THEIR SECRETION. 321 



examining the tree to ascertain positively from 

 what part of it the manna was secreted, I found 

 in several that the manna exuded in a liquid 

 form in minute drops from the bark, and then 

 concreted ; on some it had oozed out and had 

 concreted upon the trunk in large thin flakes ; 

 it exuded about the consistence of syrup, and 

 in taste was sweet ; when secreted frona the 

 branches it falls from those above, upon the 

 leaves, &c. of others beneath, and upon the 

 ground, where, during a plentiful season, a 

 large quantity may be collected. 



The rain that had fallen the day previous to 

 my examination of these trees, and the heat of the 

 sun causing a quantity of manna to exude from 

 them, its mode of secretion could be more readily 

 distinguished. It is usually secreted about the 

 commencement of December ; but it depends on 

 the weather whether the secretion is in greater 

 or less quantity : this season it was abundant. 



The manna trees had commenced during the 

 latter part of December, to throw off" their outer 

 bark ; their trunks, therefore, had a ragged appear- 

 ance, and the ground underneath was strewed 

 with dried crisped pieces which had fallen off, 

 leaving a smooth and handsome new bark in 

 their place. The black cockatoos ("Wombe- 

 rong," and " Bulowla") were occasionally seen 



VOL. I. Y 



