19 
with the exception of a small kernel-like structure in the centre 
containing the insect, is edible. The taste, though slightly 
eucalyptine, might be compared with that of a “tasteless apple." 
The bloodwood * gall apple? is a nodular, woody, and. warty 
growth, the inside of which is hollow, and contains, besides the 
parasite, a sweetish juice. The inner layer of the coat of this 
“apple” is white, soft, and edible. 
The flowers of many plants are at times gathered, and the 
honey sucked from their calyces. Women and children were 
observed to do this. 
The seeds of the kurrajong (Brachychiton Gregorii) are roasted 
and eaten, while the young roots are chewed in case of need. 
The native always eats the whole, or at least as much as he 
possibly can, of the proceeds of one day's hunting—never having 
a moment's thought about to-morrow's menu. 
The properties of the dry leaves of pituri* (Duboisia Hopwoodi), 
the so-called native stimulant, which is known to the natives 
of this region as “ peturr,” have already been discussed by various 
writers. In this case, also, it is chewed or sucked in the form 
of rolled plugs. "These plugs, when not in use, are stored behind 
the ears of the owners thereof, and are often passed from one to 
the other and successively sucked. The males only were observed 
to partake of this stimulant. 
Physical Features.— The stature of the natives of the tribes 
considered is, generally speaking, small; fairly well developed 
from head to hips, the legs being less so. At the time of our 
sojourn in the ranges the condition of the blacks was excellent, 
this being the result of the extraordinarily good season. The 
average stature varies considerably. The tallest men were found 
among the Ullparidja, in the Tomkinson and west of the Mann 
Ranges, two members of this tribe having been noted to be over 
6 ft. hight ; others being not much short of that height. Yet, at 
the same time, dwarfs—adult men—under 5 ft. high appear 
among the same people. The females vary less in height among 
themselves, averaging about 5 ft. 4 in. Тһе tallest female was 
met with south-east of the Musgrave Ranges, a member of the 
Karkurrerra Tribe bearing the native name of Ptumpalenna, 
who stood close on 5 ft. 9 in. in height. 
The facial features are of the typical Australoid type that has 
often been described, though the repeated encounter with men 
"See also Rep. Horn Exped., Anthrop., p. 61; A. J. Higgin: Proc. 
Roy. Soc. S.A., 1903, page 202; and Rep. Elder Exped., Anthrop., 
page 293. 
t Lindsay, Palmer, and Stirling have noted exceptionally tall natives 
from other parts of Central Australia, See Anthrop., Horn Exped., 
p+ 16; 
