2Q2 THE FOOD OF THE TASMANIAN ABORIGINES. 



We know that most of these species, perhaps with 

 the exception of the Argonauta and the large Triton and 

 Volutas, were consumed, and it is therefore hardly aston- 

 ishing that they were distinguished under separate 

 names (i). 



The evidence of the vocabulary is fully borne out by 

 the shell heaps. We find all the specimens above enumtj- 

 rated, in addition to a number of smaller species, which 

 most probably were accidentally mixed with the larger 

 kinds. The absence of the valves of the Pectines will be 

 referred to later on. 



B.— PLANTAE. 



The names of ii plants only are given, which is a 

 very small number considering the richness of the flora 

 (2). These are: — 



I Blanfordia nobilis. 



2. The Bracken fern Pteris esculenta. 



3. The Fern tree Cibotium Billardieri. 



4. Wattle tree 



5. Gum tree Eucalyptus spec. spec. 



6. Mushroom 



7. Sheoak 



8. Blackwood tree 



9. Bullrush Typha. 



10. Waratah Telopea truneata. 



11. Acacia Acacia maritima. 



The above list proves more than anything what a 

 small role the vegetabilic kingdom played in the life of 

 the Aborigines. It is mostly the plants they consumed as 

 food and those that they came daily across that were 

 named. 



(i) I think, however, that a critical examination will reduce 

 the number of names. How careless Milligan's vocabulary is 

 sometimes compiled will be seen from the following. Pag. 30 

 he says: — 



East. Tribes West. Tribes 

 Haliotis j H. tuberculata } ^renah neter.ah 



(ear shell) ( H. j^labra \ ^ ' 



and on pag. 2>^ we read: — 



Mutton-fish, smooth — (Haliotis) magrannyah lorokakka 



Mutton-fish, rough — yawarreuah teeoo!iah 



Now, which version is the correct one? 



(2) I mentioned above that Brough Smyth quoted on the 

 authority of the Government Botanist of Victoria not less than 

 108 different species occurring in Tasmania which could be used 

 as food. 



