Transcription

[Page 153]

40

CLARENCE DISTRICT.

THE BREAD FRUIT TREE

This tree is to be found along the Sea Coast of this district from the Macleay river in the South to the Tweed river in the North. In the Nambuckra Country this fruit is found in abundance, it is of an oblong form & the fruit is as a small Sized Melon. It is roasted with the husk upon it & when Cooked it is turned out of this Covering, When its appearance is white. The finest potatoe is very inferior to this fruit, it has a Sweet taste & has a Most delightful flavour

This fruit with the fish procured in the rivers & on the Sea Coast forms the principal food of the tribes of blacks inhabiting the Nambuckra Country

The height of this shrub - (More properly So termed  than a tree) does not exceed five feet.

It has a bushy evergreen top with pointed narrow leaves, and the fruit is procured during every Season of the year. There is a shrub found in Darling District named by the blacks Bunyeh Bunyeh or little Bunyeh tree, the first of which the blacks of that district Name Tamboy, I have little [hesitation?] in Stating My belief that the Bread fruit of Clarence district & the Tamboy of Darling District are the Same fruit

THE NATIVE APPLE

This fruit grows from a Vine, the Colour is purple, and is in the Shape & Size of a Goose egg the Skin is Smooth like a plumb, with two Shells inside, & is ripe about Christmas -  This excellent fruit is only used when dropped from the Vine, Neither the Whites nor Native Blacks pull this fruit but allow it to drop, when it can be Kept for Some time. this is an excellent Native fruit.

THE NATIVE GRAPE

This Grape is to be found all over the Nambuckra Country, the blacks make use of it, The Whites Seldom use it, from its astringent and acid taste.

WOODS FIT FOR VENEERING

Rosewood is found in the Scrubs in the Nambuckra Country, and trees are found of this Valuable Veneer Wood Cutting boards of one & a half feet in diameter.

Tulip wood is also found in abundance in these Scrubs, this wood has a tough Scaly bark the colours of this wood are Variegated, the principal pf these being yellow & black, This is a Valuable wood for Many purposes, its present Value Consists in its application for Coach Work, & for Shafts to gigs etc etc

ASH TREE

This wood is applicable to the Same purposes that the Ash tree in Britain is applied, the wood is lighter than the British ash, & is equally tough, it is Much Made use of as oars for boats

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