d
the rich evergreen leaves obtain for some of them the name of
Laurels. They are widely cultivated in the suburbs of cities
as ornamental hedges. See <i>Mock-Orange</i>,
<i>Hedge-Laurel</i>, <i>Native Laurel</i>, etc.

<hw>Pituri</hw>, or <hw>Pitchery</hw>, <i>n</i>. Native name
for <i>Duboisia hopwoodii</i>, F. v. M., a shrub growing in the
sand-hills of certain districts of Queensland, New South Wales,
and Central Australia. The leaves are chewed as a narcotic by
the natives of many parts, and form a valuable commodity of
barter. In some parts of Central Australia the leaf is not
chewed, but is only used for the purpose of making a decoction
which has the power of stupefying emus, which under its
influence are easily captured by the natives. Other spellings
are <i>Pitchiri</i>, <i>Pedgery</i>, and <i>Bedgery</i>.
Perhaps from <i>betcheri</i>, another form of
<i>boodjerrie</i>, good, expressing the excellent qualities
of the plant. Compare <i>Budgerigar</i>.

1863. `Proceedings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's
Land,' April, p. 1:

"`Pitcherry,' a narcotic plant brought by King, the explorer,
from the interior of Australia, where it is used by the natives
to produce intoxication. . . . In appearance it resembled the
stem and leaves of a small plant partly rubbed into a coarse
powder. . . . On one occasion Mr. King swallowed a small pinch
of the powder, and described its effects as being almost
identical with those produced by a large quantity of spirits."

1883. F. M. Bailey,' Synopsis of Queensland Flora,' p. 350:

"Pitury of the natives. The leaves are used by the natives of
Central Australia to poison emus, and is chewed by the natives
as the white man does the tobacco."

1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia,' vol. i.
p. 101:

"In one part of Central Australia the leaves and twigs of a
shrub called pidgery by the natives are dried and preserved in
closely woven bags. . . . A small quantity has an exhilarating
effect, and pidgery was highly prized."

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 49:

"The leaves contain a stimulant, which possesses qualities
similar to those of tobacco and opium, and are chewed by
several tribes in the interior of Australia. Pituri is highly
valued as a stimulant, and is taken for barter far and wide."

1890. A. S. Vogan, `Black Police,' p. 94:

"One of the virtues that the native drug Pitchurie is supposed
to possess when used by the old men is