54 
HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
found principally in the roots of Eucalyptus rostrata^ which are sometimes com¬ 
pletely riddled by them even to the destruction of the life of the tree. They are 
dug out with yam-sticks, collected in large quantities and eaten after slight roasting. 
Whites, who have tried them, speak well of their flavour, but I never could summon 
courage to make the experiment. 
Other smaller kinds of larvie also of uncertain identity, some of which occur 
in the roots of acacias, are also similarly used. 
Various kinds of caterpillars, which at certain times appear in great numbers, 
are collected and eaten. 
The honey-bearing individuals of the “ Sugar Ants ” form a very favourite 
article of consumption when they can be obtained, and, as in the case of the 
witcheties, there appears to be a special ceremony to promote the supply. Professor 
Spencer informs me that three species were collected on the Expedition, viz.: 
Camponotus inplatus, native name, “ Yarumpa,’’ the commonest kind ; (7. cotviei, 
native name, “ Ittutunie and C. midas. Of these the first two are certainly, and 
the last probably, used as food. On one or two occasions we saw places where 
colonies of these ants had been dug out. The abdomens, distended with the honey¬ 
like substance, are bitten off and swallowed. 
Bee Honey. —I am informed by Mr. Gillen that bee honey, “ Ultaamba,” is 
eaten though, I believe, no honey-making bees were collected on the Expedition. 
Mr. Schulze mentions, as a food, an insect {^Cicada., sp. ?) which comes out of 
the ground in summer wherever the Eucalyptus rostrata occur. We had informa¬ 
tion to the same effect, and we frequently saw split pupa cases half in and half out 
of the ground, but Professor Spencer tells me he is unable to identify the insect 
specifically. 
Food Restrictions. 
With regard to the rules observed concerning food restrictions amongst the 
natives, I was personally unable to obtain any reliable information, and I must, 
therefore, refer the reader to Mr. Gillen’s paper, in which he alludes to certain 
restrictions of the kind as affecting animal food. 
Cannibalism. 
This is one of those subjects on which it is extremely difficult to get reliable 
information. When a native is asked whether human flesh is ever eaten by the 
blacks he is nearly certain to deny that it is done by his own tribe, but not 
