14 
ABORIGINAL METHOD OF OBTAINING WATER. 
We are indebted to the aborigines for a method of obtaining water, and that 
from a source in which we should perhaps least look for it. This simple method, 
which had bi^t hi' u'iven in the words of those who have had much intercourse with 
the blacks, is mm -ivcn, and no adult in Australia should be ignorant of it, There 
is no doubt that a knowledge of this method of obtaining water would have been the 
means of saving the lives of many people who have suffered one of the most terrible 
of all deaths deatli from thirst. 
It frequently happens to the natives, when out in the mall -onntry, that the water-holes on 
which they had counted on obtaining a supply of water have dried up, Imt they are never at a loss. 
They select in the small broken plains some mallee trees, which arc generally found surrounding them. 
The right kind of trees can always be recognised by a comparative density of their foliage. A circle, a 
few inches deep, is dug with a tomahawk around the base of the tree ; the roots, which run horizontally, 
are soon discovered. They are divided from the tree and torn up, many of them being several feet in 
length. They are then cut into pieces, each about 9 inches long, and placed on end in a receiver, and 
good, clear, well ta-ted \\atcr is obtained. The roots of several other trees yield water. (Dr. Grummow.) 
This method of obtaining water in arid regions has been described in almost 
similar language by many explorers. 
How the natives existed in this parched country was the question ! We saw that around many 
trees the roots had been taken up, and we found them without the bark, and cut into short clubs, or 
billets, but for what purpose we could not then discover I expressed my thirst and want of 
water. Looking as if they understood me, they hastened to resume their work, and I discovered that 
they dug up the roots for the sake of drinking the sap. It appeared that they first cut these roots into 
billets and then stripped off the bark or rind, which they sometimes chew, after which, holding up the 
billet, and applying one end to the mouth, they let the juice drop into it. Three Expeditions (Mitchell), 
pp. 196 and 199. 
Then we have a short paper, entitled, "Notes on the Method of Obtaining 
Water from Eucalyptus Roots as practised by the Natives of the Country between 
the Lachlan and Darling Rivers," by the late K. H. Bennett, in Proc. Linn. Soc. 
N.S. W., viii (1883-4), 213. He says :- 
Their uv several kinds of trees from which water was obtained, including three species of 
Eucalyptus, a species of Hakea and Currajong. The Eucalypti consisted of a gum (the largest of the back 
country trees), a box, and mallei*. The first named was the most preferred, as yielding the greatest 
quantity, and as the method was the same in all cases, this one will serve for a descriptiqn of the i;i<nlnf; 
operandi. This tree, which somewhat resembles the red gum in appearance the leaves being narrow and 
of a silvery colour grows chiefly on sandy or light loamy soil, and throws out numerous lateral roots at a 
depth of from 6 to 12 inches from the surface of the ground. The native, having ascertained the position 
of one or more of these roots by repeatedly jobbing the point of a spear or sharpened stick into the soft 
earth, and at a distance of some 6 or 8 feet from the trunk of the tree, quickly removes the superincum 
bent soil with his wooden shovel for 20 or 30 feet, and cutting the root off at each end, lifts it out of t In- 
trench, and cuts it up into lengths of about 18 inches to 2 feet, knocks off the bark, and stands the severed 
portions on end in some receptacle to contain the water (in former times a water bag made of the entire 
skin of a male wallaby). As soon as these pieces are placed on end, the water commences to drip, and 
when the whole of the root or roots are cut up and placed on end, the native beginning at the first placed, 
puts the end in his mouth and by a vigorous puff expels the remaining \\ntei-. The roots chosen are 
with the bark on about the size of a man's wrist ; the larger ones being more ly and less porous contain 
little or no water. The water is beautifully clear, cool, and free from any unpleasant taste or smell. 
I believe the trees referred to are Eucalyptus rostrat'/ Schlecht., the Red 
Gum, E. microtheca F.v.M., the Coolabah, and E. incrassala Labill. var. dumosa 
M.. one of the Malices, and I would suggest to dwellers in the West that they 
should definitely ascertain Avhat Eucalypts are so used before those blacks and whites 
who used the method pass away. 
