548 AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS HUMAN FOOD-PROTIDING PLANTS, 



195. Tacca pinnatifida, Forst., N.O. Taccaceae, B.Fl., \'i.. 458. 



The root is very bitter when raw, but yields a great quantity of 

 white fecula, of which good flour for confectionery is made. The 

 fecula much resembles arrowroot, and is very nutritive. 



In Arracan the starch is, or was, extracted for the China 

 market (PJiarm. Journ., vi., 383.) 



Queensland and Northern Australia. 



196. Telopea speciosissima, R.Br., (Syn. Emhothrium speciosis- 

 simura, Smith ; E. spaihulatum, Cav. ; E. speciosa, Salisb. ; 

 Hylogyne speciosa, Knight), N.O. Proteaceae, B.Fl., v. 534- 



" Waratah" or "Native Tulip." 



So early as 1803 it was observed (Curtis's Bot. Mag.) that the 

 natives make an agreeable repast by sucking the tubular flowers, 

 which abound in honey. See " JBanksia." 



New South Wales. 



197. Terminalia sp., N.O. Combretacese. 



" We collected a great quantity of Terminalia gum, and pre- 

 pared it in difierent ways to render it more palatable. The natives, 

 whose tracks we saw everywhere in the scrub, with frequent marks 

 where they had collected gum, seemed to roast it. It dissolved 

 with difliculty in water ; added to gelatine soup it was a great 

 improvement. . . . But it acted as a good lenient purgative 

 on all of us " (Leichhardt, Over-land Journey to Port Essington, 

 p. 374). 



198. Terminalia Catappa, Linn., N.O. Combretacese, Muell. 

 Cens., p. 50. 



" Country Almond " of India. 



This plant is also a native of India. The seeds are like almonds 

 in shape and whiteness, but, though palatable, they have none of 

 their peculiar flavour (Treasury of Botany^. 



Queensland. 



