AUSTRAL ENGLISH

A DICTIONARY OF AUSTRALASIAN WORDS, PHRASES AND USAGES

with those Aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which havebecome incorporated in the language and the commoner scientificwords that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward E. Morris M. A. , Oxon. 

Professor of English, French and German Languages andLiteratures in the University of Melbourne. 

1898

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

I. ORIGIN OF THE WORK First undertaken to help O. E. D. The Standard Dictionary

II. TITLE AND SCOPE OF THE BOOK Not a Slang Dictionary

III. SOURCES OF NEW WORDS:-- 1. Altered English 2. Words quite new to the language:-- (a) Aboriginal Australian (b) Maori

IV. THE LAW OF HOBSON-JOBSON Is Austral English a corruption?

V. CLASSIFICATION OF WORDS

VI. QUOTATIONS. THEIR PURPOSE

VII. BOOKS USED AS AUTHORITIES

VIII. SCIENTIFIC WORDS

IX. ASSISTANCE RECEIVED

X. ABBREVIATIONS:-- 1. Of Scientific Names 2. General

I. ORIGIN OF THE WORK. 

About a generation ago Mr. Matthew Arnold twitted our nationwith the fact that "the journeyman work of literature" was muchbetter done in France--the books of reference, the biographicaldictionaries, and the translations from the classics. He didnot especially mention dictionaries of the language, because hewas speaking in praise of academies, and, as far as France isconcerned, the great achievement in that line is Littre and notthe Academy's Dictionary. But the reproach has now been rolledaway--nous avons change tout cela--and in every branchto which Arnold alluded our journeyman work is quite equal toanything in France. 

It is generally allowed that a vast improvement has taken placein translations, whether prose or verse. From quarter toquarter the Dictionary of National Biography continuesits stately progress. But the noblest monument of Englishscholarship is The New English Dictionary on HistoricalPrinciples, founded mainly on the materials collected bythe Philological Society, edited by Dr. James Murray, andpublished at the cost of the University of Oxford. The nameNew will, however, be unsuitable long before theDictionary is out of date. Its right name is the OxfordEnglish Dictionary (`O. E. D. '). That great dictionary isbuilt up out of quotations specially gathered for it fromEnglish books of all kinds and all periods; and Dr. Murrayseveral years ago invited assistance from this end of the worldfor words and uses of words peculiar to Australasia, or toparts of it. In answer to his call I began to collect; butinstances of words must be noted as one comes across them, andof course they do not occur in alphabetical order. The worktook time, and when my parcel of quotations had grown into aconsiderable heap, it occurred to me that the collection, if alittle further trouble were expended upon it, might first enjoyan independent existence. Various friends kindly contributedmore quotations: and this Book is the result. 

In January 1892, having the honour to be President of theSection of "Literature and the Fine Arts" at the Hobart Meetingof the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, I alluded to Dr. Murray's request:

A body like this Section, composed of men from different partsof scattered colonies, might render valuable help in organisingthe work of collecting authorities for our various peculiarwords and usages. Twenty or thirty men and women, eachundertaking to read certain books with the new dictionary inmind, and to note in a prescribed fashion what is peculiar, could accomplish all that is needed. Something has been donein Melbourne, but the Colonies have different words and uses ofwords, and this work is of a kind which might well extendbeyond the bounds of a single city. At first it may seem as ifour words were few, as if in the hundred years of Australianlife few special usages have arisen; but a man with aphilological turn of mind, who notes what he hears, will soonfind the list grow. Some philologers speak, not perhaps verysatisfactorily, of being "at the fountains of language": we canall of us testify to the birth of some words within our ownmemory, but the origin of these, if not noted, will in time belost. There are many other words which the strictest cannotcondemn as slang, though even slang, being the speech of thepeople, is not undeserving of some scientific study; words, forinstance, which have come into the language from theAborigines, and names of animals, shrubs, and flowers. Itmight even be possible, with sufficient co-operation, toproduce an Australian dictionary on the same lines as theNew English Dictionary by way of supplement to it. Organisation might make the labour light, whilst for many itwould from its very nature prove a pleasant task. 

These suggestions were not carried out. Individuals sentquotations to Oxford, but no organisation was established tomake the collection systematic or complete, and at the nextmeeting of the Association the Section had ceased to exist, or at least had doffed its literary character. 

At a somewhat later date, Messrs. Funk and Wagnall of New Yorkinvited me to join an "Advisory Committee on disputed spellingand pronunciation. " That firm was then preparing itsStandard Dictionary, and one part of the scheme was toobtain opinions as to usage from various parts of theEnglish-speaking world, especially from those whose function itis to teach the English Language. Subsequently, at my ownsuggestion, the firm appointed me to take charge of theAustralian terms in their Dictionary, and I forwarded a certainnumber of words and phrases in use in Australia. But theaccident of the letter A, for Australian, coming early in thealphabet gives my name a higher place than it deserves on thepublished list of those co-operating in the production of thisStandard Dictionary; for with my present knowledge I seethat my contribution was lamentably incomplete. Moreover, Ijoined the Editorial Corps too late to be of real use. Onlythe final proofs were sent to me, and although my correctionswere reported to New York without delay, they arrived too latefor any alterations to be effected before the sheets went topress. This took the heart out of my work for that Dictionary. For its modernness, for many of its lexicographical features, and for its splendid illustrations, I entertain a cordialadmiration for the book, and I greatly regret the unworthinessof my share in it. It is quite evident that others hadcontributed Australasian words, and I must confess I hardlylike to be held responsible for some of their statements. Forinstance--

 "Aabec. An Australian medicinal bark said to promoteperspiration. "

I have never heard of it, and my ignorance is shared by thegreatest Australian botanist, the Baron von Mueller. 

"Beauregarde. The Zebra grass-parrakeet of Australia. From F. Beau, regarde. See BEAU n. And REGARD. "

As a matter of fact, the name is altered out of recognition, but really comes from the aboriginal budgery, good, andgar, parrot. 

"Imou-pine. A large New Zealand tree. . . . Calledred pine by the colonists and rimu by thenatives. "

I can find no trace of the spelling "Imou. " In a circular toNew Zealand newspapers I asked whether it was a known variant. The New Zealand Herald made answer--"He may be sure thatthe good American dictionary has made a misprint. It wasscarcely worth the Professor's while to take notice of mereexamples of pakeha ignorance of Maori. "

"Swagman. [Slang, Austral. ] 1. A dealer in cheap trinkets, etc. 2. A swagger. "

In twenty-two years of residence in Australia, I have never heardthe former sense. 

"Taihoa. [Anglo-Tasmanian. ] No hurry; wait. "

The word is Maori, and Maori is the language of New Zealand, notof Tasmania. 

These examples, I know, are not fair specimens of the accuracyof the Standard Dictionary, but they serve as indications ofthe necessity for a special book on Australasian English. 

II. TITLE AND SCOPE OF THE BOOK. 

In the present day, when words are more and more abbreviated, a "short title" may be counted necessary to the welfare of abook. For this reason "Austral English" has been selected. In its right place in the dictionary the word Australwill be found with illustrations to show that its primary meaning, "southern, " is being more and more limited, so that the wordmay now be used as equivalent to Australasian. 

"Austral" or "Australasian English" means all the new words andthe new uses of old words that have been added to the Englishlanguage by reason of the fact that those who speak Englishhave taken up their abode in Australia, Tasmania, and NewZealand. Hasty inference might lead to the remark that suchaddition is only slang, but the remark is far from beingaccurate; probably not one-tenth of the new vocabulary couldfairly be so classified. A great deal of slang is used inAustralasia, but very much less is generated here than isusually believed. In 1895 a literary policeman in Melbournebrought out a small Australian Slang Dictionary. Inspite of the name, however, the compiler confesses that "veryfew of the terms it contains have been invented byAustralians. " My estimate is that not one word in fifty in hislittle book has an Australian origin, or even a speciallyAustralian use. 

The phrase "Australasian English" includes something much widerthan slang. Those who, speaking the tongue of Shakspeare, ofMilton, and of Dr. Johnson, came to various parts ofAustralasia, found a Flora and a Fauna waiting to be named inEnglish. New birds, beasts and fishes, new trees, bushes andflowers, had to receive names for general use. It is probablynot too much to say that there never was an instance in historywhen so many new names were needed, and that there never willbe such an occasion again, for never did settlers come, nor canthey ever again come, upon Flora and Fauna so completelydifferent from anything seen by them before. When theoffshoots of our race first began to settle in America, theyfound much that was new, but they were still in the same NorthTemperate zone. Though there is now a considerable divergencebetween the American and the English vocabulary, especially intechnical terms, it is not largely due to great differences innatural history. An oak in America is still a Quercus, not as in Australia a Casuarina. But with the wholetropical region intervening it was to be expected that in theSouth Temperate Zone many things would be different, and suchexpectation was amply fulfilled. In early descriptions ofAustralia it is a sort of commonplace to dwell on this completevariety, to harp on the trees that shed bark not leaves, andthe cherries with the stones outside. Since the days when"Adam gave names to all cattle and to the fowl of the air andto every beast of the field" never were so many new namescalled for. Unfortunately, names were not given by the besteducated in the community, but often by those least qualifiedto invent satisfactory names: not by a linguist, a botanist, anornithologist, an ichthyologist, but by the ordinary settler. Even in countries of old civilisation names are frequentlyconferred or new words invented, at times with good and attimes with unsatisfactory results, by the average man, whom itis the modern fashion to call "the man in the street. " Much ofAustralasian nomenclature is due to "the man in the bush"--more precise address not recorded. Givers of new names maybe benefactors to their language or violators of its purity andsimplicity, but in either case they are nearly always, like theburial-place of Moses, unknown. 

III. SOURCES OF NEW WORDS. 

Of Australasian additions to the English language there are twomain sources, which correspond to the twofold division of theminto new words and new uses of old words. 

1. Altered English. 

The commoner origin of Australasian English words is theturning and twisting of an already existing English name. Thesettler saw a fruit somewhat like a cherry. Though he knewwell that it was not a cherry, he christened it the "nativecherry. " It may here be remarked that the prefix native is nota satisfactory distinguishing adjective. Native bear, nativecherry, may teach the young Australian that the bear and thecherry so named are not as the bear of the Arctic Regions orthe cherry of Europe. But in the British Museum the label doesnot help much. The settler heard a bird laugh in what hethought an extremely ridiculous manner, its opening notessuggesting a donkey's bray--he called it the "laughingjackass. " His descendants have dropped the adjective, and ithas come to pass that the word "jackass" denotes to anAustralian something quite different from its meaning to otherspeakers of our English tongue. The settler must have had animagination. Whip-bird, or Coach-whip, from the sound of thenote, Lyre-bird from the appearance of the outspread tail, areadmirable names. 

Another class of name brought the Australian word nearer to itsEnglish use. "Robin" for instance is applied to birds ofvarious species not known in Europe. Bird-names, fish-names, plant-names, are sometimes transferred to new species, sometimes to a new genus, sometimes to an entirely differentNatural Order, bearing a resemblance to the original, eitherreal or fancied, as for instance "Magpie. " It is hardlynecessary to dwell longer on this point, for almost every pageof the Dictionary bears witness to it. 

2. Words new to the Language. 

(a) Aboriginal Australian. 

Many of the new Australasian words are taken from the languagesof the aborigines, often with considerable alteration due tomisunderstanding. Such words are either Australian or Maori. Whilst in New Zealand careful attention has been paid bycompetent scholars to the musical Maori language, it can hardlybe claimed that the Australian family of languages has everbeen scientifically studied, though there is a heap of printedmaterial--small grammars and lists of words--rudisindigestaque moles. There is no doubt that thevocabularies used in different parts of Australia and Tasmaniavaried greatly, and equally little doubt that the languages, instructure and perhaps originally in vocabulary, were more orless connected. About the year 1883, Professor Sayce, ofOxford, wrote a letter, which was published in TheArgus, pointing out the obligation that lay upon theAustralian colonies to make a scientific study of a vanishingspeech. The duty would be stronger were it not for thedistressing lack of pence that now is vexing public men. Probably a sum of L300 a year would suffice for an educatedinquirer, but his full time for several years would be needed. Such an one should be trained at the University as a linguistand an observer, paying especial attention to logic and toComparative Philology. Whilst the colonies neglect theiropportunities, and Sibylla year by year withdraws her offer, perhaps "the inevitable German" will intervene, and in awell-arranged book bring order out of the chaos of vocabulariesand small pamphlets on the subject, all that we have to trustto now. 

The need of scientific accuracy is strong. For the purposes ofthis Dictionary I have been investigating the origin of words, more or less naturalised as English, that come from aboriginalAustralian, in number between seventy and a hundred. I havereceived a great deal of kind assistance, many people takingmuch trouble to inform me. But there is a manifest lack ofknowledge. Many supplied me with the meanings of the words asused in English, but though my appeal was scattered far andwide over Australia (chiefly through the kindness of thenewspapers), few could really give the origin of the words. Two amongst the best informed went so far as to say thatAustralian words have no derivation. That doctrine is hard toaccept. A word of three syllables does not spring completefrom the brain of an aboriginal as Athene rose fully armed fromthe head of Zeus. 

It is beyond all doubt that the vocabularies of the Aboriginesdiffered widely in different parts. Frequently, the Englishhave carried a word known in one district to a district whereit was not known, the aboriginals regarding the word as pureEnglish. In several books statements will be found that suchand such a word is not Aboriginal, when it really has anaboriginal source but in a different part of the Continent. Mr. Threlkeld, in his Australian Grammar, which isespecially concerned with the language of the Hunter River, gives a list of "barbarisms, " words that he considers do notbelong to the aboriginal tongue. He says with perfecttruth-"Barbarisms have crept into use, introduced by sailors, stockmen, and others, in the use of which both blacks andwhites labour under the mistaken idea, that each one isconversing in the other's language. " And yet with him a"barbarism" has to be qualified as meaning "not belonging tothe Hunter District. " But Mr. Threlkeld is not the only writerwho will not acknowledge as aboriginal sundry words with anundoubted Australian pedigree. 

(b) Maori. 

The Maori language, the Italian of the South, has received verydifferent treatment from that meted out by fate andindifference to the aboriginal tongues of Australia. It hasbeen studied by competent scholars, and its grammar has beencomprehensively arranged and stated. A Maori Dictionary, compiled more than fifty years ago by a missionary, afterwardsa bishop, has been issued in a fourth edition by his son, whois now a bishop. Yet, of Maori also, the same thing is saidwith respect to etymology. A Maori scholar told me that, whenhe began the study many years ago, he was warned by a verydistinguished scholar not to seek for derivations, as thesearch was full of pitfalls. It was not maintained that wordssprang up without an origin, but that the true origin of mostof the words was now lost. In spite of this double warning, itmay be maintained that some of the origins both of Maori and ofAustralian words have been found and are in this book recorded. 

The pronunciation of Maori words differs so widely from that ofAustralian aboriginal names that it seems advisable to insert anote on the subject. 

Australian aboriginal words have been written down on nosystem, and very much at hap-hazard. English people haveattempted to express the native sounds phonetically accordingto English pronunciation. No definite rule has been observed, different persons giving totally different values to representthe consonant and vowel sounds. In a language with a spellingso unphonetic as the English, in which the vowels especiallyhave such uncertain and variable values, the results of thiswant of system have necessarily been very unsatisfactory andoften grotesque. Maori words, on the other hand, have beenwritten down on a simple and consistent system, adopted by themissionaries for the purpose of the translation of the Bible. This system consists in giving the Italian sound to the vowels, every letter--vowel and consonant--having a fixed andinvariable value. Maori words are often very melodious. Inpronunciation the best rule is to pronounce each syllable witha nearly equal accent. 

Care has been taken to remember that this is an AustralasianEnglish and not a Maori Dictionary; therefore to excludewords that have not passed into the speech of the settlers. But in New Zealand Maori is much more widely used in the matterof vocabulary than the speech of the aborigines is inAustralia, or at any rate in the more settled parts ofAustralia; and the Maori is in a purer form. Though some wordsand names have been ridiculously corrupted, the language ofthose who dwell in the bush in New Zealand can hardly be calledPigeon English, and that is the right name for the"lingo" used in Queensland and Western Australia, which, onlypartly represented in this book, is indeed a falling away fromthe language of Bacon and Shakspeare. 

IV. LAW OF HOBSON-JOBSON. 

In many places in the Dictionary, I find I have used theexpression "the law of Hobson-Jobson. " The name is anadaptation from the expression used by Col. Yule andMr. Burnell as a name for their interesting Dictionary ofAnglo-Indian words. The law is well recognised, though it haslacked the name, such as I now venture to give it. When a wordcomes from a foreign language, those who use it, notunderstanding it properly, give a twist to the word or to somepart of it from the hospitable desire to make the word at homein its new quarters, no regard, however, being paid to thesense. The most familiar instance in English iscrayfish from the French ecrevisse, though it iswell known that a crayfish is not a fish at all. Amongst theMohammedans in India there is a festival at which the names of"Hassan" and "Hosein" are frequently called out by devotees. Tommy Atkins, to whom the names were naught, converted theminto "Hobson, Jobson. " That the practice of so altering wordsis not limited to the English is shown by two perhaps not veryfamiliar instances in French, where "Aunt Sally" has becomeane sale, "a dirty donkey, " and "bowsprit" has becomebeau pre, though quite unconnected with "a beautifulmeadow. " The name "Pigeon English" is itself a good example. It has no connection with pigeon, the bird, but is anOriental's attempt to pronounce the word "business. " Ithardly, however, seems necessary to alter the spelling to"pidjin. "

It may be thought by some precisians that all AustralasianEnglish is a corruption of the language. So too isAnglo-Indian, and, pace Mr. Brander Matthews, there aresuch things as Americanisms, which were not part of theElizabethan heritage, though it is perfectly true that many ofthe American phrases most railed at are pure old English, preserved in the States, though obsolete in Modern England; forthe Americans, as Lowell says, "could not take with them anybetter language than that of Shakspeare. " When we hear railingat slang phrases, at Americanisms, some of which are admirablyexpressive, at various flowers of colonial speech, and at wordswoven into the texture of our speech by those who live far awayfrom London and from Oxford, and who on the outskirts of theBritish Empire are brought into contact with new naturalobjects that need new names, we may think for our comfort onthe undoubted fact that the noble and dignified language of thepoets, authors and preachers, grouped around Lewis XIV. , sprangfrom debased Latin. For it was not the classical Latin that isthe origin of French, but the language of the soldiers and thecamp-followers who talked slang and picked words up from everyquarter. English has certainly a richer vocabulary, a finervariety of words to express delicate distinctions of meaning, than any language that is or that ever was spoken: and this isbecause it has always been hospitable in the reception of newwords. It is too late a day to close the doors against newwords. This Austral English Dictionary merelycatalogues and records those which at certain doors havealready come in. 

V. CLASSIFICATION OF THE WORDS. 

The Dictionary thus includes the following classes of Words, Phrases and Usages; viz. --

(1) Old English names of Natural Objects--Birds, Fishes, Animals, Trees, Plants, etc. --applied (in the first instance bythe early settlers) either to new Australian species of suchobjects, or to new objects bearing a real or fanciedresemblance to them--as Robin, Magpie, Herring, Cod, Cat, Bear, Oak, Beech, Pine, Cedar, Cherry, Spinach, Hops, Pea, Rose. 

(2) English names of objects applied in Australia to othersquite different-as Wattle, a hurdle, applied as the nameof the tree Wattle, from whose twigs the hurdle was mostreadily made; Jackass, an animal, used as the name forthe bird Jackass; Cockatoo, a birdname, appliedto a small farmer. 

(3) Aboriginal Australian and Maori words which have beenincorporated unchanged in the language, and which still denotethe original object--as Kangaroo, Wombat, Boomerang, Whare, Pa, Kauri. 

(4) Aboriginal Australian and Maori words which have beensimilarly adopted, and which have also had their originalmeaning extended and applied to other things--as Bunyip, Corrobbery, Warrigal. 

(5) Anglicised corruptions of such words--as Copper-Maori, Go-ashore, Cock-a-bully, Paddy-melon, Pudding-ball, Tooky-took. 

(6) Fanciful, picturesque, or humorous names given to newAustralasian Natural Objects--as Forty-spot, Lyre-bird, Parson-bird, and Coach-whip (birds); Wait-a-while (atangled thicket); Thousand-jacket, Jimmy Low, JimmyDonnelly, and Roger Gough (trees); Axe-breaker, Cheese-wood, and Raspberry Jam (timbers); Trumpeter, Schnapper and Sergeant Baker (fishes);Umbrella-grass and Spaniard (native plants), andso on. 

(7) Words and phrases of quite new coinage, or arising fromquite new objects or orders of things--as Larrikin, Swagman, Billy, Free-selector, Boundary-rider, Black-tracker, Back-blocks, Clear-skin, Dummyism, Bushed. 

(8) Scientific names arising exclusively from Australasiannecessities, chiefly to denote or describe new Natural Orders, Genera, or Species confined or chiefly appertaining toAustralia--as Monotreme, Petrogale, Clianthus, Ephthianura, Dinornis, Eucalypt, Boronia, Ornithorhynchus, Banksia. 

(9) Slang (of which the element is comparatively small)--as Deepsinker, Duck-shoving, Hoot, Slushy, Boss-cockie, On-the-Wallaby. 

VI. QUOTATIONS. 

With certain exceptions, this Dictionary is built up, as aDictionary should be, on quotations, and these are verycopious. It may even be thought that their number is toolarge. It is certainly larger, and in some places thequotations themselves are much longer, than could ever beexpected in a general Dictionary of the English Language. Thiscopiousness is, however, the advantage of a special Dictionary. The intention of the quotations is to furnish evidence that aword is used as an English word; and many times the quotationitself furnishes a satisfactory explanation of the meaning. Ihope, however, I shall not be held responsible for all thestatements in the quotations, even where attention is not drawnto their incorrectness. Sundry Australasian uses of words aregiven in other dictionaries, as, for instance, in the partsalready issued of the Oxford English Dictionary and inThe Century, but the space that can be allotted to themin such works is of necessity too small for full explanation. Efforts have been made to select such quotations as should inthemselves be interesting, picturesque, and illustrative. In afew cases they may even be humorous. 

Moreover, the endeavour has been constant to obtain quotationsfrom all parts of the Australasian Colonies--from books thatdescribe different parts of Australasia, and from newspaperspublished far and wide. I am conscious that in the latterdivision Melbourne papers predominate, but this has been due tothe accident that living in Melbourne I see more of theMelbourne papers, whilst my friends have sent me morequotations from books and fewer from newspapers. 

The quotations, however, are not all explanatory. Many timesa quotation is given merely to mark the use of a word at aparticular epoch. Quotations are all carefully dated andarranged in their historical order, and thus the exactchronological development of a word has been indicated. Thepractice of the `O. E. D. ' has been followed in this respect andin the matter of quotations generally, though as a rule thetitles of books quoted have been more fully expressed here thanin that Dictionary. Early quotations have been sought withcare, and a very respectable antiquity, about a century, hasbeen thus found for some Australasian words. As far aspossible, the spelling, the stops, the capitals, and theitalics of the original have been preserved. The result isoften a rich variety of spelling the same word in consecutiveextracts. 

The last decade has been a very active time in Australianscience. A great deal of system has been brought into itsstudy, and much rearrangement of classification has followed asthe result. Both among birds and plants new species have beendistinguished and named: and there has been not a little changein nomenclature. This Dictionary, it must be remembered, ischiefly concerned with vernacular names, but for properidentification, wherever possible, the scientific name isadded. In some cases, where there has been a recent change inthe latter, both the new and the older names are recorded. 

VII. AUTHORITIES. 

The less-known birds, fishes, plants, and trees are in manycases not illustrated by quotations, but have moved to theirplaces in the Dictionary from lists of repute. Many books havebeen written on the Natural History of Australia and NewZealand, and these have been placed under contribution. Underthe head of Botany no book has been of greater service thanMaiden's Useful Native Plants. Unfortunately manyscientific men scorn vernacular names, but Mr. Maiden has takenthe utmost pains with them, and has thereby largely increasedthe utility of his volume. For Tasmania there is Mr. Spicer'sHandbook of Tasmanian Plants; for New Zealand, Kirk'sForest Flora and Hooker's Botany. 

For Australian animals Lydekker's Marsupials andMonotremes is excellent; especially his section on thePhalanger or Australian Opossum, an animal which hasbeen curiously neglected by all Dictionaries of repute. On NewZealand mammals it is not necessary to quote any book; for whenthe English came, it is said, New Zealand contained no mammallarger than a rat. Captain Cook turned two pigs loose; but itis stated on authority, that these pigs left no descendants. One was ridden to death by Maori boys, and the other was killedfor sacrilege: he rooted in a tapu burial-place. Nevertheless, the settlers still call any wild-pig, especially if lean andbony, a "Captain Cook. "

For the scientific nomenclature of Australian Botany theCensus of Australian Plants by the Baron von Mueller(1889) is indispensable. It has been strictly followed. Forfishes reliance has been placed upon Tenison Woods' Fishesand Fisheries of New South Wales (1882), on W. Macleay'sDescriptive Catalogue of Australian Fishes (Proceedingsof the Linnaean Society of New South Wales, vols. V. And vi. ), and on Dr. Guenther's Study of Fishes. For thescientific nomenclature of Animal Life, the standard ofreference has been the Tabular List of all the AustralianBirds by E. P. Ramsay of the Australian Museum, Sydney(1888); Catalogue of Australian Mammals by J. O. Ogilbyof the Australian Museum, Sydney (1892); Catalogue ofMarsupials and Monotremes, British Museum (1888);Prodromus to the Natural History of Victoria by SirF. McCoy. Constant reference has also been made to Proceedingsof the Linnaean Society of New South Wales, Proceedings andTransactions of the Royal Societies of Victoria and Tasmania, and to the journal of the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria. 

The birds both in Australia and New Zealand have beenhandsomely treated by the scientific illustrators. Gould'sBirds of Australia and Buller's Birds of NewZealand are indeed monumental works. Neither Gould nor SirWalter Buller scorns vernacular names. But since the days ofthe former the number of named species of Australian birds haslargely increased, and in January 1895, at the Brisbane Meetingof the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, a Committee was appointed to draw up a list of vernacularbird-names. By the kindness of a member of this Committee(Mr. A. J. Campbell of Melbourne) I was allowed the use of alist of such vernacular names drawn up by him and Col. Leggefor submission to the Committee. 

VIII. SCIENTIFIC WORDS. 

The example of The Century has been followed in theinclusion of sundry scientific names, especially those ofgenera or Natural Orders of purely Australasian objects. Although it is quite true that these can hardly be described asAustralasian English, it is believed that the courseadopted will be for the general convenience of those whoconsult this Dictionary. 

Some of these "Neo-Latin" and "Neo-Greek" words areextraordinary in themselves and obscure in their origin, thoughnot through antiquity. In his Student's Pastime, atp. 293, Dr. Skeat says "Nowhere can more ignorant etymologiesbe found than in works on Botany and `scientific' subjects. Too often, all the science is reserved for the subject, so thatthere is none to spare for explaining the names. "

A generous latitude has also been taken in including some wordsundoubtedly English, but not exclusively Australasian, such asAnabranch, and Antipodes, and some mining andother terms that are also used in the United States. Convenience of readers is the excuse. Anabranch is morefrequently used of Australian rivers than of any others, butperhaps a little pride in tracking the origin of the word hashad something to do with its inclusion. Some words have beeninserted for purposes of explanation, e. G. Snook, inAustralasia called Barracouta, which latter is itself anold name applied in Australasia to a different fish; andCavally, which is needed to explain Trevally. 

IX. ASSISTANCE RECEIVED. 

There remains the pleasant duty of acknowledging help. Manypersons have given me help, whose names can hardly be listedhere. A friend, an acquaintance, or sometimes even a stranger, has often sent a single quotation of value, or an explanationof a single word. The Editors of many newspapers have helpednot a little by the insertion of a letter or a circular. Toall these helpers, and I reckon their number at nearly 200, Itender my hearty thanks. 

Various officers of the Melbourne Public Library, and my friendMr. Edward H. Bromby, the Librarian of this University, haverendered me much assistance. I have often been fortunateenough to obtain information from the greatest living authorityon a particular subject: from the Baron von Mueller, from SirFrederick M'Coy, or from Mr. A. W. Howitt. [Alas! since Ipenned this sentence, the kind and helpful Baron has been takenfrom us, and is no longer the greatest living authority onAustralian Botany. ] My friend and colleague, Professor BaldwinSpencer, a most earnest worker in the field of Australianscience, gave many hours of valuable time to set these pagesright in the details of scientific explanations. Mr. J. G. Luehmann of Melbourne has kindly answered variousquestions about Botany, and Mr. A. J. North, of Sydney, inregard to certain birds. Mr. T. S. Hall, of the BiologicalDepartment of this University, and Mr. J. J. Fletcher, ofSydney, the Secretary of the Linnaean Society of New SouthWales, have rendered me much help. The Rev. John Mathew, ofCoburg, near Melbourne, has thrown much light on aboriginalwords. The Rev. E. H. Sugden, Master of Queen's College inthis University, has furnished a large number of usefulquotations. His name is similarly mentioned, honoriscausa, in Dr. Murray's Preface to Part I. Of the `O. E. D. 'Mr. R. T. Elliott of Worcester College, Oxford, has givensimilar help. The Master himself, --the Master of all whoengage in Dictionary work, --Dr. Murray, of Oxford, has kindlyforwarded to me a few pithy and valuable comments on myproof-streets. He also made me a strong appeal never to passon information from any source without acknowledgment. This, the only honest course, I have striven scrupulously to follow;but it is not always easy to trace the sources whenceinformation has been derived. 

When gaps in the sequence of quotations were especiallyapparent on the proofs, Mr. W. Ellis Bird, of Richmond, Victoria, found me many illustrative passages. For New Zealandwords a goodly supply of quotations was contributed by MissMary Colborne-Veel of Christchurch, author of a volume ofpoetry called The Fairest of the Angels, by her sister, Miss Gertrude Colborne-Veel, and by Mr. W. H. S. Roberts ofOamaru, author of a little book called Southland in1856. In the matter of explanation of the origin and meaningof New Zealand terms, Dr. Hocken of Dunedin, Mr. F. R. Chapmanof the same city, and Mr. Edward Tregear of Wellington, authorof the Maori Polynesian Dictionary, and Secretary of thePolynesian Society, have rendered valuable and materialassistance. Dr. Holden of Bellerive, near Hobart, was perhapsmy most valued correspondent. After I had failed in one or twoquarters to enlist Tasmanian sympathy, he came to the rescue, and gave me much help on Tasmanian words, especially on theFlora and the birds; also on Queensland Flora and on the wholesubject of Fishes. Dr. Holden also enlisted later the help ofMr. J. B. Walker, of Hobart, who contributed much to enrich myproofs. But the friend who has given me most help of all hasbeen Mr. J. Lake of St. John's College, Cambridge. When theDictionary was being prepared for press, he worked with me forsome months, very loyally putting my materials into shape. Birds, Animals, and Botany he sub-edited for me, and much ofthe value of this part of the Book, which is almost anEncyclopaedia rather than a Dictionary, is due to his readyknowledge, his varied attainments, and his willingness toundertake research. 

To all who have thus rendered me assistance I tender heartythanks. It is not their fault if, as is sure to be the case, defects and mistakes are found in this Dictionarv. But shouldthe Book be received with public favour, these shall becorrected in a later edition. 

EDWARD E. MORRIS. 

The University, Melbourne, February 23, 1897

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES

Ait. . . . Aiton. Andr. . . . Andrews. 

B. And L. . Barere and L. Bail. . . . Baillon. Bechst. . . Bechstein. Benth. . . Bentham. Bl. . . . Bleeker. Bodd. . . . Boddaert

Bp. ) ) . Bonaparte. Bonap. )

R. Br. . . Robert BrownBrong. . . Brongniart. 

Cab. . . . Cabanis. Carr. . . . Carriere. Castln. . . Castelnau. Cav. . . . Cavanilles. Corr. . . . Correa. 

Cunn. ) ) . A. CunninghamA. Cunn. )

Cuv. . . . Cuvier. 

De C. . . . De Candolle. Dec. . . . Decaisne. Desf. . . . Desfontaines. Desm. . . . Desmarest. Desv. . . . Desvaux. De Tarrag. . De TarragonDiet. . . . Dietrich. Donov. . . Donovan. Drap. . . . Drapiez. Dryand. . . Dryander. 

Endl. . . . Endlicher. 

Fab. . . . Fabricius. Forsk. . . Forskael. Forst. . . Forster. F. V. M. . . Ferdinand von Mueller

G. Forst. . G. Forster. Gaertn. . . Gaertner. Gaim. . . . Gaimard. Garn. . . . Garnot. Gaud. . . Gaudichaud. Geoff. . . Geoffroy. Germ. . . Germar. Gmel. . . Gmelin. Guich. . . Guichenot. Gunth. . . Guenther. 

Harv. . . Harvey. Hasselq. . . Hasselquin. Haw. . . . Haworth. Hens. . . Henslow. Herb. . . Herbert. Homb. . . Hombron. Hook. . . J. Hooker. Hook. F. . . Hooker fils. Horsf. . . Horsfield. 

Ill. . . . Illiger. 

Jacq. . . . Jacquinot. Jard. . . . Jardine. 

L. And S. . Liddell and Scott. 

Lab. ) ) . Labillardiere. Labill. )

Lacep. . . Lacepede. Lath. . . . Latham. Lehm. . . Lehmann. Less. . . Lesson. L'herit. . . L'Heritier. Licht. . . Lichtenstein. Lindl. . . Lindley. Linn. . . . Linnaeus. 

Macl. . . . Macleay. McC. . . . McCoy. Meissn. . . Meissner. Menz. . . Menzies. Milne-Ed. . Milne-Edwards. Miq. . . . Miquel. 

Parlat. . . Parlatore. Pers. . . . Persoon. 

Plan. ) ) . Planchol. Planch. )

Poir. . . Poiret. 

Q. . . . Quoy. 

Rafll. . . Raffles. Rein. . . . Reinwardt. Reiss. . . Reisseck. 

Rich. ) ) . Richardson. Richards. )

Roxb. . . Roxburgh

Sal. . . . Salvadori. Salisb. . . Salisbury. Schau. . . Schauer. 

Schl. ) ) . SchlechtenSchlecht. )

Selb. . . . Selby. Ser. . . . Seringe. Serv. . . . Serville. Sieb. . . . Sieber. Sm. . . . Smith. Sol. . . . Solander. Sow. . . . Sowerby. Sparrm. . . Sparrman. Steph. . . Stephan. Sundev. . . Sundevall. 

Sw. ) ) . Swainson. Swains. )

Temm. . . Temminck. Thunb. . . Thunberg. Tul. . . . Tulasne. 

V. And H. . Vigors and Horsfield. Val. . . . Valenciennes. Vent. . . . Ventenat. Vieill. . . Vieillot. Vig. . . . Vigors. 

Wagl. . . . Wagler. Water. . . Waterhouse. Wedd. . . . Weddell. Willd. . . Willdenow. 

Zimm. . . . Zimmermann. 

OTHER ABBREVIATIONS

q. V. Quod vide, which see. 

i. Q. Idem quod, the same as. 

ibid. Ibidem, in the same book. 

i. E. Id est, that is. 

sc. Scilicet, that is to say. 

s. V. Sub voce, under the word. 

cf. Confer, compare. 

n. Noun, adj. Adjective. 

v. Verb. 

prep. Preposition. 

interj. Interjection. 

sic, "thus, " draws attention to some peculiarity of diction or to what is believed to be a mistake. 

N. O. Natural Order. 

sp. A species, spp. Various species. 

A square bracket [ ] shows an addition to a quotation by wayof comment. 

O. E. D. "Oxford English Dictionary, " often formerly quoted as "N. E. D. " or "New English Dictionary. "

AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY

A

Absentee, n. Euphemistic term for a convict. The word has disappeared with the need for it. 

1837. Jas. Mudie, `Felonry of New South Wales, ' p. Vii. :

"The ludicrous and affected philanthropy of the presentGovernor of the Colony, in advertising runaway convicts underthe soft and gentle name of absentees, is reallyunaccountable, unless we suppose it possible that hisExcellency as a native of Ireland, and as having awell-grounded Hibernian antipathy to his absentee countrymen, uses the term as one expressive both of the criminality of theabsentee and of his own abhorrence of the crime. "

Acacia, n. And adj. A genus of shrubs ortrees, N. O. Leguminosae. The Australian species oftenform thickets or scrubs, and are much used for hedges. Thespecies are very numerous, and are called provincially byvarious names, e. G. "Wattle, " "Mulga, " "Giddea, " and "Sally, "an Anglicized form of the aboriginal name Sallee (q. V. ). The tree peculiar to Tasmania, Acacia riceana, Hensl. , (i>N. O. Leguminosae, is there called the DroopingAcacia. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 202:

"We possess above a hundred and thirty species of the acacia. "

1839. Dr. J. Shotsky, quoted in `Sydney Morning Herald, ' Aug. 5, p. 5, col. 2:

"Yet, Australian sky and nature awaits and merits real artiststo portray it. Its gigantic gum and acacia trees, 40 ft. Ingirth, some of them covered with a most smooth bark, externallyas white as chalk. . . . "

1844. L. Leichhardt, Letter in `Cooksland, ' by J. D. Lang, p. 91:

"Rosewood Acacia, the wood of which has a very agreeable violetscent like the Myal Acacia (A. Pendula) in LiverpoolPlains. "

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 149:

"The Acacias are innumerable, all yielding a famous bark fortanning, and a clean and excellent gum. "

1869. Mrs. Meredith, `A Tasmanian Memory, ' p. 8:

"Acacias fringed with gold. "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 24:

"The name Acacia, derived from the Greek, and indicative of athorny plant, was already bestowed by the ancient naturalistand physician Dioscorides on a Gum-Arabic yieldingNorth-African Acacia not dissimilar to some Australian species. This generic name is so familiarly known, that the appellation`Wattle' might well be dispensed with. Indeed the name Acaciais in full use in works on travels and in many popular writingsfor the numerous Australian species . . . Few of any genera ofplants contain more species than Acacia, and in Australia it isthe richest of all; about 300 species, as occurring in ourcontinent, have been clearly defined. "

Acrobates, n. The scientific name of theAustralian genus of Pigmy Flying-Phalangers, or, as theyare locally called, Opossum-Mice. See Opossum-Mouse, Flying-Mouse, Flying-Phalanger, and Phalanger. Thegenus was founded by Desmarest in 1817. (Grk. 'akrobataes, walking on tiptoe. )

AEpyprymnus, n. The scientific name of the genusof the Rufous Kangaroo-Rat. It is the tallest andlargest of the Kangaroo-Rats (q. V. ). (Grk. 'aipus, high, and prumnon, the hinder part. )

Ailuroedus, n. Scientific name for the genus ofAustralian birds called Cat-birds (q. V. ). FromGrk. 'ailouros, a cat, and 'eidos, species. 

Ake, n. Originally Akeake, Maori name for eitherof two small trees, (1) Dodonaea viscosa, Linn. , in NewZealand; (2) Olearia traversii, F. V. M. , in the ChathamIslands. Ake is originally a Maori adv. Meaning"onwards, in time. " Archdeacon Williams, in his `Dictionary ofNew Zealand Language, ' says Ake, Ake, Ake, means " for ever and ever. " (Edition 182. )

1820. `Grammar and Vocabulary of Language of New Zealand' (ChurchMissionary Society), p. 133:

"Akeake, paulo post futurum"

1835. W. Yale, `Some Account of New Zealand, ' p. 47:

"Aki, called the Lignum vitae of New Zealand. "

1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand, ' p. 43:

"The ake and towai . . . Are almost equal, in point of colour, to rosewood. "

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook to New Zealand, ' p. 131:

"Ake, a small tree, 6 to 12 feet high. Wood very hard, variegated, black and white; used for Maori clubs; abundant indry woods and forests. "

Alarm-bird, n. A bird-name no longer used inAustralia. There is an African Alarm-bird. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Vi. Pl. 9:

"Lobivanellus lobatus (Lath. ), Wattled Pewit, Alarm Bird ofthe Colonists. "

Alectryon, n. A New Zealand tree and flower, Alectryon excelsum, De C. , Maori name Titoki(q. V. ); called also the New Zealand Oak, from theresemblance of its leaves to those of an oak. Named bybotanists from Grk. 'alektruown, a cock. 

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf, ' I. 7, p. 16:

"The early season could not yetHave ripened the alectryon's beads of jet, Each on its scarlet strawberry set. "

Alexandra Palm, n. A Queensland tree, Ptychosperma alexandrae, F. V. M. A beautifully markedwood much used for making walking sticks. It grows 70 or 80feet high. 

Alluvial, n. The common term in Australia andNew Zealand for gold-bearing alluvial soil. The word is alsoused adjectivally as in England. 

1889. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms, ' p. 403:

"The whole of the alluvial will be taken up, and the TerribleHollow will re-echo with the sound of pick and shovel. "

Ambrite (generally called ambrit), n. Mineral [from amber + ite, mineral formative, `O. E. D. '], afossil resin found in masses amidst lignite coals in variousparts of New Zealand. Some identify it with the resin ofDammara australis, generally called Kauri gum(q. V. ). 

1867. F. Von Hochstetter, `New Zealand, ' p. 79:

"Although originating probably from a coniferous tree relatedto the Kauri pine, it nevertheless has been erroneously takenfor Kauri gum. "--[Footnote]: "It is sufficiently characterisedto deserve a special name ; but it comes so near to realamber that it deserves the name of Ambrite. "

[This is the earliest use of the word. ]

Anabranch, n. A branch of a river which leavesit and enters it again. The word is not Australian, though itis generally so reckoned. It is not given in the `Century, 'nor in the `Imperial, ' nor in `Webster, ' nor in the `Standard. 'The `O. E. D. ' treats Ana as an independent word, rightlyexplaining it as anastomosing, but its quotation fromthe `Athenaeum' (1871), on which it relies, is a misprint. Forthe origin and coinage of the word, see quotation 1834. Seethe aboriginal name Billabong. 

1834. Col. Jackson, `Journal of Royal Geographical Society, ' p. 79:

"Such branches of a river as after separation re-unite, I wouldterm anastomosing-branches; or, if a word might becoined, ana-branches, and the islands they form, branch-islands. Thus, if we would say, `the river inthis part of its course divides into severalana-branches, ' we should immediately understand thesubsequent re-union of the branches to the main trunk. "

Col. Jackson was for a while Secretary and Editor of theSociety's Journal. In Feb. 1847 he resigned that position, andin the journal of that year there is the following amusingignorance of his proposed word--

1847. `Condensed Account of Sturt's Exploration in theInterior of Australia--Journal of the Royal GeographicalSociety, ' p. 87:

"Captain Sturt proposed sending in advance to ascertain thestate of the Ana branch of the Darling, discovered by Mr. Eyreon a recent expedition to the North. "

No fewer than six times on two pages is the wordanabranch printed as two separate words, and as ifAna were a proper name. In the Index volume it appears"Ana, a branch of the Darling. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 35:

"The river itself divided into anabranches which . . . Made thewhole valley a maze of channels. "

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. I. P. 298:

"What the Major calls, after the learned nomenclature ofColonel Jackson, in the `Journal of the Geographical Society, 'anabranches, but which the natives call billibongs, channelscoming out of a stream and returning into it again. "

1871. `The Athenaeum, ' May 27, p. 660 (' O. E. D. '):

"The Loddon district is called the County of Gunbower, which means, it is said, an ana branch [sic]. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' p. 48:

"A plain bordering an ana-branch sufficient for water. "

Anchorwing, n. A bird-name, Falcomelanogenys, Gould. The Black-cheeked Falcon, so calledbecause of the resemblance of the wings outspread in flight tothe flukes of an anchor. 

Anguillaria, n. One of the vernacular namesused for the common Australian wild flower, Anguillaraaaustralis, R. Br. , Wurmbsea dioica, F. V. M. , N. O. Liliaceae. The name Anguillarea is from theadministrator of the Botanic Gardens of Padua, three centuriesago. There are three Australian forms, distinguished by RobertBrown as species. The flower is very common in the meadows inearly spring, and is therefore called the Native SnowDrop. In Tasmania it is called Nancy. 

1835. 	Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' 67:

"Spotted Anguillaria. Nancy. The little lively white flowerwith blue spots in the centre, about 2 inches high, thateverywhere enlivens our grassy hills in spring, resembling theStar of Bethlehem. "

1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, `Australian Botany, ' p. 83:

"Native Snowdrop. Anguillaria Australis. The earliestof all our indigenous spring-flowering plants. . . . In earlyspring our fields are white with the flowers of this prettylittle bulbous-rooted plant. "

Ant-eater, n. (1) i. Q. Ant-eating-Porcupine. See Echidna. (2) The Banded Ant-eater (q. V. ). 

Ant-eater, Banded. See Banded Ant-eater. 

Antechinornys, n. Scientific name for the genuswith the one species of Long legged Pouched-Mouse(q. V. ). (Grk. 'anti, opposed to, 'echivos, hedgehog, and mus, mouse, sc. A mouse different to thehedgehog. ) It is a jumping animal exclusively insectivorous. 

Antipodes, n. Properly a Greek word, the pluralof 'antipous, lit. "having feet opposed. " Theancients, however, had no knowledge of the southern hemisphere. Under the word perioikos, Liddell and Scott explain that'antipodes meant "those who were in opposite parallelsand meridians. " The word Antipodes was adopted into theLatin language, and occurs in two of the Fathers, Lactantiusand Augustine. By the mediaeval church to believe in theantipodes was regarded as heresy. `O. E. D. ' quotes two examplesof the early use of the word in English. 

1398. `Trevisa Barth. De P. R. , ' xv. Lii. (1495), p. 506:

"Yonde in Ethiopia ben the Antipodes, men that have theyr feteayenst our fete. "

1556. `Recorde Cast. Knowl. , ' 93:

"People . . . Called of the Greeks and Latines also'antipodes, Antipodes, as you might sayCounterfooted, or Counterpasers. "

Shakspeare uses the word in five places, but, though he knewthat this "pendent world" was spherical, his Antipodes were notAustralasian. In three places he means only the fact that itis day in the Eastern hemisphere when it is night in England. 

`Midsummer Night's Dream, ' III. Ii. 55:

 "I'll believe as soonThis whole earth may be bored, and that the moonMay thro' the centre creep and so displeaseHis brother's noontide with the Antipodes. "

`Merchant of Venice, ' V. 127:

"We should hold day with the AntipodesIf you would walk in absence of the sun. "

`Richard II. , ' III. Ii. 49:

"Who all this while hath revell'd in the night, Whilst we were wandering with the Antipodes. "

In `Henry VI. , ' part 3, I. Iv. 135, the word more clearlydesignates the East:

"Thou art as opposite to every good As the Antipodes are unto us, Or as the South to the Septentrion. " [sc. The North. ]

But more precise geographical indications are given in `MuchAdo, ' II. I. 273, where Benedick is so anxious to avoidBeatrice that he says--

"I will go on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes thatyou can devise to send me on. I will fetch you a tooth-pickernow from the farthest inch of Asia; bring you the length ofPrester John's foot; fetch you a hair of the great Kam's beard;do you any embassage to the Pygmies rather than hold threewords conference with this harpy. "

Now the Pygmies lived on the Upper Nile, near Khartoum, Prester John in India, and the great Kam (Khan) in Tartary. 

The word Antipodes in modern use is applied rather toplaces than to people. Geographically, the word means a placeexactly opposite on the surface of the globe, as AntipodesIsland (Eastward of New Zealand), which is very near theopposite end of the diameter of the globe passing throughLondon. But the word is often used in a wider sense, and thewhole of Australasia is regarded as the Antipodes of GreatBritain. 

The question is often asked whether there is any singular tothe word Antipodes, and `O. E. D. ' shows that antipode isstill used in the sense of the exact opposite of aperson. Antipod is also used, especially playfully. Theadjectives used are Antipodal and Antipodean. 

1640. Richard Brome [Title]:

"The Antipodes; comedy in verse. " [Acted in 1638, firstprinted 4t0. 1640. ]

Ant-orchis, n. An Australian and Tasmanianorchid, Chiloglottis gunnii, Lind. 

Apple and Apple-tree, n. Andadj. The names are applied to various indigenous trees, in some cases from a supposed resemblance to the English fruit, in others to the foliage of the English tree. The varietiesare--

Black or Brush Apple-- Achras australis, R. Br. 

Emu A. -- Owenia acidula, F. V. M. ; called also Native Nectarine and Native Quince. Petalostigma quadriloculare, F. V. M. ; called also Crab-tree, Native Quince, Quinine-tree (q. V. )

Kangaroo A. -- See Kangaroo Apple. 

Mooley A. (West N. S. W. Name)-- Owenia acidula, F. V. M. 

Mulga A. -- The Galls of Acacia aneura, F. V. M. 

Oak A. -- Cones of Casuarina stricta, Ait. 

Rose A. -- Owenia cerasifera, F. V. M. 

1820. John Oxley, `Journal of Two Expeditions into the Interiorof New South Wales, ' p. 187:

"The blue gum trees in the neighbourhood were extremely fine, whilst that species of Eucalyptus, which is vulgarly called theapple-tree . . . Again made its appearance. . . . "

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, ' vol. Xv. P. 260:

"It builds its nest of sticks lined with grass inIron-bark and Apple-trees (a species ofAngophora). "

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 200:

"The apple-trees resemble the English apple only in leaf. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 195:

"In looking down upon the rich flats below, adjoining thestream, I was perpetually reminded of a thriving and richapple-orchard. The resemblance of what are called apple-treesin Australia to those of the same name at home is so strikingat a distance in these situations, that the comparison couldnot be avoided, although the former bear no fruit, and do noteven belong to the same species. "

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 52:

"I have heard of men employed in felling whole apple-trees(Angophera lanceolata) for the sheep. "

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia, ' vol. Ii. C. Iv. P. 132;

"Red Apple, Quonui, affects salt grounds. "

1847. J. D. Lang, `Phillipsland, ' p. 256:

"The plains, or rather downs, around it (Yass) are thinly butmost picturesquely covered with `apple-trees, ' as they arecalled by the colonists, merely from their resemblance to theEuropean apple-tree in their size and outline, for they do notresemble it in producing an edible fruit. "

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849, ' p. 32:

"The musk-plant, hyacinth, grass-tree, and kangaroo apple-treeare indigenous. "

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1855), p. 219:

"Pomona would indignantly disown the apple-tree, for there isnot the semblance of a pippin on its tufted branches. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 113:

"Sandy apple-tree flats, and iron-bark ridges, lined the creekhere on either side. "

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 158:

"The desolate flats where gaunt apple-trees rot. "

Apple-berry, n. The fruit of an Australianshrub, Billardiera scandens, Smith, N. O. Pittosporeae, called by children "dumplings. "

1793. J. E. Smith, `Specimen of Botany of New Holland, ' pp. 1, 3:

"Billardiera scandens. Climbing Apple Berry. . . . The name Billardiera is given it in honour of James Julian laBillardiere, M. D. , F. M. L. S. , now engaged as botanist on boardthe French ships sent in search of M. De la Peyrouse. "

Apple-gum, n. See Gum. 

Apple-scented gum, n. See Gum. 

Apteryx, n. [Grk. 'a privative andpterux, a wing. ] A New Zealand bird about the size ofa domestic fowl, with merely rudimentary wings. See Kiwi. 

1813. G. Shaw, `Naturalist's Miscellany. ' c. Xxiv. P. 1058(`O. E. D. '):

"The Southern Apteryx. "

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 137:

"The present Apterix or wingless bird of that country (NewZealand). "

1851. `Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of VanDiemen's Land, ' vol. I. P. 300 [Letter from Rev. W. Colenso, Waitangi, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Sept. 4, 1850:

"You enquire after an Apteryx. How delighted should Ibe to succeed in getting you one. Three years ago Owenexpressed a similar wish, and I have repeatedly tried, butfailed. Yet here they still are in the mountain forests, though, doubtless, fast hastening towards extinction. I sawone in its wild state two years ago in the dense woods of theinterior; I saw it clearly. . . . Two living specimens werelately taken by the Acheron, steamer, to Sydney, where theydied; these were obtained at the Bay of Islands, where also Ionce got three at one time. Since then I have not been able toobtain another, although I have offered a great price for one. The fact is, the younger natives do not know how to take them, and the elder ones having but few wants, and those fullysupplied, do not care to do so. Further, they can only becaptured by night, and the dog must be well trained to be ofservice. "

1874. F. P. Cobbe, in `Littell's Age, ' Nov. 7, p. 355(`Standard'):

"We have clipped the wings of Fancy as close as if she werean Apteryx. '

Arbutus, Native, n. See Wax-Cluster. 

Ardoo, n. See Nardoo. 

Artichoke, n. Name given to the plantAstelia Alpina, R. Br. , N. O. Liliaceae. 

Ash, n. The name, with various epithets, isapplied to the following different Australasian trees--

Black Ash-- Nephelium semiglaucum, F. V. M. , N. O. Sapindaceae; called also Wild Quince. 

Black Mountain A. -- Eucalyptus leucoxylon, F. V. M. , N. O. Myrtaceae. 

Blue A. -- Elaeodendron australe, Vent. , N. O. Celastrinae. 

Blueberry A. -- Elaeocarpus holopetalus, F. V. M. , N. O. Tiliaceae. 

Brush Apple-- Acronychia baueri, Schott. (of Illawarra, N. S. W. ). 

Crow's A. -- Flindersia australis, R. Br. , N. O. Meliaceae. 

Elderberry A. (of Victoria)-- Panax sambucifolius, Sieb. , N. O. Araliaceae. 

Illawarra A. -- Elaeocarpus kirtonia, F. V. M. , N. O. Tiliaceae. 

Moreton Bay A. -- Eucalyptus tessellaris, Hook. , N. O. Myrtaceae. 

Mountain A. (see Mountain Ash). 

New Zealand A. (see Titoki). 

Pigeonberry A. -- Elaeocarpus obovatus, G. Don. , N. O. Tiliaceae. 

Red A. -- Alphitonia excelsa, Reiss, N. O. Rhamnaceae. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 75:

"The Moreton Bay Ash (a species of Eucalyptus). . . Washere also very plentiful. "

Assigned, past part. Of verb to assign, to allot. Used as adj. Of a convict allotted to asettler as a servant. Colloquially often reduced to "signed. "

1827. `Captain Robinson's Report, ' Dec. 23:

"It was a subject of complaint among the settlers, that theirassigned servants could not be known from soldiers, owing totheir dress; which very much assisted the crime of`bush-ranging. '"

1837. J. D. Lang, `New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 31

"The assigned servant of a respectable Scotch family residingnear Sydney. "

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 75:

"Of the first five persons we saw to Van Diemen's Land, fourwere convicts, and perhaps the fifth. These were the assignedservants of the pilot. "

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 324:

"Under the old practice, the convicts, as soon as they arrivedfrom Britain, were assigned among the various applicants. Theservant thus assigned was bound to perform diligently, fromsunrise till sunset, all usual and reasonable labour. "

Assignee, n. A convict assigned as a servant. Theword is also used in its ordinary English sense. 

1843. `Penny Cyclopaedia, ' vol. Xxv. P. 139, col. 2:

"It is comparatively difficult to obtain anotherassignee, --easy to obtain a hired servant. "

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 324:

"Any instance of gross treatment disqualified him for thefuture as an assignee of convict labour. "

Assignment, n. Service as above. 

1836. C. Darwin, `Journal of Researches' (1890), c. Xix. P. 324:

"I believe the years of assignment are passed away withdiscontent and unhappiness. "

1852. John West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 126:

"That form of service, known as assignment, was established byGovernor King in 1804. "

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 117:

"The assignment system was then in operation, and such asobtained free grants of land were allowed a certain proportionof convicts to bring it into cultivation. "

Asthma Herb, Queensland, n. Euphorbiapilulifera, Linn. As the name implies, a remedy for asthma. The herb is collected when in flower and carefully dried. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 183:

"This plant, having obtained some reputation in Australasia incertain pulmonary complaints, has acquired the appellation tothe Colonies of `Queensland Asthma Herb'. Nevertheless, it isby no means endemic in Australasia, for it is a common tropicalweed. "

Aua, n. Maori name for a New Zealand fish, Agonostoma forsteri, Bleek. Another Maori name isMakawhiti; also called Sea-Mullet and sometimesHerring; (q. V. ). It is abundant also in Tasmanianestuaries, and is one of the fishes which when dried is calledPicton Herring (q. V. ). See also Maray andMullet. Agonostoma is a genus of the familyMugilidae or Grey-Mullets. 

Aurora australis, n. The Southern equivalentfor Aurora borealis. 

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 214:

"Sept. 5, 1788. About half after six in the evening, we saw anAurora Australis, a phenomenon uncommon in the southernhemisphere. "

Austral, adj. "Belonging to the South, Southern. Lat. Australis, from auster, south-wind. " (`O. E. D. ') The word is rarely used in Australasiain its primary sense, but now as equivalent to Australian orAustralasian. 

1823. Wentworth's Cambridge poem on `Australasia':

"And grant that yet an Austral Milton's song, Pactolus-like, flow deep and rich along, An Austral Shakespeare rise, whose living pageTo Nature true may charm in every age;And that an Austral Pindar daring soar, Where not the Theban Eagle reach'd before. "

1825. Barron Field, `First Fruits of Australian Poetry, ' Motto inGeographical Memoir of New South Wales, p. 485:

"I first adventure. Follow me who list;And be the second Austral harmonist. "Adapted from Bishop Hall. 

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 184:

"For this, midst Austral wilds I waken Our British harp, feel whence I come, Queen of the sea, too long forsaken, Queen of the soul, my spirit's home. "--Alien Song. 

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 43:

"Every servant in this Austral Utopia thinks himself agentleman. "

1868. C. Harpur, `Poems' (ed. 1883), p. 215:

"How oft, in Austral woods, the parting dayHas gone through western golden gates away. "

1879. J. B. O'Hara, `Songs of the South, ' p. 127:

"What though no weird and legendary loreInvests our young, our golden Austral shoreWith that romance the poet loves too well, When Inspiration breathes her magic spell. "

1894. Ernest Favenc [Title]:

"Tales of the Austral Tropics. "

1896. [Title]:

"The Austral Wheel--A Monthly Cycling Magazine, No. 1, Jan. "

1896. `The Melburnian, ' Aug. 28, p. 53

"Our Austral Spring. " [Title of an article describing Spring inAustralia. ]

Australasia, n. (and its adjectives), name"given originally by De Brosses to one of his three divisionsof the alleged Terra australis. " (`O. E. D. ') Now used asa larger term than Australian, to include the continent ofAustralia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and islands. Forpeculiar use of the name for the Continent in 1793, seeAustralia. 

1756. Charles de Brosses, `Histoire des Navigations aux TerresAustrales, ' tom. I. P. 80:

"On peut de meme diviser le monde austral inconnu en troisportions. . . . L'une dans l'ocean des Indes au sud de l'Asie quej'appellerai par cette raison australasie. "

1766. Callander, `Terra Australis, ' i. P. 49 (Translation ofde Brosses)(`O. E. D. ):

"The first [division] in the Indian Ocean, south of Asia, whichfor this reason we shall call Australasia. "

1802. G. Shaw, `Zoology, ' iii. P. 506 (`O. E. D. '):

"Other Australasian snakes. "

1823. Subject for English poem at Cambridge University:

`Australasia. '

[The prize (Chancellor's Medal) was won by Winthrop MackworthPraed. William Charles Wentworth stood second. ] The concludinglines of his poem are:

"And Australasia float, with flag unfurl'd, A new Britannia in another world. "

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 77:

"How far had these ideas been acted upon by the Colonists ofAustral Asia?" [sic. ]

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. 1. P. 109:

"`The Austral-Asiatic Review, ' by Murray, also made itsappearance [in Hobart] in February, 1828. "

1855. Tennyson, `The Brook, ' p. 194:

" Katie walksBy the long wash of Australasian seasFar off, and holds her head to other stars, And breathes in converse seasons. "

[Altered in Edition of 1894 to "breathes in April-autumns. "]

1857. Daniel Bunce [Title]:

"Australasiatic reminiscences. "

1864. `The Australasian, ' Oct. 1, First Number [Title]:

"The Australasian. "

1880. Alfred R. Wallace [Title]:

"Australasia. " [In Stanford's `Compendium of Geography andTravel. ']

1881. David Blair [Title]:

"Cyclopaedia of Australasia. "

1890. E. W. Hornung, `Bride from the Bush, ' p. 29:

"It was neither Cockney nor Yankee, but a nasal blend of both:it was a lingo that declined to let the vowels run alone, buttrotted them out in ill-matched couples, with discordant andawful consequences; in a word, it was Australasiatic of theworst description. "

1890. `Victorian Consolidated Statutes, ' Administration andp. Obate Act, Section 39:

"`Australasian Colonies, ' shall mean all colonies for the timebeing on the main land of Australia. . . And shall also includethe colonies of New Zealand, Tasmania and Fiji and any otherBritish Colonies or possessions in Australasia now existing orhereafter to be created which the Governor in Council may fromtime to time declare to be Australasian Colonies within themeaning of this Act. "

1895. Edward Jenks [Title]:

"History of the Australasian Colonies. "

1896. J. S. Laurie [Title]:

"The Story of Australasia. "

Australia, n. , and Australian, adj. As early as the 16th century there was a belief ina Terra australis (to which was often added the epithetincognita), literally "southern land, " which wasbelieved to be land lying round and stretching outwards fromthe South Pole. 

In `Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society ofAustralasia, ' Sydney, Jan. 1892, is printed a paper read at theGeographical Congress at Berne, by E. Delmar Morgan, on the`Early Discovery of Australia. ' This paper is illustrated bymaps taken from `Nordenskiold's Atlas. ' In a map by OrontiusFinoeus, a French cosmographer of Provence, dated 1531, theTerra australis is shown as "Terra Australis recenterinventa, sed nondum plene cognita. " In Ortelius' Map, 1570, itappears as "Terra Australis nondum cognita. " In GerardMercator's Map, 1587, as "Terra Australis" simply. 

In 1606 the Spaniard Fernandez de Quiros gave the name ofTerra Australis del Espiritu Santo to land which hethought formed part of the Great Southland. It is in fact oneof the New Hebrides. 

The word "Australian " is older than "Australia"(see quotations, 1693 and 1766). The name Australia wasadapted from the Latin name Terra Australis. Theearliest suggestion of the word is credited to Flinders, whocertainly thought that he was inventing the name. (Seequotation, 1814. ) Twenty-one years earlier, however, the wordis found (see quotation, 1793); and the passage containing itis the first known use of the word in print. Shaw may thus beregarded as its inventor. According to its title-page, thebook quoted is by two authors, the Zoology, by Shaw andthe Botany by Smith. The Botany, however, wasnot published. Of the two names--Australia andAustralasia--suggested in the opening of the quotation, to take the place of New Holland, Shaw evidently favouredAustralia, while Smith, in the `Transactions of theLinnaean Society, ' vol. Iv. P. 213 (1798), usesAustralasia for the continent several times. Neithername, however, passed then into general use. In 1814, RobertBrown the Botanist speaks of "Terra Australis, " not of"Australia. " "Australia" was reinvented by Flinders. 

Quotations for " Terra Australis"--

1621. R. Burton, `Anatomy of Melancholy' (edition 1854), p. 56:

"For the site, if you will needs urge me to it, I am not fullyresolved, it may be in Terra Australis incognita, thereis room enough (for of my knowledge, neither that hungrySpaniard nor Mercurius Britannicus have yet discovered half ofit). "

Ibid. P. 314:

"Terra Australis incognita. . . And yet in likelihood itmay be so, for without all question, it being extended from thetropic of Capricorn to the circle Antarctic, and lying as itdoth in the temperate zone, cannot choose but yield in timesome flourishing kingdoms to succeeding ages, as America didunto the Spaniards. "

Ibid. P. 619:

"But these are hard-hearted, unnatural, monsters of men, shallow politicians, they do not consider that a great part ofthe world is not yet inhabited as it ought, how many coloniesinto America, Terra Australis incognita, Africa may besent?"

Early quotations for "Australian"

1693. `Nouveau Voyage de la Terre Australe, contenant lesCoutumes et les Moeurs des Australiens, etc. ' Par JaquesSadeur [Gabriel de Foigny]. 

[This is a work of fiction, but interesting as being the firstbook in which the word Australiens is used. The nextquotation is from the English translation. ]

1693. `New Discovery, Terra Incognita Australis, ' p. 163 (`O. E. D. '):

"It is easy to judge of the incomparability of the Australianswith the people of Europe. "

1766. Callander, `Terra Australis' (Translation of De Brosses), c. Ii. P. 280:

"One of the Australians, or natives of the Southern World, whom Gonneville had brought into France. "

Quotations for "Australia"

1793. G. Shaw and I. E. Smith, `Zoology and Botany of NewHolland, ' p. 2:

"The vast Island or rather Continent of Australia, Australasia, or New Holland, which has so lately attracted the particularattention of European navigators and naturalists, seems toabound in scenes of peculiar wildness and sterility; while thewretched natives of many of those dreary districts seem lesselevated above the inferior animals than in any other part ofthe known world; Caffraria itself not excepted; as well as lessindued with the power of promoting a comfortable existence byan approach towards useful arts and industry. It is in thesesavage regions however that Nature seems to have poured forthmany of her most highly ornamented products with unusualliberality. "

1814. M. Flinders, `Voyage to Terra Australis, ' Introduction, p. Iii. And footnote:

"I have . . . Ventured upon the readoption of the originalTerra Australis, and of this term I shall hereafter makeuse, when speaking of New Holland [sc. The West] and NewSouth Wales, in a collective sense; and when using it in themost extensive signification, the adjacent isles, includingthat of Van Diemen, must be understood to be comprehended. "[Footnote]: "Had I permitted myself any innovation upon theoriginal term, it would have been to convert it into Australia;as being more agreeable to the ear, and an assimilation to thenames of the other great portions of the earth. "

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, 'vol. I. P. 9:

"New South Wales (or Australia, as we colonials say). "

1839. C. Darwin, `Naturalist's Voyage' (ed. 1890), p. 328:

"Farewell, Australia! You are a rising child, and doubtlesssome day will reign a great princess in the South; but you aretoo great and ambitious for affection, yet not great enough forrespect. I leave your shores without sorrow or regret. "

1852. A Liverpool Merchant [Title]:

"A Guide to Australia and the Gold Regions. "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' c. Viii. (newed. ) p. 152:

"The colonies are determined to be separate. Australia is aterm that finds no response in the patriotic feeling of anyAustralian. . . . But this will come to an end sooner or later. The name of Australia will be dearer, if not greater, toAustralian ears than the name of Great Britain. "

[Mr. Trollope's prophecy has come true, and the name ofAustralia is now dearer to an Australian than the name of hisown separate colony. The word "Colonial" as indicatingAustralian nationality is going out of fashion. The word"Australian" is much preferred. ]

1878. F. P. Labilliere, `Early History of the Colony ofVictoria, ' vol. I. P. 184:

"In a despatch to Lord Bathurst, of April 4th, 1817, GovernorMacquarie acknowledges the receipt of Captain Flinders's chartsof `Australia. ' This is the first time that the name ofAustralia appears to have been officially employed. TheGovernor underlines the word. . . . In a private letter toMr. Secretary Goulbourn, M. P. , of December 21st, 1817, [he]says. . . `the Continent of Australia, which, I hope, will be thename given to this country in future, instead of the veryerroneous and misapplied name hitherto given it of New Holland, which, properly speaking, only applies to a part of thisimmense Continent. '"

1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 64:

"It is pleasant to reflect that the name Australia was selectedby the gallant Flinders; though, with his customary modesty, hesuggested rather than adopted it. "

1895. H. M. Goode, `The Argus, ' Oct. 15, p. 7, col. 4:

"Condemning the absurd practice of using the word `Colonial' inconnection with our wines, instead of the broader and morefederal one, `Australian. ' In England our artists, cricketer, scullers, and globe-trotters are all spoken of and acknowledgedas Australians, and our produce, with the exception of wine, isclassed as follows:--Australian gold and copper, Australianbeef and mutton, Australian butter, Australian fruits, &c. "

Ibid. P. 14:

"Merops or Bee-Eater. A tribe [of birds] which appears to bepeculiarly prevalent in the extensive regions of Australia. "

Australian flag, n. Hot climate and countrywork have brought in a fashion among bushmen of wearing a beltor leather strap round the top of trousers instead of braces. This often causes a fold in the shirt protruding all round fromunder the waistcoat, which is playfully known as "theAustralian flag. " Slang. 

Australioid and Australoid, adj. LikeAustralian, sc. Aboriginal--a term used by ethnologists. Seequotations. 

1869. J. Lubbock, `Prehistoric Times, ' vol. Xii. P. 378:

"The Australoid type contains all the inhabitants of Australiaand the native races of the Deccan. "

1878. E. B. Tylor, `Encyclopaedia Britannica, ' vol. Ii. P. 112:

"He [Professor Huxley] distinguishes four principal types ofmankind, the Australioid, Negroid, Mongoloid, and Xanthochroic, adding a fifth variety, the Melanochroic. The special pointsof the Australioid are a chocolate-brown skin, dark brown orblack eyes, black hair (usually wavy), narrow (dolichocephalic)skull, brow-ridges strongly developed, projecting jaw, coarselips and broad nose. This type is best represented by thenatives of Australia, and next to them by the indigenous tribesof Southern India, the so-called coolies. "

Austral Thrush, n. See Port-JacksonThrush. 

Avocet, n. A well-known European bird-name. The Australian species is the Red-necked A. , Recurvirostranova-hollandiae, Vieill. 

Aweto, n. Maori name for avegetable-caterpillar of New Zealand. See quotation. 

1889. E. Wakefield, `New Zealand after Fifty Years, ' p. 81:

". . . The aweto, or vegetable-caterpillar, called bythe naturalists Hipialis virescens. It is a perfectcaterpillar in every respect, and a remarkably fine one too, growing to a length in the largest specimens of three and ahalf inches and the thickness of a finger, but more commonly toabout a half or two-thirds of that size. . . . Whenfull-grown, it undergoes a miraculous change. For someinexplicable reason, the spore of a vegetable fungusSphaeria Robertsii, fixes itself on its neck, or betweenthe head and the first ring of the caterpillar, takes root andgrows vigorously . . . Exactly like a diminutive bulrush from 6to 10 inches high without leaves, and consisting solely of asingle stem with a dark-brown felt-like head, so familiar inthe bulrushes . . . Always at the foot of the rata. "

1896. A. Bence Jones, in `Pearson's Magazine, ' Sept. , p. 290:

"The dye in question was a solution of burnt or powdered resin, or wood, or the aweto, the latter a caterpillar, which, burrowing in the vegetable soil, gets a spore of a fungusbetween the folds of its neck, and unable to free itself, theinsect's body nourishes the fungus, which vegetates andoccasions the death of the caterpillar by exactly filling theinterior of the body with its roots, always preserving itsperfect form. When properly charred this material yielded afine dark dye, much prized for purposes of moko. " [SeeMoko. ]

Axe-breaker, n. Name of a tree, Notelaealongifolia, Vent. , N. O. Jasmineae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 579:

"Axe-breaker. Wood hard, close-grained and firm. Itsvernacular name emphasizes its hardness. "

B

Baal, or Bail, interj. And adv. "An aboriginal expression of disapproval. " (Gilbert Parker, Glossary to `Round the Compass in Australia, ' 1888. ) It wasthe negative in the Sydney dialect. 

