452 
E. Slaartiana F.v.M. (" Apple "). The leaves are sometimes eaten by cattle. 
Following is an analysis of them by Mr. F. B. -Outline in Agricultural Gazette, N.S.W., 
for October, 1899 : 
Water. 
Ash. 
Fibre. 
Other 
Extract (Oil, 
&c'.). 
Albumcnoids. 
Carbo- 
hydrates. 
Nutrient 
Value. 
Albumcnoid 
Ratio. 
Tannin, 
Oivk 
Bsvrk. 
3-1-55 
3-27 
9-65 
S-17 
6-37 
42-99 
56i 
1 : 8 
0-3 
Some Native Fodder-plants not always Edible. 
Now we come to a phase of the subject of dietetics to which I have drawn 
attention for a number of years, but so far I have not been able to get.pastoralists 
sufficiently interested to forward specimens from time to time in order that the plants 
eaten and rejected by stock may be identified. A good many people have such 
confidence in the botanist as to believe that he can determine any incomplete twig. 
Sometimes a tree has to be watched for months before it can be determined, that is 
to say, accurately or botanically determined. 
It is very easy to say whether certain plants are edible or not, but in regard to 
some of our trees and shrubs it is simply impossible to reconcile the statements 
concerning them. From the same district one receives the same species of plant in 
two different parcels, with the label that stock eat the one and reject the other. The 
plants are not even in a different stage of growth ; they simply appear to be identical 
in every respect. If they were sent at different times by different people, one might 
solemnly record them as edible or the reverse, and the iniormation, without qualification; 
would be misleading. 
The fact of the matter is, there are two factors, the plant and the animal. The 
plant may vary and be edible in one district or at a particular season of the year, or 
particular sheep, cattle, or horses may be fond of this particular plant, while others 
may reject it. In other words, all plants of the same species may not be edible, and 
all animals of the same kind may not show partiality to the same plants. Animals 
have their idiosyncrasies, just as men have, liking one kind of food and disliking another. 
If we could but persuade some Australian animals that certain plants are so nutritious 
and palatable if they would only take our advice, what a different place Australia 
would be ! 
Much depends on the district in which an animal is bred; much depends on 
habits of feeding he has recently formed ; in other words, as regards foods an animal 
may be bred from infancy in the midst of certain food and use of it may be quite 
natural to him, or through necessity he may have become educated to it. In either 
case he will eat similar food in another district or reject dissimilar. If the flock or 
herd be of mixed origin (in the above sense), when they come to a new locality some 
of the animals will eat a certain plant, while others will reject it. 
