HUMAN FOODS. 31 
“The fruit, which is black when ripe, is eaten by the abori- 
ginals.” (Thozet.) 
Victoria to Queensland. 
91. Ficus glomerata, Welld., (Syn. F. vesca, F.v.VU.; Covellia 
glomerata, Miq.), N.O., Urticez, B.FI., vi., 178. 
*‘ Clustered Fig ” tree. 
The fruit, which is of a light red colour when ripe, hangs in 
clusters along the trunk and on some of the highest branches anil 
is used as food by the aborigines. 
“The ripe fruit is eaten, and is good either raw or stewed.” 
(Gamble, Manual of Indian Timbers.) Brandis, however, says: 
“In times of scarcity the unripe fruit is pounded, mixed with 
flour, and made into cakes.”’ 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
92. Ficus platypoda, 4. Cunn., (Syn. Urostigma platypodum, 
Miq.), N.O., Urticeze, B.FI., vi., 169. 
On his journey from Western Australia to the overland 
telegraph line, Mr. John Forrest, on more than one occasion, 
pronounced the fruit of this tree to be ‘“‘ very good.” 
Eee © onanesy (Proc. Linn. - Soc. N.S.W.,.vi., 736), 
however, states that the fruit of this species is not edible. But 
the appetities of explorers frequently become voracious, and not 
too discriminating. 
South Australia, Queensland, and Northern Australia. 
93. Fusanus acuminatus, &.2r., (Syn. Sanfalum Preissianum, 
Mig.; S. acuminatum, A.DC.), N.O., Santalacee, B. FI. 
vi., 215. S. acuminatum in Muell. Cens., p 64. 
“ Quandong,” “‘ Native Peach.” 
The fleshy pericarp which envelops the seed known as the 
‘Quandong, makes an excellent sub-acid preserve and jelly. It is 
somewhat of the same flavour as the black guava. By simply 
extracting the stones and drying the fruit in the sun, it may be 
dried and used when convenient, just like preserved apples) The 
kernel is also edible, being very palatable. It is quite spherical. 
All the colonies, except Tasmania and Queensland, 
