Before science made its discovery, the blacks were
very positive on the point of the poisonous qualities of the bean, and
took measures to eliminate it. In some parts of the State the beans,
after being steeped in water for several days, are dried in the sun,
roasted in hot ashes, and pounded between stones into a coarse kind of
meal, which may be kept for an indefinite period. When required for use
the meal is mixed with water, made into a thin cake or damper, and baked
in the ashes. Prepared in this way the cake resembles a coarse ship's
biscuit. In other parts, the beans are scraped by means of mussel-shells
into a vermicelli-like substance, prior to soaking in water. Our blacks
have a more ingenious method of preparation, and employ a specially
formed culinary implement, which is used for no other purpose. They take
the commonest of the land shells--"kurra-dju" (XANTHOMELON
PACHYSTYLA)--and breaking away the apex grind down the back on a stone
until but little more than half its bulk remains. The upper edges being
carefully worked to a fine edge, the only housewifery implement that the
blacks possess is perfect. With the implement in the right hand, between
the thumb and the second finger--the sharp edge resting on the
thumb-nail--the beans are planed, the operator being able to regulate
the thickness of the shaving to a nicety.
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