USED FOR FOOD. 
271 
times be mistaken for this, as it bears in appearance 
a similar fruit ; but on being tasted, it is bitter and 
nauseous. This in the Murray dialect is called 
“ netting.” The natives prepare it by baking it in 
an oven, which takes the bitter taste away. The 
“ netting” is earlier in season than the “ ketango.” 
2. A berry about the size and shape of a large 
sloe, but with a smaller stone ; conical in shape, and 
rounded at the large end. This fruit is juicy and 
saline, though not disagreeable in taste. There are 
several varieties of it, which when ripe are of a black, 
red, or yellow colour. The black is the best. The 
bush upon which it grows is a salsolaceous bramble,* 
and is found in large quantities on the saline flats, 
bordering some parts of the Murrumbidgee and 
Murray rivers ; and along the low parts of the 
southern coast, immediately behind the ridges bound- 
ing the sea shore. It is a staple article of food in 
its season, among the natives of those districts where 
it abounds, and is eaten by them raw, stone and all. 
3. A small berry or currant, called by the natives 
of Moorunde 66 eertapko,” about the size of No. 2. 
shot. When ripe it is red, and of an agreeable acid 
flavour. It grows upoa a low creeping tap-rooted 
plant, of a salsolaceous character, found in the allu- 
vial flats of the Murray, among the polygonum 
brushes, and in many other places. A single plant 
will spread over an area of many yards in diameter, 
covering the dry and arid ground with a close, soft, 
* Nitraria Australis. 
