FERN PINE, OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
The curious plant, of which the annexed 
print is a corre6t representation, is an un- 
doubted Fern ; and, from the manifest resem- 
blance of it's fruitage, being unable to discover 
by what barbarism it may possibly be distin- 
guished among the aboriginal natives of tbe 
regions where it grows, we have ventured to 
give it the at least temporary appellation of 
the Fern Pine. 
It grows to the height of from three to four 
feet; chiefly, in a light soil. From the sin- 
gular appearance of it's bulbous root, the 
draughtsman, though no botanist, has judi- 
ciously delineated the compleat plant. This 
bulb is found to contain a yellowish farina; 
but we have not been able to learn whether 
this is used, either as food or medicine, by 
the natives, or has undergone the ordeal of 
experiment from any European observer. 
The nuts, which compose the fruit, some- 
what resemble a Chesnut, and tliese are eaten 
by the natives: not, however, till they have 
passed through a process, which has been found 
necessary, to divest them of some deleterious 
qualities that they are known to possess. This 
process 
