A

abakuru, a food made from the ground-bean; vide under kwaruru.

abantoko, a var. of dawa q.v.

abawa, vide under abduga.

abduga or auduga, indigenous species of Gossypium (Malvaceæ)—G. peruvianum, Cav. G. punctatum, Sch. et Thon. G. obtusifolium, Roxb. G. arboreum, L. with varieties, hybrids and other introduced species. The Cotton Plant or raw cotton. Syn. kaḍa (Sok.). Varieties known in different districts are:—ba ka tuka, or ba tuka, ya tabshi, ya tsauri, or ya ḳarifi, kwanta Ali da zugu, Ba-Gwandare, yar gari (G. obtusifolium, var. africana, Watt.), gwundi (G. peruvianum var. with red leaf veins), chukwi, laḅayi (G. punctatum), and kanawa or matan kanawa (G. arboreum, L. var. sanguinea, Watt.); the leaves of the last or of gwundi are used for making a red dye for thread. guriya (Sok.), anguriya (Kano), or yan guriya = cotton seed; sutu or subtu = cotton freed from the seed by crushing with a stone and roller and pulled by hand before carding with the masaḅi or bakan shiḅa (cotton carding bow); saḅi or shiḅa = carded cotton; zare = thinly plied cotton thread, used chiefly for the warp, and sometimes for warp and weft; abawa (Kano), or bartake (Sok.) = thicker loosely plied thread used for the weft; (the coarse cloth goddo, or nuru (East Hausa), woven on a vertical loom in broad strips and with a fringe, has abawa in warp and weft); waḍari = cotton yarn ready for weaving; fari (Kano) = woven cotton strips; zugu (Sok.) = cotton strips in a roll (= kunkurun fari, Kano); sawaye (Sok.) = the same unrolled; taḅe (Sok.), or chin aduga (Kano) = to pluck cotton out of the pod.

abokin kibiya, a tall grass used for arrow-shafts; vide ḳyamro.

aburu, a grass used for food; vide iburu.

acha, Digitaria exilis, Stapf. (Paspalum exile, Kipp.) (Gramineæ); a small grass cultivated as a cereal in several Hausa provinces, in Bornu, and by many pagan tribes. Syn. intaya (Sok. Kamberi, Kamuku, &c.), “Hungry Rice”. cf. also tumbin jaki.

a chi da gero, a chi da kara, a chi da nono, vars. of Guinea Corn; vide under dawa.

aduruku, Newbouldia lævis, Sun. (Bignoniaceæ); a tall slender tree with handsome purple flowers; often planted around native compounds. Syn. ba reshe?

aduwa, Balanites ægyptiaca, Del. (Simarubeæ). “Desert Date”; a thorny tree common in the north, deciduous but with evergreen branches, bifoliate leaves and yellow bitter-sweet fruit; its gum = ḳaron aduwa; the seeds yield “Oil of Betu” (Kanuri, bito); dabagira = flowers of aduwa, boiled and eaten with daudawa, q.v. salt and pepper; kaikwaiyo (Sok. Kano, &c.) = the kernel, sold as a medicine. Fruit edible; a common ingredient in fish-poison.

ago or agu (Gwari); a fish-poison, prepared usually from Tephrosia Vogelii (cf. baina, vide under majimfa); sometimes from the pods of Cassia spp. (vide gamma faḍa, &c.); cf. aduwa.

agugu, a native drug; the rhizome of a fern used for tapeworm; probably = “Male Fern” (Nephrodium Filix-mas); not indigenous; brought chiefly from Adamawa.

agushi, the seeds of a var. of the Water Melon, Citrullus vulgaris (vide guna); chewed raw or used in soup.

aguwa vide ḳaguwa.

akiye or akwiye, the seeds of kiriya, q.v.

akwalu (Kano and East), Trochomeria sp. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild twiner with a large tuberous root, edible when cooked. Syn. basko, or basgo (West Sokoto).

akwuya, a var. of dawa, q.v.

alale, Blighia sapida, Koenig (Sapindaceæ). “Akee apple”; a tree found in the southern provinces, with red capsular fruit; the spongy white aril around the seeds is edible. (?Nupé ella = the name of the fruit). In Hausa generally called Gwanja kusa, q.v.

