AUSTRAL ENGLISH
A DICTIONARY
AUSTRAL ENGLISH
A DICTIONARY OF
AUSTRALASIAN WORDS
PHRASES AND USAGES
WITH THOSE ABORIGINAL-AUSTRALIAN AND MAORI WORDS WHICH
HAVE BECOME INCORPORATED IN THE LANGUAGE AND THE
COMMONER SCIENTIFIC WORDS THAT HAVE HAD
THEIR ORIGIN IN AUSTRALASIA
BY
EDWARD E. MORRIS
M.A., OXON.
PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH, FRENCH, AND GERMAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
MACMILLAN AND CO. LIMITED
NEW YORK : THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1898
RICHARD CLAY <fe SONS, LIMITED,
LONDON & BUNGAY.
P
TO
THE DEAR MEMORY OF
CALLED HENCE
ON APRIL 19, 1896.
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
in. SOURCES OF NEW WORDS :
1. Altered English
2. Words quite new to the
language :
(a) Aboriginal Australian
(6) Maori
PAGE
IX
Xlll
xiv
iv. THE LAW OF HOBSON-JOBSON xv
Is Austral English a corrup-
tion?
v. CLASSIFICATION OF WORDS ... xvi
vi. QUOTATIONS. THEIR PURPOSE xvii
vii. BOOKS USED AS AUTHORITIES xviii
vni. SCIENTIFIC WORDS
ix. ASSISTANCE RECEIVED
ABBREVIATIONS :
1. Of Scientific Names
2. General
xix
xx
xxni
xxiv
I. ORIGIN OF THE WORK.
ABOUT a generation ago Mr. Matthew Arnold twitted our nation
with the fact that " the journeyman work of literature" was much
better done in France the books of reference, the biographical
dictionaries, and the translations from the classics. He did not
especially mention dictionaries of the language, because he was
speaking in praise of academies, and, as far as France is concerned,
the great achievement in that line is Littre and not the Academy's
Dictionary. But the reproach has now been rolled away nous avons
change tout cela and in every branch to which Arnold alluded our
journeyman work is quite equal to anything in France.
It is generally allowed that a vast improvement has taken place in
translations, whether prose or verse. From quarter to quarter the
Dictionary of National Biography continues its stately progress. But
the noblest monument of English scholarship is The New English
Dictionary on Historical Principles, founded mainly on the materials
collected by the Philological Society, edited by Dr. James Murray,
and published at the cost of the University of Oxford. The name
New will, however, be unsuitable long before the Dictionary is out of
date. Its right name is the Oxford English Dictionary ('O.E.D.').
That great dictionary is built up out of quotations specially gathered for
it from English books of all kinds and all periods ; and Dr. Murray
several years ago invited assistance from this end of the world for
words and uses of words peculiar to Australasia, or to parts of
it. In answer to his call I began to collect ; but instances of words
must be noted as one comes across them, and of course they do not
x INTRODUCTION
occur in alphabetical order. The work took time, and when my
parcel of quotations had grown into a considerable heap, it occurred to
me that the collection, if a little further trouble were expended upon
it, might first enjoy an independent existence. Various friends
kindly contributed more quotations : and this Book is the result.
In January 1892, having the honour to be President of the Section
of "Literature and the Fine Arts" at the Hobart Meeting of 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 parts of scattered
colonies, might render valuable help in organising the work of collecting authori-
ties for our various peculiar words and usages. Twenty or thirty men and women,
each undertaking to read certain books with the new dictionary in mind, and to
note in a prescribed fashion what is peculiar, could accomplish all that is needed.
Something has been done in Melbourne, but the Colonies have different words
and uses of words, and this work is of a kind which might well extend beyond the
bounds of a single city. At first it may seem as if our words were few, as if in the
hundred years of Australian life few special usages have arisen ; but a man with a
philological turn of mind, who notes what he hears, will soon find the list grow.
Some philologers speak, not perhaps very satisfactorily, of being "at the
fountains of language " : we can all of us testify to the birth of some words within
our own memory, but the origin of these, if not noted, will in time be lost. There
are many other words which the strictest cannot condemn as slang, though even
slang, being the speech of the people, is not undeserving of some scientific study :
words, for instance, which have come into the language from the Aborigines,
and names of animals, shrubs, and flowers. It might even be possible, with
sufficient co-operation, to produce an Australian dictionary on the same lines as
the New English Dictionary by way of supplement to it. Organisation might
make the labour light, whilst for many it would from its very nature prove a
pleasant task.
These suggestions were not carried out. Individuals sent quota-
tions to Oxford, but no organisation was established to make the
collection systematic or complete, and at the next meeting 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 York
invited me to join an " Advisory Committee on disputed spelling and
pronunciation." That firm was then preparing its Standard ^Dictionary ',
and one part of the scheme was to obtain opinions as to usage from
various parts of the English-speaking world, especially from those
whose function it is to teach the English Language. Subsequently, at
my own suggestion, the firm appointed me to take charge of the Australian
terms in their Dictionary, and I forwarded a certain number of words
and phrases in use in Australia. But the accident of the letter A, for
Australian, coming early in the alphabet gives my name a higher place
than it deserves on the published list of those co-operating in the
production of this Standard Dictionary ; for with my present knowledge
I see that my contribution was lamentably incomplete. Moreover, I
joined the Editorial Corps too late to be of real use. Only the final
proofs were sent to me, and although my corrections were reported to
New York without delay, they arrived too late for any alterations to
be effected before the sheets went to press. This took the heart out
of my work for that Dictionary. For its modernness, for many of its
INTRODUCTION xi
lexicographical features, and for its splendid illustrations, I entertain a
cordial admiration for the book, and I greatly regret the unworthiness
of my share in it. It is quite evident that others had contributed
Australasian words, and I must confess I hardly like to be held
responsible for some of their statements. For instance
" Aabec. An Australian medicinal bark said to promote perspiration."
I have never heard of it, and my ignorance is shared by the greatest
Australian botanist, the Baron von Miiller.
" Bea^lregarde. 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, and gar, parrot.
" Imou-pine. A large New Zealand tree .... called red pine by the colonists
and rimu by the natives."
I can find no trace of the spelling " Imou." In a circular to New
Zealand newspapers I asked whether it was a known variant. The
New Zealand Herald made answer "He may be sure that the good
American dictionary has made a misprint. It was scarcely worth
the Professor's while to take notice of mere examples of pakeha
ignorance of Maori."
" Swagman. [Slang-, Austral.] i. A dealer in cheap trinkets, etc. 2. A swagger."
In twenty-two years of residence in Australia, I have never heard
the former sense.
" Taihoa. [Anglo-Tasmanian.] No hurry ; wait."
The word is Maori, and Maori is the language of New Zealand,
not of Tasmania.
These examples, I know, are not fair specimens of the accuracy of
the Standard Dictionary, but they serve as indications of the 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" maybe counted necessary to the welfare of a book.
For this reason "Austral English" has been selected. In its right
place in the dictionary the word Austral will be found with illus-
trations to show that its primary meaning, " southern," is being more
and more limited, so that the word may now be used as equivalent
to Australasian.
"Austral" or "Australasian English" means all the new words
and the new uses of old words that have been added to the English
language by reason of the fact that those who speak English have
taken up their abode in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
Hasty inference might lead to the remark that such addition is only
slang, but the remark is far from being accurate ; probably not one-
tenth of the new vocabulary could fairly be so classified. A great
xii INTRODUCTION
deal of slang is used in Australasia, but very much less is generated
here than is usually believed. In 1895 a literary policeman in
Melbourne brought out a small Australian Slang Dictionary. In spite
of the name, however, the compiler confesses that "very few of the
terms it contains have been invented by Australians." My estimate is
that not one word in fifty in his little book has an Australian origin,
or even a specially Australian use.
The phrase "'Australasian English " includes something much
wider than slang. Those who, speaking the tongue of Shakspeare,
of Milton, and of Dr. Johnson, came to various parts of
Australasia, found a Flora and a Fauna waiting to be named
in English. New birds, beasts and fishes, new trees, bushes
and flowers, had to receive names for general use. It is probably
not too much to say that there never was an instance in history
when so many new names were needed, and that there never will be
such an occasion again, for never did settlers come, nor can
they ever again come, upon Flora and Fauna so completely different
from anything seen by them before. When the offshoots of our race
first began to settle in America, they found much that was new, but
they were still in the same North Temperate zone. Though there is
now a considerable divergence between the American and the English
vocabulary, especially in technical terms, it is not largely due to
great differences in natural history. An oak in America is still a
Quercus, not as in Australia a Casuarina. But with the whole tropical
region intervening it was to be expected that in the South Temperate
Zone many things would be different, and such expectation was amply
fulfilled. In early descriptions of Australia it is a sort of common-
place to dwell on this complete variety, to harp on the trees that
shed bark not leaves, and the cherries with the stones outside.
Since the days when "Adam gave names to all cattle and to the fowl
of the air and to every beast of the field" never were so many new
names called for. Unfortunately, names were not given by the best
educated in the community, but often by those least qualified to
invent satisfactory names : not by a linguist, a botanist, an ornitholo-
gist, an ichthyologist, but by the ordinary settler. Even in countries
of old civilisation names are frequently conferred or new words in-
vented, at times with good and at times with unsatisfactory results, by
the average man, whom it is the modern fashion to call " the man in the
street." Much of Australasian nomenclature is due to " the man in the
bush " more precise address not recorded. Givers of new names
may be benefactors to their language or violators of its purity and
simplicity, but in either case they are nearly always, like the burial-
place of Moses, unknown.
III. SOURCES OF NEW WORDS.
Of Australasian additions to the English language there are two
main sources, which correspond to the twofold division of them into
new words and new uses of old words.
i. Altered English.
The commoner origin of Australasian English words is the turning
INTRODUCTION xiii
and twisting of an already existing English name. The settler saw a
fruit somewhat like a cherry. Though he knew well that it was not
a cherry, he christened it the " native cherry." It may here be
remarked that the prefix native is not a satisfactory distinguishing
adjective. Native bear, native cherry, may teach the young Austra-
lian that the bear and the cherry so named are not as the bear of
the Arctic Regions or the cherry of Europe. But in the British
Museum the label does not help much. The settler heard a bird laugh
in what he thought an extremely ridiculous manner, its opening
notes suggesting a donkey's bray he called it the " laughing
jackass." His descendants have dropped the adjective, and it has come
to pass that the word " jackass" denotes to an Australian something
quite different from its meaning to other speakers of our English
tongue. The settler must have had an imagination. Whip-bird,
or Coach-whip, from the sound of the note, Lyre-bird from the
appearance of the outspread tail, are admirable names.
Another class of name brought the Australian word nearer to its
English use. " Robin " for instance is applied to birds of various
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 different Natural Order, bearing a resem-
blance to the original, either real or fancied, as for instance "Magpie."
It is hardly necessary to dwell longer on this point, for almost every
page of 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 languages
of the aborigines, often with considerable alteration due to misun-
derstanding. Such words are either Australian or Maori. Whilst in
New Zealand careful attention has been paid by competent scholars
to the musical Maori language, it can hardly be claimed that the
Australian family of languages has ever been scientifically studied,
though there is a heap of printed material small grammars and lists
of words rudis indigestaque moles. There is no doubt that the vocabu-
laries used in different parts of Australia and Tasmania varied greatly,
and equally little doubt that the languages, in structure and perhaps
originally in vocabulary, were more or less connected. About the year
1883, Professor Sayce, of Oxford, wrote a letter, which was published
in The Argus, pointing out the obligation that lay upon the Austra-
lian colonies to make a scientific study of a vanishing speech. The
duty would be stronger were it not for the distressing lack of
pence that now is vexing public men. Probably a sum of ^300 a
year would suffice for an educated inquirer, but his full time for
several years would be needed. Such an one should be trained at
the University as a linguist and an observer, paying especial attention
to logic and to Comparative Philology. Whilst the colonies neglect
their opportunities, and Sibylla year by year withdraws her offer,
perhaps "the inevitable German" will intervene, and in a well-
arranged book bring order out of the chaos of vocabularies and small
pamphlets on the subject, all that we have to trust to now.
xiv INTRODUCTION
The need of scientific accuracy is strong. For the purposes of
this Dictionary I have been investigating the origin of words, more
or less naturalised as English, that come from aboriginal Australian,
in number between seventy and a hundred. I have received a great
deal of kind assistance, many people taking much trouble to inform
me. But there is a manifest lack of knowledge. Many supplied
me with the meanings of the words as used in English, but though
my appeal was scattered far and wide over Australia (chiefly through
the kindness of the newspapers), few could really give the origin
of the words. Two amongst the best informed went so far as to say
that Australian words have no derivation. That doctrine is hard to
accept. A word of three syllables does not spring complete from the
brain of an aboriginal as Athene rose fully armed from the head of
Zeus.
It is beyond all doubt that the vocabularies of the Aborigines
differed widely in different parts. Frequently, the English have
carried a word known in one district to a district where it was not
known, the aboriginals regarding the word as pure English. In
several books statements will be found that such and such a word is
not Aboriginal, when it really has an aboriginal source but in a
different part of the Continent. Mr. Threlkeld, in his Australian
Grammar, which is especially concerned with the language of the
Hunter River, gives a list of " barbarisms," words that he considers
do not belong to the aboriginal tongue. He says with perfect
truth " Barbarisms have crept into use, introduced by sailors,
stockmen, and others, in the use of which both blacks and whites
labour under the mistaken idea, that each one is conversing in the
other's language." And yet with him a " barbarism" has to be
qualified as .meaning " not belonging to the Hunter District." But
Mr. Threlkeld is not the only writer who will not acknowledge as
aboriginal sundry words with an undoubted Australian pedigree.
(b) Maori.
The Maori language, the Italian of the South, has received very
different treatment from that meted out by fate and indifference to
the aboriginal tongues of Australia. It has been studied by competent
scholars, and its grammar has been comprehensively arranged and
stated. A Maori Dictionary, compiled more than fifty years ago by
a missionary, afterwards a bishop, has been issued in a fourth edition
by his son, who is now a bishop. Yet, of Maori also, the same thing is
said with respect to etymology. A Maori scholar told me that, when
he began the study many years ago, he was warned by a very dis-
tinguished scholar not to seek for derivations, as the search was full
of pitfalls. It was not maintained that words sprang up without an
origin, but that the true origin of most of the words was now lost. In
spite of this double warning, it may be maintained that some of the
origins both of Maori and of Australian words have been found and
are in this book recorded.
The pronunciation of Maori words differs so widely from that of
Australian aboriginal names that it seems advisable to insert a note
on the subject.
