender, young leaves mauve- red. Red flowers. Orange tree and fruit. {Citrus aurantimn — Rutaceae. ) A big tree. J3rums and mortars for pounding grain are made of it. Query the Odum [Cliluro- phora exceUa) of the Fantis. See note on Kuwi. A tall umbrella tree in the forest. Leaves 6x4 inches, rough, strongly veined, ovate, oppo- site ; branch axillary. Orna- mental sticks are made of it. The tree is made use of in some way by the Sowisia of the female society called Bundu. A soft tree, straight stem, branches crowning the top. They make a drum called " kele " of it. A tree. Leaf 7x2 inches, smooth. There are two species, called 42 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Tingo (tinei) Tolo (toli)". Toniba (tombe) Tiiui-pot'o (tinii-pofoi) . Towa - nyenye (towa- nvenye) Toya(toye) . . . . Tundu (tundui) or Kwuye (kwuyei) Vaowu (vaowui) = ? Vao- wulu (vao-wului) Wonwa (wonwai) Yokuma (yokume) . Yungbi-yangbi (yungbi- yangbi) male and female. The male is called Kongolo-lijni. Mangrove. "Kola" tree. Leaf 4x li inches, oval, pointed. Fiuit green, 5 X 2| inches, rough. The kola that is eaten is the seed, which, four in number, lie in a row inside. {Cola anmnnafa — Sferculiareae.) A tree. Leaf 2| x 1^ inches, oppo- site, smooth. Small fruit on the stem itself. Another name for mambui, not well known. A tree used for forked house posts. (Towa = forked post.) A tree. Leaves 6x2 inches, smooth, placed without order. Fruit red, hangs close to stem, like a small cherry in appear- ance and taste, edible. A tree. Leaf 8 x 2i inches, smooth, no veins. Fruit- J inch dia- meter, whitish, a follicle singly on its own stalk. (? Cephaelis peduncular is^Ruhiarrae). A very big soft wood tree, trunk like a cotton tree, deciduous. Leaf oval, 4x3 inches, very rough, ribbed. A tree (Kumasi and Monrovia). Leaves 8 x 24 inches, pointed alternate. Another name for Saba-wulu, which see. A tree. Leaf 9x6 inches, smooth, oval ribs branch in pairs from midrib. Fruit size of an apple, rough skin. It is eaten. The leaves bitter, make a purge. NATrUAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 43 Tlie ^ root protluces aliortion. (^ Enrojilialafes Jiarti'vi — or 8arrori'p]iah(s esru/c))f".<^ — Jhifnareru.) Sim I us Faiide-Wii (f;iu(le-\vai) . Cotton, stniw-colourcil (^Gosiiypiiim sp. — Ma/ra'-eae). Ndulu-fande (niliilii- Cotton, ri.'il-l)rown. (Nilulu — fande) smoke.) Kwantle (kwandi) . Cotton, white. Fokulo - bafa (fnkuln - A shrub. Leaves alternate, 5x2^ bafai), or Fnkulo- inches, hmce-shaped, slightly bafa - la (fokulo- lougli, will not lie flat. Veins bafa-lai), or Fuku- clearly defined. Flowers in bafa-la (fuku-bafa- umbels, white, five lobes, lai) corolla ."i inches long, four stamens li inch long, and one pistil. Flower IJ inch diameter. Gbakunje (gbakunje) or A shrub with leaves 6x.4 inches Xjepai. growing horizontally, opposite. Bears a bean. Used as a purge and for ringwoi'm. Cibttinhu (gbnrohu) . . A shrub (Monrovia). Leaf crenate. Gigbo (gigboi) ... A shrub bearing a red edible fruit called " baking fire " in Sierra Leone English. Gimbu (gimbui) or A shrub. Leaves 2 x J inches, (Jimbu-lufi (giml)u- lance shaped, tender, alternate, lufi) Flower axillary in panicles J inch diameter, like a daisy somewhat. Leaf crushed cures ringworm in the head, hence called "ta-hale," i.e. "skull- medicine." Also juice dropped into eye when bad. Aromatic scent to it. (? Compositae.) Katata (katatei) ... A climbing shrub (Monrovia and Sekondi). Leaves branch at 44 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Kiitata-wa (katata-wai) Kobowa (knbowe) Kpindi-yali (kpindi-yali) Kwandi Kata-wulu (kata-wului) Kumo (kumoi) Kjala - murnu (iijala mumiii intervals in clusters. Leaf rough, 3 inches long, deeply veined. The