alambo, Sesbania leptocarpa, DC. (Leguminosæ); a slender branched tree with yellow flowers and narrow jointed pods, common on river-banks. (Kanuri, paiya paiya). Other species are included, e.g. S. aculeata, Pers. S. ægyptiaca, Poir, &c.; cf. also sasabani and zamarke.

alayafu, Amaranthus caudatus, L. (Amaranthaceæ). Native spinage; an excellent cultivated vegetable; a red variety resembles the ornamental plant “Love-lies-bleeding.” farin alayafu, Celosia argentea, L. (Amaranthaceæ); an erect weed of fields, 1 to 2 feet high, with pink and silvery flowering spike, not cultivated but used as a pot-herb.

albasa, Allium Cepa, Willd. (Liliaceæ). The onion. Two varieties are distinguished, viz. guda (Kano), or gudaji (Sok.), the common bulbous onion; and shafa (Kano), safa (Sok.), the spring onion; lawashi or gabu (Sok.) = onion leaves pounded and dried, sold in the form of balls and used in soup. cf. tafarnuwa.

albasar kura, Urginea nigritiana, Bak. (Liliaceæ), and other common bulbous plants growing wild.

albasar kwaḍi, Crinum yuccæflorum, Salisb. (Amaryllideæ); a common plant of damp places, with an umbel of large lily-like flowers, white with a purple stripe. (Other species are included and the names of this and the last are commonly confused.) The scarlet-flowered Hæmanthus rupestris, Bak. (Amaryllideæ), “Blood Flower”, bears the same name.

algarif, the seeds of the “Common” or “Garden Cress,” Lepidium sativum, Linn. vide labsur; sold as a medicine; a red variety algaru ja in small masses, and a black variety usually loose; preparations are made for external and internal use.

alhaji, Ærua tomentosa, Forst. (Amaranthaceæ); an erect plant with hoary white leaves and flowers. (Etym. from the completely white habit, but the name like Ba-Fillatani, q.v. is probably applied to other white plants). More generally known as furfura ta gyatumi, q.v.

alibida, vide alubada.

aliliba, Cordia abyssinica, R. Br. (Boragineæ); a tree with broad leaves, white flowers, and sweet yellow berries used in making allewa, &c.

aliyara, vide ḳaguwa.

alkama, Triticum sativum, Lam. sub-race T. vulgare, Vill. “Common Wheat;” or T. compositum, Linn. “Mummy,” “Miracle” or “Egyptian Wheat;” grown chiefly in the north on river-banks with irrigation. taliya, a sort of macaroni made from alkama flour; gurasa, a sort of native wheaten bread; punkaso (Kano), or fankaso, wheaten cakes fried in oil. The following are delicacies made from alkama:—dashishi, cakes like masa but made with honey-water; sunasar, a preparation of wheat with meat and butter; tuwon ḅaure = tuwo made with finely ground wheat and butter instead of water.

alkaman tururuwa, Spermacoce stachydea, DC. (Rubiaceæ); a common weed eaten by goats, &c. (Etym. tururuwa, a species of social harvesting ant).

alubada or alibida, Carpodinus hirsuta, Hua (Apocynaceæ); a woody climber; one of the rubber vines in the south.

amai mussa (Sok.), Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a grass with an unpleasant smell. (Etym. “cat’s vomit”). Syn. buddari (Sok.), q.v, and bunsurun fadama (Katsina and East).

amara, Tacca involucrata, Sch. et Thon. (Taccaceæ); a wild perennial herb with an edible tuber; cultivated in some districts, chiefly by Fulani; in the Benué district gathered wild and sold in the form of a starchy meal. (The same as “South Sea arrowroot” of the Sandwich and Society Islands). vide also under giginyar biri.

anguriya, cotton seed, vide under abduga.

anza (Sok. Kats. &c.), hanza (Gobir), Boscia angustifolia, A. Rich. (Capparideæ); a pale-leaved shrub; the berries are edible and sometimes the bark is prepared with cereals as a food similarly to the plant bagayi, q.v. hence also called anza rashin bagayi; including also the broader-leaved B. senegalensis, Lam. cf. zayi.

arakke (Sok.), vide rake; Saccharum officinarum, L. one of the two species of sugar-cane.

ararabi, vide hano.

ataras, a var. of kola nut; vide under goro.

atillis, a tree, the nut of which yields an oil used medicinally as food, &c. Canarium Schweinfurthii, Engl. (Burseraceæ). “African Elemi Tree.”

