Distribution of native tobacco—Collecting grounds—Native names—Pitjuri habit—Preparation of leaves—Stimulating and comforting properties—Ash added to liberate the alkaloid—Properties of piturine.
Most of the central Australian tribes have learned to recognize the narcotic properties of the tobacco-like plant commonly called pitjuri. All tribes, from the Wongapitcha eastwards to beyond the borders of Queensland and New South Wales, know the value of the plant, and even if it does not actually grow in the particular tribal area, its leaves are obtained from adjoining tribes by barter. The Dieri, Yantowannta, Wongkanguru, and Ngameni are all required to procure their supplies from further north, because the plant does not grow in the Cooper Creek district. The Arunndta, and latterly the Aluridja as well, regularly collect as much pitjuri as they want in the valley of the Finke and other gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges, whilst the Wongapitcha have their resources in the Musgrave and Everard Ranges.
The collecting grounds are as a rule owned by a circle of old men, each of whom clearly defines his boundaries by placing a number of stones upon the ground. A proprietor may give another person the necessary permission to gather leaves on his plot according to certain terms agreed upon. The owner usually takes a share of the leaves, and, in addition, levies other articles in exchange for what the collector has removed.
The plant is known by different names among different tribes; the Arunndta call it “engulba,” the Wongapitcha “peturr,” and the Aluridja either “mingul” or “warrakinna.” Scientifically it goes by the name of Duboisia Hopwoodi.
The leaves and stalks of pitjuri are chewed by both men and women, and in many cases by children also. It cannot be denied, once a person starts chewing pitjuri, he soon develops a craving for it, like a habitual smoker does for tobacco. The usual plan is to partially dry the leaves in the sun, or over warm ashes, on the spot, and subsequently pack them into bundles to take home, with the intention of storing them for future use. But once camp is reached, the future aspect becomes entirely inconsequential, because so long as pitjuri is known to be available, the supplies are drawn upon; the result is that the larder soon becomes depleted.
The men have a way of their own when preparing the pitjuri. Some of the dried leaves are ground between two stones and the powder brushed on to a small piece of bark. Then a few twigs of acacia or eucalypt bark are burned to white ash, which is mixed with the powder, the whole being subsequently worked into a softish mass with saliva. Of the final mixture a quantity is taken and rolled between another dry leaf of the pitjuri, cigar-fashion; and it is ready for mastication. A plug of pitjuri does not always remain the property of one individual, especially when the supplies are running short, but often passes from one mouth to another, until it has done the necessary round. When not in use, the plug is secured behind the owner’s ear, after the style an office clerk carries a pencil.
The natives admit the stimulating benefits they derive from chewing, or, as they say, “eating,” of pitjuri, both when they feel off colour or fagged after a strenuous day’s outing. On the other hand, they look upon pitjuri-chewing in company as a social comforter, which fosters mirthfulness and friendly fellow-feeling. When natives meet, even though they be comparative strangers, an exchange, loan, or presentation of pitjuri takes place, as a token of friendship. In the same spirit, a native considers the gift of a stick of tobacco from a European stranger, who, according to tribal ideas, unlawfully passes over the hereditary boundary, as a mere formal obligation, which expresses the intruder’s peaceable intentions.
The burnt acacia ash, which is added to the powdered leaf of the pitjuri plant, has a somewhat important function to perform; and one marvels at Nature having given the unsophisticated aboriginal the hint to add it. One of the favourite species, which is burnt for the purpose, is Acacia salicina. A. J. Higgin has determined by analysis that the ash of this plant contains the astounding amount of 51.15 per cent. of calcium sulphate, mixed with a little carbonate of lime. It is the alkali in this ash which liberates an alkaloid, known as piturine, from the crushed pitjuri leaves when the two substances meet in the presence of moisture supplied by the spittle; and this piturine is much the same in its action as nicotine. An alkaloid is nowadays manufactured from the leaves of the Australian plant which is used in medicine as a powerful sedative and hypnotic. It is not difficult, therefore, to understand why an emu, drinking from a water poisoned with the leaf of pitjuri, should become stupefied. Vide [page 139].