1893. J. F. Hogan, `Robert Lowe, ' p. 271, quoting from `TheAtlas' (circa 1845):

"Traces, however, of the Egyptian language are discoverableamong the present inhabitants, with whom, for instance, theword `Bale' or `Baal' is in continual use . . . . " [Evidentlya joke. ]

Babbler, n. A bird-name. In Europe, "namegiven, on account of their harsh chattering note, to thelong-legged thrushes. " (`O. E. D. ') The group "contains a greatnumber of birds not satisfactorily located elsewhere, and hasbeen called the ornithological waste-basket. " (`Century. ') Thespecies are--

The Babbler-- Pomatostomus temporalis, V. And H. 

Chestnut-crowned B. -- P. Ruficeps, Hart. 

Red-breasted B. -- P. Rubeculus, Gould. 

White-browed B. -- P. Superciliosus, V. And H. 

Back-blocks, n. (1) The far interior ofAustralia, and away from settled country. Land in Australia isdivided on the survey maps into blocks, a word confined, inEngland and the United States, to town lands. 

(2) The parts of a station distant from the frontage (q. V. ). 

1872. Anon. `Glimpses of Life in Victoria, ' p. 31:

". . . We were doomed to see the whole of our river-frontagepurchased. . . . The back blocks which were left to us wereinsufficient for the support of our flocks, and deficient inpermanent water-supply. . . . "

1880. J. Mathew, Song--`The Bushman':

"Far, far on the plains of the arid back-blocksA warm-hearted bushman is tending his flocks. There's little to cheer in that vast grassy sea:But oh! he finds pleasure in thinking of me. How weary, how dreary the stillness must be!But oh! the lone bushman is dreaming of me. "

1890. E. W. Horning, `A Bride from the Bush, ' p. 298:

"`Down in Vic' you can carry as many sheep to the acre as acresto the sheep up here in the `backblocks. '"

1893. M. Gaunt, `English Illustrated, `Feb. , p. 294:

"The back-blocks are very effectual levellers. "

1893. Haddon Chambers, `Thumbnail Sketches of AustralianLife, ' p. 33

"In the back-blocks of New South Wales he had known both hungerand thirst, and had suffered from sunstroke. "

1893. `The Australasian, ' Aug. 12, p. 302, col. 1:

"Although Kara is in the back-blocks of New South Wales, theclothes and boots my brother wears come from Bond Street. "

Back-block, adj. From the interior. 

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `Sydneyside Saxon, ' vol. Xii. P. 215:

"`What a nice mare that is of yours!' said one of theback-block youngsters. "

Back-blocker, n. A resident in the back-blocks. 

1870. `The Argus, ' March 22, p. 7, col. 2

"I am a bushman, a back blocker, to whom it happens about oncein two years to visit Melbourne. "

1892. E. W. Hornung, `Under Two Skies, ' p. 21:

"As for Jim, he made himself very busy indeed, sitting on hisheels over the fire in an attitude peculiar to back-blockers. "

Back-slanging, verbal n. In the back-blocks(q. V. ) of Australia, where hotels are naturally scarce andinferior, the traveller asks for hospitality at thestations (q. V. ) on his route, where he is always madewelcome. There is no idea of anything underhand on the part ofthe traveller, yet the custom is called back-slanging. 

Badger, n. This English name has beenincorrectly applied in Australia, sometimes to the Bandicoot, sometimes to the Rock-Wallaby, and sometimes to the Wombat. InTasmania, it is the usual bush-name for the last. 

1829. `The Picture of Australia, ' p. 173:

"The Parameles, to which the colonists sometimes givethe name of badger. . . . "

1831. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 265:

"That delicious animal, the wombat (commonly known at thatplace [Macquarie Harbour] by the name of badger, hencethe little island of that name in the map was so called, fromthe circumstance of numbers of that animal being at first foundupon it). "

1850. James Bennett Clutterbuck, M. D. , `Port Phillip in 1849, 'p. 37:

"The rock Wallaby, or Badger, also belongs to the family of theKangaroo; its length from the nose to the end of the tail isthree feet; the colour of the fur being grey-brown. "

1875. Rev. J. G. Wood, `Natural History, ' vol. I. P. 481:

"The Wombat or Australian Badger as it is popularly called bythe colonists. . . . "

1891. W. Tilley, `Wild West of Tasmania, ' p. 8:

"With the exception of wombats or `badgers, ' and an occasionalkangaroo . . . The intruder had to rely on the stores he carriedwith him. "

ibid. P. 44:

"Badgers also abound, or did until thinned out by hungryprospectors. "

Badger-box, n. Slang name for a roughly-constructed dwelling. 

1875. `Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 'September, p. 99 [`Port Davey in 1875, ' by the Hon. James ReidScott, M. L. C. ]:

"The dwellings occupied by the piners when up the river are ofthe style known as `Badger-boxes, ' in distinction from huts, which have perpendicular walls, while the Badger-box is like aninverted V in section. They are covered with bark, with athatch of grass along the ridge, and are on an average about 14x 10 feet at the ground, and 9 or 10 feet high. "

Bail, n. "A framework for securing the head ofa cow while she is milked. " (`O. E. D. ')

This word, marked in `O. E. D. ' and other Dictionaries asAustralian, is provincial English. In the `English DialectDictionary, ' edited by Joseph Wright, Part I. , the word isgiven as used in "Ireland, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampshire and New Zealand. " It is also used in Essex. 

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 83:

"In every milking yard is an apparatus for confining a cow'shead called a `bail. ' This consists of an upright standiron, five feet in height, let into a framework, and about six inchesfrom it another fixed at the heel, the upper part workingfreely in a slit, in which are holes for a peg, so that whenthe peg is out and the movable standiron is thrown back, thereis abundance of room for a cow's head and horns, but whenclosed, at which time the two standirons are parallel to eachother and six inches apart, though her neck can work freely upand down, it is impossible for her to withdraw her head . . . "

1874. W. M. B. , `Narrative of Edward Crewe, ' p. 225:

"The former bovine female was a brute to manage, whom it wouldhave been impossible to milk without a `bail. ' To what man orcountry the honour of this invention belongs, who can tell? Itis in very general use in the Australian colonies; and myadvice to any one troubled with a naughty cow, who kicks likefury during the process of milking, is to have a bailconstructed in their cow-house. "

Bail up, v. (1) To secure the head of a cow in abail for milking. 

(2) By transference, to stop travellers in the bush, used ofbushrangers. The quotation, 1888, shows the method oftransference. It then means generally, to stop. Like thesimilar verb, to stick up (q. V. ), it is often usedhumorously of a demand for subscriptions, etc. 

1844. Mrs. Chas. Meredith, `Notes and Sketches of New SouthWales, ' p. 132:

"The bushrangers . . . Walk quickly in, and `bail up, ' i. E. Bind with cords, or otherwise secure, the male portion. "

1847. Alex. Marjoribanks, `Travels in New South Wales, ' p. 72:

". . . There were eight or ten bullock-teams baled up by threemounted bushrangers. Being baled up is the colonial phrase forthose who are attacked, who are afterwards all put together, and guarded by one of the party of the bushrangers when theothers are plundering. "

1855 W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. Ii. P. 309:

"So long as that is wrong, the whole community will be wrong, --in colonial phrase, `bailed up' at the mercy of its owntenants. "

1862. G. T. Lloyd, `Thirty-three Years in Tasmania and Victoria, 'p. 192:

"`Come, sir, immediately, ' rejoined Murphy, rudely andinsultingly pushing the master; `bail up in that corner, andprepare to meet the death you have so long deserved. '"

1879. W. J. Barry, `Up and Down, ' p. 112:

"She bailed me up and asked me if I was going to keep mypromise and marry her. "

1880. W. Senior, `Travel and Trout, ' p. 36:

"His troutship, having neglected to secure a line of retreat, was, in colonial parlance, `bailed up. '"

1880. G. Walch, `Victoria in 1880, ' p. 133:

"The Kelly gang . . . Bailed up some forty residents in the localpublic house. "

1882. A. J. Boyd, `Old Colonials, ' p. 76:

"Did I ever get stuck-up? Never by white men, though I havebeen bailed up by the niggers. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 105:

"A little further on the boar `bailed up' on the top of aridge. "

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms, ' p. 368:

"One of the young cows was a bit strange with me, so I had toshake a stick at her and sing out `Bail up' pretty rough beforeshe'd put her head in. Aileen smiled something like her oldself for a minute, and said, `That comes natural to you now, Dick, doesn't it ?' I stared for a bit and then burst outlaughing. It was a rum go, wasn't it? The same talk for cowsand Christians. That's how things get stuck into the talk in anew country. Some old hand like father, as had been assignedto a dairy settler, and spent all his mornings in the cow-yard, had taken to the bush and tried his hand at sticking up people. When they came near enough of course he'd pop out from behind atree, with his old musket or pair of pistols, and when hewanted `em to stop, `Bail up, d-- yer, ' would come a dealquicker and more natural-like to his tongue than `Stand. ' So`bail up' it was from that day to this, and there'll have to bea deal of change in the ways of the colonies, and them as comefrom `em before anything else takes its place between the manthat's got the arms and the man that's got the money. "

Bailing-up Pen, n. Place for fastening up cattle. 

1889. R. M. Praed, `Romance of Station, ' vol. I. C. Ii. [`Eng. Dial. Dict. ']:

"Alec was proud of the stockyard and pointed out . . . Thesuperior construction of the `crush, ' or branding lane, and thebailing-up pen. "

Bald-Coot, n. A bird-name, Porphyriomelanotus, Temm. ; Blue, P. Bellus, Gould. TheEuropean bald-coot is Fulica atra. 

Ballahoo, n. A name applied to theGarfish (q. V. ) by Sydney fishermen. The word is WestIndian, and is applied there to a fast-sailing schooner; alsospelled Bullahoo and Ballahou. 

Balloon-Vine n. Australian name for the commontropical weed, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Linn. , N. O. Sapindaceae: called also Heart-seed, Heart-pea, and Winter-cherry. It is a climbingplant, and has a heart-shaped scar on the seed. 

Balsam of Copaiba Tree, n. The name is appliedto the Australian tree, Geijera salicifolia, Schott, N. O. Rutaceae, because the bark has the odour of thedrug of that name. 

Bamboo-grass, n. An Australian cane-like grass, Glyceria ramigera, F. V. M. ; also called CaneGrass. Largely used for thatching purposes. Stock eat theyoung shoots freely. 

Banana, n. There are three species native toQueensland, of which the fruit is said to be worthless--

 Musa Banksii, F. V. M. M. Hillii, F. V. M. M. Fitzalani, F. V. M. , N. O. Scitamineae. 

The Bananas which are cultivated and form a stapleexport of Queensland are acclimatized varieties. 

Banana-land, n. Slang name for Queensland, where bananas grow in abundance. 

Banana-lander, n. Slang for a Queenslander (seeabove). 

Banded Ant-eater, n. Name given to a smallterrestrial and ant-eating marsupial, Myrmecobiusfasciatus, Waterh, found in West and South Australia. Itis the only species of the genus, and is regarded as the mostclosely allied of all living marsupials to the extinctmarsupials of the Mesozoic Age in Europe. It receives its namebanded from the presence along the back of a well-marked seriesof dark transverse bands. 

1871. G. Krefft, `Mammals of Australia':

"The Myrmecobius is common on the West Coast and in theinterior of New South Wales and South Australia: theMurrumbidgee River may be taken as its most eastern boundary. "

1893. A. R. Wallace, `Australasia, ' p. 340:

"Thus we have here [W. Australia] alone the curious littlebanded ant-eater (Myrmecobius fasciatus), which presentsthe nearest approach in its dentition to the most ancient knownmammals whose remains are found in the oolite and Trias of theMesozoic epoch. "

Banded-Kangaroo, i. Q. Banded-Wallaby. SeeLagostrophus and Wallaby. 

Banded-Wallaby, n. Sometimes calledBanded-Kangaroo. See Lagostrophus andWallaby. 

Bandicoot, n. An insect-eating marsupialanimal; family, Peramelidae; genus, Perameles. "The animals of this genus, commonly called Bandicootsin Australia, are all small, and live entirely on the ground, making nests composed of dried leaves, grass and sticks, inhollow places. They are rather mixed feeders; but insects, worms, roots and bulbs, constitute their ordinary diet. "(`Encyclopaedia Britannica, ' 9th edit. , vol. Xv. P. 381. ) Thename comes from India, being a corruption of Telugupandi-kokku, literally "pig-dog, " used of a large ratcalled by naturalists Mus malabaricus, Shaw, Musgiganteus, Hardwicke; Mus bandis coota, Bechstein. The name has spread all over India. The Indian animal is verydifferent from the Australian, and no record is preserved toshow how the Anglo-Indian word came to be used in Australia. The Bandicoots are divided into three genera--the TrueBandicoots (genus Perameles, q. V. ), the RabbitBandicoots (genus Peragale, q. V. ), and thePig-footed Bandicoots (q. V. ) (genus Choeropus, q. V. ). The species are--

Broadbent's Bandicoot-- Perameles broadbenti, Ramsay. 

Cockerell's B. -- P. Cockerelli, Ramsay. 

Common Rabbit B. -- Peragale lagotis, Reid. 

Desert B. -- P. Eremiana, Spencer. 

Doria's B. -- Perameles dorerana, Quoy & Gaim. 

Golden B. -- P. Aurata, Ramsay. 

Gunn's B. -- P. Gunni, Gray. 

Less Rabbit B. -- Peragale minor, Spencer. 

Long-nosed B. -- Perameles nasuta, Geoffr. 

Long-tailed B. -- P. Longicauda, Peters & Doria. 

North-Australian B. -- P. Macrura, Gould. 

Port Moresby B. -- P. Moresbyensis, Ramsay. 

Raffray's B. -- P. Rafrayana, Milne-Edw. 

Short-nosed B. -- P. Obesula, Shaw. 

Striped B. -- P. Bougainvillii, Quoy & Gaim. 

White-tailed Rabbit B. -- P. Lesicura. Thomas. 

Pig-footed B. -- Choeropus castanotis, Gray. 

1802. D. Collins, `Account of New South Wales', vol. Ii. P. 188 (Bass's Diary at the Derwent, January 1799):

"The bones of small animals, such as opossums, squirrels, kangooroo rats, and bandicoots, were numerous round theirdeserted fire-places. "

1820. W. C. Wentworth, `Description o New South Wales, ' p. 3:

"The animals are, the kangaroo, native dog (which is a smallerspecies of the wolf), the wombat, bandicoot, kangaroo-rat, opossum, flying squirrel, flying fox, etc. Etc. "

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 316

"The bandicoot is about four times he size of a rat, withouta tail, and burrows in the ground or in hollow trees. "

1832. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' vol. Ii. P. 28:

"The bandicoot is as large as a rabbit. There are two kinds, the rat and the rabbit bandicoot. "

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 233:

"The common people are not destitute of what Wordsworth calls`the poetry of common speech, ' many of their similes being veryforcibly and naturally drawn from objects familiarly in sightand quite Australian. `Poor as a bandicoot, ' `miserable as ashag on a rock. '"

Ibid. P. 330:

"There is also a rat-like animal with a swinish face, coveredwith ruddy coarse hair, that burrows in the ground--thebandicoot. It is said to be very fine eating. "

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales, ' p. 26:

"The bandicoot is the size of a large rat, of a dark browncolour; it feeds upon roots, and its flesh is good eating. This animal burrows in the ground, and it is from this habit, I suppose, that when hungry, cold, or unhappy, the Australianblack says that he is as miserable as the bandicoot. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, p. 92:

"The bandicoots are good eating even for Europeans, and in myopinion are the only Australian mammals fit to eat. Theyresemble pigs, and the flesh tastes somewhat like pork. "

Bangalay, n. A Sydney workmen's name for thetimber of Eucalyptus botrioides, Smith. (SeeGum. ) The name is aboriginal, and by workmen is alwayspronounced Bang Alley. 

Bangalow, n. An ornamental feathery-leavedpalm, Ptychosperma elegans, Blume, N. O. Palmeae. 

1851. J. Henderson, `Excursions in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 229

"The Bangalo, which is a palm. . . The germ, or roll of youngleaves in the centre, and near the top, is eaten by thenatives, and occasionally by white men, either raw or boiled. It is of a white colour, sweet and pleasant to the taste. "

1884. W. R. Guilfoyle, `Australian Botany, ' p. 23:

"The aborigines of New South Wales and Queensland, andoccasionally the settlers, eat the young leaves of the cabbageand bangalo palms. "

1886. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 193:

You see he was bred in a bangalow wood, And bangalow pith was the principal foodHis mother served out in her shanty. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 592:

"Bangalow. . . . The small stems sometimes go under the nameof `Moreton Bay Canes. ' It is a very ornamental, feathery-leaved palm. "

Bang-tail muster. See quotation. 

1887. W. S. S. Tyrwhitt, `The New Churn in the Queensland Bush, 'p. 61:

"Every third or fourth year on a cattle station, they have whatis called a `bang tail muster'; that is to say, all the cattleare brought into the yards, and have the long hairs at the endof the tail cut off square, with knives or sheep-shears. . . The object of it is. . . To find out the actual number ofcattle on the run, to compare with the number entered on thestation books. "

Banker, n. A river full up to the top of thebanks. Compare Shakspeare: "Like a proud river, peering o'erhis bounds. " (`King John, ' III. I. 23. )

1888. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol, iii. P. 175

"The Murrumbidgee was running a `banker'--water right up to thebanks. "

1890. Lyth, `Golden South, ' c. Vii. P. 52:

"The driver stated that he had heard the river was `a banker. '"

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 45:

"The creeks were bankers, and the flood Was forty miles round Bourke. "

Ibid. P. 100:

"Till the river runs a banker, All stained with yellow mud. "

Banksia, n. "A genus of Australian shrubs withumbellate flowers, --now cultivated as ornamental shrubs inEurope. " (`O. E. D. ') Called after Mr. Banks, naturalist of theEndeavour, afterwards Sir Joseph Banks. The so-calledAustralian Honeysuckle (q. V. ). See alsoBottle-brush. 

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 221:

"The different species of banksia. The finest new genushitherto found in New Holland has been destined by Linnaeus, with great propriety, to transmit to posterity the name of SirJoseph Banks, who first discovered it in his celebrated voyageround the world. "

1798. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New SouthWales, ' p. 557:

"A few berries, the yam and fern root, the flowers of thedifferent banksia, and at times some honey, make up the wholevegetable catalogue. "

1829. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of the LinnaeanSociety, ' vol. Xv. P. 312:

"Scrubs where the different species of banksia are found, theflowers of which I (Mr. Caley) have reason to think afford itsustenance during winter. "

1833. C. Sturt, `South Australia, ' vol. Ii. C. Ii. P. 30:

"Some sandhills . . . Crowned by banksias. "

1845. J. Q. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales, ' p. 39:

"Many different species of banksia grow in great plenty in theneighbourhood of Sydney, and from the density of their foliageare very ornamental. "

1846. L. Leichhardt, quoted by J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, ' p. 331:

"The table-land is covered by forests of stringy-bark, ofmelaleuca-gum, and banksia. "

1851. `Quarterly Review, ' Dec. , p. 40:

"In this they will find an extremely rich collection ofbottle-brush-flowered, zigzag-leaved, grey-tinted, odd-lookingthings, to most eyes rather strange than beautiful, notwithstanding that one of them is named Banksiaspeciosa. They are the `Botany Bays' of old-fashionedgardeners, but are more in the shrub and tree line than that offlowering pots. Banksia Solandei will remind them toturn to their `Cook's Voyages' when they get home, to read howpoor Dr. Solander got up a mountain and was heartily glad to getdown again. "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 46:

"The banksias are of historic interest, inasmuch as the genuswas dedicated already by the younger Linne in 1781 to SirJoseph Banks, from whom the Swedish naturalist receivedbranchlets of those species, which in Captain Cook's firstvoyage more than 100 years ago (1770) were gathered by Banks atBotany-Bay and a few other places of the east coast ofAustralia. "

1887. J. Bonwick, `Romance of the Wool Trade, ' p. 228:

"A banksia plain, with its collection ofbottle-brush-like-flowers, may have its charms for a botanist, but its well-known sandy ground forbids the hope of goodgrasses. "

Baobab, n. A tree, native of Africa, Adansonia digitata. The name is Ethiopian. It has beenintroduced into many tropical countries. The Australianspecies of the genus is A. Gregorii, F. V. M. , called alsoCream of Tartar or Sour Gourd-tree, Gouty-stem (q. V. ), and Bottle-tree (q. V. ). 

Barber, or Tasmanian Barber, n. A namefor the fish Anthias rasor, Richards. , familyPercidae; also called Red-Perch. SeePerch. It occurs in Tasmania, New Zealand, and PortJackson. It is called Barber from the shape of thepraeoperculum, one of the bones of the head. Seequotation. 

1841. John Richardson, `Description of Australian Fish, ' p. 73:

"Serranus Rasor. -- Tasmanian Barber. . . . Theserrature of the preoperculum is the most obvious and generalcharacter by which the very numerous Serrani are connected witheach other . . . The Van Diemen's Land fish, which is describedbelow, is one of the `Barbers, ' a fact which the specificappellation rasor is intended to indicate; the moreclassical word having been previously appropriated to anotherspecies. . . Mr. Lempriere states that it is known locally asthe `red perch or shad. '"

[Richardson also says that Cuvier founded a subdivision of theSerrani on the characters of the scales of the jaws, under the name of `les Barbiers, ' which had been previouslygrouped by Block under the title Anthias. ]

Barcoo-grass, n. An Australian grass, Anthistiria membranacea, Lindl. One of the best pasturegrasses in Queensland, but growing in other colonies also. 

Barcoo Rot, n. A disease affecting inhabitantsof various parts of the interior of Australia, but chieflybushmen. It consists of persistent ulceration of the skin, chiefly on the back of the hands, and often originating inabrasions. 

It is attributed to monotony of diet and to the cloudlessclimate, with its alternations of extreme cold at night andburning heat by day. It is said to be maintained andaggravated by the irritation of small flies. 

1870. E. B. Kennedy, `Four Years in Queensland, ' p. 46:

"Land scurvy is better known in Queensland by local names, which do not sound very pleasant, such as `Barcoo rot, '`Kennedy rot, ' according to the district it appears in. Thereis nothing dangerous about it; it is simply the festering ofany cut or scratch on one's legs, arms or hands. . . They takemonths to heal. . . Want of vegetables is assigned as thecause. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 58:

"In Western Queensland people are also subject to bad sores onthe hand, called Barcoo-rot. "

Barcoo Vomit, n. A sickness occurring ininhabitants of various parts of the high land of the interiorof Australia. It is characterized by painless attacks ofvomiting, occurring immediately after food is taken, followedby hunger, and recurring as soon as hunger is satisfied. 

The name Barcoo is derived from the district traversedby the river Barcoo, or Cooper, in which this complaint and theBarcoo Rot are common. See Dr. E. C. Stirling's `Notesfrom Central Australia, ' in `Intercolonial Quarterly Journal ofMedicine and Surgery, ' vol. I. P. 218. 

Bargan, n. A name of the Come-backBoomerang (q. V. ). (Spelt also barragan. )

1892. J. Fraser, `Aborigines of New South Wales, ' p. 70:

"The `come-back' variety (of boomerang) is not a fightingweapon. A dialect name for it is bargan, which word may beexplained in our language to mean `bent like a sickle orcrescent moon. '"

Barking Owl, n. A bird not identified, and notin Gould (who accompanied Leichhardt). 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, p. 47:

"The glucking-bird and the barking-owl were heard throughoutthe moonlight night. "

Barrack, v. To jeer at opponents, to interruptnoisily, to make a disturbance; with the preposition "for, " tosupport as a partisan, generally with clamour. An Australianfootball term dating from about 1880. The verb has been ruledunparliamentary by the Speaker in the Victorian LegislativeAssembly. It is, however, in very common colloquial use. Itis from the aboriginal word borak (q. V. ), and the senseof jeering is earlier than that of supporting, but jeering atone side is akin to cheering for the other. Another suggestedderivation is from the Irish pronunciation of "Bark, " as(according to the usually accepted view) "Larrikin" from"larking. " But the former explanation is the more probable. There is no connection with soldiers' "barracks;" nor is itlikely that there is any, as has been ingeniously suggested, with the French word baragouin, gibberish. 

1890. `Melbourne Punch, ' Aug. 14, p. 106, col. 3:

"To use a football phrase, they all to a man `barrack' for theBritish Lion. "

1893. `The Age, ' June 17, p. 15, col. 4:

"[The boy] goes much to football matches, where he barracks, and in a general way makes himself intolerable. "

1893. `The Argus, ' July 5, p. 9, col. 4, Legislative Assembly:

"Mr. Isaacs:. . . He hoped this `barracking' would notbe continued. " [Members had been interrupting him. ]

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), Sept. 9, p. 1, col. 6:

"He noticed with pleasure the decrease of disagreeablebarracking by spectators at matches during last season. Good-humoured badinage had prevailed, but the spectators hadbeen very well conducted. "

Barracker, n. One who barracks (q. V. ). 

1893. `The Age, ' June 27, p. 6, col. 6:

"His worship remarked that the `barracking' that was carried onat football matches was a mean and contemptible system, and wasgetting worse and worse every day. Actually people were afraidto go to them on account of the conduct of the crowd of`barrackers. ' It took all the interest out of the game to seeyoung men acting like a gang of larrikins. "

1894. `"The Argus, ' Nov. 29, p. 4, col. 9:

"The `most unkindest cut of all' was that the Premier, who wasMr. Rogers's principal barracker during the elections, turnedhis back upon the prophet and did not deign to discuss hisplan. "

Barracks, n. A building on a station with roomsfor bachelors. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 100

"A roomy, roughly-finished building known as the `barracks. '. . . . Three of the numerous bedrooms were tenanted by youngmen, . . . Neophytes, who were gradually assimilating the loveof Bush-land. "

Barracouta, or Barracoota, n. Thename, under its original spelling of Barracuda, wascoined in the Spanish West Indies, and first applied there to alarge voracious fish, Sphyraena pecuda, familySphyraenidae. In Australia and New Zealand it isapplied to a smaller edible fish, Thyrsites atun, Cuv. And Val. , family Trichiuridae, called Snook(q. V. ) at the Cape of Good Hope. It is found from the Cape ofGood Hope to New Zealand. 

1845. `Voyage to Port Philip, ' p. 40:

"We hook the barracuda fish. "

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fishes of New South Wales, 'p. 69:

"Sphyrenidae. The first family is the barracudas, orsea-pike. " [Footnote]: "This name is no doubt the same asBarracouta and is of Spanish origin. The application of it toThyrsites atun in the Southern seas was founded on somefancied resemblance to the West Indian fish, which originallybore the name, though of course they are entirely different. "

(2) The word is used as a nickname for an inhabitant of Hobart;compare Cornstalk. 

Barramunda, n. A fish, i. Q. Burramundi(q. V. ). 

Basket-Fence, n. Local name for a stake-hedge. See quotation. 

1872. G. S. Baden-Powell, `New Homes for the Old Country, ' p. 208:

"For sheep, too, is made the `basket fence. ' Stakes are drivenin, and their pliant `stuff' interwoven, as in a stake hedge inEngland. "

Bastard Dory and John Dory (q. V. ), spelt alsoDorey, n. An Australian fish, Cyttus australis, family Cyttidae; the Australian representative ofZeus faber, the European "John Dory, " and its closerelative, is called Bastard Dorey in New Zealand, andalso Boar-fish (q. V. ). 

1880. Guenther, `Study of Fishes, ' p. 387:

"Histiopterus. . . . The species figured attains to alength of twenty inches, and is esteemed as food. It is knownat Melbourne by the names of `Boar-fish' or `Bastard Dorey'(fig. ), Histiopterus recurvirostris. "

Bastard Trumpeter, n. A fish. See Morwong, Paper-fish, and Trumpeter. In Sydney it isLatris ciliaris, Forst. , which is called Moki inNew Zealand; in Victoria and Tasmania, L. Forsteri, Casteln. 

1883. `Royal Commission on the Fisheries of Tasmania, ' p. 35:

"The bastard trumpeter (Latris Forsteri). . . . Scarcelyinferior to the real trumpeter, and superior to it in abundanceall the year round, comes the bastard trumpeter. . . This fishhas hitherto been confounded with Latris ciliaris(Forst. ); but, although the latter species has been reported asexisting in Tasmanian waters, it is most probably a mistake:for the two varieties (the red and the white), found in suchabundance here, have the general characters as shownabove. . . They must be referred to the Latris Forsteriof Count Castelnau, which appears to be the bastard trumpeterof Victorian waters. "

Bat-fish, n. The name in England is given to afish of the family Maltheidae. It is also applied tothe Flying Gurnard of the Atlantic and to the CalifornianSting-ray. In Australia, and chiefly in New South Wales, it isapplied to Psettus argenteus, Linn. , familyCarangidae, or Horse Mackerels. Guenther says that the"Sea Bats, " which belong to the closely allied genusPlatax, are called so from the extraordinary length ofsome portion of their dorsal and anal fins and of theirventrals. 

Bathurst Bur, n. Explained in quotation. 

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 261:

"The Bathurst bur (Xanthium spinosuzn), a plant withlong triple spines like the barbary, and burs which are ruinousto the wool of the sheep--otherwise, itself very like achenopodium, or good-fat-hen. "

Bats-wing-coral, n. The Australian woodErythrina vespertilio, Bentham, N. O. Leguminosae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 426:

"Batswing Coral. . . . The wood is soft, and used by theaborigines for making their `heilamans, ' or shields. It isexceedingly light and spongy, and of the greatest difficulty towork up to get anything like a surface for polishing. "

Bauera, n. A shrub, Bauera rubioides, Andr. , N. O. Saxifrageae, the Scrub Vine, orNative Rose; commonly called in Tasmania "Bauera, "andcelebrated for forming impenetrable thickets in conjunctionwith "cutting grass, " Cladium psittacorum, Labill. 

1835. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 70:

"Bauera rubiaefolia. Madder leaved Bauera. A pretty littleplant with pink flowers. This genus is named after thecelebrated German draughtsman, whose splendid works are yetunrivalled in the art, especially of the Australian plantswhich he depicted in his voyage round New Holland withCapt. Flinders in the Investigator. "

1888. R. M. Johnston, `Geology of Tasmania, ' Intro. P. Vi. :

"The Bauera scrub . . . Is a tiny, beautiful shrub . . . Althoughthe branches are thin and wiry, they are too tough and too muchentangled in mass to cut, and the only mode of progress oftenis to throw one's self high upon the soft branching mass androll over to the other side. The progress in this way is slow, monotonous, and exhausting. "

1891. `The Australasian, ' April 4, p. 670, col. 2:

"Cutting-grass swamps and the bauera, where a dog can't hardly go, Stringy-bark country, and blackwood beds, and lots of it broken by snow. "

1891. W. Tilley, `Wild West of Tasmania, ' p. 7:

"Interposing the even more troublesome Bauera shrub; whosegnarled branches have earned for it the local and expressivename of `tangle-foot' or `leg ropes. ' [It] has been named bySpicer the `Native Rose. '"

Beal, Bool, or Bull, n. A sweetaboriginal drink. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. :

"A good jorum of bull (washings of a sugar bag)" [givento aborigines who have been working]. 

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' vol. Ii. P. 288:

"The flowers are gathered, and by steeping them a night inwater the natives made a sweet beverage called `bool. '"

1878. R. Brough Smyth, `Aborigines of Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 210:

"In the flowers of a dwarf species of banksia(B. Ornata) there is a good deal of honey, and this wasgot out of the flowers by immersing them in water. The waterthus sweetened was greedily swallowed by the natives. Thedrink was named beal by the natives of the west ofVictoria, and was much esteemed. "

Beal (2), n. I. Q. Belar (q. V. ). 

Bean, Queensland, or Leichhardt, orMatch-box, n. Entada scandens, Benth. , N. O. Leguminosae. Though this bean has two Australiannames, it is really widely distributed throughout the tropics. A tall climbing plant; the seeds are used for match-boxes. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 425:

"The seeds are about two inches across, by half-an-inch thick, and have a hard woody and beautifully polished shell, of a darkbrown or purplish colour. These seeds are converted intosnuff-boxes, scent-bottles, spoons, etc. , and in the Indianbazaars they are used as weights. (`Treasury of Botany. ') Inthe colonies we usually see the beans of this plant mountedwith silver, as match-boxes. The wood itself is soft, fibrous, and spongy. "

Bean-Tree, n. Called also Moreton BayChestnut, Castanospermum australe, Cunn. And Fraser, N. O. Leguminosae; a tall tree with red flowers and largeseed-pods. The timber of young specimens has beautiful darkclouding. 

Bear, Native, n. The colonists' name for ananimal called by the aborigines Koala, Koolah, Kool-la, andCarbora (Phascolarctus cinereus). It is a tree-climbingmarsupial, about two feet in length, like a small bear in itsheavy build. Its food is the young leaves of the Eucalyptus, and it is said that the Native Bear cannot be taken to Englandbecause it would die on board ship, owing to there being nofresh gum leaves. The writers are incorrect who call theanimal a sloth. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 317

"Our coola (sloth or native bear) is about the size of anordinary poodle dog, with shaggy, dirty-coloured fur, no tail, and claws and feet like a bear, of which it forms a tolerableminiature. It climbs trees readily and feeds upon theirleaves. "

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix, ' p. 57:

"The bear (phascolomys) of the colonists is in reality aspecies of sloth, and partakes of all the characteristics ofthat animal; it is of the marsupial order, and is found chieflyin the neighbourhood of thickly timbered high land; its fleshis used by the aborigines for food, but is tough andunpalatable; its usual weight is from eight to twelve pounds. "[Note: Phascolomys is the name of the Wombat, not theBear. ]

1854. G. H. Hayden, `The Australian Emigrant, ' p. 126:

"The luckless carbora fell crashing through thebranches. " [Footnote] "The native name of an animal of thesloth species, but incorrectly called by the colonists a bear. "

1855. W. Blandowski, `Transactions of Philosophical Society ofVictoria, ' vol. I. P. 68:

"The koala or karbor (Phascolarctus cinereus) frequentsvery high trees, and sits in places where it is most shelteredby the branches. . . . Its fur is of the same colour as thebark . . . Like the cat has the power of contracting andexpanding the pupil of the eye . . . . Its skin is remarkablythick . . . Dense woolly fur . . . . The natives aver that thekoala never drinks water. "

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery andExploration of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 448:

"They were soon entirely out of provisions, but found a sort ofsubstitute by living on the native bear (Phascolarctuscinereus), which was plentiful even in the forests. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 214:

"Look, high up in the branches of that tall tree is a nativebear! It sits motionless. It has something the appearance ofa solemn old man. How funny his great ears and Roman noselook! He sits on the branch as if it was a chair, holding withhand-like claws the surrounding twigs. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 9:

"We learned that a koala or native bear (Phascolarctuscinereus) was sitting on a tree near the but of ashepherd . . . Not a dangerous animal. It is called `nativebear, ' but is in no wise related to the bear family. It is aninnocent and peaceful marsupial, which is active only at night, and sluggishly climbs the trees, eating leaves and sleepingduring the whole day. As soon as the young has left the pouch, the mother carries it with her on her back. The Australianbear is found in considerable numbers throughout the easternpart of the continent, even within the tropical circle. "

Bearded Lizard, n. See Jew Lizard. 

Beardie, or Beardy, n. A fish. InScotland the name is applied to the Bearded Loach, Nemachilus barbatus, of Europe; in New South Wales thename is given to the fish Lotella marginata, Macl. , ofthe family Gadidae, or Cod-fishes, which is also calledLing (q. V. ). 

Beaver-rat, n. An aquatic rodent, somethinglike the English water-rat, genus Hydromys. 

1864. `Proceedings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land'[paper by Morton Allport], p. 62:

"Common to both fresh and brackish water is the yellow belliedbeaver-rat or musk-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster). "

Beech, n. There is only one true Beech inAustralia, Fagus cunninghamii, Hook, N. O. Cupuliferae; but the name is applied to many otherkinds of Australian trees, viz. --

(1) Simply to

Cryptocarya glaucescens, R. Br. , N. O. Laurineae, called also Black Sassafras, White Laurel, She Beech, and BlackBeech. 

Flindersia australis, R. Br. , N. O. Meliaceae, called also Flindosa Ash, Crow's Ash, and Rasp-pod, andinvariably Myrtle to Tasmania. 

Gmelina leichhardtii, F. V. M. , N. O. Verbenaceae. 

Monotoca elliptica, R. Br. , N. O. Epacrideae. 

Phyllanthus ferdinandi, Muell. And Arg. , N. O. Euphorbiaceae, called also Pencil Cedar in SouthernNew South Wales. 

Schizomeria ovata, D. Don, N. O. Saxifrageae, called also Corkwood, Light-wood, Coachwood, and White Cherry. 

Trochocarpa laurina, R. Br. , N. O. Epacrideae, called also Brush Cherry, and Brush Myrtle. 

(2) With various epithets the name is also used as follows--

Evergreen Beech--

Fagus cunninghamii, Hook, N. O. Cupuliferae, called also Myrtle and Negro-head Beech. 

Flindosy B. --

Flindersia schottiana, F. V. M. , N. O. Meliaceae, called also Ash and Stave-wood. 

Indian B. --

Pongamia glabra, Vent. , N. O. Leguminosae, B. Fl. 

Mountain B. --

Lomatia longifolia, R. Br. , N. O. Proteaceae. 

Native B. --

Callicoma serratifolia, Andr. , N. O. Saxifragiae, "one of the trees called by the early colonists `Black Wattle, 'from the fancied resemblance of the flowers to those of some ofthe wattles. " (Maiden, p. 389. )

Negro-head B. , i. Q. Evergreen B. (q. V. Supra). 

Queensland B. --

Gmelina leichhardtii, F. V. M. , N. O. Verbenaceae, a tall valuable timber-tree. 

Red B. --

Tarrietia trifoliata, F. V. M. , N. O. Sterculiaceae. 

She B. --

Cryptocazya obovata, R. Br. , H. 0. Laurineae, B. Fl. , called also Bastard Sycamore. 

White B. --

Elaeocarpus kirtoni, F. V. M. , N. O. Tiliaceae, called also Mountain Ash. 

(3) In New Zealand, there are six species of true beeches, whichaccording to Kirk are as follows--

Blair's B. --

Fagus blairii, T. Kirk. 

Entire-leaved B. --

F. Solandri, Hook. F. 

Mountain B. --

F. Cliffortioides, Hook. F. 

Pointed-leaved B. --

F. Apiculata, Colenso. 

Silver B. --

F. Menziesii, Hook. F. 

Tooth-leaved B. --

F. Fusca, Hook. F. 

All these, however, are commonly called Birches. 

See also the words Ash, Myrtle, Sassafras. 

Bee-eater, n. A bird-name. The EuropeanBee-eater is Merops apiaster; the Australian species isMerops ornatus, Lath. The bird was called"M. Phrygius, the Embroidered Merops, " by Shaw. 

1793. G. Shaw, `Zoology [and Botany] of New Holland, ' p. 14:

"Specific character. --Black Merops varied with yellow. Thebird figured in its natural size on the present plate is aspecies of Merops or Bee-eater; a tribe which appears to bepeculiarly prevalent in the extensive regions of Australia, since more birds of this genus have been discovered than of anyother, except the very numerous one of Psittacus. "

[The birds, however, have been since this date furtherdifferentiated, and are now all classed in other genera, exceptthe present species. ]

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 144:

"The wattled bee-eater, of which a plate is annexed, fell inour way during the course of the day. . . . Under the eye, on each side, is a kind of wattle of an orange colour. . . This bird seems to be peculiar to New Holland. "

Ibid. P. 190:

"We this day shot a knob-fronted bee-eater (see plate annexed). This is about the size of a black-bird. " [Description follows. ]

Beef-wood, n. The timber of various Australiantrees, especially of the genus Casuarina, and some ofthe Banksias; often used as a synonym of She-oak (q. V. ). The name is taken from the redness of the wood. 

1826. J. Atkinson, `Agriculture and Grazing in New South Wales, 'p. 31:

"The wood is well known in England by the names of Botany Baywood, or beef wood. The grain is very peculiar, but the wood isthought very little of in the colony; it makes good shingles, splits, in the colonial phrase, from heart to bark . . . "

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' vol. I. C. I. P. 22:

"They seemed to be covered with cypresses and beef-wood. "

1846. C. Holtzapffel, `Turning, ' vol. I. P. 74:

"Beef wood. Red-coloured woods are sometimes thus named, butit is generally applied to the Botany-Bay oak. "

1852. G. C. Munday, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1855), p. 219:

"A shingle of the beef-wood looks precisely like a rawbeef-steak. "

1856. Capt. H. Butler Stoney, `A Residence in Tasmania, ' p. 265:

"We now turn our attention to some trees of a very differentnature, Casuarina stricta and quadrivalvis, commonly called He and She oak, and sometimes known by the nameof beef-wood, from the wood, which is very hard and takes ahigh polish, exhibiting peculiar maculae spots and veinsscattered throughout a finely striated tint . . . "

1868. Paxton's `Botanical Dictionary, ' p. 116:

"Casuarinaceae, or Beefwoods. Curious branching, leafless treesor shrubs, with timber of a high order, which is both hard andheavy, and of the colour of raw beef, whence the vulgar name. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants. ' (See `Index ofvernacular names. ')

Belar, n. (various spellings, Belah, billa, beela, beal), an aboriginal name for the tree Casuarinaglauca. The colonists call the tree Bull-oak, probablyfrom this native name. 

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 18:

"A voice in the beela grows wild in its wail. "

1868. J. A. B. , `Meta, ' p. 19:

"With heartfelt glee we hail the camp, And blazing fire of beal. "

[Footnote]: "Aboriginal name of the gum-tree wood. "

1874. W. H. L. Ranken, `Dominion of Australia, ' c. Vi. P. 110:

"These scrubs . . . Sometimes crown the watersheds as `belar. '"

Bell-bird, n. Name given to several birds, fromtheir note, like the tinkling of a bell. In Australia, a Honey-eater, Myzantha melanophrys, Gould ('Birds ofAustralia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 80), the `Australian Bell-bird' (thesame bird as Myzantha flavirostris, V. And H. ), chieflyfound in New South Wales; also Oreoica gutturalis, Gould(vol. Ii. Pl. 81), the `Bell-bird' of Western Australia; andOreoica cristata, Lewin. In New Zealand, Anthornismelanura, Sparrm. , chief Maori names, Korimako(q. V. ) in North, and Makomako in South. Buller givesten Maori names. The settlers call it Moko (q. V. ). There is also a Bell-bird in Brazil. 

1774. J. Hawkesworth, `Voyages, ' vol. Ii. P. 390 [Journal ofJan. 17, 1770):

"In the morning we were awakened by the singing of the birds;the number was incredible, and they seemed to strain theirthroats in emulation of each other. This wild melody wasinfinitely superior to any that we had ever heard of the samekind; it seemed to be like small bells most exquisitely tuned, and perhaps the distance, and the water between, might be nosmall advantage to the sound. Upon enquiry we were informedthat the birds here always began to sing about two hours aftermidnight, and continuing their music till sunrise were, likeour nightingales, silent the rest of the day. "

[This celebrated descriptive passage by Dr. Hawkesworth isbased upon the following original from `Banks's Journal, ' whichnow, after an interval of 122 years, has just been published inLondon, edited by Sir J. D. Hooker. ]

1770. J. Banks, `Journal, ' Jan. 17 (edition 1896):

"I was awakened by the singing of the birds ashore, from whencewe are distant not a quarter of a mile. Their numbers werecertainly very great. They seemed to strain their throats withemulation, and made, perhaps, the most melodious wild music Ihave ever heard, almost imitating small bells, but with themost tunable silver sound imaginable, to which, maybe, thedistance was no small addition. On inquiring of our people, Iwas told that they had observed them ever since we had beenhere, and that they began to sing about one or two in themorning, and continue till sunrise, after which they are silentall day, like our nightingales. "

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, 'c. Viii. P. 84:

"The cry of the bell-bird seems to be unknown here. "

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of LinnaeanSociety, ' vol. Xv. P. 319:

"Mr. Caley thus observes on this bird: `Dell-bird or Bell-bird. So called by the colonists. It is an inhabitant of bushes, where its disagreeable noise (disagreeable at least to me) [butnot to the poets] may be continually heard; but nowhere more sothan on going up the harbour to Paramatta, when a little abovethe Flats. '"

1835. T. B. Wilson, `Voyage Round the World, ' p. 259:

"During the night, the bell bird supplied, to us, the place ofthe wakeful nightingale . . . A pleasing surprise, as we hadhitherto supposed that the birds in New Holland were not formedfor song. "

1839. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand, ' p. 23:

"Every bough seemed to throng with feathered musicians: themelodious chimes of the bell-bird were specially distinct. "

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 102:

"Look at the bell-bird's nest, admire the two spotted salmoncoloured eggs. "

Ibid. ('Verses written whilst we lived in tents'), p. 171:

"Through the Eucalyptus shade, Pleased could watch the bell-bird's flutter, Blending with soft voice of watersThe delicious tones they utter. "

1846. Lady Martin, `Bush journey, 1846, Our Maoris, ' p. 93:

"We did hear the birds next morning as Captain Cook haddescribed --first the bell-bird gave its clear, full note, andthen came such a jargoning as made one's heart glad. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Ii. Pl. 81:

"Oreoica gutturalis, Gould. Crested Oreoica. Bell-bird, Colonists of Swan River [WesternAustralia]. . . I find the following remarks in my note-book--`Note, a very peculiar piping whistle, sounding likeweet-weet-weet-weet-oo, the last syllable fully drawnout and very melodious. . . . In Western Australia, where thereal Bell-bird is never found, this species has had thatappellation given to it, --a term which must appear ill-appliedto those who have heard the note of the true Bell-bird of thebrushes of New South Wales, whose tinkling sound so nearlyresembles that of a distant sheep-bell as occasionally todeceive the ears of a practised shepherd. "

1866. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 93:

"Every now and then we stood, by common consent, silent andalmost breathless, to listen to the bell-bird, a dingy littlefellow, nearly as large as a thrush with the plumage of achaffinch, but with such a note! How can I make you hear itswild, sweet, plaintive tone, as a little girl of the party said`just as if it had a bell in its throat;' but indeed it wouldrequire a whole peal of silver bells to ring such an exquisitechime. "

1868. F. Napier Broome, `Canterbury Rhymes, ' second edition, p. 108:

"Where the bell-bird sets solitudes ringing, Many times I have heard and thrown downMy lyre in despair of all singing. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 21:

"Listen to the bell-bird. Ping, ping, sounds through the vasthushed temple of nature. "

1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 81:

"The bell-bird, with metallic but mellow pipe, warns thewanderer that he is near water in some sequestered nook. "

1886. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 8:

"And softer than slumber and sweeter than singing, The notes of the bell-bird are running and ringing. "

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 85:

"Anthornis melanura. Chatham Island Bell-bird(A. Melanocephala), the Bell-bird--so-called from thefanciful resemblance of one of its notes to the distant tollingof a bell. "

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition, ' p. 119:

"Bell-bird, Korimako, or Makomako (Anthornis melanura), is still common in many parts of the South Island--e. G. In theneighbourhood of Dunedin; but has almost disappeared from theNorth Island. Its song is remarkably fine. "

1893. W. P. Reeves, `The Passing of the Forest, ' `Review ofReviews, ' Feb. 1893, p. 45:

"Gone are the forest birds, arboreal things, Eaters of honey, honey-sweet in song;The tui, and the bell-bird--he who singsThat brief rich music one would fain prolong. '

1896. G. A. Keartland, `Horne Expedition in CentralAustralia, ' Part II. , Zoology, Aves, p. 74:

"In the north they [Oreoica] are frequently called`Bell-birds, ' but bear no resemblance to Manorhinamelanophrys in plumage, shape, or note. The Oreoica issuch an accomplished ventriloquist that it is difficult tofind. "

Bell-bottomed, adj. A particular fashion oftrouser affected by the larrikin (q. V. ). 

1891. `The Argus, ' Dec. 5, p. 13, col. 2:

"Can it be that the pernicious influence of the House isgradually tingeing the high priests of the bell-bottomedballottee with conservatism!"

Bell-Frog, Golden, n. See Golden Bell-Frog. 

Bell-topper, n. The ordinary Australian namefor the tall silk-hat. 

1860. W. Kelly, `Life in Victoria, ' p. 268 [Footnote]:

"Bell-topper was the derisive name given by diggers to oldstyle hat, supposed to indicate the dandy swell. "

Benjamin, n. A husband, in Australianpigeon-English. 

1870. Chas. H. Allen, `A Visit to Queensland and her Goldfields, 'p. 182:

"There are certain native terms that are used by the whitesalso as a kind of colonial slang, such as `yabber, ' to talk;`budgeree, ' good; `bale, ' no; `yan, ' to go; `cabon, ' much; andso on. 

"With the black people a husband is now called a `benjamin, 'probably because they have no word to their own language toexpress this relationship. "

Benjamin-Tree, n. Also called WeepingFig in Queensland, Ficus benjaminea, Linn. , N. O. Urticaceae. 

Bent-grass. N. See Grass. 

1835. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 65:

"Agrostis virginica. Virginian Agrostis, or Bent-grass. . . . Many species of this genus go under the general name ofBent-grass. Their roots spread along among light and sandysoil in which they generally grow with joints like the Squitchor Couch grass of England. "

Berigora, n. Aboriginal name for a bird ofgenus Falco, from beri, claw, and gora, long. See Hawk

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, ' vol. Xv. P. 185:

"The native name of this bird which we have adopted as itsspecific name, is Berigora. It is called by thesettlers Orange-speckled Hawk. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' I. I. Pl. 11:

"Hieracidea berigora. Brown Hawk. Berigora, Aboriginesof New South Wales. Orange-speckled Hawk of the Colonists. "

Berley, n. Term used by Australian fishermenfor ground bait. It is probably of aboriginal origin. 

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish and Fisheries of New South Wales, ' p. 75:

"With hook and line along the rocks of our sea-coast thesefishes are caught, but the bait should be crabs. It is usualto wrench legs and shell off the back, and cast them out forBerley. "

1896. `Badminton Magazine, ' August, p. 201:

"I would signal to the sharks by opening and washing out a fewof the largest fish at the boat's head, sometimes adding baitchopped small to serve for what Australian fishermen callBerley. "

Betcherrygah, n. Bird-name, Melopsittacusundulatus, Shaw. See Budgerigar. 

Bettongia, n. The scientific name of the genusof Prehensile-tailed Kangaroo-Rats, whose aboriginal nameis Bettong. They are the only ground-dwellingmarsupials with prehensile tails, which they use for carryingbunches of grasses and sticks. See Kangaroo-Rat. 

Biddy-biddy, or Biddybid, n. Acorruption of Maori name piripiri. It is a kind of bur. 

1880. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open, `New Zealand Country Journal, 'vol. Xii. P. 95:

"Piri-piri (acaena sanguisorbe) by settlers has beenconverted or corrupted into biddy-biddy; a verb has been formedon it, which is in very constant use for a good part of theyear at least. To biddy, is to rid one of burrs, as `I'll justbiddy my clothes before I come in. ' Small birds areoccasionally found in a wretched state of discomfort in whichthey appear a moving mass of burrs. Parroquets, pipets, andthe little white-eyes, have been found victims suffering fromthese tenacious burrs of the piri-piri, just moving littlebrown balls unable to fly till picked up and released fromtheir bonds. "

1896. `Otago Witness, ' Jan. 23, vol. Ii. P. 36:

"Yes, biddybids detract very materially from the value of thewool, and the plant should not be allowed to seed where sheepare depastured. They are not quite so bad as the Bathurstburr, but they are certainly in the same category. "

Biddy, v. See Biddy-biddy, n. 

Bidgee Widgee, n. Name given to a TasmanianBur (q. V. ). 

Bidyan Ruffe, n. A fresh-water fish of NewSouth Wales, Therapon richardsonii, Castln. , familyPercidae. Mr. J. Douglas Ogilby, Assistant Zoologist atthe Australian Museum, Sydney, says in a letter "The BidyanRuffe of Sir Thomas Mitchell is our Therapon ellipticus, Richards (T. Richardsonii, Castln. ). Found in all therivers of the Murray system, and called Kooberry by thenatives. " It is also called the Silver Perch andsometimes Bream. 

1838. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' vol. I. P. 95 [Note]:

"Bidyan is the aboriginal name. "

Ibid. Vol. I. P. 135:

"Abundance of that which the men commonly called bream(Cernua bidyana), a very coarse but firm fish, whichmakes a groaning noise when taken out of the water. "

Big-head, n. A fish. The name is used locallyfor various fishes; in Australia it is Eleotrisnudiceps, Castln. , family Gobiidae, a river fish. Of the genus Eleotris, Guenther says that as regardsform they repeat almost all the modifications observed amongthe Gobies, from which they differ only in having the ventralfins non-coalescent. See Bull-head (2). 

Billabong, n. An effluent from a river, returning to it, or often ending in the sand, in some casesrunning only in flood time. 

In the Wiradhuri dialect of the centre of New South Wales, Eastcoast, billa means a river and bung dead. SeeBung. Billa is also a river in some Queenslanddialects, and thus forms part of the name of the riverBelyando. In the Moreton Bay dialect it occurs in the formpill, and in the sense of `tidal creek. ' In the`Western Australian Almanack' for 1842, quoted in J. Fraser's`Australian Language, ' 1892, Appendix, p. 50, Bilo isgiven for River. 

 Billabong is often regarded as a synonym forAnabranch (q. V. ); but there is a distinction. From theoriginal idea, the Anabranch implies rejoining theriver; whilst the Billabong implies continued separationfrom it; though what are called Billabongs often dorejoin. 

1862. W. Landsborough, `Exploration of Australia, ' p. 30:

"A dried-up tributary of the Gregory, which I named theMacadam. "

[Footnote]: "In the south, such a creek as the Macadam istermed a billy-bonn [sic], from the circumstance of thewater carrier returning from it with his pitcher (billy)empty (bong, literally dead). "

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, vol. I. P. 298:

"What the Major calls, after the learned nomenclature ofColonel Jackson, in the `Journal of the Geographical Society, 'anabranches, but which the natives call billibongs, channelscoming out of a stream and returning into it again. "

1880. P. J. Holdsworth, `Station Hunting on the Warrego:'

"In yon great range may huddle billabongs. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 25:

"What a number of swallows skim about the `billabongs' alongthe rivers in this semi-tropical region. "

1893. `The Argus, ' April 8, p. 4, col. 1:

"Let's make a start at once, d'ye hear; I want to get over tothe billabong by sunrise. "

Billet, n. An appointment, a position; a verycommon expression in Australia, but not confined to Australia;adapted from the meaning, "an official order requiring theperson to whom it is addressed to provide board and lodging forthe soldier bearing it. " (`O. E. D. ')

1890. E. W. Hornung, `A Bride from the Bush, ' p. 267:

"If ever she went back to Australia, she'd remember my youngman, and get him a good billet. "

Billy, n. A tin pot used as a bushman's kettle. The word comes from the proper name, used as abbreviation forWilliam. Compare the common uses of `Jack, ' `Long Tom, '`Spinning Jenny. ' It came into use about 1850. It is not usedin the following. 

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 48:

"He then strikes a light and makes a fire to boil his kettleand fry his bacon. "

About 1850, the billy superseded the quart-pot (q. V. ), chiefly because of its top-handle and its lid. Anothersuggested derivation is that billy is shortened frombillycan, which is said to be bully-can (sc. Fr. Bouili). In the early days "boeuf bouilli"was a common label on tins of preserved meat in ship's stores. These tins, called "bully-tins, " were used by diggers andothers as the modern billy is (see quotation 1835). A thirdexplanation gives as the origin the aboriginal wordbilla (river or water). 

1835. T. B. Wilson, `Voyage Round the World, ' p. 238:

"An empty preserved meat-canister serving the double purpose oftea-kettle and tea-pot. "

[The word billy is not used, but its origin isdescribed. ]

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta, ' vol. I. P. 202:

"A tin pan bearing the familiar name of a billy. "

1871 J. J. Simpson, `Recitations, ' p. 5:

"He can't get a billy full for many a mile round. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 41:

"A billy (that is a round tin pitcher with a lid) in his hand. "

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Iv. P. 69:

"A tin can, which the connoisseurs call for some reason orother a `billy. '"

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' p. 24:

"A very black camp-kettle, or billy, of hot tea. "

1892. `The Australasian, ' April 9, p. 707, col. 4:

"How we praised the simple supper (we prepared it each in turn), And the tea! Ye gods! 'twas nectar. Yonder billy was our urn. "

Billy-can, n. A variation of the above, moreused by townsmen than bushmen. 

1892. `The Australasian, ' April 9, p. 707, col. 4:

"But I said, `Dear friend and brother, yonder billy-can ismine; You may confiscate the washing that is hanging on theline, You may depredate the larder, take your choice of pot andpan; But, I pray thee, kind sundowner, spare, oh spare, mybilly-can. '"

Bingy [g soft], n. Stomach or belly. Aboriginal. The form at Botany Bay was bindi; at JervisBay, binji. 

1851. Rev. David Mackenzie, `Ten Years in Australia, ' p. 140:

"They lay rolling themselves on the ground, heavily groaning inpain, and with their hands rubbing their bellies, exclaiming, `Cabonn buggel along bingee' (that is, I am very sick in thestomach). "

Birch, n. In New Zealand, the trees calledbirches are really beeches (q. V. ), but the term birch isused very vaguely; see quotation 1889. In Tasmania, the name isapplied to Dodonaea ericifolia, Don. , N. O. Sapindaceae. 

1853. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, ' p. 125:

"White-birch of Nelson and Otago (from colour of bark), Black-heart Birch of Wellington, Fagus solandri, Hook, alofty, beautiful ever-green tree, 100 feet high. Black-birch(Tawhai) of Auckland and Otago (from colour of bark), Red-birchof Wellington and Nelson (from colour of timber), Fagusfusca, N. O. Cupuliferae, a noble tree 60 to 90 feet high. "

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 91:

"Like all small-leaved forest trees it [Fagus solandri, Hook. F. ] is termed `birch' by the bushman. . . . It is nottoo much to say that the blundering use of common names inconnection with the New Zealand beeches, when the timber hasbeen employed in bridges and constructive works, has causedwaste and loss to the value of many thousands of pounds. "

Bird-catching Plant, n. A New Zealand shrub ortree, Pisonia brunoniana, Endl. , N. O. Nyctagineae; Maori name, Parapara. 

1883. R. H. Govett, `Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, 'vol. Xvi. Art. Xxviii. P. 364::

"A Bird-killing Tree. . . . In a shrub growing in my father'sgarden at New Plymouth, two Silver-eyes (Zosterops) andan English Sparrow had been found with their wings so glued bythe sticky seed-vessels that they were unable to move, andcould only fly away after having been carefully washed. "

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 293:

"It is sometimes termed the `birdcatching plant' by settlersand bushmen . . . It will always be a plant of specialinterest, as small birds are often found captured by its viscidfruits, to which their feathers become attached as effectivelyas if they were glued. "

Bird's-nest fungus, n. A small fungus of thegenus Cyathus, four species of which occur inQueensland. 

Bitter-Bark, n. An Australian tree, Petalostigma quadrilo culare, F. V. M. , N. O. Euphorbiacea. Called also Crab-tree, NativeQuince, Emu apple, and Quinine-tree. The barkcontains a powerful bitter essence, which is used medicinally. The name is also applied to Tabernaemontana orientalis, R. Br. , N. O. Apocyneae, and to Alstoniaconstricta, F. V. M. , N. O. Aporynacece, which is alsocalled Feverbark. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 204:

"Bitter Bark. This small tree has an intensely bitter bark, and a decoction of it is sometimes sold as `bitters. "

Bitter-Leaf, n. A Tasmanian name for theNative Hop. See Hops and Hopbush. 

Bittern, n. Bird-name well known in England. The Australian species are--

The Bittern--

Botaurus paeciloptilus, Wagl. 

Black B. --

Butoroides flavicollis, Lath. 

Green B. --

B. Javanica, Horsfield. 

Little B. --

Ardetta pusilla, Vieill. 

Blackberry, Native, or Bramble, n. Called also Raspberry. Three species of the genusRubus occur in Queensland--Rubus moluccanus, Linn. , R. Parvifolius, Linn. , R. 

rosifolius, Smith, N. O. Rosaceae See alsoLawyer. 

Blackbird, n. "A cant name for a captive negro, or Polynesian, on board a slave or pirate ship. " (`O. E. D. ') Butno instance is given of its use for a negro. 

1871. `Narrative of the Voyage of the Brig Carl' [pamphlet]

"They were going to take a cruise round the islands`black-bird' catching. "

1872. `The Argus, ' Dec. 21, Supplement, p. 2, col. 1 [ChiefJustice's charge in the case of the `Carl Outrage']:

"They were not going pearl-fishing but blackbird-hunting. Itis said you should have evidence as to what blackbird-huntingmeant. I think it is a grievous mistake to pretend toignorance of things passing before our eyes everyday. We mayknow the meaning of slang words, though we do not use them. Isthere not a wide distinction between blackbird-hunting and alegitimate labour-trade, if such a thing is to be carried on?What did he allude to? To get labourers honestly if they could, but, if not, any way?"

1881. `Chequered Career, ' p. 188 (`O. E. D. ')

"The white men on board know that if once the `blackbirds'burst the hatches . . . They would soon master the ship. "

Black-birding, n. Kidnapping natives of SouthSea islands for service in Queensland plantations. 

1871. `Narrative of the Voyage of the Brig Carl' [pamphlet]:

"All the three methods, however, of obtaining labour in theSouth Seas--that which was just and useful, that which was ofsuspicious character, and that which was nothing, more or less, than robbery and murder--were in use the same time, and allthree went by the same general slang term of `blackbirding, ' or`blackbird catching. '"

1872. Rev. H. S. Fagan, `The Dark Blue' (Magazine), June, p. 437:

"Well, you see how it is that C is not safe, even though he isa missionary bishop, after A has made the name of missionary anoffence by his ingenious mode of `black-birding. '"

1892. Gilbert Parker, `Round the Compass in Australia, ' p. 78:

"In the early days of sugar-planting there may have beenblack-birding, but it was confined to a very few, and it isdone away with altogether now. "

Black-birding, adj. 

1883. `The Academy, ' Sept. 8, p. 158 (`O. E. D. ')

"[He] slays Bishop Patteson by way of reprisal for theatrocities of some black-birding crew. "

Blackboy, n. A grass-tree. Name applied to allspecies of the genus Xanthorroea, but especially toX. Preissii, Endl. , N. O. Liliaceae. CompareMaori-head. 

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia, ' ii. 4, 132:

"Black Boy . . . Gum on the spear, resin on the trunk. "

Ibid. Ii. 12, 280 [Note]

"These trees, called blackboys by the colonists, from theresemblance they bear in the distance to natives. "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' vol. Ii. P. 92:

"Gas admirably fitted for domestic purposes had been extractedfrom the shrub called the `blackboy. ' I regret to state thatthe gas . . . Is not . . . At present known in the colony. "

1886. R. Henty, `Australiana, ' p. 15:

"The common grass-tree or `blackboy, ' so called from its longdark stem and dark seed head (when dry). "

1896. `The Australasian, ' Feb. 15, p. 313 (with anIllustration):

"The Blackboy trees are a species of grass-tree orXanthorrhoea, exuding a gummy substance used by theblacks for fastening glass and quartz-barbs to their spears. Many years ago, when coal was scarce in Western Australia, anenterprising firm . . . Erected a gas-making plant, andsuccessfully lit their premises with gas made from theBlackboy. "

1896. Modern:

A story is told of a young lady saying to a naval officer:--"I was this morning watching your ship coming into harbour, and so intently that I rode over a young blackboy. " The officerwas shocked at her callousness in expressing no contrition. 

Black-Bream, n. An Australian fish, Chrysophrys australis, Gunth. , family Sparidae, or Sea-Breams; called in Tasmania Silver-Bream, the fishthere called Black-Bream being another of theSparidae, Girella tricuspidata, Cuv. And Val. See Tarwhine and Black-fish. 

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, ' p. 42:

"Chrysophrys comprises the tarwhine and black-bream ofthe Sydney fishermen. . . . We have two species inAustralia. . . . The black-bream, C. Australis, Gunth. , and the tarwhine, C. Sarba, Forsk. . . . The Australian bream is as common on the south as on the eastcoast. It affords excellent sport to anglers in Victoria. "

Blackbutt, n. Eucalyptus pilularis, Smith, Victoria; E. Regnans, F. V. M. , New South Wales; a timbertree, a gum. Another name is Flintwood. The lower partof the trunk is black. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 49:

"The range . . . Having with the exception of the Blackbutt allthe trees . . . Of Moreton Bay. "

1863. M. K. Beveridge, `Gatherings among Gum-trees, ' p. 86:

"'Tis there the `blackbut' rears its head. "

1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue, Economic Woods, ' p. 30:

"A tree of considerable size. . . The bark smooth and fallingoff in flakes upward, and on the branches. "

1897. `The Age, ' Feb. 22, p. 5, col. 3:

"Mr. Richards stated that the New South Wales black butt andtallow wood were the most durable and noiseless woods forstreet-paving, as well as the best from a sanitary point ofview. "

Black-Cod, n. A New Zealand fish, Nototheniaangustata. 

Blackfellow, n. An aboriginal Australian. 

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia, ' i. 4, 74:

"The native Miago . . . Appeared delighted that these `blackfellows, ' as he calls them, have no throwing sticks. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 9:

"The well-known tracks of blackfellows are everywhere visible. "

1871. Dingo, `Australian Rhymes, ' p. 14:

"Wurragaroo loved Wangaraday In a blackfellow's own peculiar way. "

Black-Fern, n. The Tasmanian species so calledis Athyrium australe, Presl. , N. O. Polypodeae. 

Black-fish, n. The name is given, especially inSydney, to the sea-fishes Girella simplex, Richards (seeLudrick), and Girella tricuspidata, Cuv. AndVal. ; also to a fresh-water fish all over Australia, Gadopsis marmoratus, Richards. G. Marmoratus isvery common in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, andparts of Tasmania. There are local varieties. It is muchesteemed as a food fish, but is, like all mud fishes, rich andoily. Girella belongs to the family Sparida, orSea-Breams, and Gadopsis to the Gadopsidae, afamily allied to that containing the Cod fishes. The name wasalso formerly applied to a whale. 

1853. C. St. Julian and E. K. Silvester, `Productions, Industry, and Resources of New South Wales, ' p. 115:

"There is a species of whale called by those engaged in thesouth sea fishing the Black-fish or Black-whale, but known to the naturalist as the Southern Rorqual, which thewhalemen usually avoid. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 100

"Nothing is better eating than a properly cooked black-fish. The English trout are annihilating them, however. "

Black-Line. See Black-War. 

Black-Perch, n. A river fish of New South Wales. Therapon niger, Castln. , family Percidae. A different fish from those to which the name is appliedelsewhere. See Perch. 

Black-and-white Ringed Snake. See under Snake. 

Black Rock-Cod, n. An Australian fish, chieflyof New South Wales, Serranus daemeli, Gunth. ; adifferent fish from the Rock-Cod of the northernhemisphere. The Serrani belong to the family Percidae, and are commonly called "Sea-perches. "

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 33:

"The genus Serranus comprises most of the fishes knownas `rock cod. '. . . One only is sufficiently useful as anarticle of food to merit notice, and that is the `black rockcod' (Serranus damelii, Guenther), without exception thevery best of all our fishes. "

Black-Snake. See under Snake. 

Black-Swan. See Swan. 

Black Thursday, the day of a Victorian conflagration, which occurred on Feb. 6, 1851. The thermometer was 112degrees in the shade. Ashes from the fire at Macedon, 46 milesaway, fell in Melbourne. The scene forms the subject of thecelebrated picture entitled "Black Thursday, " by WilliamStrutt, R. B. A. 

1859. Rev. J. D. Mereweather, `Diary of a Working Clergyman inAustralia, ' p. 81:

"Feb. 21 . . . Dreadful details are reaching us of the greatbush fires which took place at Port Phillip on the 6th of thismonth . . . . Already it would seem that the appellation of`Black Thursday' has been given to the 6th February, 1851, forit was on that day that the fires raged with the greatestfury. "

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillman, `Australian Life, ' p. 39:

"The old colonists still repeat the most terrible stories ofBlack Thursday, when the whole country seemed to be on fire. The flames leaped from tree to tree, across creeks, hills, andgullies, and swept everything away. Teams of bullocks in theyoke, mobs of cattle and horses, and even whole families ofhuman beings, in their bush-huts, were completely destroyed, and the charred bones alone found after the wind and fire hadsubsided. "

Black-Tracker, n. An aboriginal employed intracking criminals. 

1867. `Australia as it is, ' pp. 88-9:

"The native police, or `black trackers, ' as they are sometimescalled, are a body of aborigines trained to act as policemen, serving under a white commandant--a very clever expedient forcoping with the difficulty . . . Of hunting down and discoveringmurderous blacks, and others guilty of spearing cattle andbreaking into huts . . . "

1870. `The Argus, ' March 26, p. 5, col. 4:

"The troopers, with the assistance of two black trackers, pursued the bushrangers . . . "

1870. Ibid. April 13, p. 6, col. 7:

. . . Two members of the police force and a black tracker . . . Called at Lima station . . . "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xvii. P. 165:

"Get the black-trackers on the trail. "

1893. `The Argus, ' April 8, p. 4, col. 3 . 

"Only three weeks before he had waddied his gin to death foranswering questions put to her by a blacktracker, and now headvanced to Charlie . . . And said, . . . `What for you come alongablack fella camp?'"

1896. `The Argus, ' March 30, p. 6, col. 9:

"About one hundred and fifty horsemen have been out to-day inaddition to the local police. The black-trackers arrived bythe train last night, and commenced work this morning. "

Black-Trevally. See Trevally. 

Black-War, or Black-Line, a militaryoperation planned in 1830 by Governor Arthur for the captureof the Tasmanian aborigines. A levy en masse of thecolonists was ordered. About 5000 men formed the "black line, "which advanced across the island from north to south-east, withthe object of driving the tribes into Tasman's Peninsula. Theoperation proved a complete failure, two blacks only beingcaptured at a cost to the Government of L 30, 000. 

1835. H. Melville, `History of Van Diemen's Land, ' p. 103:

"The parties forming the `black line, ' composed, as they were, of a curious melange of masters and servants, took theirrespective stations at the appointed time. As the severalparties advanced, the individuals along the line came closerand closer together --the plan was to keep on advancing slowlytowards a certain peninsula, and thus frighten the Aboriginesbefore them, and hem them in. "

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol, ii. P. 54:

"Thus closed the Black War. This campaign of a month suppliedmany adventures and many an amusing tale, and, notwithstandingthe gravity of his Excellency, much fun and folly . . . . Fivethousand men had taken the field. Nearly L 30, 000 had beenexpended, and probably not much less in time and outlay by thesettlers, and two persons only were captured. "

Black Wednesday, n. A political phrase for aday in Victoria (Jan. 9, 1878), when the Government withoutnotice dismissed many Civil Servants, including heads ofdepartments, County Court judges and police magistrates, on theground that the Legislative Council had not voted the money fortheir salaries. 

