BY J. H. MAIDEN. 537 



162. Persoonia spp., N.O. Proteaceae. 

 " Geebung." 



These fruits are mucilaginous, insipid, and slightly astringent. 

 They are largely consumed by aboriginals, and also to some extent 

 by small boys. 



163. Phaseolus Mungo, Linn., (Syn. P. Max, Linn,), N.O. 

 Leguminosse, B.FL, ii., 257. 



" Komin " of the Rockhampton aboriginals, " Kaclolo " of the 

 Cleveland Bay aboriginals. 



The roots of this pulse-plant are edible, and can be eaten after 

 baking (Thozet). Doubtless they eat the seeds as well. It is 

 commonly cultivated for its seeds in India and parts of Africa, 

 where it is a common article of food. There are numerous 

 cultivated varieties. 



Queensland and Northern Australia. 



164. Physalis minima, Linn., (Syn. P. parviflora, R.Br.), N.O. 

 Solanese, B.Fl., iv., 466. 



" Neen-gwan " of the aboriginals of the Cloncurry River, North 

 Queensland. 



The berries are eatable. 



This plant is not endemic in Australia. 



Another species is the well-known " Cape Gooseberry." 



New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Australia. 



165. PiCRis HiERACioiDES, Linn., (Syn. P. harharorum, Lindl. ; 

 P. angustifolia, DC; P. attenuata, A. Cunn.; P. asperrima, 

 Lindl.; P. hamulosa, "Wall.), N.O. Compositfe, B.FL, iii., 

 678. (Not in Muell. Cens.). 



Sir Thomas Mitchell, Three Expeditions, ii., 149. thus speaks of 

 this plant: — "Near our camp we found some recent fire-places of 

 the natives, from which they must have hastily escaped on our 

 approach, for in the branches of a tree, they had left their net 



