IIOKN EXPEDITION-ANTHROPOLOGY. 
57 
and C. o/eracea, and possibly to other species. The plant is eaten raw or baked in 
the ashes. It is similarly eaten by the whites, its crisp succulence supplying a 
pleasant and useful variation to tlie ordinary monotonous fare of bush life, which 
is largely devoid of anything in the shape of fresh vegetables. 
In regions where the water supply is scanty “ Parakylia ” forms exceedingly 
useful fodder plants for stock, which have access to a plentiful supply, can, to a 
large extent, do without water. 
URTICACE/E. 
Ficus platypoda. “Native fig.” The fruits, which are dry and full of seeds, 
are eaten. 
CASUARINE/E. 
Casuarina Decaisneana. “ Desert Oak.” The young subacid cones are 
eaten. 
SALSOLACE/E. 
Rhagodia nutans. 
Riiagodia spinescens. 
Although I did not observe the act, I have no doubt that the small berries 
of these plants are consumed as food by the natives, for they occur very 
plentifully, and have a flavour which was sufficiently agreeable to commend 
itself to some members of our party. 
LEGUMINOS/E. 
ViGNA LANCEOLATA. I once observed a native eating the raw roots of this 
plant and he told me that they were also baked in the ashes. 
Acacia, spp. The seeds of several species of Acacia are largely used as an 
article of food. Within my knowhsdge those of A. sentis, A. pyrijolia^ A. frumen- 
tacea, Tate, and A. salicma were thus used, but there are, without doubt, other 
species which contribute to the supply, and amongst these are probably A, 
Keinpeana and A. Farnesia7ia. 
Not far from Crown Point station there is a large circular basin-like 
depression in the ground, whether natural or artificial I do not know, which is 
9 
