HUMAN FOODS. 67 
“Burdekin Vine,” ‘‘ Round Yam.” ‘Yaloone” is the aboriginal 
name (Qentral Queensland) for the large ones, and ‘‘ Wappoo-wappoo ”’ for 
the small ones. 
The tubers are very numerous, and some weigh from five to 
ten pounds. They are eaten after immersion in hot water like water- 
melons (the small and young ones are the best); they are, how- 
ever, difficult to digest. (Thozet.) 
It is probably the yam alluded to by Leichhardt (Overland 
Expedition to Port Essington, p. 150). ‘‘ Both tubers and berries 
had the same pungent taste, but the former contained a watery 
juice which was most welcome to our parched mouths.’ 
New South Wales and Queensland. 
209. Xanthorrhea, spp., N.O., Juncacez. 
“ The bases of the inner leaves of the grass-tree are not to be 
despised by the hungry. The aborigines beat off the heads of 
these singular plants by striking them about the top of the trunk 
with a large stick; then they stript off the outer leaves and cut 
away the inner ones, leaving about an inch and a-half of the 
white tender portion joining the trunk ; this portion they ate raw or 
roasted, and it is far from disagreeable in flavour, having a nutty 
taste, slightly balsamic.” (Backhouse.) 
The centre of the stem contains about five per cent. of sugar. 
“The interior or pith of the tree is broken up. It is then 
subjected to hydraulic pressure, when a copious flow of the 
saccharine juice takes place. About twenty gallons to the ton 
are obtainable. On distillation this quantity of raw juice yields 
four gallons of proof spirit.’ (Ligar, Zrans. R.S. Victoria, 
1866). 
In the year 1876 an application (which lapsed) was made at 
the Patent Office, Melbourne, for a patent for making sugar from 
X.hastilis. Following is the specification :—‘‘ The substance used 
is the inner white or cellular portion of the plant. This is 
submitted to pressure, mechanical or hydraulic. The juice 
expressed is boiled till a scum rises to the surface. This scum is 
skimmed off, lime being used to assist in the operation. After 
clarification, the juice is filtered through animal charcoal, and 