stalks are rough enough to cut the skin. Lit. Big katata. A climbing shrub or tree (Monrovia). Leaf similar in appearance to the foregoing, but much larger and smoother. Another name for Tejengbwe, but rare. A thorny shrub with long climbing stems. Very troublesome in fallows. Leaf alternate, 2 x H inches, tender, retuse oval. (^ Mimosa pigra — Leguminosac.) See under Fande. A shrub used for hedges, hence its name (kata = hedge, fence). Leaf ivy-shaped, 5x5 inches about. Flower very small, greenish inflorescence. Fruit a capsule f inch, three black seeds inside. In Sierra Leone English " Pig - nuts," or " Physic nuts." Seeds contain much oil. (^Jatwpha curcas — Eaj)1iorhiaceae.) A shrub. Leaf lance-shaped, very pointed, 5i x 2^ inches, whorled. Flower a much- branched cyme of minute monopetalous white flowers, with green calyx. Lit. Little njala. A shrub. Leaf compound, odd pinnate. Fruit i inch seed vessel, many grow vertically together like a bunch of bananas. Flower tin}-, monopetalous, irregular. The shrub has a. pleasant smell NATrUAL IIIS'l'ORV VOCAliULAUV 45 (Conakry). {Indujofera Suf- fradifosa — Leijuminosac.) Njalaihi (njalaihi) . . A shrub. Leaf rough and well marked, 5x1 inches, usually three together on a stalk. Njepa (njepai) . . . See Gbakunje. Another name. Pegbia (Pegbie) ... A shrub (.Seh.). P(jpo-nda (popo-ndai) . A shrub. Leaf kidney-shaped, 7x6 inches, all veins radiate from leaf stalk. Flower a catkin, axillary. Fruit 2 x |^ inches, light green dotted. Sevei'al stand up together from one stalk. The leaf is highly flavoured, and eagerly eaten raw. It is also used in cookinir fish. Tejongbwe (tejengl)we) A shrub (Ashanti). Leaf 3| x 2 inches, hairy, opposite. Flower white with red bracts. Bracts 2 X H inches. Five petals, red centre, no scent. [Mussaenda erythropTiylla — Ruhiaceae.) Another variety has white bracts. {Muf<gaenda Isertiana, or I'onopli aningiifolia . ) Tifa (tife) 8hrub or plant in general. Tuwa-wu-buye (tuwa- A shrub. Leaves almost opposite, wu-buye) lance -shaped, 5x2 inches. Leaf stalk with nodule. Smooth, stiff. Fruit in a huge cluster with no leaves near. Four or five together on own short stalk. No suture, h inch diameter. One seed inside, with a covering which is sucked for the juice ; no particular flavour. 46 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY PALMS, etc. Tokpo (tokpoi) . . . Oil palm [Elais guineensis — Pahnae). Mawa (mawai) . . . An oil palm stripped of its branches with age. Kpogo (kpogni) . . . An oil palm with fronds growing vertically instead of with a spread. Parts of the Oil Palm Towu (towiii) or Tewu ) r^-i i ,.^ ■ -^ ' )■ Oil palm nut. (tewui) ) ^ Tolu (tolui or toli) . . The kernel of the nut. Nini (nini) .... The long flower stalks like a c.itkin. {Lit. Breast.) Nini-ha (nini-hei) . . Ditto. (Ha = female). Tokpo-lu (tokpo-lui) . Palm wine, the fermented juice of the tree. Ngulo - gbou (ngulo- Red oil from the outer part of the gboui) nut. Dangulf) (danguloi) . . Kernel oil. Tolu-wulo (tulu-wuloi) . Ditto. Xduvu (nduvui) . . . The piasaba paliil {Rafia vinifera — Pahnae). Produces fibre, palm wine, and the large fronds are much used for building pur- poses. Parts of Nduvui Kaja (kaje) .... The fibre of the Nduvu fronds called piassaba. Kenji (kenji) .... The seed of the Nduvu. Like a fir cone closed, 4x1 inches. They say the toucan swallows it whole. Konu (konui) .... The frond or branch. NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY 47 Njasa (njase) .... Thatch. The leaves of thi.s palm are sewn together bent over two sticks, and so make mats 2x1 feet or more, which are laid on a roof like tiles. Njasa is also applied to otlier thatch. Kewe (kewe) .... Fan palm. Grows only in grass land. Bears large golden fruits