Pitcherie is described in Mr. Alfred Howitt's notes on the Aborigines of Cooper's Creek.—(See Appendix.)
The Messrs. Jardine state that all the people of the north are much addicted to smoking. They now use tobacco when they can get it, but, before it was procurable, they smoked the leaves of a large, spreading tree—a species of Eugenia. These leaves, the Messrs. Jardine think, must possess some narcotic property. They smoke to such an extent as to become insensible. The pipe used is a piece of hollow bamboo, about two feet and a half in length, and as thick as a quart bottle. One of the smoking party fills this with smoke from a funnel-shaped bowl, in which the leaf or tobacco is placed, by blowing through a hole at one end of the tube. When the bamboo is filled, it is handed to one of the men, who inhales and swallows as much of the smoke as he can, passing the pipe on to his neighbour. These travellers have seen a smoker so much affected by one dose as to lie helpless for some minutes afterwards.[1]
Macgillivray gives a very similar description of the mode of smoking, as observed by him at Cape York, and the effects produced by inhalation.[2]
The animal and vegetable food of the people of the Dieyerie tribe (Cooper's Creek) is, according to Mr. Samuel Gason, as follows:—
| Chookaroo | Kangaroo. |
| Kaunoonka | Bush wallaby. |
| Wurtarrie | Kangaroo rat. |
| Pildra | Opossum (of rare occurrence). |
| Capietha | Native rabbit. |
| Miaroo | Rat. |
| Poontha | Mouse. |
| Arutchie | Native ferret. |
| Cowirrie | Rat (species not known). |
| Thillamillarie | A species of ferret. |
| Pulyara | Long-snouted rat. |
| Koolchie | Species of rat. |
| Koonappoo | Species of mouse. |
| Kulkuna | Species of wallaby (very swift). |
| Kooraltha | Spotted ferret. |
- ↑ Overland Expedition: Northern Queensland, p. 84.
- ↑ Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, 1852, vol. I., p. 126.
of the allied genus Anthocercis, extending over the greater part of the Australian continent and to Tasmania, should now also be tested, and further, the many likewise cognate Schwenkeas of South America should be drawn into the same cyclus of research, nothing whatever of the properties of any of these plants being known. The natives of Central Australia chew the leaves of Duboisia Hopwoodii, just like the Peruvians and Chilians masticate the leaves of the Coca (Erythroxylon Coca), to invigorate themselves during their long foot journeys through the deserts. I am not certain whether the Aborigines of all districts in which the Pitury grows are really aware of its stimulating power. Those living near the Barcoo travel many days' journeys to obtain this, to them, precious foliage, which is carried always about by them broken into small fragments and tied up in little bags. It is not improbable that a new and perhaps important medicinal plant is thus gained. The blacks use the Duboisia to excite their courage in warfare; a large dose infuriates them. Administered medicinally, it dilates the pupil, just as Anthocercis does."
