HUMAN FOODS. 25 
Archdeacon King has noticed Mellitose-manna on the leaves 
of this tree to a small extent when they are pierced by a beetle. 
(Anoplognathus cereus.) 
~ New South Wales and Queensland. 
76. Eucalyptus dumosa, 4. Cunn., (a Mallee), B.FI., ili., 230; 
E. gracilis, F.v.M., (a Mallee), B.FI., iii., 211; E, incrassata, 
Labill., (a Mallee), B.FI., iii, 231; E. microtheca, F.v.M. ; 
(“Bastard Box” or “ Coolibah,”) B.FI., iii., 223; EH, oleosa, 
F.v.M., (a Mallee), B.FL., iii., 248, N.O., Myrtaceze. 
These Eucalypts, amongst others, yield water from their roots. 
See page 1. See also Hakea leucoptera and Vitis (Cissus). 
Chiefly in the arid regions of the colonies. 
Vf Eucalyptus dumosa, 4. Cuzn., N O., Myrtacex, B.FI., ili., 230. 
(erp, “Larp,” “Laap,” or “ Earap ~ Euealypt: 
This shrub yields a kind of manna called Lerp or Larp by 
the aboriginals. It is the nidus of an insect, and consists of 
starch-like substance, which is eaten in summer by the aborigines 
of the mallee country of Victoria. It somewhat resembles in 
appearance small shells; it is sweet, and in colour white or 
yellowish-white. According to Dr. Thomas Dobson, of Hobart, 
the insect which causes the Lerp to form is Psylla EKucaly pti. 
It is probably formed on the leaves of other mallee Eucalypts. 
“This substance occurs on the leaves, and consists of white 
threads clotted together by a syrup proceeding from the insect 
(Psylla Eucalypti) which spins those threads. It contains, in 
round numbers, of water 14 parts, thread-like portion 33 parts, 
sugar 53 parts. The threads possess many of the characteristic 
properties of starch, from which, however, they are sharply 
distinguished by their form. When lerp is washed with water the 
sugar dissolves and the threads swell but slightly, but dissolve to 
a slight extent, so that the solution is coloured blue by iodine. 
The threads freed from sugar by washing consist of a substance 
called Lerp-amylum. 
‘‘Lerp-amylum is very slightly soluble in cold water, not 
perceptibly more so in water at 100°, but entirely soluble to a thin 