INTRODUCTION xv
Australian aboriginal words have been written down on no
system, and very much at hap-hazard. English people have
attempted to express the native sounds phonetically according to
English pronunciation. No definite rule has been observed, different
persons giving totally different values to represent the consonant and
vowel sounds. In a language with a spelling so unphonetic as the
English, in which the vowels especially have such uncertain and vari-
able values, the results of this want of system have necessarily been
very unsatisfactory and often grotesque. Maori words, on the other
hand, have been written down on a simple and consistent system,
adopted by the missionaries 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 and in-
variable value. Maori words are often very melodious. In pro-
nunciation the best rule is to pronounce each syllable with a nearly
equal accent.
Care has been taken to remember that this is an Australasian
English and not a Maori Dictionary ; therefore to exclude words that
have not passed into the speech of the settlers. But in New Zealand
Maori is much more widely used in the matter of vocabulary than the
speech of the aborigines is in Australia, or at any rate in the more
settled parts of Australia ; and the Maori is in a purer form. Though
some words and names have been ridiculously corrupted, the lan-
guage of those who dwell in the bush in New Zealand can hardly be
called Pigeon English, and that is the right name for the "lingo"
used in Queensland and Western Australia, which, only partly repre-
sented in this book, is indeed a falling away from the language of
Bacon and Shakspeare.
IV. LAW OF HOBSON-JOBSON.
In many places in the Dictionary, I find I have used the expression
"the law of Hobson-Jobson." The name is an adaptation from the
expression used by Col. Yule and Mr. Burnell as a name for their
interesting Dictionary of Anglo-Indian words. The law is well
recognised, though it has lacked the name, such as I now venture to
.give it. When a word comes from a foreign language, those who
use it, not understanding it properly, give a twist to the word or
to some part of it, from the hospitable desire to make the word
at home in its new quarters, no regard, however, being paid to the
sense. The most familiar instance in English is crayfish from the
French ecrevisse, though it is well known that a crayfish is not a fish
at all. Amongst the Mohammedans 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 them into " Hobson, Jobson." That the practice of so
altering words is not limited to the English is shown by two
perhaps not very familiar instances in French, where "Aunt Sally"
has become ane sale, "a dirty donkey," and "bowsprit" has become
beau pre, though quite unconnected w T ith "a beautiful meadow."
The name "Pigeon English" is itself a good example. It has no
xvi INTRODUCTION
connection with pigeon, the bird, but is an Oriental's attempt to
pronounce the word "business." It hardly, however, seems necessary
to alter the spelling to " pidjin."
It may be thought by some precisians that all Australasian English
is a corruption of the language. So too is Anglo-Indian, and, pace
Mr. Brander Matthews, there are such things as Americanisms,
which were not part of the Elizabethan heritage, though it is perfectly
true that many of the American phrases most railed at are pure old
English, preserved in the States, though obsolete in Modern England ;
for the Americans, as Lowell says, "could not take with them any
better language than that of Shakspeare." When we hear railing at
slang phrases, at Americanisms, some of which are admirably expres-
sive, at various flowers of colonial speech, and at words woven into
the texture of our speech by those who live far away from London
and from Oxford, and who on the outskirts of the British Empire
are brought into contact with new natural objects that need new
names, we may think for our comfort on the undoubted fact that the
noble and dignified language of the poets, authors and preachers,
grouped around Lewis XIV., sprang from debased Latin. For it was
not the classical Latin that is the origin of French, but the language
of the soldiers and the camp-followers who talked slang and picked
words up from every quarter. English has certainly a richer
vocabulary, a finer variety of words to express delicate distinctions
of meaning, than any language that is or that ever was spoken : and
this is because it has always been hospitable in the reception of new
words. It is too late a day to close the doors against new words. This
Austral English Dictionary merely catalogues and records those which
at certain doors have already 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 by the
early settlers) either to new Australian species of such objects, or to
new objects bearing a real or fancied resemblance 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 others quite
different as Wattle, a hurdle, applied as the name of the tree
Wattle, from whose twigs the hurdle was most readily made ; Jackass
an animal, used as the name for the bird Jackass ; Cockatoo, a bird-
name, applied to a small farmer.
(3) Aboriginal Australian and Maori words which have been
incorporated unchanged in the language, and which still denote the
>ngmal object as Kangaroo, Wombat, Boomerang, Whare, Pa, Kauri
INTRODUCTION xvii
(4) Aboriginal Australian and Maori words which have been
similarly adopted, and which have also had their original meaning
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 new
Australasian Natural Objects as Forty-spot, Lyre-bird, Parson-bird, and
Coach-whip (birds); Wait-a-while (a tangled thicket) ; Thousand-jacket,
Jimmy Low, Jimmy Donnelly, and Roger Gough (trees) ; Axe-breaker,
Cheese-wood, and Raspberry Jam (timbers) ; Trumpeter, Schnapper and
Sergeant Baker (fishes) ; Umbrella-grass and Spaniard (native plants),
and so on.
(7) Words and phrases of quite new coinage, or arising from quite
new objects or orders of things as Larrikin, Swagman, Billy, Free-
selector, Boundary-rider, Black-tracker, Back-blocks, Clear-skin, Dummy ism,
Bushed.
(8) Scientific names arising exclusively from Australasian necessi-
ties, chiefly to denote or describe new Natural Orders, Genera, or
Species confined or chiefly appertaining to Australia as Monotreme,
Petrogale, Clianthus, Ephthia?iura, Dinornis, Eucalypt, Boronia, Orni-
thorhynchus, Banksia.
(9) Slang (of which the element is comparatively small) as Deep-
sinker, Duck-shoving, Hoot, Slushy, Boss-cockie, On-the- Wallaby.
VI. QUOTATIONS.
With certain exceptions, this Dictionary is built up, as a Dic-
tionary should be, on quotations, and these are very copious. It may
even be thought that their number is too large. It is certainly larger,
and in some places the quotations themselves are much longer, than
could ever be expected in a general Dictionary of the English
Language. This copiousness is, however, the advantage of a special
Dictionary. The intention of the quotations is to furnish evidence
that a word is used as an English word ; and many times the quota-
tion itself furnishes a satisfactory explanation of the meaning. I
hope, however, I shall not be held responsible for all the statements
in the quotations, even where attention is not drawn to their in-
correctness. Sundry Australasian uses of words are given in other
dictionaries, as, for instance, in the parts already issued of the
Oxford English Dictionary and in The Century, but the space that
can be allotted to them in such works is of necessity too small for
full explanation. Efforts have been made to select such quotations
as should in themselves be interesting, picturesque, and illustrative.
In a few cases they may even be humorous.
Moreover, the endeavour has been constant to obtain quotations
from all parts of the Australasian Colonies from books that describe
different parts of Australasia, and from newspapers published far and
b
INTRODUCTION
I, , am conscious that in the latter
predominate, but this has_ bee,, due to > whilst my fnend
Melbourne I see more f the f ^7"" an d fewer from newspapers
have sent me more W o * m D %M explanatory. Many times
The quotations, howeve r, are no t ai i P ^ & particular
a quotation is given merely to mark the use ^ ^
epoch. Quotations are al careM y aa , ; cal development of a
historical order, and thus the ex act chr ^^ ^
word has been indicated. e pracuce tations general y,
followed in this respect and in * e m atte ^ more ^, ly
though as a rule the ^^^ q \arly quotations have been
expressed here than m that D.ction y^ f^. afeout & ce
variety o
the same word in consecutive . Australian science
named : and there has been not , i e concer ned with
recorded.
VII. AUTHORITIES.
been of greater service than Maidens Useful Native &"***
Unfortunately many scientific men scorn vernacular names but Mr.
Maiden has taken the utmost pains with them, and has t
Sly increased the utility of his volume For Tasmania there is
M?. Svictfs Handbook of Tasmanian Plants; for New Zealand, Kirks
Forest Flora and Hooker's Botany.
For Australian animals Lydekker's Marsupials and Monotremes is
excellent; especially his section on the Phalanger or Australian
Opossum, an animal which has been curiously neglected by all
tionaries of repute. On New Zealand mammals it is not necessary
to quote any book; for when the English came, it is said, New
Zealand contained no mammal larger than a rat. Captain Cook
turned two pigs loose ; but it is stated on authority, that these pigs
left no descendants. One was ridden to death by Maori boys, and
the other was killed for sacrilege : he rooted in a tapu burial-place.
Nevertheless, the settlers still call any wild-pig, especially if lean and
bony, a "Captain Cook."
INTRODUCTION xix
For the scientific nomenclature of Australian Botany the Census of
Australian Plants by the Baron von Miiller (1889) is indispensable. It
has been strictly followed. For fishes reliance has been placed upon
Tenison Woods' Fishes and Fisheries of New South Wales (1882), on W.
Macleay's Descriptive Catalogue of Australian Fishes (Proceedings of
the Linnaean Society of New South Wales, vols. v. and vi.), and on
Dr. Giinther's Study of Fishes. For the scientific nomenclature of
Animal Life, the standard of reference has been the Tabular List of
all the Australian Birds by E. P. Ramsay of the Australian Museum,
Sydney (1888); Catalogue of Australian Mammals by J. O. Ogilby of
the Australian Museum, Sydney (1892) ; Catalogue of Marsupials
and Monotremes, British Museum (1888) ; Prodromus to the Natural
History of Victoria by Sir F. McCoy. Constant reference has also
been made to Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of New South
Wales, Proceedings and Transactions 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 been hand-
somely treated by the scientific illustrators, Gould's Birds of
Australia and Buller's Birds of New Zealand are indeed monumental
works. Neither Gould nor Sir Walter Buller scorns vernacular
names. But since the days of the former the number of named
species of Australian birds has largely increased, and in January
1895, at the Brisbane Meeting of the Australasian Association for the
Advancement of Science, a Committee was appointed to draw up a
list of vernacular bird-names. By the kindness of a member of this
Committee (Mr. A. J. Campbell of Melbourne) I was allowed the use
of a list of such vernacular names drawn up by him and Col. Legge
for submission to the Committee.
VIII. SCIENTIFIC WORDS.
The example of The Century has been followed in the inclusion of
sundry scientific names, especially those of genera or Natural Orders
of purely Australasian objects. Although it is quite true that these
can hardly be described as Australasian English, it is believed that
the course adopted will be for the general convenience of those who
consult this Dictionary.
Some of these " Neo-Latin " and " Neo-Greek " words are extra-
ordinary in themselves and obscure in their origin, though not
through antiquity. In his Students Pastime, at p. 293, Dr. Skeat says
" Nowhere can more ignorant etymologies be found than in works
on Botany and * scientific ' subjects. Too often, all the science is
reserved for the subject, so that there is none to spare for explaining
the names."
A generous latitude has also been taken in including some words
undoubtedly English, but not exclusively Australasian, such as
Anabranch, and Antipodes, and some mining and other terms that are
also used in the United States. Convenience of readers is the excuse.
Anabranch is more frequently used of Australian rivers than of any
others, but perhaps a little pride in tracking the origin of the word
xx INTRODUCTION
has had something to do with its inclusion. Some words have been
inserted for purposes of explanation, e.g. Snook, in Australasia called
Barracouta, which latter is itself an old name applied in Australasia
to a different fish ; and Cavally, which is needed to explain Trevally.
IX. ASSISTANCE RECEIVED.
There remains the pleasant duty of acknowledging help. Many
persons have given me help, whose names can hardly be listed
here. A friend, an acquaintance, or sometimes even a stranger,
has often sent a single quotation of value, or an explanation of a
single word. The Editors of many newspapers have helped not
a little by the insertion of a letter or a circular. To all these
helpers, and I reckon their number at nearly 200, I tender my hearty
thanks.
Various officers of the Melbourne Public Library, and my friend
Mr. Edward H. Bromby, the Librarian of this University, have
rendered me much assistance. I have often been fortunate enough to
obtain information from the greatest living authority on a particular
subject: from the Baron von Miiller, from Sir Frederick M'Coy, or
from Mr. A. W. Howitt. [Alas ! since I penned this sentence,
the kind and helpful Baron has been taken from us, and is no longer
the greatest living authority on Australian Botany.] My friend and
colleague, Professor Baldwin Spencer, a most earnest worker in
the field of Australian science, gave many hours of valuable time to
set these pages right in the details of scientific explanations. Mr.
J. G. Luehmann of Melbourne has kindly answered various questions
about Botany, and Mr. A. J. North, of Sydney, in regard to certain
birds. Mr. T. S. Hall, of the Biological Department of this Uni-
versity, and Mr. J. J. Fletcher, of Sydney, the Secretary of the
Linnaean Society of New South Wales, have rendered me much help.
The Rev. John Mathew, of Coburg, near Melbourne, has thrown
much light on aboriginal words. The Rev. E. H. Sugden, Master
of Queen's College in this University, has furnished a large number
of useful quotations. His name is similarly mentioned, honoris causa,
in Dr. Murray's Preface to Part I. of the <O. E.D.' Mr. R. T. Elliott
of Worcester College, Oxford, has given similar help. The Master
himself, the Master of all who engage in Dictionary work, Dr.
Murray, of Oxford, has kindly forwarded to me a few pithy and
valuable comments on my proof-sheets. He also made me a strong
appeal never to pass on information from any source without acknow^
ledgment. This, the only honest course, I have striven scrupulously
to follow ; but it is not always easy to trace the sources whence
information has been derived.
When gaps in the sequence of quotations were especially apparent
on the proofs, Mr. W. Ellis Bird, of Richmond, Victoria, found me
many illustrative passages. For New Zealand words a o- oo dl v
supply of quotations was contributed by Miss Mary Colborne-Veel
of Chnstchurch, author of a volume of poetry called The Fairest
L 3 r c u 6r S1Ster ' MisS Gertrud e Colborne-Veel, and by
Mr. W. H. S. Roberts of Oamaru, author of a little book called
INTRODUCTION xxi
Southland in 1856. In the matter of explanation of the origin and
meaning of New Zealand terms, Dr. Hocken of Dunedin, Mr. F. R.
Chapman of the same city, and Mr. Edward Tregear of Wellington,
author of the Maori Polynesian Dictionary, and Secretary of the Poly-
nesian Society, have rendered valuable and material assistance. Dr.
Holden of BeUerive, near Hobart, was perhaps my most valued
correspondent. After I had failed in one or two quarters to enlist
Tasmanian sympathy, he came to the rescue, and gave me much
help on Tasmanian words, especially on the Flora and the birds ;
also on Queensland Flora and on the whole subject of Fishes. Dr.
Holden also enlisted later the help of Mr. J. B. Walker, of Hobart,
who contributed much to enrich my proofs. But the friend who has
given me most help of all has been Mr. J. Lake of St. John's College,
Cambridge. When the Dictionary was being prepared for press, he
worked with me for some months, very loyally putting my materials
into shape. Birds, Animals, and Botany he sub-edited for me, and
much of the value of this part of the Book, which is almost an
Encyclopaedia rather than a Dictionary, is due to his ready know-
ledge, his varied attainments, and his willingness to undertake
research.
To all who have thus rendered me assistance I tender hearty
thanks. It is not their fault if, as is sure to be the case, defects and
mistakes are found in this Dictionary. But should the Book be
received with public favour, these shall be corrected in a later
edition.
