HUMAN FOODS. 9 
20. Atherosperma moschata, Zadi//., N.O. Monimiacez, 
B.FI., v.,.284. 
“ Sassafras.” 
The fragrant bark of this tree has been used as tea in Tasmania. 
A decoction or infusion of the green or dried bark was made, and 
according to Mr. Gunn, it has a pleasant taste when taken with 
plenty of milk. Its effect is, however, slightly aperient. 
It is also used in the form of a beer. 
Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. 
21. Atriplex cinerea, Por. (Syn. 4. halimus, R.Br, A. 
eleagnotdes, Moq.,) N.O. Chenopodiacez, B.FI., v., 171. 
Once used as pot-herb in New South Wales. During his 
overland journey to Port Essington, Leichhardt used a species of 
Atriplex as a vegetable, and spoke very highly of it. 
All the colonies. 
22. Avicennia officinalis, Zzzv., (Syn. A. tomentosa, Jacq.,) 
N-@. Verbenacez, B.F1.; v., 69. 
? 
‘“Mangrove.” ‘‘ Egaie,”’ of the Cleveland Bay aboriginais ; ‘“‘ Tagon- 
tagon,” of the Rockhampton aboriginals; ‘‘ Baa-lunn,” and ‘‘ Tchoonche” 
are other aboriginal names. 
“ The fruit is heart-shaped, with two thick cotyledons. The 
aboriginals of Cleveland Bay dig a hole in the ground, where they 
light a good fire; when well ignited, they throw stones over it, 
which when sufficiently heated, they arrange horizontally at the 
bottom, and lay on the top the gaze fruit, sprinkling a little 
water over it; they cover it with bark, and over the whole earth is 
placed to prevent the steam from evaporating too freely. During 
the time required for baking (about two hours), they dig another 
hole in the sand; the softened “gave is put into it, they pour 
water twice over it, and the A/zdamo is now fit for eating. They 
resort to that sort of food during the wet season when precluded 
from searching for any other.’’ (Murrell’s testimony,* quoted by 
Mons. Thozet.) 
In Salt-water estuaries all round the coast. 
* Murrell was a shipwrecked sailor, who lived for seventeen years with the aboriginals 
of Cleveland Bay, Queensland. 
