BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 363 
they are common to the north. A gallinaceous bird, about 
the size of the common domestic hen, called Nau by the 
natives, breeds on Guangan ; these. birds make large nests in 
the sand and lay many eggs, they eat the seeds of the differ- 
ent species of Acacia, and sometimes come into the valley of 
the Avon with the bronze-winged pigeon to feed on them. 
i The natives use several species of Boletus as food; two of 
the principal they call Numar and Woorda, the latter I think 
might be advantageously substituted in cultivation for the 
_common Mushroom, as it has the same flavour and is much 
easier of digestion. The stem is in the middle of the pileus, 
.. Which is about six inches broad and two inches thick, it is of 
the colour of rusty iron above, and orange underneath, the 
Pores very small; it turns to bright blue when bruised and 
_ €xposed to the air. The Numar has the stem at one side, it 
= divides into several lobes, and when full-grown weighs many 
. pounds, it is only seen near the roots of Mahogany-trees, and 
. Seems to be parasitical; it is highly esteemed as food by the 
poor natives. io ; 7 T ger fe 
wig 
—— 
HawTHORNDEN Farm, Toopsey VALLEY, 
: October 14tÀ, 1839. 
— Since writing the few observations dated on the 3d of August, 
. lhave made another journey to the sea-coast, and accompanied : 
= by Mr Preiss the German botanist, Mr Gilbert, whois col- 
 lecting birds for Mr Gould's* work, and Dr Walker, attached 
to Mr Grey's surveying and exploring expedition, I visited 
.. the island of Rotnesst, the largest and farthest out to sea 
_  8mong the islands of this part of the coast. It contains lakes 
v" salt-water, now cut off from the ocean by sand-hills, where 
much salt is collected in the dry season. The island is of the 
Secondary limestone and calcareous sandstone formation, the 
tops of the highest hills are about 800 feet above the level of — 
* The distinguished Ornithologist, author of the “ Birds of Europe, of — — 
the Himalaya,” &c. ; : oe ae ie d. 