auduga, vide abduga.

awarwaro, Ipomœa aquatica, Forsk. (Convolvulaceæ); a prostrate purple-flowered convolvulus with hastate leaves, in muddy and marshy places; (loosely applied to other species of convolvulus). Syn. furen gyado (because the roots are eaten by wart-hog).

aya, Cyperus esculentus, L. the “Tiger Nut” or “Rush Nut;” a sedge, cultivated for its small edible tuber.

aya aya, Cyperus rotundus, L. (Cyperaceæ); a common wild sedge with edible slightly fragrant tuberous root. Syn. giri giri (Sok.); vide also ḍan Tunuga. Other wild sedges, e.g. Cyp. Fenzelianus, Steud., &c. are included.

ayaba, Musa sapientum, L. (Scitamineæ); the Banana. Musa paradisiaca, L. the Plantain. ayabar daji, Musa sp. a wild species with astringent pulp and black stony seeds.

ayana, Vitis Thonningii, Baker, Vitis gracilis, Baker, and other species (Ampelideæ); species of wild vines with small berries. From the acidity of the leaves they are also called yakuwar fatake or y. mahalba. vide also buḍa yau.

B

ba-anguri, a variety of gero, q.v.

baba, b. rini, or b. kore; Indigo plant; chiefly Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other cultivated species of Indigofera (Leguminosæ); I. tinctoria, Linn. I. Anil, Linn., &c. cf. talaki. kwosusu = the second crop of baba, said to be the better; shuni = prepared indigo, the extracted blue dye-stuff, usually sold in cones or small masses and not used in dye-pits; shuḍi = cloth or thread dyed blue; tamaseki = a sort of home-made indigo prepared by women, from baba in pots.

baba hun (nasal baba hm), Gynura cernua, Benth. (Compositæ); a common weed with purple flowers and lyrate leaves; used in soup, &c.

babar fadama, Indigofera sp. wild species growing in damp places.

babar giwa (Hadeija, &c.), vide bushi.

babar more (Sok.), Ambrosia maritima, Linn. (Compositæ); an aromatic plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with divided leaves, resembling Wormwood. Syn. bababa (from its common occurrence in indigo fields); also called babar talak and tutubidi (Sok.).

baba rodo, Rogeria adenophylla, J. Gay (Pedaliaceæ); an erect plant with broad leaves, purple tubular flowers and viscid sap. Also called loda (Sok.), but cf. dafara.

babar talaki, Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Benth. (Leguminosæ). “Yoruba Wild Indigo.” vide talaki and cf. farin sansami.

babar tamau, Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other spp. wild or escaped from cultivation.

babba juji, b. jibji; 1. In Sokoto and Katsina = Datura Metel, Linn. (Solanaceæ), the “Hairy Thorn Apple.” Syn. zaḳami, q.v. 2. Elsewhere usually = Boerhaavia adscendens, Willd. (Nyctagineæ), a common prostrate weed of rubbish heaps &c. with small pink flowers; also called sarikin juji q.v.

bădo, Nymphæa Lotus, Willd. (Nymphæaceæ). White Water-lily; the starchy rhizome and seeds are edible. (Other species are N. guineensis, Sch. and Thonn. with white flowers; N. Heudelotii, Planch. and N. cœrulea, Sav. with purplish flowers), vide kwankwarita.

Ba-Fillatani, Heliotropium undulatum, Vahl. (Boragineæ); a small weed with white flowers. (Similar names are however loosely applied to other plants with pale foliage; e.g. the grass karani, q.v. and cf. alhaji.)

bafuri, vide under balbela.

bagaruwa (Kano, Sok., &c.), or gabaruwa (Zaria), Acacia arabica, Willd. (Leguminosæ). “Egyptian Mimosa.” Indian “Babool.” An acacia with yellow flower-balls and jointed pods—“Sant pods” or “Gambia pods”—used all over the Sudan for tanning; also used in making a black dye for leather, called kuloko, q.v. The original source of true gum arabic. (Etym. the first name is a metathetic form of the synonym gaba ruwa.)

bagaruwar ḳassa, Cassia mimosoides, L. (Leguminosæ); a common weed with yellow flowers and pinnate leaves.

bagaruwar Makka, vide zogalagandi.

ba gashi? (Kontagora), vide under sheḳani.

bagayi, Cadaba farinosa, Forsk. (Capparideæ); a small-leaved hoary shrub of scrambling habit. The leaves and twigs are mixed with cereals to form a sort of pudding or cake common in East Hausa and Bornu, called parsa (Kanuri), baleno, or tsawa. Syn. balambo. N.B. This plant is confused with anza, q.v. and in some localities (Katagum, &c.) called by the latter name.