in clustei's on a single stalk. The stringy pericarp is used as a thirst quencher. {^Bor- ass7is flabeJliformis — Pahnae.) Pu-lola (pu-lului) . . Lit. Whiteman's nut. Cocoa-nut palm. (Cocos mirifera — Pahnae.) Kavu(kavui)or Kavulu A palm with very slender leaves (kavului)i and stem. The frOnd ends in a very long whip-like exten- sion. [Calamus harteri — Pahnae.) Pamba (pambe) . . . Screw-pine. Grows usually in swamps. {Pandamus randela- hruin — Pandanareae.) Semi (semi) .... Bamboo. Grows in swamps. Called in Sierra Leone Eng- lish a "cane." What is called " Bamboo " in Sierra Leone is the Xduvui. {^Damhusa vid- (jaris — ). Keni (keni) .... Bamboo. Corruption of " cane." Keri (keri) .... A bastard date palm, with sharp pointed leaves. Grows on edge of brackish water. Used for making mats. [Plioenix ie- clinafa or PlioenLc spinosa — P(dniae.) Not a pure Mende word possil)ly. 48 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Climbing Pi-ants Bowi (bowi) .... Buli-yeyako (buli- yeyakoi) or Tawa- b e m b e (t a w a- bembe) or Yoniba- gbole (yoniba-gbole) Dauwa (dauwe) . Fori (fori) .... Gbongeya (gbongeyei) 91 X 91 Leaf is in the Dawu (dawui) Fokuln-bi (fokuln-bi) . xV Hoke-yuwu (hoke-yuwi) A A vine, ? rubber producing A vine. Opposite leaves inches on long stalk, pounded and drunk early morning " for the belly." (Ngeyako = runner ; bembe = encii'cle ; gbole = drink). A very big vine. Leaves opposite, 3| X IJ inches, smooth. Leaf stalk joins stem with a nodule. Four-sided bean 5 inches long, three big black seeds inside. (? Duparquetia sp. — Legumin- osae.) A vine. The leaves crushed, put into a pool, kill the fish. (In Temne " putukulu.") climber with a woody stem. Leaf 4x2 inches, stiff, smooth, lance-shaped. Axillary ten- drils bearing leaves. Fruit yellow, ^ inch long in clusters, each with a short stem, kernel inside. The root is scraped and put into Nduvu wine to impi'ove its strength. It is not apparently put into oil- palm wine, creeper with leaf like that of " kpuli." A thorny climber, inches, smooth, base. Leaves separate stalks, rope.) climber. Leaf palmate, five leafiets G inches long. Flower a bell about 1;^ inch long, mauve. Youn<; leaves are A Leaves 3x3 all veins from far apart on ("Ngeyei" = NATURAL HISTORY VOCARrLARY 49 Homo-yeyakn (liomo- yeyakni) Jenje (jenje) . . . . Jain (juloi) iiiul juln-lai Kpula (kpule) Kiyuwo (kiyinvi) Ivdlikpo (knlikpni) Kpulu (kpuH) . . . . Kpukpo (kpukpoi) Lelema (leleme) . Mbalu (mbalui) mauve underneath. Pods con- tain a sort of small cotton. A climber. Leaf fig-style, 2| x 2| inches, each on a stalk of 3 inches. Leaves 3 inches apart. Used as rope. Juice from a rubber vine, not actually the vine itself. A climbing plant (Monrovia). Leaf round, <> x 6 inches, rough. The creeper producing gourds oi' calabashes. A climber. Fruit a follicle, long, contains up to ten beans, brown, 1 x f x | inch. Useless. A vine, t Leaf palmately cleft with six or more leaflets. About 5x5 inches. Fruit yellow- red, size of a big egg-plum. A vine. Leaf heart-shaped, alter- nate, 7 inches diameter. All veins start from base. Fruit like a medium-sized potato hung from its centre, solid and whitish inside. A vine with edible leaves. A climbing plant. Leaves alter- nate, smooth, 6x1 inches, pre- hensile tip. Flower axillary on 6-inch flower-stalk, about 8 inches diameter. Six petals, six stamens and one three- pronged pistil. Flowers close backwards leaving organs out- side. Petals narrow. New flowers yellow, old flowers red. No scent. [Gloriosa viresce?i'< — Liliaceae.) A creeper mostly found in fallows. Leaf 6x2 inches. Makes a good rope for building, kc. D 50 NATUllAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Mnle (moli) .... A twining plant, which causes