EDWARD E. MORRIS.
The University, Melbourne,
Febrtiary 23, 1897.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS OF NAMES
Ait. . . .
Aiton.
Haw. .
. Haworth.
Andr. . . .
Andrews.
Hens.
. Henslow.
B. and L.
Barere and Leland.
Herb.
. Herbert.
Bail. . . .
Baillon.
Homb.
. Hombron.
Bechst. . .
Bechstein.
Hook.
. J. Hooker.
Benth. . .
Bentham.
Hook. f.
. Hooker fils.
Bl. ...
Bleeker.
Horsf.
. Horsfield.
Bocld. . . .
Boddaert
111. .
. Illiger.
Bp. }
Bonap. J
Bonaparte.
Jacq. .
Jard. .
. Jacquinot.
. Jardine.
R. Br. . .
Robert Brown.
L. and S.
. Liddell and Scott.
Brong. . .
Cab. . . .
Brongniart.
Cabanis.
Lab. "\
Labill. /
Labillardiere.
Carr. . . .
Carriere.
Lacep.
. Lacepede.
Castln. . .
Castelnau.
Lath. . .
. Latham.
Cav. . . .
Cavanilles.
Lehm.
. Lehmann.
Corr. . . .
Correa.
Less.
. Lesson.
Cunn. ")
A. Cunn. J
A. Cunningham.
L'herit. .
Licht.
. L'Heritier.
. Lichtenstein.
Cuv. . . .
Cuvier.
Lindl. .
. Lindley.
De C. . . .
De Candolle.
Linn. . .
. Linnaeus.
Dec. . . .
Decaisne.
Macl. . .
Macleay.
Desf. . . .
Desfontaines.
McC. . .
. McCoy.
Desm. . .
Desmarest.
Meissn. .
. Meissner.
Desv. . .
Desvaux.
Menz.
. Menzies.
De Tarrag. .
De Tarragon.
Milne-Ed.
. Milne -Ed wards.
Diet. . . .
Dietrich.
Miq. . .
. Miquel.
Donov. . .
Donovan.
Parlat.
. Parlatore.
Drap. . . .
Drapiez.
Pers. . .
. Persoon.
Dryand. . .
Endl. . . .
Dryander.
Endlicher.
Plan. 1
Planch. J
. Planchol.
Fab. . . .
Fabricius.
Poir. . .
. Poiret.
Forsk. . .
Forst. . .
Forskael.
Forster.
Q. . .
Raffl. . .
. Raffles.
F. v. M. . .
Ferdinand von Miiller.
Rein. . .
. Reinwardt.
G. Forst.
G. Forster.
Reiss.
. Reisseck.
Gaertn. . .
Gaim. . . .
Gaertner.
Gaimard.
Rich. \
Richards. J
Richardson.
Garn. .
Garnot.
Roxb.
Roxburgh
Gaud. . .
Gaudichaud.
Sal. . .
. Salvadori.
Geoff. . .
Geoffrey.
Salisb.
. Salisbury.
Germ. . .
Germar.
Schau.
. Schauer.
Gmel. . .
Guich. . .
Gmelin.
Guichenot.
Schl. )
Schlecht. J
Schlechtendal.
Giinth. . .
Giinther.
Selb. . .
. Selby.
Harv. . .
Harvey.
Ser. . .
. Seringe.
Hasselq. . .
Hasselquin.
Serv. . .
. Serville.
INTRODUCTION
Sieb. . ,
Sm. . ,
Sol. . ,
Sow. .
Sparrm.
Steph.
Sundev.
Sw. )
Swains. J
Temni.
Thunb.
Sieber.
Smith.
Solander.
Sowerby.
Sparrman.
Stephan.
Sundevall.
Swainson.
Temminck.
Thunberg.
Tul. . .
V. and II.
Val. . .
Vent. . .
Vieill. .
Vig. . .
Wagl.
Water. .
Wedd. .
Willd. .
Zimm.
Tulasne.
Vigors and Horsfield.
Valenciennes.
Ventenat.
Vieillot.
Vigors.
Wagler.
Waterhouse.
Weddell.
Willdenow.
Zimmermann.
OTHER ABBREVIATIONS
q.v.
i.q.
ibid.
i.e.
sc.
s.v.
cf.
n.
V.
prep,
interj
sic,
N.O.
sp.
spp.
A square
quod vide, which see.
idem qitod, the same as.
ibidem, in the same book.
id est, that is.
scilicet, that is to say.
sub voce, under the word.
confer, compare.
noun.
adjective.
verb.
preposition.
interjection.
"thus," draws attention to some peculiarity of diction or to what is believed
to be a mistake.
Natural Order,
a species,
various species.
bracket [ ] shows an addition to a quotation by way of comment.
English Dictionary," often formerly quoted as "N.E.D." or
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Absentee, n. euphemistic term
for a convict. The word has dis-
appeared with the need for it. '
1837. Jas. Mudie, 'Felonry of New South
Wales,' p. vii. :
" The ludicrous and affected philan-
thropy of the present Governor of the
Colony, in advertising runaway con-
victs under the soft and gentle name
of absentees, is really unaccountable,
unless we suppose it possible that his
Excellency as a native of Ireland,
and as having a well-grounded Hiber-
nian antipathy to his absentee country-
men, uses the term as one expressive
both of the criminality of the absen-
tee and of his own abhorrence of the
crime."
Acacia, n. and adj. a genus
of shrubs or trees, N.O. Legumi-
nosoz. The Australian species often
form thickets or scrubs, and are
much used for hedges. The
species are very numerous, and
are called provincially by various
names, e.g. " Wattle," " Mulga,"
"Giddea," and " Sally," an Ang-
licized form of the aboriginal
name Sallee (q.v.). The tree
peculiar to Tasmania, Acacia
riceana, Hensl., N.O. Leguminosce,
is there called the Drooping Acacia.
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 artists to
portray it. Its gigantic gum and
acacia trees, 40 ft. in girth, some of
them covered with a most smooth
bark, externally as white as chalk. . . ."
1844. L. Leichhardt, Letter in 'Cooks-
land,' by J. D. Lang, p. 91 :
"Rosewood Acacia, the wood of
which has a very agreeable violet
scent like the Myal Aca.c\a.(A.fendula)
in Liverpool Plains."
1846. C. P. Hodgson, 'Reminiscences
of Australia, ' p. 149 :
" The Acacias are innumerable, all
yielding a famous bark for tanning,
and a clean and excellent gum."
1869. Mrs. Meredith, 'A Tasmanian
Memory,' p. 8 :
" Acacias fringed with gold."
1877. F. v. Miiller, 'Botanic Teachings,'
p. 24:
" The name Acacia, derived from the
Greek, and indicative of a thorny plant,
was already bestowed by the ancient
naturalist and physician Dioscorides
on a Gum-Arabic yielding North-
African Acacia not dissimilar to some
Australian species. This generic name
is so familiarly known, that the appel-
lation 'Wattle' might well be dispensed
with. Indeed the name Acacia is in
full use in works on travels and in
many popular writings for the numerous
Australian species. . . . Few of any
genera of plants contain more species
than Acacia, and in Australia it is the
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[ACR-AMB
richest of all ; about 300 species, as
occurring in our continent, have been
clearly defined."
Acrobates, n. the scientific name
of the Australian genus of Pigmy
Flying-Phalangers, or, as they are
locally called, Opossum- Mice. See
Opossum-Mouse, Flying-Mouse, Fly-
ing-Phalanger, and Phalanger. The
genus was founded by Desmarest
in 1817. (Grk. d/cpo/forr}?, walk-
ing on tiptoe.)
JEpyprymnus, n. the scientific
name of the genus of the Rufous
Kangaroo-Rat. It is the tallest
and largest of the Kangaroo-Rats
(q.v.). (Grk. anru?, high, and
ov, the hinder part.)
Ailurcedus, n. scientific name
for the genus of Australian birds
called Cat-birds (q.v). From
Grk. atXovpos, a cat, and etSos,
species.
Ake, n. originally Akeake,
Maori name for either of two small
trees, (i) Dodoncza viscosa, Linn.,
in New Zealand; (2) Olearia tra-
versii, F. v. M., in the Chatham
Islands. Ake is originally a
Maori adv. meaning " onwards, in
time." Archdeacon Williams, in
his ' Dictionary of New Zealand
Language,' says Ake, Ake, Ake,
means "for ever and ever."
(Edition 1852.)
1820. 'Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand ' (Church Mis-
sionary Society), p. 133 :
" Akeake, paulo postfuturum?
1835. W. Yate, ' Some Account of New
Zealand,' p. 47 :
"Aki, called the Lignum vita of
New Zealand."
1851. Mrs. Wilson, ' New Zealand/ p.
43 :
" The ake and towai . . . are almost
equal, in point of colour, to rosewood."
1883. ]. 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 in dry woods and
forests."
Alarm- bird, n. a bird-name no
longer used in Australia. There
is an African Alarm-bird.
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. vi. pi. 9 :
Lobivanettus lobatus (Lath.), Wat-
tled Pewit, Alarm Bird of the Colon-
ists."
Alectryon, n. a New Zealand
tree and flower, Alectryon excelsum,
De C., Maori name Titoki (q>v.);
called also the New Zealand Oak,
from the resemblance of its leaves
to those of an oak. Named by
botanists from Grk. dXe^rpvwv, a
cock.
1872. A. Domett, 'Ranolf/I. 7, p. 16 :
" The early season could not yet
Have ripened the alectryon's beads
of jet,
Each on its scarlet strawberry set."
Alexandra Palm, n. a Queens-
land tree, Ptychosperma alexandrce,
F. v. M. A beautifully marked
wood much used for making
walking sticks. It grows 70 or
80 feet high.
Alluvial, n. the common term
in Australia and New Zealand for
gold-bearing alluvial soil. The
word is also used adjectivally as
in England.
1889. Rolf Bold re wood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 403 :
"The whole of the alluvial will be
taken up, and the Terrible Hollow will
re-echo with the sound of pick and
shovel."
Ambrite (generally called am-
brit), n. Mineral [from amber +
ite, mineral formative, 'O.E.D.'],
a fossil resin found in masses
amidst lignite coals in various
parts of New Zealand. Some
identify it with the resin of Dam-
mara australis, generally called
Kauri gum (q.v.).
1867. F. von Hochstetter, ' New Zea-
land,' p. 79 :
ANA-ANG]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
"Although originating probably from
a coniferous tree related to the Kauri
pine, it nevertheless has been errone-
ously taken for Kauri gum." [Foot-
note] : " It is sufficiently character-
ised to deserve a special name ; but it
comes so near to real amber that it
deserves the name of Ambrite"
[This is the earliest use of the
word.]
Anabranch, n. a branch of a
river which leaves it and enters
it again. The word is not Aus-
tralian, though it is 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,
rightly explaining it as anastomos-
ing ; but its quotation from the
* Athenaeum' (1871), on which it
relies, is a misprint. For the
origin and coinage of the word,
see quotation 1834. See the abo-
riginal name Billabong.
1834. Col. Jackson, 'Journal of Royal
Geographical Society,' p. 79 :
" Such branches of a river as after
separation re-unite, I would term ana-
stomosing-branches ; or, if a word
might be coined, ana-branches, and
the islands they form, branch-islands.
Thus, if we would say, ' the river in
this part of its course divides into
several ana-branches^ we should im-
mediately understand the subsequent
re-union of the branches to the main
trunk."
Col. Jackson was for a while
Secretary and Editor of the So-
ciety's Journal. In Feb. 1847 he
resigned that position, and in the
Journal of that year there is the
following amusing ignorance of
his proposed word
1847. 'Condensed Account of Sturt's
Exploration in the Interior of Australia
Journal of the Royal Geographical Society,'
p. 87:
" Captain Sturt proposed sending in
advance to ascertain the state of the
Ana branch of the Darling, discovered
by Mr. Eyre on a recent expedition to
the North."
No fewer than six times on two
pages is the word anabranch print-
ed as two separate words, and as
if Ana were a proper name. In
the Index volume it appears "Ana,
a branch of the Darling."
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Ex-
pedition,' p. 35 :
"The river itself divided into
anabranches which . . . made the
whole valley a maze of channels."
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 298:
"What the Major calls, after the
learned nomenclature of Colonel Jack-
son, in the 'Journal of the Geographi-
cal Society,' anabranches, but which
the natives call billibongs, channels
coming 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,
Falco melanogenys, Gould. The
Black-cheeked Falcon, so called
because of the resemblance of the
wings outspread in flight to the
flukes of an anchor.
Anguillaria, n. one of the ver-
nacular names used for the
common Australian wild flower,
Anguillaria australiS) R. Br., Wur-
mbsea dioica, F. v. M., N.O.
Liliacece. The name Anguillaria
is from the administrator of the
Botanic Gardens of Padua, three
centuries ago. There are three
Australian forms, distinguished
by Robert Brown as species.
The flower is very common in the
meadows in early spring, and is
therefore called the Native Snow-
drop. In Tasmania it is called
Nancy.
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[ANT
1835. Ross > ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 67 :
" Spotted Anguillaria. Nancy. The
little lively white flower with blue spots
in the centre, about 2 inches high, that
everywhere enlivens our grassy hills
in spring, resembling the Star of Beth-
lehem."
1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, ' Australian
Botany,' p. 83 :
" Native Snowdrop. Anguillaria
Australis. The earliest of all our in-
digenous spring-flowering plants. . . .
In early spring our fields are white
with the flowers of this pretty little
bulbous-rooted plant."
Ant-eater, n. (i) i.q. Ant-eating
Porcupine. See Echidna. (2)
The Banded Ant-eater (q.v.).
Ant-eater, Banded. See Band-
ed Ant-eater.
Antechinomys, n. scientific
name for the genus with the one
species of Long-legged Pouched-
Mouse (q.v.). (Grk. avn, opposed
to, e^ivos, hedgehog, and ^5,
mouse, sc. a mouse different to
the hedgehog.) It is a jumping
animal exclusively insectivorous.
Antipodes, n. properly a Greek
word, the plural of avrwrovs, lit.
" having feet opposed." The an-
cients, however, had no know-
ledge of the southern hemisphere.
Under the word irepiocKos, Liddell
and Scott explain that ai/nVoSes
meant "those who were in op-
posite parallels and meridians."
The word Antipodes was adopted
into the Latin language, and
occurs in two of the Fathers,
Lactantius and Augustine. By
the mediaeval church to believe
in the antipodes was regarded as
heresy. O.E.D.' quotes two
examples of the early use of the
word in English.
1398. 'Trevisa Earth. De P. R.,' xv. lii.
(1495), P- 506:
" Yonde in Ethiopia ben the Anti-
podes, men that have theyr fete
ayenst our fete."