Ba-Gwandare (or bugundare); 1. a var. of cotton, vide under abduga. 2. A var. of dawa, q.v. (from Gwandara, the name of a tribe).

baina, 1. A grass with edible seeds. Syn. baya, q.v. 2. The fish-poison prepared from Tephrosia Vogelii, vide under majimfa.

ba-jini, Afrormosia sp. (Leguminosæ); a tree with pale leaves and flat pods. (Etym. from the red resinous bark). Syn. jina jina.

ba ka tuka or ba tuka, a var. of cotton, vide under abduga.

baḳin bunnu (Katagum), Indigofera pulchra, Vahl. (Leguminosæ); a small undershrub with stiff stems, sometimes mixed with thatching grass. (The name is probably applied to other species so used.)

bakin kada, a var. of dawa, q.v.

bakin mutum (Sok.), Pleioceras sp. (Apocynaceæ); a shrub with milky juice and long slender pods. Syn. bakin mayu, sandan mayu (these names refer to mystical uses in divination, &c.); also gamma sanwa (or g. sauwa), from the forked peduncle with 3 or 4 developing carpels resembling the tripod stove for a cooking-pot = sanwa. (? = Holarrhena Wulfsbergii, Stapf).

bakin raḳumi, a var. of dawa, q.v. Syn. ḳerama, and mallen kabi.

bakin suda, Polycarpæa corymbosa, Lam. (Caryophylleæ); a small wild herb with whitish chaffy flowers; scarcely distinguished from magudiya, q.v. (suda is the name of a bird).

balagandi, vide under rawaya.

balambo, vide under bagayi.

balasa, or balasaya, Commelyna nudiflora, Linn. (Commelynaceæ); a “spiderwort,” a weed of pastures and waste places, with delicate azure-blue flowers; gathered as cattle fodder. Syn. kununguru (East Hausa).

balbela, Pulicaria crispa, Clarke (Compositæ); a white-leaved weed with yellow flowers. (Etym. the name of the white padi bird.) Syn. bafuri, and fara saura, q.v.

baleno, vide under bagayi.

bambami (Kontagora, &c.), Alchornea cordata, Benth. (Euphorbiaceæ); a tall woody climber in ravines.

bambamko (East Hausa), vide falfoli.

bambana, the flowering spike of shalla, q.v. a tall bulrush of marshes.

bambus (East Hausa), a variety of Water-Melon; vide guna.

barabutu, a corruption of “Bread-fruit” (Artocarpus incisa); a name used by Hausas in Lagos, &c.

barambo (Gobir). Syn. zogalagandi, q.v.

ḅarankachi or ḅaranchaki, Canavalia ensiformis, DC. “Sword Bean.” “Overlook Bean” of the West Indies. A large climbing bean common about native houses; not much eaten by Hausas; ripe pods used as a rattle by children. Syn.? ladiko, q.v. vide also waken Ankwa. ḍan zago (Kano), is a red-seeded variety of the same. (Etym. chăki = a rattle).

barbaji (East Hausa), Randia nilotica, Stapf (Rubiaceæ); a thorny shrub or small tree found in the north. Syn. tsibra or tsura (Sok.).

ḅare, half a kola nut; vide under goro.

ba reshe? (Kontagora). Syn. aduruku, q.v.

barkono, Capsicum frutescens, Bl. (Solanaceæ). “Shrubby Capsicum,” “Spur Pepper,” &c., and C. annum, Linn. “Chillies” or “Red Pepper,” &c. Synonyms and varieties are:—tanka or tankwa (Sok.) = toshshi or twashshi (Sok. Gobir and Zanfara), small red peppers; tsidufu = the smallest and hottest peppers; bunsurun barkono, a small spherical variety; tatasai (Sok. and Kats.) or tugandai (Kano, &c.) = large and less pungent chillies. vide also filfil.

barkonon biri, Cephalandra sp. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild twiner with scarlet fruit having a superficial resemblance to capsicum; not edible.

barmatabo (Katagum, &c.), Merremia pentaphylla, Hall. f. (Convolvulaceæ); a convolvulus of fences, &c. with digitate leaves and white flowers. namijin barmatabo, Ipomœa pilosa, Sweet (Convolvulaceæ). Syn. yako (Sok. and Kats.); a coarse-leaved convolvulus or “Morning Glory,” with blue or purple flowers, common on fences. (The native names include several species.)