most painful itching of the skin. Leaves opposite, 2J x 1| inches, soft, oval, with lobe on each side of base. Tiny, gieen axillary flower, five jjetals. (? Mufuna jiruriensis — Le(jumi- noxae.) M(ile-wa-wa (mole-wa- ) . , • -i ■ ^ n mr ^• .. ^ - } A l)igger kind of Mi ill. wai) ) '^*= Nali (nali) A big forest vine. Leaf 5^ x 1^ inches, elongated tip, smooth in front, opposite. Young shoots very hairy, brown, and very soft. White juice used to catch birds. (? Caijiodinus sp . — ApocunacecKj . ) Ndambi (ndambi) . . A very big vine, very rough and angular. Leaves opposite, 2| X 1 inches. Leafy connec- tion along stem. Tendrils near fiuit. Fruit a red capsule i inch, one seed. Ndata - wulu (ndata- A climbing plant. Infused is taken wului) for I'heumatism. Ngengele-tu m It a Yery big vine. Leaf stalks oppo- (ngengele-tuml)e) site at inten-als. Leaves on leaf stalks opposite. Leaf 4 X 1| inches, smooth. Noti'. — 8ee tree of same name ; query one wrongly named. Ndogbo-yuwu (nd()gl)o- Blue convolvulus. (^. Ipoiiiaeu pa/- y uwi) ))iafa — Ccmrolvulaceae. ) Ndnndnkn (ndnndnk-di) . A gi'ound creeper gi'ow ing from a tuberous root. Ngeya-wulu (ngeya- A creeper, leaves on slender stalk, wuloi) alternate, smooth, IJ x 1 inch. Makes an inferior "tie-tie" (rope). Kjala-wa (njala-wai) . A creeper. The indigo. Leaf 5 x 2J inches, smooth, oval. NATURAL HISTORY VOCARULARY 51 Nji-yuwn (nji-yuwi) Njowe (njowi) Kjnwp (njnwi) Pdla (pnlai) or Powele (pijwele) Tainl)e (tambi) Tanj'a (tanye) Tauwa (tauwai) Ta\va-l)enilie . Tegeya (tegeyei) A Tifa (tife) . . . Towa (tmve) . Yoniba-gboli . . acute point. jNloie or less opposite leaves. Nodule at base of leaf stalk. Leaves crushed make the blue dye. (See njala - muiuui among shrubs.) Creeper. Leaf 6x5 inches, fleshy. A creeper with a biggish bean used to kill head-lice. Not good to eat. Tlie sweet potato [Ij/ojnaea batatux — ConvoJvulaceae). Also ap- plied to the European potato, climbing plant. Leaf G x 2 inches, smooth, alternate. Fruit 11 inch diameter, pyramidal, spiky, a capsule. It is eaten. The plant its^elf is a cane. A creeper something like Mlialui. Not found at Sekondi. creeper. Leaves J x i inch, close at night. Thorny stem. creeper. Leaf 4 x 2J inches, palmately lobed, tender. Along the ribs it is a paler green. See Buli-yeyakoi. A creeper. Leaf fig-pattern. Flower yellow, Ij inch, five petals joined at base. Fruit up to 9 inches long is fibrous inside, and is used tor washing with. {Luffa cylindrica — C'ururhitaceae.) Shrub or plant in general. Pumpkin {^Cucurhita j/epo — Ciirur- bitaceae). See Buli-yeyakoi. A A 52 NATURAL HISTORY VOCARULARY PLANTS Belu (belui) .... Pine-apple. (Rarely used. See Nesi.) Bondo (bonde) ... A plant. Leaf 6 x 7| inches, ivy shape, inclines to red at edge. Rough indented edge. Fi'uit green, 5 inches long, succu- lent. The Okro. [Hibiscus esculentus — Malvaceae. ) Bowa-la (bowa-lai) . . See Njopo-bowa. Delema (deleme) . . A name apparently given to any plant with a big spike or raceme. Duma (dume) ... A plant or shi-ub. Leaf 18x4 inches, very like Kasilo-duboli (which see), but a little stiflfer. Fale (fale) Fungus, mushroom. Tokpo-fale .... A mushroom that grows on the roots of oil palm. Fore (fore) .... Canna lily [Canria indica — Can- naceae). Gbanenye (gbaneiiye) . A plant. Leaf soft, 3 to 4x2 inches, rough surface, lighter green on back. Leaf stalks in pairs. Fruit axillary like a small Kojoi, about half inch diameter, reddish -yellow, edible. Gl)()lo (gbnle) .... Plant. Leaf 10x5 to 3 inches. Edge deeply indented. Thorns on stem. Fruit white, egg size. A garden egg of a differ- ent variety from Kojoi. Gboni-kojn (gboni-kojui) A plant. Leaf 5x4 inches, in- dented like Kojoi, but thicker. Downy. Fruit 4x2 inches diameter. Edible. Hagba (hagbe) ... A plant. Leaf 21 x 16 inches, smooth, very tough. Grows NATURAL HISTORY VOCARITLARY 53 ou <a single tall stalk 4 feet high. llakpa (hiikpe) . Any plant used for food. Usually in plural. llale-lifii (hale-life) . . Any plant used for medicine. (Hale = medicine ; tifa (lifa) = plant.) Hausa-l)o\va. (hausa- Lit. The Hausas" flower. A fancy bowe) name given by the blendes. Not in the Mende country. A plant that spreads on the ground chiefly on the road, with troul)lesome prickly " flowers " which stick into the feet. (? Com2iositae.) Hegu (hegui) .... A reed in swamps. About 3 feet high. Tall hollow single stalk with a rusty cluster of seed stalks at head. Helo (heloi) .... A plant. Leaf 1 x i inch, serrated edge. Tiny yellow flowers. Hondi (hondi) ... A tall reddish plant with seeds in a flowering head like millet, but small. Leaf 2 x J inches, ribs red. Used in making soup. Sierra Leone English — " pla.'^sass," but plassass may be any edible plant. Hnwo (howi) or Hnwa A plant or reed. Leaves 8x3 (howe) inches, stiff, smooth. Flower head a cluster of white flowers, but sometimes yellow ; scent- less, like fox-glove. Plant in appearance like the Guinea- grain. When people die it is laid under them. When twins are born it is laid by an ant- hill (kokoi). {I Co4us sp.) Kanda (kande) . . . The bitter cassava. Digitate leaves, and in appearance much like Tange. The roots are poison- 54 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Kasilo-duboli (kasilo- duboli) or Kasilo- boli (kasilo-boli) Kibone (kibone) . Kimba (kimbe) . Kimba-wili (kiml)a-\vili) or Kiiiil)a-}i-wili Kipn (kipui) . XojO (koji or kojni) Koko (kokoi) . ous when raw, and mu.st be cooked before being eaten. ( Mu n ihof utilissima — Eiiph or- hiaceap.) A plant. Leaf 14x5 inches, one sti-ai<rht mid-rib, stalks hairy. (Kasilo-silo = spider ; boli = drink.) A plant, consisting of one long juicy stem. Leaf 1^ x J inch, tender. Leaves join together along stem. They have an un- pleasant smell. {Anclio manes arum.) A plant eaten on rice. Leaves opposite, soft, 2x1 inches. A plant. Leaf 4x3 inches or lai'ger, tender, jagged edge. Stalk five-angled, hollow. A tiny yellow flower, bell-shaped, five-pointed, brown centre, axillary. A succulent edible plant. Leaf 6 inches long, wings at base, hairy. New leaves axillary to old ones. This name is also applied to a sort of wild lettuce, edible, of probably foreign origin. The egg-plant. In Sierra Leone English the Jackatoo. Leaf 10 X 7 inches, rough edge with deep indentations, seven in number. Fruit yellow, as big as an apple, edible, called the " garden-egg.'' An edible tuber — the Coco-yam. It is of a bluish tinge inside. Thick fleshy stalks with single large leaves springing direct from the root. [Colocasia.) NATrUAL HISTORY VOCAIH'LAUV 55 K()li-ne (knli-nei) . . Lit. Leopard's tongue. A plant, thorny on stalks and leaves. Leaves, some five-parted 2 inches each way, some ivy- shaped, 1| inch each way. Leaves and flowers sprout to- gether, at legular intervals. Flower has red cone in centre 1 inch long, yellow to red tip surrounded by a fringe of 1-inch bracts. One flower on each stalk. Kpama (kpame) ... A spinach with a little red flower. Leaf Ig X f inch. Kpiti - powa (kpiti - I ^^ j^^^.^ ^^ ^.j^ ^^^^^ j.^^ powe) ( Kpa-yuka (kpa-yukei) . A plant after the style of Guinea grain (Monrovia). Fruit orange-coloured, grows .some- times in pairs, sometimes singly, on top of the stalk. Pod fleshy, with black seeds inside, just like Cruinea grain. Animals eat it, but not human beings. Kporoii-la (kporori-lai) . A plant. Leaf 4x3 inches, thick, rough, serrated edge, each on own leaf stalk. Flowers axil- lary, small, yellow, in clusters an-anged at regular intervals up the stem, Kpu!u-la (kpuhi-lai) . A plant. Fleshy, opposite leaves, with zig-zag edge which is red. Leaf 2 to 3 inches long or more. The flower stalks grow from root separate. The monopetalous flowers, 1 inch long, contain air and pop when squeezed. {Bryoj^hyUiim caly- cinum — craxsnlaceai'.) The plucked leaf will sprout of itself. 