191 
The original description is as follows :— 
V. viminalis (Hook., MS.); foliis anguste elongato-lanceolati.s integerrimis nervis costa parallelis, 
paniculis axil lari bus terminalibusque. The other hitherto known species of the genus have broad leaves, 
more or less denticulate, with patent nerves. The flowers and fruit entirely accord with those of the 
genus.—W.J.H. “ Tree 20 ft. high, growing on high sandy ridges.” 
Botanical Name. — Ventilago ; Latin ventilo, I blow (or winnow); ago, I 
drive gently, in allusion to the winged seeds; viminalis, Latin viminalia —all trees 
and shrubs yielding twigs fit to bind or make wicker-work, e.g., willows. 
Vernacular Name.' —“ Supple Jack,” because of the flexibihty of its 
stems and branches (referred to in the specific name viminalis). 
I made the following notes while in the Bogan country : — 
The Supple Jack takes its name from the circumstance that when young it 
often forms a thin supple stem, sometimes like a cane, and often this thin stem seeks 
the protection of an older tree, usually of its own kind, in its young state, often 
entwining more or less spirally. 
This dependent stage is, however, not universal, the tree being often indepen¬ 
dent from the start. 
The lateral branches have a marked tendency to grow inwards towards the 
larger branch or trunk from which they sprang. One clump may consist of a dozen 
stems intertwining, more or less, and they probably all have sprung from the same 
stock, suckering (they are so often cut down for stock) and their supple branches 
(sub-stems) intertwine with the original. 
Supple Jack sometimes sends out lateral branches like vine tendrils which 
cling to the larger branches for support. 
It seems to me that there is only one root for every clump of Supple Jacks, 
i.e., it suckers freely. This is borne out by the fact that if you plough round a 
Supple Jack, suckers spring up wherever the root is injured. 
Aboriginal Names.— “ Cunnyannah,” of the aborigines of north-western 
New South Wales ; “ Thandorah,” of those of the Cloncurry River, North Queens¬ 
land.—(E. Palmer.) 
Leaves. —Speaking of the dry West, Mr. W. S. Campbell* says :— 
The most valuable of our fodder trees seems to be, beyond all question, that known as “ Supple 
Jack ’ in the western districts, or “ Cunnyannah ” in the north-west. Illustration No. 6 shows a typical 
specimen of a tree in its natural condition, and No. 7 shows one which has been lopped for fodder purposes 
for no less than five years in succession. This frequent lopping seems to have little or no effect on the 
“ Supple Jack,” which has wonderful recuperative qualities and adaptability for dry districts. 
Agrir. Gazette, N.S.W., Nov., 1899, p. 1168. 