1878. `Melbourne Punch, ' May 16, vol. Xlvi. P. 195 [Title ofCartoon]:

"In Memoriam. Black Wednesday, 9th January 1878. "

1896. `The Argus, ' [Sydney telegram] Aug. 18, p. 6, col. 4:

"The times in the public service at present reminded him ofBlack Wednesday in Victoria, which he went through. Thatcaused about a dozen suicides among public servants. Here ithad not done so yet, but there was not a head of a departmentwho did not now shake in his shoes. "

Blackwood, n. An Australian timber, Acaciamelanoxylon, R. Br. ; often called Lightwood; it isdark in colour but light in weight. 

1828. `Report of Van Diemen's Land Company, ' Bischoff, `VanDiemen's Land, 1832, ' p. 118

"Without a tree except a few stumps of blackwood. "

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' p. 21:

"Grassy slopes thickly timbered with handsome Blackwood trees. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 359:

"Called `Blackwood' on account of the very dark colour of themature wood. "

1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue, Economic Woods, ' p. 4:

"Blackwood, Lightwood--rather frequent on many rich river-flats. . . . It is very close-grained and heavy, and is useful forall purposes where strength and flexibility are required. "

Bladder Saltbush, n. A Queensland shrub, Atriplex vesicarium, Heward, N. O. Salsolaceae. The Latin and vernacular names both refer to "the bladderyappendage to fruiting perianth. " (Bailey. ) SeeSaltbush. 

Blandfordia, n. The scientific name of theGordon-Lily (see under Lily). The plant wasnamed after George, Marquis of Blandford, son of the secondDuke of Marlborough. The Tasmanian aboriginals called theplant Remine, which name has been given to a small portwhere it grows in profusion on the west coast. 

Bleeding-Heart, n. Another name for theKennedya (q. V. ). 

1896. `The Melburnian, ' Aug. 28, p. 53:

"The trailing scarlet kennedyas, aptly called the `bleeding-heart' or `coral-pea, ' brighten the greyness of the sandypeaty wastes. "

Blight. See Sandy-blight. 

Blight-bird, n. A bird-name in New Zealand forthe Zosterops (q. V. ). Called also Silver-eye(q. V. ), Wax-eye, and White-eye (q. V. ). It iscalled Blight-bird because it eats the blight on trees. 

1882. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open, ' p. 130:

"The white-eye or blight-bird, with cheerful note, in crowdedflocks, sweeps over the face of the country, and in itsprogress clears away multitudes of small insect pests. "

1885. A. Hamilton, `Native Birds of Petane, Hawke's Bay, '`Transactions of New Zealand Institute, ' vol. Xviii. P. 125:

"Zosterops lateralis, white-eye, blight-bird. One ofour best friends, and abundant in all parts of the district. "

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' (2nd ed. ) vol. I. P. 82:

"By the settlers it has been variously designated as Ring-eye, Wax-eye, White-eye, or Silver-eye, in allusion to the beautifulcirclet of satiny-white feathers which surrounds the eyes; andquite as commonly the `Blightbird' or `Winter-migrant. ' . . . It feeds on that disgusting little aphis known as Americanblight, which so rapidly covers with a fatal cloak of white thestems and branches of our best apple-trees; it clears our earlycabbages of a pestilent little insect, that left uncheckedwould utterly destroy the crop; it visits our gardens anddevours another swarming parasite that covers our roses. "

Blind Shark, or Sand Shark, n. I. Q. Shovel-nose (q. V. ). 

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods `Fish and Fisheries of NewSouth Wales, p. 97:

"Rhinobatus granulatus or shovel-nose, which is properlyspeaking a Ray, is called here the blind or sand shark, though, as Mr. Hill remarks, it is not blind. He says `that itattains the length of from 6 to 7 feet, and is also harmless, armed only with teeth resembling small white beads securedclosely upon a cord; it however can see tolerably well, andsearches on sandy patches for crustaceae and small shell fish. '"

1886. J. Douglas-Ogilby, `Catalogue of the Fishes of New SouthWales, ' p. 5:

"Rhinobatus Granulatus . . . I have not seen a New South Walesexample of this fish, which appears to have been confoundedwith the following by writers on the Australian fauna. Rhinobatus Bongainvillei, Muell and Heule, Habitat Port Jackson. Shovel-nosed Ray of Sydneyfishermen. "

Blind-your-Eyes, n. Another name for theMilky Mangrove. See Mangrove. 

, doing the, v. Lounging in thefashionable promenade. In Melbourne, it is Collins Street, between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets. In Sydney, "The Block"is that portion of the city bounded by King, George, Hunter, and Pitt Streets. It is now really two blocks, but was all inone till the Government purchased the land for the present PostOffice, and then opened a new street from George to PittStreet. Since then the Government, having purchased more land, has made the street much wider, and it is now called Martin'sPlace. 

1869. Marcus Clarke, `Peripatetic Philosopher, ' (in an Essay on`Doing the Block') (reprint), p. 13:

"If our Victorian youth showed their appreciation for domesticvirtues, Victorian womanhood would `do the Block' lessfrequently. "

1872. `Glimpses of Life in Victoria by a Resident, ' p. 349:

"A certain portion of Collins street, lined by the bestdrapers' and jewellers' shops, with here and there a bank orprivate office intervening, is known as `the Block, ' and is thedaily resort of the belles and beaux. . . . "

1875. R. And F. Hill, `What We Saw in Australia, ' p. 267:

"To `do the block' corresponds in Melbourne to driving in HydePark. "

1876. Wm. Brackley Wildey, `Australasia and the Oceanic Region, 'p. 234:

"The streets are thronged with handsome women, veritabledenizens of the soil, fashionably and really tastefullyattired, `doing the block, ' patrolling Collins-street, orgracefully reclining in carriages. . . . "

1890. Tasma, `In her Earliest Youth, ' p. 126:

"You just do as I tell you, and we'll go straight off to townand `do the block. '"

1894. `The Herald' (Melbourne), Oct. 6, p. 6, col. 1:

"But the people doing the block this morning look very nice. "

Block, on the. (1) On the promenade above referred to. 

1896. `The Argus, ' July 17, p. 4. Col. 7:

" We may slacken pace a little now and again, just as the busyman, who generally walks quickly, has to go slowly in the crowdon the Block. "

(2) Term in mining, fully explained in `The Miner's Right, 'chapters vii. And viii. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `The Miner's Right, ' p. 86:

"I declare the Liberator Lead to be `on the block. '"

`Extract from Mining Regulation 22' (Ibid. P. 77):

"The ground shall be open for taking up claims in the blockform. "

Blood-bird, n. Name given to the SanguineousHoney-eater. See Honey-eater. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 63:

"Myzomela sanguinolenta, Sanguineous Honey-eater. Blood-bird of the Colonists of New South Wales. "

Blood-sucker, n. Popular name for certainspecies of Lizards belonging to the genus Amphibolurus(Grammatophora). Especially applied to A. Muricata, Shaw. 

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 37:

"Another description of lizard is here vulgarly called the`bloodsucker. ' "

1890. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Natural History of Victoria, 'Dec. 12, pl. Cxi. :

"Why the popular name of `Bloodsucker' should be so universallygiven to this harmless creature by the Colonists (except on thelocus a non lucendo principle) I cannot conceive. "

1890. A. H. S. Lucas, `Handbook of the Australasian Associationfor the Advancement of Science, ' Melbourne, p. 70:

"Two species of `blood sucker' so absurdly designated. "

Blood-wood, or Blood-tree, n. A nameapplied, with various epithets, to many of the Gum-trees(q. V. ), especially to--(1) Eucalyptus corymbosa, Smith, sometimes called Rough-barked bloodwood; (2) E. Eximia, Schauer, Mountain or Yellow bloodwood; (3) Baloghialucida, Endl. , N. O. Euphorbiaceae, called BrushBloodwood. The sap is blood-red, running copiously when cutacross with a knife. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of LinnaeanSociety, ' vol. Xv. P. 271:

"The natives tell me it breeds in the winter in Mun'ning-treesor Blood-trees of the colonists (a species of Eucalyptus). "

1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedition, ' p. 292:

"The bergue was covered with fine bloodwood trees, stringy-bark, and box. "

1892. A. J. North, `Proceedings of Linnaean Society, ' New SouthWales, vol. Vii. Series 2, p. 396:

"I traced her to a termite nest in a bloodwood tree(Eucalyptus corymbosa). "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' 448:

"It [E. Eximia] is called `bloodwood, ' partly becausekino exudes in the concentric circles of the wood . . . Partlybecause its fruits are in shape very similar to those ofE. Corymbosa. "

Blow, n. Stroke of the shears in sheep-shearing. 

1890. `The Argus, ' September 20, p. 13, col. 7:

"The shearers must make their clip clean and thorough. If itbe done so incompetently that a `second blow' is needed, thefleece is hacked. "

Blow, /2/ n. Braggadocio, boasting. 

1890. Lyth, `Golden South, ' viii. P. 71:

"Is there not very much that the Australian may well be proudof, and may we not commend him for a spice of blow?"

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `Sydney-Side Saxon, ' p. 77:

"He can walk as fast as some horses can trot, cut out any beastthat ever stood on a camp, and canter round a cheese-plate. This was a bit of blow. "

1893. `The Australasian, ' Aug. 12, p. 102, col. 1:

"Now Digby Holland will think it was mere Australian blow. "

Blow, v. To boast; abbreviated from the phrase"to blow your own trumpet. " The word is not Australian thoughoften so regarded. It is common in Scotland and in the UnitedStates. 

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 387:

"The blast of the trumpet as heard in Victoria is louder thanall the blasts--and the Melbourne blast beats all the otherblowing of that proud colony. My first, my constant, myparting advice to my Australian cousins is contained in twowords, `don't blow. '"

Blower, n. A boaster. (See Blow, v. )

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 411:

"A regular Sydney man thinks all Victorians are blowers andspeculators. "

Blowing, verbal n. Boasting. 

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 387:

"A fine art much cultivated in the colonies, for which thecolonial phrase of `blowing' has been created. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. Ii. P. 9:

"Blowing (that is, talking loudly and boastingly on any andevery subject). "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 45:

"He was famous for `blowing' in Australian parlance . . . Of his exploits. "

Bluebell, n. The name is given in Tasmaniato the flower Wahlenbergia gracilis, De C. , N. O. Campanulaceae. 

Blueberry, n. I. Q. Native Currant(q. V. ). The name is also given to Dianella longifolia, R. Br. , N. O. Liliaceae. 

Blueberry Ash, n. A Victorian tree, Elaeocarpus holopetalus, F. V. M. 

1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue, Economic Woods, ' p. 15:

"Blueberry Ash or Prickly Fig. A noble tree, attaining aheight of 120 feet. Wood pale, fine-grained; exquisite forcabinet work. "

Blue-bush, n. An Australian forage plant, a kind of Salt-bush, Kochia pyrainidata, Benth, N. O. Chenopodiaceae. 

1876. W. Harcus. `South Australia, ' p. 124:

"[The country] would do splendidly for sheep, being thicklygrassed with short fine grass, salt and blue bush, and geraniumand other herbs. "

Blue-Cod, n. Name given to a New Zealand fish, Percis colias, family Trachinidae. Called alsoin New Zealand Rock-Cod (q. V. ). The fish is of adifferent family from the Cod of the northernhemisphere. 

Blue-creeper, n. Name given to the creeper, Comesperma volubile, Lab. , N. O. Campanulaceae. 

Blue-eye, n. A bird name. The Blue facedHoney-eater (q. V. ). 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 68:

"Entomyza cyanotis, Swains. Blue-faced Entomyza. Blue-eye of the colonists. "

Blue-fish, n. Name given in Sydney toGirella cyanea, of the family Sparidae, orSea-Breams. It is different from the Blue-fish of theAmerican coasts, which is of the family Carangidae. 

Blue-Groper, n. A fish of New South Wales andTasmania, Cossyphus gouldii, one of the Labridaeor Wrasses, often called Parrot-Fish in Australia. Called also Blue-head in Tasmania. Distinct from thefish called the Groper (q. V). 

Blue-gum, n. See under Gum. It is anincreasing practice to make a single word of this compound, andto pronounce it with accent on the first syllable, as`wiseman, ' `goodman. '

Blue-head, n. Tasmanian name for the fishcalled the Blue-Groper (q. V. )

Blue Lobelia, n. The indigenous species inTasmania which receives this name is Lobelia gibbosa, Lab. , N. O. Campanulaceae. 

Blue-pointer, n. A name given in New SouthWales to a species of Shark, Lamna glauca, Mull. AndHeule, family Lamnidae, which is not confined toAustralasia. 

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 95:

"On the appearance of a `blue pointer' among boats fishing forschnapper outside, the general cry is raised, `Look out for theblue pointer. ' . . . These are high swimming fishes, and maybe readily seen when about pushing their pursuits; thebeautiful azure tint of their back and sides, and independentmanner they have of swimming rapidly and high among the boatsin search of prey, are means of easy recognition, and theyoften drive the fishermen away. "

Bluestone, n. A kind of dark stone of which manyhouses and public buildings are built. 

1850. `The Australasian' (Quarterly), Oct. [Footnote], p. 138:

"The ancient Roman ways were paved with polygonal blocks of astone not unlike the trap or bluestone around Melbourne. "

1855. R. Brough Smyth, `Transactions of Philosophical Society, Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 25:

"The basalt or `bluestone, ' which is well adapted to structuralpurposes, and generally obtains where durability is desired. "

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook to New Zealand, ' p. 62:

"Basalts, locally called `bluestones, ' occur of a qualityuseful for road-metal, house-blocks, and ordinary rubblemasonry. "

1890. `Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, ' p. Xx. [Letter from Mr. S. H. Wintle]:

"The newer basalts, which in Victoria have filled up soextensively Miocene and Pliocene valleys, and river channels, are chiefly vesicular Zeolitic dolerites andanaemesites, the former being well represented by thelight-coloured Malmsbury `bluestone' so extensively employed inbuildings in Melbourne. "

Blue-tongued Lizard, n. Name given toTiliqua nigroluteus, Gray, a common Australian andTasmanian lizard belonging to the family Scincidae. The name is derived from its blue-coloured tongue, and onaccount of its sluggish habits it is also often called theSleepy lizard. 

1887. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, ' Dec. 14, pl. 131:

"Not uncommon about Melbourne, where it is generally called the`Blue-tongued Lizard, ' or `Sleepy Lizard. '"

Blue-wing, n. A sportsman's name (as in England)for the bird called the Shoveller (q. V. ). 

Bluey, n. (1) A blue blanket commonly used byswagmen in Australia. He wraps his bundle in it, and the wholeis called a Swag (q. V. ). To hump bluey means togo on the tramp, carrying a swag on the back. 

(2) In the wet wildernesses of Western Tasmania a rough shirtor blouse is made of this material, and is worn over the coatlike an English smock-frock. Sailors and fishermen in Englandcall it a "Baltic shirt. "

1890. `The Argus, ' Aug. 16, p. 13, col. 2:

"We shall have to hump bluey again. "

1891. R. Wallace, `Rural Economy and Agriculture of Australiaand New Zealand, ' p. 73:

"`Humping bluey' is for a workman to walk in search of work. "

1891. W. Tilley, `The Wild West of Tasmania, ' p. 29:

"Leehan presents an animated scene . . . . Heavily ladendrays, pack-horses and mules, form constant processionsjourneying from Dundas or Trial; miners with their swags, surveyors in their `blueys' . . . All aid effectively in thepanorama. "

Board, n. Term used by shearers. See quotation. 

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), Dec. 23, p. 6, col. 1:

"`The board' is the technical name for the floor on which thesheep are shorn. "

With a full board, with a full complement of shearers. 

1894. `The Herald, ' Oct. 6, p. 1. Col. 2:

"The secretary of the Pastoralists' Association . . . Reportsthat the following stations have started shearing with fullboards. "

Boar-fish, n. A name applied in England tovarious dissimilar fishes which have projecting snouts. (`Century. ') In New Zealand it is given to Cyttusaustralis, family Cyttidae, which is related to theJohn Dory (q. V. ). This name is sometimes applied to it, and it is also called Bastard Dory (q. V. ). In Melbournethe Boar-fish is Histiopterus recurvirostris, family Percidae, and Pentaceropsisrecurvirostris, family Pentacerotidae. Mrs. Meredith, in `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' 1880 (pl. Vi. ), figures Histiopterus recurvirostris with the vernacularname of Pig-faced Lady. It is a choice edible fish. 

Boil down, v. To reduce a statement to itssimplest form; a constant term amongst pressmen. Over thereporters' table in the old `Daily Telegraph' office(Melbourne) there was a big placard with the words-"Boil itdown. " The phrase is in use in England. `O. E. D. ' quotes`Saturday Review, ' 1880. The metaphor is from the numerousboiling-down establishments for rendering fat sheep intotallow. See quotation, 1878. 

1878. F. P. Labilliere, `Early History of the Colony ofVictoria, ' vol. Ii. P. 330:

"The first step which turned the tide of ill-fortune was theintroduction of the system of boiling down sheep. When stockbecame almost worthless, it occurred to many people that, whena fleece of wool was worth from half-a-crown to three shillingsin England, and a sheep's tallow three or four more, the valueof the animal in Australia ought to exceed eighteenpence or twoshillings. Accordingly thousands of sheep were annually boileddown after shearing . . . Until . . . The gold discovery; andthen `boiling down, ' which had saved the country, had to begiven up. . . . The Messrs. Learmonth at Buninyong . . . Foundit answered their purpose to have a place of their own, insteadof sending their fat stock, as was generally done, to a public`boiling down' establishment. "

1895. `The Argus, ' Aug. 17, p. 8, col. 2:

"Boiled down, the matter comes to this. "

Bonduc Nuts, n. A name in Australia for thefruit of the widely distributed plant Caesalpinabonducella, Flem. , N. O. Leguminosae. CalledMolucca Beans in Scotland and Nicker Nutselsewhere. 

Bonito, n. Sir Frederick McCoy says that theTunny, the same fish as the European species Thynnusthynnus, family Scombridae, or Mackerels, is calledBonito, erroneously, by the colonists and fishermen. Thetrue Bonito is Thynnus pelamys, Linn. , though thename is also applied to various other fishes in Europe, theUnited States, and the West Indies. 

Bony-Bream, i. Q. Sardine (q. V. ). 

Boobook, n. An owl. Ninox boobook (seeOwl); Athene boobook (Gould's `Birds ofAustralia, ' vol. I. Pl. 32). " From cry or note of bird. In theMukthang language of Central Gippsland, BawBaw, the mountain inGippsland, is this word as heard by the English ear. "(A. W. Howitt. ) In South Australia the word is used for amopoke. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of LinnaeanSociety, ' vol. Xv. P. 188:

"The native name of this bird, as Mr. Caley informs us, isBuck'buck. It may be heard nearly every night during winter, uttering a cry, corresponding with that word. . . . The lowerorder of the settlers in New South Wales are led away by theidea that everything is the reverse in that country to what itis in England : and the cuckoo, as they call this bird, singingby night, is one of the instances which they point out. "

1894. `The Argus, ' June 23, p. 11, col. 4:

"In most cases--it may not be in all--the familiar call, whichis supposed to sound like `More-pork, ' is not the mopoke (orpodargus) at all, but the hooting of a little rusty redfeather-legged owl, known as the Boobook. Its double note isthe opposite of the curlew, since the first syllable is dweltupon and the second sharp. An Englishman hearing it for thefirst time, and not being told that the bird was a `more-pork, 'would call it a night cuckoo. "

Booby, n. English bird-name. Used in Australiafor the Brown-Gannet. See Gannet. 

Boobyalla, or Boobialla, n. Theaboriginal name for the tree Acacia longifolia, Willd. , N. O. Leguminosae, also called Native Willow. Ariver in Tasmania bears the name of Boobyalla, the tree beingplentiful on the coast. 

1835. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p63:

"Acacia sophora. Sophora podded Acacia or Booby-aloe. This species forms a large shrub on the sand-hills of thecoast. "

1843. J. Backhouse, `Narrative of a Visit to the AustralianColonies, ' p. 59:

"The sandbanks at the mouth of Macquarie Harbour are coveredwith Boobialla, a species of Acacia, the roots of whichrun far in the sand. "

1855. J. Milligan, `Vocabulary of Dialects of the AboriginalTribes of Tasmania, ' `Proceedings of the Royal Society ofTasmania, ' vol. Iii. P. 238:

"Wattle tree--seaside. (Acacia Maritinia) Boobyallah. "

1861. Mrs. Meredith, `Over the Straits, ' vol. Ii. P. 62:

"Boobyalla bushes lay within the dash of the ceaseless spray. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 359:

"Boobyalla . . . An excellent tree for binding coast-sands. "

1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue, Economic Woods, ' p. 4:

"On the coast it is known by the native name, Boobyalla. "

Boomah, or Boomer, n. Name of a verylarge kangaroo, Macropus giganteus, Shaw. The spelling"boomah" seems due to a supposed native origin. Seequotation, 1872, the explanation in which is probablyerroneous. It is really from the verb to boom, to rush withviolence. 

1830. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 110:

"Snapped the boomah's haunches, and he turned round to offerbattle. "

1833. Lieut. Breton, `Excursions in New South Wales, WesternAustralia, and Van Diemen's Land, ' p. 251:

"Boomah. Implies a large kangaroo. "

Ibid. P. 254:

"The flying gin (gin is the native word for woman or female)is a boomah, and will leave behind every description of dog. "

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 244:

"The Great or Forest Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), the`Forester' of the Colonists. . . . The oldest and heaviest maleof the herd was called a `Boomer, ' probably a native term. "

1853. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 325:

"The forester (Macropus major, Shaw), the male beingknown by the name of `boomer, ' and the young female by that of`flying doe, ' is the largest and only truly gregariousspecies. "

1854. G. H. Haydon, `The Australian Emigrant, ' p. 124:

"It was of an old man kangaroo, a regular boomer. "

1855. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes, ' p. 169:

"An officer from Van Diemen's Land told me that he had oncekilled in that colony a kangaroo of such magnitude, that, beinga long way from home, he was unable, although on horseback, tocarry away any portion except the tail, which alone weighedthirty pounds. This species is called the boomah, and standsabout seven feet high. "

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta, ' vol. I. P. 47:

"Sometimes starting a grand boomah, or great red kangaroo. "

1862. F. J. Jobson, `Australia, ' c. V. P. 124:

"Some of the male kangaroos, called `boomers, ' were describedas being four or five feet high. "

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush, ' p. 55:

"The Boomer starts, and ponders What kind of beasts we be. "

1867. W. Richardson, `Tasmanian Poems, ' p. 26:

"The dogs gather round a `boomer' they've got. "

1872. Mrs. E. Millett, `An Australian Parsonage, ' p. 195:

"A tall old Booma, as the natives call the malekangaroo, can bring his head on a level with the face of a manon horseback. . . . A kangaroo's feet are, in fact, hisweapons of defence with which, when he is brought to bay, hetears his antagonists the dogs most dreadfully, and instancesare not wanting of even men having been killed by a large oldmale. No doubt this peculiar method of disposing of hisenemies has earned him the name of Booma, which in thenative language signifies to strike. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 16:

"As he plunged into the yellow waters, the dogs were once moreby his side, and again the `boomer' wheeled, and backed againstone of the big trees that stud these hollows. "

Applied generally to something very large. 

1885. `Australasian Printers' Keepsake, ' p. 76:

"When the shades of evening come, I choose a boomer of a gum. "

Boomerang, n. A weapon of the Australianaborigines, described in the quotations. The origin of theword is by no means certain. One explanation is that ofMr. Fraser in quotation, 1892. There may perhaps be anetymological connection with the name woomera (q. V. ), which is a different weapon, being a throwing stick, that is, an instrument with which to throw spears, whilst theboomerang is itself thrown; but the idea of throwing iscommon to both. In many parts the word is pronounced by theblacks bummerang. Others connect it with the aboriginal wordfor "wind, " which at Hunter River was burramaronga, alsoboomori. In New South Wales and South Queensland thereis a close correspondence between the terms for wind andboomerang. 

1827. Captain P. P. King, `Survey of Intertropical and WestCoasts of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 355:

"Boomerang is the Port Jackson term for this weapon, and maybe retained for want of a more descriptive name. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 108:

"We gambolled all the way up, throwing small pieces of bark ateach other, after the manner of the native youths, who practisethis with a view of strengthening their arms, and fitting themfor hurling a curious weapon of war called a `bomering, ' whichis shaped thus:" \ \ / /

Ibid. P. 280:

"Around their loins was the opossum belt, in one side of whichthey had placed their waddies, with which they meant to breakthe heads of their opponents, and on the other was thebomering, or stick, with which they threw their spears. "

[This is a confusion between boomerang andwoomera (q. V. ). Perhaps Mr. Dawson wrote the secondword, and this is a misprint. ]

1839. Major T. L. `Mitchell, `Three Expeditions into theInterior of Eastern Australia, ' vol. Ii. P. 348:

"The bommereng, or their usual missile, can be thrown by askilful hand, so as to rise upon the air, and thus to deviatefrom the usual path of projectiles, its crooked course being, nevertheless, equally under control. "

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 186:

"The admirable dexterity with which they fling the bomerangs. To our thinking the thrower was only sending the instrumentalong the ground, when suddenly, after spinning along it alittle way, it sprung up into the air, performing a circle, itscrescent shape spinning into a ring, constantly spinning roundand round, until it came and fell at his feet. "

1845. O. Wendell Holmes, `Modest Request' (in Poems):

"Like the strange missile which the Australian throws, Your verbal boomerang slaps you on the nose. "

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales, ' p. 39:

"This instrument, called a bommereng, is made of wood, and ismuch like the blade of a scimitar. I believe it has beenintroduced into England as a plaything for children. "

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849, ' p. 57:

"The boomerang is an extraordinary missile, formed in the shapeof a crescent, and when propelled at an object, apparentlypoint blank, it turns in any direction intended by thethrower, so that it can actually be directed in this manneragainst a person standing by his side. The consummate artvisible in its unnatural-looking progression greatly dependsupon the manner in which it is made to rebound from the groundwhen thrown. "

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. Ii. P. 107;

"He [Sir Thomas Mitchell] applied to the screw propeller therevolving principle of the boomerang of the Australiannatives. "

1867. G. G. McCrae, `Balladeadro, ' p. 25:

"While circling thro' the air there sang The swift careering boomerang. "

1888. A. Seth, `Encyclopaedia Britannica, ' vol. Xxiv. P. 530, col. 2:

"He [Archbishop Whately] was an adept in various savage sports, more especially in throwing the boomerang. "

1889. P. Beveridge, `Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina, ' p. 49:

"Boomerang: a thin piece of wood, having the shape of aparabola, about eighteen inches or two feet long from point topoint, the curve being on the thin side. Of the broad sides ofthe missile one is slightly convex, the other is flat. Thethin sides are worked down finely to blunt edges. The peculiarcurve of the missile gives it the property of returning to thefeet of the thrower. It is a dangerous instrument in a melee. Of course the wood from which it is made is highly seasoned byfire. It is therefore nearly as hard as flint. "

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

[A full description of the use of the boomerang is given, with illustrations. ]

"The boomerang is a curved, somewhat flat, and slender weapon, made from a hard and heavy wood, Brigalow (Acaciaexcelsa), or Myall (Acacia pendula), but the bestone I found was made of a lighter kind of wood. The curving ofthe boomerang, which often approaches a right angle, must benatural, and in the wood itself. One side is perfectly flat, and the other slightly rounded. The ends are pointed. "

1890. G. W. Rusden, `Proceedings, Royal Colonial Institute, ' vol. Xxii. P. 62:

"You hardly ever see an allusion in the English Press to theboomerang which does not refer to it as a weapon of war whichreturns to the thrower, whereas the returning boomerang is nota weapon of war, and the boomerang which is a weapon of wardoes not return to the thrower. There are many kinds ofboomerang--some for deadly strife, some for throwing at game, and the returning boomerang, which is framed only foramusement. If a native had no other missile at hand, he woulddispatch it at a flight of ducks. Its circular course, however, makes it unfit for such a purpose, and there is aspecial boomerang made for throwing at birds. The latter keepsa straight course, and a native could throw it more than twohundred yards. "

1892. J. Fraser, `The Aborigines of New South Wales, ' p. 69:

"The name bumarang has always hitherto been written boomerang;but, considered etymologically, that is wrong, for the root ofit is buma--strike, fight, kill; and -ara, -arai, -arang, areall of them common formative terminations. "

1893. `The Argus, ' July 1, p. 8, col. 7:

"`I tell you, sir, ' said Mr. Healy at an Irish politicalmeeting, `that there are at the present moment crystallizingin this city precedents which will some day come home toroost like a boomerang. '"

Boongary, n. The tree-kangaroo of NorthQueensland, a marsupial tree-climber, about the size of a largewallaby, Dendrolagus lumholtzii, Collett. A nativename. Bangaray = Red Kangaroo, in Governor Hunter'svocabulary of the Port Jackson dialect (1793). 

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 226:

"The tree-kangaroo is without comparison a better-proportionedanimal than the common kangaroo. The fore-feet, which arenearly as perfectly developed as the hind-feet, have largecrooked claws, while the hind-feet are somewhat like those of akangaroo, though not so powerful. The sole of the foot issomewhat broader and more elastic on account of a thick layerof fat under the skin. In soft ground its footprints are verysimilar to those of a child. The ears are small and erect, andthe tail is as long as the body of the animal. The skin istough, and the fur is very strong and beautiful. . . . Uponthe whole the boongary is the most beautiful mammal I have seenin Australia. It is a marsupial, and goes out only in thenight. During the day it sleeps in the trees, and feeds on theleaves. "

Bora, n. A rite amongst the aborigines ofeastern Australia; the ceremony of admitting a young black tothe rights of manhood. Aboriginal word. 

The word bur, given by Ridley, means not only girdle but`circle. ' In the man-making ceremonies a large circle is madeon the ground, where the ceremonies take place. 

1875. W. Ridley, `Kamilaroi, ' p. 24:

"Girdle--bor or bur. Hence Bora, the ceremony of initiationinto manhood, where the candidate is invested with the belt ofmanhood. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 24:

"The great mystery of the Blacks is the Bora--a ceremony atwhich the young men found worthy receive the rank of warriors. "

1892. J. Fraser, `Aborigines of New South Wales, ' p. 6:

"These ceremonies are . . . Called the Bora. "

Borage, Native, n. A plant, Pollichiazeylanica, F. V. M. , N. O. Boragineae. The so-calledNative Borage is not endemic to Australia. In India itis used as a cure for snake bites. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 124:

"The native borage (Trichodesina zeylanica, R. Br. ). "

Borak, n. Aboriginal word of New South Wales, meaning banter, chaff, fun at another's expense. (Seequotation, 1845. ) Prior to 1870 the word was much in use onthe stations in New South Wales. About 1870 Victorian farmers'sons took shearing work there, and brought back the word withthem. It was subsequently altered to barrack (q. V. ). 

1845. C. Griffith, `Present State and Prospects of the PortPhillip District of New South Wales, ' p. 162:

"The following is a specimen of such eloquence:--`Youpilmillally jumbuck, plenty sulky me, plenty boom, borackgammon, ' which, being interpreted, means--`If you steal mysheep I shall be very angry, and will shoot you and nomistake. '"

1856. W. W. Dobie, `Recollections of a Visit to Port Phillip, Australia, in 1852-55' p. 93:

". . . He gravely assured me that it was `merrijig' (verygood), and that `blackfellow doctor was far better thanwhitefellow doctor. ' In proof of which he would say, `Borakyou ever see black fellow with waddie (wooden) leg. Bungalallee white fellow doctor cut him leg, borak blackfellow stupid like it that. "

1885. `Australasian Printers' Keepsake, ' p. 75:

"On telling him my adventures, how Bob in my misery had `pokedborack' at me. . . . "

1888. Alfred J. Chandler, ' Curley' in `Australian Poets, '1788-1888, ed. Sladen, p. 100:

"Here broke in Super Scotty, `Stop Your borak, give the bloomin' man a show. '"

1893. `The Argus, ' Aug. 26, p. 13, col. 1:

"It does not do for a man whose mission it is to wear stuff anda horse-hair wig to `poke borak' at that venerable andeminently respectable institution--the law, and still worse isit for a practising barrister to actually set to work, even inthe most kindly spirit, to criticise the judges, before whom atany moment he may be called upon to plead. "

Borboby, n. I. Q. Corrobbery (q. V. ), butthe word is rare. 

1890. Carl Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals' [Title of illustration], p. 122:

"A warrior in great excitement just before Borboby commences. "

Boree, n. Aboriginal name for the treeAcacia pendula, A. Cunn. , N. O. Leguminosae; avariety of Myall, probably from Queensland aboriginalword Booreah, fire. It would be preferred by black orwhite man as firewood over any other timber exceptgiddea (q. V. ). 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 363:

"Weeping, or true myall. It is sometimes called bastard gidgeein Western New South Wales. Called boree by aboriginals, andoften boree, or silver-leaf boree, by the colonists of WesternNew South Wales. Nilyah is another New South Wales name. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' iii. P. 30:

"Myall and boree belts of timbers. "

1893. `The Times, ' [Reprint] `Letters from Queensland, ' p. 6o:

"The timber, of course, when seen close at hand is strange. Boree and gidyah, coolibah and whitewood, brigelow, mulgah, andmyall are the unfamiliar names by which you learn to recognisethe commonest varieties. "

Borer, n. Name applied to an Australian insect. See quotation. 

1876. W. Harcus, `South Australia, ' p. 110:

"There is another destructive insect called the `borer, ' notmet with near the sea-coast, but very active and mischievousinland, its attacks being chiefly levelled against timber. This creature is about the size of a large fly. "

Boronia, n. Scientific and vernacular name of agenus of Australian plants, certain species of which are notedfor their peculiar fragrance. The genus is especiallycharacteristic of West Australia, to which out of fifty-ninespecies thirty-three are confined, while only five are known inTasmania. Boronia belongs to the N. O. Rutaceae. 

1835. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 72:

"Boronia variabilis. A beautiful little heath-likeplant growing about the Cascade and other hills round aboutHobart Town. . . . This genus is named after Borone, anItalian servant of the late Dr. Sibthorp, who perished atAthens. . . . Another species found in Van Diemen's Land is theLemon plant of the mountains. "

1896. `The Melburnian, ' vol. Xxii. , No. 3, August 28, p. 53:

"Winter does not last for ever, and now at each street cornerthe scent of boronia and the odour of wattle-blossom greet usfrom baskets of the flower-girl. "

Boss-cockie, n. A slang name in the bush for afarmer, larger than a Cockatoo (see Cockatoo, n. 2), whoemploys other labour as well as working himself. 

Botany Bay, n. Lying to the south of theentrance to Port Jackson, New South Wales, the destination ofthe first two shiploads of convicts from England. As a matterof fact, the settlement at Botany Bay never existed. The"First Fleet, " consisting of eleven sail under GovernorPhillip, arrived at Botany Bay on January 18, 1788. TheGovernor finding the place unsuitable for a settlement did notland his people, but on January 25 removed the fleet to PortJackson. On the next day (January 26) he landed his people atSydney Cove, and founded the city of Sydney. The name, however, citing to popular imagination, and was used sometimesas the name of Australia. Seventy years after GovernorPhillip, English schoolboys used "go to Botany Bay" as anequivalent to "go to Bath. " Captain Cook and his naturalists, Banks and Solander, landed at Botany Bay, and the name wasgiven (not at first, when the Bay was marked Stingray, but alittle later) from the large number of plants collected there. 

1770. `Captain Cook's Original Journal, ' ed. By Wharton, 1893, p. 247:

"6 May. . . . The great quantity of plants Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander found in this place occasioned my giving it the Nameof Botany Bay. "

1789. [Title]:

"The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay, " published inLondon. 

1789. Captain Watkin Tench [Title]: "A Narrative of theExpedition to Botany Bay, " published in London. 

1793 G. Barrington [Title]:

"Voyage to Botany Bay, " [published in London. ]

This was the popular book on the new settlement, the othersbeing high priced. As Lowndes says, "A work of no authority, but frequently printed. " Barrington, the pickpocket, whosename it bears, had nothing to do with it. It was pirated fromPhillip, Collins, etc. It went through various editions andenlargements to 1810 or later. After 1795 the name was alteredto `Voyage to New South Wales. '

1798. D. Collins, `Account of the English Colony in New SouthWales, ' vol. I. P. 502:

"The word `Botany Bay' became a term of reproach that wasindiscriminately cast on every one who resided in New SouthWales. "

1840. Thos. Hood, `Tale of a Trumpet:

 "The very next dayShe heard from her husband at Botany Bay. "

1851. Rev. David Mackenzie, `Ten Years in Australia, ' p. 50:

". . . A pair of artificially black eyes being the Botany Baycoat of arms. "

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' Vol. Ii. P. 91:

"Some gentlemen, on a visit to a London theatre, to draw theattention of their friends in an opposite box, called outcooey; a voice in the gallery answered `Botany Bay!'"

1894. `Pall Mall Budget, ' May 17, p. 20, col. 1:

"The owner of the ship was an ex-convict in Sydney--then calledBotany Bay--who had waxed wealthy on the profits of rum, andthe `shangai-ing' of drugged sailors. "

Botany-Bay Greens, n. A vegetable common to allthe colonies, Atriplex cinereum, Poir, N. O. Salsolaceae. 

1810. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, ' p. 263:

"Botany Bay greens are abundant; they much resemble sage inappearance; and are esteemed a very good dish by theEuropeans. "

1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual, ' p. 134:

"I do not think it necessary to enter upon any description ofthe Barilla shrubs (Atriplex halimus, Rhagodurbillardiera; and Salicornia arbuscula), which, withsome others, under the promiscuous name of Botany Bay greens, were boiled and eaten along with some species of seaweed, bythe earliest settlers, when in a state of starvation. "

1835. Ibid. P. 69:

"Atriplex Halimus. Barrilla. Botany Bay Greens. This is theplant so common on the shores of Cape Barren and other islandsof the Straits, from which the alkaline salt is obtained andbrought up in boats to the soap manufactory at Hobart Town. Ithas been set down as the same plant that grows on the coast ofSpain and other parts of Europe. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 9:

"Once used as a pot-herb in New South Wales. Leichhardt used aspecies of Atriplex as a vegetable, and spoke veryhighly of it. "

Botany-Bay Oak, or Botany-Bay Wood, n. A trade name in England for the timber ofCasuarina. See Beef-wood. 

Bottle-brush, n. Name given to various speciesof Callistemon and Melaleuca, N. O. Myrtaceae; the Purple Bottle-brush isMelaleuca squamea, Lab. The name is also more rarelygiven to species of Banksia, or Honeysuckle(q. V. ). The name bottle-brush is from the resemblanceof the large handsome blossoms to the brush used to clean outwine-bottles. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 359:

"Red Bottle-brush. The flowers of some species ofCallistemon are like bottle-brushes in shape. "

Bottle-Gourd, n. An Australian plant, Lagenaria vulgaris, Ser. , N. O. Cucurbitaceae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 192:

"Bottle Gourd. This plant, so plentiful along the tropicalcoast of Queensland, is said to be a dangerous poison. It issaid that some sailors were killed by drinking beer that hadbeen standing for some time in a bottle formed of one of thesefruits. (F. M. Bailey. )"

Bottle-Swallow, n. A popular name for the birdLagenoplastis ariel, otherwise called the FairyMartin. See Martin. The name refers to the bird'speculiar retort shaped nest. Lagenoplashs is from theGreek lagaenos, a flagon, and plautaes, a modeller. The nests are often constructed in clusters under rocks or theeaves of buildings. The bird is widely distributed inAustralia, and has occurred in Tasmania. 

Bottle-tree, n. An Australian tree, variousspecies of Sterculia, i. Q. Kurrajong (q. V. ). Sonamed from its appearance. See quotations. 

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 264:

"The sterculia, or bottle-tree, is a very singular curiosity. It generally varies in shape between a soda-water and port-winebottle, narrow at the basis, gradually widening at the middle, and tapering towards the neck. "

1848. L. Leichhardt, Letter in `Cooksland, by J. D. Lang, p. 91:

"The most interesting tree of this Rosewood Brush is the truebottle-tree, a strange-looking unseemly tree, which swellsslightly four to five feet high, and then tapers rapidly into asmall diameter; the foliage is thin, the crown scanty andirregular, the leaves lanceolate, of a greyish green; theheight of the whole tree is about forty-five feet. "

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery andExploration of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 127:

"It was on this range (Lat. 26 degrees, 42') that Mitchell sawthe bottle-tree for the first time. It grew like an enormouspear-shaped turnip, with only a small portion of the root inthe ground. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 60:

"A `Kurrajong. ' The `Bottle-tree' of N. E. Australia, and alsocalled `Gouty-stem, ' on account of the extraordinary shape ofthe trunk. It is the `Binkey' of the aboriginals. 

"The stem abounds in a mucilaginous substance resembling puretragacanth, which is wholesome and nutritious, and is said tobe used as an article of food by the aborigines in cases ofextreme need. A similar clear jelly is obtainable by pouringboiling water on chips of the wood. "

Bottom, n. In gold-mining, the old river-bedupon which the wash-dirt rests, and upon which the richestalluvial gold is found; sometimes called the gutter. 

1887. H. H. Hayter, `Christmas Adventure, ' p. 5:

"We reached the bottom, but did not find gold. "

Bottom, v. To get to the bedrock, or clay, below which it was useless to sink (gold-mining). 

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, ' c. Xv. P. 219:

"In their anxiety to bottom their claims, they not seldom threwaway the richest stuff. "

Boundary-rider, n. A man who rides round thefences of a station to see that they are in order. 

1890. E. W. Hornung, `A Bride from the Bush, ' p. 279:

"A boundary-rider is not a `boss' in the Bush, but he is animportant personage in his way. He sees that the sheep in hispaddock draw to the water, that there is water for them to drawto, and that the fences and gates are in order. He is paidfairly, and has a fine, free, solitary life. "

1892. `Scribner's Magazine, ' Feb. , p. 147:

"The manager's lieutenants are the `boundary-riders, ' whoseduty it is to patrol the estate and keep him informed uponevery portion of it. "

Bower-bird n. Australian bird. See quotation, 1891. See Ptilonorhynchinae. The following are thevarieties---

Fawn-breasted Bower-bird-- Chlamydoderea cerviniventris, Gould. 

Golden B. --

 Prionodura newtoniana, De Vis. 

Great B. --

 Chlambydodera nuchalis, Gould (`Birds of Australia, 'vol. Iv. Pl. 9). 

Queensland B. --

 C. Orientalis, Gould. 

Satin B. --

 Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, Vieillot. 

Spotted B. --

 Chlamydodera maculata, Gould (ibid. Pl. 8). 

Yellow-spotted B. --

 C. Gutttata, Gould. 

And the Regent-bird (q. V. ). 

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 140:

"The same person had the last season found, to his surprise, the playhouse, or bower, of the Australian satin bower-bird. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 28:

"Any shred of glass or metal which arrests the eye or reflectsthe rays of the sun is a gem in the bower-bird's collection, which seems in a sense to parody the art decorations of amodern home. "

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

"In one is a representation of the playing place of the spottedbowerbird. These bowers are quite independent of the birds'nests, which are built on neighbouring trees. They firstconstruct a covered passage or bower about three feet long, andnear it they place every white or bright object they can find, such as the bleached bones of animals, pieces of white orcoloured stone, feathers, shells, etc. , etc. ; the feathers theyplace on end. When these curious playing places were firstdiscovered, they were thought to be made by the native womenfor the amusement of their children. More than a bushel ofsmall pieces of bleached bones or shells are often found at oneof these curious sporting places. Sometimes a dozen or morebirds will assemble, and they delight in chasing each otherthrough the bower and playing about it. "

Box, Box-tree, Box-gum, n. The name is applied to many Eucalypts, and toa few trees of the genus Tristania, as given below, allof the N. O. Myrtaceae, chiefly from the qualities oftheir timber, which more or less resembles "Boxwood. " Most ofthese trees also bear other vernacular names, and the same treeis further often described vernacularly as different kinds ofBox. China-, Heath-, and Native-Box (q. V. Below)are of other Natural Orders and receive their names ofBox from other reasons. The following table is compiledfrom Maiden:--

Bastard Box-- Eucalyptus goniocalyx, F. V. M. ; E. Largiflorens, F. V. M. (called also Cooburn); E. Longifolia, Link. ; E. Microtheca, F. V. M. ; E. Polyanthema, F. V. M. ; E. Populifolia, Hook. (called also Bembil or Bimbil Box and Red Box); Tristania conferta, R. Br. ; T. Laurana, R. Br. , all of the N. O. Myrtaceae. 

Black Box-- Eucalyptus obliqua, L'Herit. ; E. Largiflorens, F. V. M. ; E. Microtheca, F. V. M. 

Brisbane Box--- Tristania conferta, R. Br. 

Broad-leaved Box-- Eucalyptus acmenoides, Schau. 

Brown Box-- Eucalyptus polyanthema, Schau. 

Brush Box-- Tristania conferta, R. Br. 

China Box-- Murraya exotica, Linn. , N. O. Rutaceae (not a tree, but a perfume plant, which is found also in India and China). 

Dwarf, or Flooded Box-- Eucalyptus microtheca, F. V. M. (Also called Swamp Gum, from its habit of growing on land inundated during flood time. An aboriginal name for the same tree is goborro. )

Grey Box-- Eucalyptus goniocalyx, F. V. M. ; E. Hemiphloia, F. V. M. ; E. Largiflorens, F. V. M. ; E. Polyanthema, Schau. ; E. Saligna, Smith. 

Gum-topped Box-- Eucalyptus hemiphloia, F. V. M. 

Heath Box-- Alyxia buxifolia, R. Br. , N. O. Apocyneae (called also Tonga-beanwood, owing to its scent)

Iron-bark Box-- Eucalyptus obliqua, L'Herit. 

Narrow-leaved Box-- Eucalyptus microtheca, F. V. M. 

Native Box-- Bursaria spinosa, Cav. , N. O. Pittosporeae. (Called also Box-thorn and Native-Olive. It is not a timber-tree but a forage-plant. See quotation, 1889. )

Poplar Box-- Eucalyptus populifolia, Hook. 

Red Box-- Eucalyptus populifolia, Hook. ; E. Polyanthema, Schau. ; Tristaniaconferta, R. Br. 

Thozet's Box-- Eucalyptus raveretiana, F. V. M. 

White Box-- Eucalyptus hemiphloia, F. V. M. ; E. Odorata, Behr. ; E. Populifolia, Hook. ; Tristania conferta, R. Br. 

Yellow Box-- Eucalyptus hemiphloia, F. V. M. E. Largiflorens, F. V. M. E. Melliodora, A. Cunn. 

1820. John Oxley, `Two Expeditions, ' p. 126:

"The country continued open forest land for about three miles, the cypress and the bastard-box being the prevailing timber;of the former many were useful trees. "

1838. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, vol. Ii. P. 55:

"The small kind of tree . . . Which Mr. Oxley, I believe, termsthe dwarf-box, grows only on plains subject to inundation. . . . It may be observed, however, that all permanent watersare invariably surrounded by the `yarra. ' These peculiaritiesare only ascertained after examining many a hopeless hollow, where grew the `goborro' only; and after I had found my sableguides eagerly scanning the `yarra' from afar, when in searchof water, and condemning any view of the `goborro' as hopelessduring that dry season. "

[See Yarra, a tree. ]

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. Ii. P. 6:

"Belts of open forest land, principally composed of thebox-tree of the colonists, a species of eucalyptus (in norespect resembling the box of Europe). "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 15:

"The Honey-Eucalypt (Eucalyptus melliodora). This treepasses by the very unapt vernacular name Yellow Box-tree, though no portion of it is yellow, not even its wood, andthough the latter resembles the real boxwood in no waywhatever. Its systematic specific name alludes to the odour ofits flowers, like that of honey, and as the blossoms exude muchnectar, like most eucalypts, sought by bees, it is proposed tocall it the small-leaved Honey-Eucalypt, but the Latin namemight as easily be conveyed to memory, with the advantage ofits being a universal one, understood and used by all nations. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 46:

"Poor country, covered with ti-tree, box, and iron-barksaplings, with here and there heavy timber growing onsour-looking ridges. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 7:

"The clumps of box-gums clinging together for sympathy. "

1888. J. Howlett Ross, `Laureate of the Centaurs, ' p. 41:

"Box shrubs which were not yet clothed with their creamy-whiteplumes (so like the English meadowsweet). "

1889. P. Beveridge, `Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina, 'p. 59:

"These spears are principally made from a tall-growing box (oneof the eucalypts) which often attains to an altitude of over100 feet; it is indigenous to the north-western portion of thecolony, and to Riverina; it has a fine wavy grain, consequentlyeasily worked when in a green state. When well seasoned, however, it is nearly as hard as ebony. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 121:

"Native box is greedily eaten by sheep, but its thornycharacter preserves it from extinction upon sheep-runs: usuallya small scrub, in congenial localities it developes into asmall tree. "

Box, n. See succeeding verb. 

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 67:

"Great care must of course be taken that no two flocks comeinto collision, for a `box, ' as it is technically called, causes an infinity of trouble, which is the reason that thestations are so far apart. "

Box, v. To mix together sheep that ought to bekept separate apparently from "to box" in the sense of to shutup in narrow limits (`O. E. D. ' v. I. 5); then to shut uptogether and so confuse the classification; then the sense ofshutting up is lost and that of confusion remains. 

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 253:

"All the mobs of different aged lambs which had been hithertokept apart were boxed up together. "

1889. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms, ' p. 356:

"After they'd got out twenty or thirty they'd get boxed, like anew hand counting sheep, and have to begin all over again. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 84:

"At nightfall, the fifteen flocks of sheep were all brought in, and `boxed, ' or mixed together, to Ernest's astonishment. "

1890. Tasma, `In her Earliest Youth, ' p. 166:

"He must keep tally when the sheep are being counted ordraughted, I'm not sure which, and swear--no, he needn'tswear--when they get boxed. "

1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River, ' p. 54:

"But the travelling sheep and the Wilga sheep were boxed on the Old Man Plain. 'Twas a full week's work ere they drafted out and hunted them off again. "

Boxer, n. This word means in Australia thestiff, low-crowned, felt hat, called a billy-cock orbowler. The silk-hat is called a bell-topper(q. V. ). 

1897. `The Argus, ' Jan. 9, p. 14, col. 2:

"And will you wear a boxer that is in a battered state ? I wonder, will you--now that you're a knight?"

Box-wood, n. A New Zealand wood, Olealanceolata, Hook. , N. O. Jasminea (Maori name, Maire). Used by the `Wellington Independent' (April 19, 1845) for woodcuts, and recommended as superior to box-wood forthe purpose. See also Box, n. 

Boyla, n. Aboriginal word for a sorcerer. 

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. I. P. 384:

"The absolute power of boylas or evil sorcerers . . . Hechanted gloomily:--

 Oh, wherefore would they eat the muscles? Now boylas storm and thunder make. Oh, wherefore would they eat the muscles ?"

Bramble, Native, n. See Blackberry. 

Bread, Native, n. A kind of fungus. "Thesclerotium of Polyporus mylitta, C. Et M. Until quiterecently the sclerotium was known, but not the fructification. It was thought probable that its fruit would be ascomycetous, and on the authority of Berkeley it was made the type of agenus as Mylitta Australis. It is found throughoutEastern Australia and Tasmania. The aborigines ate it, but tothe European palate it is tough and tasteless, and probably asindigestible as leather. " (L. Rodway. )

1843. James Backhouse, `Narrative of a Visit to the AustralianColonies, ' p. 40:

"Natural Order. Fungi. . . . Mylitta Australis. NativeBread. This species of tuber is often found in the Colony, attaining to the size of a child's head: its taste somewhatresembles boiled rice. Like the heart of the Tree-fern, andthe root of the Native Potato, cookery produces little change. "

1848. `Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of VanDiemen's Land, ' vol. I. P. 157:

"11th October, 1848 . . . Specimens of the fungus knownas `native bread, ' Mylitta Australis, lay upon thetable. A member observed that this substance, grated and madeinto a pudding with milk alone, had been found by him verypalatable. Prepared in the same way, and combined with doubleits weight of rice or sago, it has produced a very superiordish. It has also been eaten with approval in soup, after themanner of truffle, to which it is nearly allied. "

1857. Dr. Milligan, in Bishop Nixon's `Cruise of the Beacon, 'p. 27:

"But that which afforded the largest amount of solid andsubstantial nutritious matter was the native bread, afungus growing in the ground, after the manner of the truffle, and generally so near the roots of trees as to be reputedparasitical. "

1896. `Hobart Mercury, ' Oct. 30, p. 2, last col. :

"A large specimen of `native bread, ' weighing 12 lb. , has beenunearthed on Crab Tree farm in the Huon district, byMr. A. Cooper. It has been brought to town, and is beingexamined with interest by many at the British Hotel. It is oneof the fungi tribe that forms hard masses of stored food forfuture use. "

Breadfruit-tree, name given by the explorer Leichhardtto the Queensland tree, Gardenia edulis, F. V. M. , N. O. Rubiaceae. 

Breakaway, n. (1) A bullock that leaves theherd. 

1893. `The Argus, ' April 29, p. 4, col. 4:

"The smartest stock horse that ever brought his rider up withinwhip distance of a breakaway or dodged the horns of a sulkybeast, took the chance. "

(2) The panic rush of sheep, cattle, or other animals at thesight or smell of water. 

1891: "The Breakaway, " title of picture by Tom Roberts atVictorian Artists' Exhibition. 

Bream, n. The name is applied in Australia tovarious species of Chrysophrys, family Sparidae, and to other fishes of different families. TheBlack-Bream (q. V. ) is C. Australis, Gunth. The Bony-Bream is also called the Sardine (q. V. ). The Silver-Bream (q. V. ) or White-Bream isGerres ovatus, Gunth. , family Percidae. TheRed-Bream is a Schnapper (q. V. ) one year old. Thepopular pronunciation is Brim, and the fishes are alldifferent from the various fishes called Bream in thenorthern hemisphere. See also Tarwhine andBlue-fish. 

Brickfielder, n. (1) Originally a Sydney namefor a cold wind, blowing from the south and accompanied byblinding clouds of dust; identical with the later name for thewind, the Southerly Buster (q. V. ). The brickfields layto the south of Sydney, and when after a hot wind from the westor north-west, the wind went round to the south, it wasaccompanied by great clouds of dust, brought up from thebrickfields. These brickfields have long been a thing of thepast, surviving only in "Brickfield Hill, " the hilly part ofGeorge Street, between the Cathedral and the Railway Station. The name, as denoting a cold wind, is now almost obsolete, andits meaning has been very curiously changed and extended toother colonies to denote a very hot wind. See below (Nos. 2and 3), and the notes to the quotations. 

1833. Lieut. Breton, R. N. , `Excursions in New South Wales andVan Diemen's Land, ' p. 293:

"It sometimes happens that a change takes place from a hot windto a `brickfielder, ' on which occasions the thermometer hasbeen known to fall, within half an hour, upwards of fiftydegrees! That is to say, from above 100 degrees to 50degrees! A brickfielder is a southerly wind, and it takes itslocal name from the circumstances of its blowing over, andbringing into town the flames [sic] of a large brick-field: itis nearly as detestable as a hot wind. "

[Lieut. Breton must have had a strong imagination. Thebrickfields, at that date, were a mile away from the town, andthe bringing in of their flames was an impossibility. Perhaps, however, the word is a misprint for fumes; yeteven then this earliest quotation indicates part of the sourceof the subsequent confusion of meaning. The maincharacteristic of the true brickfielder was neitherflames nor fumes, --and certainly not heat, --butchoking dust. ]

1839. W. H. Leigh, `Reconnoitering Voyages, Travels, andAdventures in the new Colony of South Australia, ' etc. , p. 184:

"Whirlwinds of sand come rushing upon the traveller, halfblinding and choking him, --a miniature sirocco, and decidedlycousin-german to the delightful sandy puffs so frequent at CapeTown. The inhabitants call these miseries `Brickfielders, ' butwhy they do so I am unable to divine; probably because they arein their utmost vigour on a certain hill here, where bricks aremade. "

[This writer makes no allusion to the temperature of the wind, whether hot or cold, but lays stress on its especialcharacteristic, the dust. His comparison with the siroccochiefly suggests the clouds of sand brought by that wind fromthe Libyan Desert, with its accompanying thick haze anddarkness (`half blinding and choking'), rather than itsrelaxing warmth. ]

1844. John Rae, `Sydney Illustrated, ' p. 26:

"The `brickfielder' is merely a colonial name for a violentgust of wind, which, succeeding a season of great heat, rushesin to supply the vacuum and equalises the temperature of theatmosphere; and when its baneful progress is marked, sweepingover the city in thick clouds of brick-coloured dust (from thebrickfields), it is time for the citizens to close the doorsand windows of their dwellings, and for the sailor to take morethan half his canvas in, and prepare for a storm. "

[Here the characteristic is again dust from thebrickfields, as the origin of the name, with cold as anaccompaniment. ]

1844. Mrs. Meredith, `Notes and Sketches of New South Wales, 'p. 44:

"These dust winds are locally named `brickfielders, ' from thedirection in which they come" [i. E. From neighbouringsandhills, called the brickfields]. 

[Here dust is the only characteristic observed, with thedirection of the wind as the origin of its name. ]

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales, ' p. 4:

"The greatest peculiarity in the climate is what is called bycolonists a brickfielder. This wind has all thecharacteristics of a sirocco in miniature . . . . Returninghome, he discovers that the house is full of sand; that thebrickfielder has even insinuated itself between the leaves ofhis books; at dinner he will probably find that his favouritefish has been spoiled by the brickfielder. Nor is this all;for on retiring to rest he will find that the brickfielder hasintruded even within the precincts of his musquito curtains. "

[Here again its dust is noted as the distinguishingfeature of the wind, just as sand is the distinguishing featureof the `sirocco' in the Libyan Desert, and precipitatedsand, --`blood rain' or `red snow, '--a chief character of thesirocco after it reaches Italy. ]

1847. Alex. Marjoribanks, `Travels in New South Wales, ' p. 61:

"The hot winds which resemble the siroccos in Sicily are, however, a drawback . . . But they are almost invariablysucceeded by what is there called a `brickfielder, ' which is astrong southerly wind, which soon cools the air, and greatlyreduces the temperature. "

[Here the cold temperature of the brickfielder is described, but not its dust, and the writer compares the hot windwhich precedes the brickfielder with the sirocco. He in factthinks only of the heat of the sirocco, but the two precedingwriters are thinking of its sand, its thick haze, its qualityof blackness and its suffocating character, --all whichapplied accurately to the true brickfielder. ]

1853. Rev. H. Berkeley Jones, `Adventures in Australia in 1852and 1853, ' p. 228:

"After the languor, the lassitude, and enervation which somepersons experience during these hot blasts, comes the`Brickfielder, ' or southerly burster. "

[Cold temperature noticed, but not dust. ]

1853. `Fraser's Magazine, ' 48, p. 515:

"When the wind blows strongly from the southward, it is whatthe Sydney people call a `brickfielder'; that is, it carrieswith it dense clouds of red dust or sand, like brick dust, swept from the light soil which adjoins the town on that side, and so thick that the houses and streets are actually hidden;it is a darkness that may be felt. "

[Here it is the dust, not the temperature, whichdetermines the name. ]

(2) The very opposite to the original meaning, --a severe hotwind. In this inverted sense the word is now used, but notfrequently, in Melbourne and in Adelaide, and sometimes even inSydney, as the following quotations show. It will be notedthat one of them (1886) observes the original primecharacteristic of the wind, its dust. 

1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketches, ' p. 79:

"She passed a gang of convicts, toiling in a broiling`brickfielder. '"

1862. F. J. Jobson, `Australia with Notes by the Way, ' p. 155:

"The `brickfielders' are usually followed, before the daycloses, with `south-busters' [sic. ]. "

1886. F. Cowan, `Australia, a Charcoal Sketch':

"The Buster and Brickfielder: austral red-dust blizzard;and red-hot Simoom. "

This curious inversion of meaning (the change from cold to hot)may be traced to several causes. It may arise--

(a) From the name itself. People in Melbourne and Adelaide, catching at the word brickfielder as a name for adusty wind, and knowing nothing of the origin of thename, would readily adapt it to their own severe hot northwinds, which raise clouds of dust all day, and are describedaccurately as being `like a blast from a furnace, ' or `thebreath of a brick-kiln. ' Even a younger generation in Sydney, having received the word by colloquial tradition, losing itsorigin, and knowing nothing of the old brickfields, might applythe word to a hot blast in the same way. 

(b) From the peculiar phenomenon. --A certain cyclonic change oftemperature is a special feature of the Australian coastaldistricts. A raging hot wind from the interior desert (northwind in Melbourne and Adelaide, west wind in Sydney) will blowfor two or three days, raising clouds of dust; it will besuddenly succeeded by a `Southerly Buster' from theocean, the cloud of dust being greatest at the moment ofchange, and the thermometer falling sometimes forty or fiftydegrees in a few minutes. The Sydney word brickfielderwas assigned originally to the latter part--the dustycold change. Later generations, losing the finer distinction, applied the word to the whole dusty phenomenon, and ultimatelyspecialized it to denote not so much the extreme dustiness ofits later period as the more disagreeable extreme heat of itsearlier phase. 

(c) From the apparent, though not real, confusion of terms, bythose who have described it as a `sirocco. '--The wordsirocco (spelt earlier schirocco, and in Spanishand other languages with the sh sound, not the s)is the Italian equivalent of the Arabic root sharaga, `it rose. ' The name of the wind, sirocco, alludes inits original Arabic form to its rising, with its cloud of sand, in the desert high-lands of North Africa. True, it is definedby Skeat as `a hot wind, ' but that is only a part of itsdefinition. Its marked characteristic is that it issand-laden, densely hazy and black, and therefore`choking, ' like the brickfielder. The not unnaturalassumption that writers by comparing a brickfielder witha sirocco, thereby imply that a brickfielder is ahot wind, is thus disposed of by this characteristic, and bythe notes on the passages quoted. They were dwelling only onits choking dust, and its suffocating qualities, --`aminiature sirocco. ' See the following quotations on thischaracter of the sirocco:--

1841. `Penny Magazine, ' Dec. 18, p. 494:

"The Islands of Italy, especially Sicily and Corfu, arefrequently visited by a wind of a remarkable character, towhich the name of sirocco, scirocco, or schirocco, has beenapplied. The thermometer rises to a great height, but the airis generally thick and heavy . . . . People confine themselveswithin doors; the windows and doors are shut close, to preventas much as possible the external air from entering; . . . But afew hours of the tramontane, or north wind whichgenerally succeeds it, soon braces them up again. [Compare thiswhole phenomenon with (b) above. ] There are some peculiarcircumstances attending the wind. . . . Dr. Benza, an Italianphysician, states:--`When the sirocco has been impetuous andviolent, and followed by a shower of rain, the rain has carriedwith it to the ground an almost impalpable red micaceous sand, which I have collected in large quantities more than once inSicily. . . . When we direct our attention to the island ofCorfu, situated some distance eastward of Sicily, we find thesirocco assuming a somewhat different character. . . . Themore eastern sirocco might be called a refreshing breeze[sic]. . . . The genuine or black sirocco (as it is called)blows from a point between south-east and south-south-east. '"

1889. W. Ferrell, `Treatise on Winds, ' p. 336:

"The dust raised from the Sahara and carried northward by thesirocco often falls over the countries north of theMediterranean as `blood rain, ' or as `red snow, ' the moistureand the sand falling together. . . . The temperature never risesabove 95 degrees. "

1889. `The Century Dictionary, ' s. V. Sirocco:

"(2) A hot, dry, dust-laden wind blowing from the highlands ofAfrica to the coasts of Malta, Sicily and Naples. . . . Duringits prevalence the sky is covered with a dense haze. "

(3) The illustrative quotations on brickfielder, up tothis point, have been in chronological consecutive order. Thefinal three quotations below show that while the original truedefinition and meaning, (1), are still not quite lost, yetauthoritative writers find it necessary to combat the modernpopular inversion, (2). 

1863. Frank Fowler, `The Athenaeum, ' Feb. 21, p. 264, col. 1:

"The `brickfielder' is not the hot wind at all; it is butanother name for the cold wind, or southerly buster, whichfollows the hot breeze, and which, blowing over an extensivesweep of sandhills called the Brickfields, semi-circlingSydney, carries a thick cloud of dust (or `brickfielder')across the city. "

[The writer is accusing Dr. Jobson (see quotation 1862, above)of plagiarism from his book `Southern Lights and Shadows. ']

1890. Lyth, `Golden South, ' vol. Ii. P. 11:

"A dust which covered and penetrated everything and everywhere. This is generally known as a `brickfielder. '"

1896. `Three Essays on Australian Weather, ' `On SoutherlyBuster, ' by H. A. Hunt, p. 17:

"In the early days of Australian settlement, when the shores ofPort Jackson were occupied by a sparse population, and theregion beyond was unknown wilderness and desolation, a greatpart of the Haymarket was occupied by the brickfields fromwhich Brickfield Hill takes its name. When a `SoutherlyBurster' struck the infant city, its approach was alwaysheralded by a cloud of reddish dust from this locality, and inconsequence the phenomenon gained the local name of`brickfielder. ' The brickfields have long since vanished, andwith them the name to which they gave rise, but the windcontinues to raise clouds of dust as of old under its modernname of `Southerly Burster. "

Bricklow, n. Obsolete form of Brigalow(q. V. ). 

Brigalow, n. And adj. Spellings various. Native name, Buriargalah. In the Namoi dialect in NewSouth Wales, Bri or Buri is the name forAcacia pendula, Cunn. ; Buriagal, relating to theburi; Buriagalah == place of the buri tree. Anyone of several species of Acacia, especiallyA. Harpophylla, F. V. M. , H. O. Leguminosae. J. H. Maiden (`Useful Native Plants, ' p. 356, 1889) gives its usesthus:

"Wood brown, hard, heavy, and elastic; used by the natives forspears, boomerangs, and clubs. The wood splits freely, and isused for fancy turnery. Saplings used as stakes in vineyardshave lasted twenty years or more. It is used for buildingpurposes, and has a strong odour of violets. '

1846. L. Leichhardt, quoted by J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, 'p. 312:

"Almost impassable bricklow scrub, so called from the bricklow(a species of acacia). "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 4:

"The Bricklow Acacia, which seems to be identical with theRosewood Acacia of Moreton Bay; the latter, however, is a finetree, 50 to 60 feet high, whereas the former is either a smalltree or a shrub. I could not satisfactorily ascertain theorigin of the word Bricklow, but as it is well understood andgenerally adopted by all the squatters between the Severn Riverand the Boyne, I shall make use of the name. Its long, slightly falcate leaves, being of a silvery green colour, givea peculiar character to the forest, where the treeabounds. "--[Footnote]: "Brigaloe Gould. "

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 79:

"Good-bye to the Barwan and brigalow scrubs. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 190:

"Now they pass through a small patch of Brigalow scrub. Someone has split a piece from a trunk of a small tree. What ascent the dark-grained wood has!"

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia;' vol. Iv. P. 69:

"There exudes from the Brigalow a white gum, in outwardappearance like gum-arabic, and even clearer, but as a`sticker' valueless, and as a `chew-gum' disappointing. "

1892. Gilbert Parker, `Round the Compass in Australia, ' p. 23:

"The glare of a hard and pitiless sky overhead, the infinitevista of saltbush, brigalow, stay-a-while, and mulga, thecreeks only stretches of stone, and no shelter from theshadeless gums. "

Brill, n. A small and very bony rhomboidal fishof New Zealand, Pseudorhombus scaphus, familyPleuronectidae. The true Brill of Europe isRhombus levis. 

Brisbane Daisy, n. See Daisy, Brisbane. 

Bristle-bird, n. A name given to certainAustralian Reed-warblers. They are--Sphenurabrachyptera, Latham; Long-tailedB. --S. Longirostris, Gould; Rufous-headedB. --S. Broadbentii, McCoy. See Sphenura. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, 'vol. Xv. P. 232:

"He (Mr. Caley) calls it in his notes `Bristle Bird. '"

Broad-leaf, n. A settlers' name forGriselinia littoralis, Raoul; Maori name, Paukatea. 

1879. W. N. Blair, `Building Materials of Otago, ' p. 155:

"There are few trees in the [Otago] bush so conspicuous or sowell known as the broad-leaf. . . . It grows to a height offifty or sixty feet, and a diameter of from three to six; thebark is coarse and fibrous, and the leaves a beautiful deepgreen of great brilliancy. "

1879. J. B. Armstrong, `Transactions of New ZealandInstitute, ' vol. Xii. Art. 49, p. 328:

"The broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis) is abundant inthe district [of Banks' Peninsula], and produces a hard redwood of a durable nature. "

1882. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open, ' p. 103:

"The rough trunks and limbs of the broadleaf. "

Broker, n. Australian slang for a mancompletely ruined, stonebroke. 

1891. `The Australasian, ' Nov. 21, p. 1014:

"We're nearly `dead brokers, ' as they say out here. Let'sharness up Eclipse and go over to old Yamnibar. "

Bronze-wing, n. A bird with a lustrousshoulder, Phaps chalcoptera, Lath. Called alsoBronze-wing Pigeon. 

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 145:

"One of the gold-winged pigeons, of which a plate is annexed. [Under plate, Golden-winged Pigeon. ] This bird is a curiousand singular species remarkable for having most of the feathersof the wing marked with a brilliant spot of golden yellow, changing, in various reflections of light, to green andcopper-bronze, and when the wing is closed, forming two bars ofthe same across it. "

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' vol. Ii. P. 31:

"The pigeons are by far the most beautiful birds in the island;they are called bronze-winged pigeons. "

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta, ' vol. Ii. P. 57:

"Mr. Fitzpatrick followed his kangaroo hounds, and shot hisemus, his wild turkeys, and his bronze-wings. "

1865. `Once a Week. ' `The Bulla-Bulla Bunyip. '

"Hours ago the bronze-wing pigeons had taken their eveningdraught from the coffee-coloured water-hole beyond thebutcher's paddock, and then flown back into the bush to rooston `honeysuckle' and in heather. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 122:

"Another most beautiful pigeon is the `bronze-wing, ' which isnearly the size of the English wood-pigeon, and has amagnificent purply-bronze speculum on the wings. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 33:

"Both the bronze-wing and Wonga-Wonga pigeon are hunted sokeenly that in a few years they will have become extinct inVictoria. "

1893. `The Argus, ' March 25, p. 4, col. 6:

"Those who care for museum studies must have been interested intracing the Australian quail and pigeon families to a pointwhere they blend their separate identities in the partridgebronze-wing of the Central Australian plains. The eggs markthe converging lines just as clearly as the birds, for thepartridge-pigeon lays an egg much more like that of a quailthan a pigeon, and lays, quail fashion, on the ground. "

Brook-Lime, n. English name for an aquaticplant, applied in Australia to the plant Gratiolapedunculata, R. Br. , N. O. Scrophularinae. Alsocalled Heartsease. 

Broom, n. Name applied to the plantCalycothrix tetragona, Lab. , N. O. Myrtaceae. 

Broom, Native, n. An Australian timber, Viminaria denudala, Smith, N. O. Leguminosae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 612:

"Native broom. Wood soft and spongy. "

Broom, Purple, n. A Tasmanian name forComesperma retusum, Lab. , N. O. Polygaleae. 

Brown Snake, n. See under Snake. 

Brown-tail, n. Bird-name for the TasmanianTit. See Tit. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iii, pl. 54:

"Acanthiza Diemenensis, Gould. Brown-tail, colonists ofVan Diemen's Land. "

Brown Tree-Lizard, n. Of New Zealand, Naultinus pacificus. 

Browny or Brownie, n. A kind ofcurrant loaf. 