56 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Konde (kondi) Kule-la (kule-lai) or Puta-pute Makpa (makpai) . Mana (mane) . . Mande (mande) . Mbule (mbole) Nana (nane) . . Nande (nande) . Ndoglio-wili (ndogli wili) Nesi (nesi) Ngauwu (ngauwi) A small kind of plantain or banana (Musaeeae). A plant (Kumasi). Leaves 19 x 4 inches, serrated edge, opposite. Flowers small, blue, branching opposite from a long head. A person sits in the steam of an infusion of leaves to bring out perspiration. Also used as a poultice " if your foot hurts." A plant. Axillary branches irregu- larly placed. Leaf obtuse, pointed, lance-shaped, 3 x 3| inches, rough, deeply veined, sickly smell. Flower mono- petalous, irregular, bell-shaped, mauve to white, 1^ inch long, axillary. Fruit a four- sided capsule, small black seeds inside. The plantain (Musa ixtradidaca — Musaceae). A plant used as spinach. Kills lice in women's hair if smeared on. Yam. A cultivated twining plant with large edible root. The cultivated variety. (Dioscorea safiva — Dioscoreaceae.) A herb with poisonous prickles. The Okra not fidl grown. A thistle. Leaves opposite, pin- nately parted, thorny. Eaten with rice. Connected with witchcraft. (Monrovia.) Pine-apple. A wild yam. Leaves in pairs, heart-shaped, 2 x 1| inches, smooth. Catkins. Monocot. (? Dioscorea preh entail is — Dio- scoreaceae.) NATURAL HISTORY NOCAIU'LARV 57 Ngengele (ngengele) Ngogbe (ngOghe) Ngoru - bonu (iigvi''.' " boni) Njopo - bowa (njopo - bowe) or Bowa- la (bowa-lai) Nguwo-tanga (nguwo- ) tange) | Nikile (nikili) . . Ninga (ninge) Pegele (peijeli) Peli (peli) \ . Ponu (p'jni) Crincre. A plant, red stalk. Leaf 1 X I inch, alternate, serrated edge. Seed pods stand ver- tical, 3 inches long. A common small plant. Leaf smells like a blackberry. Leaves 2x1 inches, seriated edge, deeply veined, oppo.site. New leaves sprout axillary and transversely. Small thistle-like flower at head, 1 inch long, pale blue. Leaves crushed in water make an emetic. {Ageratum ronyzoideff — Corirpoi^itae.) A plant with leaf and pod similar to Pijni, the Guinea-grain. (Sch.)" A plant with long sword-like leaf, 2 feet long, i-ibbed down full length. When dry it shrivels up. (Nji jpo = fallow, or abandoned farm ; nibowa = knife.) A kind of bitter cassava (Sch.). The ground nut. Leaf 4-pinnate, leaflets oval, 1| inch long. The nuts attach to the roots. Small yellow papilionaceous flower. {Arachis hypogaea — Legutvinosae.) Some plant that grows in water. A very tall herb used medicinally. Egg-plant (Sch). See Knji (? cor- rect). A plant growing to height of 4 feet. Leaf lance-shaped. The red pod at the root, just above ground, contains brown seeds in a white fleshy covering. 58 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Puje (puje) . Puta-pute (puta-pute) . Sandi-yombe (sandi- yombe) or Sandi- yi-ngombe Sandn (sandoi) or Sato (satoi) Sawa-wa (sawa-wai) Sele (sele) Sembe-kpeiiia (sembe- kpeme) Sii-bondo (su-bonde) Tanga (tange) These seeds are the Guinea grains or Grains of Paradise. (Afraniommn meJegueta — Zingi- heraceae.) Pepper, a capsicum (Solanareae), not the pepper tree. There are two species well known. One has large fruit, the other ver}' small, about ^ x -^ inch diameter. Red when ripe. See Kule-lai. A plant. Ground creeper. Leaf 2x1 inches. Flower like a sweet-pea, no smell. i Cor- rectly named. A plant. Leaves and fruit branch together. Leaf palmate, three parted, each leaflet 