10 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF QUEENSLAND, 



broad, prickly, containing two or ttree large polished bluisli-grey 

 seeds, whicli are often strung into necklaces, bracelets, rosaries, 

 &c. These seeds have a bitter taste and are employed by Indian 

 doctors as a tonic and febrifuge. The specific name is said to be 

 derived from the Arabic *' Bondog," a necklace. 



CcBsalpinia nuga, Ait. A plant of similar habit to the last is 

 found on some of the islands off our North-east coast with seeded 

 pods. It is said that the roots are used in decoctions for calculous 

 and nephritic complaints. 



The third ^vih-ordiQv Mimoseae includes ^mm the most numerous 

 in species of all Australian Phsenogamous genera. The bark and 

 gums of many species are used to stop diarrhoea by bushmen. 

 From the flowers oi one, A. farnestana, Willd., called '' Dead- 

 finish " on the Darling Downs, a delicious perfume is distilled. 

 This species is common to the warmer regions of the new and 

 old world. 



According to Dr. Wm. WooUs' '' Contributions to the Flora of 

 Australia," page 97, one of our Mosaceous -plsints, Ruhus parviflorus 

 Linn., has been found to possess some valuable medicinal 

 properties, but what those properties are is not stated. 



Although the ordiQr MyrtaeecB to which we are now come furnishes 

 us with much valuable timber, it contains but few species from 

 which medicinal drugs were obtained by Medical men of the old 

 school. Of late attention has been turned to our Eucalypts, and 

 from some valuable medicines have been obtained. An essence, 

 with all the fragrance of the best Lisbon lemons was obtained 

 some time back by K. T. Staiger, Esq., the Government analytical 

 chemist, from the foliage of a species found on the Palmer River 

 of which no flower specimens have as yet been sent down, therefore 

 its affinity cannot be determined and it remains botanically 

 unknown. From another species E. eitriodora, Hooker, the same 

 gentleman has also obtained an essence which partakes of the 

 flavour of the citron. This latter tree is plentiful at Eockhampton, 



