MANNA — HONEY. 273 
Bark from the roots of trees and shrubs is roasted, 
and then pounded between two stones for use. 
Gums exude from the trees on which they are 
procured. These are generally varieties of the 
Mimosa. 
Manna exudes in great abundance from the tree 
already mentioned, as constituting the firewood 
which the natives use in fishing by night. It is of 
a mottled red or brown colour, of a firm consistency 
and sweet taste, resembling exactly in appearance, 
flavour, and colour, the manna used medicinally in 
Europe. 
Another variety is yielded by the Eucalyptus 
mannifera and is found early in the morning under 
the tree, scattered on the ground. This is beauti- 
fully white and delicate, resembling flakes of snow. 
Honey is procured by steeping the cones of the 
Banksia or other melliferous flowers in water. It is 
procured pure from the hives of the native bees, 
found in cavities of rocks, and the hollow branches 
of trees. The method of discovering the hive is 
ingenious. Having caught one of the honey bees, 
which in size exceeds very little the common house 
but in these parts ; it is, however, there is no doubt, a species 
of the araucaria genus, well known in South America ; the 
timber, when green, is white, fine grained and very tough, but 
whether it retains these qualities when dry, has not yet been 
determined. The Aborigines are particularly fond of the bunya 
nuts, which are as large as a full sized almond, including the 
shell, and, in good seasons, come from a distance of 100 or 200 
miles to feast upon them.” 
VOL, II. 
T 
