BY J. H. MAIDEN. 553 



208. ViTis OPACA, F.V.M., (Syn. Cissus opaca, F.v.M.), N.O. 

 Ampelidese, B.Fl., L, 450. 



" Burdekin vine," " Round yam." " Yaloone " is the aboriginal 

 name (Centi-al Queensland) for the large ones, and " Wappoo- 

 wappoo" for the small ones. 



The tubers are very numerous, and some weigh from 5 to 10 

 lbs. They are eaten after immersion in hot water like water- 

 melons (the small and young ones are the best) ; they are, how- 

 ever, difficult to digest (Thozet). 



It is probably the yam alluded to by Leichhardt, {Overland 

 Expedition to Port Essington, p. 150). "Both tubers and berries 

 had the same pungent taste, but the former contained a watery 

 juice which was most welcome to our parched mouths." 



New South Wales and Queensland. 



209. Xanthorrhea spp., N.O. Juncacese. 



" The bases of the inner leaves of the grass-tree are not to be 

 despised by the hungry. The aboiigines beat oflf the heads of 

 these singular plants hy striking them about the top of the trunk 

 with a large stick ; then they stript off the outer leaves and cut 

 away the inner ones, leaving about an inch and a-half of the white 

 tender portion joining the trunk ; this portion they ate raw or 

 roasted, and it is far from disagreeable in flavour, having a nutty 

 taste, slightly balsamic " (Backhouse). 



The centre of the stem contains about 5 per cent, of sugar. 



"The interior or pith of the tree is broken up. It is then 

 subjected to hydraulic pressure, when a copious flow of the 

 saccharine juice takes place. About twenty gallons to the ton 

 are obtainable. On distillation this quantity of raw juice yields 

 four gallons of proof spirit" (Ligar, Trans. U.S. Victoria, 1866). 



In the year 187G an application (which lapsed) was made at the 

 Patent Office, Melbourne, for a patent for making sugar from 

 X. haslilis. Following is the specification : — 



