246 On a New Sj)ecies of Manna from N. S. W. 



of these weights, and that of the whole original residue, was 



reckoned as starch. This method, which was the hest the 

 circumstances admitted of, is not one of very high 

 accuracy ; but I believe it to approximate pretty closely 

 to the truth. I think it likely, however, that the starch is 

 rather under, and the inulin overrated, as, owing to the 

 slight solubility of the latter substance, it was impossible to 

 carry the washing very far. The following are the results 

 I obtained : — 



Water . . . . . . 15-01 



Sugar, with a little resinous matter , 49'06 



Gum ....... 5'77 



Starch 4-29 



Inulin 13-80 



Cellulose 12-04 



100-00 

 Ash 1-13 



Such being the constitution of this curious substance, 

 the question of its origin becomes of very great difficulty. 

 All the species of manna regardiug which we have explicit 

 information appear to be exudations consequent upon the 

 puncture of an insect, and they are composed of substances 

 entirely soluble in water, which may easily be conceived to 

 exude in solution, and gradually dry up in the rays of the 

 sun, as indeed is actually the case with common commercial 

 manna. But in this manna we have present the insoluble 

 cellulose, with starch, which is absolutely insoluble, and 

 inulin, which is sparingly soluble in cold water ; and it is 

 very difficult, tinder any circumstances, to suppose that these 

 substances could have been produced as a consequence of a 

 jouucture; and still more so, when itis taken into consideration 

 that the whole substance is possessed of a definite organiza- 

 tion. It is true tliat certain insect j^unctures are followed 

 by the production of a sort of organised excrescence on some 

 plants ; but in every instance these are excrescences in the 

 strictest sense in the word, and are part of the plant upon 

 which they are developed, — but lerp is manifestly an inde- 

 pendent substance, the very attachment of which is not 

 distinguishable; and I apprehend that far more distinct 

 evidence than we now possess is required to establish its 

 insect origin. The natives, as has been already mentioned, 

 state that it is not produced by an insect ; and though, 



