BY R. H. CAMBAGE. 199 



Flindersia maculosa (Leopard Tree) and Atalaya, hemiglauca 

 (Whitewood) are to be seen near MuUengudgery, on the railway 

 line, to the north of Mudall, which seems about their southern 

 limit, though they may possibly extend down the Darling River, 



The Acacias are represented by A. Osioaldi (Miljee or Dead 

 Finish), A. dealhata (green variety), and A. homalophylla (YarranV 

 Just at starting, and near the river, A. pendida (Myall or Boree) 

 is f^rirly plentiful, and has been more so; but in travelling from 

 this point to the Lachlan via Nymagee, it is not seen again until 

 that river is reached, a distance by road of about 150 miles To 

 a Bogan River man the knowledge of this fact would at once 

 convey the impression, which is correct, that the country lying 

 between the Bogan and Lachlan Eivers along this route is not 

 made up of river plains, but is inclined to be scrubby, hilh^ and 

 dry. The country lying to the west of this road is of the same 

 nature, with no natural water conservation Before the days of 

 squatters and Government tanks, and in times of drought I do 

 not think any water could have been obtained between Bourke 

 and Condobolin via Cobar and Nymagee, except immediately 

 after a thunderstorm. The aborigines were assisted in their 

 journeys across this class of countr}^ by obtaining water from the 

 lateral roots of the Mallees, as mentioned by previous writers. 

 The species from which the chief supply was obtained is the Red 

 Mallee, Eucalyptus oleosa. In South Australia this tree is 

 sometimes called Water Mallee because the roots yield a consider- 

 able quantity of water. These, roots were cut into lengths, 

 and stood on end; the water would then at once begin to drip 

 out in exactly the same way as it does from the large vines known 

 as Supple Jack, which are found in the coast brushes. For the 

 information of those who have not had any experience in drinking 

 from these vines, it may be mentioned that after selecting one 

 about three inches in diameter it is not sufficient to simply cut it 

 in one place, as then only a little moisture would appear, but it 

 is necessary to make an incision above, or better still, to cut a 

 length of two or three feet right out. A bushman holds this up 

 and allows the water to flow straight into his mouth, so as to 



