VAKIETIES OF FOOD. AND METHODS OF OBTAINING IT. 119 



is chewed and relished by the blacks. An allied plant ( Kennedya 

 monophylla,Y ent.) Mr. Bailey states, is called by bushmen 'Native 

 Sarsaparilla,' and its roots are used in decoction as a beverage. It 

 is scarcely necessary to remark that the real native Sarsaparilla 

 is Smilax glycyphylla, Sm., known as 'Sweet Tea.' 



4. Panicum decompositum, R. Br., or P. Icevinode, Lindl., a 

 semi-aquatic grass, called ' Blue Polly ' or ' Umbrella Grass,' is 

 one of the most valuable native grasses. Sir Thomas Mitchell 

 was the first to notice how it was utilised by the blacks ("Ex- 

 peditions. Vol. l, p. 238), and Mr. E. Palmer ("Notes on some 

 Australian Tribes, p. 42 ") states that " they gather and grind 

 the seeds between two stones with water, and bake the substance 

 as a cake in the ashes . . . . . It is found nourishing and 

 satisfving." 



5. Eustrephus angustifolius, R. Br., a liliaceous plant common 

 to Queensland, N. S. Wales and Victoria, having weak and 

 tlexuous stems, and a climbing habit. The flowers are of a pale 

 colour, and the fruit nearly globular and of an orange colour. 

 Mr. O'Shannesy, f.l.s., says that it has sweet tubers an" inch long. 

 The allied plant ( Geitonoplesium cymosum, A. Cunn.) is called by 

 the blacks " Garran," and the roots are compared to asparagus, 

 ("Frag. Phytographia? Australian, Vol. VII., p. 74:"). 



6. Capparis Mitchellii, Lindl., (Oapparidean) called sometimes 

 " Native Pomegranate " is a small tree, and it was regarded by 

 Dr. Lindley as one of the most interesting plants discovered by 

 Sir Thomas Mitchell. M. Thozet, in his " Notes on Roots etc. 

 eaten by the Blacks," says that the natives of the North called it 

 " Mondo," and that its fruit is two or three inches in diameter. 

 Several species of Capparis have edible fruits. 



7. Phaseolus Truxillensis, H. B. &K., (Leguminosse) is a twin- 

 ing or trailing plant of Queensland and North Australia with 

 pinnately trifoliate leaves. M. Thozet says that the blacks of the 

 Cleveland Tribe called it " Kadolo," and those of Rockhampton, 

 " Komin." He describes the pods as cylindrical, two to four 

 inches long, and the roots shaped like carrots. 



Discussion. 



Mr. T. W. Edgworth David, f.g.s. — Apropos of the food of 

 the aborigines it may be of interest to some of the members to 

 know that the aborigines in Maitland District at all events were 

 particularly fond of the fruit of the Macrozamia. Mr. Elliott 

 who used to reside there, told me that the gins used to gather it 

 when ripe and would put it to soak in nets made of the fur of 

 opossums. After allowing it to soak for three or four days in rain 

 water, they would bruise it and bake it into cakes fifteen inches in 

 diameter and eat it when hungry. As regards animal food there 