1556. 'Recorde Cast. Knowl.,' 93 :
" People . . . called of the Greeks
and Latines also avTivoSee, Antipodes,
as you might say Counterfeited, or
Counterpasers."
Shakspeare uses the word in
five places, but, though he knew
that this " pendent world" was
spherical, his Antipodes were
not Australasian. In three places
he means only the fact that it is
day in the Eastern hemisphere
when it is night in England.
c Midsummer Night's Dream,' III. ii. 55 :
" I'll believe as soon
This whole earth may be bored, and
that the moon
May thro' the centre creep and so
displease
His brother's noontide with the Anti-
podes."
' Merchant of Venice,' V. 127 :
" We should hold day with the Anti-
podes
If 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 clearly de-
signates 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 in-
dications are given in ' Much Ado, '
II. i. 273, where Benedick is so
anxious to avoid Beatrice that he
says
" I will go on the slightest errand
now to the Antipodes that you can
devise to send me on. I will fetch
you a tooth-picker now from the
farthest inch of Asia ; bring you the
length of Prester John's foot ; fetch
you a hair of the great Kam's beard ;
do you any embassage to the Pygmies
rather than hold three words con-
ference with this harpy."
ANT-APP]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
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 to places
than to people. Geographically,
the word means a place exactly
opposite on the surface of the
globe, as Antipodes Island (East-
ward of New Zealand), which is
very near the opposite end of the
diameter of the globe passing
through London. But the word
is often used in a wider sense,
and the whole of Australasia is
regarded as the Antipodes of
Great Britain.
The question is often asked
whether there is any singular
to the word Antipodes, and
'O.E.D.' shows that antipode is
still used in the sense of the
exact opposite of a person.
Antipod is also used, especially
playfully. The adjectives used
are Antipodal and Antipodean.
1640. Richard Brome [Title] :
" The Antipodes ; comedy in verse."
[Acted in 1638, first printed 410.
1640.]
Ant-orchis, n. an Australian
and Tasmanian orchid, Chiloglottis
gunnii, Lind.
Apple and Apple-tree, n. and
adj. The names are applied to
various indigenous trees, in some
cases from a supposed resem-
blance to the English fruit, in
others to the foliage of the
English tree. The varieties are
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 aciditla, 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 Interior of New South
Wales,' p. 187 :
" The blue gum trees in the neigh-
bourhood were extremely fine, whilst
that species of Eucalyptus, which is
vulgarly called the apple-tree . . .
again made its appearance. . . ."
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 260:
" It builds its nest of sticks lined
with grass in Iron-bark and Apple-trees
(a species of Angophora)?
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 the stream, I
was perpetually reminded of a thriving
and rich apple-orchard. The resem-
blance of what are called apple-trees
in Australia to those of the same name
at home is so striking at a distance in
these situations, that the comparison
could not be avoided, although the
former bear no fruit, and do not even
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 but most pictur-
esquely covered with ' apple-trees,' as
they are called by the colonists, merely
from their resemblance to the European
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[APP-ASH
apple-tree in their size and outline, for
they do not resemble 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-tree are in-
digenous."
1852. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes'
(edition 1855), p. 219:
" Pomona would indignantly disown
the apple-tree, for there is not 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 creek here 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
Australian shrub, Billardiera
scandens, Smith, N. O. Pittosporea,
called by children " dumplings."
I 793- J- E. Smith, ' Specimen of Botany
of New Holland,' pp. i, 3 :
" Billardiera scandens. Climbing
Apple Berry. . . . The name Billardi-
era is given it in honour of James
Julian .La Billardiere, M.D., F.M.L.S.,
now engaged as botanist on board the
French ships sent in search of M. de
la Peyrouse."
Apple- gum, n. See Gum.
Apple-scented gum, n. See
Gum.
Apteryx, n. [Grk. d privative
and 7rre'jov, a wing.] A New
Zealand bird about the size of a
domestic fowl, with merely rudi-
mentary wings. See Kiwi.
1813. G. Shaw, 'Naturalist's Miscel-
lany,' 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 (New Zealand)."
1851. ' Papers and Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Van Diemen'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 I be to succeed
in getting you one. Three years ago
Owen expressed a similar wish, and I
have repeatedly tried, but failed. Yet
here they still are in the mountain
forests, though, doubtless, fast hasten-
ing towards extinction. I saw one in
its wild state two years ago in the
dense woods of the interior ; I saw it
clearly. . . . Two living specimens
were lately taken by the Acheron,
steamer, to Sydney, where they died ;
these were obtained at the Bay of
Islands, where also I once got three at
one time. Since then I have not been
able to obtain 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
fully supplied, do not care to do so.
Further, they can only be captured by
night, and the dog must be well trained
to be of service."
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 were an
Apteryx. '
Arbutus, Native, n. See Wax-
Cluster.
Ardoo, n. See Nardoo.
Artichoke, n. name given to
the plant Astelia alpina, R. Br.,
N.O. Liliacea.
Ash, n. The name, with various
epithets, is applied to the following
different Australasian trees
Black Ash
Nephelium semiglaucum, F. v. M.,
N.O. Sapindacea ; called also
Wild Quince.
Black Mountain A.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon, F. v. M.,
N.O. Myrtacea.
Blue A.
Elaodendron australe, Vent.,
N.O. Celastrina.
Blueberry A.
Elceocarpus holopetalus, F. v. M.,
N.O. Tiliacea.
ASS-AST]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Brush Apple
Acronychia batieri, Schott. (of
Illawarra, N.S.W.).
Crow's A.
Flindersia australis, R. Br., N.O.
Meliacecz.
Elderberry A. (of Victoria)
Panax sambucifolius, Sieb., N.O.
Araliacece.
Illawarra A.
Eltzocarpus kirtonia, F. v. M.,
IV. O. Tiliacetz.
Moreton Bay A.
Eucalyptus tessellaris, Hook.,
N.O. Myrtacece.
Mountain A. (see Mountain Ash).
New Zealand A. (see Titoki).
Pigeonberry A.
Elaocarpus obovatus, G. Don.,
N.O. Tiliacece.
Red A.
Alphitonia excelsa, Reiss, N.O.
Rhamnacece.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 75 :
" The Moreton Bay Ash (a species
of Eucalyptus] . . . was here also very
plentiful."
Assigned, past part, of verb
to assign, to allot. Used as adj.
of a convict allotted to a settler
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 their assigned serv-
ants could not be known from soldiers,
owing to their 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 respect-
able Scotch family residing near
Sydney."
1845. R. Howitt, 'Australia/ p. 75 :
" Of the first five persons we saw in
Van Diemen's Land, four were con-
victs, and perhaps the fifth. These
were the assigned servants of the
pilot."
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
P- 324 :
"Under the old practice, the con-
victs, as soon as they arrived from
Britain, were assigned among the
various applicants. The servant thus
assigned was bound to perform dili-
gently, from sunrise till sunset, all
usual and reasonable labour."
Assignee, n. a convict assigned
as a servant. The word is also
used in its ordinary English
sense.
1843. ' Penny Cyclopaedia,' vol. xxv. p.
139, col. 2 :
" It is comparatively difficult to ob-
tain another assignee, easy to obtain
a hired servant."
1848. W. Westgarth, ' Australia Felix,'
p. 324 :
"Any instance of gross treatment
disqualified him for the future as an
assignee of convict labour."
Assignment, n. service as
above.
1836. C. Darwin, 'Journal of Re-
searches' (1890), c. xix. p. 324 :
" I believe the years of assignment
are passed away with discontent and
unhappiness."
1852. John West, 'History of Tas-
mania,' vol. ii. p. 126 :
" That form of service, known as as-
signment, was established by Governor
King in 1804."
1861. T. McCombie, 'Australian
Sketches,' p. 117 :
"The assignment system was then
in operation, and such as obtained free
grants of land were allowed a certain
proportion of convicts to bring it into
cultivation."
Asthma Herb, Queensland, n.
Euphorbia pilulif era, Linn. As the
name implies, a remedy for asth-
ma. The herb is collected when
in flower and carefully dried.
1889. J. PI. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 183 :
" This plant, having obtained some
reputation in Australasia in certain
pulmonary complaints, has acquired
the appellation in the Colonies of
'Queensland Asthma Herb/ Never-
theless, it is by no means endemic in
Australasia, for it is a common tropical
weed."
8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[AUA-AUS
Aim, n. Maori name for a New
Zealand fish, Agonostoma forsteri,
Bleek. Another Maori name is
Makawhiti; also called Sea-Mullet
and sometimes Herring (q.v.). _ It
is abundant also in Tasmanian
estuaries, and is one of the fishes
which when dried is called Picton
Herring (q.v.). See also Maray
and Mullet. Agonostoma is a genus
of the family Mugilida or Grey-
Mullets.
Aurora australis, n. the
Southern equivalent for Aurora
borealis.
1790. J. White, ' Voyage to New South
Wales,' p. 214 :
" Sept. 5, 1788. About half after six
in the evening, we saw an Aurora
Australis, a phenomenon uncommon
in the southern hemisphere."
Austral, adj. " Belonging to
the South, Southern. Lat. Aus-
tralis, from auster, south-wind."
('O.E.D.') The word is rarely
used in Australasia in its primary
sense, but now as equivalent to
Australian or Australasian.
1823. Wentworth's Cambridge poem on
' Australasia ' :
"And grant that yet an Austral Mil-
ton's song,
Pactolus-like, flow deep and rich
along,
An Austral Shakespeare rise, whose
living page
To Nature true may charm in every
age;
And that an Austral Pindar daring
soar,
Where not the Theban Eagle reach'd
before/
1825. Barren Field, 'First Fruits of
Australian Poetry,' Motto in Geographical
Memoir of New South Wales, p. 485 :
"I first adventure. Follow me who
list;
And be the second Austral har-
monist."
Adapted from Bishop Hall.
1845. R- Howitt, ' Australia/ p. 184:
' For this, midst Austral wilds I waken
Our British harp, feel whence
come,
Queen of the sea, too long forsaken,
Queen of the soul, my spirit's
home." Alien Song.
1855. W. Howitt, 'Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 43 :
" Every servant in this Austral Uto-
pia thinks himself a gentleman."
1868. C. Harpur, 'Poems' (ed. 1883),
p. 215 :
" How oft, in Austral woods, the parting
day
Has gone through western golden
gates away."
1879. J. B. O'Hara, 'Songs of the
South, 'p. 127:
" What though no weird and legendary
lore
Invests our young, our golden Aus-
tral shore
With 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. i, Jan."
1896. 'The Melburnian,' Aug. 28, p.
" Our Austral Spring." [Title of an
article describing Spring in Australia.]
Australasia, n. (and its adjec-
tives), name " given originally
by De Brosses to one of his three
divisions of the alleged Terra
australis:' ('O.E.D.') Now used
as a larger term than Australian,
to include the continent of Aus-
tralia, New Zealand, Tasmania,
Fiji and islands. For peculiar
use of the name for the Continent
in 1793, see Australia.
1756. Charles de Brosses, ' Histoire des
Navigations aux Terres Australes,' torn. i.
p. 80:
" On peut de meme diviser le monde
austral inconnu en trois portions. . . .
L'une dans 1'ocean des Indes au sud
de 1'Asie que j'appellerai par cette rai-
son australasie"
AUS]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
1766. Callander, 'Terra Australis,' i. p.
49 (Translation of de Brosses) (' O.E.D.') :
"The first [division] in the Indian
Ocean, south of Asia, which for 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 Cam-
bridge University :
' Australasia.'
[The prize (Chancellor's Medal) was won
by Winthrop Mackworth Praed. William
Charles Wentworth stood second.] The
concluding lines of his poem are :
"And Australasia float, with flag un-
furl'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 of Austral
Asia?" [sic.]
1852. J. West, ' History of Tasmania,'
vol. i. p. 109 :
" ; The Austral-Asiatic Review,' by
Murray, also made its appearance [in
Hobart] in February, 1828."
1855. Tennyson, 'The Brook,' p. 194:
"Katie walks
By the long wash of Australasian seas
Far 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. I, First
Number [Title] :
"The Australasian."
1880. Alfred R. Wallace [Title] :
" Australasia." [In Stanford's ' Com-
pendium of Geography and Travel.']
1881. David Blair [Title] :
" Cyclopaedia of Australasia."
1890. E. W. Hornung, < Bride from the
Bush,' p. 29 :
"It was neither Cockney nor Yan-
kee, but a nasal blend of both : it was
a lingo that declined to let the vowels
run alone, but trotted them out in ill-
matched couples, with discordant and
awful consequences ; in a word, it was
Australasiatic of the worst description."
1890. ' Victorian Consolidated Statutes,'
Administration and Probate Act, Section
39:
" * Australasian Colonies,' shall mean
all colonies for the time being on the
main land of Australia . . . and shall
also include the colonies of New Zea-
land, Tasmania and Fiji and any
other British Colonies or possessions
in Australasia now existing or here-
after to be created which the Governor
in Council may from time to time
declare to be Australasian Colonies
within the meaning of this Act. "
1895. Edward Jenks [Title] :
"History of the Australasian Col-
onies."
1896. J. S. Laurie [Title] :
" The Story of Australasia."
Australia, #., and Australian,
adj. As early as the i6th century
there was a belief in a Terra aus-
tralis (to which was often added
the epithet incognita), literally
" southern land," which was be-
lieved to be land lying round and
stretching outwards from the
South Pole.
In * Proceedings of the Royal
Geographical Society of Austra-
lasia, 'Sydney, Jan. 1892, is printed
a paper read at the Geographical
Congress at Berne, by E. Delmar
Morgan, on the ' Early Discovery
of Australia.' This paper is illus-
trated by maps taken from ' Nor-
denskiold's Atlas.' In a map by
Orontius Finceus, a French cos-
mographer of Provence, dated
1531, the Terra australis is shown
as "Terra Australis recenter in-
venta, sed nondum plene cognita."
In Ortelius' Map, 1570, it appears
as "Terra Australis nondum
cognita." In Gerard Mercator's
Map, 1587, as " Terra Australis "
simply.
In 1606 the Spaniard Fernandez
de Quiros gave the name of Terra
Australis del Espiritu Santo to land
which he thought formed part of
the Great Southland. It is in
fact one of the New Hebrides.
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[AUS
The word " Australian " is older
than "Australia" (see quotations,
1693 and 1766). The name Aus-
tralia was adapted from the Latin
name Terra Australis. The earliest
suggestion of the word is credited
to Flinders, who certainly thought
that he was inventing the name.
(See quotation, 1814.) Twenty-
one years earlier, however, the
word is found (see quotation,
1793) ; and the passage contain-
ing it is the first known use of
the word in print. Shaw may
thus be regarded as its inventor.