ḅarna chiki or ḅata wandon Buzu, a species of edible bean over-indulgence in which causes unpleasant effects.

bartake, vide under abduga.

ba ruwana, Salix sp. (Salicaceæ). Willow; found along the banks of rivers. (Etym. from the treacherous yielding of the branches when grasped by a drowning person). Syn. rimni (Sok.).

ba samu (Sok. and Zanfara). Syn. hano (Sok. and Kats.), and ararabi, q.v. Boswellia odorata, Hutch. and Boswellia Dalzielii, Hutch. (Burseraceæ). (The two species are scarcely distinguished under the different native names). Species of “Frankincense Tree,” with pale parchment-like bark and white flowers; yielding a fragrant resin.

basgo or basko, a tuber, vide under akwalu.

ḅata wandon Buzu, vide ḅarna chiki.

ba tuka, a variety of cotton, vide under abduga.

Ba-Ude, a variety of bean, vide under wake, and ḍan Uda.

bauje, an Asclepiad plant with milky juice and a turnip-like edible tuber; probably Xysmalobium Heudelotianum, Decne. (Asclepiadeæ). Syn.? rojiya; cf. also saniya and daiyo.

bauji (East Hausa), Acacia Sieberiana, DC. (Leguminosæ). Syn. fara ḳaya, q.v.

baurairai, Gloriosa superba, L. (Liliaceæ); a climbing lily with splendid crimson and yellow flowers and a tuberous root. Syn. gatarin kurege (Sok.), and gudumar zomo (Kano and East), from the shape of the versatile stamens.

ḅaure, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, A. Rich. (Urticaceæ). Rough-leaved fig-tree, with edible figs. ḅauren fadama, ḅ. rafi &c. = various spp. of Ficus, large broad-leaved trees of ravines; farin ḅaure, vide uwar yara. lubiya or rubiya = edible figs of ḅaure and other spp. of Ficus (vide durumi, cheḍiya, gamji).

ḅauren kiyashi; 1. Chrozophora Senegalensis, A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceæ); a common weed used medicinally. Syn. damaigi, q.v. (kiyashi = a species of ant). 2. A species of fig-tree (Ficus sp.).

baushe, Terminalia sp. nr. T. macroptera, G. et P. (Combretaceæ); a large tree with flat winged fruits. Bows and walking-sticks are made from the roots. (More than one species is included, e.g. T. Elliotii, Engl. and Diels. T. Baumannii, Engl. and Diels. T. avicennioides, Guill. et Per.).

bawu, vide under shinkafa.

baya (Katag. and East), baina (Kano), Panicum albidulum, Kunth. (Gramineæ); a wild grass with an edible grain used as food, common in East Hausa. Syn. saḅe, and ?garaji, q.v.

bayama (Kontagora, &c.), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. (Leguminosæ); a tree of the Cassia tribe, with white flowers and cylindrical pods; (probably including other species, cf. bogo zage, gamma faḍa, &c.).

bayan mariya, Andropogon ceresiæformis, Nees. (Gramineæ); a common bush grass much used for thatch. (Etym. “cob’s back,” from its russet colour when mature).

bazaḳa (Gobir). Syn. zaḳo, a var. of bean; vide under wake.

Ba-Zanfare (Katagum, &c.), Cassia occidentalis, L. (Leguminosæ). Syn. rai ḍore, q.v.

bazana (Zaria and Kano), Commiphora Kerstingii, Engl. (Burseraceæ). Syn. dali, q.v. a tree with green smooth bark, planted around native compounds.

bazaume or bazarme (a corruption of Ba-Zabarme); a var. of gero, q.v.

bidi, 1. a var. of earth-nut; vide under gujiya. 2. A speckled var. of bean; vide under wake.

bijaje (Ful.), Ficus sp. nr. F. populifolia, Vahl. (Urticaceæ); a fig-tree with pale bark and drooping branches, found on rocky hills in Yola province, &c., said to be an ingredient in arrow-poison.

