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duplicates of the same properly numbered, so that in the event of an order being 
given there might be no doubt as to their identification, and as to what is required. 
If they are addressed to us, we will give a prompt reply as to the kinds which might 
he utilised. We think it is as well to mention that it is most unadvisable for any 
large quantity of sticks to be sent away unless they are properly • selected to suit 
the market. We have known several instances of persons having done this who 
have invariably lost money by it. To sum up the matter, we may say that we 
should like to see specimens of every kind of palm which can be obtained in 
Australia, also anything of an herbaceous character, having, when dry, sufficient 
rigidity to carry a sunshade. In addition, any kind of wood which possesses any 
kind of ‘figure’ on the surface of the bark, or on the wood immediately under the bark. 
We have used an enormous quantity of English furze {Genista) lately. This, as 
you know, is very peculiar in its structure, having holes and knots in the wood, 
which, when finished, present a very distinctive appearance. Anything of the 
‘ Genista ’ type, we should think, would be likely to be of some use. Some time ago 
we saw some sticks, purporting to come from Australia, called the ‘ Australian Bay.’ 
It had a peculiar nutty-brown bark when dry, with longitudinal indentations, and 
was inclined to be somewhat flat or square-sided, rather than rotund. A stick of 
this kind, if it could be obtained with a good handle, would certainly be of some 
value here. In reference to the prices and quantities of sticks which might be 
imported, you will see from our observations that it is impossible to furnish this 
information until we have seen the woods and been able to form some idea as to 
their value.” 
In a list of sticks supplied to the London market, I find that small saplings 
of Tasmanian Blue-gum (Eucalyptus globulus ) are supplied by Algeria, and none 
from Australia. Orange and lemon sticks are supplied by Algeria and the West 
Indies. Surely we could supply these as cheaply as anywhere else. Inquiries re 
walking-sticks should be addressed to the Curator, Technological Museum, Sydney. 
(0) Woods used by Aborigines for the Purpose of Procuring Fire. 
In the course of my inquiries concerning the above, finding but few timbers 
enumerated, I applied to Mr. R. Etheridge, Curator of the Australian Museum, and 
he, giving me what references he had, commented on the paucity of the records. 
The aborigines are dying out, and it will be soon too late to collect them. M T ill my 
readers assist in getting particulars of the woods used for the purpose ? 
There are three methods adopted by the aborigines, and all are figured by 
Brough Smyth in his “ Aborigines of Victoria,” i, 393 and 395. 
Method 1.—A flat piece of wood, 10 inches in length and 1| inch in width, 
is placed on the ground, and held firmly in a horizontal position by the toes of each 
foot of the operator. In his hands the man holds upright, and with one end of it 
fixed in a slight depression previously made in the flat piece of wood, a stick about 
^ inch in diameter and 2 feet in length, which he twirls by a rapid motion of his 