1890. E. D. Cleland, `The White kangaroo, ' p. 57:

"Cake made of flour, fat and sugar, commonly known as`Browny. '"

1890. `The Argus, ' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 57:

"Four o'clock. `Smoke O!' again with more bread and brownie(a bread sweetened with sugar and currants). "

1892. Gilbert Parker, `Round the Compass, ' p. 36:

"Roast mutton and brownie are given us to eat. "

Brumby, Broombie (spelling various), n. A wildhorse. The origin of this word is very doubtful. Some claimfor it an aboriginal, and some an English source. In itspresent shape it figures in one aboriginal vocabulary, given inCurr's `Australian Race' (1887), vol. Iii. P. 259. At p. 284, booramby is given as meaning "wild" on the river Warregoin Queensland. The use of the word seems to have spread fromthe Warrego and the Balowne about 1864. Before that date, andin other parts of the bush ere the word came to them, wildhorses were called clear-skins or scrubbers, whilst Yarraman (q. V. ) is the aboriginal word for aquiet or broken horse. A different origin was, however, givenby an old resident of New South Wales, to a lady of the name ofBrumby, viz. "that in the early days of that colony, aLieutenant Brumby, who was on the staff of one of theGovernors, imported some very good horses, and that some oftheir descendants being allowed to run wild became theancestors the wild horses of New South Wales and Queensland. "Confirmation of this story is to be desired. 

1880. `The Australasian, ' Dec. 4, p. 712, col. 3:

"Passing through a belt of mulga, we saw, on reaching its edge, a mob of horses grazing on the plains beyond. These our guidepronounced to be `brumbies, ' the bush name here [Queensland]for wild horses. "

1888. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Ii. P. 176:

"The wild horses of this continent known all over it by theAustralian name of `brumbies. '"

Ibid. P. 178:

"The untamed and `unyardable' scrub brumby. "

1888. R. Kipling, `Plain Tales from the Hills, ' p. 160:

"Juggling about the country, with an Australian larrikin; a`brumby' with as much breed as the boy. . . . People who lostmoney on him called him a `brumby. '"

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms. ' p. 67:

"The three-cornered weed he rode that had been a `brumbee. '"

1895. `Chambers' Journal, ' Nov. 2, Heading `Australian BrumbieHorses':

"The brumbie horse of Australia, tho' not a distinct equinevariety, possesses attributes and qualities peculiar to itself, and, like the wild cattle and wild buffaloes of Australia, isthe descendant of runaways of imported stock. "

1896. `Sydney Morning Herald, ' (Letter from `J. F. G. , ' datedAug. 24):

"Amongst the blacks on the Lower Balonne, Nebine, Warrego, andBulloo rivers the word used for horse is `baroombie, ' the `a'being cut so short that the word sounds as `broombie, ' and asfar as my experience goes refers more to unbroken horses indistinction to quiet or broken ones (`yarraman'). "

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 156:

"Yet at times we long to gallop where the reckless bushman rides In the wake of startled brumbies that are flying for their hides. "

Brush, n. At first undergrowth, small trees, asin England; afterwards applied to larger timber growth andforest trees. Its earlier sense survives in the compoundwords; see below. 

1820. Oxley, `New South Wales' (`O. E. D. '):

"The timber standing at wide intervals, without any brush orundergrowth. "

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' (2nd ed. ) vol. I. P. 62:

"We journeyed . . . At one time over good plains, at anotherthrough brushes. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. I. Introd. P. 77:

"Jungle, or what in New South Wales would be called brush. "

Ibid. Vol. V. Pl. 59:

"Those vast primeval forests of New South Wales to which thecolonists have applied the name of brushes. "

1853. Chas. St. Julian and Edward K. Silvester, `TheProductions, Industry, and Resources of New South Wales, 'p. 20:

"What the colonists term `brush' lands are those covered withtall trees growing so near each other and being so closelymatted together by underwood, parasites, and creepers, as to bewholly impassable. "

1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 67, note:

"Brush was allotted to the growth of large timber on alluviallands, with other trees intermixed, and tangled vines. Thesoil was rich, and `brushland' was well understood as adescriptive term. It may die away, but its meaning deserves tobe pointed out. "

Brush-Apple, n. See Apple. 

Brush-Bloodwood, n. See Bloodwood. 

Brush-Cherry, n. An Australian tree, Trochocarpa laurina, R. Br. , and Eugeniamyrtifolia, Simms. Called also Brush-Myrtle. 

Brush-Deal, n. A slender Queensland tree, Cupania anacardioides, A. Richard. See Brush, above. 

Brusher, n. A Bushman's name, in certain parts, for a small wallaby which hops about in the bush or scrub withconsiderable speed. "To give brusher, " is a phrase derivedfrom this, and used in many parts, especially of the interiorof Australia, and implies that a man has left without payinghis debts. In reply to the question "Has so-and-so left thetownship? "the answer, "Oh yes, he gave them brusher, " wouldbe well understood in the above sense. 

Brush-Kangaroo, n. Another name for theWallaby (q. V. ). 

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, ' c. Viii. P. 273:

"A place . . . Thickly inhabited by the small brush-kangaroo. "

1830. `Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society, ' i. 29:

"These dogs . . . Are particularly useful in catching thebandicoots, the small brush kangaroo, and the opossum. "

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' c. Ii. P. 28:

"The brush-kangaroo . . . Frequents the scrubs and rocky hills. "

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Iii. P. 24:

"Violet was so fast that she could catch the brush-kangaroo(the wallaby) within sight. "

Brush-Myrtle, i. Q. Brush-Cherry (q. V. )

Brush-Turkey, n. See Turkey. 

Brush-Turpentine, n. Another name for the treeSyncarpia leptopetala, F. V. M. , N. O. Myrtaceae, called also Myrtle (q. V. ). 

Bubrush, n. See Wonga and Raupo. 

Buck, v. Used "intransitively of a horse, toleap vertically from the ground, drawing the feet together likea deer, and arching the back. Also transitively to buck off. "(`O. E. D. ') Some say that this word is not Australian, but allthe early quotations of buck and cognate words areconnected with Australia. The word is now used freely in theUnited States; see quotation, 1882. 

1870. E. B. Kennedy, `Four Years in Queensland, ' p. 193:

"Having gained his seat by a nimble spring, I have seen a man(a Sydney native) so much at his ease, that while the horse hasbeen `bucking a hurricane, ' to use a colonial expression, therider has been cutting up his tobacco and filling his pipe, while several feet in the air, nothing to front of himexcepting a small lock of the animal's mane (the head beingbetween its legs), and very little behind him, the stern beingdown; the horse either giving a turn to the air, or goingforward every buck. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 131:

"`Well, ' said one, `that fellow went to market like a bird. '`Yes, ' echoed another, `Bucked a blessed hurricane. ' `Buck atown down, ' cried a third. `Never seed a horse strip himselfquicker, ' cried a fourth. "

1882. Baillie-Grohman, `Camps in the Rockies, ' ch. Iv. P. 102('Standard'):

"There are two ways, I understand, of sitting a bucking horse. . . One is `to follow the buck, ' the other `to receive thebuck. '"

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 55:

"The performance is quite peculiar to Australian horses, and noone who has not seen them at it would believe the rapidcontortions of which they are capable. In bucking, a horsetucks his head right between his fore-legs, sometimes strikinghis jaw with his hind feet. The back meantime is arched like aboiled prawn's; and in this position the animal makes a seriesof tremendous bounds, sometimes forwards, sometimes sidewaysand backwards, keeping it up for several minutes at intervalsof a few seconds. "

Buck, n. See preceding verb. 

1868. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 224:

"I never saw such bucks and jumps into the air as she [themare] performed. "

1886. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 206:

"For, mark me, he can sit a buck For hours and hours together; And never horse has had the luck To pitch him from the leather. "

Bucker, Buck-jumper, n. A horse givento bucking or buck-jumping. 

1853. H. Berkeley Jones, `Adventures in Australia in 1852 and1853, ' [Footnote] p. 143:

"A `bucker' is a vicious horse, to be found only in Australia. "

1884. `Harper's Magazine, ' July, No. 301, p. 1 (`O. E. D. '):

"If we should . . . Select a `bucker, ' the probabilities arethat we will come to grief. "

1893. Haddon Chambers, `Thumbnail Sketches of Australian Life, 'p. 64:

"No buck jumper could shake him off. "

1893. Ibid. P. 187:

"`Were you ever on a buck-jumper?' I was asked by a friend, shortly after my return from Australia. "

Buck-jumping, Bucking, verbal nouns. 

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 43:

"At length it shook off all its holders, and made one of thoseextraordinary vaults that they call buck-jumping. "

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn, ' vol. Ii. P. 212:

"That same bucking is just what puzzles me utterly. "

1859. Rev. J. D. Mereweather, `Diary of a Working Clergyman inAustralia and Tasmania, kept during the years 1850-1853, 'p. 177:

"I believe that an inveterate buckjumper can be cured byslinging up one of the four legs, and lunging him aboutseverely in heavy ground on the three legs. The action theymust needs make use of on such an occasion somewhat resemblesthe action of bucking; and after some severe trials of thatsort, they take a dislike to the whole style of thing. AnIrishman on the Murrumbidgee is very clever at this schooling. It is called here `turning a horse inside out. '"

1885. Forman (Dakota), item 26, May 6, 3 (`O. E. D. '):

"The majority of the horses there [in Australia] are viciousand given to the trick of buck jumping. " [It may be worth whileto add that this is not strictly accurate. ]

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 94:

"`I should say that buck jumping was produced in this countryby bad breaking, ' said Mr. Neuchamp oracularly. `Don't youbelieve it, sir. Bucking is like other vices--runs in theblood. '"

Buck-shot, n. A settlers' term for ageological formation. See quotation. 

1851. `The Australasian Quarterly, ' p. 459:

"The plain under our feet was everywhere furrowed by Deadmen's graves, and generally covered with the granulatedlava, aptly named by the settlers buck-shot, and foundthroughout the country on these trappean `formations. Buck-shot is always imbedded in a sandy alluvium, sometimes several feet thick. "

Buddawong, n. A variation of Burrawang(q. V. ). 

1877. Australie, `The Buddawong's Crown, ' `Australian Poets, '1788-1888, ed. Sladen, p. 39:

"A Buddawong seed-nut fell to earth, In a cool and mossy glade, And in spring it shot up its barbed green swords, Secure 'neath the myrtle's shade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 And the poor, poor palm has died indeed. But little the strangers care, `There are zamias in plenty more, ' they say, But the crown is a beauty rare. "

Budgeree, adj. Aboriginal word for good, whichis common colloquially in the bush. See Budgerigar. 

1793. J. Hunter, `Port Jackson, ' p. 195:

"They very frequently, at the conclusion of the dance, wouldapply to us . . . For marks of our approbation . . . Which wenever failed to give by often repeating the wordboojery, good; or boojery caribberie, a gooddance. "

Budgerigar, or Betcherrygah, n. Aboriginal name for the bird called by Gould the WarblingGrass-parrakeet; called also Shell-parrot andZebra- Grass-parrakeet. In the Port Jackson dialectbudgeri, or boodgeri, means good, excellent. In`Collins' Vocabulary' (1798), boodjer-re = good. In New SouthWales gar is common as first syllable of the name forthe white cockatoo, as garaweh. See Galah. Inthe north of New South Wales kaar= white cockatoo. Thespelling is very various, but the first of the two above givenis the more correct etymologically. In the United States it isspelt beauregarde, derived by `Standard' from Frenchbeau and regarde, a manifest instance of the lawof Hobson -Jobson. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 297:

"The betshiregah (Melopsittacus Undulatus, Gould) werevery numerous. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. V. Pl. 44:

"Melopsittacus Undulatus. Warbling Grass-Parrakeet. Canary Parrot--colonists. Betcherrygah--natives ofLiverpool Plains. "

1857. Letter, Nov. 17, in `Life of Fenton J. A. Hort' (1896), vol. I. P. 388:

"There is also a small green creature like a miniaturecockatoo, called a Budgeragar, which was brought fromAustralia. He is quaint and now and then noisy, but noton the whole a demonstrative being. "

1857. W. Howitt, `Tallangetta, ' vol. I. P. 48:

"Young paroquets, the green leeks, and the lovely speckledbudgregores. "

1865. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 7:

"I saw several pairs of those pretty grass or zebra parroquets, which are called here by the very inharmonious name of`budgereghars. '"

2890. Lyth, `Golden South, ' c. Xiv. P. 127:

"The tiny budgeriegar, sometimes called the shell parrot. "

Bugle, n. Name given to the Australian plantAjuga australis, R. Br. , N. O. Labiatae. 

Bugler, n. A name given in Tasmania to the fishCentriscus scolopax, family Centriscidae; calledin Europe the Trumpet-fish, Bellows-fish, thelatter name being also used for it in Tasmania. The structureof the mouth and snout suggests a musical instrument, or, combined with the outline of the body, a pair of bellows. Thefish occurs also in Europe. 

Bugong, or Bogong, or Bougong, n. An Australian moth, Danais limniace, orAgrotis spina, eaten by the aborigines. 

1834. Rev. W. B. Clarke, `Researches in the Southern Gold Fieldsof New South Wales' (second edition), p. 228:

"These moths have obtained their name from their occurrence onthe `Bogongs' or granite mountains. They were described by myfriend Dr. Bennett in his interesting work on `New SouthWales, ' 1832-4, as abundant on the Bogong Mountain, TumutRiver. I found them equally abundant, and in full vigour, inDecember, coming in clouds from the granite peaks of theMuniong Range. The blacks throw them on the fire and eatthem. "

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn, ' p. 355:

"The westward range is called the Bougongs. The blacks duringsummer are in the habit of coming thus far to collect and feedon the great grey moths (bougongs) which are found on therocks. "

1871. `The Athenaeum, ' May 27, p. 660:

"The Gibbs Land and Murray districts have been divided into thefollowing counties: . . . Bogong (native name of grubs andmoths). "

1878. R. Brough Smyth, `The Aborigines of Victoria, 'vol. I. P. 207

"The moths--the Bugong moths(Agrolis suffusa) aregreedily devoured by the natives; and in former times, whenthey were in season, they assembled in great numbers to eatthere, and they grew fat on this food. " [Also a long footnote. ]

1890. Richard Helms, `Records of the Australian Museum, 'vol. I. No. 1:

"My aim was to obtain some `Boogongs, ' the native name for themoths which so abundantly occur on this range, and no doubthave given it its name. "

1896. `Sydney Mail, ' April 4, Answers to Correspondents:

"It cannot be stated positively, but it is thought that thename of the moth `bogong' is taken from that of the mountain. The meaning of the word is not known, but probably it is anaboriginal word. "

Bull-a-bull, or Bullybul, n. A child'scorruption of the Maori word Poroporo (q. V. ), aflowering shrub of New Zealand. It is allied to theKangaroo-Apple (q. V. ). 

1845. `New Plymouth's National Song, ' in Hursthouse's `NewZealand, ' p. 217:

"And as for fruit, the place is full Of that delicious bull-a-bull. "

Bullahoo, n. See Ballahoo. 

Bull-ant, n. Contracted and common form of thewords Bull-dog Ant (q. V. ). 

Bull-dog Ant, n. (frequently shortened toBull-dog or Bull-ant), an ant of large size witha fierce bite. The name is applied to various species of thegenus Myrmecia, which is common throughout Australia andTasmania. 

1878. Mrs. H. Jones, `Long Years in Australia, ' p. 93:

"Busy colonies of ants (which everywhere infest thecountry). . . One kind is very warlike--the `bull-dog':sentinels stand on the watch, outside the nest, and in case ofattack disappear for a moment and return with a whole army ofthe red-headed monsters, and should they nip you, will give youa remembrance of their sting never to be forgotten. "

1888. Alleged `Prize Poem, ' Jubilee Exhibition:

"The aborigine is now nearly extinct, But the bull-dog-ant and the kangaroo rat Are a little too thick--I think. "

1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River, ' p. 142:

"Where the wily free-selector walks in armour-plated pants, And defies the stings of scorpion and the bites of bull-dog ants. "

Bull-dog Shark, i. Q. Bull-head (1) (q. V. ). 

Bull-head, n. The name is applied to manyfishes of different families in various parts of the world, none of which are the same as the following two. (1) A sharkof Tasmania and South Australia of small size and harmless, with teeth formed for crushing shells, Heterodontusphillipi, Lacep. , family Cestraciontidae; alsocalled the Bull-dog Shark, and in Sydney, where it iscommon, the Port-Jackson Shark : the aboriginal name wasTabbigan. (2) A freshwater fish of New Zealand, Eleotris gobioides, Cuv. And Val. , familyGobiidae. See Bighead. 

Bulln-Bulln, n. An aboriginal name for theLyre-bird (q. V. ). This native name is imitative. The mostsoutherly county in Victoria is called Buln-Buln; it isthe haunt of the Lyre-bird. 

1857. D. Bunce, `Travels with Leichhardt in Australia, ' p. 70:

"We afterwards learned that this was the work of the BullenBullen, or Lyre-bird, in its search for large worms, itsfavourite food. "

1871. `The Athenaeum, ' May 27, p. 660:

"The Gipps Land and Murray districts have been divided into thefollowing counties: . . . Buln Buln (name of Lyre-bird). "

Bull-Oak, n. See Oak. 

Bullocky, n. And adj. A bullockdriver. "In the bush all the heavy hauling is done with bullock-drays. It is quite a common sight up the country to see teams of adozen and upwards. " (B. And L. )

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xii. P. 121:

"By George, Jack, you're a regular bullocky boy. "

Bull-puncher, or Bullock-puncher, n. Slang for a bullockdriver. According to Barrere andLeland's `Slang Dictionary, ' the word has a somewhat differentmeaning in America, where it means a drover. See Punch. 

1872. C. N. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 49:

"The `bull-puncher, ' as bullock-drivers are familiarly called. "

1873. J. Mathew, song `Hawking, ' in `Queenslander, ' Oct. 4:

"The stockmen and the bushmen and the shepherds leave the station, And the hardy bullock-punchers throw aside their occupation. "

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Iv. P. 143:

"These teams would comprise from five to six pairs of bullockseach, and were driven by a man euphoniously termed a`bull-puncher. ' Armed with a six-foot thong, fastened to asupple stick seven feet long. . . . "

Bull-rout, n. A fish of New South Wales, Centropogon robustus, Guenth. , familyScorpaenidae. 

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 48:

"It emits a loud and harsh grunting noise when it iscaught. . . . The fisherman knows what he has got by the noisebefore he brings his fish to the surface. . . . When out of thewater the noise of the bull-rout is loudest, and it spreads itsgills and fins a little, so as to appear very formidable. . . . The blacks held it in great dread, and the name of bull-routmay possibly be a corruption of some native word. "

Bull's-eye, n. A fish of New South Wales, Priacanthus macracanthus, Cuv. And Val. Priacanthus, says Guenther, is a percoid fish with shortsnout, lower jaw and chin prominent, and small rough scales allover them and the body generally. The eye large, and thecolour red, pink, or silvery. 

1884. E. P. Ramsay, `Fisheries Exhibition Literature, ' vol. V. P. 311:

"Another good table-fish is the `bull's-eye, ' a beautifulsalmon-red fish with small scales. . . . At times it entersthe harbours in considerable numbers; but the supply isirregular. "

Bulls-wool, n. Colloquial name for the innerportion of the covering of the Stringybark-tree (q. V. ). This is a dry finely fibrous substance, easily disintegrated byrubbing between the hands. It forms a valuable tinder forkindling a fire in the bush, and is largely employed for thatpurpose. It is not unlike the matted hair of a bull, and isreddish in colour, hence perhaps this nickname, which is commonin the Tasmanian bush. 

Bully, n. A Tasmanian fish, Blenniustasmanianus, Richards. , family Blennidae. 

Bulrush, n. See Wonga and Raupo. 

Bung, to go, v. To fail, to become bankrupt. This phrase of English school-boy slang, meaning to go off withan explosion, to go to smash (also according to Barrere andLeland still in use among American thieves), is in veryfrequent use in Australia. In Melbourne in the times thatfollowed the collapse of the land-boom it was a commonexpression to say that Mr. So-and-so had "gone bung, " sc. Filedhis schedule or made a composition with creditors; or that aninstitution had "gone bung, " sc. Closed its doors, collapsed. In parts of Australia, in New South Wales and Queensland, theword "bung" is an aboriginal word meaning "dead, " and eventhough the slang word be of English origin, its frequency ofuse in Australia may be due to the existence of the aboriginalword, which forms the last syllable in Billabong (q. V. ), and in the aboriginal word milbung blind, literally, eye-dead. 

(a) The aboriginal word. 

1847. J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, ' p. 430:

"A place called Umpie Bung, or the dead houses. "[It is now a suburb of Brisbane, Humpy-bong. ]

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. Ii. P. 175[in Blacks' pigeon English]:

"Missis bail bong, ony cawbawn prighten. (Missis not dead, only dreadfully frightened. )"

1882. A. J. Boyd, `Old Colonials, ' p. 73:

"But just before you hands 'im [the horse] over and getsthe money, he goes bong on you" (i. E. He dies). 

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p: 142:

"Their [the blacks'] ordinary creed is very simple. `Directlyme bung (die) me jump up white feller, ' and this seems to bethe height of their ambition. "

1895. `The Age, ' Dec. 21, p. 13, col. 6:

"`Then soon go bong, mummy, ' said Ning, solemnly. 

`Die, ' corrected Clare. You mustn't talk blacks' language. '

`Suppose you go bong, ' pursued Ning reflectively, `then you goto Heaven. '"

(b) The slang word. 

1885. `Australian Printers' Keepsake, ' p. 40:

"He was importuned to desist, as his musical talent had`gone bung, ' probably from over-indulgence in confectionery. "

1893. `The Argus, ' April 15 (by Oriel), p. 13, col. 2:

"Still change is humanity's lot. It is but the space of a day Till cold is the damask cheek, and silent the eloquent tongue, All flesh is grass, says the preacher, like grass it is withered away, And we gaze on a bank in the evening, and lo, in the morn 'tis bung. "

1893. Professor Gosman, `The Argus, ' April 24, p. 7, col. 4:

"Banks might fail, but the treasures of thought could never go`bung. '"

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), April 25, p. 2, col. 4:

"Perhaps Sydney may supply us with a useful example. Onemember of the mischief-making brotherhood wrote the words `gonebung' under a notice on the Government Savings Bank, and he wasbrought before the Police Court charged with damaging thebank's property to the extent of 3d. The offender offered theBench his views on the bank, but the magistrates bluntly toldhim his conduct was disgraceful, and fined him L 3 with costs, or two months' imprisonment. "

Bunga or Bungy, n. A New Zealandsettlers' corruption of the Maori word punga (q. V. ). 

Bunt, n. A Queensland fungus growing on wheat, fetid when crushed. Tilletia caries, Tul. , N. O. Fungi. 

Bunya-Bunya, n. Aboriginal word. [Bunyiat heads of Burnett, Mary, and Brisbane rivers, Queensland;baanya, on the Darling Downs. ] An Australian tree, Araucaria bidwillii, Hooker, with fruit somewhat likeBertholletia excelsa, N. O. Coniferae. Widgi-Widgi station on the Mary was the head-quarters for thefruit of this tree, and some thousands of blacks used toassemble there in the season to feast on it; it was at thisassembly that they used to indulge in cannibalism ; every thirdyear the trees were said to bear a very abundant crop. TheBunya-Bunya mountains in Queensland derive their name from thistree. 

1843. L. Leichhardt, Letter in `Cooksland, by J. D. Lang, p. 82:

"The bunya-bunya tree is noble and gigantic, and itsumbrella-like head overtowers all the trees of the bush. "

1844. Ibid. P. 89:

"The kernel of the Bunya fruit has a very fine aroma, and it is certainly delicious eating. "

1844. `Port Phillip Patriot, ' July 25:

"The Bunya-Bunya or Araucaria on the seeds of whichnumerous tribes of blacks are accustomed to feed. "

1879. W. R. Guilfoyle, `First Book of Australian Botany, ' p. 58:

"A splendid timber tree of South Queensland, where it formsdense forests, one of the finest of the Araucaria tribe, attaining an approximate height of 200 feet. The Bunya-Bunyawithstands drought better than most of the genus, andflourishes luxuriantly in and around Melbourne. "

1887. J. Mathew, in Curr's `Australian Race, ' vol. Iii. P. 161:

[A full account. ] "In laying up a store of bunyas, the blacksexhibited an unusual foresight. When the fruit was in season, they filled netted bags with the seeds, and buried them. "

1889. Hill, quoted by J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 7:

"The cones shed their seeds, which are two to two and a halfinches long by three-quarters of an inch broad; they are sweetbefore being perfectly ripe, and after that resemble roastedchestnuts in taste. They are plentiful once in three years, and when the ripening season arrives, which is generally in themonth of January, the aborigina&ls assemble in large numbersfrom a great distance around, and feast upon them. Each tribehas its own particular set of trees, and of these each familyhas a certain number allotted, which are handed down fromgeneration to generation with great exactness. The bunya isremarkable as being the only hereditary property which any ofthe aborigines are known to possess, and it is thereforeprotected by law. The food seems to have a fattening effect onthe aborigines, and they eat large quantities of it afterroasting it at the fire. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 377:

"The `Bunya-bunya' of the aboriginals--a name invariablyadopted by the colonists. "

1892. J. Fraser, `Aborigines of New South Wales, ' p. 50:

"The Bunya-bunya tree, in the proper season, bears a fir coneof great size--six to nine inches long-and this, when roasted, yields a vegetable pulp, pleasant to eat and nutritious. "

1893. `Sydney Morning Herald, ' Aug. 19, p. 7, col. 1:

"There is a beautiful bunya-bunya in a garden just beyond, itsfoliage fresh varnished by the rain, and toning from a richdarkness to the very spring tint of tender green. "

Bunyip, n. (1) the aboriginal name of afabulous animal. See quotations. For the traditions of thenatives on this subject see Brough Smyth, `Aborigines ofVictoria, ' vol. I. P. 435. 

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 391:

"Certain large fossil bones, found in various parts ofAustralia Felix, have been referred by the natives, whenconsulted on the subject by the colonists, to a huge animal ofextraordinary appearance, called in some districts the Bunyup, in others the Kianpraty, which they assert to be still alive. It is described as of amphibious character, inhabiting deeprivers, and permanent water-holes, having a round head, anelongated neck, with a body and tail resembling an ox. Thesereports have not been unattended to, and the bunyup is said tohave been actually seen by many parties, colonists as well asaborigines. . . . [A skull which the natives said was that of a`piccinini Kianpraty' was found by Professor Owen to be that ofa young calf. The Professor] considers it all but impossiblethat such a large animal as the bunyup of the natives can benow living in the country. [Mr. Westgarth suspects] it is onlya tradition of the alligator or crocodile of the north. "

1849. W. S. Macleay, `Tasmanian journal, ' vol. Iii. P. 275:

"On the skull now exhibited at the Colonial Museum of Sydney asthat of the Bunyip. "

1855. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes, ' p. 214:

"Did my reader ever hear of the Bunyip (fearful name to theaboriginal native!) a sort of `half-horse, half-alligator, 'haunting the wide rushy swamps and lagoons of the interior?"

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn, ' p. 258:

"The river is too deep, child, and the Bunyip lives in thewater under the stones. "

1865. `Once a Week, ' Dec. 31, p. 45, The Bulla Bulla Bunyip':

"Beyond a doubt, in `Lushy Luke's' belief, a Bunyip had takentemporary lodgings outside the town. This bete noire ofthe Australian bush Luke asserted he had often seen in bygonetimes. He described it as being bigger than an elephant, inshape like a `poley' bullock, with eyes like live coals, andwith tusks like a walrus's. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"What the Bunyip is, I cannot pretend to say, but I think it ishighly probable that the stories told by both old bushmen andblackfellows, of some bush beast bigger and fiercer than anycommonly known in Australia, are founded on fact. Fear and thelove of the marvellous may have introduced a considerableelement of exaggeration into these stories, but I cannot helpsuspecting that the myths have an historical basis. "

1872. C. Gould, `Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Societyof Tasmania, ' 1872, p. 33:

"The belief in the Bunyip was just as prevalent among thenatives in parts hundreds of miles distant from any stream inwhich alligators occur. . . . Some other animal must be soughtfor. " . . . [Gould then quotes from `The Mercury' of April 26, 1872, an extract from the `Wagga Advertiser']: "There really isa Bunyip or Waa-wee, actually existing not far from us . . . Inthe Midgeon Lagoon, sixteen miles north of Naraudera . . . Isaw a creature coming through the water with tremendousrapidity . . . . The animal was about half as long again as anordinary retriever dog, the hair all over its body was jetblack and shining, its coat was very long. " [Gould cites otherinstances, and concludes that the Bunyip is probably a seal. ]

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 202:

"In the south-eastern part of Australia the evil spirit of thenatives is called Bunjup, a monster which is believed todwell in the lakes. It has of late been supposed that this isa mammal of considerable size that has not yet been discovered. . . Is described as a monster with countless eyes andears. . . . He has sharp claws, and can run so fast that it isdifficult to escape him. He is cruel, and spares no one eitheryoung or old. "

1894. `The Argus, ' June 23, p. 11, col. 4:

"The hollow boom so often heard on the margin of reedy swamps--more hollow and louder by night than day--is the mythicalbunyip, the actual bittern. "

(2) In a secondary sense, a synonym for an impostor. 

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1855), p. 214:

"One advantage arose from the aforesaid long-deferred discovery--a new and strong word was adopted into the Australianvocabulary: Bunyip became, and remains a Sydney synonoyme forimpostor, pretender, humbug, and the like. The blackfellows, however, unaware of the extinction, by superiorauthority, of their favourite loup-garou, still continueto cherish the fabulous bunyip in their shudderingimagination. "

1853. W. C. Wentworth--Speech in August quoted by Sir HenryParkes in `Fifty Years of Australian History' (1892), vol. I. P. 41:

"They had been twitted with attempting to create a mushroom, aBrummagem, a bunyip aristocracy; but I need scarcely observethat where argument fails ridicule is generally resorted to foraid. "

Burnet, Native, n. The name is given inAustralia to the plant Acaena ovina, Cunn. , N. O. Rosaceae. 

Burnett Salmon, n. One of the names given tothe fish Ceratodus forsteri, Krefft. SeeBurramundi. 

Burnt-stuff, n. A geological term used by miners. See quotation. 

1853. Mrs. Chas. Clancy, `Lady's Visit to Gold Diggings, ' p. 112:

"The top, or surface soil, for which a spade or shovel is used, was of clay. This was succeeded by a strata almost as hard asiron--technically called `burnt-stuff'--which robbed the pickof its points nearly as soon as the blacksmith had steeled themat a charge of 2s. 6d. A point. "

Bur, n. In Tasmania the name is applied toAcaena rosaceae, Vahl. , N. O. Rosaceae. 

Burramundi, or Barramunda, n. Afresh-water fish, Osteoglossum leichhardtii, Guenth. , family Osteoglossidae, found in the Dawson and FitzroyRivers, Queensland. The name is also incorrectly applied bythe colonists to the large tidal perch of the Fitzroy River, Queensland, Lates calcarifer, Guenth. , a widelydistributed fish in the East Indies, and to Ceratodusforsteri, Krefft, family Sirenidae, of the Mary andBurnett Rivers, Queensland. Burramundi is the aboriginal namefor O. Leichhardtii. The spelling barramunda isdue to the influence of barracouta (q. V. ). SeePerch. 

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, 'vol. I. P. 189:

"There is a fish too at Rockhampton called the burra mundi, --I hope I spell the name rightly, --which is very commendable. "

1880. Guenther, `Study of Fishes, ' p. 357:

"Ceratodus. . . . Two species, C. Forsteri andC. Miolepis, are known from fresh-waters ofQueensland. . . . Locally the settlers call it `flathead, '`Burnett or Dawson salmon, ' and the aborigines `barramunda, ' aname which they apply also to other largescaled fresh-waterfishes, as the Osteoglossum leichhardtii. . . . Thediscovery of Ceratodus does not date farther back thanthe year 1870. "

1882. W. Macleay, `Descriptive Catalogue of Australian fishes'('Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New South Wales, 'vol. Vi. P. 256):

"Osteoglossum leichhardtii, Gunth. Barramundi of theaborigines of the Dawson River. "

1892. Baldwin Spencer, `Proceedings of the Royal Societyof Victoria, ' vol. Iv. [Note on the habits of Ceratodusforsterii]

"It has two common names, one of which is the `Burnett Salmon'and the other the `Barramunda" . . . The latter name . . . Isproperly applied to a very different form, a true teleosteanfish (Osteoglossum leichhardtii) which isfound . . . Further north . . . In the Dawson andFitzroy . . . Mr. Saville Kent states that the Ceratodus is muchprized as food. This is a mistake, for, as a matter of fact, it is only eaten by Chinese and those who can afford to getnothing better. "

Burrawang, or Burwan, n. An Australiannut-tree, Macrozamia spiralis, Miq. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 221:

"The burwan is a nut much relished by our natives, who prepareit by roasting and immersion in a running stream, to free itfrom its poisonous qualities. "

1851. J. Henderson, `Excursions in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 238

"The Burrowan, which grows in a sandy soil, and producesan inedible fruit, resembling the pine-apple in appearance. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 41:

"Burrawang nut, so called because they used to be, and are tosome extent now, very common about Burrawang, N. S. W. The nutsare relished by the aboriginals. An arrowroot of very goodquality is obtained from them. "

Bush, n. Not originally an Australianapplication. "Recent, and probably a direct adoption of theDutch Bosch, in colonies originally Dutch" (`O. E. D. '), [quoting (1780) Forster, in `Phil. Trans. ' lxxi. 2, "The commonBush-cat of the Cape;" and (1818) Scott, `Tapestr. Chamber, '"When I was in the Bush, as the Virginians call it"]. "Woodland, country more or less covered with natural woodapplied to the uncleared or untitled districts in the BritishColonies which are still in a state of nature, or largely so, even though not wooded; and by extension to the country asopposed to the towns. " (`O. E. D. ')

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 48:

"I have spent a good deal of my time in the woods, or bush, asit is called here. '

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 85:

"With the exception of two or three little farms, comprisingabout 20 or 30 acres of cultivation, all was `bush' as it iscolonially called. The undergrowth was mostly clear, beingcovered only with grass or herbs, with here and there some lowshrubs. "

1837. J. D. Lang, `New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 253:

"His house was well enough for the bush, as the country isgenerally termed in the colony. "

1855. From a letter quoted in Wathen's `The Golden Colony, 'p. 117:

"`The Bush, ' when the word is used in the towns, means all theuninclosed and uncultivated country . . . When in the country, `the Bush' means more especially the forest. The word itselfhas been borrowed from the Cape, and is of Dutch origin. "

1857. `The Argus, ' Dec. 14, p. 5, col. 7:

"`Give us something to do in or about Melbourne, not away inthe bush, ' says the deputation of the unemployed. "

1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketches, ' p. 123:

"At first the eternal silence of the bush is oppressive, but ashort sojourn is sufficient to accustom a neophyte to the newscene, and he speedily becomes enamoured of it. "

1865. J. F. Mortlock, `Experiences of a Convict, ' p. 83:

"The `bush, ' a generic term synonymous with `forest' or`jungle, ' applied to all land in its primaeval condition, whether occupied by herds or not. "

1872. A. McFarland, `Illawarra and Manaro, ' p. 113:

"All the advantages of civilized life have been surrenderedfor the bush, its blanket and gunyah. "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, 'vol. I. P. 250:

"The technical meaning of the word `bush. ' The bush is thegum-tree forest, with which so great a part of Australia iscovered, that folk who follow a country life are invariablysaid to live in the bush. Squatters who look after their ownruns always live in the bush, even though their sheep arepastured on plains. Instead of a town mouse and a countrymouse in Australia, there would be a town mouse and a bushmouse; but mice living in the small country towns would stillbe bush mice. "

Ibid. C. Xx. P. 299:

"Nearly every place beyond the influence of the big towns iscalled `bush, ' even though there should not be a tree to beseen around. "

1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 67, n. :

"Bush was a general term for the interior. It might be thickbush, open bush, bush forest, or scrubby bushterms whichexplain themselves. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 40:

"The first thing that strikes me is the lifeless solitude ofthe bush. . . . There is a deep fascination about the freedomof the bush. "

1890. E. W. Hornung [Title]:

"A Bride from the Bush. "

1896. `Otago Daily Times, ' Jan. 27, p. 2, col. 5:

"Almost the whole of New South Wales is covered with bush. It is not the bush as known in New Zealand. It is rathera park-like expanse, where the trees stand widely apart, and where there is grass on the soil between them. "

Bush, adj. Or in composition, not alwayseasy to distinguish, the hyphen depending on the fancy of thewriter. 

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 75:

"The round trundling of our cart wheels, it is well known, doesnot always improve the labours of Macadam, much less a bushroad. "

1848. Letter by Mrs. Perry, given in Canon Goodman's `Churchin Victoria, during Episcopate of Bishop Perry, 'p. 75:

"A hard bush sofa, without back or ends. "

1849. J. Sidney, `Emigrants' Journal, and Travellers'Magazine, ' p. 40 (Letter from Caroline Chisholm):

"What I would particularly recommend to new settlers is`Bush Partnership'--Let two friends or neighbours agreeto work together, until three acres are cropped, dividing thework, the expense, and the produce--this partnership will growapace; I have made numerous bush agreements of this kind . . . I never knew any quarrel or bad feeling result from thesepartnerships, on the contrary, I believe them calculated topromote much neighbourly good will; but in the association of alarge number of strangers, for an indefinite period, I have noconfidence. "

1857. W. Westgarth, `Victoria, ' c. Xi. P. 250:

"The gloomy antithesis of good bushranging and bad bush-roads. "

[Bush-road, however, does not usually mean a made-road throughthe bush, but a road which has not been formed, and is in astate of nature except for the wear of vehicles upon it, andperhaps the clearing of trees and scrub. ]

1864. `The Reader, ' April 2, p. 40, col. 1 (`O. E. D. '):

"The roads from the nascent metropolis still partook mainly ofthe random character of `bush tracks. '"

1865. W. Hewitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. Ii. P. 211:

"Dr. Wills offered to go himself in the absence of any moreyouthful and, through bush seasoning, qualified person. "

1880. `Blackwood's Magazine, ' Feb. , p. 169 [Title]:

"Bush-Life in Queensland. "

1881. R. M. Praed, `Policy and Passion, ' c. I. P. 59:

"The driver paused before a bush inn. "

[In Australia the word "inn" is now rare. The word "hotel"has supplanted it. ]

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Iv. P. 3:

"Not as bush roads go. The Australian habit is here followedof using `bush' for country, though no word could be moreludicrously inapplicable, for there is hardly anything on theway that can really be called a bush. "

1894. `Sydney Morning Herald' (exact date lost):

"Canada, Cape Colony, and Australia have preserved the oldsignificance of Bush--Chaucer has it so--as a territory onwhich there are trees; it is a simple but, after all, a kindlydevelopment that when a territory is so unlucky as to have notrees, sometimes, indeed, to be bald of any growth whatever, it should still be spoken of as if it had them. "

1896. Rolf Boldrewood, in preface to `The Man from SnowyRiver':

"It is not easy to write ballads descriptive of the bushlandof Australia, as on light consideration would appear. "

1896. H. Lawson, `While the Billy boils, ' p. 104:

"About Byrock we met the bush liar in all his glory. He wasdressed like--like a bush larrikin. His name was Jim. "

Bush-faller, n. One who cuts down timber in thebush. 

1882. `Pall Mall Gazette, ' June 29, p. 2, col. 1:

"A broken-down, deserted shanty, inhabited once, perhaps, byrail-splitters or bush-fallers. " [`O. E. D. , ' from which thisquotation is taken, puts (?) before the meaning; but "To fall"is not uncommon in Australia for "to fell. "]

Bush-fire, n. Forests and grass on fire in hotsummers. 

1868. C. Dilke, `Greater Britain, ' vol. Ii. Part iii. C. Iii. P. 32:

"The smoke from these bush-fires extends for hundreds of milesto sea. "

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Xxii. P. 156:

"A reserve in case of bush-fires and bad seasons. "

Bush-lawyer, n. (1) A Bramble. See Lawyer. 

(2) Name often used for a layman who fancies he knows all aboutthe law without consulting a solicitor. He talks a great deal, and `lays down the law. '

1896. H. G. Turner, `Lecture on J. P. Fawkner':

"For some years he cultivated and developed his capacity forrhetorical argument by practising in the minor courts of law inTasmania as a paid advocate, a position which in those days, and under the exceptional circumstances of the Colony, was notrestricted to members of the legal profession, and the termBush Lawyer probably takes its origin from the practice of thisperiod. "

Bush-magpie, n. An Australian bird, morecommonly called a Magpie (q. V. ). 

1888. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Ii. P. 235:

". . . The omnipresent bush-magpie. Here he may warble all theday long on the liquid, mellifluous notes of his Doric flute, fit pipe indeed for academic groves . . . Sweetest and brightest, most cheery and sociable of all Australian birds. "

Bushman, n. (1) Settler in the bush. Used to distinguish country residents from townsfolk. 

1852. `Blackwood's Magazine, ' p. 522 (`O. E. D. '):

"Where the wild bushman eats his loathly fare. "

1880. J. Mathew, song, `The Bushman:'

"How weary, how dreary the stillness must be! But oh! the lone bushman is dreaming of me. "

1886. Frank Cowan: `Australia; a Charcoal Sketch':

"The bushman . . . Gunyah, his bark hovel; Damper, his unleavened bread baked in the ashes; Billy, histea-kettle, universal pot and pan and bucket; Sugar-bag, his source of saccharine, a bee-tree; Pheasant, hisfacetious metaphoric euphism for Liar, quasi Lyre-bird; Fitfor Woogooroo, for Daft or Idiotic; Brumby, hispeculiar term for wild horse; Scrubber, wild ox;Nuggeting, calf-stealing; Jumbuck, sheep, ingeneral; an Old-man, grizzled wallaroo or kangaroo;Station, Run, a sheep- or cattle-ranch; andKabonboodgery--an echo of the sound diablery for ever inhis ears, from dawn to dusk of Laughing Jackass and from duskto dawn of Dingo--his half-bird -and-beast-like vocalsubstitute for Very Good. . . . "

1896. H. Lawson, `While the Billy boils, ' p. 71:

"He was a typical bushman, . . . And of the old bush school;one of those slight active little fellows, whom we used to seein cabbage-tree hats, Crimean shirts, strapped trousers, andelastic-side boots. "

(2) One who has knowledge of the bush, and is skilled in itsways. A "good bushman" is especially used of a man who canfind his way where there are no tracks. 

1868. J. Bonwick, `John Batman, Founder of Victoria, ' pp. 78, 79:

"It is hardly likely that so splendid a bushman as Mr. Batmanwould venture upon such an expedition had he not been well. In fact a better bushman at this time could not be met with. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. Ii. P. 3:

"The worst bushman had to undertake the charge of the camp, cook the provisions, and look after the horses, during theabsence of the rest on flying excursions. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 40:

"Very slight landmarks will serve to guide a good bushman, for no two places are really exactly alike. "

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `Sydney-side Saxon, ' p. 78:

"One of the best bushmen in that part of the country: the mensaid he could find his way over it blindfold, or on the darkestnight that ever was. "

(3) Special sense. See quotation. 

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 80:

"Some were what is termed, par excellence, bushmen--thatis, men who split rails, get posts, shingles, take contractsfor building houses, stockyards, etc. --men, in fact, who workamong timber continually, sometimes felling and splitting, sometimes sawing. "

Bushmanship, n. Knowledge of the ways of thebush. 

1882. A. J. Boyd, `Old Colonials, ' p. 261:

"A good laugh at the bushmanship displayed. "

Bushranger, n. One who ranges or traverses thebush, far and wide; an Australian highwayman; in the early daysusually an escaped convict. Shakspeare uses the verb `torange' in this connection. 

"Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen In murders and in outrage, boldly here. " (`Richard II. , ' III. Ii. 39. )

"Ranger" is used in modern English for one who protectsand not for one who robs; as `the Ranger' of a Park. 

1806. May 4, `Sydney Gazette' or `New South Wales Advertiser, given in `History of New South Wales, ' p. 265:

"Yesterday afternoon, William Page, the bushranger repeatedlyadvertised, was apprehended by three constables. "

1820. W. C. Wentworth, `Description of New South Wales, 'p. 166:

[The settlements in Van Diemen's Land have] "been infested formany years past by a banditti of runaway convicts, who haveendangered the person and property of every one. . . . Thesewretches, who are known in the colony by the name ofbushrangers. . . "

1820. Lieut. Chas. Jeffreys, `Van Dieman's [sic] Land, ' p. 15:

"The supposition . . . Rests solely on the authority of the BushRangers, a species of wandering brigands, who will be elsewheredescribed. "

1838. T. L. `Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' vol. I. P. 9:

"Bushrangers, a sub-genus in the order banditti, which happilycan now only exist there in places inaccessible to the mountedpolice. "

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 81:

"This country [Van Diemen's Land] is as much infested as NewSouth Wales with robbers, runaway convicts, or, as they aretermed, Bush-rangers. "

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 77:

"The whole region was infested by marauding bands ofbush-rangers, terrible after nightfall. "

1887. J. F. Hogan, `The Irish in Australia, p. 252:

"Whilst he was engaged in this duty in Victoria, a bandof outlaws--'bushrangers' as they are colonially termed--who had long defied capture, and had carried on a careerof murder and robbery, descended from their haunts inthe mountain ranges. "

Bush-ranging, n. The practice of the Bushranger(q. V. ). 

1827. `Captain Robinson's Report, ' Dec. 23

"It was a subject of complaint among the settlers, that theirassigned servants could not be known from soldiers, owing totheir dress; which very much assisted the crime of`bush-ranging. '"

Bush-scrubber, n. A bushman's word for a boor, bumpkin, or slatternly person. See Scrubber. 

1896. Modern. Up-country manservant on seeing his newmistress:

"My word! a real lady! she's no bush-scrubber!"

Bush-telegraph, n. Confederates of bushrangerswho supply them with secret information of the movements of thepolice. 

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 507:

"The police are baffled by the false reports of theconfederates and the number and activity of the bushtelegraphs. "

1893. Kenneth Mackay, `Out Back, ' p. 74:

"A hint dropped in this town set the bush telegraphs riding inall directions. "

Bushwoman, n. See quotation. 

1892. `The Australasian, ' April 9, p. 707, col. 1:

"But who has championed the cause of the woman of the bush--or, would it be more correct to say bushwoman, as well asbushman?--and allowed her also a claim to participate in thefounding of a nation?"

Bush-wren, n. See Wren. 

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 108:

[A full description. ]

Bushed, adj. , quasi past participle, lost in the bush; then, lost or at a loss. 

1661. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 115:

"I left my seat to reach a shelter, which was so many milesoff, that I narrowly escaped being `bushed. '"

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. I. P. 283:

"The poor youth, new to the wilds, had, in the expressivephrase of the colonials, got bushed, that is, utterlybewildered, and thus lost all idea of the direction that heought to pursue. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 29:

"I get quite bushed in these streets. "

1896. `The Argus, ' Jan. 1, p. 4, col. 9:

"The Ministry did not assume its duty of leading the House, andMr. Higgins graphically described the position of affairs bystating that the House was `bushed;' while Mr. Shiels comparedthe situation to a rudderless ship drifting hither andthither. "

Bustard, n. "There are about twenty species, mostly of Africa, several of India, one of Australia, and threeproperly European. " (`Century. ') The Australian variety isEupodotis australis, Gray, called also WildTurkey, Native Turkey, and Plain Turkey. SeeTurkey. 

Buster, Southerly, n. The word is a corruptionof `burster, ' that which bursts. A sudden and violent squallfrom the south. The name, used first in Sydney, has beenadopted also in other Australian cities. See Brickfielder. 

1863. F. Fowler, in `Athenaeum, ' Feb. 21, p. 264, col. 1:

"The cold wind or southerly buster which . . . Carries a thickcloud of dust . . . Across the city. "

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 587:

"Southerly Busters by `Ironbark. '"

1886. F. Cowan, `Australia, a Charcoal Sketch':

"The Buster and Brickfielder: austral red-dust blizzard;and red-hot Simoom. "

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, `Australian Life, ' p. 40:

"Generally these winds end in what is commonly called a`southerly buster. ' This is preceded by a lull in the hotwind; then suddenly (as it has been put) it is as though abladder of cool air were exploded, and the strong coolsoutherly air drives up with tremendous force. Howeverpleasant the change of temperature may be it is no mere pastimeto be caught in a `southerly buster, ' but the drifting rainwhich always follows soon sets matters right, allays the dust, and then follows the calm fresh bracing wind which is the moredelightful by contrast with the misery through which one haspassed for three long dreary days and nights. "

1893. `The Australasian, ' Aug. 12, p. 302, col. 1:

"You should see him with Commodore Jack out in the teethof the `hard glad weather, ' when a southerly buster sweepsup the harbour. "

1896. H. A. Hunt, in `Three Essays on Australian Weather'(Sydney), p. 16:

An Essay on Southerly Bursters, . . . With Four Photographsand Five Diagrams. "

[Title of an essay which was awarded the prize of L 25 offeredby the Hon. Ralph Abercrombie. ]

Butcher, n. South Australian slang for a longdrink of beer, so-called (it is said) because the men of acertain butchery in Adelaide used this refreshment regularly;cf. "porter" in England, after the drink of the old Londonporters. 

Butcher-bird, n. The name is in use elsewhere, but in Australia it is applied to the genus Cracticus. The varieties are--

The Butcher-bird-- Cracticus torquatus, Lath. ; formerly C. Destructor, Gould. 

Black B. -- C. Quoyi, Less. 

Black-throated B. -- C. Nigrigularis, Gould. 

Grey B. (Derwent Jackass)-- C. Cinereus, Gould (see Jackass). 

Pied B. -- C. Picatus, Gould. 

Rufous B. -- C. Rufescens, De Vis. 

Silver-backed B. -- C. Argenteus, Gould. 

Spalding's B. -- C. Spaldingi, Masters. 

White-winged B. -- C. Leucopterus, Cav. 

The bird is sometimes called a Crow-shrike. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, 'vol. Xv. P. 213:

"Mr. Caley observes--Butcher-bird. This bird used frequentlyto come into some green wattle-trees near my house, and in wetweather was very noisy; from which circumstance it obtained thename of `Rain-bird. '"

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Ii. Pl. 52:

"Cracticus Destructor. Butcher Bird, name given bycolonists of Swan River, a permanent resident in New SouthWales and South Australia. I scarcely know of any Australianbird so generally dispersed. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 50:

"Close to the station one or two butcher-birds were pipingtheir morning song, a strange little melody with not manynotes, which no one who has heard it will ever forget. "

Buttercup, n. The familiar English flower isrepresented in Australia and Tasmania by various species ofRanunculus, such as R. Lappaceus, Sm. , N. O. Ranunculaceae. 

Butter-fish, n. A name given in Australia toOligorus mitchellii, Castln. (see Murray Perch);in Victoria, to Chilodactylus nigricans, Richards. (seeMorwong); in New Zealand, to Coridodax pullus, Forst. , called also Kelp-fish. The name is in allusionto their slippery coating of mucus. See Kelp-fish. 

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip, ' vol. Iii. P. 44:

"In the bay are large quantities of . . . Butter-fish. "

1880. Guenther, `Study of Fishes, ' p. 533:

"The `butter-fish, ' or `kelp-fish' of the colonists of NewZealand (C. Pullus), is prized as food, and attains to aweight of four or five pounds. "

Butterfly-conch, n. Tasmanian name for a marineunivalve mollusc, Voluta papillosa, Swainson. 

Butterfly-fish, n. A New Zealand sea-fish, Gasterochisma melampus, Richards. , one of theNomeidae. The ventral fins are exceedingly broad andlong, and can be completely concealed in a fold of the abdomen. The New Zealand fish is so named from these fins; the EuropeanButterfly-fish, Blennius ocellaris, derives its namefrom the spots on its dorsal fin, like the eyes in a peacock'stail or butterfly's wing. 

Butterfly-Lobster, n. A marine crustacean, socalled from the leaf-like expansion of the antennae. It is"the highly specialized macrourous decapod IbacusPeronii. " (W. A. Haswell. )

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 248:

"Those curious crustaceans that I have heard called `butterflylobsters'. . . The shell of the head and body (properly knownas the carapace) expands into something like wing-forms, entirely hiding the legs beneath them. "

Butterfly-Plant, n. A small flowering plant, Utricularia dichotoma, Lab. , N. O. Leutibularina. 

Button-grass, n. Schaenussphaerocephalus, Poiret, N. O. Cyperaceae. The grassis found covering barren boggy land in Tasmania, but is notpeculiar to Tasmania. So called from the round shaped flower(capitate inflorescence), on a thin stalk four or five feetlong, like a button on the end of a foil. 

Buzzard, n. An English bird-name applied inAustralia to Gypoictinia melanosternon, Gould, theBlack-breasted Buzzard. 

C

Cabbage Garden, a name applied to the colony ofVictoria by Sir John Robertson, the Premier of New South Wales, in contempt for its size. 

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, `Australian Life, ' p. 30:

"`The cabbage garden, ' old cynical Sir John Robertson, of NewSouth Wales, once called Victoria, but a gardennotwithstanding. Better at any rate `the cabbage garden' thanthe mere sheep run or cattle paddock. "

Cabbage-Palm, n. Same as Cabbage-tree(1) (q. V. ). 

Cabbage-tree, n (1)Name given to various palmtrees of which the heart of the young leaves is eaten like thehead of a cabbage. In Australia the name is applied to the fanpalm, Livistona inermis, R. Br. , and more commonly toLivistona australis, Martius. In New Zealand the nameis given to various species of Cordyline, especially toCordyline indivisa. See also Flame-tree (2). 

1769. `Capt. Cook's Journal, ' ed. Wharton (1893), p. 144:

"We likewise found one Cabage Tree which we cut down for thesake of the cabage. "

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, ' p. 60:

"Even the ships crews helped, except those who brought thecabbage trees. "

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. Ii. C. Iv. P. 132:

"Cabbage-tree . . . Grew in abundance. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 72:

"Several of my companions suffered by eating too much of thecabbage-palm. "

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. I. P. 414:

"Clumps of what the people of King George's Sound callcabbage-trees. "

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand, ' p. 240:

"There stands an isolated `cabbage-tree' (Ti of the natives;Cordyline Australis) nearly thirty feet high, withramified branches and a crown of luxuriant growth. "

(2) A large, low-crowned, broad-brimmed hat, made out of theleaves of the Cabbage-tree (Livistona). 

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, ' 335:

"This hat, made of white filaments of the cabbage-tree, seemed to excite the attention of the whole party. "

1852. G. F. P. , `Gold Pen and Pencil Sketches, ' xv. :

"With scowl indignant flashing from his eye, As though to wither each unshaven wretch, Jack jogs along, nor condescends reply, As to the price his cabbage-tree might fetch. "

1864. `Once a Week, ' Dec. 31, p. 45, The Bulla Bulla Bunyip':

"Lushy Luke endeavoured to sober himself by dipping his head inthe hollowed tree-trunk which serves for the water-trough of anup-country Australian inn. He forgot, however, to take off his`cabbage-tree' before he ducked, and angry at having made afool of himself, he gave fierce orders, in a thick voice, forhis men to fall in, shoulder arms, and mark time. "

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discoveryand Exploration of Australia, ' vol. I. Pp. 160, 161:

"The cabbage-palm was also a new species, called by Mr. Brownthe Livistonia inermis. It was abundant; but thecabbage (the heart of the young budding leaves) too small to beuseful as an article of food, at least to a ship's company. But the leaves were found useful. These dried and drawn intostrips were plaited into hats for the men, and to this day thecabbage-tree hat is very highly esteemed by the Australians, asa protection from the sun, and allowing free ventilation. "[Note]: "A good cabbage-tree hat, though it very much resemblesa common straw hat, will fetch as much as L3. "

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 527:

". . . Trousers, peg-top shaped, and wore a new cabbage-treehat. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 33:

"A brand-new cabbage-tree hat protected his head. "

Cabbage-tree Mob, and Cabbagites, obsoleteAustralian slang for modern Larrikins (q. V). , becausewearing cabbage-tree hats. 

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes `(edition 1855), p. 17:

"There are to be found round the doors of the Sydney Theatre asort of `loafers' known as the Cabbage-tree mob, --aclass who, in the spirit of the ancient tyrant, one mightexcusably wish had but one nose in order to make it a bloodyone. . . . Unaware of the propensities of the cabbagites hewas by them furiously assailed. "

Cad, n. Name in Queensland for the Cicada(q. V. ). 

1896. `The Australasian, ' Jan. 11, p. 76, col. 1:

"From the trees sounds the shrill chirp of large green cicada(native cads as the bushmen call them). "

Caddie, n. A bush name for the slouch-hat orwide-awake. In the Australian bush the brim is generallyturned down at the back and sometimes all round. 

Cadet, n. Term used in New Zealand, answering to the Australian Colonial Experience, or jackaroo (q. V. ). 

1866. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 68:

"A cadet, as they are called--he is a clergyman's son learningsheepfarming under our auspices. "

1871. C. L. Money, `Knocking About in New Zealand, ' p. 6:

"The military designation of cadet was applied to any youngfellow who was attached to a sheep or cattle station in thesame capacity as myself. He was `neither flesh nor fowl norgood red herring, ' neither master nor man. He was sent to workwith the men, but not paid. "

Caloprymnus, n. The scientific name of thegenus called the Plain Kangaroo-Rat. (Grk. Kalos, beautiful, and prumnon, hinderpart. ) It has bright flanks. See Kangaroo-Rat. 

Camp, n. (1) A place to live in, generallytemporary; a rest. 

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' pp. 46, 47:

" I was shown my camp, which was a slab but about a hundredyards away from the big house. . . . I was rather tired, andnot sorry for the prospect of a camp. "

(2) A place for mustering cattle. 

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 64:

"All about the run, at intervals of fire or six miles, arecattle-camps, and the cattle that belong to the surroundingdistricts are mustered on their respective camps. "

1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River, ' p. 26:

"There was never his like in the open bush, And never his match on the cattle-camps. "

(3) In Australia, frequently used for a camping-out expedition. Often in composition with "out, " a camp-out. 

1869. `Colonial Monthly, ' vol. Iv. P. 289:

"A young fellow with even a moderate degree of sensibility mustbe excited by the novelty of his first `camp-out' in theAustralian bush. "

1880. R. H. Inglis, `Australian Cousins, ' p. 233:

"We're going to have a regular camp; we intend going to PortHocking to have some shooting, fishing, and general diversion. "

(4) A name for Sydney and for Hobart, now long obsolete, originating when British military forces were stationed there. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 70:

"It is the old resident--he who still calls Sydney, with itspopulation of twelve thousand inhabitants, thecamp, --that can appreciate these things: he who stillrecollects the few earth-huts and solitary tents scatteredthrough the forest brush surrounding Sydney Cove (knownproperly then indeed by the name of `The Camp'). "

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 193:

"Living during the winter in Hobarton, usually called `thecamp, ' in those days. "

Camp, v. (1) Generally in composition with"out, " to sleep in the open air, usually without any covering. Camping out is exceedingly common in Australia owing to thewarmth of the climate and the rarity of rain. 

1867. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 125:

"I like to hear of benighted or belated travellers when theyhave had to `camp out, ' as it is technically called. "

1875. R. And F. Hill, `What we saw in Australia, ' p. 208:

"So the Bishop determined to `camp-out' at once where a goodfire could be made. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. Ii. P. 43:

"There is room here for fifty, rolled up on the floor; andshould that fail them, there is no end of other places; or thebush, as a fall back, where, indeed, some of them prefercamping as it is. "

1891. `The Australasian, ' Nov. 14, p. 963, col. 1: `A Lady inthe Kermadecs':

"For three months I `camped out' there alone, shepherding aflock of Angoras. "

(2) By extension, to sleep in any unusual place, or at anunusual time. 

1893. `Review of Reviews' (Australasian ed. ), March, p. 51:

"The campaign came to an abrupt and somewhat inglorious close, Sir George Dibbs having to `camp' in a railway carriage, andSir Henry Parkes being flood-bound at Quirindi. "

1896. Modern:

"Visitor, --`Where's your Mother?' `Oh, she's camping. '" [Thelady was enjoying an afternoon nap indoors. ]

(3) To stop for a rest in the middle of the day. 

1891. Mrs. Cross (Ada Cambridge), `The Three Miss Kings, 'p. 180:

"We'll have lunch first before we investigate the caves--ifit's agreeable to you. I will take the horses out, and we'llfind a nice place to camp before they come. "

(4) To floor or prove superior to. Slang. 

1886. C. H. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 207:

"At punching oxen you may guess There's nothing out can camp him. He has, in fact, the slouch and dress, Which bullock-driver stamp him. "

Camphor-wood, n. An Australian timber; the woodof Callitris (Frenea) robusta, Cunn. , N. O. Coniferae. Called also Light, Black, White, Dark, and Common Pine, as the wood varies much inits colouring. See Pine. 

Canajong, n. Tasmanian aboriginal name forthe plants called Pig-faces (q. V. ). 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 44:

"Pig-faces. It was the canajong of the Tasmanianaboriginal. The fleshy fruit is eaten raw by the aborigines:the leaves are eaten baked. "

Canary, n. (1) A bird-name used in New Zealandfor Clitonyx ochrocephala, called also theYellow-head. Dwellers in the back-blocks of Australiaapply the name to the Orange-fronted Ephthianura(E. Aurifrons, Gould), and sometimes to theWhite-throated Gerygone (Gerygone albigularis). 

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 56:

"Clitonyx Ochrocephala. Yellow-head. `Canary' of thecolonists. "

(2) Slang for a convict. See quotations. As early as 1673, `canary-bird' was thieves' English for a gaol-bird. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 117:

"Convicts of but recent migration are facetiously known by thename of canaries, by reason of the yellow plumage inwhich they are fledged at the period of landing. "

1870. T. H. Braim, `New Homes, ' c. Ii. P. 72:

"The prisoners were dressed in yellow-hence called `canarybirds. '"

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Vi. P. 49:

"Can't you get your canaries off the track here for abouta quarter of an hour, and let my mob of cattle pass ?"

Candle-nut, n. The name is given in Queenslandto the fruit of Aleurites moluccana, Willd. , N. O. Euphorbiaceae. The nuts are two or more inchesdiameter. The name is often given to the tree itself, whichgrows wild in Queensland and is cultivated in gardens thereunder the name of A. Triloba, Forst. It is not endemicin Australia, but the vernacular name of Candle-nut isconfined to Australia and the Polynesian Islands. 

1883. F. M. Bailey, `Synopsis of Queensland Flora, ' p. 472:

"Candle-nut. The kernels when dried and stuck on a reed areused by the Polynesian Islanders as a substitute for candles, and as an article of food in New Georgia. These nuts resemblewalnuts somewhat in size and taste. When pressed they yield alarge proportion of pure palatable oil, used as a drying-oilfor paint, and known as country walnut-oil and artists' oil. "

Cane-grass, n. I. Q. Bamboo-grass(q. V. ). 

Cape-Barren Goose, n. See Goose. 

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 114, [Footnote]:

"The `Cape Barren Goose' frequents the island from which ittakes its name, and others in the Straits. It is about thesame size as a common goose, the plumage a handsome mottledbrown and gray, somewhat owl-like in character. "

[Cape Barren Island is in Bass Strait, between Flinders Islandand Tasmania. Banks Strait flows between Cape Barren Islandand Tasmania. The easternmost point on the island is calledCape Barren. ]

Cape-Barren Tea, n. A shrub or tree, Correaalba, Andr. , N. O. Rutaceae. 

1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual, ' p. 134:

"Leptospermum lanigerum, hoary tea-tree; Acaciadecurrens, black wattle; Correa alba, Cape Barrentea. The leaves of these have been used as substitutes for teain the colony. "

Cape Lilac, n. See Lilac. 

Cape Weed, n. In Europe, Roccellatinctoria, a lichen from the Cape de Verde Islands, fromwhich a dye is produced. In New Zealand, name given to theEuropean cats-ear, Hypaechoris radicata. In Australiait is as in quotation below. See `Globe Encyclopaedia, ' 1877(s. V. ). 

1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, `First Book of Australian Botany, 'p. 60:

"Cape Weed. Cryptostemma Calendulaceum. (NaturalOrder, Compositae. ) This weed, which has proved sucha pest in many parts of Victoria, was introduced from the Capeof Good Hope, as a fodder plant. It is an annual, floweringin the spring, and giving a bright golden hue to the fields. It proves destructive to other herbs and grasses, and thoughit affords a nutritious food for stock in the spring, it diesoff in the middle of summer, after ripening its seeds, leavingthe fields quite bare. "

Caper-tree, n. The Australian tree of this nameis Capparis nobilis, F. V. M. , N. O. Capparideae. The Karum of the Queensland aboriginals. The fruit isone to two inches in diameter. Called also Grey Plum orNative Pomegranate. The name is also given toCapparis Mitchelli, Lindl. The European caper isCapparis spinosa, Linn. 

1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue, Economic Woods, ' p. 10:

"Native Caper Tree or Wild Pomegranate. Natural Order, Capparideae. Found in the Mallee Scrub. A small tree. The wood is whitish, hard, close-grained, and suitable forengraving, carving, and similar purposes. Strongly resembleslancewood. "

Captain Cook, or Cooker, n. NewZealand colonists' slang. First applied to the wild pigs ofNew Zealand, supposed to be descended from those firstintroduced by Captain Cook; afterwards used as term of reproachfor any pig which, like the wild variety, obstinately refusedto fatten. See Introduction. 

1879. W. Quin, `New Zealand Country Journal, ' vol. Iii. P. 55:

"Many a rare old tusker finds a home in the mountain gorges. The immense tusks at Brooksdale attest the size of the wildboars or Captain Cooks, as the patriarchs are generally named. "

1894. E. Wakefield, `New Zealand after Fifty Years, ' p. 85:

"The leanness and roughness of the wild pig gives it quite adifferent appearance from the domesticated variety; and hence agaunt, ill-shaped, or sorry-looking pig is everywhere called inderision a `Captain Cook. '"

Carbora, n. Aboriginal name for (1) theNative Bear. See Bear. 

(2) A kind of water worm that eats into timber between high andlow water on a tidal river. 

Cardamom, n. For the Australian tree of thisname, see quotation. 

1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals, ' p. 96:

"The Australian cardamom tree. " [Footnote]: "This is afictitious name, as are the names of many Australian plants andanimals. The tree belongs to the nutmeg family, and its realname is Myristica insipida. The name owes itsexistence to the similarity of the fruit to the real cardamom. But the fruit of the Myristica has not so strong andpleasant an odour as the real cardamom, and hence the tree iscalled insipida. "

Carp, n. The English fish is of the familyCyprinidae. The name is given to different fishes inIreland and elsewhere. In Sydney it is Chilodactylusfuscus, Castln. , and Chilodactylus macropterus, Richards. ; called also Morwong (q. V. ). The MurrayCarp is Murrayia cyprinoides, Castln. , a percoidfish. Chilodactylis belongs to the familyCirrhitidae, in no way allied to Cyprinidae, which contains the European carps. Cirrhitidae, saysGuenther, may be readily recognized by their thickenedundivided lower pectoral rays, which in some are evidentlyauxiliary organs of locomotion, in others, probably, organs oftouch. 

Carpet-Shark, n. I. Q. Wobbegong (q. V. )

Carpet-Snake, n. A large Australian snake witha variegated skin, Python variegata, Gray. InWhitworth's `Anglo-Indian Dictionary, ' 1885 (s. V. ), we are toldthat the name is loosely applied (sc. In India) to any kind ofsnake found in a dwelling-house other than a cobra or a dhaman. In Tasmania, a venomous snake, Hoplocephalus curtus, Schlegel. See under Snake. 

Carrier, n. A local name for a water-bag. 

1893. A. F. Calvert, `English Illustrated, ' Feb. , p. 321:

"For the water-holders or `carriers' (made to fit the bodies ofthe horses carrying them, or to `ride easily' onpack-saddles). "

Carrot, Native, (1) Daucus brachiatus, Sieb. , N. O. Umbelliferae. Not endemic in Australia. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 64:

"The native carrot . . . Was here withered and in seed. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 124:

"Native carrot. Stock are very fond of this plant when young. Sheep thrive wonderfully on it where it is plentiful. It is asmall annual herbaceous plant, growing plentifully on sandhillsand rich soil; the seeds, locally termed `carrot burrs, ' arevery injurious to wool, the hooked spines with which the seedsare armed attaching themselves to the fleece, renderingportions of it quite stiff and rigid. The common carrotbelongs, of course, to this genus, and the fact that it isdescended from an apparently worthless, weedy plant, indicatesthat the present species is capable of much improvement bycultivation. "

(2) In Tasmania Geranium dissectum, Linn. , is alsocalled "native carrot. "

Cascarilla, Native, n. An Australian timber, Croton verreauxii, Baill. , N. O. Euphorbiaceae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 408:

"Native cascarilla. A small tree; wood of a yellowish colour, close-grained and firm. "

Cassowary, n. The word is Malay, the genusbeing found in "the Islands in the Indian Archipelago. "(`O. E. D. ') The Australian variety is Casuariusaustralis, Waller. The name is often erroneously applied(as in the first two quotations), to the Emu (q. V. ), which isnot a Cassowary. 

1789. Governor Phillip, `Voyage, ' c. Xxii. P. 271:

"New Holland Cassowary. [Description given. ] This bird is notuncommon to New Holland, as several of them have been seenabout Botany Bay, and other parts. . . . Although this birdcannot fly, it runs so swiftly that a greyhound can scarcelyovertake it. The flesh is said to be in taste not unlikebeef. "

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, 'c. Xi. P. 438:

"The cassowary of New South Wales is larger in all respectsthan the well-known bird called the cassowary. "

1869. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia' (Supplement):

"Casuarius Australis, Wall. , Australian Cassowary, sometimes called Black Emu. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 73:

"One day an egg of a cassowary was brought to me; this bird, although it is nearly akin to the ostrich and emu, does not, like the latter, frequent the open plains, but the thickbrushwood. The Australian cassowary is found in NorthernQueensland from Herbert river northwards, in all the largevine-scrubs on the banks of the rivers, and on the highmountains of the coasts. "

Ibid. P. 97. 

"The proud cassowary, the stateliest bird of Australia. . . This beautiful and comparatively rare creature. '"

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

"The Australian cassowary. . . . They are somewhat shorterand stouter in build than the emu. "

Casuarina, n. The scientific name of a largegroup of trees common to India, and other parts lying betweenIndia and Australasia, but more numerous in Australia thanelsewhere, and often forming a characteristic feature of thevegetation. They are the so-called She-oaks (q. V. ). Theword is not, however, Australian, and is much older than thediscovery of Australia. Its etymology is contained in thequotation, 1877. 