bi ni da zugu, or chi ni da zugu, Jatropha Curcas, L. (Euphorbiaceæ). “Purging Nut;” “Physic Nut,” &c. A soft-wooded shrub with broad leaves, commonly planted as a hedge; one of the less important oil-seeds; seeds used in native medicine (vide kufi). (Etym. from the purging property and the suggested necessity of being prepared with grave-cloth).

bi ni zwei zwei (bi ta zei zei); a native medicine used by youths as a love-charm, &c., hard shining seeds of a plant—Nat. Ord. Acanthaceæ. (Etym. haste or eagerness in following the object of desire.)

bishiya, pl. bishiyoyi, generic for tree.

bi ta ka tsira, Vangueria Dalzielii, Hutch. (Rubiaceae); a shrub with globular berries; used medicinally. (The name is probably applied to several plants supposed to act as antidotes to arrow-poison—makarin dafi, q.v.).

biya rana or bi rana, Crotalaria obovata, Don. (Leguminosæ); a yellow-flowered undershrub with inflated pods. (Etym. similar to “heliotrope,” from the expanding of the leaf-surfaces towards the sun). b. awaki, or geḍar awaki, gujiyar awaki, hudar awaki, are names given to various species of Crotalaria, used as fodder; vide geḍar awaki.

bogo zage (Zanfara), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. and other species (Leguminosæ); a tree with long cylindrical pods used to stupefy fish. vide ago. Syn. gwazkiya, and cf. gamma faḍa, and bayama.

bubuchi (Sok.), Panicum interruptum, Willd. (Gramineæ); a grass of marshes and rivers, 2 or more feet high, with long narrow green flowering spike.

bubukuwa or sabko bubukuwa, Tripogon minimus, Hochst. a small tufted grass. (Etym. from its habitat where the pelican is supposed to alight, and supposed to be the earliest grass of spring).

buḍa yau, the same as ayana or yakuwar fatake, q.v. and perhaps other plants with acid leaves which are used to relieve thirst; (yau = saliva).

buddari, Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a grass about 1 to 2 feet high, with an unpleasant smell. Syn. amai mussa, q.v. and bunsurun fadama. (Etym. buddari, a malodorous animal).

bugundare (a corruption of Ba-Gwandare), a var. of cotton and a var. of Guinea Corn.

bundin kurege, vide wutsiyar kurege.

bununi, the exserted stamens of any grass; most commonly applied to gero and dawa.

bunsuru, a synonym for burtuntuna, q.v.

bunsurun daji, a name applied to more than one species of rough grass, e.g. Heteropogon contortus, R. and S. (“Wild oats”), and others.

buran jaki, vide under gwazar giwa.

buran kare, vide under ḳwododon kwaḍo. (The name is also used for certain fungi).

buran zaki, Cucumis metuliferus, E. Hey. (Cucurbitaceæ). Syn. nonon kura, q.v.

burburwa (Sok., &c.), Eragrostis tremula, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a wild grass about 2 feet high; an excellent fodder; seeds eaten in scarcity. Syn. komaya (Kano, &c.). burburwar fadama, komaya ta fadama, Eragrostis biformis, Kunth. and perhaps other species; grasses 2 to 4 feet high in meadows, &c. vide also under tsintsiya.

burtuntuna, Ustilago sp. a smut fungus which affects the fruiting dawa, forming a black powder; also called bunsuru.

burugu (Sok.), Panicum stagninum, Koen. (Gramineæ); a grass whose growth chokes up swampy streams; a good fodder; the soft juicy stems are sucked or made into sugar-water.

burungu, unhusked rice. Syn. shanshera; vide under shinkafa.

ḅurzu, Vernonia Perottetii, Sch. Bip. (Compositæ); a weed of cultivated fields, with blue thistle-like flowers. ḅurzun ḍinya = the stone of the fruit of ḍinya, q.v.

bushi (Sok.), Bergia suffruticosa, Fenzl. (Elatineæ); a low heath-like plant, used medicinally. Syn. babar giwa (Hadeija, &c.).

buta, one of the varieties of the “Bottle-gourd;” vide under duma.

bututu, the narrow end of some forms of the “Bottle-gourd” used as a blowing-horn; vide under duma.

