The present paper consists of some short introductory notes to the revision of the African species of Strychnos. These notes are published before the completion of the revision as they are required for the new keys to the Loganiaceae (Strychnos) in the revised edition of the Flora of West Tropical Africa for which the author cooperates with Mr. C. F. A. Onochie of the Ibadan Herbarium. Two new species, described by Mr. Onochie and Mr. F. N. Hepper, will be published in the Kew Bulletin in conjunction with the present notes on Strychnos.