NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN PLANTS. 267 



The principal vegetable used for food by the Murray natives, near 

 Swan Hill, is the root of Typha Shuttleworthii, native name " Gortong," 

 or the common Bulrushes (properly Club-rushes, Ed.). With them it 

 is a rule that all vegetable food is prepared by the women, whilst animal 

 food can only be dressed by the men. The following is the mode of 

 preparing this root. The women dig a hole, in which they keep a fire 

 lit for some time, .to heat the surrounding earth as much as possible. 

 This being done, the fire is taken out, the bundle of roots is placed 

 inside, covered over with earth, and a strong fire is then lit on the little 

 eminence thus made. After about an hour has thus elapsed, they are 

 taken out and distributed to those present. Of the chewed roots 

 which are gathered in, they manufacture their nets, in which their 

 nicknacks and provisions are carried. The women can twirl and twist 

 the fibres of these roots on their legs to any length, and they then have 

 the solidity and appearance of flax. Thus prepared, the root possesses 

 no taste, but contains a great deal of starch. 



The bark of the root of Santalum persicariutn, a small variety of San- 

 dal-tree, is roasted by the same tribe in hot ashes, and eaten, has like- 

 wise no taste, but is very nutritious. The native name for this plant 

 is " Quantong." Dr. Mueller mentions this plant in his second Report. 



On one occasion, when I was gathering herbs on the Murray, about 

 seven or eight natives gathered round me in astonishment, not knowing 

 why I should gather in these herbs. Eventually one of them asked 

 the question, "What for whitefellow gathering grassy belonging to 



pullocky?" 



Dr. Mueller, in his first report, mentions another valuable Tea-plant, 

 and writes the following .about it :— " Backea utilis, from Mount Aber- 

 deen, might serve travellers in these desolate localities as tea, for the 

 volatile oil of its leaves resembles greatly in taste and odour that of 

 lemons, not without a pleasant, peculiar aroma 



I feel convinced that the vegetable kingdom of Australia has as valu- 

 able properties as that of any other part of our globe, and it would be 

 very desirable that greater attention were paid to the economic and 

 pharmaceutical branches of botany than has heretofore been the case. 



I have the honour to be, Sir, 



Your most obedient Servant, 



» 



WlLHELMI 



Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, April, 1857. 