According to its title-page, the
book quoted is by two authors,
the Zoology by Shaw and the
Botany by Smith. The Botany,
however, was not published. Of
the two names Australia and
Australasia suggested in the
opening of the quotation, to take
the place of New Holland, Shaw
evidently favoured Australia, while
Smith, in the * Transactions of the
Linnaean Society,' vol. iv. p. 213
(1798), uses Australasia for the
continent several times. Neither
name, however, passed then into
general use. In 1814, Robert
Brown the Botanist speaks of
" Terra Australis" not of " Aus-
tralia" "Australia" was re-
invented by Flinders.
Quotations for " Terra Australis "
1621. R. Burton, 'Anatomy of Melan-
choly' (edition 1854), p. 56:
"For the site, if you will needs urge
me to it, I am not fully resolved, it
may be in Terra Australis incognita,
there is room enough (for of my know-
ledge, neither that hungry Spaniard
nor Mercurius Britannicus have yet
discovered half of it)."
Ibid. p. 314:
" Terra Australis incognita . . .
and yet in likelihood it may be so, for
without all question, it being extended
from the tropic of Capricorn to the
circle Antarctic, and lying as it doth in
the temperate zone, cannot choose but
yield in time some flourishing king-
doms to succeeding ages, as America
did unto the Spaniards."
Ibid. p. 619 :
"But these are hard-hearted, un-
natural, monsters of men, shallow
politicians, they do not consider that a
great part of the world is not yet
inhabited as it ought, how many
colonies into America, Terra Austrahs
i?icognita, Africa may be sent ? "
Early quotations for "Australian "-
1693. 'Nouveau Voyage de la Terre
Australe, contenant les Coutumes et les
Moeurs des Australians, etc.' Par Jaques
Sadeur [Gabriel de Foigny].
[This is a work of fiction, but inter-
esting as being the first book in which
the word Austr aliens is used. The
next quotation is from the English
translation.]
1693. 'New Discovery, Terra Incognita
Australis,' p. 163 (' O.E.D.') :
" It is easy to judge of the incom-
parability of the Australians with 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 Gonne-
ville had brought into France."
Quotations for " Australia "-
1793. G. Shaw and J. E. Smith,
' Zoology and Botany cf New Holland/
p. 2:
"The vast Island or rather Con-
tinent of Australia, Australasia, or New
Holland, which has so lately attracted
the particular attention of European
navigators and naturalists, seems to
abound in scenes of peculiar wildness
and sterility ; while the wretched
natives of many of those dreary dis-
tricts seem less elevated above the
inferior animals than in any other part
of the known world ; Caffraria itself
not excepted ; as well as less indued
with the power of promoting a com-
fortable existence by an approach
towards useful arts and industry. It
is in these savage regions however
that Nature seems to have poured
forth many of her most highly orna-
mented products with unusual liber-
ality."
1814. M. Flinders, ' Voyage to Terra
Australis,' Introduction, p. iii. and foot-
note :
AUS]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
ir
" I have . . . ventured upon the re-
adoption of the original Terra Austra-
lis, and of this term I shall hereafter
make use, when speaking of New
Holland [sc. the West] and New
South Wales, in a collective sense ;
and when using it in the most exten-
sive signification, the adjacent isles,
including that of Van Diemen, must
be understood to be comprehended."
[Footnote] : " Had I permitted myself
any innovation upon the original term,
it would have been to convert it into
Australia ; as being more agreeable to
the ear, and an assimilation to the
names 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 doubtless some day
will reign a great princess in the
South ; but you are too great and
ambitious for affection, yet not great
enough for respect. 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. (new ed.) p. 152 :
" The colonies are determined to be
separate. Australia is a term that
finds no response in the patriotic feel-
ing of any Australian. . . . But this
will come to an end sooner or later.
The name of Australia will be dearer,
if not greater, to Australian ears than
the name of Great Britain."
[Mr. Trollope's prophecy has come
true, and the name of Australia is now
dearer to an Australian than the name
of his own separate colony. The word
" Colonial " as indicating Australian
nationality is going out of fashion.
The word "Australian" is much pre-
ferred.]
1878. F. P. Labilliere, * Early History
of the Colony of Victoria,' vol. i. p. 184 :
" In a despatch to Lord Bathurst, of
April 4th, 1817, Governor Macquarie
acknowledges the receipt of Captain
Flinders's charts of ' Australia.' This
is the first time that the name of Aus-
tralia appears to have been officially
employed. The Governor underlines
the word. ... In a private letter to
Mr. Secretary Goulbourn, M.P., of
December 2 1 st, 1817, [he] says . . . 'the
Continent of Australia, which, I hope,
will be the name given to this country
in future, instead of the very erroneous
and misapplied name hitherto given
it of New Holland, which, properly
speaking, only applies to a part of this
immense Continent.' "
1883. G. W. Rusden, ' History of Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 64:
"It is pleasant to reflect that the
name Australia was selected by the
gallant Flinders ; though, with his
customary modesty, he suggested
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 ' in con-
nection with our wines, instead of the
broader and more federal one, ' Aus-
tralian. 5 In England our artists,
cricketers, scullers, and globe-trotters
are all spoken of and acknowledged
as Australians, and our produce, with
the exception of wine, is classed as
follows : Australian gold and copper,
Australian beef and mutton, Australian
butter, Australian fruits, &c."
Ibid. p. 14 :
" Merops or Bee-Eater. A tribe [of
birds] which appears to be peculiarly
prevalent in the extensive regions of
Australia."
Australian flag, n. Hot climate
and country work have brought
in a fashion among bushmen of
wearing a belt or leather strap
round the top of trousers instead
of braces. This often causes a
fold in the shirt protruding all
round from under the waistcoat,
which is playfully known as " the
Australian flag." Slang.
Australioid and Australoid,
adj. like Australian, sc. abori-
ginal a term used by ethnolo-
gists. See quotations.
1869. J. Lubbock, 'Prehistoric Times/
vol. xii. p. 378 :
" The Australoid type contains all
12
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[AUS-AXE
the inhabitants of Australia and the
native races of the Deccan."
1878. E. B. Tylor, 'Encyclopaedia
Britannica,' vol. ii. p. 1 12 :
'He [Professor Huxley] distin-
guishes four principal types of man-
kind, the Australioid, Negroid, Mon-
goloid, and Xanthochroic, adding a
fifth variety, the Melanochroic. The
special points of the Australioid are a
chocolate-brown skin, dark brown or
black eyes, black hair (usually wavy),
narrow (dolichocephalic) skull, brow-
ridges strongly developed, projecting
jaw, coarse lips and broad nose. This
type is best represented by the natives
of Australia, and next to them by the
indigenous tribes of Southern India,
the so-called coolies. 3 '
Austral Thrush, n. See Port-
Jackson Thrush.
Avocet, n. a well-known
European bird-name. The Aus-
tralian species is the Red-necked
A., Recurvirostra nova-hollandice,
Vieill.
Aweto, n. Maori name for a
vegetable-caterpillar of New Zea-
land. See quotation.
1889. E. Wakefield, ' New Zealand after
Fifty Years, 'p. 81 :
"... the aweto, or vegetable-cater-
pillar, called by the naturalists Hipialis
virescens. It is a perfect caterpillar in
every respect, and a remarkably fine
one too, growing to a length in the
largest specimens of three and a half
inches and the thickness of a finger
but more commonly to about a half or
two-thirds of that size. . . . When full-
grown, it undergoes a miraculous
change. For some inexplicable reason,
the spore of a vegetable fungus
Sphtzria Robertsii, fixes itself on its
neck, or between the head and the
first ring of the caterpillar, takes root
and grows vigorously . . . exactly like
a diminutive bulrush from 6 to 10
inches high without leaves, and con-
sisting solely of a single stem with a
dark-brown felt-like head, so familiar
in the 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 fungus between the
folds of its neck, and unable to free
itself, the insect's body nourishes the
fungus, which vegetates and occasions
the death of the caterpillar by exactly
filling the interior of the body with its
roots, always preserving its perfect
form. When properly charred this
material yielded a fine dark dye, much
prized for purposes of moko." [See
Moko,]
Axe-breaker, n. name of a
tree, Notelaa longifolia, Vent.,
N. O. Jasminece.
1889. J- H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants, p. 579 :
"Axe-breaker. Wood hard, close-
grained and firm. Its vernacular
name emphasizes its hardness."
BAA-BAC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Baal, or Bail, interj. and adv.
"An aboriginal expression of
disapproval." (Gilbert Parker,
Glossary to ' Round the Compass
in Australia,' 1888.) It was the
negative in the Sydney dialect.
1893. J. F. Hogan, ' Robert Lowe,' p.
271, quoting from 'The Atlas' (circa
1845):
" Traces, however, of the Egyptian
language are discoverable among the
present inhabitants, with whom, for
instance, the word ' Bale ' or ' Baal ' is
in continual use. . . ." [Evidently a
joke.]
Babbler, n. a bird-name. In
Europe, "name given, on account
of their harsh chattering note,
to the long-legged thrushes."
('O.E.D.') The group "contains
a great number of birds not satis-
factorily located elsewhere, and
has been called the ornithological
waste-basket." (' Century.') The
species 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. ( i ) The far in-
terior of Australia, and away
from settled country. Land in
Australia is divided on the survey
maps into blocks, a word con-
fined, in England and the United
States, to town lands.
(2) The parts of a station dis-
tant from the frontage (q.v.).
1872. Anon. ' Glimpses of Life in Vic-
toria,' p. 31 :
"... we were doomed to see the
whole of our river-frontage purchased.
. . . The back blocks which were left
to us were insufficient for the support
of our flocks, and deficient in perman-
ent water-supply. ..."
1880. J. Mathew, Song 'The Bush-
man ' :
" Far, far on the plains of the arid
back-blocks
A warm-hearted bushman is tending
his flocks.
There's little to cheer in that vast
grassy sea :
But oh ! he finds pleasure in think-
ing of me.
How weary, how dreary the stillness
must be !
But oh ! the lone bushman is dream-
ing of me."
1890. E. W. Horaung, 'A Bride from
the Bush,' p. 298 :
" * Down in Vic ' you can carry as
many sheep to the acre as acres to
the sheep up here in the 'back-
blocks.'"
1893. M. Gaunt, 'English Illustrated,'
Feb. , p. 294 :
" The back-blocks are very effectual
levellers."
1893. Haddon Chambers, 'Thumbnail
Sketches of Australian Life,' p. 33 :
" In the back-blocks of New South
Wales he had known both hunger
and thirst, and had suffered from sun-
stroke."
1893. 'The Australasian,' Aug. 12, p.
302, col. i :
"Although Kara is in the back-
blocks of New South Wales, the
clothes and boots my brother wears
come from Bond Street."
Back-block, adj. from the
interior.
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Sydneyside
Saxon,' vol. xii. p. 215 :
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
14
'"What a nice mare that is of
yours ! ' said one of the back-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 once in 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 his heels 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
and inferior, the traveller asks
for hospitality at the stations (q.v.)
on his route, where he is always
made welcome. There is no idea
of anything underhand on the
part of the traveller, yet the
custom is called back-slanging.
Badger, n. This English name
has been incorrectly applied in
Australia, sometimes to the Band-
icoot, sometimes to the Rock-
Wallaby, and sometimes to the
Wombat. In Tasmania, it is the
usual bush-name for the last.
1829. 'The Picture of Australia,' p.
173:
"The Parameles, to which the col-
onists sometimes give the name of
badger. . . ."
1831. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 265 :
" That delicious animal, the wombat
(commonly known at that place [Mac-
quarie Harbour] by the name of bad-
ger, hence the little island of that name
in the map was so called, from the cir-
cumstance of numbers of that animal
being at first found upon it)."
1850. James Bennett Clutterbuck, M. D. ,
' Port Phillip in 1849,' p. 37 :
"The rock Wallaby, or Badger, also
belongs to the family of the Kangaroo
its length from the nose to the end of
the tail is three feet ; the colour of the
fur being grey-brown."
[BAC-BAI
1875. Rev. J. G. Wood, 'Natural
History,' vol. i. p. 481 :
" The Wombat or Australian Badger
as it is popularly called by the colon-
sts. . . ."
1891. W. Tilley, 'Wild West of Tas-
mania,' p. 8 :
" With the exception of wombats or
* badgers,' and an occasional kangaroo
the intruder had to rely on the
stores he carried with him."
Ibid. p. 44 :
" Badgers also abound, or did until
thinned out by hungry prospectors."
Badger-box, n. slang name for
a roughly-constructed dwelling.
l875- ' Proceedings of the Royal Society
of Tasmania,' September, p. 99 ['Port
Davey in 1875,' by the Hon. James Reid
Scott, M.L.C.] :
"The dwellings occupied by the
piners when up the river are of the
style known as * Badger-boxes,' in dis-
tinction from huts, which have per-
pendicular walls, while the Badger-box
is like an inverted V in section. They
are covered with bark, with a thatch
of grass along the ridge, and are on
an average about 14 x 10 feet at the
ground, and 9 or 10 feet high."
Bail, n. "A framework for
securing the head of a cow while
she is milked." ('O.E.D.')
This word, marked in ' O.E.D.'
and other Dictionaries as Austra-
lian, is provincial English. In the
* English Dialect Dictionary,'
edited by Joseph Wright, Part I.,
the word is given 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 ap-
paratus for confining a cow's head
called a 'bail.' This consists of an
upright standiron, five feet in height,
let into a framework, and about six
inches from it another fixed at the
heel, the upper part working freely in
a slit, in which are holes for a peg, so
that when the peg is out and the mov-
able standiron is thrown back, there
BAl]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
is abundance of room for a cow's head
and horns, but when closed, at which
time the two standirons are parallel
to each other and six inches apart,
though her neck can work freely up
and 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 would have
been impossible to milk without a
'bail. 5 To what man or country the
honour of this invention belongs, who
can tell ? It is in very general use in
the Australian colonies ; and my ad-
vice to any one troubled with a naughty
cow, who kicks like fury during the
process of milking, is to have a bail
constructed in their cow-house."
Bail up, v. (i) To secure the
head of a cow in a bail for milking.
(2) By transference, to stop
travellers in the bush, used of
bushrangers. The quotation,
1888, shows the method of trans-
ference. It then means gener-
ally, to stop.
Like the similar verb, to stick
up (q.v.), it is often used humor-
ously of a demand for subscrip-
tions, etc.
1844. Mrs - Chas. Meredith, 'Notes
and Sketches of New South Wales,' p.
132:
" The bushrangers . . . walk quickly
in, and 'bail up,' i.e. bind with cords,
or otherwise secure, the male portion."
1847. Alex. Marjoribauks, ' Travels in
New South Wales,' p. 72 :
"... there were eight or ten bul-
lock-teams baled up by three mounted
bushrangers. Being baled up is the
colonial phrase for those who are at-
tacked, who are afterwards all put to-
gether, and guarded by one of the
party of the bushrangers when the
others 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
own tenants."
1862. G. T. Lloyd, ' Thirty-three Years
in Tasmania and Victoria,' p. 192 :
" ' Come, sir, immediately,' rejoined
Murphy, rudely and insultingly push-
ing the master ; ' bail up in that corner,
and prepare 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 my promise 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 local public
house."