1806. `Naval Chronicles, ' c. Xv. P. 460:

"Clubs made of the wood of the Casuarina. "

1814. R. Brown, `Botany of Terra Australis, ' in M. Flinders'`Voyage to Terra Australis, ' vol. Ii. P. 571:

"Casuarinae. The genus Casuarina is certainly notreferable to any order of plants at present established. . . It may be considered a separate order. . . . The maximumof Casuarina appears to exist in Terra Australis, where itforms one of the characteristic features of the vegetation. "

1855. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes, ' p. 160:

"The dark selvage of casuarinas fringing its bank. "

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 10:

"The vegetation assumed a new character, the eucalyptus andcasuarina alternating with the wild cherry and honeysuckle. "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 34:

"The scientific name of these well-known plants is asappropriate as their vernacular appellation is odd andunsuited. The former alludes to the cassowary (Casuarius), theplumage of which is comparatively as much reduced among birds, as the foliage of the casuarinas is stringy among trees. Hencemore than two centuries ago Rumph already bestowed the nameCasuarina on a Java species, led by the Dutch colonists, whocall it there the Casuaris-Boom. The Australian vernacularname seems to have arisen from some fancied resemblance of thewood of some casuarinas to that of oaks, notwithstanding theextreme difference of the foliage and fruit; unless, asDr. Hooker supposes, the popular name of these trees and shrubsarose from the Canadian `Sheack. '"

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 397:

"From a fancied resemblance of the wood of casuarinas to thatof oak, these trees are called `oaks, ' and the same anddifferent species have various appellations in various parts. "

1890. C. Lumholtz; `Among Cannibals, ' p. 33:

"Along its banks (the Comet's) my attention was drawn to anumber of casuarinas--those leafless, dark trees, which alwaysmake a sad impression on the traveller; even a casual observerwill notice the dull, depressing sigh which comes from a groveof these trees when there is the least breeze. '"

Cat-bird, n. In America the name is given toMimus carolinensis, a mocking thrush, which like theAustralian bird has a cry resembling the mewing of a cat. TheAustralian species are--

The Cat-bird-- Ailuraedus viridis, Lath. 

Spotted C. -- Ailuraedus maculosus, Ramsay. Pomatostomus rubeculus, Gould. 

Tooth-billed C. -- Scenopaeus dentirostris, Ramsay. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 11:

"Its loud, harsh and extraordinary note is heard; a note whichdiffers so much from that of all other birds, that having beenonce heard it can never be mistaken. In comparing it to thenightly concert of the domestic cat, I conceive that I amconveying to my readers a more perfect idea of the note of thisspecies than could be given by pages of description. Thisconcert, like that of the animal whose name it bears, isperformed either by a pair or several individuals, and nothingmore is required than for the hearer to shut his eyes from theneighbouring foliage to fancy himself surrounded by Londongrimalkins of house-top celebrity. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 36:

"One of the most peculiar of birds' eggs found about the Murrayis that of the locally-termed `cat-bird, ' the shell of which isveined thickly with dark thin threads as though covered with aspider's web. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals. ' p. 96:

"The cat-bird (AEluraedus maculosus), which makes itsappearance towards evening, and has a voice strikingly like themewing of a cat. "

1893. `The Argus, ' March 25:

"Another quaint caller of the bush is the cat-bird, and itseggs are of exactly the colour of old ivory. "

1896. G. A. Keartland, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia, 'pt. Ii. Zoology, p. 92:

"Their habit of mewing like a cat has gained for them the localcognomen of cat-birds. "

Cat-fish, n. The name is applied in the OldWorld to various fishes of the family Siluridae, andalso to the Wolf-fish of Europe and North America. It arisesfrom the resemblance of the teeth in some cases or theprojecting "whiskers" in others, to those of a cat. InVictoria and New South Wales it is a fresh-water fish, Copidoglanis tandanus, Mitchell, brought abundantly toMelbourne by railway. It inhabits the rivers of the Murraysystem, but not of the centre of the continent. Called alsoEel-fish and Tandan (q. V. ). In Sydney the samename is applied also to Cnidoglanis megastoma, Rich. , and in New Zealand Kathetostoma monopterygium. Cnidoglanis and Cnidoglanis are Siluroids, andKathetostoma is a"stargazer, " i. E. A fish having eyeson the upper surface of the head, belonging to the familyTrachinidsae. 

1851. J. Henderson, `Excursions in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 207:

"The Cat-fish, which I have frequently caught in the McLeay, is a large and very ugly animal. Its head is provided withseveral large tentacatae, and it has altogether a disagreeableappearance. I have eat its flesh, but did not like it. "

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 213 [Footnote]:

"Mr. Frank Buckland . . . Writing of a species of rock-fish, says--`I found that it had a beautiful contrivance in theconformation of its mouth. It has the power of prolongatingboth its jaws to nearly the extent of half-an-inch from theirnatural position. This is done by a most beautiful bit ofmechanism, somewhat on the principle of what are called `lazytongs. ' The cat-fish possesses a like feature, but on a muchlarger scale, the front part of the mouth being capable ofbeing protruded between two and three inches when seizingprey. '"

Cat, Native, n. A small carnivorous marsupial, of the genus Dasyurus. The so-called native cat is nota cat at all, but a marsupial which resembles a very large rator weasel, with rather a bushy tail. It is fawn-coloured ormouse-coloured, or black and covered with little white spots; avery pretty little animal. It only appears at night, when itclimbs fences and trees and forms sport for moonlight shooting. Its skin is made into fancy rugs and cloaks or mantles. 

The animal is more correctly called a Dasyure (q. V. ). The species are--

Black-tailed Native Cat Dasyurus geoffroyi, Gould. 

Common N. C. (called also Tiger Cat, q. V. )-- D. Viverrimus, Shaw. 

North Australian N. C. -- D. Hallucatus, Gould. 

Papuan N. C. -- D. Albopienetatus, Schl. 

Slender N. C. -- D. Gracilis, Ramsay. 

Spotted-tailed N. C. (called also Tiger Cat)-- D. Maculatus, Kerr. 

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 67:

"The native cat is similar [to the Tiger Cat; q. V. ] butsmaller, and its for is an ashy-grey with white spots. We have seen two or three skins quite black, spotted with white, but these are very rare. "

1885. H. H. Hayter, `Carboona, ' p. 35:

"A blanket made of the fur-covered skins of the native cat. "

1894. `The Argus, ' June 23, p. 11, col. 4:

"The voices of most of our night animals are guttural andunpleasing. The 'possum has a throaty half-stifled squeak, the native cat a deep chest-note ending with a hiss and easilyimitated. " [See Skirr. ]

Catholic Frog, n. Name applied to a frog livingin the inland parts of New South Wales, Notadenbennettii, Guenth. , which tides over times of drought inburrows, and feeds on ants. Called also "Holy Cross Toad. "The names are given in consequence of a large cross-shapedblackish marking on the back. 

1801. J. J. Fletcher, `Proceedings of the Linnaean Society, New South Wales, ' vol. Vi. (2nd series), p. 265:

"Notaden bennettii, the Catholic frog, or as I haveheard it called the Holy Cross Toad, I first noticed in January1885, after a heavy fall of rain lasting ten days, off and on, and succeeding a severe drought. "

Cat's Eyes, n. Not the true Cat's-eye, but the name given in Australia to the opercula of Turbosmaragdus, Martyn, a marine mollusc. The operculum is thehorny or shelly lid which closes the aperture of most spiralshell fish. 

Cat's-head Fern, n. Aspidium aculeatum, Sw. :

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 220:

"The cat's-head fern; though why that name was given to it Ihave not the remotest idea. . . . It is full of beauty--thepinnules so exquisitely formed and indented, and gemmed beneathwith absolute constellations of Spori Polystichumvestitum. "

Catspaw, n. A Tasmanian plant, Trichiniumspathulatum, Poir. , N. O. Amarantaceae. 

Cat's Tail, n. See Wonga. 

Cattle-bush, n. A tree, Atalayahemiglauca, F. V. M. , N. O. Sapindacea. It is found in South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland, and is sometimes called Whitewood. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 117:

"Cattle-bush . . . The leaves of this tree are eaten by stock, the tree being frequently felled for their use during seasonsof drought. "

Cattle-duffer, n. A man who steals cattle(usually by altering their brands). See also Duffer. 

1886. `Melbourne Punch, ' July 15, Cartoon Verses:

"Cattle-duffers on a jury may be honest men enough, But they're bound to visit lightly sins in those who cattle duff. "

Cattle-racket, n. Explained in quotation. 

1852. `Settlers and Convicts; or Recollections of SixteenYears' Labour in the Australian Backwoods, ' p. 294:

"A Cattle-racket. The term at the head of this chapter wasoriginally applied in New South Wales to the agitation ofsociety which took place when some wholesale system of plunderin cattle was brought to light. It is now commonly applied toany circumstance of this sort, whether greater or less, andwhether springing from a felonious intent or accidental. "

Caustic-Creeper, n. Name given to Euphorbiadrummondii, Boiss. , N. O. Euphorbiaceae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 127:

"Called `caustic-creeper' in Queensland. Called `milk-plant'and `pox-plant' about Bourke. This weed is unquestionablypoisonous to sheep, and has recently (Oct. 1887) been reportedas having been fatal to a flock near Bourke, New SouthWales. . . . When eaten by sheep in the early morning, beforethe heat of the sun has dried it up, it is almost certain to befatal. Its effect on sheep is curious. The head swells to anenormous extent, becoming so heavy that the animal cannotsupport it, and therefore drags it along the ground; the earssuppurate. (Bailey and Gordon. )"

Caustic-Plant, or Caustic-Vine, n. Sarcostemma australis, R. Br. , N. O. Asclepiadea. Cattle and sheep are poisoned by eating it. 

Cavally, n. The original form of the Australianfish-name Trevally (q. V. ). The form Cavally isused to Europe, but is almost extinct in Australia; the formTrevally is confined to Australia. 

Cedar, n. The true Cedar is a Conifer(N. O. Coniferae) of the genus Cedrus, but thename is given locally to many other trees resembling it inappearance, or in the colour or scent of their wood. The NewZealand Cedar is the nearest approach to the trueCedar, and none of the so-called AustralianCedars are of the order Coniferae. The followingare the trees to which the name is applied in Australia:--

Bastard Pencil Cedar-- Dysoxylon rfum, Benth. , N. O. Meliaceae. 

Brown C. -- Ehretia acuminata, R. Br. , N. O. Asperifoliae. 

Ordinary or Red C. -- Cedrela australis, F. V. M. Cedrela toona, R. Br. , N. O. Meliaceae. [C. Toona is the "Toon" tree of India: its timber isknown in the English market as Moulmein Cedar; but the Baronvon Mueller doubts the identity of the Australian Cedar withthe "Toon" tree; hence his name australis. ]

Pencil C. -- Dysoxylon Fraserianum, Benth. , N. O. Meliaceae. 

Scrub White C. -- Pentaceras australis, Hook. And Don. , N. O. Rutacea. 

White C. -- Melia composita, Willd. , N. O. Meliaceae. 

Yellow C. -- Rhus rhodanthema, F. V. M. , N. O. Anacardiacae. 

In Tasmania, three species of the genus Arthrotaxis arecalled Cedars or Pencil Cedars; namely, A. Cupressoides, Don. , known as the King William Pine; A. Laxifolza, Hook. , the Mountain Pine; and A. Selaginoides, Don. , theRed Pine. All these are peculiar to the island. 

In New Zealand, the name of Cedar is applied to Libocedrusbidwillii, Hook. , N. O. Coniferae; Maori name, Pahautea. 

1838. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, vol. I. P. 328:

"The cedar of the colony (Cedrela toona, R. Br. ), whichis to be found only in some rocky gullies of the coast range. "

1883. F. M. Bailey, `Synopsis of Queensland Flora, ' p. 63:

"Besides being valuable as a timber-producing tree, this redcedar has many medicinal properties. The bark is spoken of asa powerful astringent, and, though not bitter, said to be agood substitute for Peruvian bark in the cure of remitting andintermitting fevers. "

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, ' p. 123:

"Pahautea, Cedar. A handsome conical tree sixty to eighty feethigh, two to three feet in diameter. In Otago it produces adark-red, freeworking timber, rather brittle . . . Frequentlymistaken for totara. "

Celery, Australian, or Native, n. Apium australe, Thon. Not endemicin Australia. In Tasmania, A. Prostratum, Lab. , N. O. Umbelliferae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 7:

"Australian Celery. This plant may be utilised as a culinaryvegetable. (Mueller. ) It is not endemic in Australia. "

Celery-topped Pine. N. See Pine. Thetree is so called from the appearance of the upper part of thebranchlets, which resemble in shape the leaf of the gardencelery. 

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 9:

"The tanekaha is one of the remarkable `celery-topped pines, 'and was discovered by Banks and Solander during Cook's firstvoyage. "

Centaury, Native, n. A plant, Erythraeaaustralis, R. Br. , N. O. Gentianeae. In New SouthWales this Australian Centaury has been found useful indysentery by Dr. Woolls. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 175:

"Native centaury . . . Is useful as a tonic medicine, especiallyin diarrhoea and dysentery. The whole plant is used and ispleasantly bitter. It is common enough in grass-land, andappears to be increasing in popularity as a domestic remedy. "

Centralia, n. A proposed name for the colonySouth Australia, (q. V. ). 

1896. J. S. Laurie, `Story of Australasia, ' p. 299:

"For telegraphic, postal, and general purposes one word isdesirable for a name--e. G. Why not Centralia; for WestAustralia, Westralia; for New South Wales, Eastralia?"

Cereopsis, n. Scientific name of the genusof the bird peculiar to Australia, called the Cake BarrenGoose. See Goose. The word is from Grk. Kaeros, wax, and 'opsis, face, and was givenfrom the peculiarities of the bird's beak. The genus isconfined to Australia, and Cereopsis novae-hollandiaeis the only species known. The bird was noticed by the earlyvoyagers to Australia, and was extraordinarily tame when firstdiscovered. 

Channel-Bill, n. Name given to a birdresembling a large cuckoo, Scythrops novae-hollandiae, Lath. See Scythrops. 

Cheesewood, n. A tree, so-called in Victoria (itis also called Whitewood and Waddywood in Tasmania), Pittosporum bicolor, Hook. , N. O. Pittosporeae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 588:

"Cheesewood is yellowish-white, very hard, and of uniformtexture and colour. It was once used for clubs by theaboriginals of Tasmania. It turns well, and should be testedfor wood engraving. (`Jurors' Reports, London InternationalExhibition of 1862. ') It is much esteemed for axe-handles, billiard-cues, etc. "

Cherry, Herbert River, n. A Queensland tree, Antidesma dallachyanum, Baill. , N. O. Euphorbiaceae. The fruit is equal to a large cherry in size, and has a sharp acidflavour. 

Cherry, Native, n. An Australian tree, Exocarpus cupressiformis, R. Br. , N. O. Santalaceae. 

1801. `History of New South Wales' (1818), p. 242:

"Of native fruits, a cherry, insipid in comparison of theEuropean sorts, was found true to the singularity whichcharacterizes every New South Wales production, the stone beingon the outside of the fruit. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 411:

"The shrub which is called the native cherry-tree appears likea species of cyprus, producing its fruit with the stone unitedto it on the outside, the fruit and the stone being each aboutthe size of a small pea. The fruit, when ripe, is similar incolour to the Mayduke cherry, but of a sweet and somewhatbetter quality, and slightly astringent to the palate, possessing, upon the whole, an agreeable flavour. "

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1851, p. 219:

"The cherry-tree resembles a cypress but is of a tenderergreen, bearing a worthless little berry, having its stone orseed outside, whence its scientific name of exocarpus. "

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 33:

"We also ate the Australian cherry, which has its stone, not onthe outside, enclosing the fruit, as the usual phrase wouldindicate, but on the end with the fruit behind it. Thestone is only about the size of a sweet-pea, and the fruit onlyabout twice that size, altogether not unlike a yew-berry, butof a very pale red. It grows on a tree just like an arborvitae, and is well tasted, though not at all like a cherry inflavour. "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 40:

"The principal of these kinds of trees received its genericname first from the French naturalist La Billardiere, duringD'Entrecasteaux's Expedition. It was our common Exocarpuscupressiformis, which he described, and which has beenmentioned so often in popular works as a cherry-tree, bearingits stone outside of the pulp. That this crude notion of thestructure of the fruit is erroneous, must be apparent onthoughtful contemplation, for it is evident at the firstglance, that the red edible part of our ordinary exocarpusconstitutes merely an enlarged and succulent fruit-stalklet(pedicel), and that the hard dry and greenish portion, strangely compared to a cherry-stone, forms the real fruit, containing the seed. "

1889. J. H. `Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 30:

"The fruit is edible. The nut is seated on the enlargedsucculent pedicel. This is the poor little fruit of which somuch has been written in English descriptions of thepeculiarities of the Australian flora. It has been likened toa cherry with the stone outside (hence the vernacular name) bysome imaginative person. "

1893. `Sydney Morning Herald, ' Aug. 19, p. 7, col. 1:

"Grass-trees and the brown brake-fern, whips of native cherry, and all the threads and tangle of the earth's green russetvestment hide the feet of trees which lean and lounge betweenus and the water, their leaf heads tinselled by the light. "

Cherry-picker, n. Bird-name. See quotation. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. P. 70:

"Melithreptus Validirostris, Gould. Strong-billedHoney-eater [q. V. ]. Cherry-picker, colonists of Van Diemen'sLand. "

Chestnut Pine, n. See Pine. 

Chewgah-bag, n. Queensland aboriginalpigeon-English for Sugar-bag (q. V. ). 

Chinkie, n. Slang for a Chinaman. "John, "short for John Chinaman, is commoner. 

1882. A. J. Boyd, `Old Colonials, ' p. 233:

"The pleasant traits of character in our colonialised `Chinkie, 'as he is vulgarly termed (with the single variation `Chow'). "

Chock-and-log, n. And adj. A particularkind of fence much used on Australian stations. TheChock is a thick short piece of wood laid flat, atright-angles to the line of the fence, with notches in it toreceive the Logs, which are laid lengthwise fromChock to Chock, and the fence is raised in fouror five layers of this chock-and-log to form, as itwere, a wooden wall. Both chocks and logs are rough-hewn orsplit, not sawn. 

1872. G. S. Baden-Powell, 'New Homes for the Old Country, ' p. 207:

"Another fence, known as `chock and log, ' is composed of longlogs, resting on piles of chocks, or short blocks of wood. "

1890. `The Argus. ' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 5:

"And to finish the Riverine picture, there comes a herd ofkangaroos disturbed from their feeding-ground, leaping throughthe air, bounding over the wire and `chock-and-log' fences likeso many india-rubber automatons. "

Choeropus, n. The scientific name for the genusof Australian marsupial animals with only one known species, called the Pigfooted-Bandicoot (q. V. ), and seeBandicoot. (Grk. Choiros, a pig, and pous, foot. ) The animal is about the sizeof a rabbit, and is confined to the inland parts of Australia. 

Christmas, n. And adj. As Christmasfalls in Australasia at Midsummer, it has differentcharacteristics from those in England, and the word hastherefore a different connotation. 

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' p. 184:

"Sheep-shearing in November, hot midsummer weather atChristmas, the bed of a river the driest walk, and cornharvest in February, were things strangely at variancewith my Old-World notions. "

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 164:

"One Christmas time when months of drought Had parched the western creeks, The bush-fires started in the north And travelled south for weeks. "

Christmas-bush, n. An Australian tree, Ceratopetalum gummiferum, Smith, N. O. Saxifrageae. Called also Christmas-tree(q. V. ), and Officer-bush. 

1888. Mrs. McCann, `Poetical Works, ' p. 226:

"Gorgeous tints adorn the Christmas bush with a crimson blush. "

Christmas-tree, n. In Australia, it is the sameas Christmas-bush (q. V. ). In New Zealand, it isMetrosideros tomentosa, Banks, N. O. Myrtaceae;Maori name, Pohutukawa (q. V. ). 

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand, ' p. 240:

"Some few scattered Pohutukaua trees (Metrosiderostomentosa), the last remains of the beautiful vegetation. . . About Christmas these trees are full of charming purpleblossoms; the settler decorates his church and dwelling withits lovely branches, and calls the tree `Christmas-tree'! "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 186:

"The Christmas-tree is in a sense the counterpart of the hollyof the home countries. As the scarlet berry gives its ruddycolour to Christmas decorations in `the old country, ' so herethe creamy blossoms of the Christmas-tree are the only shrubflowers that survive the blaze of midsummer. "

1889. E. H. And S. Featon, `New Zealand Flora, ' p. 163:

"The Pohutukawa blossoms in December, when its profusion ofelegant crimson-tasselled flowers imparts a beauty to therugged coast-line and sheltered bays which may fairly be calledenchanting. To the settlers it is known as the`Christmas-tree, ' and sprays of its foliage and flowers areused to decorate churches and dwellings during the festiveChristmastide. To the Maoris this tree must possess a weirdsignificance, since it is related in their traditions that atthe extreme end of New Zealand there grows a Pohutukawa fromwhich a root descends to the beach below. The spirits of thedead are supposed to descend by this to an opening, which issaid to be the entrance to `Te Reinga. '"

Chucky-chucky, n. Aboriginal Australian namefor a berry; in Australia and New Zealand, the fruit of speciesof Gaultheria. See Wax Cluster. 

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 146:

"To gather chucky-chuckies--as the blacks name that mostdelicious of native berries. "

1891. T. H. Potts, `Out in the Open, ' `New Zealand CountryJournal, ' vol. Xv. P. 198:

"When out of breath, hot and thirsty, how one longed for ahandful of chuckie-chucks. In their season how good we used tothink these fruits of the gaultheria, or rather itsthickened calyx. A few handfuls were excellent in quenchingone's thirst, and so plentifully did the plant abound thatquantities could soon be gathered. In these rude and simpledays, when housekeepers in the hills tried to convert carrotsand beet-root into apricot and damson preserves, these notablewomen sometimes encouraged children to collect sufficientchuckie-chucks to make preserve. The result was a jam of asweet mawkish flavour that gave some idea of a whiff caught inpassing a hair-dresser's shop. "

Chum, n. See New Chum. 

Chy-ack, v. Simply a variation of the Englishslang verb, to cheek. 

1874. Garnet Walch, `Adamanta, ' Act ii. Sc. Ii. P. 27:

"I've learnt to chi-ike peelers. "

[Here the Australian pronunciation is also caught. Barere andLeland give "chi-iked (tailors), chaffed unmercifully, " butwithout explanation. ]

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 742 :

"The circle of frivolous youths who were yelping at andchy-acking him. "

1894. E. W. Hornung, `Boss of Taroomba, ' p. 5:

"It's our way up here, you know, to chi-ak each other and ourvisitors too. "

Cicada, n. An insect. See Locust. 

1895. G. Metcalfe, `Australian Zoology, ' p. 62:

"The Cicada is often erroneously called a locust. . . . It isremarkable for the loud song, or chirruping whirr, of the malesin the heat of summer; numbers of them on the hottest daysproduce an almost deafening sound. "

Cider-Tree, or Cider-Gum, n. Name givenin Tasmania to Eucalyptus gunnii, Hook. , N. O. Myrtaceae. See Gum. 

1830. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 119:

"Specimens of that species of eucalyptus called the cider-tree, from its exuding a quantity of saccharine liquid resemblingmolasses. . . . When allowed to remain some time and toferment, it settles into a coarse sort of wine or cider, ratherintoxicating if drank to any excess. "

City, n. In Great Britain and Ireland the wordCity denotes "a considerable town that has been, (a) an episcopal seat, (b) a royal burgh, or(c) created to the dignity, like Birmingham, Dundee, and Belfast, by a royal patent. In the United States and Canada, amunicipality of the first class, governed by a mayor andaldermen, and created by charter. " (`Standard. ')In Victoria, by section ix. Of the Local Government Act, 1890, 54 Victoria, No. 1112, the Governor-in-Council may make orders, #12:

"To declare any borough, including the city of Melbourne andthe town of Geelong, having in the year preceding suchdeclaration a gross revenue of not less than twenty thousandpounds, a city. "

Claim, n. In mining, a piece of landappropriated for mining purposes: then the mine itself. The word is also used in the United States. See alsoReward-claim and Prospecting-claim. 

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, ' c. Xiv. P. 213:

"A family named Cavanagh . . . Entered a half-worked claim. "

1863. H. Fawcett, `Political Economy, ' pt. Iii. C. Vi. P. 359 (`O. E. D. '):

"The claim upon which he purchases permission to dig. "

1887. H. H. Hayter, `Christmas Adventure, ' p. 3:

"I decided . . . A claim to take up. "

Clay-pan, n. Name given, especially in the dryinterior of Australia, to a slight depression of the groundvarying in size from a few yards to a mile in length, where thedeposit of fine silt prevents the water from sinking into theground as rapidly as it does elsewhere. 

1875. John Forrest, `Explorations in Australia, ' p. 260:

"We travelled down the road for about thirty-three miles overstony plains; many clay-pans with water but no feed. "

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia, 'Narrative, vol. I. P. 17:

"One of the most striking features of the central area andespecially amongst the loamy plains and sandhills, is thenumber of clay-pans. These are shallow depressions, with nooutlet, varying in length from a few yards to half a mile, where the surface is covered with a thin clayey material, whichseems to prevent the water from sinking as rapidly as it doesin other parts. "

Clean-skins, or Clear-skins, n. Unbranded cattle or horses. 

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 206:

"These clean-skins, as they are often called, to distinguishthem from the branded cattle. "

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Xv. P. 109:

"Strangers and pilgrims, calves and clear-skins, are separatedat the same time. "

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, `Australian Life, ' p. 82:

"`Clear-skins, ' as unbranded cattle were commonly called, weretaken charge of at once. "

1893. `The Argus, ' April 29, p. 4, col. 4:

"As they fed slowly homeward bellowing for their calves, andlowing for their mates, the wondering clean-skins would come upin a compact body, tearing, ripping, kicking, and moaning, working round and round them in awkward, loblolly canter. "

Clearing lease, n. Explained in quotation. 

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia, ' vol. I. C. X. P. 321:

"[They] held a small piece of land on what is called a clearinglease--that is to say, they were allowed to retain possessionof it for so many years for the labour of clearing the land. "

Clematis, n. The scientific and vernacular nameof a genus of plants belonging to theN. O. Ranunculaceae. The common species in Australia isC. Aristata, R. Br. 

1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual, ' p. 124:

"The beautiful species of clematis calledaristata, which may be seen in the months of Novemberand December, spreading forth its milk-white blossoms over theshrubs . . . In other places rising up to the top of the highestgum-trees. "

Clianthus, n. Scientific name for anAustralasian genus of plants, N. O. Leguminosae, containing only two species--in Australia, Sturt's DesertPea (q. V. ), C. Dampieri; and in New Zealand, theKaka-bill (q. V. ), C. Puniceus. Both species arealso called Glory-Pea, from Grk. Kleos, glory, and anthos, a flower. 

1892. `Otago Witness, ' Nov. 24, `Native Trees':

"Hooker says the genus Clianthus consists of theAustralian and New Zealand species only, the latter istherefore clearly indigenous. `One of the most beautifulplants known' (Hooker). Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solandelfound it during Cook's first voyage. "

Climbing-fish, n. I. Q. Hopping-fish(q. V. ). 

Climbing-Pepper, n. See Pepper. 

Clitonyx, n. The scientific name of a genus ofNew Zealand birds, including the Yellow-head (q. V. ) andthe White-head (q. V. ); from Greek klinein, rootklit, to lean, slant, and 'onux, claw. The genuswas so named by Reichenbach in 1851, to distinguish the NewZealand birds from the Australian birds of the genusOrthonyx (q. V. ), which formerly included them both. 

Clock-bird, n. Another name for the LaughingJachass. See Jackass. 

Clock, Settlers', n. I. Q. Clock-bird, (q. V. )

Cloudy-Bay Cod, n. A New Zealand name for theLing (q. V. ). See also Cod. 

Clover-Fern, n. Another name for the plantcalled Nardoo (q. V. ). 

Clover, Menindie, n. An Australian fodderplant, Trigonella suavissima, Lind. , N. O. Leguminoseae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 143:

`From its abundance in the neighbourhood of Menindie, it isoften called Menindie-clover. ' It is the `Australian shamrock'of Mitchell. This perennial, fragrant, clover-like plant is agood pasture herb. "

Clover-Tree, n. A Tasmanian tree, called alsoNative Laburnun. See under Laburnum. 

Coach, n. A bullock used as a decoy to catchwild cattle. This seems to be from the use of coach as theUniversity term for a private tutor. 

1874. W. H. L. Ranken, `Dominion of Australia, ' c. Vi. P. 110:

"To get them [sc. Wild cattle] a party of stockmen take a smallherd of quiet cattle, `coaches. '"

Coach, v. To decoy wild cattle or horses withtame ones. 

1874. W. H. L. Ranken, `Dominion of Australia, ' c. Vi. P. 121:

"Here he [the wild horse] may be got by `coaching' like wildcattle. "

Coach-whip Bird, n. Psophodes crepitans, V. And H. (see Gould's `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iii. Pl. 15);Black-throated C. B. , P. Nigrogularis, Gould. Called alsoWhipbird and Coachman. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, 'vol. Xv. P. 330:

"This bird is more often heard than seen. It inhabits bushes. The loud cracking whip-like noise it makes (from whence thecolonists give it the name of coachwhip), may be heard from agreat distance. "

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 158:

"If you should hear a coachwhip crack behind, you mayinstinctively start aside to let the mail pass; butquickly find it is only our native coachman with his spread-outfantail and perked-up crest, whistling and cracking out hiswhip-like notes as he hops sprucely from branch to branch. "

1844. Mrs. Meredith, `Notes and Sketches of New South Wales, 'p. 137:

"Another equally singular voice among our feathered friends wasthat of the `coachman, ' than which no title could be moreappropriate, his chief note being a long clear whistle, with asmart crack of the whip to finish with. "

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia, ' p. 177:

"The bell-bird, by the river heard; The whip-bird, which surprised I hear, In me have powerful memories stirred Of other scenes and strains more dear; Of sweeter songs than these afford, The thrush and blackbird warbling clear. " --Old Impressions. 

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix, ' p. 71:

"The coach-whip is a small bird about the size of a sparrow, found near rivers. It derives its name from its note, a slow, clear whistle, concluded by a sharp jerking noise like thecrack of a whip. "

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. Ii. P. 76:

"The whip-bird, whose sharp wiry notes, even, are far moreagreeable than the barking of dogs and the swearing ofdiggers. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 24:

"That is the coach-whip bird. There again. Whew-ew-ew-ew-whit. How sharply the last note sounds. "

1887. R. M. Praed, `Longleat of Kooralbyn, ' c. Vi. P. 54:

"The sharp st--wt of the whip-bird . . . Echoed through thegorge. "

1888. James Thomas, `May o' the South, ' `Australian Poets1788-1888' (ed. Sladen), p. 552:

"Merrily the wagtail now Chatters on the ti-tree bough, While the crested coachman bird`Midst the underwood is heard. "

Coast, v. To loaf about from station tostation. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' xxv. 295:

"I ain't like you, Towney, able to coast about without a jobof work from shearin' to shearin'. "

Coaster, n. A loafer, a Sundowner(q. V. ). 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' viii. 75:

"A voluble, good-for-nothing, loafing impostor, a regular`coaster. '"

Cobb, n. Sometimes used as equivalent to acoach. "I am going by Cobb. " The word is still used, thoughno Mr. Cobb has been connected with Australian coaches for manyyears. See quotation. 

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 184:

"Mr. Cobb was an American, and has returned long ago to hisnative country. He started a line of conveyances fromMelbourne to Castlemaine some time after the gold discoveries. Mr. Cobb had spirit to buy good horses, to get first-classAmerican coaches, to employ good Yankee whips, and in a coupleof years or so he had been so extensively patronised that hesold out, and retired with a moderate fortune. " [But theCoaching Company retained . . . The style of Cobb & Co. ]

1879 (about). `Queensland Bush Song':

"Hurrah for the Roma Railway! Hurrah for Cobb and Co. ! Hurrah, hurrah for a good fat horse To carry me Westward Ho!"

Cobbler, n. (1) The last sheep, an Australianshearing term. (2) Another name for the fish called theFortescue (q. V. )

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), Dec. 23, p. 6, col. 1:

"Every one might not know what a `cobbler' is. It is the lastsheep in a catching pen, and consequently a bad one to shear, as the easy ones are picked first. The cobbler must be takenout before `Sheep-ho' will fill up again. In the harvest fieldEnglish rustics used to say, when picking up the last sheaf, `This is what the cobbler threw at his wife. ' `What?' `Thelast, ' with that lusty laugh, which, though it might betray `avacant mind, ' comes from a very healthy organism. "

Cobblers-Awl, n. Bird-name. The word is aprovincial English name for the Avocet. In Tasmania, the name is applied to a Spine-Bill (q. V. ) from theshape of its beak. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 61:

"Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, Lath. , Slender-billedSpine-bill. Cobbler's Awl, Colonists of Van Diemen'sLand. Spine-bill, Colonists of New South Wales. "

Cobbler's Pegs, name given to a tall erect annualweed, Erigeron linifolius, Willd. , N. O. Compositae and to Bidens pilosus, Linn. , N. O. Compositae. 

Cobbra, n. Aboriginal word for head, skull. [Kabura or Kobbera, with such variations asKobra, Kobbera, Kappara, Kopul, from Malay Kapala, head: one ofthe words on the East Coast manifestly of Malayorigin. --J. Mathew. Much used in pigeon converse withblacks. `Goodway cobra tree' = `Tree very tall. '] Collins, `Port Jackson Vocabulary, ' 1798 (p. 611), gives `Kabura, ca-ber-ra. ' Mount Cobberas in East Gippsland has its name fromhuge head-like masses of rock which rise from the summit. 

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 31:

"The black fellow who lives in the bush bestows but smallattention on his cobra, as the head is usually called in thepigeon-English which they employ. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xiii. P. 134:

"I should be cock-sure that having an empty cobbra, as theblacks say, was on the main track that led to the grog-camp. "

Cock-a-bully, n. A popular name for the NewZealand fish Galaxias fasciatus, Gray, a corruption ofits Maori name Kokopu (q. V. ). 

1896. `The Australasian, ' Aug. 28, p. 407, col. 3:

"During my stay in New Zealand my little girl caught a fishrather larger than an English minnow. Her young companionscalled it a `cock-a bully. ' It was pretty obvious to scenta corruption of a Maori word, for, mark you, cock-a-bully hasno meaning. It looks as if it were English and full of meaning. Reflect an instant and it has none. The Maori name for thefish is `kokopu'"

Cockatiel, -eel, n. An arbitrarydiminutive of the word Cockatoo, and used as another name forthe Cockatoo-Parrakeet, Calopsitta novae-hollandiae, and generally for any Parrakeet of the genus Calopsitta. (`O. E. D. ')

Cockatoo, n. (1) Bird-name. The word is Malay, Kakatua. (`O. E. D. ') The varieties are--

Banksian Cockatoo-- Calyptorhynchus banksii, Lath. 

Bare-eyed C. -- Cacatua gymnopis, Sclater. 

Black C. -- Calyptorhynchus funereus, Shaw. 

Blood-stained C. -- Cacatua sanguinea, Gould. 

Dampier's C. -- Licmetis pastinator, Gould. 

Gang-gang C. -- Callocephalon galeatum, Lath. [See Gang-gang. ]

Glossy C. -- Calyptorhynchus viridis, Vieill. 

Long-billed C. -- Licmetis nasicus, Temm. [See Corella. ]

Palm C. -- Microglossus aterrimus, Gmel. 

Pink C. -- Cacatua leadbeateri, V. & H. (Leadbeater, q. V. ). 

Red-tailed C. -- Calyptorhynchus stellatus, Wagl. 

Rose-breasted C. -- Cacatua roseicapilla, Vieill. [See Galah. Gould calls it Cocatua eos. 

White C. -- Cacatua galerita, Lath. 

White-tailed C. -- Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Vig. 

See also Parrakeet. 

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, vol. Ii. P. 62:

"We saw to-day for the first time on the Kalare, the redtopcockatoo (Plyctolophus Leadbeateri). "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' c. Viii. P. 272:

"The rose-breasted cockatoo (Cocatua eos, Gould) visitedthe patches of fresh burnt grass. "

Ibid. P. 275:

"The black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus Banksii) has beenmuch more frequently observed of late. "

1857. Daniel Bunce, `Australasiatic Reminiscences, ' p. 175:

"Dr. Leichhardt caught sight of a number of cockatoos; and, by tracking the course of their flight, we, in a short time, reached a creek well supplied with water. "

1862. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, 'c. Ix. P. 331:

"White cockatoos and parroquets were now seen. "

1890. `Victorian Statutes, Game Act, Third Schedule':

"Black Cockatoos. Gang-gang Cockatoos. [Close season. ] Fromthe 1st day of August to the 10th day of December nextfollowing in each year. "

1893. `The Argus, ' March 25, p. 4, col. 6:

"The egg of the blood-stained cockatoo has not yet beenscientifically described, and the specimen in this collectionhas an interest chiefly in that it was taken [by Mr. A. J. Campbell] from a tree at Innamincka waterholes, not far fromthe spot where Burke the explorer died. "

(2) A small farmer, called earlier in Tasmania aCockatooer (q. V. ). The name was originally given incontempt (see quotations), but it is now used by farmersthemselves. Cocky is a common abbreviation. Some peopledistinguish between a cockatoo and aground-parrot, the latter being the farmer on a verysmall scale. Trollope's etymology (see quotation, 1873) willnot hold, for it is not true that the cockatoo scratches theground. After the gold fever, circa 1860, the selectorsswarmed over the country and ate up the substance of thesquatters; hence they were called Cockatoos. The wordis also used adjectivally. 

1863. M. K. Beveridge, `Gatherings among the Gum-trees, 'p. 154:

"Oi'm going to be married To what is termed a Cockatoo-- Which manes a farmer. "

1867. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 110:

"These small farmers are called cockatoos in Australia by thesquatters or sheep-farmers, who dislike them for buying up thebest bits on their runs; and say that, like a cockatoo, thesmall freeholder alights on good ground, extracts all he canfrom it, and then flies away, to `fresh fields and pasturesnew. ' . . . However, whether the name is just or not, it is arecognised one here; and I have heard a man say in answer to aquestion about his usual `occupation, `I'm a cockatoo. '"

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, 'vol. Ii. P. 135:

"The word cockatoo in the farinaceous colony has become socommon as almost to cease to carry with it the intendedsarcasm. . . . It signifies that the man does not reallytill his land, but only scratches it as the bird does. "

1882. A. J. Boyd, `Old Colonials, ' p. 32:

"It may possibly have been a term of reproach applied to theindustrious farmer, who settled or perched on the resumedportions of a squatter's run, so much to the latter's rage anddisgust that he contemptuously likened the farmer to thewhite-coated, yellow-crested screamer that settles or percheson the trees at the edge of his namesake's clearing. "

1889. `Cornhill Magazine, ' Jan. , p. 33:

"`With a cockatoo' [Title]. Cockatoo is the name givento the small, bush farmer in New Zealand. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xliii. P. 377:

"The governor is a bigoted agriculturist; he has contractedthe cockatoo complaint, I'm afraid. "

1893, `The Argus, ' June 17, p. 13, col. 4:

"Hire yourself out to a dairyman, take a contract with arail-splitter, sign articles with a cockatoo selector;but don't touch land without knowing something about it. "

Cockatoo, v. Intr. (1) To be a farmer. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' c. Xx. P. 245:

"Fancy three hundred acres in Oxfordshire, with a score or twoof bullocks, and twice as many black-faced Down sheep. Regularcockatooing. "

(2) A special sense--to sit on a fence as the bird sits. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xviii. P. 224:

"The correct thing, on first arriving at a drafting-yard, is to`cockatoo, ' or sit on the rails high above the tossinghorn-billows. "

Cockatooer, n. A variant of Cockatoo(q. V. ), quite fallen into disuse, if quotation be not a nonceuse. 

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 137:

"A few wretched-looking huts and hovels, the dwellings of`cockatooers, ' who are not, as it might seem, a species ofbird, but human beings; who rent portions of this forest. . . On exorbitant terms . . . And vainly endeavour to existon what they can earn besides, their frequent compulsoryabstinence from meat, when they cannot afford to buy it, evenin their land of cheap and abundant food, giving them someaffinity to the grain-eating white cockatoos. "

Cockatoo Fence, n. Fence erected by smallfarmers. 

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Xxii. P. 155:

"There would be roads and cockatoo fences . . . In short, allthe hostile emblems of agricultural settlement. "

1890. Lyth, `Golden South, ' c. Xiv. P. 120:

"The fields were divided by open rails or cockatoo fences, i. E. Branches and logs of trees laid on the ground one across theother with posts and slip-rails in lieu of gates. "

Cockatoo Bush, n. I. Q. Native Currant(q. V). 

Cockatoo Orchis, n. A Tasmanian name for theOrchid, Caleya major, R. Br. 

Cock-eyed Bob, a local slang term in Western Australiafor a thunderstorm. 

1894. `The Age, ' Jan. 20, p. 13, col. 4:

"They [the natives of the northwest of Western Australia] areextremely frightened of them [sc. Storms called WillyWilly, q. V. ], and in some places even on the approach of anordinary thunderstorm or `Cock-eyed Bob, ' they clear off to thehighest ground about. "

Cockle, n. In England the name is given to aspecies of the familiar marine bivalve mollusc, Cardium. The commonest Australian species is Cardiumtenuicostatum, Lamarck, present in all extra-tropicalAustralia. The name is also commonly applied to members of thegenus Chione. 

Cock-Schnapper, n. A fish; the smallest kind ofSchnapper (q. V. ). See also Count-fish. 

1882. Rev. I. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 41:

"The usual method of estimating quantity for sale by thefisherman is, by the schnapper or count-fish, the school-fish, and squire, among which from its metallic appearance is thecopper head or copper colour, and the red bream. Juvenilesrank the smallest of the fry, not over an inch or two inlength, as the cock-schnapper. The fact, however, is nowgenerally admitted that all these are one and the same genus, merely in different stages of growth. "

Cod, n. This common English name of theGadus morrhua is applied to many fishes in Australia ofvarious families, Gadoid and otherwise. In Melbourne it isgiven to Lotella callarias, Guenth. , and in New SouthWales to several fishes of the genus Serranus. Lotella is a genus of the family Gadidae, towhich the European Cod belongs; Serranus is a Sea perch(q. V. ). See Rock Cod, Black Rock Cod, Red Rock Cod, BlackCod, Elite Cod, Red Cod, Murray Cod, Cloudy Bay Cod, Ling, Groper, Hapuku, and Haddock. 

Coffee-Bush, n. A settlers' name for the NewZealand tree the Karamu (q. V. ). Sometimes called alsoCoffee-plant. 

Coffer-fish, n. I. Q. Trunk-fish (q. V. ). 

Coffee Plant, or Coffee Berry, n. Namegiven in Tasmania to the Tasmanian Native Holly (q. V. ). 

Colonial Experience, n. And used asadj. Same as cadet (q. V. ) in New Zealand;a young man learning squatting business, gaining his colonialexperience. Called also jackaroo (q. V. ). 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 95:

"You're the first `colonial experience' young fellow that itever occurred to within my knowledge. "

Colonial Goose, n. A boned leg of muttonstuffed with sage and onions. In the early days the sheep wasalmost the sole animal food. Mutton was then cooked and servedin various ways to imitate other dishes. 

Colour, n. Sc. Of gold. It is sometimes usedwith `good, ' to mean plenty of gold: more usually, the `colour'means just a little gold, enough to show in the dish. 

1860. Kelly, `Life in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 222:

". . . They had not, to use a current phrase, `raised thecolour. '"

1890. Rolf Boldrewood. `Miner's Right, ' c. Xiv. P. 149:

"This is the fifth claim he has been in since he came here, and the first in which he has seen the colour. "

1891. W. Lilley, `Wild West of Tasmania, ' p. 14:

"After spending a little time there, and not finding more thana few colours of gold, he started for Mount Heemskirk. "

Convictism, n. The system of transportation ofconvicts to Australia and Van Diemen's Land, now many yearsabolished. 

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 309:

"May it remain nailed to the mast until these colonies areemancipated from convictism. "

1864. `Realm, ' Feb. 24, p. 4 (`O. E. D. '):

"No one who has not lived in Australia can appreciate the profoundhatred of convictism that obtains there. "

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields, ' p. 16:

"They preferred to let things remain as they were, convictismincluded. "

Coobah, n. An aboriginal name for the treeAcacia salicina, Lindl. , N. O. Leguminosae. SeeAcacia. The spellings vary, and sometimes begin with a K. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' v. 46:

"A deep reach of the river, shaded by couba trees andriver-oaks. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xxviii. P. 400:

"The willowy coubah weeps over the dying streamlet. "

Coo-ee, or Cooey, n. Andinterj. Spelt in various ways. See quotations. A callborrowed from the aborigines and used in the bush by onewishing to find or to be found by another. In the vocabularyof native words in `Hunter's Journal, ' published in 1790, wefind "Cow-ee = to come. "

1827. P. Cunningham, `New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 23:

"In calling to each other at a distance, the natives make useof the word Coo-ee, as we do the word Hollo, prolonging the sound of the coo, and closing that of theee with a shrill jerk. . . . [It has] become of generaluse throughout the colony; and a newcomer, in desiring anindividual to call another back, soon learns to say`Coo-ee' to him, instead of Hollo to him. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 162:

"He immediately called `coo-oo-oo' to the natives at the fire. "

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 84:

"There yet might be heard the significant `cooy' or`quhy, ' the true import of which was then unknown to our ears. "

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' p. 46:

"Although Mr. Brown made the woods echo with his `cooys. '"[See also p. 87, note. ]

1845. Clement Hodgkinson, `Australia from Port Macquarie toMoreton Bay, ' p. 28:

"We suddenly heard the loud shrill couis of the natives. "

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 231:

"Their cooieys are not always what we understand by the word, viz. , a call in which the first note is low and the secondhigh, uttered after sound of the word cooiey. This is a notewhich congregates all together and is used only as a simple`Here. '"

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 91:

"Like the natives of New South Wales, they called to each otherfrom a great distance by the cooey; a word meaning `cometo me. ' The Sydney blacks modulated this cry with successiveinflexions; the Tasmanian uttered it with less art. It is asound of great compass. The English in the bush adopt it: thefirst syllable is prolonged; the second is raised to a higherkey, and is sharp and abrupt. "

1862. W. Landsborough, `Exploration of Australia, ' [Footnote]p. 24:

"Coo-oo-oo-y is a shrill treble cry much used in thebush by persons wishful to find each other. On a still nightit will travel a couple of miles, and it is thus highlyserviceable to lost or benighted travellers. "

1869. J. F. Townend, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 155:

"The jingling of bells round the necks of oxen, the cooey ofthe black fellow . . . Constituted the music of these desolatedistricts. "

1873. J. B. Stephens, `Black Gin, ' p. 82:

"Hi! . . . Cooey! you fella . . . Open 'im lid. "

1880. Fison and Howitt, `Kamilaroi and Kurnai, ' p. 183:

"A particular `cooee' . . . Was made known to the young menwhen they were initiated. "

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of the Goldfields, ' p. 40:

"From the woods they heard a prolonged cooee, which evidentlyproceeded from some one lost in the bush. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 276:

"Two long farewell coo-ees, which died away in the silence ofthe bush. "

1890. E. W. Hornung, `A Bride from the Bush, ' p. 184:

"The bride encircled her lips with her two gloved palms, and uttered a cry that few of the hundreds who heard it everforgot--`coo-ee!' That was the startling cry as nearly asit can be written. But no letters can convey the sustainedshrillness of the long, penetrating note represented by thefirst syllable, nor the weird, die-away wail of the second. It is the well-known bushcall, the `jodel' of the black fellow. "

Cooee, within, adv. Within easy distance. 

1887. G. L. Apperson, in `All the Year Round, ' July 30, p. 67, col. 1 (`O. E. D. '):

"A common mode of expression is to be `within cooey' of aplace. . . . Now to be `within cooey' of Sydney is to beat the distance of an easy journey therefrom. "

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), June 26, p. 2, col. 6:

"Witness said that there was a post-office clock `withincoo-ee, ' or within less than half-a-mile of the station. "

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 80:

"Just to camp within a cooey of the Shanty for the night. "

Cooee, v. Intr. To utter the call. 

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 81:

"Our sable guides `cooed' and `cooed' again, in their usualtone of calling to each other at a distance. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, p. 115:

"Brown cooyed to him, and by a sign requested him to wait forus. "

1847. J. D. Lang, `Phillipsland, ' p. 85 [Footnote]:

"Cooey is the aboriginal mode of calling out to any person at adistance, whether visible or not, in the forest. The sound ismade by dwelling on the first syllable, and pronouncing thesecond with a short, sharp, rising inflexion. It is mucheasier made, and is heard to a much greater distance than theEnglish holla! and is consequently in universal useamong the colonists. . . . There is a story current in thecolony of a party of native-born colonists being in London, oneof whom, a young lady, if I recollect aright, was accidentallyseparated from the rest, in the endless stream of pedestriansand vehicles of all descriptions, at the intersection of FleetStreet with the broad avenue leading to Blackfriars Bridge. When they were all in great consternation and perplexity at thecircumstance, it occurred to one of the party to cooey, and the well-known sound, with its ten thousand Australianassociations, being at once recognised and responded to, areunion of the party took place immediately, doubtless to thegreat wonderment of the surrounding Londoners, who wouldprobably suppose they were all fit for Bedlam. "

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 90:

"They [the aborigines] warily entered scrubs, and called out(cooyed) repeatedly in approaching water-holes, even when yetat a great distance. "

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 91:

"A female, born on this division of the globe, once stood atthe foot of London Bridge, and cooyed for her husband, of whomshe had lost sight, and stopped the passengers by the noveltyof the sound; which however is not unknown in certainneighbourhoods of the metropolis. Some gentlemen, on a visitto a London theatre, to draw the attention of their friends inan opposite box, called out cooey; a voice in the galleryanswered `Botany Bay!'"

1880 (circa). `Melbourne Punch, ' [In the days of long trains]:

"George, there's somebody treading on my dress; cooee to thebottom of the stairs. "

Coo-in-new, n. Aboriginal name for "a usefulverbenaceous timber-tree of Australia, Gmelinaleichhardtii, F. V. M. The wood has a fine silvery grain, and is much prized for flooring and for the decks of vessels, as it is reputed never to shrink after a moderate seasoning. "(`Century. ') Usually called Mahogany-tree (q. V. ). 

Coolaman or Kooliman, n. An aboriginalword, Kamilaroi Dialect of New South Wales. [W. Ridley, `Kamilaroi, ' p. 25, derives it from Kulu, seed, but itis just as likely from Kolle, water. --J. Mathew. ] Ahollowed knot of a tree, used as a seed vessel, or for holdingwater. The word is applied to the excrescence on the tree aswell as to the vessel; a bush hand has been heard to speak of ahump-backed man as `cooliman-backed. '

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 269:

"Three koolimans (vessels of stringy bark) were full of honeywater, from one of which I took a hearty draught. "

1863. M. K. Beveridge, `Gatherings among the Gum-trees, 'p. 37:

"And the beautiful Lubrina Fetched a Cooliman of water. "

[In Glossary. ] Cooliman, a hollow knot of a tree for holdingwater. 

186. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, vol. Ii. P. 24:

"Koolimans, water vessels. . . The koolimans were made of theinner layer of the bark of the stringy-bark tree. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. Ii. P. 185:

"Coolaman, native vessel for holding water. "

1885. Mrs. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 76:

"Cooliman, a vessel for carrying water, made out of the barkwhich covers an excrescence peculiar to a kind of gum-tree. "

Cooper's-flag, n. Another name in New Zealandfor Raupo (q. V. ). 

Coopers-wood, n. The timber of an Australiantree, Alphitonia excelsa, Reiss, N. O. Rhamneae. The wood becomes dark with age, and is used for coopers' stavesand various purposes. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 373:

"Variously called Mountain-ash, Red-ash, Leather-jacket, and Coopers-wood. "

Coordaitcha. See Kurdaitcha. 

Coot, n. Common English birdname; theAustralian species is Fulica australis, Gould. See also Bald-Coot. 

Copper-head, n. See under Snake. 

Copper Maori. This spelling has been influenced bythe English word Copper, but it is really a corruptionof a Maori word. There is a difference of opinion amongstMaori scholars what this word is. Some say Kapura, acommon fire used for cooking, in contradistinction to a`chief's fire, ' at which he sat, and which would not be allowedto be defiled with food. Others say Kopa. The Maoriword Kopa was (1) adj. Meaning bent, (2)n. Angle or corner, and (3) the nativeoven, or more strictly the hole scooped out for the oven. 

1888. T. Pine, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute, ' `Alocal tradition of Raukawa, ' vol. Xxi. P. 417:

"So they set to work and dug holes on the flat, each hole about2 ft. Across and about 1 1/2 ft. Deep, and shaped somethinglike a Kopa Maori. "

1889. H. D. M. Haszard, ibid. `Notes on some Relics ofCannibalism, ' vol. Xxii. P. 104:

"In two distinct places, about four chains apart, there were anumber of Kapura Maori, or native ovens, scattered aboutwithin a radius of about forty feet. "

Coprosma, n. Scientific and vernacularname fora large genus of trees and shrubs of the orderRubiaceae. From the Greek kopros, dung, on account of the bad smell of some of the species. See quotation. The Maori name is Karamu (q. V. ). Various species receive special vernacular names, which appear in their places in the Dictionary. 

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 110:

"Corosma comprises about forty species, of which atleast thirty are found in New Zealand, all of which arerestricted to the colony except C. Pumila, which extendsto Australia. Five species are found in Australia, one ofwhich is C. Pumila mentioned above. A few species occurin the Pacific, Chili, Juan Fernandez, the Sandwich Islands, &c. "

Coral, n. See Batswing-Coral. 

Coral-Fern, n. Name given in Victoria toGleichenia circinata, Swartz, called in Bailey's listParasol-Fern. See Fern. 

Coral-Flower, n. A plant, Epacris(q. V. ), Epacris microphylla, R. Br. , N. O. Epacrideae. 

Coral-Pea, n. Another name for the Kennedya(q. V. ). 

1896. `The Melburnian, ' Aug. 28, p. 53:

"The trailing scarlet kennedyas, aptly called the`bleeding-heart' or `coral pea, ' brighten the greyness of thesandy, peaty wastes. "

Coranderrk, n. The aboriginal name for theVictorian Dogwood (q. V. ). An "aboriginal station, " orasylum and settlement for the remaining members of theaboriginal race of Victoria, is called after this name becausethe wood grew plentifully there. 

Cordage-tree, n. Name given in Tasmania to aKurrajong (q. V. ). The name Sida pulchella hasbeen superseded by Plagianthus sidoides, Hook. 

1835. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 108:

"Sida pulchella. Handsome Sida. Currijong or cordage tree ofHobart Town. . . . The bark used to be taken for tying up postand rail fences, the rafters of huts, in the earlier periods ofthe colony, before nails could be so easily procured. "

Corella, n. Any parrot of the genusNymphicus; the word is dim. Of late Lat. Cora =korh, a girl, doll, etc. The Australian Corella isN. Novae-hollandiae, and the name is also given toLicmetus nasicus, Temm, the Long-billed Cockatoo(q. V. ). It is often used indiscriminately by bird-fanciers forany pretty little parrot, parrakeet, or cockatoo. 

Cork-tree, n. See Bat's-wing Coral. 

Corkwood, n. A New Zealand tree, Enteleaarborescens, R. Br. , N. O. Tiliaceae. Maori name, Whau. 

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 45:

"The whau . . . Is termed corkwood by the settlers on accountof its light specific gravity. "

Cormorant, n. Common English bird-name. In Australia the name is applied to the following birds:--

Black Cormorant-- Graculus novae-hollandiae, Steph. 

Little C. -- G. Melanoleucus, Vieill. 

Little-black C. -- G. Stictocephalus, Bp. . 

Pied C. -- G. Varius, Gm. 

White-breasted Cormorant-- G. Leucogaster, Gould. 

White-throated C. -- G. Brevirostris, Gould. 

Cornstalk, n. A young man or a girl bornand bred in New South Wales, especially if tall and big. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, 'vol. Ii. P. 116:

"The colonial-born, bearing also the name of cornstalks (Indiancorn), from the way in which they shoot up. "

1834. Geo. Benett, `Wanderings in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 341:

"The Australian ladies may compete for personal beauty andelegance with any European, although satirized as `Cornstalks, 'from the slenderness of their forms. "

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales, ' p. 68:

"Our host was surrounded by a little army of `cornstalks. '. . . The designation `cornstalk' is given because the young peoplerun up like the stems of the Indian corn. "

1869. W. R. Honey, `Madeline Clifton, ' Act III. Sc. V. P. 30:

"Look you, there stands young cornstalk. "

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 526:

"If these are the heroes that my cornstalk friends worshipso ardently, they must indeed be hard up for heroes. "

1893. Haddon Chambers, `Thumbnail Sketches of Australian Life, 'p. 217:

"While in the capital I fell in with several jolly cornstalks, with whom I spent a pleasant time in boating, fishing, andsometimes camping out down the harbour. "

Correa, n. The scientific name of a genus ofAustralian plants of the N. O. Rutaceae, so named afterCorrea de Serra, a Portuguese nobleman who wrote on rutaceousplants at the beginning of the century. They bear scarlet orgreen and sometimes yellowish flowers, and are often calledNative Fuchsias (q. V. ), especially C. Speciosa, Andrews, which bears crimson flowers. 

1827. R. Sweet, `Flora Australasica, ' p. 2:

"The genus was first named by Sir J. E. Smith in compliment tothe late M. Correa de Serra, a celebrated Portuguese botanist. "

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn, ' p. 384:

"The scarlet correa lurked among the broken quartz. "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 70:

"With all wish to maintain vernacular names, which are notactually misleading, I cannot call a correa by the commoncolonial name `native fuchsia, ' as not the slightest structuralresemblance and but little habitual similarity exists betweenthese plants; they indeed belong to widely different orders. "

Ibid. :

"All Correas are geographically restricted to the south-easternportion of the Australian continent and Tasmania, the genuscontaining but few species. "

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 23:

"I see some pretty red correa and lilac. " [Footnote]: "Correaspeciosa, native fuchsia of Colonies. "

Corrobbery, n. This spelling is nearest to theaccepted pronunciation, the accent falling on the secondsyllable. Various spellings, however, occur, viz. --Corobbery, Corrobery, Corroberry, Corroborree, Corrobbory, Corroborry, Corrobboree, Coroboree, Corroboree, Korroboree, Corroborri, Corrobaree, and Caribberie. To these Mr. Fraser adds Karabari (see quotation, 1892), but his spelling has never been accepted in English. The wordcomes from the Botany Bay dialect. 

[The aboriginal verb (see Ridley's `Kamilaroi and otherAustralian Languages, ' p. 107) is korobra, to dance; in thesame locality boroya or beria means to sing; probably koro isfrom a common Australian word for emu. --J. Mathew. ]

(1) An aboriginal name for a dance, sacred, festive, orwarlike. 

1793. Governor Hunter, `Port Jackson, p. 195:

"They very frequently, at the conclusion of the dance, wouldapply to us . . . For marks of our approbation . . . Which wenever failed to give by often repeating the word boojery, good; or boojery caribberie, a good dance. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 280:

"Dancing with their corrobery motion. "

Ibid. P. 311:

"With several corrobery or harlequin steps. "

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' vol. Ii. C. Iii. P. 55:

"They hold their corrobbores (midnight ceremonies). "

1836. C. Darwin, `Journal of the Voyage of the Beagle' (ed. 1882), c. Xix. P. 450:

"A large tribe of natives, called the white cockatoo men, happened to pay a visit to the settlement while we were there. These men as well as those of the tribe belonging to KingGeorge's Sound, being tempted by the offer of some tubs of riceand sugar were persuaded to hold a `corrobery' or great dancingparty. " [Description follows. ]

1838. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' vol. Ii. P. 4:

"There can be little doubt that the corrobboree is the mediumthrough which the delights of poetry and the drama are enjoyedin a limited degree, even by these primitive savages of NewHolland. "

1844. Mrs. Meredith. `Notes and Sketches of New South Wales, 'p. 91:

"Great preparations were made, as for a grand corrobory, orfestival, the men divesting themselves of even the portions ofclothing commonly worn, and painting their naked black bodiesin a hideous manner with pipe-clay. After dark, they lit theirfires, which are small, but kept blazing with constantadditions of dry bark and leaves, and the sable gentryassembled by degrees as they completed their evening toilette, full dress being painted nudity. A few began dancing indifferent parties, preparatory to the grand display, and thewomen, squatting on the ground, commenced their strangemonotonous chant, each beating accurate time with twoboomerangs. Then began the grand corrobory, and all the menjoined in the dance, leaping, jumping, bounding about in themost violent manner, but always in strict unison with eachother, and keeping time with the chorus, accompanying theirwild gesticulations with frightful yells, and noises. Thewhole `tableau' is fearfully grand! The dark wild forestscenery around--the bright fire-light gleaming upon the savageand uncouth figures of the men, their natural dark hue beingmade absolutely horrible by the paintings bestowed on them, consisting of lines and other marks done in white and redpipe-clay, which gives them an indescribably ghastly andfiendish aspect--their strange attitudes, and violentcontortions and movements, and the unearthly sound of theiryells, mingled with the wild and monotonous wail-like chant ofthe women, make altogether a very near approach to the horriblysublime in the estimation of most Europeans who have witnessedan assembly of the kind. "

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix, ' p. 103:

"They have no instrument of music, the corobery's song beingaccompanied by the beating of two sticks together, and by thewomen thumping their opossum rugs. '"

1847. J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, ' p. 447 [Footnote]:

"These words, which were quite as unintelligible to the nativesas the corresponding words in the vernacular language of thewhite men would have been, were learned by the natives, and arenow commonly used by them in conversing with Europeans, asEnglish words. Thus corrobbory, the Sydney word for ageneral assembly of natives, is now commonly used in that senseat Moreton Bay; but the original word there isyanerwille. Cabon, great; narang, little;boodgeree, good; myall, wild native, etc. Etc. , are all words of this description, supposed by the natives [ofQueensland] to be English words, and by the Europeans to beaboriginal words of the language of that district. "

[The phrase "general assembly" would rise naturally in the mindof Dr. Lang as a Presbyterian minister; but there is noevidence of anything parliamentary about a corrobbery. ]

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 78:

"The exact object or meaning of their famous corrobboree ornative dance, beyond mere exercise and patience, has not as yetbeen properly ascertained; but it seems to be mutuallyunderstood and very extensively practised throughout Australia, and is generally a sign of mutual fellowship and good feelingon the part of the various tribes. "

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales, ' p. 100:

"When our blacks visited Sydney, and saw the military paraded, and heard the bands, they said that was `white fellows'corrobbory. '"

185. E. Stone Parker, `Aborigines of Australia, ' p. 21:

"It is a very great mistake to suppose . . . That there is anykind of religious ceremony connected with the ordinarycorrobory. . . . I may also remark that the term corrobory isnot a native word. "

[It is quite certain that it is native, though not known toMr. E. Stone Parker. ]

1862. G. T. Lloyd, `Thirty-three Years in Tasmania andVictoria, ' p. 49:

[In Tasmania] "the assembling of the tribes was alwayscelebrated by a grand corroboree, a species of bestialbal masque. On such occasions they presented a mostgrotesque and demon-like appearance, their heads, faces, andbodies, liberally greased were besmeared alternately with clayand red ochre; large tufts of bushy twigs were entwined aroundtheir ankles, wrists, and waists; and these completed theirtoilet. "

1879. J. D. Woods, `Native Tribes of South Australia, 'Introduction, pp. Xxxii. And xxxiii. :

"The principal dance is common all over the continent, and`corrobboree' is the name by which it is commonly known. It isnot quite clear what a corrobboree is intended to signify. Some think it a war-dance--others that it is a representationof their hunting expeditions--others again, that it is areligious, or pagan, observance; but on this even the blacksthemselves give no information. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 41:

"The good fortune to witness a korroboree, that is afestive dance by the natives in the neighbourhood. "

1892. J. Fraser, `The Aborigines of New South Wales, ' p. 21:

"`Karabari' is an aboriginal name for those dances which ournatives often have in the forests at night. Hitherto the namehas been written corrobboree, but etymologically it should bekarabari, for it comes from the same root as `karaji, ' a wizardor medicine-man, and `bari' is a common formative in the nativelanguages. The karabari has been usually regarded as a form ofamusement . . . These dances partake of a semi-religiouscharacter. "

[Mr. Fraser's etymology is regarded as far-fetched. ]

(2) The song that accompanied the dance. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 323:

"I feared he might imagine we were afraid of his incantations, for he sang most lamentable corroborris. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 68:

". . . Listen to the new corroborree. Great numbers arrive;the corroborree is danced night after night with the utmostenthusiasm. . . . These corroborrees travel for many hundreds ofmiles from the place where they originated. . . . Thesecomposers [of song and dance] pretend that the Spirit of Eviloriginally manufactured their corroborree. "

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillman, `Australian Life, ' p. 132:

"The story was a grand joke among the blacks for many a day. It became, no doubt, the theme for a `corroberee, ' and Tommywas always after a hero amongst his countrymen. "

(3) By transference, any large social gathering or publicmeeting. 

1892. `Saturday Review, ' Feb. ' 13, p. 168, col. 2:

"A corrobory of gigantic dimensions is being prepared for[General Booth's] reception [in Australia]. " (`O. E. D. ')

1895. Modern:

"There's a big corrobbery on to-night at Government House, and you can't get a cab for love or money. "

(4) By natural transference, a noise, disturbance, fussor trouble. 

1874. Garnet Walch, `Adamanta, ' Act II. Sc. Ii. P. 27:

"How can I calm this infantile corroboree?"

1885. H. O. Forbes, `Naturalist's Wanderings, ' p. 295:

"Kingfishers . . . In large chattering corrobories in the topsof high trees. "

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms, ' p. 242:

"The boy raises the most awful corroboree of screams and howls, enough for a whole gang of bushrangers, if they went in forthat sort of thing. "

1897. `The Herald, ' Feb. 15, p. I, col. 1:

"Latest about the Cretan corroboree in our cable messages thisevening. The situation at the capital is decidedlydisagreeable. A little while ago the Moslems threw theChristians out and took charge. Now the last report is thatthere is a large force of Christians attacking the city andquite ready, we doubt not, to cut every Moslem throat thatcomes in the way. "

Corrobbery, v. (1) To hold a corrobbery. 

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 61:

"They began to corrobery or dance. 

(p. 206): They `corroberried, ' sang, laughed, and screamed. "

1885. R. M. Pried, `Australian Life, ' p. 22:

"For some time the district where the nut [bunya] aboundsis a scene of feasting and corroboreeing. "

(2) By transference to animals, birds, insects, etc. 

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 257:

"The mosquitoes from the swamps corroboreed with unmitigatedardour. "

1871. C. Darwin, `Descent of Man' (2nd ed. 1885), p. 406:

"The Menura Alberti [see Lyrebird] scratches foritself shallow holes, or, as they are called by the natives, corroborying places, where it is believed both sexes assemble. "

(3) To boil; to dance as boiling water does. 

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 43:

"`Look out there! `he continued; `quart-pot corroborree, 'springing up and removing with one hand from the fire one ofthe quart-pots, which was boiling madly, while with the otherhe dropped in about as much tea as he could hold between hisfingers and thumb. "

Ibid. P. 49:

"They had almost finished their meal before the new quartcorroborreed, as the stockman phrased it. "

Corypha-palm, n. An obsolete name forLivistona inermis, now called Cabbage-tree(q. V. ). 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 49:

"The bottle-tree and the corypha-palm were frequent. "

Cottage, n. A house in which all the rooms areon the ground-floor. An auctioneer's advertisement oftenruns--"large weatherboard cottage, twelve rooms, etc. , " or"double-fronted brick cottage. " The cheapness of land causednearly all suburban houses in Australia to be built withoutupper storeys and detached. 

Cotton-bush, n. Name applied to two treescalled Salt-bush (q. V. ). (1) Bassia bicornis, Lindl. (2) Kochia aphylla, R. Br. , N. O. Salsolaceae. S. Dixon (apud Maiden, p. 132)thus describes it--

"All kinds of stock are often largely dependent on it duringprotracted droughts, and when neither grass nor hay areobtainable I have known the whole bush chopped up and mixedwith a little corn, when it proved an excellent fodder forhorses. "

1876. W. Harcus, `South Australia, ' p. 126:

"This is a fine open, hilly district, watered, well grassed, and with plenty of herbage and cotton-bush. "

Cotton-shrub, n. A name given in Tasmania to theshrub Pimelea nivea, Lab. , N. O. Thymeleae. 

Cotton-tree, n. An Australian tree, Hibiscusteliaceus, Linn. , N. O. Malvaceae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 624:

"The fibre of the bark [cotton-tree] is used for nets andfishing-lines by the aborigines. "

Cotton-wood, n. The timber of an Australiantree, Bedfordia salicina, De C. , N. O. Compositae. Called Dog-wood (q. V. ) in Tasmania. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 386:

"The `dog-wood' of Tasmania, and the `cotton-wood' of SouthernNew South Wales, on account of the abundant down on the leaves. A hard, pale-brown, well-mottled wood, said by some to be goodfor furniture. It emits a foetid smell when cut. "

Coucal, n. A bird-name, "mentioned probably forthe first time in Le Vaillant's `Oiseaux d'Afrique, ' beginningabout 1796; perhaps native African. An African or Indianspear-headed cuckoo: a name first definitely applied by Cuvierin 1817 to the birds of the genus Centropus. "(`Century. ') The Australian species is Centropusphasianellus, Gould, or Centropus phasianus, Lath. It is called also Swamp-pheasant (q. V. ), andPheasant-cuckoo. 

Count-fish, n. A large Schnapper(q. V. ). See Cock-Schnapper. 

1874. `Sydney Mail, ' `Fishes and Fishing in New South Wales':

"The ordinary schnapper or count fish implies that all of acertain size are to count as twelve to the dozen, the shoal orschool-fish eighteen or twenty-four to the dozen, and thesquire, thirty or thirty-six to the dozen--the latter justaccording to their size, the redbream at per bushel. "

Count-muster, n. A gathering, especially ofsheep or cattle in order to count them. 

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon, ' p. 1:

"The old man's having a regular count-muster of his sons anddaughters, and their children and off side relatives-that is, by marriage. "

Cowdie, n. An early variant of Kauri(q. V. ), with other spellings. 

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 143:

"The native name `Kauri' is the only common name in generaluse. When the timber was first introduced into Britain it wastermed `cowrie' or `kowdie-pine'; but the name speedily fellinto disuse, although it still appears as the common name insome horticultural works. "

Cowshorns, n. A Tasmanian orchid, Pterostylis nutans, R. Br. 

Cow-tree, n. A native tree of New Zealand. Maori name, Karaka (q. V. ). 

1860. G. Bennett, `Gatherings of a Naturalist, ' p. 346:

"The karaka-tree of New Zealand (Corynocarpuslaevigata), also called kopi by the natives, and cow-treeby Europeans (from that animal being partial to its leaves), grows luxuriantly in Sydney. "

Crab, n. Of the various Australian species ofthis marine crustacean, Scylla serrata alone is largeenough to be much used as food, and it is seldom caught. InTasmania and Victoria, Pseudocarcinus gigas, called theKing-Crab, which reaches a weight of 20 lbs. , is occasionallybrought to market. There is only one fresh-water crab known inAustralia--Telphusa transversa. 

1896. Spencer and Hall, `Horne Expedition in CentralAustralia, ' Zoology, p. 228:

"In the case of Telphusa transversa, the fresh-watercrab, the banks of certain water holes are riddled with itsburrows. "

Crab-hole, n. A hole leading into a pit-likeburrow, made originally by a burrowing crayfish, and oftenafterwards increased in size by the draining into it of water. The burrows are made by crayfish belonging to the generaEngaeus and Astacopsis, which are popularly knownas land-crabs. 

