144 DB. FEED. MULLEK's BOTANICAL REPORT 



pines {Pandanus spiralis and P. aqtmticus) seemed to be quite 

 harmless, although it retained, even after boiling, some acidity. 



In addition to these, there remain to be mentioned, the " Mac- 

 kenzie Bean" (Canamllia Baueriana), the yam {Dioscored), the 

 tubers of Aponogeton and Ouvirandra^ which are of a most agree- 

 able taste, and the root of Typha, But the Tacca-tubers are r 

 only useful in the preparation of starch. 



plan 



luntry 



pcarcely admitted of an inquiry iuto the qualities of the timber or 

 into the medicinal or economical properties of the plants we met 

 with, even in those cases where they were expected to exist. 



With regard to the former, we regretted to observe in the 

 northern and north-western portion of the continent almost gene- 

 rally_ the want of that size and regularity of growth for which 

 many of the common trees are so much valued in the colonized 

 parts of Australia. Melaleuca Leucadendron (the Indian Cajuput 

 tree) forms the largest and straightest timber tree in the north. 

 Pines were, with the exception of a solitary Gallitris, nowhere ob- 

 served except towards the east coast, and Casuarinas are wanting 

 in the vicinity of the Victoria Biver ; whilst our only northern 



rf 



fifolta) 



India and Africa 



universal occurrence around the Gulf of Carpentaria and on the 

 east coast. The stately Oasuarina Decaisneana we discovered in 

 the sandy desert of Central Australia. 



Of Eucalyptm occurred not less than 40 species. Two of these 

 retain a scrubby habit and belong exclusively to the inland deserts 

 Of the other species, the Flooded Gum-tree {E. rostrata, Schl., 

 E. acuminata, Hook.), which is identical with the Yarra-tree of 

 Sir T. Mitchell, and with the red Gum-tree of the South Australian 



distributed over the coun 



knovm 



receiving a beautiful polish. Many of the Gum-trees are in their 

 distribution limited by the dividing ranges, but that species named 



Moreton Bav Ash." advances 



Gulf 



.-- -^ 



ily appearing with the fall of the eastern 

 universal timber-tree. 



Mr. C. Moore, who demonstrated the utility and unusual vari 

 of the timber of East Australia so well in the Paris Exhibit 

 informs us that it is not Osleya xanthoxyh, which supplies 



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