1882. A. J. Boyd, 'Old Colonials,' p,
76:
"Did I ever get stuck-up? Never
by white men, though I have been
bailed up by the niggers."
1885. H. Finch- Hatton, 'Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 105 :
" A little further on the boar ' bailed
up ' on the top of a ridge."
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Robbery under
Arms,' p. 368 :
" One of the young cows was a bit
strange with me, so I had to shake a
stick at her and sing out ' Bail up '
pretty rough before she'd put her head
in. Aileen smiled something like her
old self for a minute, and said, ' That
comes natural to you now, Dick, doesn't
it ? ' I stared for a bit and then burst
out laughing. It was a rum go, wasn't
it ? The same talk for cows and
Christians. That's how things get
stuck into the talk in a new country.
Some old hand like father, as had been
assigned to 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 a tree, with his old
musket or pair of pistols, and when he
wanted 'em to stop, ' Bail up, d yer,'
would come a deal quicker and more
natural - like to his tongue than
' Stand.' So ' bail up ' it was from that
day to this, and there'll have to be a
deal of change in the ways of the
colonies, and them as come from 'em
i6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BAI-BAN
before anything else takes its place,
between the man that'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 Sta-
tion,' vol. i..c. ii. ['Eng. Dial. Diet.']:
" Alec was proud of the stockyard,
and pointed out ... the superior con-
struction of the ' crush,' or branding
lane, and the bailing-up pen."
Bald-Coot, n. a -bird -name,
Porphyrio melanotus, Temm.; Blue,
P. bellus, Gould. The European
bald-coot is Fulica atra.
Ballahoo, n. a name applied to
the Garfish (q.v.) by Sydney
fishermen. The word is West
Indian, and is applied there to a
fast-sailing schooner ; also spelled
Bullahoo and Ballahou.
Balloon - Vine, n. Australian
name for the common tropical
weed, Cardiospermum halicacabum,
Linn., N,0. Sa-bindacece ; called
also Heart-seed, Heart-pea, and
Winter-cherry. It is a climbing
plant, and has a heart-shaped scar
on the seed.
Balsam of Copaiba Tree, n.
The name is applied to the
Australian tree, Geijera salidfolia,
Schott, N. O. Rutacece, because the
bark has the odour of the drug
of that name.
Bamboo-grass, n. an Austra-
lian cane-like grass, Glyceria
ramigera, F. v. M. ; also called
Cane Grass. Largely used for
thatching purposes. Stock eat
the young shoots freely.
Banana, n. There are three
species native to Queensland, 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.
Sritaminece.
The Bananas which are culti-
vated and form a staple export of
Queensland are acclimatized va-
rieties.
Banana-land, n. slang name
for Queensland, where bananas
grow in abundance.
Banana-lander, n. slang for
a Queenslander (see above).
Banded Ant-eater, n. name
given to a small terrestrial and
ant-eating marsupial, Myrmecobius
fasdatus, Wa.terh, found in West
and South Australia. It is the
only species of the genus, and is
regarded as the most closely allied
of all living marsupials to the ex-
tinct marsupials of the Mesozoic
Age in Europe. It. receives its
name banded from the presence
along the back of a well-marked
series of dark transverse bands.
1871. G. Krefft, 'Mammals of Australia':
"The Myrmecobius is common on
the West Coast and in the interior of
New South Wales and South Australia :
the Murumbidgee River may be taken
as its most eastern boundary."
1893. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia,' p.
34 :
"Thus we have here [W. Aus-
tralia] alone the curious little banded
ant - eater (Myrmecobius fasciatus),
which presents the nearest approach
in its dentition to the most ancient
known mammals whose remains are
found in the oolite and Trias of the
Mesozoic epoch."
Banded-Kangaroo, i.q. Banded-
Wallaby. See Lagostrophus and
Wallaby.
Banded- Wallaby, n. sometimes
called Banded- Kangaroo. See
Lagostrophus and Wallaby.
Bandicoot, n. an insect-eating
marsupial animal ; family, Pe-
ramelida ; genus, Perameles.
"The animals of this genus, com-
monly called Bandicoots in Aus-
tralia, are all small, and live en-
tirely on the ground, making nests
BAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
composed of dried leaves, grass
and sticks, in hollow places. They
are rather mixed feeders ; but
insects, worms, roots and bulbs,
constitute their ordinary diet."
('Encyclopaedia Britannica,' Qth
edit., vol. xv. p. 381.) The name
comes from India, being 1 a cor-
ruption of Telugu pandi-kokkuj
literally "pig-dog," used of a
large rat called by naturalists
Mus malabaricus, Shaw ; Mu-
giganfeus, Hardwicke ; Mus bandis
coota, Bechstein. The name has
spread all over India. The Indian
animal is very different from the
Australian, and no record is pre-
served to show how the Anglo-
Indian word came to be used
in Australia. The Bandicoots
are divided into three genera
the True Bandicoots (genus Pera-
meles, q.v.), the Rabbit Bandicoots
(genus Peragale, q.v.), and the
Pig-footed Bandicoots (q.v.) (genus
Chceropus, q.v.). The species are
Broadbent's Bandicoot
Perameles broadbenti, Ramsay.
Cockerell's B.
P. cocker elli, Ramsay.
Common Rabbit B.
Peragale lagotis, Reid.
Desert B.
P. eremiana, Spencer.
Doria's B.
Perameles doreyana, Quoy &
Gaim.
Golden B.
P. aurata, Ramsay.
Gunn's B.
P. gunni, Gray.
Less Rabbit B.
Peragale minor, Spencer.
Long-nosed B.
Perameles nasitta, Geoffr.
Long-tailed B.
P. longicauda, Peters & Doria.
North-Australian B.
P. macrura, Gould.
Port Moresby B.
P. moresbyensis, Ramsay.
Raffray's B.
P. r affray ana, Milne-Edw.
Short-nosed B.
P. obesula, Shaw.
Striped B.
P. bougainvillii) Quoy & Gaim.
White-tailed Rabbit B.
P. leucura, Thomas.
Pig-footed B.
Chonropus 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 their deserted fire-places."
1820. W. C. Wentworth, 'Description
of New South Wales,' p. 3 :
" The animals are, the kangaroo,
native dog (which is a smaller species
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
the size of a rat, without a 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 desti-
tute of what Wordsworth calls 'the
poetry of common speech/ many of
their similes being very forcibly and
naturally drawn from objects familiarly
in sight and quite Australian. ' Poor
as a bandicoot,' ' miserable as a shag
on a rock.'"
Ibid. p. 330 :
" There is also a rat-like animal with
a swinish face, covered with ruddy
coarse hair, that burrows in the ground
the bandicoot. 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 brown colour ; it feeds
upon roots, and its flesh is good eating.
This animal burrows in the ground,
and it is, from this habit, I suppose,
i8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BAN
that when hungry, cold, or unhappy,
the Australian black 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 my opinion
are the only Australian mammals fit
to eat. They resemble pigs, and the
flesh tastes somewhat like pork."
Bangalay, n. a Sydney work-
men's name for the timber of
Eucalyptus botrioides, Smith. (See
Gum.) The name is aboriginal,
and by workmen is always pro-
nounced Bang Alley.
Bangalow, n. an ornamental
feathery-leaved palm, Ptychosperma
elegans, Blume, N.O. Palmea.
1851. J. Henderson, ' Excursions in
New South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 229 :
" The Bangalo, which is a palm . . .
The germ, or roll of young leaves in
the centre, and near the top, is eaten
by the natives, 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, and occasion-
ally the settlers, eat the young leaves
of the cabbage and bangalo palms."
1886. H. C. Kendall, ' Poems,' p. 193 :
" You see he was bred in a bangalo w
wood,
And bangalow pith was the principal
food
His mother served out in her shanty."
1889. J- H Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 592 :
" Bangalow. . . . The small stems
sometimes go under the name of
' Moreton Bay Canes.' It is a very
ornamental, feathery-leaved palm."
Bang-tail muster. See quota-
tion.
1887. W. S. S. Tyrwhitt, ' The New
Chum in the Queensland Bush/ p. 61 :
"Every third or fourth year on a
cattle station, they have what is called
a ' bang tail muster ' ; that is to say, all
the cattle are brought into the yards
and have the long hairs at the end o:
he tail cut off square, with knives or
jheep-shears ... The object of it is
to find out the actual number of
cattle on the run, to compare with
the number entered on the station
books."
Banker, n. a river full up to
the top of the banks. Compare
Shakspeare: " Like a proud river,
peering- o'er his 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 the banks."
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. loo :
" Till the river runs a banker,
All stained with yellow mud."
Banksia, n. "A genus of
Australian shrubs with umbellate
flowers, now cultivated as orna-
mental shrubs in Europe."
('O.E.D.') Called after Mr. Banks,
naturalist of the Endeavour, after-
wards Sir Joseph Banks. The
so-called Australian Honeysuckle
(q.v.). See also Bottle-brush.
1790. J. White, ' Voyage to New South
Wales/ p. 221 :
"The different species of banksia.
The finest new genus hitherto found
in New Holland has been destined by
Linnasus, with great propriety, to
transmit to posterity the name of Sir
Joseph Banks, who first discovered it
in his celebrated voyage round the
world."
1798. 1). Collins, ' Account of English
Colony in New South Wales/ p. 557:
" A few berries, the yam and fern
root, the flowers of the different
banksia, and at times some honey,
make up the whole vegetable cata-
logue."
1829. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Trans-
BAG-BAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
actions of the Linnasan Society,' vol. xv.
p. 312:
" Scrubs where the different species
of banksia are found, the flowers of
which I (Mr. Caley) have reason to
think afford it sustenance during
winter."
1833. C. Sturt, 'South Australia,' vol.
ii. c. ii. p. 30 :
"Some sandhills . . . crowned by
banksias."
1845. J. O. Balfour, 'Sketch of New
South Wales,' p. 39:
" Many different species of banksia
grow in great plenty in the neighbour-
hood of Sydney, and from the density
of their foliage are very ornamental."
1846. L. Leichhardt, quoted by J. D.
Lang, 'Cooksland,' p. 331 :
" The table-land is covered by forests
of stringy-bark, of melaleuca-gum, and
banksia."
1851. 'Quarterly Review,' Dec., p. 40:
" In this they will find an extremely
rich collection of bottle-brush-flowered,
zigzag-leaved, grey-tinted, odd-looking
things, to most eyes rather strange
than beautiful, notwithstanding that
one of them is named Banksia speciosa.
They are the ' Botany Bays ' of old-
fashioned gardeners, but are more in
the shrub and tree line than that of
flowering pots. Banksia Solandri will
remind them to turn to their ' Cook's
Voyages ' when they get home, to read
how poor Dr. Solander got up a
mountain and was heartily glad to get
down again."
1877. F. v. Miiller, 'Botanic Teachings,'
p. 46:
"The banksias are of historic in-
terest, inasmuch as the genus was
dedicated already by the younger
Linne in 1781 to Sir Joseph Banks,
from whom the Swedish naturalist
received branchlets of those species,
which in Captain Cook's first voyage
more than 100 years ago (1770) were
gathered by Banks at Botany-Bay and
a few other places of the east coast of
Australia."
1887. J. Bonwick, 'Romance of the
Wool Trade, 'p. 228:
" A banksia plain, with its collection
of bottle-brush-like-flowers, may have
its charms for a botanist, but its well-
known sandy ground forbids the hope
of good grasses."
Baobab, n. a tree, native of
Africa, Adansonia digitata. The
name is Ethiopian. It has been
introduced into many tropical
countries. The Australian species
of the genus is A. gregorii, F. v. M.,
called also Cream of Tartar or
Sour Gourd-tree t Gouty -stem (q.v.),
and Bottle-tree (q.v.).
Barber, or Tasmanian Barber,
n. a name for the fish Anthias rasor,
Richards., family Percidce ; also
called Red-Perch. See Perch. It
occurs in Tasmania, New Zea-
land, and Port Jackson. It is
called Barber from the shape of
the prceoperculuni) oneofthebones
of the head. See quotation.
1841. John Richardson, ' Description of
Australian Fish,' p. 73 :
" Serranus Rasor. Tasmanian
Barber. . , . The serrature of the pre-
operculum is the most obvious and
general character by which the very
numerous Serrani are connected with
each other . . . The Van Diemen's
Land fish, which is described below,
is one of the ' Barbers,' a fact which
the specific appellation rasor is in-
tended to indicate ; the more classical
word having been previously appropri-
ated to another species . . . Mr.
Lempriere states that it is known
locally as the ' red perch or shad.' "
[Richardson also says that Cuvier
founded a subdivision of the Serrani
on the characters of the scales of the
jaws, under the name of ' les Barbiers,'
which had been previously grouped by
Block under the title Anthias.~\
Barcoo-grass, n. an Australian
grass, Anthistiria membranacea^
Lindl. One of the best pasture
grasses in Queensland, but grow-
ing in other colonies also.
Barcoo Rot, n. a disease affect-
ing inhabitants of various parts
of the interior of Australia, but
chiefly bushmen. It consists of
persistent ulceration of the skin,
chiefly on the back of the hands,
and often originating in abrasions.
20
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BAR
It is attributed to monotony
of diet and to the cloudless
climate, with its alternations of
extreme cold at night and burn-
ing heat by day. It is said to be
maintained and aggravated 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. There is
nothing dangerous about it ; it is
simply the festering of any cut or
scratch on one's legs, arms or hands.
. . . They take months to heal. . . .
Want of vegetables is assigned as the
cause."
1890. C. Lumholtz, 'Among Cannibals,'
p. 58:
" In Western Queensland people are
also subject to bad sores on the hand,
called Barcoo-rot."
Barcoo Vomit, n. a sickness
occurring in inhabitants of vari-
ous parts of the high land of the
interior of Australia. It is char-
acterized by painless attacks of
vomiting, occurring immediately
after food is taken, followed by
hunger, and recurring as soon as
hunger is satisfied.
The name Barcoo is derived
from the district traversed by the
river Barcoo, or Cooper, in which
this complaint and the Barcoo Rot
are common. See Dr. E. C.
Stirling's * Notes from Central
Australia,' in 'Intercolonial Quar-
terly Journal of Medicine and
Surgery,' vol. i. p. 218.
Bargan, . a name of the
Come-back Boomerang (q.v.).
(Spelt also barragan.)
1892. J. Fraser, 'Aborigines of New
South Wales,' p. 70:
" The ' come-back ' variety (of boom-
erang) is not a fighting weapon. A
dialect name for it is bargan, which
word may be explained in our language
to mean ' bent like a sickle or crescent
moon.' "
Barking Owl, n. a bird not
identified, and not in Gould (who
accompanied Leichhardt).
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 47:
"The glucking-bird and the barking-
owl were heard throughout the moon-
light night."
