126 
I find an even earlier reference (unpublished, however) in Allan Cunning¬ 
ham’s MS. Journal made when he was on Oxley’s Expedition. His words are as 
follows :— 
4/5/17.— Acacia pendula, nova sp. A tree 25 feet high, much the habit of growth of Salix 
Babylonica, leaves simple lanceolate; the whole tree has a gray hue, common on the low flats (W. of 
Bathurst). 
25/5/17. It may be worthy of observation that among other signs of humidity this Acacia is one, 
hence, whenever we observed this gray tree, we might on all occasions rest assured that water was, or had 
been, in existence near it. 
At these dates Cunningham would be in the Forbes, Condobolin, Wyalong 
country. In Oxley’s Journal* at p. 19 , under date May 5, this “ new species of 
Acacia ” is referred to “ which received the specific name of pendula, from its 
resembling in habit the Weeping Willow.” Mr. It. H. Cambage suggests that the 
Weeping Myall was first seen on the plains near Jemalong, between Forbes and 
Condobolin. 
Baron von Mueller named for me an Acacia growing in the Hay district, and 
known as “ Yarran.” He pronounced this particular “ Yarran ” to be A. pendula , 
var. glabrata. The timber possesses many of the qualities attributed to the typical 
A. pendula. Further twigs with pods (accompanied by flowers) would be very 
acceptable in order that the possibility of confusion of this tree with ordinary Yarran 
(A. homalophylla, A. Cunn.) may be removed. Diameter, 6 to 12 in. ; height, 
20 to 30 feet. 
Botanical Name. — Acacia , already explained, see p. 104 , part XV; pendula , 
Latin, owing to its drooping branches, after the manner of the Weeping Willow, as 
explained by Cunningham himself. 
Vernacular Name. —The most common name is “ Myall ” or “ Weeping 
Myall.” In the Biverina it is often called “ Boree ” (a name it shares with at least 
one other Acacia). From Grenfell I have received twigs labelled “Myall” and 
“ Boree ” respectively. My correspondent wrote, “ The more slender twig is Myall, 
and the more clustered one is Boree.” At the same time I could not make out any 
differences between the Myall and Boree sent. I hope correspondents who live in 
districts where the names are both in use will clear the matter up. The name 
Myall seems to be commonest employed nearly due west and Boree in the Biverina. 
Aboriginal Name. —The name “ Balaar ” has been given to me as an 
aboriginal one for this tree, in use in the north-west. I would like to know more 
about this name, which too much resembles Belah ( Casuarina lepidophloia) to be 
convenient. 
* “Journal of two Expeditions into the Interior of New South Wales, undertaken by order of the British 
Government in the years 1817-18/’ by John Oxley. (18'20.) 
