8 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
usual habits, they sometimes store up the bunya nuts, hiding them 
in a water-hole for a month or two. Here they germinate, and 
become offensive to a white man’s palate, but they are considered 
by the blacks to have acquired an improved flavour.” (Hill.) 
Dr. Bennett mentions that after an indulgence in this exclusively 
vegetable diet they have an irresistible longing for flesh, and that 
in order to satisfy that craving cannibalism used to be frequent 
amongst those tribes who were visitors (for the purpose of eating 
the bunya-bunya seeds) of those tribes in whose territory the 
bunya-bunya tree grows. 
Queensland. 
17. Astelia alpina, R.Br., N.O.; Liliacess, .B.F Ij: viligeeee 
“The fruit is sweet, and the bases of the leaves are eaten.” 
(R. C. Gunn.) 
Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. 
18. Astroloma humifusum, 2.2r., (Syn. A. pallidum, Sond. ; 
Styphelia humifusa, Pers.; Ventenatia humtfusa, Cav.,) 
and A, pinifolium, (Syn. Styphelia pinifolia, Spreng., 
Stenanthera pintfolia, R. Br.,) N.O. Epacridez, B.FL, iv., 
156 and 159. Styphelia humifusa and S. pinifolia in 
Muell. Cens., p. 105. 
Commonly called ‘‘ Ground-berry.’”’ In Tasmania the fruits are often 
called ‘‘ Native Cranberries.” 
The fruits of these dwarf shrubs are much appreciated by 
school-boys and aboriginals. They have a viscid sweetish pulp, 
with arelatively large stone. The pulp is described by some as 
being ‘‘ apple-flavoured,” though I have always failed to make out 
any distinct flavour. 
All the colonies, except Queensland, A. humifusa ; Tasmania, 
Victoria, and New South Waies, A. pznzfolza. 
19. Atalantia slauca, Hook. f., (Syn. TZriphasia glauca, 
Lindl.),” N-©. “Rutacese, B.F Ej, 7370. 
“Native Kumquat,” ‘ Desert Lemon.” 
The fruit is globular, and about half-an-inch in diameter. It 
produces an agreeable beverage from its acid juice. A fair pre- 
serve may be made out of the fruit. 
New South Wales and Queensland. 
