110 - ON PLANTS USED BY THE NATIVES OF NORTH QUEENSLAND, 
surface of the leaf, by breaking it in the middle across with a 
sudden jerk while held between the fingers, and drawing the 
They are twisted up at once into twine. 
100. Phragmites communis, Trin. The common reed, found in 
the bed of the Mitchell River ; very large and tall. The stems are 
used for reed-spears. ey are cut green, and stored in large 
quantities. When used they are straightened in the fire, and 
ecome very tough. 
101. Psoralea archerti, F. v. M. Native name on Cloncurry, 
bark peels and is kept for use, for cordage and strong twine. 
Grows on the Cloncurry plains and billybongs after wet season. 
smooth, Two sticks of th e Ww 
the natives of the Mitchell carry two sticks of this shrub ina 
sheath ready for use. 
and plains; an annual, with a yellow or lilac flower ; grows 
from 5 to 7 feet high, with spreading branches. When dry the 
natives use two pieces of the same plant for fire-drills ; stems are 
used for the ends of reed spears 
104. Sterculia sp. Native name on Cloncurry “ Eendurah.” A 
tall shady tree, called Kurrijong ; seed-pods eaten after roasting. 
Inside bark worked up into strong cord for wallaby nets and bags: 
105. Thryptomene oligandra, F. vy. M. Native name on the 
Mitchell, “O-May.” A small tree, called swamp ti-tree, grows 
im sandy country near swamps, on Mitchell and Gilbert Rivers. 
rma 
i leaves at the extremities of the branchlets. Wood hard and 
e, used for the points of spears—for reed spears only. 
106. Ventilago vuminalis, Hooker. (RHAMNEH.) Native name 
oneurry, “ Thandorah.” es a tree 12 
and straggling growth; bark rough # 
y. They use two sticks of the teh wood from this tree for 
aking fire with, It is generally used, and being common, is the 
most frequently used of woods for that purpose. 