Barrack, v. to jeer at oppo-
nents, to interrupt noisily, to
make a disturbance ; with the pre-
position "for," to support as a
partisan, generally with clamour.
An Australian football term
dating from about 1880. The
verb has been ruled unparlia-
mentary by the Speaker in the
Victorian Legislative Assembly.
It is, however, in very common
colloquial use. It is from the
aboriginal word borak (q.v.), and
the sense of jeering is earlier than
that of supporting, but jeering at
one side is akin to cheering for
the other. Another suggested
derivation is from the Irish pro-
nunciation of " Bark," as (accord-
ing 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
it likely that there is any, as has
been ingeniously suggested, with
the French word baragouin^ gib-
berish.
1890. 'Melbourne Punch,' Aug. 14, p.
106, col. 3 :
"To use a football phrase, they all
to a man 'barrack' for the British
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 intoler-
able."
1893. 'The Argus,' July 5, p. 9, col. 4,
Legislative Assembly :
"Mr. Isaacs: ... He hoped this
* barracking' would not be continued."
[Members had been interrupting him.]
1893. ' The Herald' (Melbourne), Sept.
9, p. i, col. 6:
IJAR-BAS]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
21
" He noticed with pleasure the
decrease of disagreeable barracking
by spectators at matches during last
season. Good-humoured badinage had
prevailed, but the spectators had been
very well conducted."
Barracker, ;/. one who bar-
racks (q.v.).
1893. 'The Age,' June 27, p. 6, col. 6:
" His worship remarked that the
* barracking ' that was carried on at
football matches was a mean and con-
temptible system, and was getting
worse and worse every day. Actually
people were afraid to go to them on
account of the conduct of the crowd of
'barrackers.' It took all the interest
out of the game to see young men
acting like a gang of larrikins/'
1894. ' Tne Argus,' Nov. 29, p. 4,
col. 9 :
"The 'most unkindest cut of all'
was that the Premier, who was Mr.
Rogers's principal barracker during
the elections, turned his back upon the
prophet and did not deign to discuss
his plan."
Barracks, n. a building on a
station with rooms for bachelors.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Colonial
Reformer,' p. 100 :
" A roomy, roughly-finished building
known as the 'barracks.' . . . Three
of the numerous bedrooms were ten-
anted by young men, . . . neophytes,
who were gradually assimilating the
love of Bush-land."
Barracouta, or Barracoota, n.
The name, under its original
spelling of Barracuda, was coined
in the Spanish West Indies, and
first applied there to a large vora-
cious fish, Sphyrcena pecuda, family
Sphyr&nidce. In Australia and New
Zealand it is applied to a smaller
edible fish, Thyrsites atun, Cuv.
and Val., family Trichiurida, called
Snook (Q.V.) at the Cape of Good
Hope. It is found from the Cape
of Good 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 :
" SphyretiidGB. The first family is
the barracudas, or sea-pike." [Foot-
note] : " This name is no doubt the
same as Barracouta and is of Spanish
origin. The application of it to Thyr-
sites atun in the Southern seas was
founded on some fancied resemblance
to the West Indian fish, which origin-
ally bore the name, though of course
they are entirely different."
(2) The word is used as a nick-
name for an inhabitant of Hobart ;
compare Cornstalk.
Barramunda, n. a fish, i.q.
Burramiindi (q.v.).
Basket-Fence, . 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 driven in,
and their pliant 'stuff' interwoven, as
in a stake hedge in England."
Bastard Dory and John Dory
(q.v.), spelt also Dorey, n. an
Australian fish, Cyttus australis,
family Cyttidce ; the Australian
representative of Zeus faber, the
European "John Dory," and its
close relative, is called Bastard
Dorey in New Zealand, and also
Boar-fish (q.v.).
1880. Giinther, 'Study of Fishes, 'p. 387:
" Hi stiopterus. . . . The species
figured attains to a length of twenty
inches, and is esteemed as food. It is
known at Melbourne by the names of
' Boar-fish ' or ' Bastard Dorey ' (fig.),
Histioptems recurvirostris?
Bastard Trumpeter, n. a fish.
See Morwong, Paper-fish, and
Trumpeter. In Sydney it is Latris
ciliaris, Forst, which is called
Moki in New Zealand ; in Victoria
and Tasmania, L.forsteri, Casteln.
1883. ' Royal Commission on the Fish-
eries of Tasmania/ p. 35 :
"The bastard trumpeter (Latris
Forsteri). . . . Scarcely inferior to the
real trumpeter, and superior to it in
abundance all the year round, comes
the bastard trumpeter. . . . This fish
has hitherto been confounded with
22
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BAT-BEA
Latris ciliaris (Forst.) ; but, although
the latter species has been reported as
existing in Tasmanian waters, it is
most probably a mistake : for the two
varieties (the red and the white), found
in such abundance here, have the
general characters as shown above.
. . . They must be referred to the
Latris Forsteri of Count Castelnau,
which appears to be the bastard
trumpeter of Victorian waters."
Bat-fish, n. The name in Eng-
land is given to a fish of the family
Maltheidce. It is also applied to
the Flying Gurnard of the Atlantic
and to the Californian Sting-ray.
In Australia, and chiefly in New
South Wales, it is applied to
Psettus argenteus, Linn., family
Carangida, or Horse Mackerels.
Giinther says that the " Sea Bats,"
which belong to the closely allied
genus Platax, are called so from
the extraordinary length of some
portion of their dorsal and anal
fins and of their ventrals.
Bathurst Bur, n. Explained in
quotation.
1855. W. Howitt, 'Two Years in Vic-
toria/ vol. i. p. 261 :
"The Bathurst bur (Xanthium
spinosuni), a plant with long triple
spines like the barbary, and burs
which are ruinous to the wool of the
sheep otherwise, itself very like a
chenopodium, or good-fat-hen."
Batswing-coral, n. the Austra-
lian wood Erythrina vespertilio,
Bentham, N.O. Leguminosce.
1889. J- H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 426 :
" Batswing Coral. . . . The wood is
soft, and used by the aborigines for
making their heilamans,' or shields.
It is exceedingly light and spongy,
and of the greatest difficulty to work
up to get anything like a surface for
polishing."
Bauera, n. a shrub, Bauera
rubioides, Andr., N.O. Saxifrages,
the Scrub Vine, or Native Rose;
commonly called in Tasmania
" Bauera," and celebrated for
forming impenetrable thickets in
conjunction with "cutting grass,'"
Cladium fsittacorum, Labill.
1835. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,*
' " Bauera rubiaefolia. Madder
leaved Bauera. A pretty little plant
with pink flowers. This genus is
named after the celebrated German
draughtsman, whose splendid works are
yet unrivalled in the art, especially of
the Australian plants which he depicted
in his voyage round New Holland
with Capt. Flinders in the Investigator."
1888. R. M. Johnston, 'Geology of
Tasmania,' Intro, p. vi. :
" The Bauera scrub ... is a tiny,
beautiful shrub . . . Although the
branches are thin and wiry, they are too
tough and too much entangled in mass
to cut, and the only mode of progress
often is to throw one's self high upon
the soft branching mass and roll 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 Tas-
mania,' p. 7 :
" Interposing the even more trouble-
some Bauera shrub ; whose gnarled
branches have earned for it the local
and expressive name of * tangle-foot ' or
'leg ropes.' [It] has been named by
Spicer the ' Native Rose.' "
Beal, Bool, or Bull, n. a sweet
aboriginal drink.
1827. P. Cunningham, ' Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i.:
"A good jorum of bull (washings of
a sugar bag) " [given to aborigines who
have been working].
1839. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions,' vol. ii. p. 288 :
" The flowers are gathered, and by
steeping them a night in water the
natives made a sweet beverage called
bod.'"
1878. R. Brough Smyth, ' Aborigines of
Victoria,' vol. i. p. 210 :
" In the flowers of a dwarf species of
BEA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
banksia (B. ornata) there is a good
deal of honey, and this was got out of
the flowers by immersing them in
water. The water thus sweetened was
greedily swallowed by the natives.
The drink was named beal by the
natives of the west of Victoria, and was
much esteemed."
Beal (2), n. i.q. Belar (q.v.).
Bean, Queensland, or Leich-
hardt, or Match-box, n. Entada
scandens, Benth., N. O. Leguminosce.
Though this bean has two Aus-
tralian names, it is really widely
distributed throughout the tro-
pics. 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 dark brown or purplish
colour. These seeds are converted
into snuff-boxes, scent-bottles, spoons,
etc., and in the Indian bazaars they
are used as weights. ('Treasury of
Botany.') In the colonies we usually
see the beans of this plant mounted
with silver, as match-boxes. The wood
itself is soft, fibrous, and spongy."
Bean-Tree, n. called also More-
ton Bay Chestnut, Castanospermum
austrak) Cunn. and Eraser,. N.O.
Leguminosce ; a tall tree with red
flowers and large seed-pods. The
timber of young specimens has
beautiful dark clouding.
Bear, Native, n. the colonists'
name for an animal called by the
aborigines Koala, Koolah,Kool-la,
and Carbora (Phascolarctus cine-
reus}. It is a tree-climbing mar-
supial, about two feet in length,
like a small bear in its heavy build.
Its food is the young leaves of the
Eucalyptus, and it is said that the
Native Bear cannot be taken to
England because it would die on
board ship, owing to there being
no fresh gum leaves. The writers
are incorrect who call the animal
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 an ordinary poodle
dog, with shaggy, dirty-coloured fur,
no tail, and claws and feet like a bear,
of which it forms a tolerable miniature.
It climbs trees readily and feeds upon
their leaves."
1846. G. H. Haydon, 'Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 57 :
"The bear (phascolomys) of the
colonists is in reality a species of sloth,
and partakes of all the characteristics
of that animal ; it is of the marsupial
order, and is found chiefly in the neigh-
bourhood of thickly timbered high
land ; its flesh is used by the aborigines
for food, but is tough and unpalatable ;
its usual weight is from eight to twelve
pounds." [Note : Phascolomys is the
name of the Wombat, not the Bear.]
1854. G - H - Haydon, 'The Australian
Emigrant,' p. 126 :
" The luckless carbora fell crashing
through the branches." [Footnote] :
" The native name of an animal of the
sloth species, but incorrectly called by
the colonists a bear."
1855. W. Blandowski, ' Transactions of
Philosophical Society of Victoria,' vol. i.
p. 68:
" The koala or karbor (Phascolarcttis
cinereus} frequents very high trees, and
sits in places where it is most sheltered
by the branches. ... its fur is of the
same colour as the bark . . . like the
cat has the power of contracting and
expanding the pupil of the eye. . . .
Its skin is remarkably thick . . . dense
woolly fur . . . The natives aver that
the koala never drinks water."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods,
' History of the Discovery and Exploration
of Australia,' vol. i. p. 448 :
"They were soon entirely out of
provisions, but found a sort of substi-
tute by living on the native bear
(Phascolarctus cinereus), 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 native bear ! It sits
motionless. It has something the
appearance of a solemn old man. How
funny his great ears and Roman nose
look ! He sits on the branch as if it
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
24
was a chair, holding with hand-like
claws the surrounding twigs."
1890. C. Lumholtz, 'Among Cannibals/
p. 9 :
" We learned that a koala or native
bear (Phascolarctus cinereus) was sit-
ting on a tree near the hut of a shep-
herd ... not a dangerous animal. It
is called ' native bear,' but is in no wise
related to the bear family. It is an
innocent and peaceful marsupial, which
is active only at night, and sluggishly
climbs the trees, eating leaves and
sleeping during the whole day. As
soon as the young has left the pouch,
the mother carries it with her on her
back. The Australian bear is found in
considerable numbers throughout the
eastern part of the continent, even
within the tropical circle."
Bearded Lizard, n. See Jew
Lizard.
Beardie, or Beardy, . a fish.
In Scotland the name is applied
to the Bearded Loach, Nemachilus
barbatus, of Europe ; in New South
Wales the name is given to the
fish Lotella marginata, Macl., of
the family Gadida, or Cod-fishes,
which is also called Ling (q.v.).
Beaver-rat, n. an aquatic rodent,
something like 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 bellied beaver-rat
or musk-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster)?
Beech, n. There is only one
true Beech in Australia, Fagm
cunninghamii, Hook, N.O, Cupu-
liferce ; but the name is applied
to many other kinds of Australian
trees, viz.
(i) Simply to
Cryptocarya glaucescens, R. Br.
N.O. Laurinece, called also
Black Sassafras, White Laurel
She Beech, and Black Beech.
Flindersia australis, R. Br., N.O
) called also Flindosa
[BEA-BEE
Ash, Crow's Ash, and Rasp-
pod, and invariably Myrtle in
Tasmania.
melina leichhardtii, F. v. M.,
N. 0. Verbenacea.
Monotoca elliptic^ R. Br., N.O.
Epacridece.
Phyllanthus ferdinandi, Muell.
and Arg., N.O. Euphorbiacea,
called also Pencil Cedar in
Southern New South Wales.
Schizomeria ovata, D. Don, N.O.
Saxifrages, called also Cork-
wood, Light-wood, Coach-
wood, and White Cherry.
Trochocarpa laurina, R. Br., N.O.
Epacridecz, 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. Cupuliferce, called also
Myrtle and Negro-head
Beech.
Flindosy B.
Flindersia schottiana, F. v. M.,
N.O. Meliacecz, called also
Ash and Stave-wood.
Indian B.
Pongamia glabra, Vent., N.O.
Leguminosa, B. Fl.
Mountain B.
Lomatia longifolia, R. Br., N.O.
Proteacea.
Native B.
Callicoma serratifolia, Andr. ,
N. O. Saxifragece, ( ' one of
the trees called by the early
colonists < Black Wattle,'
from the fancied resemblance
of the flowers to those of
some of the wattles." (Mai-
den, p. 389.)
Negro-head B., i.q. Evergreen B.
(q.v. supra).
Queensland B.
Gmelina leichhardtii, F. v. M.,
N.O. Verbenacecz, a tall valu-
able timber-tree.
BEE]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Red B.
Tarrietia trifoliata, F. v. M.,
N. O. Sterculiacece.
She B.
Cryptocarya obovata, R. Br.,
N.O. Laurinece, B. FL, called
also Bastard Sycamore.
White B.
El&ocarpus kirtoni, F. v. M.,
N.O. TiliacecZ) called also
Mountain Ash.
(3) In New Zealand, there are
six species of true beeches, which
according 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. menzzesii, Hook. f.
Tooth-leaved B.
F.fusca, Hook. f.
All these, however, are com-
monly called Birches.
See also the words As/i, Myrtle,
Sassafras.
Bee-eater, n. a bird-name.
The European Bee-eater is Merops
apiaster ; the Australian species is
Merops 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. The bird figured
in its natural size on the present plate
is a species of Merops or Bee-eater ; a
tribe which appears to be peculiarly
prevalent in the extensive regions of
Australia, since more birds of this
genus have been discovered than of
any other, except the very numerous
one of Psittacus."