3x1 in- i-hes, soft, ribs almost in pairs. Lit. The big sawa. Plant. Leaf smooth, 1 X J inch. Flower- head 6 inches long, very small yellow flowei's. Leaves pounded and scattered in the air are said to ensure a good rice harvest. Banana (^Miisaceae). A plant. Leaves fold at night. Leaf-stalks alternate, leaves fraction of an inch in size. Hollow stalk. Flower half- inch, at end of leaf stalk, flat sideways, white with yellow tip. ? A plant at all. A " medicine " against thorns. Cassava. The sweet variety. The roots may be eaten raw. Digi- tate leaves. Stem 6 feet high or more, brown, notched. (.}fa.>d/iof 2^(i/ iiidtd — Eiqiliorhia- reae.) NATITRAL HISTORY VOCAIiULARY 59 Tawa (tawe) .... 'I'awa-vuka (tawa-vuke) Ta-liundi (ta-hon<li) Tej:jowe (te^owe) Teyu - ^bnme (teyn irbuiue) Tifa(tife) Tola (tole) Of tiiwa ) (towe) j Tn<i;a (tn«je) .... Tonye (tonye) To-ngoni (to-ngoni) . . Yawa (yawe) .... Yombe (yoiiil)e) or Ngombe (iigombe) Vnnde (vnnde) Tobacco. Lit. Tobacco-ground. Snuff. A plant. Axillary tliorns. Leaf lance - shaped, soft, clearly veined, 2x1 inches. Flower a catkin. A plant, squared stem, leaf about 1 inch. Small Avhite flowers each on its own stalk. {Cf. Lahiafae.) A plant. Hairy leaves, alternate, lanceolate, 3 x h inches. Small flower, papilionaceous, blue at big end, gray at small. Yellow pistil and stamens. Leafy bract holding water. Monocot. Shrub or plant in general. A bean, any kind. A soi't of crassula with small leaves. A plant. Will climb. Leaf rough, lance-shaped, 3| x 1 inches, opposite. Flowers axillary, like a sunflower about 1 inch in diameter, (Coreopsis (juine- e II sis — Compositae. ) A plant used as tobacco. Not at Sekondi. Mende country. Onion {^Allium sjk — Liliaceae). A plant. Leaf heart-shaped, about 2| X 2 inches. Flower like a buttercup. Seeds small, red, with black heads, grow in a cluster of pods, one in each pod. A tobacco plant. The juice is drawn up the nose for snuff. 60 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Nengbe (nengbe) nja-nengbe Nomi (nnmi) Water Plants Dena (dene) . . . . ? a kind of water-lily (Sch). From own information a tree, but not described. A water-lily. Leaf round kidney .shape which floats on the watei'. Flower six greenish bracts, nine petals. Petals 1 J x | inch, cluster of yellow stamens, etc. {Niimpliaea lotus — Nym- jyhaeaceae.) A green sedge in fresh water. Also moss. Also applied to green sea-weed on the rocks. Nja-gb(jji (nja-gboji) . A water-lily. Leaves 2 feet x 2 inches, smooth. Flowers white, star-like. Big white bulb. {HymenoralUs littoralis — Ama- ryllidaceae.) Also called Pupende. Pupende (pupende) . A water-lily. Leaf 3 feet x 2 inches, with strong tendency to fold in two, which the foregoing has not. Flower cup-shaped, 6 petals, no sepals, 6 stamens, 1 pistil. Petals white with red stripe down centre of back. {Crimim natan^^ — Amaryllida- ceae.) Buhe (liuhe) . Demo (demoi) Koto (kutui) . Ferns Bracken [Pferis aqi/ilina — Fih'fe.<). A mossy climbing fern (Monrovia). The staghorn fern. Usually seen high up on big trees, or on fan palms before they have strip})ed their fronds with old age. {Platycrriuni uethiopicuin — FHicex.) NATIRAL IIISTOUy VOCAIU LAKY (51 Kuyo (kuyi) .... A ground fern with compound leaf. Yulo (yuli) .... A climbing maidenhair fern. Leaf oblong, 1 inch, with serrated edge, alternate on own leaf .stalk. (? Gleichenia (Hchofoma — Filices.) Grasses Foni (f<jni) .... A coarse grass. Applied generally to the grass land as opposed to forest. Frivo (fovui), or Ngongn A tall gras.