Transcription

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES -
ACACIA  PENDULA, AND [?]
MYALL AND BRICCOLOW SHRUB.

 
Myall and Briccolow shrub are generally found on the same ground, they resemble each other in the leaf, the Myall is a smaller leaf and of a darker green Colour, both shrubs are of the Acacia Species - the wood of the Myall resembles lignum vitae - the wood of the Briccolow is of a lighter shade with streaks of Yellow - These woods are much in use by the natives in making their war instruments.
In country where Myall & Briccolow abounds, the whole of Boomerings [boomerangs]  of the Natives are made of Myall or Briccolow - This shrub is much relished by Cattle & Sheep.  The Cattle not only live upon it excusively [exclusively] in many parts of Liverpool Plains,
Gwyder [Gwydir], & Maranoa but they fatten in [on?] these shrubs & were it not for these no fat Cattle would come from the lower parts of the Namoi, Macintyre, or Gwyder rivers during the dry seasons.

SALT BRUSH

Salt brush abounds in Fitzroy, Maranoa & Gwyder Districts, this bush is from three to four feet high, and occupies a Considerable circle, it is much relished by both Sheep and Cattle, the leaves are as salt as brine & are said to have a bitter taste, Sheep & Cattle improve in Condition on the leaves of this valuable bush, alluding to this vegetable product a writer on the productions of North Australia states that " When
at Cannonba I conducted an experiment in the dry way upon one pound of the dried leaves, & after considerable waste I procured upwards on one ounce of a Yellowish Saline matter in crystals, This salt seemed to be as pure as Muriate of Soda as the finest Liverpool Salt, being devoid of all bitter taste, with the assistance of a few Aborigines, I could manufacture upwards of one hundred pounds of this Salt per diem, - and I have  every reason to believe it will answer perfectly for the preservation of meat".

 

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