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The “Nealie,” “Nelia,” or “Nilyah.” What is it? 
In September, 1886, I received from the late K. H. Bennett, of Ivanhoe, via 
Hay, some bark, with the following label:—“ No. 5, Nealie, Acacia sp .” He gave 
the following information :— 
Small tree, 12 to 15 feet in height, timber exceedingly hard and tough, and possessed of a very 
agreeable perfume, used by natives in manufacture of weapons, &c. Stock will not eat the leaves, even 
when in a starving condition. Very plentiful in some localities. 
In 1887 the late Baron von Mueller received from Mrs. Holding, of “ the 
Upper Darling Biver,” specimens, with the following particulars:—“Nelia of the 
aborigines. Wood of Myall odour ; boughs erect; dry ground.” 
In 1902, Acting Forester T. Miller, of Wilcannia, in official correspondence 
(117/02) referred to a wattle as Nelia. 
In April, 1904, I received (through Mr. It. H. Cambage) from Mr. J. E. 
Carne, Assistant Government Geologist, some twigs labelled “ Nilyah. Obtained 
from 14 miles south-west of White Cliffs. Said to be bushy, and inclined to follow 
damp courses.” 
Usually only bare leaves (phyllodes) have been sent, and, on one occasion, I 
received a few dead flowers. I have not failed to importune my correspondents, but, 
from various circumstances, they have been unable to send me twigs in flower and 
also pods of the Nelia. Will anyone help ? 
The leaves are, as a rule, silvery white, like those of the Myall, but they 
are usually more erect and more rigid than those of the latter. Different botanists 
have labelled the plant Acacia pendula (which is of course the Weeping Myall) 
and Acacia homalophylla (the Yarran). But it is mere guess-work to name the 
Nelia in the absence of good flowers, and perhaps of pods also. 
A few twigs witli flowers or pods, or both, wrapped in a piece of newspaper 
will come safely to me for a penny or two, and, if correspondents would give an idea 
of the districts in which the tree is found, they would increase my indebtedness to 
them. 