1848. Letter by Mrs. Perry, given in Canon Goodman's `Churchin Victoria, during Episcopate of Bishop Perry, ' p. 72:

"Full of crab holes, which are exceedingly dangerous for thehorses. There are holes varying in depth from one to threefeet, and the smallest of them wide enough to admit the foot ofa horse: nothing more likely than that a horse should break itsleg in one. . . . These holes are formed by a small land-craband then gradually enlarged by the water draining into them. "

1859. H. Kingsley, `Geoffrey Hamlyn, ' p. 368:

"This brute put his foot in a crabhole, and came down, rollingon my leg. ''

1875. Wood and Lapham, `Waiting for the Mail, ' p. 49:

"Across the creek we went . . . Now tripping over tussocks, now falling into crab holes. "

Crab-tree, n. I. Q. Bitter-bark (q. V. ). 

Cradle, n. Common in Australia, but ofCalifornian origin. "A trough on rockers in which auriferousearth or sand is shaken in water, in order to separate andcollect the gold. " (`O. E. D. ')

1849. `Illustrated London News, ' Nov. 17, p. 325, col. 1(`O. E. D. '): [This applies to California, and is before theAustralian diggings began]:

"Two men can keep each other steadily at work, the one diggingand carrying the earth in a bucket, and the other washing androcking the cradle. "

1851. Letter by Mrs. Perry, quoted in Canon Goodman's `Churchin Victoria during Episcopate of Bishop Perry, ' p. 171:

"The streets are full of cradles and drays packed for thejourney. "

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, ' c. Xv. P. 215:

"Cradles and tin dishes to supply the digging parties. "

1865. F. H. Nixon, `Peter Perfume, ' p. 56:

"They had cradles by dozens and picks by the score. "

1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori, ' p. 154:

"The music of the puddling mill, the cradle, and the tub. "

Cradle, v. Tr. To wash auriferous gravel in aminer's cradle. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. 21, p. 197:

"The laborious process of washing and `cradling' the ore. "

Crake, n. Common English bird-name. TheAustralian varieties are--

Little Crake-- Porzana palustris, Gould. 

Spotless C. -- P. Tabuensis, Gmel. 

Spotted C. -- P. Fluminea, Gould. 

White-browed C. -- P. Cinereus, Vieill. 

See also Swamp-crake. 

Cranberry, Native, n. Called alsoGround-berry; name given to three Australian shrubs. (1) Styphelia (formerly Lissanthe) humifusa, Persoon, N. O. Epacrideae. 

1834. J. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual, ' p. 133:

"Astroloma humifusum. The native cranberry has a fruitof a green, reddish, or whitish colour, about the size of ablack currant, consisting of a viscid apple-flavoured pulpinclosing a large seed; this fruit grows singly on the trailingstems of a small shrub resembling juniper, bearing beautifulscarlet blossoms in autumn. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 8:

"Commonly called `ground-berry. ' In Tasmania the fruits areoften called native cranberries. The fruits of these dwarfshrubs are much appreciated by school-boys and aboriginals. They have a viscid, sweetish pulp, with a relatively largestone. The pulp is described by some as being apple-flavoured, though I have always failed to make out any distinct flavour. "

(2) Styphelia sapida, F. V. M. , N. O. Epacrideae. 

1866. `Treasury of Botany, ' p. 688 (`O. E. D. '):

"Lissanthe sapida, a native of South-eastern Australia, is called the Australian Cranberry, on account of itsresemblance both in size and colour to our European cranberry, Vaccinium Oxyconos. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 39:

"Native cranberry. The fruit is edible. It is something likethe cranberry of Europe both in size and colour, but its fleshis thin, and has been likened to that of the Siberian crab. [Found in] New South Wales. "

(3) Pernettya tasmanica, Hook. , N. O. Ericeae(peculiar to Tasmania). 

Crane, n. Common English bird-name. InAustralia used for (1) the Native-Companion (q. V. ), Grusaustralianus, Gould; (2) various Herons, especially in NewZealand, where the varieties are--Blue Crane (Matuku), Ardea sacra, Gmel. ; White Crane (Kotuku), Ardeaegretta, Gmel. See Kotuku and Nankeen Crane. The Cranes and the Herons are often popularly confused. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Vi. Pl. 53:

"Ardea Novae-Hollandiae, Lath. , White-fronted Heron, BlueCrane of the colonists. Herodias Jugularis, Blue ReefHeron, Blue Crane, colonists of Port Essington. "

1848. Ibid. Pl. 58:

"Herodias Immaculata, Gould [later melanopus], SpotlessEgret, White Crane of the colonists. "

1890. `Victorian Consolidated Statutes, Game Act, ' 3rdSchedule:

"[Close Season. ] All Birds known as Cranes such as Herons, Egrets, &c. From First day of August to Twentieth day ofDecember following in each year. "

Craw-fish, n. A variant of Crayfish(q. V. ). 

Crawler, n. That which crawls; used speciallyin Australia of cattle. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 217:

"Well-bred station crawlers, as the stockmen term them fromtheir peaceable and orderly habits. "

Cray-fish, n. The Australasian Cray-fishbelong to the family Parastacidae, the members of whichare confined to the southern hemisphere, whilst those of thefamily Potamobiidae are found in the northernhemisphere. The two families are distinguished from oneanother by, amongst other points of structure, the absence ofappendages on the first abdominal segment in theParastacidae. The Australasian cray-fishes areclassified in the following genera--Astacopsis, found inthe fresh waters of Tasmania and the whole of Australia;Engaeus, a land-burrowing form, found only in Tasmaniaand Victoria; Paranephrops, found in the fresh waters ofNew Zealand; and Palinurus, found on the coasts ofAustralia and New Zealand. The species are as follows :--

(1) The Yabber or Yabbie Crayfish. Name given to thecommonest fresh-water Australian Cray-fish, Astacopsisbicarinatus, Gray. This is found in waterholes, but notusually in running streams, over the greater part of thecontinent, and often makes burrows in the ground away fromwater, and may also do great damage by burrowing holes throughthe banks of dams and reservoirs and water-courses, as atMildura. It was first described as the Port EssingtonCrayfish. 

1845. Gray, in E. J. Eyre's `Expeditions into CentralAustralia, ' vol. I. P. 410:

"The Port Essington Cray fish. Astacus bicarinatus. "

1885. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, 'Dec. 2, pl. 29:

"They are commonly known about Melbourne by the native name ofYabber or Yabbie. "

(2) The Murray Lobster or the Spiny Cray-fish. Namegiven to the largest Australian fresh-water Cray-fish, Astacopsis serratus, Shaw, which reaches a length ofover twelve inches, and is found in the rivers of the Murraysystem, and in the southern rivers of Victoria such as theYarra, the latter being distinguished as a variety of theformer and called locally the Yarra Spiny Cray-fish. 

1890. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, 'Dec. 8, pl. 160: "

Our plate 160 illustrates a remarkable variety of the typicalA. Serratus of the Murray, common in the Yarra and itsnumerous affluents flowing southwards. "

(3) The Tasmanian Cray-fish. Name given to the largefresh-water Cray-fish found in Tasmania, Astacopsisfranklinii; Gray. 

(4) The Land-crab. Name applied to the burrowingCray-fish of Tasmania and Victoria, Engaeus fossor, Erich. , and other species. This is the smallest of theAustralian Cray-fish, and inhabits burrows on land, which itexcavates for itself and in which a small store of water isretained. When the burrow, as frequently happens, falls inthere is formed a Crab-hole (q. V. ). 

1892. G. M. Thomson, `Proceedings of the Royal Society ofTasmania, ' p. 2:

"Only four of the previously described forms are fresh-waterspecies, namely: Astacopsis franklinii andA. Tasmanicus, Engaeus fossor andE. Cunicularius, all fresh-water cray fishes. "

(5) New Zealand Fresh-water Cray-fish. Name applied toParanephrops zealandicus, White, which is confined tothe fresh water of New Zealand. 

1889. T. J. Parker, `Studies in Biology' (Colonial Museum andGeological Survey Department, New Zealand), p. 5:

"Paranephrops which is small and has to be specially collectedin rivers, creeks or lakes. "

(6) Sydney Cray-fish. Name given to the largesalt-water Cray-fish, rarely called Craw-fish, or SpinyLobster, found along the Sydney coast, Palinurushuegeli, Heller. 

1890. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, 'Dec. 16, pl. 159:

"This species, which is the common Sydney Craw-fish, is easilydistinguished from the southern one, the P. Lalandi, which is the common Melbourne Craw-fish. "

(7) Southern Rock-Lobster or Melbourne Crayfish. Namegiven to the large salt-water Cray-fish, sometimes calledCraw-fish, found along the southern coast and common in theMelbourne market, Palinurus lalandi, Lam. 

1890. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, 'Dec. 15, pl. 150:

"I suggest the trivial name of Southern Rock Lobster for thisspecies, which abounds in Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand, as well as the Cape of Good Hope . . . Does not appear to havebeen noticed as far north as Sydney. "

The name Craw-fish is merely an ancient variant ofCray-fish, though it is said by Gasc, in his FrenchDictionary, that the term was invented by the Londonfishmongers to distinguish the small Spiny Lobster, which has no claws, from the common Lobster, which hasclaws. The term Lobster, in Australia, is often appliedto the Sydney Cray-fish (see 7, above). 

Creadion, n. Scientific name given by Vieillotin 1816 to a genus of birds peculiar to New Zealand, from Greekkreadion, a morsel of flesh, dim. Of kreas, flesh. Buller says, "from the angle of the mouth on each sidethere hangs a fleshy wattle, or caruncle, shaped like acucumber seed and of a changeable bright yellow colour. "('Birds of New Zealand, ' 1886, vol. I. P. 18. ) TheJack-bird (q. V. ) and Saddle-back (q. V. ) are thetwo species. 

1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui, ' p. 404:

"Family Sturnidae--Tieki (Creadion Carunculatus). This is a beautiful black bird with a chestnut band across theback and wings; it has also a fleshy lappet on either side ofthe head. The tieki is considered a bird of omen: ifone flies on the right side it is a good sign; if on the left, a bad one. "

Cream of Tartar tree, n. I. Q. Baobab(q. V. ). 

Creek, n. A small river, a brook, a branch ofa river. "An application of the word entirely unknown in GreatBritain. " (`O. E. D. ') The `Standard Dictionary' gives, as a usein the United States, "a tidal or valley stream, between abrook and a river in size. " In Australia, the name brook isnot used. Often pronounced crick, as in the United States. 

Dr. J. A. H. Murray kindly sends the following note:--"Creekgoes back to the early days of exploration. Men sailing up theMississippi or other navigable river saw the mouths oftributary streams, but could not tell with out investigationwhether they were confluences or mere inlets, creeks. Theycalled them creeks, but many of them turned out to be runningstreams, many miles long--tributary rivers or rivulets. Thename creek stuck to them, however, and thus becamesynonymous with tributary stream, brook. "

1793. Governor Hunter, `Voyage, ' p. 516:

"In the afternoon a creek obliged them to leave the banks ofthe river, and go round its head, as it was too deep to cross:having rounded the head of this creek. . . "

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, ' p. 228:

"They met with some narrow rivers or creeks. "

1809. Aug. 6, `History of New South Wales' (1818), p. 327:

"Through Rickerby's grounds upon the riverside and those of theRev. Mr. Marsden on the creek. "

1826. Goldie, in Bischoff's `Van Diemen's Land' (1832), p. 162:

"There is a very small creek which I understand is never dry. "

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 17:

"The creeks and rivers of Australia have in general atransitory existence, now swollen by the casual shower, andagain rapidly subsiding under the general dryness and heat ofthe climate. "

1854. `Bendigo Advertiser, ' quoted in `Melbourne MorningHerald, ' May 29:

"A Londoner reading of the crossing of a creek would naturallyimagine the scene to be in the immediate neighbourhood of thecoast, instead of being perhaps some hundreds of miles in theinterior, and would dream of salt water, perriwinkles andsea-weed, when he should be thinking of slimy mud-holes, blacksnakes and gigantic gum-trees. "

1861. Mrs. Meredith, `Over the Straits, ' c. Iv. P. 134:

"The little rivulet, called, with that singular pertinacity forerror which I have so often noticed here, `the creek. '"

1865. Lady Barker, `Station Life in, New Zealand, ' p. 29:

"The creek, just like a Scotch burn, hurrying and tumbling downthe hillside to join the broader stream in the valley. "

1870. P. Wentworth, `Amos Thorne, ' i. P. 11:

"A thirsty creek-bed marked a line of green. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 39:

"In the rivers, whether large watercourses, and dignified bythe name of `river, ' or small tributaries called by the lesssounding appellation `creeks. "

1887. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. I. P. 41:

"Generally where the English language is spoken a creek means asmall inlet of the sea, but in Australia a creek is literallywhat it is etymologically, a crack in the ground. In dryweather there is very little water; perhaps in the height ofsummer the stream altogether ceases to run, and the creekbecomes a string of waterholes; but when the heavens areopened, and the rain falls, it reappears a river. "

Creeklet, n. Diminutive of Creek. 

1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori, ' p. 91:

"One small creeklet day by day murmurs. "

Creeper, n. The name (sc. Tree-creeper)is given to several New Zealand birds of the genusCerthiparus, N. O. Passeres. The Maori names arePipipi, Toitoi, and Mohona. 

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 51:

"Certhiparus Novae Zelandiae, Finsch. New ZealandCreeper. " [A full description. ]

Cronk, adj. Derived from the Germankrank--sick or ill. 

(1) A racing term used of a horse which is out of order and not"fit" for the contest; hence transferred to a horse whose owneris shamming its illness and making it "run crooked" for thepurpose of cheating its backers. 

(2) Used more generally as slang, but not recognized in Barereand Leland's `Slang Dictionary. '

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), July 4, p. 2, col. 7:

"He said he would dispose of the cloth at a moderate figurebecause it was `cronk. ' The word `cronk, ' Mr. Finlaysonexplained, meant `not honestly come by. '"

Crow, n. Common English bird-name. TheAustralian species is--White-eyed, Corvus coronoidesV. And H. In New Zealand (Maori name, Kokako) the nameis used for the Blue-wattled Crow, Glaucopis wilsoni andfor the (N. Island) Orange-wattled, G. Cinerea, Gmel. (S. Island). 

Crow-shrike, n. Australian amalgamation of twocommon English bird-names. The Crow-shrikes are ofthree genera, Strepera, Gymnorrhima, andCracticus. The varieties of the genus Strepera are--

Black Crow-shrike-- Strepera fuliginosa, Gould. 

Black-winged C. -- S. Melanoptera, Gould. 

Grey C. -- S. Cuneicaudata, Vieill. 

Hill C. -- S. Arguta, Gould. 

Leaden C. -- S. Plumbea, Gould. 

Pied C. -- S. Graculina, White. 

Birds of the genus Gymnorrhina are called Magpies(q. V. ). Those of the genus Cracticus are calledButcher-birds (q. V. ). 

Crush, n. A part of a stockyard. Seequotations. 

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 69:

"A crush, which is an elongated funnel, becoming so narrowat the end that a beast is wedged in and unable to move. "

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon, ' p. 87:

"There were some small yards, and a `crush, ' as they call it, for branding cattle. "

Cuckoo, n. Common English bird-name. The Australian birds to which it is applied are--

Black-eared Cuckoo-- Mesocalius osculans, Gould. 

Bronze C. -- Chalcoccyx plagosus, Lath. 

Brush C. -- Cacomantis insperatus. [Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 87. ]

Chestnut-breasted C. -- C. Castanei-ventris, Gould. 

Fantailed C. -- C. Flabelliformis, Lath. 

Little-bronze C. -- Chalcoccyx malayanus, Raffles. 

Narrow-billed bronze C. -- C. Basalis, Hors. 

Oriental C. -- Cuculus intermedius, Vahl. 

Pallid C. -- Cacomantis pallidus and C. Canorus, Linn. 

Square-tailed C. -- C. Variolosus, Hors. 

Whistling-bronze C. -- Chalcoccyx lucidus, Gmel. 

In New Zealand, the name is applied to Eudynamistaitensis (sc. Of Tahiti) Sparm. , the Long-tailed Cuckoo;and to Chrysococcyx lucidus, Gmel. , the Shining Cuckoo. The name Cuckoo has sometimes been applied to theMopoke (q. V. ) and to the Boobook (q. V. ). Seealso Pheasant-cuckoo. 

1855. G. W. Rusden, `Moyarra, ' Notes, p. 30:

"The Australian cuckoo is a nightjar, and is heard only by night. "

1868. W. Carleton, `Australian Nights, ' p. 19:

"The Austral cuckoo spoke His melancholy note, `Mopoke. '"

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition, 'p. 118:

"There are two species of the Longtailed Cuckoo (Eudynamistaitensis), and the beautiful Bronze or Shining Cuckoo(Chrysococcyx lucidus). They are both migratory birds. The Long-tailed Cuckoo spends its winter in some of the Pacificislands, the Shining Cuckoo in Australia. "

Cuckoo-shrike, n. This combination of twocommon English bird-names is assigned in Australia to thefollowing--

Barred Cuckoo-shrike Graucalus lineatus, Swains. 

Black-faced C. -- G. Melanops, Lath. 

Ground C. -- Pteropodocys phasianella, Gould. 

Little C. -- Graucalus mentalis, Vig. And Hors. 

Small-billed C. -- G. Parvirostris, Gould. 

White-bellied C. -- G. Hyperleucus, Gould. 

Cucumber-fish, n. I. Q. Grayling (q. V. ). 

Cucumber-Mullet, n. I. Q. Grayling(q. V. ). 

Cultivation paddock, n. A field that has beentilled and not kept for grass. 

1853. Chas. St. Julian and Ed. K. Silvester, `The Productions, Industry, and Resources of New South Wales, ' p. 170:

"Few stations of any magnitude are without their `cultivationpaddocks, ' where grain and vegetables are raised . . . "

1860. A Lady, `My Experiences in Australia, ' p. 173:

"Besides this large horse paddock, there was a space cleared oftrees, some twenty to thirty acres in extent, on the banks ofthe creek, known as the `Cultivation Paddock, ' where in formerdays my husband had grown a sufficient supply of wheat for homeconsumption. "

1893. `The Argus, ' June 17, p. 13, col. 4:

"How any man could have been such an idiot as to attempt tomake a cultivation paddock on a bed of clay passed all myknowledge. '

Curlew, n. Common English bird-name. The Australian species is Numenius cyanopus, Vieill. The name, however, is more generally applied to AEdicnemusgrallarius, Lath. 

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 43:

"They rend the air like cries of despair, The screams of the wild curlew. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 18:

"Truly the most depressing cry I ever heard is that of thecurlew, which you take no notice of in course of time; butwhich to us, wet, weary, hungry, and strange, sounded mosteerie. "

1890. `Victorian Statutes, Game Act, Third Schedule':

"Southern Stone Plover or Curlew. "

1894. `The Argus, ' June 23, p. 11, col. 4:

"The calling of the stone plover. It might as well be a curlewat once, for it will always be a curlew to country people. Itsfirst call, with the pause between, sounds like `Curlew'--thatis, if you really want it to sound so, though the blacks getmuch nearer the real note with `Koo-loo, ' the first syllablesharp, the second long drawn out. "

1896. Dr. Holden, of Hobart, `Private letter, ' Jan. :

"There is a curlew in Australia, closely resembling the Englishbird, and it calls as that did over the Locksley Hallsand-dunes; but Australians are given to calling AEdicnemusgrallarius Latham (our Stone Plover), the `curlew, ' whichis a misnomer. This also drearily wails, and after dark. "

Currajong or Currijong, i. Q. Kurrajong(q. V. ). 

Currant, Native, n. The name is given tovarious shrubs and trees of the genus Coprosma, especially Coprosma billardieri, Hook. , N. O. Rubiare(e; also to Leucopogon richei, Lab. , N. O. Epacrideae, various species of Leptomeria, N. O. Santalaceae, and Myoporum serratum, R. Br. , N. O. Myoporineae. The names used forM. Serratum, chiefly in South Australia, areBlueberry Tree, Native Juniper, NativeMyrtle, Palberry, and Cockatoo Bush. 

See also Native Plum. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 220:

"Our native currants are strongly acidulous, like thecranberry, and make an excellent preserve when mixed withthe raspberry. "

1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual, ' p. 133:

"Leucopogon lanceolatum. A large bush with numerousharsh leaves, growing along the sea shore, with some othersmaller inland shrubs of the same tribe, produces very smallwhite berries of a sweetish and rather herby flavour. Theseare promiscuously called white or native currants in thecolony. "

["The insignificant and barely edible berries of this shrub aresaid to have saved the life of the French botanist Riche, whowas lost in the bush on the South Australian coast for threedays, at the close of the last century. " (Maiden. ) The plantis now called L. Richei. ]

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 19:

"Native Currant. . . . This plant bears a small round drupe, about the size of a small pea. Mr. Backhouse states that (overhalf a century ago) when British fruits were scarce, it wasmade into puddings by some of the settlers of Tasmania, but thesize and number of the seeds were objectionable. "

Currant, Plain, n. See Plain Currant. 

Currency, n. (1) Name given especially to earlypaper-money in the Colonies, issued by private traders and ofvarious values, and in general to the various coins of foreigncountries, which were current and in circulation. Barrington, in his `History of New South Wales `(1802), gives a table ofsuch specie. 

1824. Edward Curr, `Account of the Colony of Van Diemen's Land, 'p. 5:

"Much of this paper-money is of the most trifling description. To this is often added `payable in dollars at 5s. Each. ' Some. . . Make them payable in Colonial currency. "

[p. 69, note]: "25s. Currency is about equal to a sovereign. "

1826. Act of Geo. IV. , No. 3 (Van Diemen's Land):

"All Bills of Exchange, Promissory Notes . . . As also allContracts and Agreements whatsoever which shall be drawn andcirculated or issued, or made and entered into, and shall betherein expressed . . . To be payable in Currency, CurrentMoney, Spanish Dollars . . . Shall be . . . Null and Void. "

1862. Geo. Thos. Lloyd, `Thirty-three years in Tasmania andVictoria, ' p. 9:

"Every man in business . . . Issued promissory notes, varyingin value from the sum of fourpence to twenty shillings, payableon demand. These notes received the appellation of papercurrency. . . . The pound sterling represented twenty-fiveshillings of the paper-money. "

(2) Obsolete name for those colonially-born. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. (Table of Contents):

"Letter XXI. --Currency or Colonial-bornpopulation. "

Ibid. P. 33:

"Our colonial-born brethren are best known here by the name ofCurrency, in contradistinction to Sterling, orthose born in the mother-country. The name was originallygiven by a facetious paymaster of the 73rd Regiment quarteredhere--the pound currency being at that time inferior to thepound sterling. "

1833. H. W. Parker, `Rise, Progress, and Present State of VanDiemen's Land, ' p. 18:

"The Currency lads, as the country born colonists in thefacetious nomenclature of the colony are called, incontradistinction to those born in the mother country. "

1840. Martin's `Colonial Magazine, ' vol. Iii. P. 35:

"Currency lady. "

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales, ' p. 68:

"Whites born in the colony, who are also called `the currency';and thus the `Currency Lass' is a favourite name for colonialvessels. " [And, it may be added, also of Hotels. ]

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 6:

"A singular disinclination to finish any work completely, is astriking characteristic of colonial craftsmen, at least of the`currency' or native-born portion. Many of them who areclever, ingenious and industrious, will begin a new work, be it ship, house, or other erection, and labour at it mostassiduously until it be about two-thirds completed, and thentheir energy seems spent, or they grow weary of the oldoccupation, and some new affair is set about as busily as theformer one. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Colonial Reformer, ' p. 35:

"English girls have such lovely complexions and cut out us poorcurrency lasses altogether. "

Ibid. P. 342:

"You're a regular Currency lass . . . Always thinking abouthorses. "

Cushion-flower, n. I. Q. Hakea laurina, R. Br. See Hakea. 

Cut out, v. (1) To separate cattle from therest of the herd in the open. 

1873. Marcus Clarke, `Holiday Peak, &c. , ' p. 70:

"The other two . . . Could cut out a refractory bullock withthe best stockman on the plains. "

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. X. P. 72:

"We . . . Camped for the purpose of separating our cattle, either by drafting through the yard, or by `cutting out' onhorse-back. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 70:

"Drafting on the camp, or `cutting out' as it is generallycalled, is a very pretty performance to watch, if it is welldone. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' c. Ii. P. 13:

"Tell him to get `Mustang, ' he's the best cutting-out horse. "

1893. `The Argus, ' April 29, p. 4. Col. 4:

"A Queenslander would have thought it was as simple as going onto a cutting-out camp up North and running out the fats. "

(2) To finish shearing. 

1890. `The Argus, ' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 6:

"When the stations `cut out, ' as the term for finishing is, and the shearers and rouseabout men leave. "

Cutting-grass, n. Cladium psittacorum, Labill. , N. O. Cyperaceae. It grows very long narrowblades whose thin rigid edge will readily cut flesh ifincautiously handled; it is often called Sword-grass. 

1858. T. McCombie `History of Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 8:

"Long grass, known as cutting-grass between four and five feethigh, the blade an inch and a half broad, the edges exquisitelysharp. "

1891. W. Tilley, `Wild West of Tasmania, ' p. 42:

"Travelling would be almost impossible but for the buttonrush and cutting grass, which grow in big tussocks out ofthe surrounding bog. "

1894. `The Age, ' Oct. 19, p. 5, col. 8:

"`Cutting grass' is the technical term for a hard, tough grassabout eight or ten inches high, three-edged like a bayonet, which stock cannot eat because in their efforts to bite it offit cuts their mouths. "

D

Dabchick, n. Common English bird-name. The NewZealand species is Podiceps rufipectus. There is nospecies in Australia. 

Dacelo, n. Name given by "W. E. Leach, 1816. An anagram or transposition of Lat. Alcedo, aKingfisher. " (`Century. ') Scientific name for theJackass (q. V. ). 

Dactylopsila, n. The scientific name of theAustralian genus of the Striped Phalanger, called locally theStriped Opossum; see Opossum. It has a long baretoe. (Grk. Daktulos, a finger, and psilos, bare. )

Daisy, Brisbane, n. A Queensland and New SouthWales plant, Brachycome microcarpa, F. V. M. , N. O. Compositae. 

Daisy, Native, n. A Tasmanian flower, Brachycome decipiens, Hook. , N. O. Compositae. 

Daisy Tree, n. Two Tasmanian trees, Asturstellulatus, Lab. , and A. Glandulosus, Lab. , N. O. Compositae. The latter is called theSwamp-Daisy-Tree. 

Dam, n. In England, the word means a barrierto stop water in Australia, it also means the water so stopped, as `O. E. D. ' shows it does in Yorkshire. 

1873. Marcus Clarke, `Holiday Peak, &c. , ' p. 76:

"The dams were brimming at Quartz-borough, St. Roy reservoirwas running over. "

1892. `Scribner's Magazine, ' Feb. , p. 141:

"Dams as he calls his reservoirs scooped out in the hard soil. "

1893. `The Leader, ' Jan. 14:

"A boundary rider has been drowned in a dam. "

1893. `The Times, ' [Reprint] `Letters from Queensland, ' p. 68:

"At present few stations are subdivided into paddocks smallerthan 20, 000 acres apiece. If in each of these there is but onewaterhole or dam that can be relied upon to hold out indrought, sheep and cattle will destroy as much grass intramping from the far corners of the grazing to the drinkingspot as they will eat. Four paddocks of 5, 000 acres each, wellsupplied with water, ought to carry almost double the number ofsheep. "

1896. `The Argus, ' March 30, p. 6, col. 9:

"[The murderer] has not since been heard of. Dams andwaterholes have been dragged . . . But without result. "

Dammara, n. An old scientific name of thegenus, including the Kauri Pine (q. V. ). It is from theHindustani, damar, `resin. ' The name was applied to theKauri Pine by Lambert in 1832, but it was afterwardsfound that Salisbury, in 1805, had previously constituted thegenus Agathis for the reception of the Kauri Pineand the Dammar Pine of Amboyna. This priority of claimnecessitated the modern restoration of Agathis as thename of the genus. 

Damper, n. A large scone of flour and waterbaked in hot ashes; the bread of the bush, which is alwaysunleavened. [The addition of water to the flour suggests amore likely origin than that given by Dr. Lang. See quotation, 1847. ]

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 190

"The farm-men usually make their flour into flat cakes, whichthey call damper, and cook these in the ashes . . . "

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, 'vol. Ii. C. Viii. P. 203:

"I watched the distorted countenances of my humble companionswhile drinking their tea and eating their damper. "

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketches of New South Wales, ' p. 103:

"Damper (a coarse dark bread). "

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix, ' p. 122:

"I must here enlighten my readers as to what `damper' is. Itis the bread of the bush, made with flour and water kneadedtogether and formed into dough, which is baked in the ashes, and after a few months keeping is a good substitute for bread. "

[The last clause contains a most extraordinary statement--perhaps a joke. Damper is not kept for months, but isgenerally made fresh for each meal. See quotation, 1890, Lumholtz. ]

1847. J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, ' p. 122:

 "A cake baked in the ashes, which in Australia is usuallystyled a damper. " [Footnote]: "This appellation is said tohave originated somehow with Dampier, the celebratednavigator. "

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand, ' p. 284:

"`Damper' is a dough made from wheat-flour and water withoutyeast, which is simply pressed flat, and baked in the ashes;according to civilized notions, rather hard of digestion, butquite agreeable to hungry woodmen's stomachs. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 20:

"At first we had rather a horror of eating damper, imagining itto be somewhat like an uncooked crumpet. Experience, however, showed it to be really very good. Its construction is simple, and is as follows. Plain flour and water is mixed on a sheetof bark, and then kneaded into a disc some two or three inchesthick to about one or two feet in diameter, great care to avoidcracks being taken in the kneading. This is placed in a holescraped to its size in the hot ashes, covered over, and thereleft till small cracks caused by the steam appear on thesurface of its covering. This is a sign that it is nearlydone, and in a few minutes the skilful chef will sound it overwith his "Wedges of damper (or bread baked in hot ashes) werecut from time to time from great circular flat loaves of thatpalatable and wholesome but somewhat compressed-looking bread. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 32:

"Damper is the name of a kind of bread made of wheat flour andwater. The dough is shaped into a flat round cake, which isbaked in red-hot ashes. This bread looks very inviting, andtastes very good as long as it is fresh, but it soon becomeshard and dry. "

Damson, Native, n. Called also Native Plum, an Australian shrub, Nageia spinulosa, F. V. M. , N. O. Coniferae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 53:

"Native Damson or Native Plum. This shrub possesses ediblefruit, something like a plum, hence its vernacular names. TheRev. Dr. Woolis tells me that, mixed with jam of the NativeCurrant (Leptomeria acida), it makes a very goodpudding. "

Dandelion, Native, n. A flowering plant, Podolepis acuminata, R. Br. , N. O. Compositae. 

Daphne, Native, n. An Australian timber, Myoporum viscorum, R. Br. , N. O. Myoporineae;called also Dogwood and Waterbush. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 575:

"Native Daphne. . . . Timber soft and moderately light, yettough. It is used for building purposes. It dresses well, andis straight in the grain. "

Darling Pea, n. An Australian plant, Swainsonia galegifolia, R. Br. , N. O. Leguminosae;i. Q. Indigo Plant (q. V. ). See also Poison-bush. The Darling Downs and River were named after General (later SirRalph) Darling, who was Governor of New South Wales fromDec. 19, 1825 to Oct. 21, 1831. The "pea" is named from one ofthese. 

Darling Shower, n. A local name in the interiorof Australia, and especially on the River Darling, for a duststorm, caused by cyclonic winds. 

Dart, n. (1) Plan, scheme, idea [slang]. It is an extension of the meaning--"sudden motion. "

1887. J. Farrell, `How: he died, ' p. 20:

"Whose `dart' for the Looard Was to appear the justest steward That ever hiked a plate round. "

1890. `The Argus, ' Aug. 9, p. 4, col. 2:

"When I told them of my `dart, ' some were contemptuous, others incredulous. "

1892. Rolf Boldrewood, `Nevermore, ' p. 22:

"Your only dart is to buy a staunch horse with a tip-cart. "

(2) Particular fancy or personal taste. 

1895. Modern:

"`Fresh strawberries eh!--that's my dart, ' says the bushmanwhen he sees the fruit lunch in Collins-street. "

Darter, n. Common English name for birds of thegenus Plotus. So called from the way it "darts" uponits prey. The Australian species is Plotus novae-hollandiae, Gould. 

Dasyure, and Dasyurus, n. Thescientific name of the genus of Australian animals calledNative Cats. See under Cat. The first form isthe Anglicized spelling and is scientifically used inpreference to the misleading vernacular name. From the Greekdasus, thick with hair, hairy, shaggy, and 'oura, tail. They range over Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and theadjacent islands. Unlike the Thylacine and TasmanianDevil (q. V. ), which are purely terrestrial, theDasyurus are arboreal in their habits, while they areboth carnivorous and insectivorous. 

The Thylacine, Tasmanian Devil, Pouched Mice, and BandedAnt-eater have sometimes been incorrectly classed asDasyures, but the name is now strictly allotted to thegenus Dasyurus, or Native Cat. 

Date, Native, n. A Queensland fruit, Capparis canescens, Banks, N. O. Capparideae. The fruit is shaped like a pear, and about half an inchin its largest diameter. It is eaten raw by the aborigines. 

Deadbeat, n. In Australia, it means a man "downon his luck, " "stone-broke, " beaten by fortune. In America, the word means an impostor, a sponge. Between the two uses theconnection is clear, but the Australian usage is logically theearlier. 

Dead-bird, n. In Australia, a recent slangterm, meaning "a certainty. " The metaphor is frompigeon-shooting, where the bird being let loose in front of agood shot is as good as dead. 

Dead-finish, n. A rough scrubtree. 

(1)Albizzia basaltica, Benth. , N. O. Leguminosae. 

(2) Acacia farnesiana, Willd. , N. O. Leguminosae. See quotation, 1889. 

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia', p. 272:

"On the eastern face of the coast range are pine, red cedar, and beech, and on the western slopes, rose-wood, myall, dead-finish, plum-tree, iron-wood and sandal-wood, all woodswith a fine grain suitable for cabinet-making and fancy work. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 355:

"Sometimes called by the absurd name of `Dead Finish. ' Thisname given to some species of Acacia and Albizzia, is onaccount of the trees or shrubs shooting thickly from thebottom, and forming an impenetrable barrier to the traveller, who is thus brought to a `dead finish' (stop)"

1893. `The Times, ' [Reprint] `Letters from Queensland, ' p. 60:

"The hawthorn is admirably represented by a brush commonlycalled `dead finish. '" [p. 61]: "Little knolls are crownedwith `dead finish' that sheep are always glad to nibble. "

Dead-wood Fence, n. The Australian fence, socalled, is very different from the fence of the same name inEngland. It is high and big, built of fallen timber, logsand branches. Though still used in Australia for fencing runs, it is now usually superseded by wire fences. 

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 157:

"A `dead-wood fence, ' that is, a mass of timber four or fivefeet thick, and five or six high, the lower part being formedof the enormous trunks of trees, cut into logs six or eightfeet long, laid side by side, and the upper portion consistingof the smaller branches skilfully laid over, or stuck down andtwisted. "

1872. G. Baden-Powell, `New Homes for the Old Country, ' p. 207:

"A very common fence is built by felling trees round the spaceto be enclosed, and then with their stems as a foundation, working up with the branches, a fence of a desirable height. "

Deal, Native, n. An Australian timber, Nageia elata, F. V. M. , N. O. Coniferae. For other vernacular names see quotation. 

1869. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 589:

"Pine, white pine, called she-pine in Queensland; native deal, pencil cedar. This tree has an elongated trunk, rarelycylindrical; wood free from knots, soft, close, easily worked, good for joiners' and cabinet-work; some trees afford planks ofgreat beauty. (Macarthur. ) Fine specimens of this timber havea peculiar mottled appearance not easily described, and oftenof surpassing beauty. "

[See also Pine. ]

December, n. A summer month in Australia. See Christmas. 

1885. J. Hood, `Land of the Fern, ' p. 34:

"Warm December sweeps with burning breath Across the bosom of the shrinking earth. "

Deepsinker, n. (1) The largest sized tumbler;(2) the long drink served in it. The idea is taken fromdeep-sinking in a mining shaft. 

1897. `The Argus, ' Jan. 15, p. 6, Col 5:

"As athletes the cocoons can run rings round the beans; theycan jump out of a tumbler--whether medium, small, or deepsinkeris not recorded. "

Deep Yellow-Wood, n. Rhus rhodanthema, F. V. M. , N. O. Anacardiaceae. A tree with spreading head;timber valuable. See Yellow-Wood. 

Deferred Payment, n. A legal phrase. "Land ondeferred payment"; "Deferred payment settler"; "Pastoraldeferred payment. " These expressions in New Zealand havereference to the mode of statutory alienation of Crown lands, known in other colonies as conditional sale, etc. , i. E. Saleon time payment, with conditions binding the settler to erectimprovements, ending in his acquiring the fee-simple. Thesystem is obsolete, but many titles are still incomplete. 

Dell-bird, n. Another name for theBell-bird (q. V. ). 

Dendrolagus, n. The scientific name of thegenus of Australian marsupials called Tree-Kangaroos(q. V. ). (Grk. Dendron, a tree, and lagows, ahare. ) Unlike the other kangaroos, their fore limbs are nearlyas long as the hinder pair, and thus adapted for arboreal life. There are five species, three belong to New Guinea and two toQueensland; they are the Queensland Tree-Kangaroo, Dendrolagus lumholtzi; Bennett's T. -k. , D. Bennettianus; Black T. -k. , D. Ursinus : BrownT. -k. , D. Inustus; Doria's T. -k. , D. Dorianus. See Kangaroo. 

Derry, n. Slang. The phrase "to have a downon" (see Down) is often varied to "have a derry on. "The connection is probably the comic-song refrain, "Hey derrydown derry. "

1896. `The Argus, ' March 19, p. 5, col. 9:

"Mr. Croker: Certainly. We will tender it as evidence. (To the witness. ) Have you any particular `derry' upon thisWendouree?--No; not at all. There are worse vessels knockingabout than the Wendouree. "

Dervener, n. See quotation, and Derwenter. 

1896. `The Argus, ' Jan. 2, p. 3, col. 4, Letters to theEditor:

"`Dervener. '--An expression used in continental Australia for aman from the Derwent in Tasmania. Common up till 1850 atleast. --David Blair. "

Ibid. Jan. 3, p. 6, col. 6:

"With respect to `dervener, ' the word was in use while the blueshirt race existed [sc. Convicts], and these people did notbecome extinct until after 1860. --Cymro-Victoria. "

Derwenter, n. A released convict from HobartTown, Tasmania, which is on the River Derwent. 

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Xx. P. 140:

"An odd pair of sawyers, generally `Derwenters, ' as theTasmanian expirees were called. "

Desert Lemon, n. Called also NativeKumquat, Atalantia glauca, Hook. , N. O. Rutacea. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 8:

"The native kumquat or desert lemon. The fruit is globular, and about half an inch in diameter. It produces an agreeablebeverage from its acid juice. "

Desert-Oak, n. An Australian tree, Casuarinadecaisneana, F. V. M. See Casuarina and Oak. 

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in CentralAustralia, ' Narrative, p. 49:

"We had now amongst these sandhills come into the region of the`Desert Oak' (Casuarina Decaisneana). Some of the treesreach a height of forty or fifty feet, and growing eithersingly or in clumps form a striking feature amongst the thinsparse scrub. . . . The younger ones resemble nothing so muchas large funeral plumes. Their outlines seen under a blazingsun are indistinct, and they give to the whole scene a curiouseffect of being `out of focus. '"

Devil, Tasmanian, n. An animal, Sarcophilusursinus, Harris. Formerly, but erroneously, referred tothe genus Dasyurus (q. V. ), which includes the NativeCat (see under Cat): described in the quotations. 

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' vol. Ii. P. 29:

"The devil, or as naturalists term it, Dasyurus ursinus, is very properly named. "

1853. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. I. P. 323:

"The devil (Dasyurus ursinus, Geoff. ), about the size ofa bull terrier, is an exceedingly fierce and disgusting-lookinganimal, of a black colour, usually having one white band acrossthe chest, and another across the back, near the tail. It is aperfect glutton, and most indiscriminate in its feeding. "

1862. F. J. Jobson, `Australia, ' c. Vii. P. 186:

"Dasyurus ursinus--a carnivorous marsupial. Colonistsin Tasmania, where only it exists . . . Called it the `devil, 'from the havoc it made among their sheep and poultry. "

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

"In the next division is a pair of Tasmanian devils(Dasyurus ursinus); these unprepossessing-looking brutesare hated by every one in Tasmania, their habitat, owing totheir destructiveness amongst poultry, and even sheep. Theyare black in colour, having only a white band across the chest, and possess great strength in proportion to their size. "

Devil's Guts, n. The name is given in Australiato the Dodder-Laurel (see Laurel), Cassythafiliformis, Linn. , N. O. Lauraceae. In Tasmania thename is applied to Lyonsia straminea, R. Br. , N. O. Apocyneae. 

1862. W. Archer, `Products of Tasmania, ' p. 41:

"Lyonsia (Lyonsia straminea, Br. ). Fibres of the barkfine and strong. The lyonsia is met with, rather sparingly, indense thickets, with its stems hanging like ropes among thetrees. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `useful Native Plants, ' p. 14:

"This and other species of Cassythia are called`dodder-laurel. ' The emphatic name of `devil's guts' islargely used. It frequently connects bushes and trees bycords, and becomes a nuisance to the traveller. " [This plantis used by the Brahmins of Southern India for seasoning theirbuttermilk. (`Treasury of Botany. ')]

Ibid. P. 162:

"It is also used medicinally. "

Devil-on-the-Coals, n. A Bushman's name fora small and quickly-baked damper. 

1862. Rev. A. Polehampton, `Kangaroo Land, ' p. 77:

"Instead of damper we occasionally made what is coloniallyknown as `devils on the coals. ' . . . They are convenient whenthere is not time to make damper, as only a minute or so isrequired to bake them. They are made about the size of acaptain's biscuit, and as thin as possible, thrown on theembers and turned quickly with the hand. "

Diamond Bird, n. A bird-name. In the time ofGould this name was only applied to Pardalotuspunctatus, Temm. Since that time it has been extended toall the species of the genus Pardalotus (q. V. ). Thebroken colour of the plumage suggested a sparkling jewel. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, 'vol. Xv. P. 238:

"We are informed by Mr. Caley that this species is calleddiamond bird by the settlers, from the spots on its body. By them it is reckoned as valuable on account of its skin. "

Diamond Snake, n. In Queensland and New SouthWales, Pythonon spilotes, Lacep. ; in Tasmania, Hoplocephalus superhus, Gray, venomous. See underSnake. 

Digger, n. A gold-miner. The earliest mineswere alluvial. Of course the word is used elsewhere, but inAustralia it has this special meaning. 

1852. Title:

"Murray's Guide to the Gold Diggings. --The Australian GoldDiggings; where they are, and how to get at them; with lettersfrom Settlers and Diggers telling how to work them. London:Stewart & Murray) 1852. "

1853. Valiant, `Letter to Council, ' given in McCombie's`History of Victoria' (1853), c. Xvi. P. 248:

"It caused the diggers, as a body, to pause in their headlongcareer. "

1855. W. Howitt, `Land, Labour, and Gold, 'vol. Ii. P. 148, Letter xxx:

"Buckland River, January 29th, 1854. The diggers here are avery quiet and civil race, at the same time that they are amost active and laborious one. . . . The principal part ofthe diggers here are from the Ovens. "

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush, ' pt. Ii. P. 31:

"Drink success to the digger's trade, And break up to the squatter's. "

1896. H. Lawson, `While the Billy boils, ' p. 148:

"His Father's Mate had always been a general favourite with thediggers and fossickers, from the days when he used to slip outfirst thing in the morning and take a run across the frostyflat in his shirt. "

Digger's Delight, n. A flower, Veronicaperfoliata, R. Br. , N. O. Scrophularaneae, describedin quotations. 

1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, `First Book of Australian Botany, ' p. 64:

"Digger's Delight, Veronica perfoliata, N. O. Scrophularineae. A pretty, blue-flowering shrub, with smooth stem-clasping leaves; found in the mountainousdistricts of Victoria and New South Wales, and deriving itscommon name from a supposition that its presence indicatedauriferous country. It is plentiful in the elevated coldregions of Australia. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 147:

"Such native flowers as the wild violet, the shepherd's purse, or the blue-flowered `digger's delight. ' This latter has come, perhaps, with the seeds from some miner's holding amongst theiron-barks in the gold country, and was once supposed to growonly on auriferous soils. When no one would think of diggingfor gold in this field, the presence of the flower is, perhaps, as reliable an indication of a golconda underneath as thereports and information on the strength of which many miningcompanies are floated. "

Diggerdom, n. Collective noun, the diggers. 

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 43:

"Diggerdom is gloriously in the ascendant here. "

Diggeress, n. A digger's wife. 

1855. W. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 43:

"The digger marching off, followed by his diggeress, a tall, slim young woman, who strode on like a trooper. . . . Opencarriages driving about, crowded with diggers and theirdiggeresses. "

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush, ' pt. Ii. P. 36:

"I'm tir'd of being a diggeress, And yearn a farmer's home to grace. "

Diggings, n. A place where gold-mining iscarried on. The word is generally regarded as singular. Though common in Australia, it is very old, even in the senseof a place where digging for gold is carried on. 

1769. De Foe's `Tour of Great Britain, ' i. 39 (`O. E. D. '):

"King Henry VIII. Was induced to dig for Gold. He wasdisappointed, but the Diggings are visible at this Day. "

1852. J. Morgan, `Life and Adventures of William Buckley'(published at Hobart), p. 183 [quoting from the `VictoriaCommercial Review, ' published at Melbourne, byMessrs. Westgarth, Ross, & Co. , under date September 1, 1851]:

"The existence of a `goldfield' was not ascertained until Maylast. . . . Numbers of persons are daily `prospecting'throughout this Colony and New South Wales in search ofgold. . . . In Victoria, as well as in New South Wales, regular`diggings' are now established. "

1852. Murray, `The Australian Gold Diggings: where they areand how to get at them, ' p. 1;

"It cannot but be acceptable to the crowds of intendingcolonists and gold seekers, to present them with a picture ofthe `Progress of the Diggins, ' [sic] drawn by the diggers. "

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, ' c. Xv. P. 234:

"Immigrants who had not means to start to the diggings. "

1870. J. O. Tucker, `The Mute, ' p. 48:

"Ye glorious diggings `neath a southern clime! I saw thy dawn. "

[`Ye, ' `thy. ' Is this singular or plural?]

1887. H. H. Hayter, `Christmas Adventure, ' p. I:

"Fryer's creek, a diggings more than 90 miles from Melbourne. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Vii. P. 71:

"It was a goldfield and a diggings in far-away Australia. "

Dilli, later Dilly-bag, n. Anaboriginal word, coming from Queensland, for a bag made eitherof grasses or of fur twisted into cord. Dhilla is theterm for hair in Kabi dialect, Mary River, Queensland. Dirrang and jirra are corresponding words in theeast of New South Wales. The aboriginal word dilli hasbeen tautologically increased to dilly-bag, and the wordis used by bushmen for a little bag for odds-and-ends, eventhough made of calico or holland. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 90:

"In their `dillis' (small baskets) were several roots ortubers. "

Ibid. P. 195:

"A basket (dilli) which I examined was made of a species ofgrass. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 34:

"I learned too at the camp to plait dilly-bags. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xvii. P. 210:

"Mayboy came forward dangling a small dilly-bag. "

1896. A. J. North, `Report of Australian Museum, ' p. 26:

"Dilly-bag (partly wool and partly grass). "

Dingle-bird, n. A poetical name for theAustralian Bell-bird (q. V. ). 

1870. F. S. Wilson, `Australian Songs, ' p. 30:

"The bell-like chimings of the distant dingle-bird. "

1883. C. Harpur, `Poems, ' p. 78:

"I . . . List the tinkling of the dinglebird. "

Dingo, n. The native dog of Australia, Canisdingo. "The aborigines, before they obtained dogs fromEuropeans, kept the dingo for hunting, as is still done bycoast tribes in Queensland. Name probably not used furthersouth than Shoalhaven, where the wild dog is called Mirigang. "(A. W. Howitt. )

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 280:

[A dingo or dog of New South Wales. Plate. Description by J. Hunter. ] "It is capable of barking, although not so readily asthe European dogs; is very ill-natured and vicious, and snarls, howls, and moans, like dogs in common. Whether this is theonly dog in New South Wales, and whether they have it in a wildstate, is not mentioned; but I should be inclined to believethey had no other; in which case it will constitute the wolf ofthat country; and that which is domesticated is only the wilddog tamed, without having yet produced a variety, as in someparts of America. "

1798. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New SouthWales, ' p. 614 [Vocab. ]:

"Jungo---Beasts, common name. Tein-go---Din-go. Wor-re-gal---Dog. "

1820. W. C. Wentworth, `Description of New South Wales, ' p. 62:

"The native dog also, which is a species of the wolf, wasproved to be fully equal in this respect [sport] to the fox;but as the pack was not sufficiently numerous to kill theseanimals at once, they always suffered so severely from theirbite that at last the members of the hunt were shy in allowingthe dogs to follow them. "

1834. L. E. Threlkeld, `Australian Grammar, ' p. 55:

"Tigko---a bitch. "

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes `(1855), p. 153:

"I have heard that the dingo, warragal or native dog, does nothunt in packs like the wolf and jackal. "

1860. William Story, `Victorian Government Prize Essays, ' p. 101:

"The English hart is so greatly superior, as an animal ofchase, to that cunning poultry thief the fox, that I trustMister Reynard will never be allowed to become an Australianimmigrant, and that when the last of the dingoes shall haveshared the fate of the last English wolf, Australian Nimrodswill resuscitate, at the antipodes of England, the sterling oldnational sport of hart hunting, conjointly with that of Africanboks, gazelles, and antelopes, and leave the fox to theirEnglish cousins, who cannot have Australian choice. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 103:

"In the neighbourhood of Brisbane and other large towns wherethey have packs, they run the dingoes as you do foxes at home. "

1880. Garnet Walch, `Victoria in 1880, ' p. 113:

"The arms of the Wimmera should be rabbit and dingo, `rampant, 'supporting a sun, `or, inflamed. '"

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 71:

"Dingoes, the Australian name for the wild dogs so destructiveto sheep. They were . . . Neither more nor less than wolves, but more cowardly and not so ferocious, seldom going in largepacks. They hunted kangaroos when in numbers, or driven to itby hunger; but usually preferred smaller and more easilyobtained prey, as rats, bandicoots, and 'possums. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 38:

"On the large stations a man is kept whose sole work it is tolay out poison for the dingo. The black variety with whitebreast generally appears in Western Queensland along with thered. "

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

"The dingo of northern Australia can be distinguished from hisbrother of the south by his somewhat smaller size andcourageous bearing. He always carries his tail curled over hisback, and is ever ready to attack any one or anything; whilstthe southern dingo carries his tail low, slinks along like afox, and is easily frightened. The pure dingo, which is nowexceedingly rare in a wild state, partly through the agency ofpoison, but still more from the admixture of foreign breeds, isunable to bark, and can only express its feelings in long-drawnweird howls. "

1894. `The Argus, ' June 23, p. L1, col. 4:

"Why is the first call of a dingo always apparently miles away, and the answer to it--another quavering note slightly moreshrill--so close at hand? Is it delusion or distance?"

Dinornis, n. The scientific name given byProfessor Owen to the genus of huge struthious birds of thepost-Pliocene period, in New Zealand, which survive in thetraditions of the Maoris under the name of Moa (q. V. ). From the Greek deinos, terrible, and 'ornis, bird. 

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. Intro. P. Xviii:

"The specimens [fossil-bones] transmitted . . . Were confidedto the learned Professor [Owen] for determination; and thesematerials, scanty as they were, enabled him to define thegeneric characters of Dinornis, as afforded by the bonesof the hind extremity. "

Ibid. P. Xxiv:

"Professor Owen had well-nigh exhausted the vocabulary of termsexpressive of largeness by naming his successive discoveriesingens, giganteus, crassus, robustus, andelephantopus, when he had to employ the superlativeDinornis maximus to distinguish a species far exceedingin stature even the stately Dinornis giganteus. In thiscolossal bird . . . Some of the cervical vertebrae almost equalin size the neck-bones of a horse! The skeleton in the BritishMuseum . . . Measures 11 feet in height, and . . . Some of thesefeathered giants attained to a still greater stature. "

Dipper, n. A vessel with a handle at the top ofthe side like a big tin mug. That with which one dips. Theword is not Australian, but is of long standing in the UnitedStates, where it is used as a name for the constellation of theGreat Bear. 

1893. `Australasian Schoolmaster, ' Feb. :

"These answers have not the true colonial ring of thefollowing, which purports to be the remark of the woman ofSamaria: `Sir, the well is very deep, and you haven't gota dipper. '"

Dips, n. Explained in quotation. 

1859. G. Bunce, `Travels with Leichhardt, ' p. 161:

". . . Dr. Leichhardt gave the party a quantity of dough boys, or as we called them, dips. . . "

[p. 171]: "In this dilemma, Dr. Leichhardt ordered the cook tomix up a lot of flour, and treated us all to a feed of dips. These were made as follows:--a quantity of flour was mixed upwith water, and stirred with a spoon to a certain consistency, and dropped into a pot of boiling water, a spoonful at a time. Five minutes boiling was sufficient, when they were eaten withthe water in which they were boiled. "

Dirt, n. In Australia, any alluvial deposit inwhich gold is found; properly Wash-dirt. The word isused in the United States. See quotation, 187. 

1853. Mrs. Chas. Clancy, `Lady's Visit to the Gold Diggings, 'p. 109:

"And after doing this several times, the `dirt, ' of course, gradually diminishing, I was overjoyed to see a few brightspecks. "

1857. Borthwick, `California, ' [Bartlett, quoted in `O. E. D. ']p. 120:

"In California, `dirt' is the universal word to signify thesubstance dug; earth, clay, gravel, or loose slate. The minerstalk of rich dirt and poor dirt, and of stripping off so manyfeet of `top dirt' before getting to `pay-dirt, ' the lattermeaning dirt with so much gold in it that it will pay to dig itup and wash it. "

1870. J. O. Tucker, `The Mute, 'p. 40:

"Others to these the precious dirt convey, Linger a moment till the panning's through. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xiv. P. 142:

"We were clean worked out . . . Before many of our neighboursat Greenstone Gully, were half done with their dirt. "

Ibid. C. Xviii. P. 177:

"We must trust in the Oxley `dirt' and a kind Providence. "

Dish, n. And adj. A small and roughvessel in which gold is washed. The word is used in the UnitedStates. 

1890. `Goldfields of Victoria, ' p. 17:

"I have obtained good dish prospects after crudely crushing upthe quartz. "

Dishwasher, n. An old English bird-name for theWater-Wagtail; applied in Australia to Seisura inquieta, Lath. , the Restless Fly-catcher (q. V. ). Seisurais from Grk. Seiein (to shake), and 'oura (atail), being thus equal in meaning to Wagtail. Also calledDishlick, Grinder, and Razor-grinder (q. V. ). 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of the LinnaeanSociety, ' vol. Xv. P. 250:

"This bird is called by the colonists Dishwasher. It is verycurious in its actions. In alighting on the stump of a tree itmakes several semi-circular motions, spreading out its tail, and making a loud noise somewhat like that caused by arazor-grinder when at work. "

Distoechurus, n. The scientific name of thegenus of the New Guinea Pentailed-Phalanger, or so-calledOpossum-mouse (q. V. ). It has a tail with the long hairsarranged in two opposite rows, like the vanes of afeather. (Grk. Distoichos, with two rows, and'oura, a tail. )

Diver, n. Common bird-name used in Australiafor a species of Grebe. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Vii. Pl. 80:

"Podiceps australis, Gould; Australian Tippet Grebe;Diver of the Colonists. "

Doctor, n. Word used in the South Australianbush for "the cook. "

1896. `The Australasian, ' June 13, p. 1133, col. 1:

"`The doctor's in the kitchen, and the boss is in the shed; The overseer's out mustering on the plain; Sling your bluey down, old boy, for the clouds are overhead, You are welcome to a shelter from the rain. '"

Dodder Laurel, n. I. Q. Devil's Guts (q. V. ). 

Dog-fish, n. The name belongs to variousfishes of distinct families, chiefly sharks. In Australia, it is used for the fish Scyllium lima, familyScylliidae. In New South Wales it is Scylliummaculatum, Bl. The Sprite Dog-fish of New Zealandis Acanthias maculatus, family Spinacidae. TheSpotted Dog-fish of New South Wales is Scylliumanale. The Dusky Dogfish of New South Wales isChiloscyllium modestum, Gunth. , and there are othersin Tasmania and Australia. 

Dogleg, adj. Applied to a primitive kind offence made of rough timber. Crossed spars, which are thedoglegs, placed at intervals, keep in place a low rail restingon short posts, and are themselves fixed by heavy saplingsresting in the forks above. 

1875. R. And F. Hill, `What we saw in Australia, ' p. 61:

". . . We made acquaintance with the `dog's leg' fence. This is formed of bare branches of the gum-tree laid obliquely, several side by side, and the ends overlapping, so that theyhave somewhat the appearance that might be presented by thestretched-out legs of a crowd of dogs running at full speed. An upright stick at intervals, with a fork at the top, on whichsome of the cross-branches rest, adds strength to thestructure. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 13:

"While the primaeval `dog-leg' fence of the Victorian bush, or the latter-day `chock and log' are no impediments in the pathof our foresters. " [sc. Kangaroos; see Forester. ]

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms, ' p. 71:

"As we rode up we could see a gunyah made out of boughs, and alongish wing of dog leg fence, made light but well puttogether. "

Dog's Tongue, n. Name given to the plantCynoglossum suaveolens, R. Br. , N. O. Asperifoliae. 

Dogwood, n. Various trees and their wood; noneof them the same as those called dogwood in the NorthernHemisphere, but their woods are used for similar purposes, e. G. Butchers' skewers, fine pegs, and small pointed woodeninstruments. In Australia generally, Jacksoniascoparia, R. Br. , also Myoporum platycarpum, R. Br. In Tasmania, Bedfordia salicina, De C. , N. O. Compositae, which is also called Honeywood, and in New South Wales, Cottonwood (q. V. ), and the twotrees Pomaderris elliptica, Lab. , and P. Apetala, Lab. , N. O. Rhamnaceae, which are called respectivelyYellow and Bastard Dogwood. See alsoCoranderrk. In parts of Tasmania, Pomaderrisapetala, Lab. , N. O. Rhamn/ac?/eae, is also calledDogwood, or Bastard Dogwood. 

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 16:

"There is a secluded hollow of this kind near Kangaroo Bottom, near Hobart Town, where the common dogwood of the colony(pomaderris apetala) has sprung up so thick and tall, that Mr. Babington and myself having got into it unawares one day, hadthe greatest difficulty imaginable to get out after three orfour hours' labour. Not one of the plants was more than sixinches apart from the others, while they rose from 6 to 12yards in height, with leaves at the top which almost whollyexcluded the light of the sun. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 11:

"Iron-bark ridges here and there, with spotted gum, withdogwood (Jacksonia) on a sandy soil. " (p. 20): "Asecond creek, with running water, which from the number ofdogwood shrubs (Jacksonia), in the full glory of theirgolden blossoms, I called `Dogwood Creek. '"

1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue--Economic Woods, ' p. 46:

"Native dogwood, a hard, pale-brown, well-mottled wood; goodfor turnery. "

Dogwood Poison-bush, n. A New South Wales name;the same as Ellangowan Poison-bush (q. V. ). 

Dollar, n. See Holy Dollar. 

Dollar-bird, n. Name given to the Roller(q. V. ). See quotations. 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, 'vol. Xv. P. 202:

"The settlers call it dollar-bird, from the silver-like spot onthe wing. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia;' vol. Ii. Pl. 17:

"Eurystomus Australis, Swains. , Australian Roller. Dollar Bird of the Colonists. During flight the white spot inthe centre of each wing, then widely expanded, shows verydistinctly, and hence the name of Dollar Bird. '"

1851. I. Henderson, `Excursions in New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 183:

"The Dollar-bird derives its name from a round white spot thesize of a dollar, on its wing. It is very handsome, and fliesin rather a peculiar manner. It is the only bird which I haveobserved to perform regular migrations; and it is strange thatin such a climate any one should do so. But it appears thatthe dollar-bird does not relish even an Australian winter. It is the harbinger of spring and genial weather. "

Dollar-fish n. A name often given formerly tothe John Dory (q. V. ), from the mark on its side. Seequotation, 1880. The name Dollar-fish is given on theAmerican coasts to a different fish. 

1880. Guenther, `Study of Fishes, ' p. 451:

"The fishermen of Roman Catholic countries hold this fish inspecial respect, as they recognize in a black round spot on itsside the mark left by the thumb of St. Peter, when he took thepiece of money from its mouth. "

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 62:

"The dory has been long known, and when the currency of thecolony was in Mexican coin it was called a `dollar-fish. '"

Dorca-Kangaroo, n. See Dorcopsis andKangaroo. 

Dorcopsis, n. The scientific name of a genus oflittle Kangaroos with pretty gazelle-like faces. (Grk. Dorkas, a gazelle, and 'opsis, appearance. )They are called Dorca-Kangaroos, and are confined to NewGuinea, and form in some respects a connecting link betweenMacropus and the Tree-Kangaroo (q. V. ). There arethree species--the Brown Dorca Kangaroo, Dorcopsismuelleri; Grey D. , D. Luctuosa, Macleay's D. , D. Macleayi. See Kangaroo (e). 

Dottrel, n. Formerly Dotterel, commonEnglish bird-name, applied in Australia to Charadriusaustralis, Gould. 

Black-fronted Dottrel-- Charadrius nigrifrons, Temm. 

Double-banded D. -- C. Bicincta, Jord. And Selb. 

Hooded D. -- C. Monacha, Geoff. 

Large Sand D. -- C. (AEgialitis) geoffroyi, Wag. 

Mongolian Sand D. -- C. (AEgialitis) mongolica, Pallas. 

Oriental D. -- C. Veredus, Gould. 

Red-capped Dottrel-- Charadrius ruficapilla, Temm. ; called alsoSand-lark. 

Red-necked D. -- C. (AEgialitis) mastersi, Ramsay. 

Ringed D. -- C. Hiaticula, Linn. [See also Red-knee. ]

Dove, n. A well-known English bird-name, applied in Australia to the--

Barred-shouldered Dove-- Geopelia humeralis, Temm. 

Ground D. -- G. Tranquilla, Gould. 

Little D. -- G. Cuneata, Lath. [See also Ground-dove. ]

Dove-Petrel, n. A well-known English bird-name. The species in the-Southern Seas are--

 Prion turtur, Smith. 

Banks D. -P. -- P. Banksii, Smith. 

Broad-billed D. -P. -- P. Vittata, Forst. 

Fairy D. -P. -- P. Ariel, Gould. 

Dover, n. A clasp knife, by a maker of thatname, once much used in the colonies. 

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 418:

"In plates and knives scant is the shepherd's store, `Dover' and pan are all, he wants no more. "

1893. April 15, `A Traveller's Note':

"`So much a week and the use of my Dover' men used to say inmaking a contract of labour. "

1894. `Bush Song' [Extract]:

"Tie up the dog beside the log, And come and flash your Dover. "

Down, n. A prejudice against, hostility to;a peculiarly Australian noun made out of the adverb. 

1856. W. W. Dobie, `Recollections of a Visit to Port Philip, 'p. 84:

". . . The bushranger had been in search of another squatter, on whom `he said he had a down'. . . "

1884. J. W. Bull, `Early Life in South Australia, ' p. 179:

"It was explained that Foley had a private `down' on them, as having stolen from him a favourite kangaroo dog. "

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, vol. Iv. P. 180:

"They [diggers] had a `dead down' on all made dishes. "

1893. Professor Gosman, `The Argus, ' April 24, p. 7, col. 4:

"That old prejudice in the minds of many men to the effect thatthose who represented the churches or religious people had aregular down upon freedom of thought. "

1893. `The Age, ' June 24, p. 5, col. 1:

"Mr. M. Said it was notorious in the department that one of thecommissioners had had `a down' on him. "

1893. R. L. Stevenson, `Island Nights' Entertainments, ' p. 46:

"`They have a down on you, ' says Case. `Taboo a man becausethey have a down on him'' I cried. `I never heard the like. '"

Down, adv. "To come, or be down, " is the phraseused in Australian Universities for to be "plucked, " or"ploughed, " or "spun, " i. E. , to fail in an examination. It hasbeen in use for a few years, certainly not earlier than 1886. The metaphor is either taken from a fall from a horse, orperhaps from the prize-ring. The use has no connection withbeing "sent down, " or "going down, " at Oxford or Cambridge. 

Draft, v. To separate and sort cattle. Anadaptation of the meaning "to select and draw off forparticular service, " especially used of soldiers. 

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Vi. P. 46:

"I should like to be drafting there again. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `The Squatter's Dream, ' p. 2:

"There were those cattle to be drafted that had been broughtfrom the Lost Waterhole. "

Draft, n. A body of cattle separated from therest of the herd. 

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Ii. P. 22:

"A draft of out-lying cattle rose and galloped off. "

Drafter, n. A man engaged in drafting cattle. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xviii. P. 227:

"They behave better, though all the while keeping the draftersincessantly popping at the fence by truculent charges. "

Drafting-gate, n. Gate used in separatingcattle and sheep into different classes or herds. 

1890. `The Argus, ' Aug. 16, p. 4, col. 7:

"But the tent-flap seemed to go up and down quick as adrafting-gate. "

Drafting-stick, n. A stick used in draftingcattle. 

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. X. P. 72:

"We . . . Armed ourselves with drafting-sticks and resolutelyfaced it. "

Drafting-yard, n. A yard for drafting cattle. 

1890. `The Argus, ' Aug. 16, p. 13, col. 1:

"There were drafting-yards and a tank a hundred yards off, but no garden. "

Dray, n. An ordinary cart for goods. Seequotation, 1872. 

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' vol. I. Intro. P. Xlix:

"They send their produce to the market . . . Receiving suppliesfor home consumption on the return of their drays or carts fromthence. "

1872. C. H. Eden, "My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 31:

"A horse dray, as known in Australia, is by no means theenormous thing its name would signify, but simply an ordinarycart on two wheels without springs. " [There are alsospring-drays. ]

1886. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 41:

"One told by camp fires when the station drays Were housed and hidden, forty years ago. "

Dromicia, n. The scientific name of theAustralian Dormouse Phalangers, or littleOpossum- or Flying-Mice, as they are locallycalled. See Opossum, Opossum-mouse, andPhalanger. They are not really the "Flying"-Mice orFlying-phalanger, as they have only an incipient parachute, butthey are nearly related to the Pigmy Petaurists (q. V. )or small Flying-Phalangers. (Grk. Dromikos, goodat running, or swift. )

Drongo, n. This bird-name was "given by LeVaillant in the form drongeur to a South African birdafterwards known as the Musical Drongo, Dicrurusmusicus, then extended to numerous . . . Fly-catching, crow-like birds. " (`Century. ') The name is applied inAustralia to Chibia bracteata, Gould, which is calledthe Spangled Drongo. 

1895. W. 0. Legge, `Australasian Association for theAdvancement of Science' (Brisbane), p. 448:

"There being but one member of the interesting Asiatic genusDrongo in Australia, it was thought best to characterizeit simply as the Drongo without any qualifying term. "

Drop, n. (Slang. ) To "have the drop on" is toforestall, gain advantage over, especially by covering with arevolver. 

It is curious that while an American magazine calls this phraseAustralian (see quotation), the `Dictionary of Slang'--oneeditor of which is the distinguished American, GodfreyC. Leland--says it is American. It is in common use inAustralia. 

1894. `Atlantic Monthly, ' Aug. , p. 179. 

"His terrible wife, if we may borrow a phrase from Australia, `had the drop on him' in every particular. "

Drooping Acacia, n. See Acacia. 

Drove, v. To drive travelling cattle or sheep. 

1890. A. J. Vogan, `Black Police, ' p. 334:

"I don't know how you'd be able to get on without the `boys' tomuster, track, and drove. "

1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River' [Poem `In theDroving Days'], p. 95:

"For though lie scarcely a trot can raise, He can take me back to the droving days. "

Drum, n. A bundle; more usually calleda swag (q. V. ). 

1866. Wm. Starner, `Recollections of a Life of Adventure, 'vol. I. P. 304

". . . And `humping his drum' start off for the diggings toseek more gold. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 17:

"They all chaffed us about our swags, or donkeys, or drums, as a bundle of things wrapped in a blanket is indifferentlycalled. "

1886. Frank Cowan, `Australia, Charcoal Sketch, ' p. 31:

"The Swagman: bed and board upon his back--or, having humpedhis drum and set out on the wallaby . . . "

Drummer, n. A New South Wales name for the fishGirella elevata, Macl. , of the same family as theBlack-fish (q. V. ). 

Dry-blowing, n. A Western Australian term ingold-mining. 

1894. `The Argus, ' March 28, p. 5, col. 5:

"When water is not available, as unfortunately is the case atCoolgardie, `dry blowing' is resorted to. This is done byplacing the pounded stuff in one dish, and pouring it slowly ata certain height into the other. If there is any wind blowingit will carry away the powdered stuff; if there is no wind thebreath will have to be used. It is not a pleasant way ofsaving gold, but it is a case of Hobson's choice. Theunhealthiness of the method is apparent. "

Duboisine, n. An alkaloid derived from theplant Duboisia myoposides, N. O. Sofanaceae, anative of Queensland and New South Wales. It is used inmedicine as an application to the eye for the purpose ofcausing the pupil to dilate, in the same way as atropine, analkaloid obtained from the belladonna plant in Europe, has longbeen employed. Duboisine was discovered and introduced intotherapeutics by a Brisbane physician. 

Duck, n. The well-known English name of thebirds of the Anatinae, Fuligulinae, and other series, of which there are about 125 species comprised in about 40 genera. The Australian genera and species are---

Blue-billed Duck-- Erismatura australis, Gould. 

Freckled D. -- Stictonetta naevosa, Gould. 

Mountain D. (the Shel-drake, q. V. ). 

Musk D. (q. V. )-- Biziura lobata, Shaw. 

Pink-eared D. , or Widgeon (q. V. )-- Malacorhynchus membranaceus, Lath. 

Plumed Whistling D. -- Dendrocygna eytoni, Gould. 

Whistling D. -- D. Vagans, Eyton. [Each species of the Dendrocygna called also by sportsmen Tree-duck. ]

White-eyed D. , or Hard-head (q. V. )-- Nyroca australis, Gould. 

Wild D. -- Anas superciliosa, Gmel. 

Wood D. (the Maned Goose; see Goose). 

The following is a table of the ducks as compiled by Gould nearlyfifty years ago. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Vii:

 Plate

Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Australian Wild Duck . . . 9

Anas naevosa, Gould, Freckled Duck . . . 10

Anas punctata, Cuv. Chestnut-breasted Duck . . . 11

Spatula Rhyncotis, Australian Shoveller . . . 12

Malacorhynchus membranaceus, . . . 13 Membranaceous Duck

Dendrocygna arcuata, Whistling Duck (q. V. ) . . . 14

Leptolarsis Eytoni, Gould, Eyton's Duck . . . 15

Nyroca Australis, Gould, White-eyed Duck . . . 16

Erismatura Australis, Blue-billed Duck . . . 17

Biziura lobata, Musk Duck . . . 18

The following is Professor Parker's statement of the New ZealandDucks. 