C

chauchaka? (Zanfara), Capparis tomentosa; vide ḳabdodo.

checheko, vide zamarke.

cheḍiya, Ficus Thonningii, Blume (Urticaceæ); a very common tree with dark green foliage and small figs; much planted as a shade tree.

cheyi, a fibre, vide under yawa.

chichiwa (Sok.), Mærua angolensis, DC. (Capparideæ); a small tree with white flowers and elongated beaded fruit.

chi ni da zugu, vide bi ni da zugu; Jatropha Curcas, “Physic Nut.”

chiriri (Sok. and Zanf.), Combretum Kerstingii, Engl. and Diels. (Combretaceæ); a gum-yielding tree with smooth leaves and 4-winged fruit. Syn. dagera and probably also zindi, q.v.

chitta, Amomum Melegueta, Roscoe (Scitamineæ). “Guinea Grains.” “Grains of Paradise.” “Melegueta Pepper.” A capsular fruit containing small red aromatic seeds used as a spice. chitta komfa, or chitta yaji = another var. of spice.

chitta Afu, Zingiber officinale, Roscoe (Scitamineæ). Ginger. (Afawa, a pagan tribe in Nassarawa).

chiwo or chuwo, Landolphia owariensis, Beauv. and L. florida, Benth. (Apocynaceæ). Rubber Vines; tall woody climbers with white fragrant flowers and orange-coloured edible fruit. (The latex of L. owariensis forms a good rubber, that of L. florida is useless).

chizaki, probably the same as ḳabdodo, q.v.

chuchun kariya or gaton kariya, vide gujiyar hankaka.

chukwi, a var. of cotton; vide under abduga.

chusar doki, a medicine or food to keep horses fit; made from leaves of kuka, q.v. with dusa and kanwa.

D

dabagira, vide under aduwa.

dabino, Phœnix dactylifera, Linn. (Palmeæ). Date Palm. Varieties of date are:—zabiya or jan dabino, a long red sweet variety; maga or ḍan damana, a stoneless date. kilili = flowers of the date. dabinon biri, a low species of palm with small yellow date-like fruit, found in ravines; used in weaving mats, straw hats, &c. Syn. kajinjiri. (Phœnix reclinata?).

dabrin saniya, vide under gadon machiji.

dadawa or dawa dawa, a grass; vide gyazama.

daddawa (Kano), or daudawa (Sok.), black fermented cakes made from the seeds of the ḍorowa, q.v. Syn. takaluwa.

ḍaḍori or ḍoḍoriya (Kano and Sok.), Vitis quadrangularis, Linn. (Ampelideæ); a vine with quadrangular succulent jointed stems, climbing on trees. (Etym. connected with the multiple branching at the joints). Syn. tsatsarar kura. “Edible-stemmed Vine.”

dafaddu, Elk’s-horn fern; an epiphyte. Platycerium æthiopicum.

dafara, Vitis pallida, Baker (Ampelideæ); a vine bearing a kind of wild grapes; the root-bark forms a viscid solution which is mixed with native cement for lining dye-pits, &c. Syn. loda or lodar marina, cf. also baba rodo. The fruit, used in soup, is sometimes called lubiya, q.v.

dagera, Combretum sp. (Combretaceæ). A gum-yielding tree. Syn. chiriri.

daiyo (Ful?), vide under lojiya, bauje, &c.

dakushe, vide kas kaifi.

ḍakwora, Acacia Senegal, Willd. (Leguminosæ); a thorny acacia, with spikes of white flowers and grey bark; the source of the true “gum-arabic.” Ar. hashab. vide also yawa and meḍi. The name includes the similar Acacia Dudgeoni, Craib.

dalaka, a variety of kola nut; vide under goro.

dali (Kano, Katsina, &c.), also dala, Commiphora Kerstingii, Engl. (Burseraceæ). A soft-wooded tree with smooth green bark, planted around native compounds. Syn. bazana (Kano and Zaria), gurzun dali (Katagum, &c.), hana gobara (Zanfara, from the wood and foliage being difficult to ignite). ka ḳi ganin bula (Zanfara); also bar na gada (because long-lived and inherited).

dalo, Combretum glutinosum, Perr. (Combretaceæ); a tree resembling chiriri and taramniya, q.v.

damaigi, Chrozophora senegalensis, A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceæ); a common weed with small red flowers; used medicinally. Syn. ḅauren kiyashi, q.v. One of the ingredients in the native prescription rigya kafi, q.v.