518 AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS HUMAN FOOD-PROVIDING PLANTS, 



the beverage which they produced was at all events the best we 

 had tasted on our expedition ; and my companions were busy the 

 whole afternoon in gathering and boiling the seeds" (Leichhardt, 

 Overland Exj)edition to Port Essiwjton, p. 295). 

 Queensland and Northern Australia. 



105. Haemodorum spicatum, R.Br., {<rijn. H. edide, Endl.), and 

 other species, N.O. Araaryllidese, B.Fl., vi., 420. 



The bulbs are eaten by the aboriginals. 

 Western Australia. 



lOG. Hakea leucoptera, R.Br., (Syn. H. leucocephala, Dietr.; 

 H. virgata, E.Br.; If. tephrosperma, R.Br.; ZT. longicuspis, 

 R.Br.; H.stricta, F.v.M.), N.O. Proteaceje, B.FL, v., 515. 



" Needle bush," " Pin bush." 



Good drinking-water is got from the fleshy-roots of this bush in 

 tlie arid districts in which it grows. The same method of obtain- 

 ing it is employed as described at page 481. 



In an experiment on a water-yielding Hakea, the first root, 

 about half an inch in diameter and six or eight feet long, yielded 

 quickly, and in large drops, about a wine-glassful of really excellent 

 water (Lockhart Morton, Proc. R.S. Vict., 1860, p. 132.) 



All the colonies except Tasmania and Western Australia. 



107. Hakea lorea, R.Br., (Syn. Grevillea lorea, R.Br.), N.O. 

 Proteaceje, B.FL, v., 496. 



" Cork-tree." 



The Proteaceae seem to be the most abundant yielders of honey 

 amongst Australian plants. The flowers of the present species are 

 veiy rich in a bi'own, thick, honey-like liquid, which sometimes is 

 so abundant as to flow along and envelop the twigs. When 

 pressing some flowers ior herbarium specimens, Mr. Bauerlen 

 found the liquid actually to run out between the papers. See also 

 Banksia. 



From New South Wales to Northern Australia. 



