110 
Botanical \ailie. — Acacia, already explained (see Part XV, p. 104); 
doratoxylon , from two Greek words, darn, doratos, the wood or shaft of a spear, 
and hence the spear itself. 
I have already quoted Cunningham’s description of the plant as “ Spear 
Wood.” Following is an account of the tree from Allan Cunningham’s MS. 
journal. Oxley’s expedition was, on the date mentioned, about half way between 
the modern Cowra and Forbes :— 
29/4/17 .—Acacia dor at oxylon .—On this elevation I discovered a new species of Acacia forming 
an arbuscula 25 ft. high, the leaves are linear-lanceolate, and the flowers are in axillary spikes, which 
are cylindrical and in pairs ; it is much allied to A. lonyifolia, except in the shape of the foliage and 
their grey colour. From the circumstance of this tree being the wood of which the natives in the western 
country make their spears, which I have proved, and of which I shall state more particulars hereafter, I 
have called it A. doratoxylon. It is scarcely in a flowering state. 
Vernacular Name. —It was formerly called “ Spear Wood,” since it was 
one of the trees used by the blacks for that purpose, but I think the name has now 
dropped out of use. 
Aboriginal Name. —“ Currawang ” of the aborigines, which has now become 
its common name. Sometimes spelt “ Currawong.” There are other spellings. 
According to Major Mitchell, it was the “ Bimbel” of the Lachlan natives,— 
evidently the same name as that applied to Eucalyptus populifolia. 
Leaves. —Mr. F. B. Guthrie has a note in the Agricultural Gazette , October, 
1899, in regard to the comparative fodder value of the leaves (phyllodes). His 
figures are :— 
Water. 
Ash. 
Fibre. 
Ether 
Extract 
(oil, &c.). 
Albuminoids. 
Carbo¬ 
hydrates. 
Nutrient 
Value. 
Albuminoid 
Ratio. 
Tannin 
(Oak bark). 
13-45 
2-93 
30-61 
1*96 
12-87 
38-18 
551 
1 : 3* 
1-9 
_ 
The leaves are eaten by stock. 
Speaking of Currawang, Mr. R. W. Peacock states :— 
I am now entering upon what I consider second-rate fodder plants, giving precedence to those 
above described. 
This tree I am placing at the head of this class. It is cut extensively for both cattle and sheep, 
its long phyllodia or leaves providing a fair amount of fodder. It belongs to that large family of Acacias 
of which the Mulga is pre-eminent. It is of a woody nature, and its feeding value is thereby comparatively 
diminished It grows to the height of about 30 feet, and its yellow catkins, when in flower, present a 
most attractive appearance. 
Mr. Peacock is more particularly referring to the fodder plants of the 
West Bogan. 
