56 
HORN EXPEDITION-ANTHROPOLOGY. 
PITTOSPORE/E. 
Maiden, on the authority of Tepper, reports that the intensely bitter seeds of 
Pittosporum phillyroides are ground and eaten liy the aborigines of the interior, 
but the latter gentleman informs me that, in some way or other, this statement has 
been made in error. The natives questioned on the subject denied that the seeds 
were ever so used by them. 
STERCULIACE/t. 
Brachyciiiton GtREGORII. Mr. Helms (Report of the Elder Exp. Exped.) 
states that the seeds of this tree, which was frequently met with in a particular 
belt of country, are eaten, and that its roots are chewed. I was similarly informed 
as to the seeds. 
PORTULACE/E. 
Claytonia Balonnensis. “ Munyeru,” “ Wokati.” In all parts of the 
districts visited by the Expedition the small black seeds of this plant, and probably 
of other allied species, were used as foods by the natives. It is collected in large 
quantities by the females on their “ Pitchis ” or wooden boat-shaped receptacles. 
The seeds are cleverly winnowed from the husks by pouilng them from one vessel 
to another in the wind, or by blowing. They are then ground on a large flat bed¬ 
stone by the to-and-fro movements of a hard rounded, or flattened, waterworn 
pebble held in the hand, water being added from time to time. The resulting 
paste may be eaten raw, but is more usually baked in the ashes and converted 
into a kind of cake. This is very insipid, but it must posses good nutritive 
properties, as, in many camps, “Munyeru” seemed to be the chief article of diet. 
By the blacks of Alice Springs (Arunta) this seed is called “ Ing-witchika,” 
which appears to be the real native name, though the term “Munyeru,” by which it 
is known to Europeans, is invariably understood. “Wukati” is the Luritcha 
name. 
In these districts “ Munyeru” takes the place of the spore cases of “Nardoo” 
(Marsilea quadrifolia), which is so much used in the Barcoo and other districts to 
the south and east, these being treated in a similar way. Though this plant grew 
abundantly in many parts visited by the Expedition it appeared not to be used as 
food by either of the tribes with which we came in contact. 
Claytonia, spp. “ Parakylia ” of the settlers and, probably, of some native 
tribes. “ Periculia ” (Stuart). This term is probably applicable to C. Balonnensis 
