Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b Being the journal of a naturalist in those countries, during 1832, 1833 and 1834Bennett, George
History
Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b Being the journal of a naturalist in those countries, during 1832, 1833 and 1834
Bennett, George
Asia -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Australia -- New South Wales; New South Wales -- Description and travel
[62] Derived from two Malay words, Kayu puti, signifying “white
wood;” (Kayu, wood; puti, white). The mode of preparing the oil is
as follows:—“The leaves are collected in a hot dry day, and put into
thoroughly dry bags, in which, nevertheless, they soon spontaneously
heat and become moist, as if macerated in water. They are then cut in
pieces, infused in water, and left to ferment for a night, after which
they are distilled. The quantity of oil they yield is very small,
scarcely more than three fluid drachms being obtained from two bags of
leaves.”—_Rumphius._
“When newly drawn it is very limpid, pellucid, and volatile; and Rumphius
says, smells strongly of cardamoms, but is more pleasant. On account of
the high price of real Caju puti oil, it is said to be often adulterated
with oil of turpentine, and coloured with resin of milfoil.”—_Thompson’s
London Dispensary_, 8vo. page 416.
[63] At New Zealand a pit is dug in the ground, in which some stones are
placed, and a fire lighted upon them, and suffered to remain until they
are well-heated; after the fire is removed, water is thrown over the
stones, and damp leaves placed also upon them, which causes much steam to
arise; the meat, potatoes, &c., are then placed into this oven, enveloped
in leaves, and the whole entirely covered with earth; it remains for
nearly an hour, when the cooking process is found to be completed.
[64] Among the Coroados Indians in the interior of Brazil, “it is very
common for several families to quit their abodes and settle where new
fruits are ripening, or where the chase is more productive.”—_Spix and
Martius Travels in Brazil_, 8vo. Eng. Trans. vol. ii. p. 248.
And why, we may ask, do the inhabitants of civilized countries emigrate?
It may be answered, to gain recompence for their labour, and to be able
to maintain themselves and families. Yet we blame savages for acting upon
the same principle, their wants causing them to lead a wandering life.
[65] It is also recorded of the Coroados Indians in the interior of
Brazil, according to Spix and Martius, “When they carry on war, their
leader is the best hunter, he who has killed the greatest number of
Enemies, Ounces, &c., and has the greatest share of cunning. At home his
commands are not attended to—every body commands at home, according to
his own pleasure.”—_Travels in Brazil_, 8vo. Eng. Transl. vol. ii. p. 245.
[66] This fish is of the family of perches, and probably the same as
described by the French naturalists, as a new genus, under the name of
_Gryptes Brisbanii_.
[67] The aborigines are expert fishermen; and I have seen them capture
a number of fish, when Europeans trying near them have not had even a
nibble. About the Fish river, the aborigines have a novel manner of
fishing—by placing a bait at the end of a spear, when the water is clear,
and on the fish approaching, they transfix it with much expertness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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