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition, 'p. 117:

"There are eleven species of Native Ducks belonging to ninegenera, all found elsewhere, except two--the little FlightlessDuck of the Auckland Islands (genus Nesonetta) and theBlue Mountain Duck (Hymenolaemus). Among the mostinteresting of the non-endemic forms, are the Paradise Duck orSheldrake (Casarca variegata), the Brown Duck (Anaschlorotis), the Shoveller or Spoonbill Duck (Rhynchaspisvariegata), and the Scaup or Black Teal (FuligulaNovae-Zealandiae). "

Duckbill, n. See Platypus. Sometimesalso called Duckmole. 

Duckmole, n. See Platypus. 

1825. Barron Field, `First Fruits of Australian Poetry, 'in `Geographical Memoirs of New South Wales, ' p. 496:

"When sooty swans are once more rare, And duck-moles the museum's care. "

[Appendix : "Water or duck-mole. "]

1875. Schmidt, `Descent and Darwinism, ' p. 237:

"The Ornithorhyncus or duck-mole of Tasmania. "

Duck-shoving, and Duckshover, n. A cabman's phrase. 

In Melbourne, before the days of trams, the wagonette-cabs usedto run by a time-table from fixed stations at so much(generally 3d. ) a passenger. A cabman who did not waithis turn on the station rank, but touted for passengers up anddown the street in the neighbourhood of the rank, was termed aDuck-shover. 

1870. D. Blair, `Notes and Queries, ' Aug. 6, p. 111:

"Duck-shoving is the term used by our Melbourne cabmen toexpress the unprofessional trick of breaking the rank, in orderto push past the cabman on the stand for the purpose of pickingup a stray passenger or so. "

1896. `Otago Daily Times, ' Jan. 25, p. 3, col. 6:

"The case was one of a series of cases of what was technicallyknown as `duck shoving, ' a process of getting passengers whichoperated unfairly against the cabmen who stayed on the licensedstand and obeyed the by-law. "

Dudu, n. Aboriginal name for a pigeon, fat-breasted, and very good eating. 

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (3rd ed. 1855), c. Vii. P. 170:

"In the grassland, a sort of ground pigeon, called the dudu, a very handsome little bird, got up and went off like apartridge, strong and swift, re-alighting on the ground, andreturning to cover. "

Duff, v. To steal cattle by altering thebrands. 

1869. E. Carton Booth, `Another England, ' p. 138:

"He said there was a `duffing paddock' somewhere on the BrokenRiver, into which nobody but the owner had ever found anentrance, and out of which no cattle had ever found theirway--at any rate, not to come into their owner'spossession. . . . The man who owned the `duffing paddock'was said to have a knack of altering cattle brands . . . "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' c. Xiv. P. 162:

"I knew Redcap when he'd think more of duffing a red heiferthan all the money in the country. "

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydneyside Saxon, ' p. 95:

"As to the calves I'm a few short myself, as I think thathalf-caste chap of yours must have `duffed. '"

Duffer, n. A cattle stealer, i. Q. Cattle-duffer (q. V. ). 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xxv. P. 352:

"What's a little money . . . If your children grow up duffersand planters?"

Duffer2, n. A claim on a mine which turns outunproductive, called also shicer (q. V. ). [This is onlya special application of the slang English, duffer, anincapable person, or a failure. Old English Daffe, afool]

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 193:

"It was a terrible duffer anyhow, every ounce of gold got fromit cost L 20 I'll swear. "

1864. J Rogers, `New Rush, ' p. 55:

"Tho' duffers are so common And golden gutters rare, The mining sons of woman Can much ill fortune bear. "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 291:

"A shaft sunk without any produce from it is a duffer. . . . But of these excavations the majority were duffers. It is theduffering part of the business which makes it all so sad. Somuch work is done from which there is positively no return. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 266:

"The place is then declared to be a `duffer, ' and abandoned, except by a few fanatics, who stick there for months andyears. "

1891. `The Australasian, ' Nov. 21, p. 1014:

"Another duffer! Rank as ever was bottomed! Seventy-five feethard delving and not a colour!"

Duffer out, v. A mine is said to duffer out, when it has ceased to be productive. 

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 279:

"He then reported to the shareholders that the lode had`duffered out, ' and that it was useless to continue working. "

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Iv. P. 73:

"Cloncurry has, to use the mining parlance, duffered out. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Vi. P. 58:

"`So you're duffered out again, Harry, ' she said. "

Dugong Oil, n. An oil obtained in Australia, from Halicore dugong, Gmel. , by boiling the superficialfat. A substitute for cod-liver oil. The dugongs are a genusof marine mammals in the order Sirenia. H. Dugong inhabits the waters of North and North-eastAustralia, the southern shores of Asia, and the east coast ofAfrica. The word is Malay. 

Dug-out, n. A name imported into New Zealandfrom America, but the common name for an ordinary Maori canoe. 

Duke Willy, n. See Whistling Dick. 

Dummy, n. (1) In Australia, when land wasthrown open for selection (q. V. ), the squatters who hadpreviously the use of the land suffered. Each squatterexercised his own right of selection. Many a one also inducedothers to select nominally for themselves, really for thesquatter. Such selector was called a dummy. The law thenrequired the selector to swear that he was selecting the landfor his own use and benefit. Some of the dummies did nothesitate to commit perjury. Dictionaries give "dummy, adj. Fictitious or sham. " The Australian noun is anextension of this idea. Webster gives "(drama) one whoplays a merely nominal part in any action, sham character. "This brings us near to the original dumby, fromdumb, which is radically akin to German dumm, stupid. 

1866. D. Rogerson, `Poetical Works, p. 23:

"The good selectors got most of the land, The dummies being afraid to stand. "

1866. H. Simcox, `Rustic Rambles, p. 21:

"See the dummies and the mediums, Bagmen, swagmen, hastening down. "

1872. A. McFarland, `Illawarra and Manaro, ' p. 125:

"Since free selection was introduced, a good many of thesquatters (they say, in self-defence) have, in turn, availedthemselves of it, to secure `the eyes' or water-holes of thecountry, so far as they could by means of `dummies, ' and otherblinds. "

1879. R. Niven, `Fraser's Magazine, ' April, p. 516:

"This was the, in the colony, well-known `dummy' system. Itsnature may be explained in a moment. It was simply a swindlingtransaction between the squatter on the one hand and somewretched fellow on the other, often a labourer in theemployment of the squatter, in which the former for aconsideration induced the latter to personate the character ofa free selector, to acquire from the State, for the purpose oftransferring to himself, the land he most coveted out of thatthrown open for selection adjoining his own property. "

1892. `Scribner's Magazine, ' Feb. P. 140:

"By this device the squatter himself, all the members of thefamily, his servants, shepherds, boundary-riders, station-handsand rabbiters, each registered a section, the dummies dulyhanding their `selection' over to the original holder for aslight consideration. "

(2) Colloquial name for the grip-car of the Melbourne trams. Originally the grip-car was not intended to carry passengers:hence the name. 

1893. `The Herald' (Melbourne), p. 5, col. 5:

"Linked to the car proper is what is termed a dummy. "

1897. `The Argus, ' Jan. 2, p. 7, col. 5:

"But on the tramcar, matters were much worse. The front seatof the dummy was occupied by a young Tasmanian lady and hercousin, and, while one portion of the cart struck her aterrible blow on the body, the shaft pinned her by the neckagainst the front stanchion of the dummy. "

Dummy, v. To obtain land in the way abovedescribed. 

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' c. Vi. P. 101:

"Each partner in the run has purchased his ten thousand, and there have been many Mrs. Harrises. The Mrs. Harris systemis generally called dummying--putting up a non-existentfree-selector--and is illegal. But I believe no one will denythat it has been carried to a great extent. "

1896. `The Champion' (Melbourne), Jan. 11:

"The verb `to dummy' and the noun `dummyism' are purelyAustralian, quotations to illustrate the use of which can beobtained from `Hansard, ' the daily papers, and such works asEpps' monograph on the `Land Tenure Systems of Australasia. '"

Dummyism, n. Obtaining land bymisrepresentation. See Dummy, n. 

1875. `The Spectator' (Melbourne), June 19, p. 8, col. 2:

"`Larrikinism' was used as a synonym for `blackguardism, 'and `dummyism' for perjury. "

1876. `The Argus, ' Jan. 26, p. 6, col. 6:

"Mr. Bent thought that a stop should be put to all selectionand dummyism till a land law was introduced. "

1887. J. F. Hogan, `The Irish in Australia, p. 98:

"This baneful and illegal system of land-grabbing is knownthroughout the colonies by the expressive name of `dummyism, 'the persons professing to be genuine selectors, desirous ofestablishing themselves on the soil, being actually the agentsor the `dummies of the adjoining squatters. "

Dump, n. A small coin formerly used inAustralia and Tasmania. Its history is given in thequotations. In England the word formerly meant a heavyleaden counter; hence the expression, "I don't care a dump. "See Holy Dollar. 

1822. `Hobart Town Gazette, ' December 14:

"Government Public Notice. --The Quarter Dollars, or `Dumps, 'struck from the centre of the Spanish Dollar, and issued byHis Excellency Governor Macquarie, in the year 1813, at OneShilling and Threepence each, will be exchanged for TreasuryBills at Par, or Sterling money. "

1823. `Sydney Gazette, ' Jan. ['Century']:

"The small colonial coin denominated dumps have all been calledin. If the dollar passes current for five shillings the dumplays claim to fifteen pence value still in silver money. "

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 44

"He only solicits the loan of a `dump, ' on pretence of treatinghis sick gin to a cup of tea. "

Ibid. P. 225:

"The genuine name of an Australian coin, in value1s. 3d. "

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 141:

"Tattered promissory notes, of small amount and doubtfulparentage, fluttered about the colony; dumps, struck out fromdollars, were imitated by a coin prepared without requiringmuch mechanical ingenuity. "

1870. T. H. Braim, `New Homes, ' c. Iii. P. 131:

"The Spanish dollar was much used. A circular piece was struckout of the centre about the size of a shilling, and it wascalled a `dump. '"

1879. W. J. Barry, `Up and Down, ' p. 5:

"The coin current in those days (1829) consisted of ring-dollars and dumps, the dump being the centre of the dollarpunched out to represent a smaller currency. "

1893. `The Daily News' (London), May 11, p. 4:

"The metallic currency was then [1819-25] chiefly Spanishdollars, at that time and before and afterwards the most widelydisseminated coin in the world, and they had the current valueof 5s. But there were too few of them, and thereforethe centre of them was cut out and circulated under the name of`dumps' at 1s. 3d. Each, the remainder of thecoin--called by way of a pun, `holy dollars'--still retainingits currency value of 5s. "

Dump, v. To press closely; applied to wool. Bales are often marked "not to be dumped. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 98:

"The great object of packing so close is to save carriagethrough the country, for however well you may do it, it isalways re-pressed, or `dumped, ' as it is called, by hydraulicpressure on its arrival in port, the force being so great as tocrush two bales into one. "

1875. R. And F. Hill, `What we saw in Australia, ' p. 207:

"From the sorting-tables the fleeces are carried to thepacking-shed; there, by the help of machinery, they are pressedinto sacks, and the sacks are then themselves heavily pressedand bound with iron bands, till they become hard cubes. Thisprocess is called `dumping. '"

Dumplings, n. I. Q. Apple-berry (q. V. ). 

Dundathee, or Dundathu Pine, n. TheQueensland species (Agathis robusta, Sal. ) of theKauri Pine (q. V. ); and see Pine. 

Dungaree-Settler, n. Now obsolete. Seequotation. 

1852. Anon, `Settlers and Convicts; or, Recollections ofSixteen Years' Labour in the Australian Backwoods, ' p. 11:

"The poor Australian settler (or, according to colonistphraseology, the Dungaree-settler; so called from theirfrequently clothing themselves, their wives, and childrenin that blue Indian manufacture of cotton known asDungaree) sells his wheat crop. "

Dunite, n. An ore in New Zealand, so calledfrom Dun mountain, near Nelson. 

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, ' p. 56:

"Chrome ore. This ore, which is a mixture of chromic iron andalumina, is chiefly associated with magnesian rock, resemblingolivine in composition, named Dunite by Dr. Hochstetter. "

Dust, n. Slang for flour. 

1893. Dec. 12, `A Traveller's Note':

"A bush cook said to me to-day, we gave each sundowner apannikin of dust. "

Dwarf-box, n. Eucalyptus microtheca, F. V. M. See Box. This tree has also many other names. See Maiden's `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 495. 

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' vol. I. C. I. P. 22:

"Dwarf-box and the acacia pendula prevailed along the plains. "

E

Eagle, n. There are nine species of the trueEagle, all confined to the genus Haliaetus, such as theBaldheaded Eagle (H. Leucocephalus), the national emblemof the United States. (`Century. ') In Australia the name isassigned to--

Little Eagle-- Aquila morphnoides, Gould. 

Wedge-tailed E. (Eagle-hawk)-- A. Audax, Lath. 

Whistling E. -- Haliaetus sphenurus, Vieill. 

White-bellied Sea E. -- H. Leucogaster, Gmel. 

White-headed Sea E. -- Haliaster girrenera, Vieill. 

Eaglehawk, n. An Australian name for the birdUroaetus, or Aquila audax, Lath. The name wasapplied to the bird by the early colonists of New South Wales, and has persisted. In `O. E. D. ' it is shown that the name wasused in Griffith's translation (1829) of Cuvier's `RegneAnimal' as a translation of the French aigle-autour, Cuvier's name for a South American bird of prey of the genusMorphnus, called Spizaetus by Vieillot; but it isadded that the word never came into English use. SeeEagle. There is a town in Victoria called Eaglehawk. The Bendigo cabmen make the name a monosyllable, "Glawk. "

1834. L. E. Threlkeld, `Australian Grammar, p. 56:

"The large eaglehawk, which devours young kangaroos, lambs, etc. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. I. Pl. 1:

"Aquila Fucosa, Cuv. , [now A. Audax, Lath. ]Wedge-tailed eagle. Eaglehawk, Colonists of New South Wales. "

1863. B. A. Heywood, `Vacation Tour at the Antipodes, ' p. 106:

"We knew it was dying, as two large eaglehawks were hoveringabout over it. "

1880. Fison and Howitt, `Kamilaroi and Kurnai, ' p. 251:

"The hair of a person is tied on the end of the throwing-stick, together with the feathers of the eagle hawk. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia', p. 106:

"Since the destruction of native dogs and eagle-hawks by thesquatters, who stocked the country with sheep, the kangarooshave not a single natural enemy left. "

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs, ' p. 35:

"On the New South Wales side of the river the eagle-hawk issometimes so great a pest amongst the lambs that the settlersperiodically burn him out by climbing close enough to the nestto put a fire-stick in contact with it. "

Eagle-hawking, n. Bush slang: plucking wool offdead sheep. 

Eagle-Ray, n. Name belonging to any largeRay of the family Myliobatidae; the New Zealandspecies is Myliobatis nieuhofii. 

Eastralia, n. Recent colloquial name, fashionedon the model of Westralia (q. V. ), used in West Australiafor the Eastern Colonies. In Adelaide, its application seemsconfined to New South Wales. 

Ebony, n. A timber. The name is applied inAustralia to two species of Bauhinia, B. Carronii, F. V. M. , and B. Hookeri, F. V. M. , N. O. Leguminosae. Both are called Queensland or MountainEbony. 

Echidna, n. A fossorial Monotreme, in generalappearance resembling a Porcupine, and often called SpinyAnt-eater or Porcupine, or PorcupineAnt-eater. The body is covered with thick fur from whichstiff spines protrude; the muzzle is in the form of a longtoothless beak; and the tongue is very long and extensile, andused largely for licking up ants; the feet are short, withstrong claws adapted for burrowing. Like the Marsupials, theEchidna is provided with a pouch, but the animal is oviparous, usually laying two eggs at a time, which are carried about inthe pouch until the young ones are hatched, when they are fedby a secretion from mammary glands, which do not, however, asin other mammals, open on to a nipple. The five-toed Echidnas(genus Echidna) are found in New Guinea, Australia, andTasmania, while the three-toed Echidnas (genusProechidna) are confined to New Guinea. The speciesare--Common E. , Echidna aculeata, Shaw; Bruijn's E. , Proechidna bruijni, Peters and Doria; Black-spined E. , Proechidna nigro-aculeata, Rothschild. The name is fromGrk. 'echidna, an adder or viper, from the shape of thelong tongue. 

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' c. Ii. P. 29:

"The native porcupine or echidna is not very common. "

1843. J. Backhouse, `Narrative of a Visit to the AustralianColonies, ' p. 89:

"The Porcupine of this land, Echidna hystrix, is a squatspecies of ant-eater, with short quills among its hair: itconceals itself in the day time among dead timber in the hillyforests. "

1851. `Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of VanDiemen's Land, ' vol. I. P. 178:

"Mr. Milligan mentioned that one of the Aborigines of Tasmaniareports having often discovered the nest of the EchidnaSetosa, porcupine or ant eater, of the colony; that onseveral occasions one egg had been found in it, andnever more: this egg has always been found to contain afoetus or chick, and is said to be round, considerablyless than a tennis ball, and without a shell. The mother issaid to sit continuously (for a period not ascertained) in themanner of the common fowl over the eggs; she does not leave theyoung for a considerable time after having hatched it; atlength, detaching it from the small teat, she moves outhurriedly and at long intervals in quest of food, the young onebecoming, at each successive return, attached to thenipple. . . The Platypus (Ornithorhyncus paradoxus) issaid to lay two eggs, having the same external membranouscovering, but of an oblong shape. "

1860. G. Bennett, ' Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia, 'p. 147:

"The Porcupine Ant-eater of Australia (Echidna hystrix)(the native Porcupine or Hedgehog of the colonists), and theOrnithorhynchus, to which it is allied in internalorganization, form the only two genera of the orderMonotremata. "

1888. Cassell's' Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Ii. P. 230:

"Among the gigantic boulders near the top he may capture theburrowing ant-eating porcupine, though if perchance he place itfor a moment in the stoniest ground, it will tax all hisstrength to drag it from the instantaneous burrow in which itwill defiantly embed itself. "

1892. A. Sutherland, `Elementary Geography of British Colonies, 'p. 273:

"The echidna is an animal about a foot or 18 inches long, covered with spines like a hedgehog. It lives chiefly uponants. With its bill, which is like a duck's but narrower, itburrows into an ant's-hill, and then with its long, whip-like, sticky tongue, draws the ants into its mouth by hundreds. "

1894. R. Lydekker, `Marsupialia and Monotremata, ' p. 247:

"In order to enable them to procure with facility their foodof ants and their larvae, echidnas are provided with very largeglands, discharging into the mouth the viscid secretion whichcauses the ants to adhere to the long worm-like tongue whenthrust into a mass of these insects, after being exposed by thedigging powers of the claws of the echidna's limbs. . . . When attacked they roll themselves into a ball similar to thehedgehog. "

Echu, n. The name of an Australian birdwhich has not been identified. The word does not occurin the ornithological lists. 

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems--Evening Hymn, ' p. 53:

"The echu's songs are dying with the flute-bird's mellow tone. "

1896. `The Australasian, ' Jan. 11, p. 73, col. 1:

"`Yeldina' (Rochester) writes--While I was on the Murray, a fewdays before Christmas last, some miles below Echuca, myattention was attracted to the melancholy note, as of a birdwhich had lost its mate, calling ee-k-o-o, e-e-koo, which wasrepeated several times, after which a pause, then ee-koo, ee-ko, coolie, coolie, ee-koo. This happened in the scrub atsunset, and came, I think, from a bird smaller than theAustralian minah, and of a greenish yellowish hue, larger, butsimilar to the members of the feathered tribe known to youngcity `knights of the catapult' as greenies. It was whilereturning to camp from fishing that I noticed this bird, whichappeared of solitary habits. "

"`Crossbolt' (Kew) writes--The echu is probably identical witha handsome little bird whose peculiar cry `e-e-choo' isfamiliar to many bush ramblers. It is the size of a smallwood-swallow; black head, back, wings, and tail more or lessblue-black; white throat; neck and breast light to richbrown. The female is much plainer, and would scarcely berecognized as the mate of the former. The melodious `e-e-choo'is usually answered from a distance, whether by the female or arival I cannot say, and is followed by a prolonged warbling. "

Eel, n. The kinds present in Australia are--

Common Eel-- Anguilla australis, Richards. 

Conger E. -- Conger labiatus, Castin. , and Gonorhynchus grayi, Richards. 

Green E. (New South Wales)-- Muroena afra, Bl. 

Silver E. -- Muroenesox cinereus, Forsk. ; also called the Sea-eel (New South Wales). Conger wilsoni, Castln. (Melbourne). 

The New Zealand Eels are--

Black Eel-- Anguilla australis, Richards. 

Conger E. -- Conger vulgaris, Cuv. 

Sand E. -- Gonorynchus grayi, Richards. 

Serpent E. -- Ophichthys serpens, Linn. 

Silver E. -- Congromuroena habenata, Richards. 

Tuna E. -- Anguilla aucklandii, Richards. 

The Sand Eel does not belong to the Eel family, and is onlycalled an Eel from its habits. 

Eel-fish, n. Plotosus tandanus, Mitchell. Called also Catfish (q. V. ), and Tandan(q. V. ). 

1838. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' vol. I. Pl. 5, p. . 44 and 95 [Note]:

 "Plotosus tandanus, tandan or eel-fish. Tandan is theaboriginal name. "

Egret, n. An English bird-name. The followingspecies are present in Australia, some being European andothers exclusively Australian--

Lesser Egret-- Herodias melanopus, Wagl. 

Little E. -- H. Garzetta, Linn. 

Pied E. -- H. Picata, Gould. 

Plumed Egret-- H. Intermedia, v. Hasselq. 

White E. -- H. Alba, Linn. 

Elder, n. See next word. 

Elderberry, Native, n. The two Australianspecies of the Elder are Sambucus gaudichaudiana, De C. , and S. Xanthocarpa, F. V. M. , N. O. Caprifoliaceae. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 56:

"Native elderberry. The fruit of these two native elders isfleshy and sweetish, and is used by the aborigines for food. "

Elephant-fish, n. A fish of New Zealand, SouthAustralian, and Tasmanian waters, Callorhynchusantarcticus, Lacep. , family Chimaeridae. "It hasa cartilaginous prominence of the snout, ending in a cutaneousflap" (Gunth. ), suggesting a comparison with an elephant'strunk. Called also King of the Herrings (q. V. ). 

1802. G. Barrington, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 388:

"The sea affords a much greater plenty, and at least as greata variety as the land; of these the elephant fish were verypalatable food. "

Ellangowan Poison-bush, n. A Queensland namefor Myoporum deserti, Cunn. , N. O. Myoporinae, ;called "Dogwood Poison-bush" in New South Wales. Ellangowan ison the Darling Downs in Queensland. Poisonous to sheep, butonly when in fruit. 

Emancipatist, and Emancipist, n. (thelatter, the commoner), an ex-convict who has served out hissentence. The words are never used now except historically. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, 'vol. Ii. P. 118:

"Emigrants who have come out free from England, andemancipists, who have arrived here as convicts, and haveeither been pardoned or completed their term of servitude. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 302:

"Men who had formerly been convicts, but who, after theirperiod of servitude had expired, were called `emancipists. '"

1837. Jas. Mudie, `Felonry of New South Wales, ' p. Vii:

"The author begs leave to record his protest against the abuseof language to the misapplication of the termsemancipists and absentees to two portions of thecolonial felonry. An emancipist could not be understood tomean the emancipated but the emancipator. Mr. Wilberforce maybe honoured with the title of emancipist; but it is as absurdto give the same appellation to the emancipated felons of NewSouth Wales as it would be to bestow it upon the emancipatednegroes of the West Indies. "

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales, ' p. 69:

"The same emancipist will, however, besides private charity, beamong the first and greatest contributors to a new church. "

1852. `Fraser's Magazine, ' vol. Xlvi. P. 135:

"The convict obtained his ticket-of-leave . . . Became anemancipist . . . And found transportation no punishment. "

Emu, n. An Australian bird, Dromaiusnovae-hollandiae, Lath. There is a second species, SpottedEmu, Dromaius irroratus, Bartlett. An earlier, but nowunusual, spelling is Emeu. Emeus is thescientific name of a New Zealand genus of extinct struthiousbirds. The word Emu is not Australian, but from thePortuguese Ema, the name first of the Crane, afterwardsof the Ostrich. Formerly the word Emu was used inEnglish for the Cassowary, and even for the American Ostrich. Since 1885 an Emu has been the design on the twopennypostage stamp of New South Wales. 

1613. `Purchas Pilgrimmage, ' pt. I. Vol v. C. Xii. P. 430 (`O. E. D. '):

"The bird called Emia or Eme is admirable. "

1774. Oliver Goldsmith, `Natural History, ' vol. Iii. P. 69, Book III. C. V. [Heading]

"The Emu. "

1788. `History of New South Wales' (1818), p. 53:

"A bird of the ostrich genus, but of a species very differentfrom any other in the known world, was killed and broughtin. Its length was between seven and eight feet; its flesh wasgood and thought to resemble beef. It has obtained the name ofthe New South Wales Emu. "

1789. Captain W. Tench, `Expedition to Botany Bay, ' p. 123:

"The bird which principally claims attention is a species ofostrich, approaching nearer to the emu of South America thanany other we know of. "

1793 Governor Hunter, `Voyage, ' p. 69:

"Some were of opinion that it was the emew, which I think isparticularly described by Dr. Goldsmith from Linneus: othersimagined it to be the cassowary, but it far exceeds that birdin size . . . Two distinct feathers grew out from everyquill. "

1802. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New South Wales, 'vol. Ii. P. 307:

"These birds have been pronounced by Sir Joseph Banks, of whosejudgment none can entertain a doubt, to come nearer to what isknown of the American ostrich than to either the emu of Indiaor the ostrich of Africa. "

1804. `Rev. R. Knopwood's Diary' (J. J. Shillinglaw--`Historical Records of Port Phillip, ' 1879), p. 115:

[At the Derwent] 26 March, 1804--"They caught six young emews[sic], about the size of a turkey, and shot the old mother. "

1832. J. Bischof, `Van Diemen's Land, ' p. 165:

"We saw an emu track down the side of a hill. "

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. I. C. Ix. P. 276

"The face of the emu bears a most remarkable likeness to thatof the aborigines of New South Wales. "

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 160:

"They will pick up anything, thimbles, reels of cotton, nails, bullets indiscriminately: and thus the proverb of `having thedigestion of an emu' has its origin. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Vi. Pl. I:

"Dromaius Novae Hollandiae. The Emu. New HollandCassowary. --'Governor Phillips' Voyage, 1789. '"

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849, ' p. 42:

"The emu strides with such rapidity over the plains as torender its capture very difficult even by the swiftestgreyhound. "

1872. C. H. Eden, "My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 52:

"A couple of grave-looking emus. These wobble away at anungainly but rapid pace directly they sight us, most probablyvainly pursued by the dray dogs which join us farther on, wearyand unsuccessful--indeed the swiftest dog finds an emu as muchas he can manage. "

1878. A. Newton, in `Encyclopedia Britannica' (9th edit. ), vol. Viii. P. 173:

"Next to the ostrich the largest of existing birds, the commonemeu. . . ''

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 210:

". . . Points out two emus to John. . . . They resembleostriches, but are not so large, and the tail droops more. . . . John can distinguish every point about them, from theirblack cast-iron looking legs, to the bare neck and small head, with its bright eye and strong flat beak. "

1890. `Victorian Statutes--Game Act, Third Schedule':

"Emu. [Close Season. ] From the 14th day of June to the 20thday of December following in each year. "

1893. `The Argus, ' March 25, p. 4, col. 5:

"The chief in size is the egg of the cassowary, exactly likethat of the emu except that the colour is pale moss greeninstead of the dark green of the emu. "

Emu-Apple, n. See Apple. 

Emu-Bush, n. An Australian shrub, Eremophilalongifolia, F. V. M. , N. O. Myoporineae. 

1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees, ' p. 206:

"Emu-tree. A small Tasmanian tree; found on low marshy groundused for turners' work. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 317:

"Emu-bush. Owing to emus feeding on the seeds of this andother species. Heterodendron oleaefolium, Desf. "

Ibid. P. 132:

"The seeds, which are dry, are eaten by emus. "

Emu-Wren, n. A bird-name. See Malurus. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iii. Pl. 31:

"Stipituras Malachurus, Less. Emu Wren. The decomposedor loose structure of these [tail] feathers, much resemblingthose of the emu, has suggested the colonial name of Emu-Wrenfor this species, an appellation singularly appropriate, inasmuch as it at once indicates the kind of plumage with whichthe bird is clothed, and the Wren-like nature of its habits. "

1860. G. Bennett, `Gatherings of a Naturalist, ' p. 213:

"The delicate little emeu wren. "

1865. Lady Barker (letter from `Melbourne), `Station Life inNew Zealand, ' p. 8:

"Then there is the emu-wren, all sad-coloured, but quaint, withthe tail-feathers sticking up on end, and exactly like those ofan emu, on the very smallest scale, even to the peculiarity oftwo feathers growing out of the same little quill. "

Eopsaltria, n. Scientific name for the genusof Australian birds called Shrike-Robins (q. V. ). (Grk. 'aeows, dawn, and psaltria, a female harper. )

Epacris, n. Scientific name of the typicalgenus of the order Epacrideae, a heath-like flowerof which there are twenty- five species, mostly Australian. From Greek 'epi, upon, and 'akron, top (theflowers grow in spikes at the top of the plant). In Australia they are frequently confused with and calledEricas. 

Ephthianura, n. Scientific name of a genusof very small Australian birds, anglicized as Ephthianure. For species see quotation, 1848. A fourth species has beendiscovered since Gould's day, E. Crocea, Castln. AndRamsay, which inhabits Northern Australia. The name was firstgiven by Gould, in the `Proceedings of the Zoological Societyof 1837, ' p. 148, as a genus novum. The origin of theword is not certain, but as the tail is unusually small, it is suggested that the name is from the Greek 'oura, tail, and Homeric imperfect 3rd person sing. 'ephthien, wasted away, from phthiow (= phthinow). [The word occurs Iliad xviii. 446. ]//phthio is ONLY in Homer!! Iliad AND Odyssey GJC//

1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iii. Pl. 64:

"Ephthianura Albifrons, White-fronted Ephthianura, "pl. 65. "Aurifrons, Gould, Orange-fronted E. , " pl. 66. "Tricolor, Gould, Tricoloured E. '"

1890. `Victorian Statutes--Game Act, Third Schedule':

"Close season. --Ephthianuras. The whole year. "

Escapee, n. One who has escaped. Especiallyused of French convicts who escape from New Caledonia. Theword is formed on the model of absentee, refugee, etc. , and is manifestly influenced by Fr. E/chappe/. Escaper is the historical English form. (See Bible, 2Kings ix. 15, margin. ) //He means, of course, the so-calledAuthorised Version" which reads, ftn. 5: "let no escaper go, etc. " Even though the Revised Version was published in1885. GJC//

1880. `Melbourne Argus, ' July 22, p. 2, col. 3 (`O. E. D. '):

"The ten New Caledonia escapees . . . Are to be handed over tothe French consul. "

Eucalyn, n. A sugar obtained, together withlaevulose, by fermentation of melitose (q. V. ) withyeast, or by boiling it with dilute acids. 

Eucalypt, n. Shortened English form ofEucalyptus used especially in the plural, Eucalypts. Eucalypti sounds pedantic. 

1880. T. W. Nutt, `Palace of Industry, ' p. 11:

"Stems of the soaring eucalypts that rise Four hundred friendly feet to glad the skies. "

1887. J. F. Hogan, `The Irish in Australia, ' p. 126:

"There is no unmixed good, it is said, on this mundane sphere, and the evil that has accompanied the extensive settlement ofGipps Land during recent years is to be found in the widespreaddestruction of the forests, resulting in a disturbance of theatmospheric conditions and the banishment of an ever-activeagent in the preservation of health, for these eucalypts, orgum-trees, as they are generally called, possess the peculiarproperty of arresting fever-germs and poisonous exhalations. They have been transplanted for this especial purpose to someof the malaria-infested districts of Europe and America, andwith pronounced success. Australia, to which they areindigenous, has mercilessly hewn them down in the past, but isnow repenting of its folly in that respect, and is replantingthem at every seasonable opportunity. "

1892. A. Sutherland, `Elementary Geography of BritishColonies, ' p. 270:

"Throughout the whole of Australia the prevailing trees areeucalypts, known generally as gum-trees on account of the gumwhich they secrete, and which may be seen standing like bigtranslucent beads on their trunks and branches. "

Eucalyptene, n. The name given by Cloez to ahydrocarbon obtained by subjecting Eucalyptol (q. V. ) todehydration by phosphorus pentoxide. The same name has alsobeen given by other chemists to a hydrocarbon believed to occurin eucalyptus oil. 

Eucalyptian, adj. Playfully formed; not incommon use. 

1870. A. L. Gordon, `Bush Ballads, ' p. 8:

"Gnarl'd, knotted trunks Eucalyptian Seemed carved, like weird columns Egyptian, With curious device--quaint inscription And hieroglyph strange. "

Eucalyptic, adj. Full of gumtrees. 

1873. J. Brunton Stephens, `Black Gin, etc. , ' p. 6:

"This eucalyptic cloisterdom is anything but gay. "

Eucalyptol, n. A volatile oil of camphor-likesmell, extracted from the oil of Eucalyptus globulus, Labill. , E. Amygdalina, Labill. , etc. Chemicallyidentical with cineol, got from other sources. 

Eucalyptus, n. The gum tree. There are 120species, as set forth in Baron von Mueller's `Eucalyptographia, a Descriptive Atlas of the Eucalypts of Australia. ' The namewas first given in scientific Latin by the French botanistL'Heritier, in his Sertum Anglicum, published in 1788. From the Greek 'eu, well, and kaluptein, to cover. See quotation, 1848. N. O. Myrtaceae. The French now sayEucalyptus; earlier they called it l'acajou de lanouvelle Hollande. The Germans call it Schoenmutze. See Gum. 

1823. Sidney Smith, `Essays, ' p. 440:

"A London thief, clothed in Kangaroo's skins, lodged underthe bark of the dwarf eucalyptus, and keeping sheep, fourteenthousand miles from Piccadilly, with a crook bent into theshape of a picklock, is not an uninteresting picture. "

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' vol. I. C. Ii. P. 80:

"A large basin in which there are stunted pines and eucalyptusscrub. "

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix, ' p. 132:

"The scientific term Eucalyptus has been derived from theGreek, in allusion to a lid or covering over the blossom, which falls off when the flower expands, exposing a four-celledcapsule or seed-vessel. "

1851. G. W. Rusden, `Moyarra, ' canto i. P. 8:

"The eucalyptus on the hill Was silent challenge to his skill. "

1879. `Temple Bar, ' Oct. , p. 23 ('0. E. D. '):

"The sombre eucalypti . . . Interspersed here and there bytheir dead companions. "

1886. J. A. Froude, `Oceana, ' p. 118:

"At intervals the bush remained untouched, but the universaleucalyptus, which I had expected to find grey and monotonous, was a Proteus it shape and colour, now branching like an oakor a cork tree, now feathered like a birch, or glowing likean arbutus with an endless variety of hue--green, orange, and brown. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, c. V. P. 46:

"A lofty eucalyptus . . . Lay with its bared roots sheer athwarta tiny watercourse. "

Euro, n. One of the aboriginal names fora Kangaroo (q. V. ); spelt also Yuro. 

1885. Mrs. Praed, `Head Station, ' p. 192:

"Above and below . . . Were beetling cliffs, with ledgesand crannies that afforded foothold only to yuros androck-wallabies. "

Exclusionist, n. And adj. Seequotation. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, 'vol. Ii. Pp. 118-19:

". . . One subdivision of the emigrant class alluded to, istermed the exclusionist party, from their strictexclusion of the emancipists from their society. "

Exileism, n. A word of same period asExiles (q. V. ). 

1893. A. P. Martin, `Life of Lord Sherbrooke, ' vol. I. P. 381:

"A gentleman who was at this time engaged in pastoral pursuitsin New South Wales, and was therefore a supporter of exileism. '"

Exiles, n. Euphemistic name for convicts. Itdid not last long. 

1847, A. P. Martin, `Life of Lord Sherbrooke' (1893), vol. I. P. 378:

"The cargoes of criminals were no longer to be known as`convicts, ' but (such is the virtue in a name!) as `exiles. 'It was, as Earl Grey explained in his despatch of Sept 3, 1847, `a scheme of reformatory discipline. '"

1852. G. B. Earp, `Gold Colonies of Australia, ' p. 100:

"The convict system ceased in New South Wales in 1839; but`exiles' as they were termed, i. E. Men who had passed theirprobation at home, were forwarded till 1843. "

Expiree, n. A convict whose term of sentencehad expired. 

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (ed. 1885), p. 107:

"A hireling convict - emancipist, expiree, or ticket of leave. "

Expiree, adj. See preceding. 

1847. J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, ' p. 271:

"Very many of their servants, being old hands or expireeconvicts from New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, arethoroughly unprincipled men. "

1883. E. M. Curr, `Recollections of Squatting in Victoria' (1841-1351), p. 40:

"Hiring men in Melbourne in 1841 was not by any means anagreeable job, as wages were high, and labourers (almost allold gaol-birds and expiree convicts) exceedingly independentand rowdy. "

F

Fairy Gardens, n. A miner's term, explainedin quotation. 

1852. F. Lancelott, `Australia, as it is', vol. Ii. P. 221:

"On the south-eastern portion of this county is the world-famedBurra Burra copper mine. . . . Some of the cuttings arethrough solid blocks of ore, which brilliantly glitter as youpass with a lighted candle, while others are formed in veinsof malachite, and from their rich variegated green appearanceare not inaptly called by the miners `Fairy gardens. '"

Fake-mucker, n. A Tasmanian name for theDusky Robin (Petroica vittata). SeeRobin. 

Falcon, n. English bird-name. The Australianspecies are--

Black Falcon-- Falco subniger, Gray. 

Black-cheeked F. -- F. Melanogenys, Gould. 

Grey F. -- F. Hypoleucus, Gould. 

Little F. -- F. Lunulatus, Lath. 

See also Nankeen-Hawk. 

Fantail, n. Bird-name applied in England to apigeon; in Australia and New Zealand, to the little birds ofthe genus Rhipidura (q. V. ). It is a fly-catcher. TheAustralian species are--

Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould. 

Black-and-White Fantail (called also the Wagtail, q. V. )-- R. Tricolor, Vieill. 

Dusky F. -- R. Diemenensis, Sharpe. 

Northern F. -- R. Setosa, Quoy and Gaim. 

Pheasant F. -- Rhipidura phasiana, De Vis. 

Rufous F. -- R. Rufifrons, Lath. 

Western F. -- R. Preissi, Cab. 

White-tailed F. -- R. Albicauda, North. 

Wood F. -- R. Dryas, Gould. 

The New Zealand species are--

Black F. -- Rhipidura fuliginosa, Sparrm. (Tiwaiwaka). 

Pied F. -- R. Flabellifera, Gmel. (Piwakawaka). 

In Tasmania, the R. Diemenensis is calledthe Cranky Fantail, because of its antics. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Journal, ' vol. Ii. P. 80:

"We also observed the . . . Fantailed fly-catcher(Rhipidura). "

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 69:

"The Red Fantail, ever flitting about with broadly expandedtail, and performing all manner of fantastic evolutions, in its diligent pursuit of gnats and flies, is one of the mostpleasing and attractive objects in the New Zealand forest. Itis very tame and familiar. "

Farinaceous City, or Village, n. Aplayful name for Adelaide. The allusion is to wheat being theleading export of South Australia. 

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' vol. Ii. P. 184:

"[Adelaide] has also been nicknamed the Farinaceous City. A little gentle ridicule is no doubt intended to be conveyedby the word. "

Fat-cake, n. Ridiculous name sometimesapplied to Eucalyptus leucoxylon, F. V. M. , according toMaiden (`Useful Native Plants, ' p. 471). 

Fat-hen, n. A kind of wild spinach. In England the name is applied to various plants of thickfoliage. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 40:

"The fat-hen (Atriplex) . . . "

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 120:

"Another wild vegetable brew in the sandy beds of the riversand creeks, called `fat-hen. ' It was exactly like spinach, and not only most agreeable but also an excellent anti-scorbutic, a useful property, for scurvy is not an unknown thing in the bushby any means. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 156:

"Boiled salt junk, with fat-hen (a kind of indigenousspinach). "

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 16:

"Chenopodium murale, Linn. , Australian spinach. Bentham considers this may have been introduced. "

Felonry, n. See quotation. 

1837. Jas. Mudie, `Felonry of New South Wales, ' p. 6:

"The author has ventured to coin the word felonry, as the appellative of an order or class of persons in New SouthWales--an order which happily exists in no other country in theworld. A legitimate member of the tribe of appellatives . . . As peasantry, tenantry, yeomanry, gentry. "

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, ' c. Xv. P. 24:

"The inundation of the Australian colonies with BritishFelonry. "

1888. Sir C. Gavan Duffy, `Contemporary Review, ' vol. Liii. P. 14 [`Century']:

"To shut out the felonry of Great Britain and Ireland. "

Ferns. The following list of Australian ferns istaken from `The Fern World of Australia, ' by F. M. Bailey ofBrisbane (1881), omitting from his list all ferns of which thevernacular and scientific names coincide with the names offerns elsewhere. 

Bat's-wing Fern-- Pteris incisa, Thunb. 

Black Tree F. Of New Zealand-- Cyathea medullaris, Sw. 

Blanket F. -- Grammitis rutaefolia, R. Br. 

Braid F. -- Platyzoma microphyllum, R. Br. 

Caraway F. -- Athyrium umbrosum, J. Sm. 

Curly F. -- Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw. 

Deer's-tongue F. -- Acrostichum conforme, Sw. 

Ear F. -- Pteris falcata, R. Br. 

Elk's-horn F. -- Platycerium alcicorne, Desv. 

Fan F. -- Gleichenia flabellata, R. Br. 

Golden Swamp F. -- Acrostichum aureum, Linn. 

Grass-leaved F. (q. V. )-- Vittaria elongata, Sw. 

*Hare's-foot F. -- F. Davallia pyxidata, Cav. 

Jersey F. -- Grammitis leptophylla, Sw. 

*Lady F. -- Aspidium aculeatum, Sw. 

*Maiden-hair F. -- Adiantum, spp. 

Meadow-rue Water F. -- Ceratoptoris thalictroides, Brong. 

Parasol F. -- Gleichenia circinata, Sw. 

Pickled-cabbage F. -- Lomaria capensis, Willd. 

Potato F. (q. V. )-- Marattia fraxinea, Sm. 

Prickly F. (q. V. )-- Alsophila australis, R. Br. 

Prickly-tree Fern-- Alsophila leichhardtiana, F. V. M. 

Ribbon F. -- Ophioglossum pendulum, Linn. 

Shiny F. -- Polypodium aspidoides, Bail. 

Snake's-tongue F. -- Lygodium, spp. 

The following are not in Baileys List:

Parsley F. -- Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw. (Name Parsley applied to a different Fern elsewhere. )

Sword F. -- Grammitis australis, R. Br. 

Umbrella F. , Tasmanian name for Fan F. (q. V. ). 

Other ferns not in this list appear elsewhere. See alsoFerntree. ____* Elsewhere the name is applied to a different species. ----

Fern-bird, n. A New Zealand bird ofthe genus Sphenoecus. Also called Grass-bird, and New Zealand Pipit. There are three species--

The Fern-bird-- Sphenoecus punctatus, Gray. 

Chatham Island F. -b. -- S. Rufescens, Buller. 

Fulvous F. -b. -- S. Fulvus, Gray. 

1885. `Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, 'vol. Xviii. P. 125:

"The peculiar chirp of the fern bird is yetto be heard among the tall fern. "

1885. A. Hamilton, `Native Birds of Petane, Hawke's Bay':

"Fern-bird. The peculiar chirp of this lively little bird isyet to be heard among the tall fern, though it is not soplentiful as in days gone by. "

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 59:

"Fern Bird . . . This recluse little species is one of ourcommonest birds, but is oftener heard than seen. It frequentsthe dense fern of the open country and the beds of Raupo. "

Fern-tree, n. Name applied to variousspecies of ferns which grow to a large size, the stem in thefully grown plant reaching often a height of many feet beforethe leaves are given off. Such Tree-ferns clothe the sides ofdeep and shady gullies amongst the hills, and give rise to whatare known as Fern-tree gullies, which form a verycharacteristic feature of the moister coastal Ranges of manyparts of Australia. The principal Fern-trees orTree-ferns, as they are indiscriminately called, ofAustralia and Tasmania are--

 Dicksonia antarctica, Lab. ; Alsophila australis, R. Br. ; Todea africana, Willd. ; Cyathea cunninghami, J. Hook. ; Alsophila excelsa, R. Br. ;

the last named, however, not occurring in Tasmania or Victoria. 

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack, ' p. 164:

"We entered a beautiful fern-tree grove, that also concealedthe heavens from view, spreading like a plantation or cocoa-nuttree orchard, but with far more elegance and effect. "

1839. C. Darwin, `Voyage of Beagle' (ed. 1890), p. 177:

"Tree-ferns thrive luxuriantly in Van Diemen's Land (lat. 45degrees), and I measured one trunk no less than six feet incircumference. An arborescent fern was found by Forster in NewZealand in 46 degrees, where orchideous plants are parasiticalon the trees. In the Auckland Islands, ferns, according toDr. Dieffenbach, have trunks so thick and high that they may bealmost called tree-ferns. "

1857. F. R. Nixon (Bishop of Tasmania), `Cruise of the Beacon, 'p. 26:

"With these they [i. E. The Tasmanian Aborigines] mingled thecore or pith of the fern trees, Cibotium Bollardieriand Alsophila Australis (of which the former is ratherastringent and dry for a European palate, and the latter, though more tolerable, is yet scarcely equal to a Swedishturnip. )"

1870. S. H. Wintle, `Fragments of Fern Fronds, ' p. 39:

"Where the feet of the mountains are bathed by cool fountains, The green, drooping fern trees are seen. "

1878. William Sharp, `Australian Ballads, ' `Canterbury Poets' (Scott, 1888), pp. 180-81:

"The feathery fern-trees make a screen, Where through the sun-glare cannot pass-- Fern, gum, and lofty sassafras. "

"Under a feathery fern-tree bough A huge iguana lies alow. "

1884. R. L. A. Davies, `Poems and Literary Remains, ' p. 83:

"There were mossy fern-trees near me, With their graceful feathered fronds, Which they slowly waved above me, Like hoar magicians' wands. "

1893. A. R. Wallace, `Australasia, ' vol. I. P. 53:

"Here are graceful palms rising to 70 or even 100 feet; theIndian fig with its tortuous branches clothed with a draperyof curious parasites; while graceful tree ferns, 30 feet high, flourish in the damp atmosphere of the sheltered dells. "

Fern-tree Gully. See Fern-tree and Gully. 

Fever-bark, n. Another name for Bitter-bark(q. V. ). 

Fibrous Grass, n. A Tasmanian grass(see Grass), Stipa semiibarbata, R. Br. , N. O. Gramineae. 

1862. W. Archer, `Products of Tasmania, ' p. 41:

"Fibrous grass (Stipa semibarbata, Br. ). After the seedhas ripened the upper part of the stem breaks up into fibre, which curls loosely and hangs down waving in the wind. "

Fiddle-back, n. Name given inAustralia to the beetle, Schizorrhina australasiae. 

Fiddler, n. A New South Wales and Victorianname for a species of Ray, Trygonorhina fasciata, Mull. And Heule, family Rhinobatidae. 

Fig-bird, n. A bird-name. Sphecotheres maxillaris, Lath. ; Yellow bellied, S. Flaviventris, Gould. S. Maxillaris is alsocalled Mulberry-bird (q. V. ). 

Fig-eater, n. A bird, i. Q. Grape-eater (q. V. ). 

Fig-tree, n. The name is applied inAustralia to the following species:--

Blue Fig-- Elaeocarpus grandis, F. V. M. , N. O. Tiliaceae. 

Clustered F. -- Ficus glomerata, Willd. , N. O. Urticaceae. 

Moreton Bay F. -- P. Macrophylla, Desf. , N. O. Urticaciae //sic. Check//. 

Prickly F. -- Elaeocarpus holopetalus, F. V. M. , N. O. Tiliaceae. 

Purple F. , or White F. , or Rough-leaved F. , or Flooded F. [Clarence River]-- Ficus scabra, G. Forst. , N. O. Urticaciae. 

Ribbed F. -- F. Pleurocarpa, F. V. M. , N. O. Urticaciae. 

Rusty F. , or Narrow-leaved F. [or Port Jackson]-- F. Rubiginosa, Desf. , N. O. Urticaciae; called also Native Banyan. 

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 119:

"And I forget how lone we sit beneath this old fig-tree. "

1870. F. S. Wilson, `Australian Songs, ' p. 115:

"The fig-tree casts a pleasant shade On the straggling ferns below. "

1882. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 537:

"Moreton Bay fig. This noble-looking tree has a wood whichis sometimes used, though it is very difficult to season. "

[It is a handsome evergreen with dark leaves, larger thanthose of a horse-chestnut, much used as an ornament in streetand gardens, especially in Sydney and Adelaide. The fig isnot edible. ]

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, c. 44, p. 380:

"The . . . Venerable church with its alleys of araucariaand Moreton Bay fig-trees. "

File-fish, n. Name given in NewZealand to the fish Monacanthus rudis, Richards, familySclerodermi; in New South Wales to species of the genusBalistes. The first of the spines of the dorsal fin isroughened in front like a file. Balistes maculatus isthe "Spotted File-fish" of Sydney. It is closely allied to thegenus Monacanthus, called Leather-jacket (q. V. ), which is much more numerously represented in Australasia. 

Finch, n. A bird-name, first applied inAustralia, in 1848, by Gould, to the genus Poephila(Grass-lover), and since extended to other genera of birds. The species are--

Banded Finch-- Stictoptera bichenovii, Vig. And Hors. 

Black-ringed F. -- S. Annulosa, Gould. 

Black-rumped F. -- Poephila atropygialis, Diggles. 

Black-throated F. -- P. Cincta, Gould. 

Chestnut-breasted F. -- Munia castaneothorax, Gould. 

Chestnut-eared F. -- Taeniopygia castanotis, Gould. 

Crimson F. -- Neochmia phaeton, Homb. And Jacq. 

Fire-tailed F. -- Zonaeginthus bellus, Lath. 

Gouldian F. -- Poephila gouldiae, Gould. 

Long-tailed F. -- P. Acuticauda, Gould. 

Masked F. -- P. Personata, Gould. 

Painted F. -- Emblema picta, Gould. 

Plum-head F. -- Aidemosyne modesta, Gould. 

Red-browed F. -- AEgintha temporalis, Lath. 

Red-eared F. -- Zonaeginthus oculatus, Quoy and Gaim. 

Red-tailed F. -- Bathilda ruficauda, Gould. 

Scarlet-headed F. -- Poephila mirabilis, Homb. And Jacq. 

Spotted-sided F. -- Staganopleura guttata, Shaw. 

White-Breasted F. -- Munia pectoralis, Gould. 

White-eared F. -- Poephila leucotis, Gould. 

Yellow-rumped F. -- Munia flaviprymna, Gould. 

Fire-stick, n. Name given to thelighted stick which the Australian natives frequently carryabout, when moving from camp to camp, so as to be able to lighta fire always without the necessity of producing it byfriction. The fire-stick may be carried in a smoulderingcondition for long distances, and when traversing open grasscountry, such as the porcupine-grass covered districts of theinterior, the stick is used for setting fire to the grass, partly to destroy this and partly to drive out the game whichis hiding amongst it. The fire-stick (see quotations)is also used as emblematic of the camp-fire in certainceremonies. 

1847. J. D. Lang, ' Cooksland, 'p. 126, n. :

"When their fire-stick has been extinguished, as is sometimesthe case, for their jins or vestal virgins, who have charge ofthe fire, are not always sufficiently vigilant. "

1896. F. J. Gillen, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia, 'Anthropology, pt. Iv. P. 170:

"Carrying fire-sticks, they place rings, woven of fur andvegetable down, round the boy's neck and arms and sometimesover and under the shoulders; the fire-sticks are then handedto him, the lubras saying: Take care of the fire; keep to yourown camp. '"

Firetail, n. Name applied in Victoria to thebird AEgintha temporalis, Lath. ; and in Tasmania toZonaeginthus (Estrelda) bellus, Lath. In New SouthWales, AE. Temporalis is known as the Red-head. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iii. Pl. 78:

"Estrelda Bella, Fire-tailed finch. Fire-tail, Colonists of Van Diemen's Land. "

Fire-tree, n. A tree of New Zealand; anothername for Pohutukawa (q. V. ). For QueenslandFire-tree, see Tulip-tree. 

Fireweed, n. A name given to several weeds, such as Senecio lautus, Sol. , N. O. Compositae; socalled because they spring up in great luxuriance where theforest has been burned off. 

Fish-hawk, n. English name applied toPandion leucocephalus, Gould; called also the Osprey. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. I. Pl. 6:

"Pandion Leucocephalus, Gould, White-headed osprey. Little fish hawk, Colonists of New South Wales. Fish-hawk, Colonists of Swan River. ''

Fist, v. To use the hands. The word is notunknown in English in the sense of to grip. (Shakspeare, `Cor. 'IV. V. 124)

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 366:

"`Fist it, ' a colonial expression, which may convey to theuninitiated the idea that knives, forks, plates, etc. , areunknown in the bush; such was formerly the case, but themarch of improvement has banished this peculiar simplicity. "

Five-corners, n. Name given to the fruit of anAustralian tree and to the tree itself, Syphelia triflora, Andr. , N. O. Epacrideae. There are many species ofStyphelia (q. V. ), the fruit of several being edible. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native Plants, ' p. 61:

"Five-corners. These fruits have a sweetish pulp with a largestone. They form part of the food of the aboriginals, and aremuch appreciated by school boys. When from a robust plant theyare of the size of a large pea, and not at all bad eating. "

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 158:

"Still I see in my fancy the dark-green and blue Of the box-covered hills where the five-corners grew. "

Flame-tree, n. The name is given in India andelsewhere to several trees with bright scarlet, or crimson, flowers. In Australia, two different trees are calledFlame-trees--

 (1) A tree of Eastern Australia, with profuse brightcoral-like flowers, Brachychiton acerifolium, F. V. M. , N. O. Sterculiaceae. 

 (2) A tree of Western Australia, with brilliantorange-coloured flowers, Nuytsia floribunda, N. O. Loranthaceae; which is also called TreeMistletoe, and, locally, a Cabbage-tree. 

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 96:

"There are flame-trees showing in spring vivid patchesof crimson. "

Flannel Flower, n. An Australianflower, Actinotus helianthi, Labill. , N. O. Compositae. It ranges from Gippsland to SouthernQueensland, but is particularly abundant in New South Wales. Sometimes called the Australian Edelweiss. For thereason of the name see quotation. 

1895. J. H. Maiden, `Flowering Plants of New South Wales, 'p. 9:

"We only know one truly local name for this plant, and that isthe `Flannel Flower'--a rather unpoetical designation, but areally descriptive one, and one universally accepted. It is, of course, in allusion to the involucre, which looks as if itwere snipped out of white flannel. It is also known to a fewby the name of Australian Edelweiss. "

Flathead, n. Name given to several Australianmarine fishes, Platycephalus fuscus, Cuv. And Val. , andother species of Platycephalus, family Cottidae. The Red Flathead is P. Bassensis, Cuv. And Val. , and theRock F. Is P. Laevigatus, Cuv. And Val. See alsoTupong and Maori-chief. 

1793. Governor Hunter, `Voyage, ' p. 410 (AboriginalVocabulary):

"Paddewah, a fish called a flathead. "

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' c. Ii. P. 32:

"The market of Hobart Town is supplied with small rock cod, flatheads, and a fish called the perch. "

Flat Pea, n. A genus of Australian floweringplants, Platylobium, N. O. Leguminosae. 

1793. `Transactions of Linnaean Society, ' vol. Ii. P. 350:

"Its name I have deduced from platus, broad, andlobos, a pod. "

"P. Formosum. Orange flat-pea . . . A figure of this. . . Will soon be given in the work I have undertakenon the botany of New Holland. "

[The figure referred to will be found at p. 17 of the `Specimenof the Botany of New Holland. ']

Flax, Native, n. The European flax is Linumusitatissimum, N. O. Liniae. There is a species inAustralia, Linum marginale, Cunn. , N. O. Linaceae, called Native Flax. In New Zealand, the Phormiumis called Native Flax. See next word. 

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 626:

"`Native flax. ' Although a smaller plant than the true flax, this plant yields fibre of excellent quality. It is used bythe blacks for making fishing-nets and cordage. "

Flax, New Zealand, n. Phormium tenax, N. O. Liliaceae. A plant yielding a strong fibre. Called also, in New Zealand, Native Flax, and FlaxLily. 

1807. J. Savage, `Some account of New Zealand, ' p. 56:

"Small baskets made of the green native flax. "

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand, ' vol. I, p. 63:

"The plant is called Phormium tenax by naturalists. The general native name for the plant, we are told, is `korari, 'but each sort, and there are ten or twelve, has its distinctivename. Any portion of the leaf, when gathered, becomes here`kie kie, ' or literally, `tying stuff. ' The operation ofscraping is called `kayo, ' the fibre when prepared, `muka. '"[Mr. Tregear says that Wakefield's statements are mistaken. ]

1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand, ' p. 23:

"His robe of glossy flax which loosely flows. "

1861. C. C. Bowen, `Poems, ' p. 57:

"And flax and fern and tutu grew In wild luxuriance round. "

1870. T. H. Braiui, `New Homes, ' c. Viii. P. 375:

"The native flax (Phormium tenax) is found in all partsof New Zealand; it grows to the height of about nine feet. "

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf, ' v. 3, p. 93:

"In flowing vest of silky flax, undyed. "

1893. `Murray's Handbook to New Zealand, ' p. 29:

"The so-called native flax (phormium tenax). "

Flax-blade, n. The leaf of the New ZealandFlax (q. V. ). 

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf, ' i. 5, p. 11:

"With flax-blades binding to a tree The Maid who strove her limbs to free. "

Flax-bush, n. The bush of the New ZealandFlax. 

1854. W. Golder, `Pigeons' Parliament, ' Intro. P. V:

"I had . . . To pass a night . . . Under the shade of a flax-bush. "

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf, ' x. 4, p. 171:

"And the louder flax-bushes With their crowding and crossing Black stems, darkly studded With blossoms red-blooded. "

Flax-flower, n. The flower of the NewZealand Flax (q. V. ). 

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf, ' xiv. 3, p. 221:

 "little islesWhere still the clinging flax-flower smiles. "

Flax-leaf, n. The blade of the New ZealandFlax (q. V. ). 

1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori' p. 69:

"Zephyrs stirred the flax-leaves into tune. 

Flax-lily, n. (1) An Australian fibre plant, Dianella laevis, var. Aspera, R. Br. , N. O. Liliaceae. (2) Phormium tenax. SeeFlax, New Zealand. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 621:

"Flax-lily. The fibre is strong, and of a silky texture. The aboriginals formerly used it for making baskets, etc. All the colonies except Western Australia. "

Flindosa, and Flindosy, n. Two treescalled Beech (q. V. ). 

Flintwood, n. Another name for Blackbutt(q. V. ), Eucalyptus pillularis. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 502:

"From the great hardness of the wood it is often known as flintwood. "

Flounder, n. The Flounders in Australia are--

In Sydney, Pseudorhombus russelli, Gray; in Melbourne, Rhombosolea victoriae, Castln. ; in New Zealand andTasmania, R. Monopus, Gunth. Maori name, Patiki; familyPleuronectidae. They are all excellent eating. 

1876. P. Thomson, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute, 'vol. Ix. Art. Lxvii. , p. 487:

"Patiki (flounder). Flounders are in the market all the year. "

Flower-pecker, n. Bird-name used elsewhere, but in Australia assigned to Dicaeum hirundinaceum, Lath. 

Flowering Rush, n. Name given to the rush or reed, Xyris operculata, Lab. , N. O. Xyrideae. 

Flute-bird, n. Another name for the birdGymnorrhina tibicen, Lath. Called also Magpie(q. V. ). 

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 53:

"The flute-bird's mellow tone. "

Fly-catcher, n. Bird-name used elsewhere. The Australian species are--

Black-faced Flycatcher-- Monarcha melanopsis, Vieill. 

Blue F. -- Myiagra concinna, Gould. 

Broad-billed F. -- M. Latirostris, Gould. 

Brown F. [called also Jacky Winter (q. V. )] Micraeca fascinans, Lath. 

Leaden F. -- Myiagra rubecula, Lath. 

Lemon-breasted F. -- Micraeca flavigaster, Gould. 

Lesser Brown F. -- M. Assimilis, Gould. 

Little F. -- Seisura nana, Gould. 

Pale F. -- Micraeca pallida. 

Pearly F. -- Monarcha canescens, Salvad. 

Pied Fly-catcher-- Arses kaupi, Gould. 

Restless F. -- Seisura inquieta, Lath. [called also Razor- grinder, q. V. , and Dishwasher, q. V. ]

Satin F. -- Myiagra nitida, Gould [called Satin-robin, q. V. , in Tasmania]

Shining F. -- Piezorhynchus nitidus, Gould. 

Spectacled F. -- P. Gouldi, Gray. 

White-bellied F. -- P. Albiventris, Gould. 

White-eared F. -- P. Leucotis, Gould. 

Yellow-breasted F. -- Machaerhynchus flaviventer, Gould. 

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales, ' p. 161:

"We this day caught a yellow-eared fly-catcher (see annexedplate). This bird is a native of New Holland. " [Descriptionfollows. ]

Fly-eater, n. The new vernacular name for the Australianbirds of the genus Gerygone (q. V. ), and see Warbler. The species are--

Black-throated Fly-eater-- Gerygone personata, Gould. 

Brown F. -- G. Fusca, Gould. 

Buff-breasted F. -- G. Laevigaster, Gould. 

Green-backed F. -- G. Chloronota, Gould. 

Large-billed F. -- G. Magnirostris, Gould. 

Southern F. -- G. Culicivora, Gould. 

White-throated F. -- G. Albogularis, Gould. 

Yellow-breasted F. -- G. Flavida, Ramsay. 

1895. W. O. Legge, `Australasian Association for theAdvancement of Science `(Brisbane), p. 447:

"[The habits and habitats of the genus as] applied toGerygone suggested the term Fly-eater, asdistinguished from Fly-catcher, for this aberrant andpeculiarly Australasian form of small Fly-catchers, which notonly capture their food somewhat after the manner ofFly-catchers, but also seek for it arboreally. "

Flyer, n. A swift kangaroo. 

1866. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' second series, p. 172:

"I may here state that the settlers designate the old kangaroosas `old men' and `old women, ' the full-grown animals are named`flyers, ' and are swifter than the British hare. "

Flying-Fox, n. A gigantic Australian bat, Pteropus poliocephalus, Temm. It has a fetid odour anddoes great damage to fruits, and is especially abundant in NewSouth Wales, though often met with in Victoria. Described, notnamed, in first extract. 

1793. Governor Hunter, `Voyage, ' p. 507:

"The head of this bat strongly resembles that of a fox, andthe wings of many of them extend three feet ten inches. . . . [Description of one domesticated. ] . . . They are very fat, and are reckoned by the natives excellent food. . . . It wassupposed more than twenty thousand of them were seen within thespace of one mile. "

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 315:

"One flying fox is an immense bat, of such a horrificappearance, that no wonder one of Cook's honest tars shouldtake it for the devil when encountering it in the woods. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 310:

". . . A flying fox, which one of them held in his hand. Itwas, in fact, a large kind of bat, with the nose resembling incolour and shape that of a fox, and in scent it was exactlysimilar to it. The wing was that of a common English bat, andas long as that of a crow, to which it was about equal in thelength and circumference of its body. "

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales, ' p. 97:

"Some of the aborigines feed on a large bat popularly called`the flying fox. ' . . We found the filthy creatures, hangingby the heels in thousands, from the higher branches of thetrees. "

1863. B. A. Heywood, `Vacation Tour at the Antipodes, ' p. 102:

"The shrill twitter of the flying fox, or vampire bat, in thebush around us. "

1871. Gerard Krefft, `Mammals of Australia':

"The food on which the `Foxes' principally live when gardenfruit is not in season, consists of honey-bearing blossoms andthe small native figs abounding in the coast-range scrubs. . . . These bats are found on the east coast only, but during verydry seasons they occur as far west as the neighbourhood ofMelbourne. "

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. Ii. P. 20:

"A little further on they came to a camp of flying foxes. The huge trees on both sides of the river are actually blackwith them. The great bats hang by their hooked wings to everyavailable branch and twig, squealing and quarrelling. The smell is dreadful. The camp extends for a length of threemiles. There must be millions upon millions of them. "

Flying-Mouse, n. See Opossum-mouseand Flying-Phalanger. 

Flying-Phalanger, n. Included in the classof Phalanger (q. V. ). The "flying" Phalangers "havedeveloped large parachute-like expansions of skin from thesides of the body, by means of which they are able to take longflying leaps from bough to bough, and thus from tree to tree. While the great majority of the members of the family arepurely vegetable feeders, . . . A few feed entirely or partlyon insects, while others have taken to a diet of flesh. "(R. Lydekker. )

They include the so-called Flying-Squirrel, Flying-Mouse, etc. There are three genera--

 Acrobates (q. V. ), called the Flying-Mouse, and Opossum-Mouse (q. V. ). 

 Petauroides commonly called the Taguan, or Taguan Flying-Squirrel. 

 Petaurus (q. V. ), commonly called the Flying Squirrel. 

The species are--

Lesser F. -Ph. -- Petaurus breviceps. 

Papuan Pigmy F. -Ph. -- Acrobates pulchellus (confined to Northern Dutch New Guinea). 

Pigmy F. -Ph. -- A. Pygmaeuss. 

Squirrel F. -Ph. -- Petaurus sciureus. 

Taguan F. -Ph. -- Petauroides volans. 

Yellow-bellied F. -Ph. -- P. Australis. 

Flying-Squirrel, n. Popular name for aFlying-Phalanger, Petaurus sciureus, Shaw, a marsupialwith a parachute-like fold of skin along the sides by which heskims and floats through the air. The name is applied toentirely different animals in Europe and America. 

1789. Governor Phillip, `Voyage to Botany Bay, ' c. Xv. P. 151:

"Norfolk Island flying squirrel. " [With picture. ]

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. :

"The flying squirrels are of a beautiful slate colour, witha fur so fine that, although a small animal, the hatters heregive a quarter dollar for every skin. "

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales, ' p. 37:

"The squeal and chirp of the flying squirrel. "

1850. R. C. Gunn, `Proceedings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land, ' vol. I. P. 253:

"In the year 1845 I drew the attention of the Tasmanian Societyto the interesting fact that the Petaurus sciureus, orFlying Squirrel, of Port Phillip, was becoming naturalized inVan Diemen's Land. . . . No species of Petaurus isindigenous to Tasmania. . . . It does not appear from all thatI can learn, that any living specimens of the Petaurusschireus were imported into Van Diemen's Land prior to1834; but immediately after the settlement of Port Phillip, in that year, considerable numbers of the flying squirrel were, from their beauty, brought over as pets by the early visitors. "

1851. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849, ' p. 78:

"The flying squirrel, another of the opossum species of themarsupial order, is a beautiful little creature, and disposedover the whole of the interior of New South Wales: its fur isof a finer texture than that of the opossum. "

1855. W. Blandowski, `Transactions of Philosophical Society ofVictoria, ' vol. I. P. 70:

"The common flying squirrel (Petaurus sciureus) is veryplentiful in the large gum trees near the banks of a creek orriver, and appears to entertain a peculiar aversion to the highlands. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 90:

"Flying squirrel. "

[Footnote]:

"The marsupial flying phalanger is so called by theAustralians. "

Fly-Orchis, n. Name applied in Tasmania to theorchid, Prasophyllum patens, R. Br. 

Forest, n. See quotation. 

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions into the Interior ofEastern Australia, ' vol i. P. 71 [Footnote]:

"A `forest' means in New South Wales an open wood with grass. The common `bush' or `scrubb' consists of trees and saplings, where little grass is to be found. "

[It is questionable whether this fine distinction still exists. ]

Forester, n. The largest Kangaroo, Macropusgiganteus, Zimm. 

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land, ' vol. Ii. P. 27:

"There are three or four varieties of kangaroos; those mostcommon are denominated the forester and brush kangaroo. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 423:

"I called this river the `Red Kangaroo River, ' for inapproaching it we first saw the red forester of PortEssington. "

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 67:

"And the forester snuffing the air Will bound from his covert so dark. "

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 15:

"We have never had one of the largest kind--the ForesterKangaroo (Macropus gigantes)--tame, for they have beenso hunted and destroyed that there are very few left inTasmania, and those are in private preserves, or very remoteout-of-the-way places, and rarely seen. . . . The aboriginescalled the old father of a flock a Boomer. These were oftenvery large: about five feet high in their usual position, butwhen standing quite up, they were fully six feet . . . Andweighing 150 or 200 pounds. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xix. P. 181:

"The dogs . . . Made for them as if they had been a brace ofstray foresters from the adjacent ranges. "

Forest-Oak, n. See Oak. 

Forget-me-not, n. The species of this familiar flower isMyosotis australis, R. Br. , N. O. Asperifoliae. 

Fortescue, or 40-skewer, n. A fish ofNew South Wales, Pentaroge marmorata, Cuv. And Val. , family Scorpaenidae; called also the Scorpion, and the Cobbler. All its names allude to the thornyspines of its fins. The name Fortescue is an adaptationof Forty-skewer by the law of Hobson-Jobson. 

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 49:

"Of this fish Mr. Hill says: The scorpion or Fortescue, asthese fish are popularly termed by fishermen, have been knownfor a long time, and bear that name no doubt in memory of thepain they have hitherto inflicted; and for its number and arrayof prickles it enjoys in this country the alias`Forty-skewer' or `Fortescure. ' "

1896. F. G. Aflalo, `Natural History of Australia, ' p. 228:

"Fortescue is a terrible pest, lurking among thedebris in the nets and all but invisible, its spinesstanding erect in readiness for the unwary finger. And sointense is the pain inflicted by a stab, that I have seen astrong man roll on the ground crying out like a madman. "

Forty-legs, n. Name given to a millipede, Cermatia smithii. 

Forty-spot, n. Name for a bird, a Pardalote (q. V. ). Pardalote itself meansspotted "like the pard. " See also Diamond-bird. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Ii. Pl. 37:

"Pardalotus quadragintus, Gould, Forty-spottedpardalote. Forty-spot, Colonists of Van Diemen's Land. "

1896. `The Australasian, ' Aug. 28, p. 407, col. 5:

"`Lyre bird' is obvious; so, too, is `forty-spot'; only onewonders why the number 40 was pitched upon. Was it a guess?Or did the namer first shoot the bird and count?"

Fossick, v. Intrans. To dig, but with specialmeanings. Derived, like fosse, a ditch, andfossil, through French from Lat. Fossus, perfectpart. Of fodere, to dig. Fossicking aspres. Part. , or as verbal noun, is commoner than the otherparts of the verb. 

(1) To pick out gold. 

1852. W. H. Hall, `Practical Experiences at the Diggings inVictoria, ' p. 16:

"Or fossicking (picking out the nuggets from the intersticesof the slate formation) with knives and trowels. "

(2) To dig for gold on abandoned claims or in waste-heaps. 

