60 
HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
poisonous properties which are recognised in tliem. In certain parts of the 
McDonnell Ranges, where we found this cycad growing, the natives always denied 
that the seeds are eaten in any form by them. I have recently received from 
Melville Island, Northern Territory, a quantity of broken fragments of the husks 
of the seeds believed to be those of Cycas media, which were found in a native 
camp, the contents having evidently been eaten. Mr. S. Dixon informs me that 
the seeds of E. Dyeri, found between Esperance Bay and Albany, are eaten after 
being buried for a time. 
PALM/E. 
Livistona Marine. The white basal parts of the inner leaves of the young 
plants are eaten raw or cooked. 
TYPHACE/E. 
Typha augustifolia. The young shoots and roots are eaten raw or roasted. 
CYPERACE/E. 
Cyperus rotundus.* In almost every camp we saw large quantities of the 
tunicated tubers of this plant, which are generally called “ Erriakiira” or “Irriakura” 
by the Arunta natives. In some parts however the term “ Yelka,” “ Yelki” or 
“ Yilka ” is used, and this is the name by which it is generally known amongst the 
whites. At the Mission Station they were called “Errignia.” Of all the vegetable 
foods this and “Munyeru” seemed to be much more freely consumed than any others, 
at the time of our visit indeed these were often the only foods seen in camp. These 
little tubers which sometimes are aggregated into masses, nearly as large as the list, 
are dug up by the women with yam-sticks, and are either eaten raw or very slightly 
roasted by shaking them in a wooden vessel with a few live embers. Even raw 
they are pleasant to the taste, having an agreeable nutty flavour, which is much 
improved by the slight roasting. Like “Munyeru, “ Erriakura” must possess good 
nutritive qualities, as in many camps it appeared to be the only food that was 
being used. It is the only native vegetable food I tried which can be charac¬ 
terised as agreeable to the palate. 
* This species was determined by the inflorescence of plants grown in Adelaide from tubers brought by the 
writer. 
