HUMAN FOODS. 53 
167. Pittosporum phillyreoides, DC., (Syn. P. angustifolium, 
Lodd.; and others), N.O., Pittosporez, B.FI., i., 112. 
Called variously ‘* Butter-bush,” “‘ Native Willow,’ and “ Poison-berry 
Free?’ 
The seeds are very bitter to the taste, yet the aborigines in 
the interior were in the habit of pounding them into flour for use 
as food. (Tepper.) 
In all the colonies except Tasmania. 
168. Podocarpus spinulosus, &.2r., (Syn. P. asplenifolia, Labill. ; 
P. pungens, Caley; Nageta spinulosa, F.v.M.), N.O., Coni- 
fer, B.FI., vi., 247. MV. spinulosa in Muell. Cens., p. 109. 
“ Native Plum,” or ‘‘ Native Damson. 
This shrub possesses edible fruit, something like a plum, 
hence its vernacular names. The Rev. Dr. Woolls tells me that, 
mixed with jam of the Native Currant (Lepfomeria acida), it 
makes a very good pudding. 
New South Wales. 
169. Portulaca napiformis, F.v.M., N.O., Portulacez, B.FI., i., 
169. 
The tubers of this plant are used by the natives for food. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
170. Portulaca oleracea, Z2zz., N.O., Portulacez, B.FI.,i., 169. 
“ Pigweed,” or ‘‘ Purslane,” of England; ‘‘Thukouro,” of the 
-aboriginals of the Cloncurry River. 
The seeds of this plant are largely used for food by the 
natives of the interior. One would suppose that so small a seed 
would scarcely repay the labour of collecting, but the natives 
obtain large quantities by pulling up the plants, throwing them in 
heaps, which after a few days they turn over, and an abundant 
supply of seed is found to have fallen out, and can be easily 
gathered up; the food prepared from this seed must be highly 
nutritious, for during the season that it lasts the natives get in 
splendid condition on it. The seeds are jet black and look like 
very fine gunpowder. The natives grind them in the usual mill 
(?.e., a large flat-stone or bed-stone on which the seed is put, anda 