1865. F. H. Nixon, `Peter Perfume, ' p. 59:

"They'll find it not quite so `welly good' As their fossicking freak at the Buckland. "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' c. Xix. P. 286:

"Here we found about a dozen Chinamen `fossicking' after goldamidst the dirt of the river, which had already been washed bythe first gold-seekers. "

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields, ' p. 22:

"He commenced working along with several companions at surfacedigging and fossicking. "

1894. `The Argus, ' March 14, p. 4, col. 6:

"The easiest and simplest of all methods is `fossicking. ' Anold diggings is the place for this work, because there you willlearn the kind of country, formation, and spots to look forgold when you want to break new ground. `Fossicking' meansgoing over old workings, turning up boulders, and taking theclay from beneath them, exploring fissures in the rock, andscraping out the stuff with your table knife, using your pickto help matters. Pulling up of trees, and clearing all soilfrom the roots, scraping the bottoms of deserted holes, andgenerally keeping your eye about for little bits of groundleft between workings by earlier miners who were in too greata hurry looking after the big fish to attend much to small fry. "

(3) To search for gold generally, even by stealing. 

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 60:

"A number of idle and disorderly fellows had introduced apractice which was termed `fossicking. ' . . . In the deadhours of midnight they issued forth, provided with wax tapers, and, entering upon the ground, stole the auriferous earth. "

(4) To search about for anything, to rummage. 

1870. S. Lemaitre, `Songs of Goldfields, ' p. 14:

"He ran from the flat with an awful shout Without waiting to fossick the coffin lid out. "

1890. `The Argus, ' Aug. 2, p. 4, col. 3:

"Half the time was spent in fossicking for sticks. "

1891. `The Argus, ' Dec. 19, p. 4, col. 2:

"I was . . . A boy fossicking for birds' nests in the gullies. "

1893. `The Australasian, ' Jan. 14:

"The dog was fossicking about. "

Fossicker, n. One who fossicks, sc. Worksamong the tailings of old gold-mines for what may be left. 

1853. C. Rudston Read, `What I heard, saw, and did at theAustralian Gold Fields, ' p. 150:

"The man was what they called a night fossicker, whoslept, or did nothing during the day, and then went round atnight to where he knew the claims to be rich, and stole thestuff by candle-light. "

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches, ' p. 87:

"I can at once recognize the experienced `fossickers, ' whoknow well how to go to work with every chance in their favour. "

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush, ' pt. Ii. P. 32:

"Steady old fossickers often get more Than the first who open'd the ground. "

1869. R. Brough Smyth, `Goldfields of Victoria, ' p. 612:

"A fossicker is to the miner as is the gleaner to the reaper;he picks the crevices and pockets of the rocks. "

1891. `The Australasian, ' Nov. 21, p. 1015:

"We had heard that, on this same field, years after its totalabandonment, a two hundred ounce nugget had been found by asolitary fossicker in a pillar left in an old claim. "

1891. `The Argus, ' Dec. 19, p. 4, col. 2:

"The fossickers sluiced and cradled with wonderful cradles oftheir own building. "

Four-o'clock, n. Another name for theFriar-bird (q. V. ). 

Free-select, v. To take up land under the LandLaws. See Free-selector. This composite verb, derivedfrom the noun, is very unusual. The word generally used isto select. 

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Xix. P. 134:

"Everything which he could have needed had he proceeded tofree-select an uninhabited island. "

Free-selection, n. (1) The process of selectingor choosing land under the Land Laws, or the right to choose. Abbreviated often into Selection. SeeFree-selector. 

1865. `Ararat Advertiser' [exact date lost]:

"He was told that the areas open for selection were not on theGeelong side, and one of the obliging officials placed a planbefore him, showing the lands on which he was free to choose afuture home. The selector looked vacantly at the map, but atlength became attracted by a bright green allotment, which atonce won his capricious fancy, indicating as it did suchluxurious herbage; but, much to his disgust, he found that `thegreen lot' had already been selected. At length he fixed on ayellow section, and declared his intention of resting satisfiedwith the choice. The description and area of land chosen werecalled out, and he was requested t0 move further over and payhis money. `Pay?' queried the fuddled but startled bonafide, `I got no money (hic), old `un, thought it was freeselection, you know. '"

1870. T. H. Braim, `New Homes, ' ii. 87:

"A man can now go and make his free selection before survey ofany quantity of land not less than 40 nor more than 320 acres, at twenty shillings an acre. "

1878. `The Australian, ' vol. I. P. 743:

"You may go to nine stations out of ten now without hearingany talk but `bullock and free-selection. '"

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields, ' p. 82:

"His intention . . . Was to take up a small piece of landunder the system of `free-selection. '"

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories, ' c. Xx. P. 162:

"This was years before the free-selection discovery. "

(2) Used for the land itself, but generally in the abbreviatedform, Selection. 

1887. R. M. Praed, `Longleat of Kooralbyn, ' vol. Vi, p. 56:

"I've only seen three females on my selection since I took itup four years last November. "

Free-selector, n. (abbreviated often toSelector), one who takes up a block of Crown land underthe Land Laws and by annual payments acquires the freehold. [320 acres to Victoria, 640 in New South Wales. ]

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush, ' pt. I. P. 21:

"Free selectors we shall be When our journey's end we see. "

1866. `Sydney Morning Herald, ' Aug. 9:

"The very law which the free selector puts in force against thesquatter, the squatter puts in force against him; he selectedupon the squatter's run, and the squatter selects upon hisgrazing right. "

1873. Ibid. P. 33:

"Men who select small portions of the Crown lands by means ofland orders or by gradual purchase, and who become freeholdersand then permanently wedded to the colony. "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' vol. I. P. 33:

"The condition of the free-selector--that of ownership of apiece of land to be tilled by the owner--is the one which thebest class of immigrants desire. "

1875. `Melbourne Spectator, ' June 12, p. 70, col. 2:

"A public meeting of non-resident selectors has been held atRushworth. "

1884. Marcus Clarke, `Memorial Volume, ' p. 85:

"A burly free selector pitched his tent in my Home-Stationpaddock and turned my dam into a wash. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xii. P. 116:

"No, no; I've kept free-selectors out all these years, and as long as I live here I'll do so still. "

Freezer, n. A sheep bred and raised in orderthat its mutton may be frozen and exported. 

1893. J. Hotson, Lecture in `Age, ' Nov. 30, p. 7, col. 2:

"In the breeding of what are in New Zealand known as `freezers'there lies a ready means of largely increasing the returns fromour land. "

Fresh-water Herring, n. In Sydney, the fish isClupea richmondia, Macl. Elsewhere in Australia, and inTasmania, it is another name for the Grayling (q. V. ). 

Fresh-water Perch, n. Name given in Tasmania tothe fish Microperca tasmaniae. 

Friar-bird, n. An Australian bird, of the genuscalled Philemon, but originally namedTropidorhynchus (q. V. ). It is a honey-eater, and isalso called Poor Soldier and other names; see quotation, 1848. The species are--

Friar-Bird-- Philemon corniculatus, Lath. [Called also Leather-head, q. V. ]

Helmeted F. -- P. Buceroides, Swains. 

Little F. -- P. Sordidus, Gould. 

Silvery-crowned F. -- P. Argenticeps, Gould. 

Yellow-throated F. - P. Citreogularis, Gould. 

Western F. -- P. Occidentalis, Ramsay. 

1798. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New SouthWales, ' p. 615 (Vocab. ):

"Wirgan, --bird named by us the friar. "

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, ' vol. Xv. P. 324:

"Friar, --a very common bird about Paramatta, called bythe natives `coldong:' It repeats the words `poorsoldier' and `four o'clock' very distinctly. "

1845. `Voyage to Port Phillip, ' p. 53:

"The cheerful sedge-wren and the bald-head friar, The merry forest-pie with joyous song. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 58:

"Tropidorhynchus Corniculatus, Vig. And Hors. 

"From the fancied resemblance of its notes to those words, it has obtained from the Colonists the various names of `PoorSoldier, ' `Pimlico, ' `Four o'clock, ' etc. Its bare head andneck have also suggested the names of `Friar Bird, ' `Monk, '`Leather Head, ' etc. "

1855. W. Blandowski, `Transactions of the Philosophical Societyof Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 64:

"The Tropidorhynchus corniculatus is well known to thecolonists by the names `poor soldier, ' `leather-headedjackass, ' `friar-bird, ' etc. This curious bird, in common withseveral other varieties of honey-eaters, is remarkable onaccount of its extreme liveliness and the singular resemblanceof its notes to the human voice. "

Frilled-Lizard, n. See quotation. 

1875, G. Bennett, `Proceedings of Royal Society of Tasmania, 'p. 56:

"Notes on the Chlamydosaurus or frilled-lizard ofQueensland (C. Kingii. ) "

Frogsmouth, n. An Australian bird; genusPodargus, commonly called Mopoke (q. V. ). Themouth and expression of the face resemble the appearance of afrog. The species are--

Freckled Frogsmouth-- Podargus phaloenoides, Gould. 

Marbled F. -- P. Marmoratus, Gould. 

Plumed F. -- P. Papuensis, Quoy and Gaim. 

Tawney F. -- P. Strigoides, Lath. 

1895. W. O. Legge, `Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science' (Brisbane), p. 447:

"The term `Frogsmouth' is used in order to get rid of that veryobjectionable name Podargus, and as being allied to theother genera Batrachostomus and Otothrix of thefamily Steatorninae in India. It is a name well suitedto the singular structure of the mouth, and presumably betterthan the mythical title of `Goatsucker. ' `Night-hawk, 'sometimes applied to the Caprimulginae, does not accordwith the mode of flight of the genus Podargus. "

Frontage, n. Land along a river or creek, ofgreat importance to a station. A use common in Australia, notpeculiar to it. 

1844. `Port Phillip Patriot, ' July i8, p. 3, col. 7:

". . . Has four miles frontage to the Yarra Yarra. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream, ' c. Iii. P. 29:

"Jack was piloted by Mr. Hawkesbury through the `frontage'and a considerable portion of the `back' regions of Gondaree. "

Frost-fish, n. Name given in Australia and NewZealand to the European Scabbard-fish, Lepidopuscaudatus, White. The name is said to be derived from thecircumstance that the fish is found alive on New Zealandsea-beaches on frosty nights. It is called theScabbard-fish in Europe, because it is like the shiningwhite metal sheath of a long sword. Lepidopus belongsto the family Trichiuridae, it reaches a length of fiveor six feet, but is so thin that it hardly weighs as manypounds. It is considered a delicacy in New Zealand. 

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. Ii. P. 51:

"The frost-fish . . . The most delicately flavoured of all NewZealand fishes, is an inhabitant of deep water, and on frostynights, owing probably to its air-bladders becoming choked, itis cast up by the surf on the ocean-beach. "

Fruit-Pigeon, n. The name is given to numerouspigeons of the genera Ptilinopus and Carpophaga. In Australia it is assigned to the following birds:--

Allied Fruit-Pigeon-- Ptilinopus assimilis, Gould. 

Purple-breasted F. -P. -- P. Magnifica, Temm. 

Purple-crowned F. -P. -- P. Superbus, Temm. 

Red-crowned F. -P. -- P. Swainsonii, Gould. 

Rose-crowned F. -P. -- P. Ewingii Gould. 

White-headed F. -P. -- Columba leucomela, Temm. 

And in New Zealand to Carpophaga novae-zealandiae, Gmel. (Maori name, Kereru Kuku, or Kukupa. )

Fryingpan-Brand, n. A large brand used bycattle-stealers to cover the owner's brand. See Dufferand Cattle-Duffer. 

1857. Frederic De Brebant Cooper, `Wild Adventures inAustralia, ' p. 104:

". . . This person was an `old hand, ' and got into sometrouble on the other side (i. E. The Bathurst side) by using a`frying-pan brand. ' He was stock-keeping in that quarter, andwas rather given to `gulley-raking. ' One fine day it appearshe ran in three bullocks belonging to a neighbouring squatter, and clapt his brand on the top of the other so as to effaceit. "

Fuchsia, Native, n. The name is applied toseveral native plants. 

(1) In Australia and Tasmania, to various species of Correa (q. V. ), especially to Correa speciosa, And. , N. O. Rutaceae. 

(2) In Queensland, to Eremophila maculata, F. V. M. , N. O. Myoporineae. 

(3) In New Zealand, to Fuchsia excorticata, Linn. , N. O. Onagrariae. (Maori name, Kotukutuktu, q. V. ). See also Tooky-took and Konini. 

1860. Geo. Bennett, `Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australasia, 'pp. 371-2:

"The Correa virens, with its pretty pendulous blossoms (fromwhich it has been named the `Native Fuchsia'), and the ScarletGrevillea (G. Coccinea) are gay amidst the bush flowers. "

1880. Mrs. Meredith, `Tasmanian Friends and Foes, ' p. 23:

"I see some pretty red correa and lilac. "[Footnote]: "Correa speciosa--native fuchsia of Colonies. "

1883. F. M. Bailey, `Synopsis of Queensland Flora, ' p. 374:

"E. Maculata. A . . . Shrub called native fuchsia, andby some considered poisonous, by others a good fodder bush. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 126:

"E. Maculata. . . . Called `Native Fuchsia' in partsof Queensland. "

1892. `Otago Witness, ' Nov. 24, `Native Trees':

"A species of native fuchsia that is coming greatly into favouris called [Fuchsia] Procumbens. It is a lovely pot plant, withlarge pink fruit and upright flowers. "

Full up of, adj. (slang), sick and tired of. "Full on, " and "full of, " are other forms. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xxiii. P. 213:

"She was `full up' of the Oxley, which was a rowdy, disagreeable goldfield as ever she was on. "

Furze, Native, n. A shrub, Hakea ulcina, R. Br. See Hakea. 

Futtah, n. A settlers' corruption of the Maoriword Whata (q. V. ). 

1895. W. S. Roberts, `Southland in 1856, 'p. 28:

"These stores were called by the Europeans futters, --butthe Maori name was Whata. "

1896. `Southland Daily News, ' Feb. 3:

"`Futtah is familiar as `household words. ' There were alwaysrats in New Zealand--that is, since any traditions of itsfauna existed. The original ones were good to eat. They were black and smooth in the hair as the mole of the OldCountry, and were esteemed delicacies. They were alwaysmischievous, but the Norway rat that came with the white manwas worse. He began by killing and eating his aboriginalcongener, and then made it more difficult than ever to keepanything eatable out of reach of his teeth. Human ingenuity, however, is superior to that of most of the lower animals, andso the `futtah' came to be--a storehouse on four posts, each ofthem so bevelled as to render it impossible for the cleverestrat to climb them. The same expedient is to-day in use onStewart Island and the West Coast --in fact, wherever properlyconstructed buildings are not available for the storage ofthings eatable or destructible by the rodents in question. "

G

Galah, n. A bird. (The accent is now placedon the second syllable. ) Aboriginal name for the Cacatuaroseicapilla, Vieill. , the Rose-breastedCockatoo. See Cockatoo. With the first syllablecompare last syllable of Budgerigar (q. V. )

1890. `The Argus, ' Sept. 20, p. 13, col. 5:

"They can afford to screech and be merry, as also the grey, pink-crested galahs, which tint with the colours of the eveningsky a spot of grass in the distance. "

1890. Lyth, `Golden South, ' c. Xiv. P. 127:

"The galahs, with their delicate grey and rose-pink plumage, are the prettiest parrots. "

1891. Francis Adams, `John Webb's End, ' p. 191:

"A shrieking flock of galahs, on their final flight before theysettled to roost, passed over and around him, and lifting uphis head, he saw how all their grey feathers were flushed withthe sunset light, their coloured breasts deepening into darkestruby, they seemed like loosed spirits. "

Gallows, n. Explained in quotation. Commonat all stations, where of course the butchering is done onthe premises. 

1866. Lady Barker, `Station Life in New Zealand, ' p. 64:

"The gallows, a high wooden frame from which the carcases ofthe butchered sheep dangle. "

Gang-gang, or Gan-gan, n. Theaboriginal word for the bird Callocephalon galeatum, Lath. , so called from its note; a kind of cockatoo, grey with ared head, called also Gang-gang Cockatoo. SeeCockatoo. 

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' vol. I. Intro. P. Xxxviii:

"Upon the branches the satin-bird, the gangan, and variouskinds of pigeons were feeding. "

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. V. Pl. 14:

"Callocephalon Galeatum, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Colonistsof New South Wales. "

Gannet, n. The English name for the SolanGoose and its tribe. The Australian species are--

The Gannet-- Sula serrator, Banks. 

Brown G. (called also Booby)-- S. Leucogastra, Bodd. 

Masked G. -- S. Cyanops, Sunder. 

Red-legged G. -- S. Piscator, Linn. 

The species in New Zealand is Dysporus serrator, Grey; Maori name, Takapu. 

Garfish, n. In England the name is applied toany fish of the family Belonidae. The name wasoriginally used for the common European Belone vulgaris. In Melbourne the Garfish is a true one, Belone ferox, Gunth. , called in Sydney "Long Tom. " In Sydney, Tasmania, andNew Zealand it is Hemirhamphus intermedius, Cantor. ; andin New South Wales, generally, it is the river-fishH. Regularis, Gunth. , family Sombresocidae. Somesay that the name was originally "Guard-fish, " and it is stillsometimes so spelt. But the word is derived from xGar, in Anglo-Saxon, which meant spear, dart, javelin, and theallusion is to the long spear-like projection of the fish'sjaws. Called by the Sydney fishermen Ballahoo, and inAuckland the Piper (q. V. ). 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 288:

"Charley brought me . . . The head bones of a largeguard-fish. "

1849. Anon. , `New South Wales: its Past, Present, and FutureCondition, ' p. 99:

"The best kinds of fish are guard, mullet, and schnapper. "

1850. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip, ' c. Iii. P. 44:

"In the bay are large quantities of guard-fish. "

1875. `Spectator' (Melbourne), June I9, p. 81, col. 1:

"Common fish, such as trout, ruffies, mullet, garfish. "

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 83:

"Of the garfishes we have four species known to be found on ourcoasts. One, Hemirhamphus regularis, is the favouritebreakfast fish of the citizens of Sydney. H. Melanochir, or `river garfish, ' is a still better fish, but has become veryscarce. H. Argentcus, the common Brisbane species. . . And H. Commersoni. "

Gastrolobium, n. Scientific name of a genus ofAustralian shrubs, N. O. Leguminosae, commonly known asPoison Bushes (q. V. ). The species are--

 Gastrolobium bilobum, R. Br. G. Callistachys, Meissn. G. Calycium, Benth. G. Obovatum, Benth. G. Oxylobioides, Benth. G. Spinosum, Benth. G. Trilobum, Benth. 

All of which are confined to Western Australia. The speciesGastrolobium grandiflorum, F. V. M. (also calledWall-flower), is the only species found out of WesternAustralia, and extends across Central Australia to Queensland. All the species have pretty yellow and purple flowers. Thename is from the Greek gastaer, gastros, the belly, and lobion, dim. Of lobos, "the capsule or podof leguminous plants. " (`L. & S. ')

Geebung, or Geebong, n. Aboriginalname for the fruit of various species of the treePersoonia, and also for the tree itself, N. O. Proteaceae. 

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales, ' vol. I. P. 221:

"The jibbong is another tasteless fruit, as well as the fivecorners, much relished by children. "

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, p. 478:

"We gathered and ate a great quantity of gibong (the ripe fruitof Persoonia falcata). "

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes, ' c. Vi, . P. 176, 3rdedition 1855:

"The geebung, a native plum, very woolly and tasteless. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 113:

"We gathered the wild raspberries, and mingling them withgeebongs and scrub berries, set forth a dessert. "

1885. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms, ' p. 255:

"You won't turn a five-corner into a quince, or a geebung intoan orange. "

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 584:

"A `geebung' (the name given to the fruits of Persoonias, and hence to the trees themselves). "

Gerygone, n. Scientific and vernacular name ofa genus of small warblers of Australia and New Zealand; the newname for them is Fly-eater (q. V. ). In New Zealand theyare called Bush-warblers, Grey-warblers, etc. , and they also go there by their Maori name of Riro-riro. For the species, see Fly-eater and Warbler. Thename is from the Greek gerugonae, "born of sound, " a wordused by Theocritus. 

1895. W. O. Legge, `Australasian Association for theAdvancement of Science' (Brisbane), p. 447:

"[The habits and habitats of the genus] Gerygonesuggested the term Fly-eater, as distinguished fromFly-catcher, for this aberrant and peculiarlyAustralasian form of small Fly-catchers, which not only capturetheir food somewhat after the manner of Fly-catchers, but alsoseek for it arboreally. "

Ghilgai, n. An aboriginal word used by whitemen in the neighbourhood of Bourke, New South Wales, to denotea saucer-shaped depression in the ground which forms a naturalreservoir for rainwater. Ghilgais vary from 20 to 100yards in diameter, and are from five to ten feet deep. Theydiffer from Claypans (q. V. ), in being more regular inoutline and deeper towards the centre, whereas Claypansare generally flat-bottomed. Their formation is probably dueto subsidence. 

Giant-Lily, n. See under Lily. 

Giant-Nettle, i. Q. Nettle-tree (q. V. ). 

Gibber, n. An aboriginal word for a stone. Used both of loose stones and of rocks. The G is hard. 

1834. L. E. Threlkeld, `Australian Grammar, ' p. X. [In a listof `barbarisms']:

"Gibber, a stone. "

[Pace Mr. Threlkeld, the word is aboriginal, though notof the dialect of the Hunter District, of which he is speaking. ]

1852. `Settlers and Convicts; or Recollections of Sixteen Years'Labour in the Australian Backwoods, ' p. 159:

"Of a rainy night like this he did not object to stow himselfby the fireside of any house he might be near, or under the`gibbers' (overhanging rocks) of the river. . . . "

1890. A . J. Vogan, `Black Police, ' p. 338:

"He struck right on top of them gibbers (stones). "

1894. Baldwin Spencer, in `The Argus, ' Sept. 1, p. 4, col. 2:

"At first and for more than a hundred miles [from Oodnadattanorthwards], our track led across what is called the gibbercountry, where the plains are covered with a thin layer ofstones--the gibbers--of various sizes, derived from the breakingdown of a hard rock which forms the top of endless low, table-topped hills belonging to the desert sandstoneformation. "

Gibber-gunyah, n. An aboriginal cave-dwelling. See Gibber and Gunyah, also Rock-shelter. 

1852. `Settlers and Convicts; or, Recollections of SixteenYears' Labour in the Australian Backwoods, ' p. 211:

"I coincided in his opinion that it would be best for us tocamp for the night in one of the ghibber-gunyahs. These arethe hollows under overhanging rocks. "

1863. Rev. R. W. Vanderkiste, `Lost, but not for Ever, ' p. 210:

"Our home is the gibber-gunyah, Where hill joins hill on high, Where the turrama and berrambo Like sleeping serpents lie. "

1891. R. Etheridge, jun. , `Records of the Australian Museum, 'vol. I. No. Viii. P. 171:

"Notes on Rock Shelters or Gibba-gunyahs at Deewhy Lagoon. "

Giddea, Gidya, or Gidgee, adj. Aboriginal word of New South Wales and Queensland for--

(1) a species of Acacia, A. Homalophylla, Cunn. Theoriginal meaning is probably small, cf. Gidju, Warrego, Queensland, and kutyo, Adelaide, both meaningsmall. 

(2) A long spear made, from this wood. 

1878. `Catalogue of Objects of Ethno-typical Art in NationalGallery, Melbourne, ' p. 46:

"Gid-jee. Hardwood spear, with fragments of quartz setin gum on two sides and grass-tree stem. Total length, 7 feet 8inches. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 51:

"Gidya scrubs. "

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 357:

"A. Homalophylla. A `Spearwood. ' Called `Myall'in Victoria. . . . Aboriginal names are . . . Gidya, Gidia, or Gidgee (with other spellings in New South Wales andQueensland). This is the commonest colonial name . . . Muchsought after for turner's work on account of its solidity andfragrance. . . . The smell of the tree when in flower isabominable, and just before rain almost unbearable. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xvii. P. 211:

"I sat . . . Watching the shadows of the gydya trees lengthen, ah! so slowly. "

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 37:

"Kind of scrub, called by the colonists gydya-scrub, whichmanifests itself even at a distance by a very characteristic, but not agreeable odour, being especially pungent after rain. "

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Home Expedition in Central Australia, 'Narrative, p. 22:

"We camped beside a water-pool on the Adminga Creek, which isbordered for the main part by a belt of the stinking acacia, orgiddea (A. Homalophylla). When the branches are freshlycut it well deserves the former name, as they have a mostobjectionable smell. "

Gill-bird, n. An occasional name for theWattle-bird (q. V. ). 

1896. `Menu' for October 15:

 "Gill-bird on Toast. "

Gin, n. A native word for an aboriginal woman, and used, though rarely, even for a female kangaroo. Seequotation 1833. The form gun (see quotation 1865) looksas if it had been altered to meet gunae, and of coursegenerate is not derived from gunae, though it may be adistant relative. In `Collins's Vocabulary' occurs "din, awoman. " If such a phonetic spelling as djin had beenadopted, as it well might have been, to express the nativesound, where would the gunae theory have been?

1798. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New SouthWales, ' Vocabulary, p. 612:

"Din--a woman. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 152:

"A proposition was made by one of my natives to go and steal agin (wife). "

Ibid. P. 153:

"She agrees to become his gin. "

1833. Lieut. Breton, R. N. , `Excursions in New South Wales, 'p. 254:

"The flying gin (gin is the native word for woman or female) isa boomall, and will leave behind every description of dog. "

1834. L. E. Threlkeld, `Australian Grammar, ' p. X:

"As a barbarism [sc. Not used on the Hunter], jin--a wife. "

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales, ' p. 8:

"A gin (the aboriginal for a married woman). "

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia, ' p. 367:

"Gin, the term applied to the native female blacks; not fromany attachment to the spirit of that name, but from some (tome) unknown derivation. "

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. I. C. Iv. P. 74:

"Though very anxious to . . . Carry off one of their `gins, 'or wives . . . He yet evidently holds these north men in greatdread. "

1847. J. D. Lang, `Cooksland, 'p. 126, n. :

"When their fire-stick has been extinguished, as is sometimesthe case, for their jins or vestal virgins, who have charge ofthe fire, are not always sufficiently vigilant. "

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1855), p. 98:

"Gins--native women--from gune, mulier, evidently!"

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush, ' pt. 2, p. 46:

"The females would be comely looking gins, Were not their limbs so much like rolling-pins. "

1865. S. Bennett, `Australian Discovery, ' p. 250:

"Gin or gun, a woman. Greek gunae and derivative wordsin English, such as generate, generation, and the like. "

1872. C. H. Eden, `MY Wife and I in Queensland, ' p. 118:

"The gins are captives of their bow and spear, and are broughthome before the captor on his saddle. This seems the orthodoxway of wooing the coy forest maidens. . . . All blacks arecruel to their gins. "

1880. J. Brunton Stephens, `Poems' [Title]:

"To a black gin. "

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life, ' p. 23:

"Certain stout young gins or lubras, set apart for the purpose, were sacrificed. "

Ginger, Native, n. An Australian tree, Alpinia caerulea, Benth. , N. O. Scitamineae. The globular fruit is eaten by the natives. 

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals, ' p. 296:

"Fresh green leaves, especially of the so-called native ginger(Alpinia caerulea). "

Give Best, v. Australian slang, meaning toacknowledge superiority, or to give up trying at anything. 

1883. Keighley, `Who are You?' p. 87:

"But then--the fact had better be confessed, I went to workand gave the schooling best. "

1887. J. Farrell, `How he Died, ' p. 80:

"Charley gave life best and died of grief. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xviii. P. 174:

"It's not like an Englishman to jack up and give these fellowsbest. "

Globe-fish, n. Name given to the fishTetrodon hamiltoni, Richards. , familyGymnodontes. The Spiny Globe-fish isDiodon. These are also called Toad-fish (q. V. ), and Porcupine-fish (q. V. ). The name is applied to otherfish elsewhere. 

Glory Flower, or Glory Pea, i. Q. Clianthus (q. V. ). 

Glory Pea, i. Q. Clianthus (q. V. ). 

Glucking-bird, n. A bird so named byLeichhardt, but not identified. Probably the Boobook(q. V. ), and see its quotation 1827; see also underMopoke quotation, Owl, 1846. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 23:

"The musical note of an unknown bird, sounding like `gluckgluck' frequently repeated, and ending in a shake . . . Areheard from the neighbourhood of the scrub. "

Ibid. P. 29:

"The glucking bird--by which name, in consequence of its note, the bird may be distinguished--was heard through the night. "

Ibid. P. 47:

"The glucking-bird and the barking owl were heard throughoutthe moonlight nights. "

Ibid. Pp. 398, 399:

"During the night, we heard the well-known note of what wecalled the `Glucking bird, ' when we first met with it in theCypress-pine country at the early part of our expedition. Itsre-appearance with the Cypress-pine corroborated my supposition, that the bird lived on the seeds of that tree. "

Glue-pot, n. Part of a road so bad that thecoach or buggy sticks in it. 

1892. `Daily News, ' London (exact date lost):

"The Bishop of Manchester [Dr. Moorhouse, formerly Bishop ofMelbourne], whose authority on missionary subjects will not bedisputed, assures us that no one can possibly understand thedifficulties and the troubles attendant upon the work of aColonial bishop or clergyman until he has driven across almostpathless wastes or through almost inaccessible forests, hasstruggled through what they used to call `glue-pots, ' until hehas been shaken to pieces by `corduroy roads, ' and has been inthe midst of forests with the branches of trees falling aroundon all sides, knowing full well that if one fell upon him hewould be killed. "

Goai, n. Common name in southern island of NewZealand for Kowhai (q. V. ), of which it is a corruption. It is especially used of the timber of this tree, which isvaluable for fencing. The change from K to Galso took place in the name Otago, formerly spelt Otakou. 

1860. John Blair, `New Zealand for Me, ':

"The land of the goai tree, mapu, and pine, The stately totara, and blooming wild vine. "

1863. S. Butler, `First Year in Canterbury Settlement, ' p. 104:

"I remember nothing but a rather curiously shaped gowai-tree. "

Goanna, Guana, and Guano, n. Popular corruptions for Iguana, the large Lace-lizard(q. V. ), Varanus varius, Shaw. In New Zealand, the wordGuano is applied to the lizard-like reptile Sphenodonpunctatum. See Tuatara. In Tasmania, the name isgiven to Taliqua schincoides, White, and throughoutAustralia any lizard of a large size is popularly called aGuana, or in the bush, more commonly, a Goanna. See also Lace-lizard. 

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales, ' c. Viii. P. 285:

"Among other reptiles were found . . . Some brown guanoes. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present state of Australia, ' p. 118:

"At length an animal called a guana (a very large species oflizard) jumped out of the grass, and with amazing rapidity ran, as they always do when disturbed, up a high tree. "

1864. J. Ropers, `New Rush, ' p. 6:

"The shy guana climbs a tree in fear. "

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon, ' p. 99:

"A goanna startled him, and he set to and kicked the front ofthe buggy in. "

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide, ' p. 139:

"And the sinister `gohanna, ' and the lizard, and the snake. "

Go-ashore, n. An iron pot or cauldron, withthree iron feet, and two ears, from which it was suspended bya wire handle over the fire. It is a corruption of the Maoriword Kohua (q. V. ), by the law of Hobson-Jobson. 

1849. W. Tyrone Power, `Sketches in New Zealand with Pen andPencil, ' p. 160:

"Engaged in the superintendence of a Maori oven, or a hugegipsy-looking cauldron, called a `go-ashore. '"

1877. An Old Colonist, `Colonial Experiences, ' p. 124:

"A large go-ashore, or three-legged pot, of the size and shapeof the cauldron usually introduced in the witch scene inMacbeth. "

1879. C. L. Innes, `Canterbury Sketches, ' p. 23:

"There was another pot, called by the euphonious name of a`Go-ashore, ' which used to hang by a chain over the fire. This was used for boiling. "

Goborro, n. Aboriginal name for Eucalyptusmicrotheca, F. V. M. See Dwarf-box, under Box. 

Goburra, and Gogobera, n. Variantsof Kookaburra (q. V. ). 

Goditcha. See Kurdaitcha. 

Godwit, n. The English name for birds of thegenus Limosa. The Australian species are--

Black-tailed G. , -- Limosa melanuroides, Gould;

Barred-rumped G. , -- L. Uropygialis, Gould. 

Gogobera, and Goburra, n. Variants ofKookaburra (q. V. ). 

Gold-. The following words and phrases compoundedwith "gold" are Australian in use, though probably some areused elsewhere. 

Gold-bearing, verbal adj. Auriferous. 

1890. `Goldfields of Victoria, ' p. 13:

"A new line of gold-bearing quartz. "

Gold-digging, verbal n. Mining or digging forgold. 

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Gold. Fields, ' p. 36:

"There were over forty miners thus playing at gold-diggingin Hiscock's Gully. "

Gold-digger, n. 

1852. J. Bonwick [Title]:

"Notes of a Gold-digger. "

Gold-fever, n. The desire to obtain gold bydigging. The word is more especially applied to the periodbetween 1851 and 1857, the early Australian discovery of gold. The term had been previously applied in a similar way to theCalifornian excitement in 1848-49. Called also Yellowfever. 

1888. A. J. Barbour, `Clara, ' c. Ix. P. 13:

"The gold fever coursed through every vein. "

Gold-field, n. District where mining for goldis carried on. 

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, c. Xv. P. 215:

"All were anxious to get away for the gold fields. "

1880. G. Sutherland, [Title] `Tales of Goldfields, ' p. 19:

"Edward Hargreaves, the discoverer of the Australian goldfields. . . Received L15, 000 as his reward. "

Gold-founded, part. Adj. Founded as the resultof the discovery of gold. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Ix. P. 91:

"I rode up the narrow street, serpentine in construction, as inall gold-founded townships. "

Gold-hunter, n. Searcher after gold. 

1852. G. S. Rutter [Title]:

 "Hints to Gold-hunters. "

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. V. P. 48:

"I was not as one of the reckless gold-hunters with whichthe camp was thronged. "

Gold-mining, verbal n. 

1852. J. A. Phillips [Title]:

"Gold-mining; a Scientific Guide for Australian Emigrants. "

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields, ' p. 23:

"He had already had quite enough of gold-mining. "

Gold-seeking, adj. 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, ' c. Xv. P. 150:

"The great gold-seeking multitude had swelled . . . To thepopulation of a province. "

Golden Bell-Frog, n. Name applied to a largegold and green frog, Hyla aurea, Less. , which, unlikethe great majority of the family Hylidae to which itbelongs, is terrestrial and not arboreal in its habits, beingfound in and about water-holes in many parts of Australia. 

1881. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria, 'Dec. 6, pl. 53:

"So completely alike was the sound of the Bell-frogs in anadjoining pond at night to the noise of the men by day. "

Golden-chain, n. Another name for theLaburnum (q. V. ). 

Golden-eye, n. The bird Certhialunulatu, Shaw; now called Melithreptus lunulatus, Shaw, and classed as White-naped Honey-eater (q. V. ). 

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society, 'vol. Xv. P. 315:

"`This bird, ' Mr. Caley says, `is called Golden-eye by thesettlers. I shot it at Iron Cove, seven miles from Sydney, on the Paramatta road. '"

Golden-Perch, n. A fresh-water fish ofAustralia, Ctenolates ambiguus, Richards. , familyPercidae, and C. Christyi, Castln. ; also calledthe Yellow-belly. C. Ambiguus is common in therivers and lagoons of the Murray system. 

Golden-Rosemary, n. See Rosemary. 

Golden-Wattle, n. See Wattle. 

1896. `The Argus, ' July 20, p. 5, col. 8:

"Many persons who had been lured into gathering armfulsof early wattle had cause to regret their devotion to theAustralian national bloom, for the golden wattle blossomsproduced unpleasant associations in the minds of the wearersof the green, and there were blows and curses in plenty. In political botany the wattle and blackthorn cannot growside by side. "

1896. `The Melburnian, ' Aug. 28, p. 53:

"The last two weeks have been alive with signs and tokens, saying `Spring is coming, Spring is here. ' And though thismay not be the `merry month of May, ' yet it is the time ofglorious Golden Wattle, --wattle waving by the river's bank, nodding aloft its soft plumes of yellow and its gleaming goldenoriflamme, or bending low to kiss its own image in the brownwaters which it loves. "

Goodenia, n. The scientific and popular name ofa genus of Australian plants, closely resembling theGentians; there are many species. The name was given bySir James Smith, president of the Linnaean Society, in 1793. See quotation. 

1793. `Transactions of the Linn. Can Society, ' vol. Ii. P. 346:

"I [Smith] have given to this . . . Genus the name of Goodenia, in honour of . . . Rev. Dr. Goodenough, treasurer ofthis Society, of whose botanical merits . . . Example ofTournefort, who formed Gundelia from Gundelscheimer. "

[Dr. Goodenough became Bishop of Carlisle; he was thegrandfather of Commodore Goodenough. ]

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 188:

"A species of Goodenia is supposed to be used by thenative gins to cause their children to sleep on long journeys, but it is not clear which is used. "

Goodletite, n. Scientific name for a matrix inwhich rubies are found. So named by Professor Black ofDunedin, in honour of his assistant, William Goodlet, who wasthe first to discover the rubies in the matrix, on the westcoast. 

1894. `Grey River Argus, ' September:

"Several sapphires of good size and colour have been found, also rubies in the matrix--Goodletite. "

Goondie, n. A native hut. Gundai = ashelter in the Wiradhuri dialect. It is the same word asGunyah (q. V. ). 

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer, ' c. Xvii. P. 204:

"There were a dozen `goondies' to be visited, and the inmatesstarted to their work. "

Goose, n. English bird-name. The Australianspecies are--

Cape Barren Goose-- Cereopsis novae-hollandiae, Lath. [Gould (`Birds ofAustralia, ' vol. Vii. Pl. 1) calls it the Cereopsis Goose, orCape Barren Goose of the Colonists. ]

Maned G. (or Wood-duck, q. V. )-- Branta jubata, Lath. 

Pied G. -- Anseranus melanoleuca, Lath. Called also Magpie-Goose and Swan-Goose. 

1843. J. Backhouse, `Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies, ' p. 75:

"Five pelicans and some Cape Barren Geese were upon the beachof Preservation Island [Bass Strait]. "

Goose-teal, n. The English name for a verysmall goose of the genus Nettapus. The Australianspecies are--

Green, -- Nettapus pulchellus, Gould;

White-quilled, -- N. Albipennis, Gould. 

Gooseberry-tree, Little, n. Name given to theAustralian tree Buchanania mangoides, F. V. M. , N. O. Anacardiaceae. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, p. 479:

"My companions had, for several days past, gathered the unripefruits of Coniogeton arborescens, R. Br. , which, whenboiled, imparted an agreeable acidity to the water. . . . Whenripe, they became sweet and pulpy, like gooseberries. . . . This resemblance induced us to call the tree `the littlegooseberry-tree. ' "

Gordon Lily, n. See under Lily. 

Gouty-stem, n. The AustralianBaobab-tree (q. V. ), Adansonia gregori, F. V. M. According to Maiden (p. 60), Sterculia rupestris, Benth. , is also called Gouty-stem, on account of theextraordinary shape of the trunk. Other names of this tree arethe Sour-gourd, and the Cream-of-tartar tree. 

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia, ' vol. II. C. Iii. P. 115:

"The gouty-stem tree . . . Bears a very fragrant white flower, notunlike the jasmine. " [Illustration given at p. 116. ]

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery andExploration of Australia, ' vol. I. P. 2S9 [Note]:

"This tree is distinguished by the extraordinary swollenappearance of the stem, which looks as though the tree werediseased or the result of a freak of nature. The youngest aswell as the oldest trees have the same deformed appearance, andinside the bark is a soft juicy pulp instead of wood, which issaid to be serviceable as an article of food. The stem of thelargest tree at Careening Bay was twenty-nine feet in girth; itis named the Adansonia digitata. A species is found inAfrica. In Australia it occurs only on the north coast. "

Government, n. A not unusual contraction of"Government service, " used by contractors and working men. 

Government men, n. An obsolete euphemistic namefor convicts, especially for assigned servants (q. V. ). 

1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix, ' p. 122:

"Three government men or convicts. "

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania, ' vol. Ii. P. 127:

"Government men, as assigned servants were called. "

Government stroke, n. A lazy style of doingwork, explained in quotations. The phrase is not dead. 

1856. W. W. Dobie, `Recollections of a Visit to Port Phillip, 'p. 47:

"Government labourers, at ten shillings a-day, were breakingstones with what is called `the Government stroke, ' which is aslow-going, anti-sweating kind of motion. . . . "

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand, ' c. Ix. [nearend] p. 163:

"In colonial parlance the government stroke is that light andeasy mode of labour--perhaps that semblance of labour--which noother master will endure, though government is forced to put upwith it. "

1893. `Otago Witness, ' December 2r, p. 9, col. 1:

"The government stroke is good enough for this kind of job. "

1897. `The Argus, ' Feb. 22, p. 4, col. 9:

"Like the poor the unemployed are always with us, but they havea penchant for public works in Melbourne, with a good daily payand the `Government stroke' combined. "

Grab-all, n. A kind of net used for marinefishing near the shore. It is moored to a piece of floatingwood, and by the Tasmanian Government regulations must have amesh of 2 1/4 inches. 

1883. Edward O. Cotton, `Evidence before Royal Commission onthe Fisheries of Tasmania, ' p. 82:

"Put a graball down where you will in `bell-rope' kelp, moresilver trumpeter will get in than any other fish. "

1883. Ibid. P. Xvii:

"Between sunrise and sunset, nets, known as `graballs, ' may beused. "

Grammatophore, n. Scientific name for "anAustralian agamoid lizard, genus Grammatophora. "(`Standard. ')

Grape, Gippsland, n. Called also NativeGrape. An Australian fruit tree, Vitis hypoglauca, F. V. M. , N. O. Viniferae; called Gippsland Grape inVictoria. 

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants, ' p. 66:

"Native grape; Gippsland grape. This evergreen climber yieldsblack edible fruits of the size of cherries. This grape wouldperhaps be greatly improved by culture. (Mueller. )"

Grape, Macquarie Harbour, or Macquarie HarbourVine (q. V. ), n. Name given to the climbing shrubMuehlenbeckia adpressra, Meissn. N. O. Polygonaceae. Called Native Ivy in Australia. See under Ivy. 

Grape-eater, n. A bird, called formerlyFig-eater, now known as the Green-backedWhite-eye (q. V. ), Zosterops gouldi, Bp. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. Iv. Pl. 82:

"Zosterops chloronotus, Gould, Green-backed Z. ;Grape and Fig-eater, Colonists of Swan River. "

Grass, n. In Australia, as elsewhere, the nameGrass is sometimes given to plants which are not of thenatural order Gramineae, yet everywhere it is chiefly tothis natural order that the name is applied. A fair proportionof the true Grasses common to many other countries inthe world, or confined, on the one hand to temperate zones, oron the other to tropical or sub-tropical regions, are alsoindigenous to Australia, or Tasmania, or New Zealand, orsometimes to all three countries. In most cases such grassesretain their Old World names, as, for instance, Barnyard- or Cock-spur Grass (Panicumcrus-galli, Linn. ); in others they receive new Australiannames, as Ditch Millet (Paspalum scrobitulatum, F. V. M. ), the `Koda Millet' of India; and still again certaingrasses named in Latin by scientific botanists have beendistinguished by a vernacular English name for the first timein Australia, as Kangaroo Grass (Anhistiriaciliata, Linn. ), which was "long known before Australiabecame colonized, in South Asia and all Africa" (von Muller), but not by the name of the Kangaroo. 

Beyond these considerations, the settlers of Australia, whosewealth depends chiefly on its pastoral occupation, haveintroduced many of the best Old-World pasture grasses (chieflyof the genera Poa and Festuca), and manythousands of acres are said to be "laid down with Englishgrass. " Some of these are now so wide-spread in theiracclimatization, that the botanists are at variance as towhether they are indigenous to Australia or not; the CouchGrass, for instance (Cynodon dactylon, Pers. ), orIndian Doub Grass, is generally considered to be anintroduced grass, yet Maiden regards it as indigenous. 

There remain, "from the vast assemblage of our grasses, evensome hundred indigenous to Australia" (von Muller), and a likenumber indigenous to New Zealand, the greater proportion ofwhich are endemic. Many of these, accurately named in Latinand described by the botanists, have not yet found theirvernacular equivalents; for the bushman and the settler do notdraw fine botanical distinctions. Maiden has classified andfully described 158 species as "Forage Plants, " of which overninety have never been christened in English. Mr. JohnBuchanan, the botanist and draughtsman to the GeographicalSurvey of New Zealand, has prepared for his Government a`Manual of the Indigenous Grasses of New Zealand, ' whichenumerates eighty species, many of them unnamed in English, andmany of them common also to Australia and Tasmania. These twodescriptive works, with the assistance of Guilfoyle's Botanyand Travellers' notes, have been made the basis of thefollowing list of all the common Australian names applied tothe true Grasses of the N. O. Gramineae. Some ofthem of very special Australian character appear also elsewherein the Dictionary in their alphabetical places, while a fewother plants, which are grasses by name and not by nature, stand in such alphabetical place alone, and not in this list. For facility of comparison and reference the range and habitatof each species is indicated in brackets after its name; themore minute limitation of such ranges is not within the scopeof this work. The species of Grass present inAustralia, Tasmania, and New Zealand are--

1. Alpine Rice Grass-- Ehrharta colensoi, Cook. (N. Z. )

2. Alpine Whorl G. -- Catabrosa antarctica, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

3. Bamboo G. -- Glyceria ramigera, F. V. M. (A. ) Called also Cane Grass. Stipa verticillata, Nees. (A. )

4. Barcoo G. (of Queensland)-- Anthistiria membranacea, Lindl. (A. ) Called also Landsborough Grass. 

5. Barnyard G. -- Panicum crus-galli, Linn. (A. , not endemic. ) Called also Cockspur Grass. 

6. Bayonet G. -- Aciphylla colensoi. (N. Z. ) Called also Spear-Grass (see 112), and Spaniard (q. V. ). 

7. Bent G. --Alpine-- Agrostis muellerii, Benth. (A. , N. Z. , not endemic. ) Deyeuxia setifolia, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

8. Bent G. --Australian-- Deyeuxia scabra, Benth. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

9. Bent G. --Billardiere's-- D. Billardierii, R. Br. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

10. Bent G. --Brown-- Agrostis carina, Linn. (N. Z. )

11. Bent G. --Campbell Island-- A. Antarctica, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

12. Bent G. --Dwarf Mountain-- A. Subululata, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

13. Bent G. --Oat-like-- Deyeuxia avenoides, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

14. Bent G. --Pilose-- D. Pilosa, Rich. (N. Z. )

15. Bent G. --Slender-- Agrostis scabra, Willd. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

16. Bent G. --Spiked-- Deyeuxia quadriseta, R. Br. (A. , T. , N. Z. ) Called also Reed Grass. 

17. Bent G. --Toothea-- D. Forsteri, Kunth. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

18. Bent G. --Young's-- D. Youngii, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

19. Blady G. -- Ipperata arundinacea, Cyr. (A. )

20. Blue G. -- Andropogon annulatus, Forst. (A. ) A. Pertusus, Willd. (A. ) A. Sericeus, R. Br. (A. )

21. Brome G. --Seaside. -- 8romus arenarius, Labill. (A. , N. Z. ) Called also Wild Oats. 

22. Canary G. -- Phalaris canariensis. (A. )

23. Cane G. -- (i. Q. Bamboo Grass. See 3. )

24. Chilian G. -- (i. Q. Rat--tailed Grass. See 97. )

25. Cockspur G. -- (i. Q. Barnyard Grass. See 5. )

26. Couch G. -- Cynodon dactylon, Pers. (A. , not endemic. ) Called also Indian Doub Grass. 

27. Couch G. --Native-- Distichlys maritima, Raffinesque. (A. )

28. Couch G. --Water-- (i. Q. Seaside Millet. See 50. )

29. Feather G. -- (Several species of Stipa. See 101. )

30. Fescue G. --Hard-- Festuca duriuscula, Linn. (Australasia, not endemic. )

31. Fescue G. --Poa-like-- F. Scoparia, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

32. Fescue G. --Sandhill-- F. Littoralis, R. Br. , var. Triticoides, Benth. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

33. Fescue G. --Sheeps'-- F. Ovina, Linn. (A. , T. )

34. Finger G. --Cocksfoot-- Panicum sanguinale, Linn. (A. , not endemic. ) Called also Hairy Finger Grass, and Reddish Panic Grass. 

35. Finger G. --Egyptian-- Eleusine aegyptica, Pers. (A. , not endemic. )

36. Finger G. --Hairy-- (i. Q . Cocksfoot Finger Grass. See 33. )

37. Foxtail G. -- (i. Q. Knee jointed Foxtazl Grass. See 42. )

38. Hair G. --Crested-- Koeleria cristata, Pers. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

39. Hair G. --Turfy-- Deschampia caespitosa, Beavo. (N. Z. , not endemic. )

40. Holy G. -- Hierochloe alpina, Roem. & Schult. (Australasia, not endemic. )

41. Indian Doub G. -- (i. Q. Couch Grass. See 26. )

42. Kangaroo G. (A. , T. , not endemic)-- Andropogon refractus, R. Br. Anthistiria avenacea, F. V. M. (Called also Oat Grass. ) A. Ciliata, Linn. (Common K. G. ) A. Frondosa, R. Br. (Broad-leaved K. G. )

43. Knee-jointed Fox-tail G. -- Alopecurus geniculatus, Linn. (Australasia, not endemic. )

44. Landsborough G. -- (i. Q. Barcoo Grass. See 4. )

45. Love G. --Australian-- Eragrostis brownii, Nees. (A. )

46. Manna G. -- Glyceria fluitans, R. Br. (A. , T. )

47. Millet--Australian-- Panicum decompositum, R. Br. (A. , not endemic. ) Called also Umbrella Grass. 

48. Millet--Ditch-- Paspalum scrobitulatum, F. V. M. (A. , N. Z. , not endemic. ) The Koda Millet of India. 

49. Millet--Equal-glumed-- Isachne australis, R. Br. (A. , N. Z. , not endemic. )

50. Millet-Seaside-- Paspalum distichum, Burmann. (A. , N. Z. , not endemic. ) Called also Silt Grass, and Water Couch Grass. 

51. Mitchell G. -- Astrebla elymoides, F. V. M. (A. , True Mitchell Grass. ) A. Pectinata, F. V. M. (A. ) A. Tritzcoides, F. V. M. (A. )

52. Mouse G. -- (i. Q. ) Longhaired Plume Grass. See 72. )

53. Mulga G. -- Danthonia racemosa, R. Br. (A. ) Neurachnea Mitchelliana, Nees. (A. )

54. New Zealand Wind G. -- Apera arundinacea, Palisot. (N. Z. , not endemic. )

55. Oat G. -- Anthistiria avenacea, F. V. M. (Called also Kangaroo Grass. See 41. )

56. Oat G. --Alpine-- Danthonia semi-annularis, R. Br. , var. Alpina. (N. Z. )

57. Oat G. --Buchanan's-- D. Buchanii; Hook. F. (N. Z. )

58. Oat G. --Few-flowered-- D. Pauciflora, R. Br. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

59. Oat G. --Hard-- D. Pilosa, R. Br. , var. Stricta. (N. Z. )

60. Oat G. --Naked-- D. Nuda, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

61. Oat G. --New Zealand-- D. Semi-annularis, R. Br. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

62. Oat G. --Purple-awned-- D. Pilosa, R. Br. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

63. Oat G. --Racemed-- D. Pilosa, R. Br. , var. Racemosa. (N. Z. )

64. Oat G. --Shining-- Trisetum antarcticum, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

65. Oat G. --Sheep-- Danthonia semi-annularis, R. Br. , var. Gracilis. (N. Z. )

66. Oat G. --Spiked-- Trisetum subspicatum, Beauv. (Australasia, not endemic. )

67. Oat G. --Thompson's Naked-- Danthonia thomsonii (new species). 

68. Oat G. --Wiry-leaved-- D. Raoulii, Steud, var. Australis, Buchanan. (N. Z. )

69. Oat G. --Young's-- Trisetum youngii, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

70. Panic G. --Reddish-- (i. Q. Cocksfoot Finger-Grass. See 34. )

71. Panic G. --Slender-- Oplismenus salarius, var. Roem. And Schult. (A. , N. Z. , not endemic. )

72. Paper G. --Native-- Poa caespitosa, Forst. (A. , T. , N. Z. ) Called also Wiry Grass, Weeping Polly, and Tussock Poa Grass; and, in New Zealand, Snow Grass. 

73. Plume G. --Long-haired-- Dichelachne crinita, Hook. F. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

74. Plume G. --Short-haired-- D. Sciurea, Hook. F. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

75. Poa G. --Auckland Island-- Poa foliosa, Hook. F. , var. A. (N. Z. )

76. Poa G. --Brown-flowered-- P. Lindsayi, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

77. Poa G. --Brown Mountain P. Mackayi (new species). (N. Z. )

78. Poa G. --Colenso's-- P. Colensoi, Hook. F. (N. Z. ) 79. 

79. Poa G. --Common Field-- P. Anceps, Forst. , var. B, foliosa, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

80. Pea G. --Dense-flowered P. Anceps, Forst. , var. D, densiflora, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

81. Poa G. --Dwarf-- P. Pigmaea (new species). (N. Z. )

82. Pea G. --Hard short-stemmed-- P. Anceps, Forst. , var. C, brevicalmis, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

83. Poa G. --Kirk's-- P. Kirkii (new species). (N. Z. )

84. Poa G. --Large-flowered-- P. Foliosa, Hook. F. , var. B. (N. Z. )

85. Poa G. --Little-- P. Exigua, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

86. Poa G. --Minute-- P, foliosa, Hook. F. , var. C. (N. Z. )

87. Poa G. --Minute Creeping-- P. Pusilla, Berggren. (N. Z. )

88. Pea G. --Nodding Plumed-- P. Anceps, Forst. , var. A, elata, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

89. Poa G. --One-flowered-- P. Unifora (new species). (N. Z. )

90. Poa G. --Short-glumed-- P. Breviglumus, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

91. Poa G. --Slender-- P. Anceps, Forst. , var. E, debilis, Kirk, Ms. (N. Z. )

92. Poa G. --Small Tussock-- P. Intemedia (new species). (N. Z. )

93. Poa G. --Tussock-- P. Caespitosa, Forst. (A. , T. , N. Z. See 71. )

94. Poa G. --Weak-stemmed-- Eragrostis imbebecilla, Benth. (A. , N. Z. )

95. Poa G. --White-flowered-- Poa sclerophylla, Berggren. (N. Z. )

96. Porcupine G. (q. V. )-- Triodia (various species). 

97. Rat-tailed G. -- Sporobulus indicus, R. Br. (A. , N. Z. , not endemic. ) Called also Chilian Grass. Ischaeum laxum, R. Br. (A. )

98. Reed G. -- Pragmites communis, Trin. (N. Z. See 16. )

99. Rice G. -- Leersia hexandria, Swartz. (A. )

100. Rice G. --Bush-- Microtaena avenacea, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

101. Rice G. --Knot-jointed-- M. Polynoda, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

102. Rice G. --Meadow-- M. Stipoides, R. Br. (A. , T. , N. Z. ) Called also Weeping Grass. 

103. Roly-Poly G. -- Panicum macractinum, Benth. (A. )

104. Rough-bearded G. -- Echinopogon ovatus, Palisot. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

105. Sacred G. -- Hierochloe redolens, R. Br. (Australasia, not endemic. ) Called also Scented Grass, and Sweet-scented Grass. 

106. Scented G. -- Chrysopogon parviforus, Benth. (A. ) See also 105. 

107. Seaside Brome G. -- (i. Q. Brome Grass. See 21. )

108. Silt G. -- (i. Q. Seaside Millet. See 50. )

109. Seaside Glumeless G. -- Gymnostychum gracile, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

110. Snow G. (q. V. )-- (i. Q. Paper Grass. See 72. ) (N. Z. )

111. Spear G. (q. V. )-- Aciphylla colensoi. (N. Z. ) Called also Spaniard (q. V. ). Heteropogon contortus, Roem. And Shult. (N. Z. ), and all species of Stipa (A. , T. ). 

112. Spider G. -- Panicum divaricatissimum, R. Br. (A. )

113. Spinifex G. (q. V. )-- Spinifex hirsutus, Labill. (A. , T. , N. Z. , not endemic. ) Called also Spiny Rolling Grass. 

114. Star G. --Blue-- Chloris ventricosa, R. Br. (A. )

115. Star G. --Dog's Tooth-- C. Divaricata, R. Br. (A. )

116. Star G. --Lesser-- C. Acicularis, Lindl. (A. )

117. Sugar G. -- Pollinia fulva, Benth. (A. )

118. Summer G. -- (i. Q. Hairy-Finger Grass. See 36. )

119. Sweet G. -- Glyceria stricta, Hook. F. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

120. Sweet-scented G. -- (i. Q. Sacred Grass. See 105. )

121. Traveller's G. (N. O. Aroideae). -- (i. Q. Settlers' Twine, q. V. )

122. Tussock G. -- (See 93 and 72. )

123. Tussock G. -- Broad-leaved Oat-- Danthonia flavescens, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

124. Tussock G. --Erect Plumed-- Arundo fulvida, Buchanan. (N. Z. ) Maori name, Tot-toi (q. V. ). 

125. Tussock G. --Narrow-leaved Oat-- Danthonia raoulii, Steud. (N. Z. )

126. Tussock G. --Plumed-- Arundo conspicua, A. Cunn. (N. Z. ) Maori name, Toi-toi (q. V. ). 

127. Tussock G. --Small-flowered Oat-- Danthonia cunninghamii, Hook. F. (N. Z. )

128. Petrie's Stipa G. -- Stipa petriei (new species). See 101. /?111?/ (N. Z. )

129. Umbrella G. -- (i. Q. Australian Millet. See 47. )

130. Wallaby G. -- Danthonia penicileata, F. V. M. (A. , N. Z. )

131. Weeping G. -- (i. Q. Meadow Rice Grass. See 102. )

132. Weeping Polly G. -- (i. Q. Paper Grass. See 72. )

133. Wheat G. --Blue-- Agropyrum scabrum, Beauv. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

134. Wheat G. --Short-awned-- Triticum multiflorum, Banks and Sol. (N. Z. )

135. White-topped G. -- Danthonia longifolia, R. Br. (A. )

136. Windmill G. -- Chloris truncata, R. Br. (A. )

137. Wire G. -- Ehrharta juncea, Sprengel; a rush-like grass of hilly country. (A. , T. , N. Z. ) Cynodon dactylum, Pers. ; so called from its knotted, creeping, wiry roots, so difficult to eradicate in gardens and other cultivated land. (Not endemic. ) See 26. 

138. Wiry G. --. (i. Q. Paper Grass. See 72. )

139. Wiry Dichelachne G. -- Stipa teretefolia, Steud. (A. , T. , N. Z. )

140. Woolly-headed G. -- Andropogon bombycinus, R. Br. (A. )

141. Vandyke G. -- Panicum flavidum, Retz. (A. )

Grass-bird, n. In New Zealand, Sphenoeacus//sic. Otherwhere Sphenaeacus GJC// punctatus, Gray, thesame as Fern-bird (q. V. ); in Australia, Megalurus(Sphenaeacus) gramineus, Gould. 

Grass-leaved Fern, n. Vittaria elongata, Swartz, N. O. Filices. 

1883. F. M. Bailey, `Synopsis of Queensland Flora, ' p. 693:

"Grass-leaved fern. . . . Frond varying in length from a fewinches to several feet, and with a breadth of from one to fivelines. . . . This curious grass-like fern may be frequentlyseen fringing the stems of the trees in the scrubs of tropicalQueensland, in which situation the fronds are usually verylong. "

Grass-Parrakeet, n. A bird of the genusEuphema. The Australian species are--

Blue-winged Parrakeet Euphema aurantia, Gould. 

Bourke's P. -- E. Bourkii, Gould. 

Grass-P. -- E. Elegans, Gould. 

Orange-bellied P. -- E. Chrysogastra, Lath. 

Orange-throated P. -- E. Splendida, Gould. 

Red-shouldered P. -- E. Pulchella, Shaw. 

Warbling Grass-P. -- Gould's name for Budgerigar (q. V. ). 

See also Rock-Parrakeet (Euphema petrophila, Gould), which is sometimes classed as a Grass-Parrakeet. 

Grass-tree, n. (2) The name applied to treesof the genus Xanthorrhoea, N. O. Liliaceae, of whichthirteen species are known in Australia. See alsoRichea. 

(2) In New Zealand Pseudopanax crassifolium, Seemann, N. O. Araleaceae. When young, this is the same asUmbrella-tree, so called from its appearance like theribs of an umbrella. When older, it grows more straight andis called Lancewood (q. V. ). 

(3) In Tasmania, besides two species of Xanthorrhoeathe Grass-tree of the mainland, the Richeadracophylla, R. Br. , N. O. Epacrideae, found on MountWellington, near Hobart, is also known by that name, whilstthe Richea pandanifolia, Hook. , found in the South-westforests, is called the Giant Grass-tree. Both these arepeculiar to the island. 

(4) An obsolete name for Cordyline australis, Hook. , N. O. Liliaceae, now more usually called Cabbage- tree (q. V. ). 

1802. D. Collins, `Account of New South Wales, ' vol. Ii. P. 153:

"A grass tree grows here, similar in every respect to thatabout Port Jackson. "

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia, ' p. 347:

"Yielding frequently a very weak and sour kind of grass, interspersed with a species of bulrush called grass-trees, which are universal signs of poverty. ":

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia, ' Vol II. C. Iii. P. 54:

"The grass-tree is not found westward of the mountains. "

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions, ' vol. Ii. P. 303:

"We approached a range of barren hills of clay slate, on whichgrew the grass-tree (Xanthorhoea) and stunted eucalypti. "

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems, ' p. 74:

"The shimmering sunlight fell and kissed The grass-tree's golden sheaves. "

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand, ' p. 132:

"Here and there, in moist places, arises isolated the`grass-tree' or `cabbage-tree' (Ti of the natives; CordylineAustralis). "

1874. Garnet Walch, `Head over Heels, ' p. 80:

"The grass-trees in front, blame my eyes, Seemed like plumes on the top of a hearse. "

1877. F. V. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings, ' p. 119:

"How strikingly different the external features of plants maybe, though floral structure may draw them into congruity, iswell demonstrated by our so-called grass-trees, which pertaintruly to the liliaceous order. These scientifically definedas Xanthorhoeas from the exudation of yellowish sap, whichindurates into resinous masses, have all the essential notesof the order, so far as structure of flowers and fruits isconcerned, but their palm-like habit, together with cylindricspikes on long and simple stalks, is quite peculiar, andimpresses on landscapes, when these plants in masses areoccuring, a singular feature. "

1879. A. R. Wallace, `Australasia' (ed. 1893), p. 52:

"The grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) are a peculiar featureto the Australian landscape. From a rugged stem, varying fromtwo to ten or twelve feet in height, springs a tuft of droopingwiry foliage, from the centre of which rises a spike not unlikea huge bulrush. When it flowers in winter, this spike becomescovered with white stars, and a heath covered with grass treesthen has an appearance at once singular and beautiful. "

1882. A. Tolmer, `Reminiscences, ' vol, ii. P. 102:

"The root of the grass-tree is pleasant enough to eat, andtastes something like the meat of the almond-tree; but beingunaccustomed to the kind of fare, and probably owing to theempty state of our stomachs, we suffered severely fromdiarrhoea. "

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance Australia, ' p. 43:

"Grass-trees are most comical-looking objects. They have ablack bare stem, from one to eight feet high, surmounted by atuft of half rushes and half grass, out of which, again, growsa long thing exactly like a huge bullrush. A lot of themalways grow together, and a little way off they are not unlikethe illustrations of Red-Indian chiefs in Fenimore Cooper'snovels. "

1889. T. Kirk, `Forest Flora of New Zealand, ' p. 59:

"It [Pseudopanax crassifolium, the Horoeka] iscommonly called lance-wood by the settlers in the North Island, and grass-tree by those in the South. This species wasdiscovered during Cook's first voyage, and it need cause nosurprise to learn that the remarkable difference between theyoung and mature states led so able a botanist as Dr. Solanderto consider them distinct plants. "

1896. Baldwin Spencer. `Horne Expedition in CentralAustralia, ' Narrative, p. 98:

"As soon as the came upon the Plains we found ourselves in abelt of grass trees belonging to a species not hithertodescribed (X. Thorntoni). . . . The larger specimenshave a stem some five or six feet high, with a crown of longwiry leaves and a flowering stalk, the top of which is fullytwelve feet above the ground. "

[Compare Blackboy and Maori-head. 

Grayling, n. The Australian fish of that nameis Prototroctes maroena, Gunth. It is called also theFresh-water Herring, Yarra Herring (inMelbourne), Cucumber-Fish, and Cucumber-Mullet. The last two names are given to it from its smell. It closelyresembles the English Grayling. 

1880. W. Senior, `Travel and Trout, ' p. 93:

"These must be the long-looked-for cucumber mullet, or fresh-water herring. . . . `The cucumber mullet, ' I explain, `I have long suspected to be a grayling. '"

1882. Rev. _I. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales, 'p. 109:

"Though not a fish of New South Wales, it may be as wellto mention here the Australian grayling, which in character, habits, and the manner of its capture is almost identical withthe English fish of that name. In shape there is somedifference between the two fish. . . . A newly caught fishsmells exactly like a dish of fresh-sliced cucumber. It iswidely distributed in Victoria, and very abundant in all thefresh-water streams of Tasmania. . . . In Melbourne it goes bythe name of the Yarra herring. There is another species in NewZealand. "

1889. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, ' vol. Iv. P. 206:

"The river abounds in delicious grayling or cucumber fish, rather absurdly designated the `herring' in this [Deloraine]and some other parts of the colony [Tasmania]. "

Grebe, n. Common English bird-name, of thegenus Podiceps. The species known in Australia are--

Black-throated Grebe-- Podiceps novae-hollandiae, Gould. 

Hoary-headed G. -- P. Nestor, Gould. 

Tippet G. -- P. Cristataes, Linn. 

But Buller sees no reason for separating P. Cristatusfrom the well-known P. Cristatus of Europe. Some ofthe Grebes are sometimes called Dabchicks (q. V. ). 

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand, ' vol. Ii. P. 285:

"The Crested Grebe is generally-speaking a rare bird in bothislands. "

Greenhide, n. See quotation. Greenhideis an English tannery term for the hide with the hair on beforescouring. 

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland, ' vol. I. P. 27:

"Drivers, who walked beside their teams carrying over theirshoulders a long-handled whip with thong of raw salted hide, called in the colony `greenhide. '"

Greenie, n. A school-boys' name for Ptilotispenicillata, Gould, the White-plumed Honey-eater. 

1896. `The Australasian, ' Jan. 11, p. 73, col. 1:

"A bird smaller than the Australian minah, and of a greenishyellowish hue, larger, but similar to the members of thefeathered tribe known to young city `knights of the catapult'as greenies. "

1897. A. J. Campbell (in `The Australasian, 'Jan. 23), p. 180, col. 5:

"Every schoolboy about Melbourne knows what the `greenie'is--the white-plumed honey-eater (P. Penicillata). Theupper-surface is yellowish-grey, and the under-surface brownishin tone. The white-plumed honey-eater is common in Victoria, where it appears to be one of the few native birds that is notdriven back by civilisation. In fact, its numbers haveincreased in the parks and gardens in the vicinity ofMelbourne. "

Green-leek, n. An Australian Parrakeet. Seequotation. 

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia, ' vol. V. Pl. 15:

"Polytelis Barrabandi, Wagl. , Barraband's Parrakeet;Green-leek of the colonists of New South Wales. "

1855. R. Howitt, `Two Years in Victoria, ' vol. I. P. 123:

"We observed m the hollow trees several nests of the littlegreen paroquet, --here, from its colour, called the leek. "

Green Lizard, n. Sometimes called theSpotted Green Lizard, a New Zealand reptile, Naultinus elegans, Gray. 

Green Oyster, n. Name given in Queensland tothe sea-weed Ulva lactuca, Linn. , N. O. Algae. From being frequently found attached to oysters, this issometimes called "Green Oyster. " (Bailey. ) See Oyster. 

Greenstone, n. Popular name of Nephrite(q. V. ). Maori name, Pounamu (q. V. ). 

1859. A. S. Thomson, `Story of New Zealand, ' p. 140:

"The greenstone composing these implements of war is callednephrite by mineralogists, and is found in the Middle Island ofNew Zealand, in the Hartz, Corsica, China and Egypt. The mostvaluable kind is clear as glass with a slight green tinge. "

1889. Dr. Hocken, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition, 'p. 181:

 "This valued stone--pounamu of the natives--nephrite, is foundon the west coast of the South Island. Indeed, on CaptainCook's chart this island is called `T'Avai Poenammoo'--Te waipounamu, the water of the greenstone. "

1892. F. R. Chapman, `The Working of Greenstone by the Maoris'(New Zealand Institute), p. 4:

"In the title of this paper the word `greenstone' occurs, andthis word is used throughout the text. I am quite consciousthat the term is not geologically or mineralogically correct;but the stone of which I am writing is known by that namethroughout New Zealand, and, though here as elsewhere thescientific man employs that word to describe a totallydifferent class of rock, I should run the risk of beingmisunderstood were I to use any other word for what is underthat name an article of commerce and manufacture in NewZealand. It is called `pounamu' or `poenamu' by the Maoris, and `jade, ' `jadeite, ' or `nephrite' by various writers, while old books refer to the `green talc' of the Maoris. "

Green-tops, n. Tasmanian name for the Orchid, Pterostylis pedunculata, R. Br. 

Green-tree Ant, n. Common Queensland Ant. 

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, ' p. 294:

"It was at the lower part of the Lynd that we first saw thegreen-tree ant; which seemed to live in small societies in rudenests between the green leaves of shady trees. "

Green Tree-snake, n. See under Snake. 

Grevillea, n. A large genus of trees ofAustralia and Tasmania, N. O. Proteaceae, named in honourof the Right Hon. Charles Francis Greville, Vice-Presidentof the Royal Society of London. The name was given by RobertBrown in 1809. The `Century' Dictionary gives ProfessorGreville as the origin of the name but "Professor RobertK. Greville of Edinburgh was born on the 14th Dec. , 1794, he was therefore only just fourteen years old when the genusGrevillea was established. " (`Private letter from BaronF. Von Mueller. ')

1851. `Quarterly Review, ' Dec. , p. 40:

"Whether Dryandra, Grevillea, Hakea, or the otherProteaceae, all may take part in the same glee--

"It was a shrub of orders grey Stretched forth to show his leaves. "

1888. Cassell's `Picturesque Australasia, vol. Iii. P. 138:

"Graceful grevilleas, which in the spring are gorgeous withorange-coloured blossoms. "

Grey-jumper, n. Name given to an Australiangenus of sparrow-like birds, of which the only species isStruthidea cinerea, Gould; also calledBrachystoma and Brachyporus. 

Grey Nurse, n. A New South Wales name for aspecies of Shark, Odontaspis americanus, Mitchell, family Lamnidae, which is not confined to Australasia. 

Gridironing, v