18 
Vegetable diet is not neglected. One of the common meals is 
constituted by the small tunicated corms of Cyperus rotundus, that 
grows in the sands skirting the beds of watercourses, and known to 
the natives as “dunnmördta” The corms are unearthed, usually 
by the gins, mixed with hot ashes and roasted, then taken, about 
half-a-dozen at a time, and rubbed between the palms of the 
hands. This processdetachesthe brown coveringsof the bulb, which 
are then blown away, leaving behind on the hands the nut like 
« dunnmördta ” to be eaten. 
The spore-cases of Marsilea quadri-folia, usually known as 
* nardoo " by the whites, do not appear to be much used for food. 
A native meal that was also enjoyed by all members of the 
Expedition consisted of the “native truffle,” or “widida” of 
the blacks, which was found growing in the sandhills north of 
Opparinna Spring and elsewhere. This fungus does not generally 
rise above the surface of the sand, but just raises the soil 
sufficiently to indicate its position ; it therefore only partially 
resembles the European truffle in this respect. The “ widida " 
are eaten either raw or after being roasted in ashes. In many 
cases they were fly-blown ; this being a proof of the rich, fatty 
nature of their substance. 
Various species of Solanum produce fruits which, when ripe, are 
collected and eaten by the blacks, They call the fruit “ winya- 
winya." A similar statement holds good for the gooseberry— 
like fruits of Melothria or “ilgodda ” of the natives, the fruits of 
the native plum tree (Santalum lanceolatum) called “algullia ” 
by the aborigines, and the red fruits and kernels of the native 
peach tree (Santalum acuminatum). 
Seeds of acacia, portulaca, and certain eucalypti are ground 
to powder, usually with the addition of water to produce a 
paste, which is then baked. 
The leaves of the succulent Claytonia, often called ** parakylia " 
by the whites, and Portulaca ballonnensis, popularly known as 
'munyeroo,” are frequently eaten, especially when water is not 
close at hand. 
The dry fruits of the native fig tree (Ficus platypoda) are 
also eaten. 
The slender stalks and leaves of a small plant that is usually 
found creeping up the stems of mulga when chewed have quite 
an agreeable, sweetish taste ; they are for this reason continually 
being picked and chewed by the native folk, who call the. plant 
* päuyu.” 
Galls upon mulga (Acacia aneura) and bloodwood (Lucalyp- 
tus terminalis) trees, and commonly known respectively as 
* jarrulge" and “ errikollbolla,” are eaten by the blacks. The 
former is found on various species of acacia, and varies in size 
from that of a pea to that of a walnut. The whole of the growth, 
