274 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



shaped hillocks dotted about throughout the ground area in this view represent, 

 it may be mentioned, clay tenements of the Termites or White Ants that are feeding 

 on the decaying Grass-tree roots and stumps. This form of the White Ant nest 

 has been already referred to in Chapter IV., and well illustrates the relatively small 

 dimensions of the edifices raised by these insect architects outside the limits of the 

 tropics. 



The higher bushy trees, with large distinctly serrated leaves, that overshadow 

 the Xanthorrhaeas on either side in Plate XL VIII., typify a very characteristic Aus- 

 tralian group, as exemplified by the genus Banksia of the family of the Proteacese. 

 The species here depicted, Banksia grandis, is one of the handsomest of its tribe. Its 

 large dark glossy leaves and bright yellow flower-spikes are often a foot or more in 

 length, and constitute quite a conspicuous feature in those districts, where it forms 

 extensive plantations. No less than thirty -four species of Banksia have been described, 

 the majority of which are indigenous to the southern, temperate regions of the Australian 

 continent and the adjacent island of Tasmania. Throughout the Australian Colonies 

 the more common popular name for these trees is that of " Honeysuckle." This title 

 has been conferred upon them with reference to the large quantity- of honey the 

 abundant blossoms produce, which afford an almost continual feast for a vast 

 number of exclusively honey-eating birds. The matured flower-spikes of the species 

 now under notice literally drip with the sweet secretions, and are the object of assiduous 

 attention, not only from birds, but also from the Western Australian aboriginals, 

 whose dusky countenances during the honeysuckle season are for the nonce 

 transfigured beyond recognition by an adherent mixture of Banksia honey and 

 yellow pollen. 



The large seed cones, commonly a foot long and five or six inches thick, of 

 Banksia grandis are in great favour as an article of firewood in those 

 localities where the species represents one of the principal forest growths, the 

 abundance of resin contained in them creating as cheerful a blaze as the cedar 

 or pine cones esteemed for a like purpose in northern latitudes. Although most 

 extensively known as " Honeysuckle," the commoner name applied to the tree, 

 and more especially with reference to the cones vended for kindling purposes in the 

 neighbourhoods of Perth and Fremantle, Western Australia, is the " Banshee." It 

 was difficult, at first, to determine how this seemingly incongruous title had 

 become affixed to it. Apparently, however, it has been evolved as an illiterate 

 corruption of the generic name of Banksia. 



