358 DR. LEICHARDT'S OVERLAND JOURNEY 
purgative. The natives roast and soak them, and probably 
drink the fluid with which they have washed out the pulp; 
it is probable if this fluid were to undergo fermentation it 
would yield a spirituous liquor. After having used the 
seed vessel the natives break it to obtain the kernel, which 
is also good to eat. 
The seeds of Cycas appear to form a considerable part of 
the food of the natives at Cycas Creek and the Robinson. 
They are cut in slices, and spread over the ground and 
dried; when brittle they are soaked for several days m 
water, and afterwards tied up in tea-tree bark, to undergo a a 
sort of fermentation, which destroys their poisonous prin- ——— 
ciple, for in a fresh state they are violently cathartic and 
emetic. Three species of rose-apple Eugenia, were col- 
lected, one was a large scarlet fruit, with longitudinal ribs of 
a coarse and strong aromatic taste, another was of a delicate 
rose colour, and extremely pleasant. The smaller fruit of a 
species of Acmena was also occasionally gathered along the 
western creeks of Arnheim Land. A small rubiaceous tree 
at the Upper Lynd bore a rather dry, round, many-seeded 
acidulous fruit, which tasted like coarse rye bread, it was called 
the little bread-tree. The nonda fruit, oblong in form, about 
an inch in length, and of yellow colour when ripe, was very 
agreeable, and it appeared that the emus were very fond of 
it; they ate principally the unripe fruit, which was exces- 
sively bitter. It seems as if this bird was altogether fond of 
bitter fruits, for it also fed on the fruit of a small euphor- 
. biaceous tree, which was perhaps the most bitter fruit that 
. ever was tasted, and this bitterness was imparted to © 
> bem the marrow of the bird. At Raffles Bay we 
: fruit stalks of which del very agreeable ; but the envelope 
of the seed was exceedingly sharp and blistering to the ! 
and skin. | | E d 
The gibong Persoonia falcata, R. Br. and the fruit 
 Exocarpus latifolia Lab. were occasionally found and eate? 
in Arnheim Land. One species of Acacia, a sapinda 
