HUMAN FOODS. 7 
13. Angiopteris evecta, Ho ffm., N.O. Filices, B.FI., vii., 694. 
“The aboriginals used to feed on the pith of this tree-fern, 
which contains a certain amount of starch similar to sago.”’ (Foster.) 
This plant is not endemic in Australia. 
Queensland. 
14. Apium australe, Zhou. (Syn. A. prostratum, Labill. ; 
Petroselintum prostratum, DC.; Helosciadium australe, 
Bunge; H. prostratum, Bunge.), N.O. Umbelliferze, B.FI., 
ili., 372. A. prostratum in Muell. Cens., p. 63. 
“ Australian Celery.” 
“This plant may be utilised as a culinary vegetable.” (Mueller.) 
It is not endemic in Australia. 
All the colonies. 
15. Aponogeton elongatus, /.v.4/., and A. monostachyus 
Linn., N.O. Alismacez, B. FI., vii., 188. 
“The tuberous roots of these water-plants are starchy, and of 
excellent taste, though not large ” (Mueller.) 
New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Australia, 
A. elongatus; Queensland and Northern Australia, A, mono- 
Stachyus. 
16. Araucaria Bidwillii, Hooker, N.O. Coniferz, B,FI., vi. 243. 
“ Bunya Bunya.” 
‘The cones shed their seeds, which are two to two and a-half 
inches long by three-quarters of an inch broad ; they are sweet 
before being perfectly ripe, and after that resemble roasted chest- 
nuts in taste. They are plentiful once in three years, and when 
the ripening season arrives, which is generally in the month of 
January, the aboriginals assemble in large numbers from a great 
distance around, and feast upon them. Each tribe has its own 
particular set of trees, and of these each family has a certain 
number allotted, which are handed down from generation to 
generation with great exactness. The bunya is remarkable as 
being the only hereditary property which any of the aborigines are 
known to possess, and it is therefore protected by law. The food 
seems to have a fattening effect on the aborigines, and they eat 
large quantities of it after roasting it at the fire. Contrary to their 