-^, up to 5 feet, but (ngongoi) smaller than Ngare, which see. Cibeli-nyo (gbeli-nyrd) . Guinea -corn [SoiyJium vulijare — Gramineae). Lit. Shake-corn. Jewe (jewei) .... A rough cutting grass, climbs. Leaves alternate, about G inches long. Kete (keti) .... Millet. Kntri-puwa (kuto-piiwe) A grass with head like oats. Birds eat the seeds. The stem is hollow, and is used for sucking liquids through. Leaf 3 x 1|; inches, pointed. Kpale-giti (kpale-giti) . A gi'ass. Seed .stalks in threes or fours. Leti (leti) A grass. Meji (meji) .... A local name for Foni. Ngara (ngare) ... A very tall, coarse grass. Elephant grass. Ngongo (ngongni) . . See Ffivni. Njawa (njawai), or Nja- A rough cutting grass. Grows 2 wa-wai feet or more. Seed heads in clusters in centre, thence leaves up to 1 foot long l)ranch out star-like, three in number, with a short intermediate leaf be- tw^een each. Nyo (nyoi) .... Maize {^Zea mai/s). 62 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY Nyoko (nyokoi) . . . Sugar-cane [Saecharum qtfictnafum — Gramineae). Pisii (pisui) .... A swamp gra.ss with long trailing stalks. Something like "dube" or Bahama grass. Grows in brackish water. Name doubt- ful. Pote (pote) .... A grass, the seeds of which are eaten. Yani (yani) .... A soft spreading grass. Yuyavi (yuyavi) ... A rough grass. Leaf 12 inches or more by 1 inch. Leaves grow separately from stem. Cling- ing flower seeds, 1 inch long, which are used to catch rats. Names and Varieties of Rice Mba (mbei) .... Rice generally (Oryza). Mba-gala (^Iba-gale) . Seed or grain of rice. Mba-wu (mba-wui) . . Ear of rice. Bongo (bongoi) . . . Red. Short, thick grain. Planted in mud. Fase (fase) .... Tasteless. (;!rows slowly. Name not confirmed, (iete (gete) .... Red. Short-grained. Gobe (gobe) .... ? American l>y origin. Grows in water. Goro-feli (Goro-feli) . . Red. Long-haired. Jobo (jiibdi) .... ? A ])luish rice. Long grain. Fine flavour. Kokovaiya (kokovaiye) Red. Several heads to one stalk. (irows antwhere. Meka (meke) .... Reil. Slow growing. Marra (marrai) . . . Black. A commonly grown lioe. Manika (manikei) . . Red. Long grain. Nja-kundn (nja-kiuidi) Red. Pava (pave) .... Tasteless. Grows slowly. Name not confirmed. Pende (peu<li') , , . Black. Early rice. Short. NATURAL IIISTOltV \ OCADl LAHV ' ' 63- Pende^e (pendege) . . iilack. Early rice, hiliort. SiUiii (sanai) .... Red. Sanganvii (sanganye) . Red. Ripens slowly. Sandi (sandi) .... Tasteless. Grows slowly. Name not confirmed. Tupu-lxnigo (tui)U-li()n- Strongly striped or marked. ('I'liinii goi) =■ pnlT-addc.r.) Wnja-wuru (wuja wiiiui) Red. Small grain. (Jrows (juickly. Yele (yele) .... Requires cutting (juickly after ripening. Not a specific name. Yake (yake) .... ? American by origin. White. Grows in water. Orchids (Epiphytic) Bembe (l)embe) ... A creeping orchid. Leaves 18x3 inches. Flower a long, sway- ing raceme, white star-like flowers. Fruit very like a mistletoe berry. When it has fallen off, the longdry streamers are left hanging down. Leaves emerge as from a nest. (? Lis- frostachy.^ caudafa — Orrhida- ceiie.) Baka-yeya (l)aka-yeyei) A creeping orchid. Fleshy leaves, 5x1 inches, alternate. Long, cree})ing roots. Said to have a green flower. {Angraecurii ('irlilerianwn — Orchidaceae.) Ngongoln (iigongoli) . An orchid growing out di a hole in a branch of any tree. Leaf 3 X 1|- inches, like an orange leaf, but without lower exten- sion. Leaves semi-transparent, veins inside body of leaf smooth, alternate. Flowers 1 inch long, stand erect on circular disc |-inch diameter, reddish when fidl blown. Thev 64 NATURAL HISTORY VOCABULARY are closed at end with small green knob. Fruit a small, red, downy berry, i-inch dia- meter, juice red ; hangs from branch by small twig. {^Lor- anthus helvisii — Loranfhaceae.) Not p. — The author failed to get the names of any ground orchids. Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson dr' Co. 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