HUMAN FOODS. 51 
160. Panicum decompositum, &.87., (Syn. P. /evinode, Lindl. ; 
P. proliferum, F.v.M.; P. amabile, Balansa), N.O , Graminez, 
Pl; Nii., 489. 
“Native Millet,” ‘‘ Umbrella Grass.” The seed used to be called 
“Cooly ” by Western New South Wales aboriginals, and ‘‘ Tindil ” by the 
aboriginals of the Cloncurry River (North Queensland). 
The grains pounded yield excellent food, although the grains 
are rather small. This plant is not endemic in Australia. 
All the colonies except Tasmania. 
161. Parinarium Nonda, /.v.4Z., N.O., Rosacez, B.FI., ii., 426. 
The ‘‘ Nonda Tree” of N.E. Australia. 
The aborigines use the esculent drupes as food. When ripe 
they taste somewhat like a mealy potato, with, however, a trace of 
that astringency so common to Australian fruits. They resemble 
in size and appearance a yellow egg-plum. Leichhardt, in his 
Overland Fourney to Port Essington, p. 315, describes the tree 
and its fruit, and also states that he found the fruit in the dilly- 
bags of the natives, and also abundantly in the stomachs of emus. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
162. Persoonia Spp., N.O., Proteacez. 
‘* Geebung.”’ 
These fruits are mucilaginous, insipid, and slightly astringent. 
They are largely consumed by aboriginals, and also to some extent 
by small boys. 
163. Phaseolus Mungo, Zznz., (Syn. P. Max, Linn.), N.O., 
Leguminosz, B.FI., ii., 257. 
“ Komin,” of the Rockhampton aboriginals; “ Kadolo,” of the Cleve- 
land Bay aboriginals. 
The roots of this pulse-plant are edible, and can be eaten 
after baking. (Thozet.) Doubtless the blacks eat the seeds as well. 
It is commonly cultivated for its seeds in India and parts of 
Africa, where it is a common article of food. There are numerous 
cultivated varieties. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