[The birds, however, have been since
this date further differentiated, and
are now all classed in other genera,
except the present species.]
1790. J. White, ' Voyage to New South
Wales,' p. 144 :
' The wattled bee-eater, of which a
plate is annexed, fell in our 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." [De-
scription follows.]
Beef-wood, n. the timber of
various Australian trees, espe-
cially of the genus Casuarina, and
some of the 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 Bay wood, or
beef wood. The grain is very peculiar,
but the wood is thought 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, but it 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 raw beef-steak."
1856. Capt. H. Butler Stoney, 'A
Residence in Tasmania,' p. 265 :
" We now turn our attention to some
trees of a very different nature, Casua-
rina strict a and quadrivalvis, com-
monly called He and She oak, and
sometimes known by the name of beef-
wood, from the wood, which is very
hard and takes a high polish, exhibit-
ing peculiar maculae spots and veins
scattered throughout a finely striated
tint . . "
26
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BEL
1868. Paxton's 'Botanical Dictionary,'
p. 116 :
" Casuarinaceae, or Beefwoods.
Curious branching, leafless trees or
shrubs, with timber of a high order,
which is both hard and heavy, and of
the colour of raw beef, whence the
vulgar name."
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants.' (See 'Index of vernacular names.')
Belar, n. (various spellings,
Belah, billa, bee la, beal\ an aborigi-
nal name for the tree Casuarina
glauca. The colonists call the
tree Bull-oak, probably from 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. 1 10 :
" These scrubs . . . sometimes crown
the watersheds as 'belar.'"
Bell-bird, n. name given to
several birds, from their note, like
the tinkling of a bell. In Aus-
tralia, a Honey-eater, Myzantha
melanophrys, Gould (' Birds of
Australia,' vol. iv. pi. 80), the
'Australian Bell-bird' (the same
bird as Myzantha flavirostris ^ V.
and H.), chiefly found in New
South Wales ; also Oreoica guttu-
ratis, Gould (vol. ii. pi. 81), the
' Bell-bird ' of Western Australia ;
and Oreoica cristata, Lewin. In
New Zealand, Anthornis melanura,
Sparrtn., chief Maori names, Kori-
mdko (q.v.) in North, and Mako-
mako in South. Buller gives ten
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 of Jan. 17, 1770] :
" In the morning we were awakened
by the singing of the birds ; the num-
ber was incredible, and they seemed
to strain their throats in emulation of
each other. This wild melody was in-
finitely superior to any that we had ever
heard of the same kind ; it seemed to
be like small bells most exquisitely
tuned, and perhaps the distance, and
the water between, might be no small
advantage to the sound. Upon en-
quiry we were informed that the birds
here always began to sing about two
hours after midnight, and continuing
their music till sunrise were, like our
nightingales, silent the rest of the day."
[This celebrated descriptive passage
by Dr. Hawkesworth is based upon
the following original from ' Banks's
Journal, 3 which now, after an interval
of 122 years, has just been published
in London, 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 whence we are
distant not a quarter of a mile. Their
numbers were certainly very great.
They seemed to strain their throats
with emulation, and made, perhaps,
the most melodious wild music I have
ever heard, almost imitating small
bells, but with the most tunable silver
sound imaginable, to which, maybe,
the distance was no small addition. On
inquiring of our people, I was told
that they had observed them ever
since we had been here, and that they
began to sing about one or two in the
morning, and continue till sunrise,
after which they are silent all 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, ' Trans-
actions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p.
319:
" Mr. Caley thus observes on this
bird: 'Dell-bird or Bell-bird. So
called by the colonists. It is an in-
habitant of bushes, where its disagree-
able noise (disagreeable at least to me)
[but not to the poets] may be con-
tinually heard ; but nowhere more so
than on going up the harbour to Para-
matta, when a little above the Flats. 3 "
1835. T. B. Wilson, Voyage Round the
World,' p. 259:
EEL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
27
"During the night, the bell bird
supplied, to us, the place of the wake-
ful nightingale ... a pleasing surprise,
as we had hitherto supposed that the
birds in New Holland were not formed
for song."
1839. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand,' p. 23 :
" Every bough seemed to throng
with feathered musicians : the melo-
dious 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 salmon coloured 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 waters
The delicious tones they utter."
1846. Lady Martin, ' Bush Journey,
1846, Our Maoris,' p. 93 :
" We did hear the birds next morn-
ing as Captain Cook had described
first the bell-bird gave its clear, full
note, and then came such a jargoning
as made one's heart glad."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. ii. pi. 81 :
" Oreoica gutturalis, Gould. Crested
Oreo'ica. Bell-bird, Colonists of Swan
River [Western Australia] ... I find
the following remarksin my note-book
4 Note, a very peculiar piping whistle,
sounding like < weet- e weet- < weet- r weet-oo,
the last syllable fully drawn out and
very melodious. ... In Western Aus-
tralia, where the real Bell-bird is never
found, this species has had that appel-
lation given to it, a term which must
appear ill-applied to those who have
heard the note of the true Bell-bird of
the brushes of New South Wales,
whose tinkling sound so nearly resem-
bles that of a distant sheep-bell as
occasionally to deceive 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 and almost
breathless, to listen to the bell-bird, a
dingy little fellow, nearly as large as a
thrush with the plumage of a chaffinch,
but with such a note ! How can I
make you hear its wild, sweet, plaintive
tone, as a little girl of the party said
'just as if it had a bell in its throat ;'
but indeed it would require a whole
peal of silver bells to ring such an
exquisite chime."
1868. F. Napier Broome, c Canterbury
Rhymes,' second edition, p. 108 :
"Where the bell-bird sets solitudes.
ringing,
Many times I have heard and
thrown down
My 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 vast hushed
temple of nature."
1883. G. W. Rusden, ' History of Aus-
tralia/ vol. i. p. 81 :
"The bell-bird, with metallic but
mellow pipe, warns the wanderer 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 melamira. Chatham
Island Bell-bird (A. melanocephald),
the Bell-bird so-called from the fan-
ciful resemblance of one of its notes
to the distant tolling of a bell."
1889. Prof. Parker, ' Catalogue of New
Zealand Exhibition,' p. 1 19 :
"Bell-bird, Korimako, or Mako-
mako (Anthornis vielanura), is still
common in many parts of the South
Island e.g. in the neighbourhood of
Dunedin ; but has almost disappeared
from the North Island. Its song is
remarkably fine."
1893. W. P. Reeves, ' The Passing
of the Forest,' 'Review of Reviews,' 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
sings
That brief rich music one would
fain prolong.'
1896. G. A. Keartland, ' Home Expedi-
tion in Central Australia,' Part II., Zoo-
logy, Aves, p. 74 :
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BEL-BID
" In the north they \0reoicd\ are
frequently called ' Bell-birds,' but bear
no resemblance to Manorhina melano-
phrys in plumage, shape, or note. The
Oreoica is such an accomplished ven-
triloquist that it is difficult to find.
Bell-bottomed, adj. a particular
fashion of trouser affected by the
.larrikin (q.v.).
1891. ' The Argus,' Dec. 5, p. 13, co1 -. 2 :
"Can it be that the pernicious in-
fluence of the House is gradually
tingeing the high priests of the bell-
bottomed ballottee with conserva-
tism ! "
Bell-Frog, Golden, n. See
Golden Bell-Frog.
Bell-topper, . The ordinary
Australian name for the tall silk-
hat.
i860. W. Kelly, 'Life in Victoria, 'p. 268
[Footnote] :
" Bell-topper was the derisive name
given by diggers to old style hat,
supposed to indicate the dandy swell."
Benjamin, n. a husband, in
Australian pigeon-English.
1870. Chas. H. Allen, 'A Visit to
Queensland and her Goldfields,' p. 182 :
"There are certain native terms
that are used by the whites also as a
kind of colonial slang, such as ' yab-
ber,' to talk ; ' budgeree, 3 good ; ' bale,'
no ; ' yan, ; to go ; ' cabon, 5 much ; and
so on.
" With the black people a husband
is now called a ' benjamin,' probably
because they have no word in their
own language to express this relation-
ship."
Benjamin-Tree, n. also called
Weeping Fig in Queensland, Ficus
benjaminea, Linn., N. O. Urticacece.
Bent-grass, n. See Grass.
1835. Ross, ' Hohart Town Almanack,'
p. 65:
" Agrostis virginica. Virginian
Agrostis, or Bent-grass. . . . Many
species of this genus go under the
general name of Bent-grass. Their
roots spread along among light and
sandy soil in which they generally grow
with joints like the Squitch or Couch
grass of England."
Berigora, n. aboriginal name
for a bird of genus Falco, from
beri, claw, and gora, long. See
Hawk.
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnrean Society,' vol. xv. p. 185 :
" The native name of this bird which
we have adopted as its specific name,
is Berigora. It is called by the settlers
Orange-speckled Hawk."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. i. pi. ii :
"Hieracidea berigora. Brown Hawk.
Berigora, Aborigines of New South
Wales. Orange-speckled Hawk of the
Colonists."
Berley, n. term used by Aus-
tralian fishermen for 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 these fishes are
caught, but the bait should be crabs.
It is usual to wrench legs and shell off
the back, and cast them out for Berley."
1896. ' Badminton Magazine,' August,
p. 20 1 :
" I would signal to the sharks by
opening and washing out a few of the
largest fish at the boat's head, some-
times adding bait chopped small to
serve for what Australian fishermen
call Berley."
Betcherrygah, n. bird-name,
Melopsittacus undulatus^ Shaw. See
Budgerigar.
Bettongia, n. the scientific
name of the genus of Prehensile-
tailed Kangaroo-Rats, whose ab-
original name is Bettong. They
are the only ground - dwelling
marsupials with prehensile tails,
which they use for carrying
bunches of grasses and sticks.
See Kangaroo-Rat.
Biddy-biddy,"or Biddybid, n. a
corruption of Maori name //Vvj^V/.
It is a kind of bur.
1880. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open,'
' New Zealand Country Journal,' vol. xii.
p. 195.:.
" Piri-piri (acaena sanguisorbe] by
the settlers has been converted or cor-
BID-BIL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
rupted into biddy-biddy ; a verb has
been formed on it, which is in very
constant use for a good part of the
year at least. To biddy, is to rid
one of burrs, as ' I'll just biddy my
clothes before I come in.' Small birds
are occasionally found in a wretched
state of discomfort in which they
appear a moving mass of burrs. Par-
roquets, pipets, and the little white-
eyes, have been found victims suffering
from these tenacious burrs of the piri-
piri, just moving little brown balls
unable to fly till picked up and re-
leased from their bonds."
1896. ' Otago Witness,' Jan. 23, vol. ii.
P- 36:
" Yes, biddybids detract very materi-
ally from the value of the wool, and
the plant should not be allowed to
seed where sheep are depastured.
They are not quite so bad as the
Bathurst burr, but they are certainly in
the same category."
Biddy, v. See Biddy-biddy, n.
Bidgee Widgee, n. name
given to a Tasmanian Bur (q.v.).
Bidyan Ruffe, n. a fresh-water
fish of New South Wales, Therapon
richardsonii, Castln., family Percidce.
Mr. J. Douglas Ogilby, Assistant
Zoologist at the Australian Mu-
seum, Sydney, says in a letter :
4 < The Bidyan Ruffe of Sir Thomas
Mitchell is our Therapon ellipticus,
Richards (T. richardsonii, Castln.).
Found in all the rivers of the
Murray system, and called Koo-
berry by the natives." It is also
called the Silver Perch and some-
times Bream.
1838. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions,' 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 bid-
yana], a very coarse but firm fish,
which makes a groaning noise when
taken out of the water."
Big-head, n. a fish. The name
is used locally for various fishes ;
in Australia it is Eleotris nudiceps,
Castln., family Gobiid<z, a river
fish. Of the genus Eleotris,
Glinther says that as regards
form they repeat almost all the
modifications observed among
the Gobies, from which they differ
only in having the ventral fins
non-coalescent. See Bull-head (2}.
Billabong, n. an effluent from
a river, returning to it, or often
ending in the sand, in some cases
running only in flood time.
In the Wiradhuri dialect of
the centre of New South Wales,
East coast, billa means a river
and bung dead. See Bung. Billa
is also a river in some Queens-
land dialects, and thus forms
part of the name of the river
Belyando. In the Moreton Bay
dialect it occurs in the form
pilly, and in the sense of 'tidal
creek.' In the 'Western Aus-
tralian Almanack' for 1842, quoted
in J. Eraser's ' Australian Lan-
guage,' 1892, Appendix, p. 50,
Bilo is given for River.
Billabong is often regarded as
a synonym for Anabranch (q.v.) ;
but there is a distinction. From
the original idea, the Anabranch
implies rejoining the river ; whilst
the Billabong implies continued
separation from it ; though what
are called Billabongs often do
rejoin.
1862. W. Landsborough, ' Exploration
of Australia,' p. 30:
"A dried-up tributary of the Gregory,
which I named the Macadam." [Foot-
note]: " In the south, such a creek as the
Macadam is termed a billy-botm [sic],
from the circumstance of the water
carrier returning from it with his
pitcher (billy} empty (boni?, literally
dead}."
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 298 :
"What the Major calls, after the
learned nomenclature of Colonel Jack-
son, in the ' Journal of the Geographi-
cal Society,' anabranches, but which
the natives call billibongs, channels
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BIL-BIN
coming out of a stream and returning
into it again."
1880. P. J. Holdsworth, ' Station Hunt-
ing 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 ; along the rivers
in this semi-tropical region."
1893. 'The Argus,' April 8, p. 4, col. i:
"Let's make a start at once, d'ye
hear ; I want to get over to the billa-
bong by sunrise."
Billet, n. an appointment, a
position ; a very common expres-
sion in Australia, but not confined
to Australia ; adapted from the
meaning, "an official order re-
quiring the person to whom it is
addressed to provide board and
lodging for the soldier bearing
it." CO.E.D.')
1890. E. W. Hornung, 'A Bride from
the Bush,' p. 267:
" If ever she went back to Australia,
she'd remember my young man, 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 for William.
Compare the common uses of
'Jack,' 'Long Tom,' 'Spinning
Jenny.' It came into use about
1850. It is not used in the fol-
lowing.
1830. R. Dawson, 'Present State of
Australia,' p. 48:
" He then strikes a light and makes
a fire to boil his kettle and fry his
bacon."
About 1850, the billy superseded
the quart-pot (q.v.), chiefly because
of its top-handle and its lid. An-
other suggested derivation is that
billy is shortened from billy can,
which is said to be bully-can (sc.
Fr. bouilli) : In the early days
".fauf bouilli" was a common
label on tins of preserved meat
in ship's stores. These tins,
called "bully-tins," were used by
diggers and others as the modern
billy is (see quotation 1835). A
third explanation gives as the
origin the aboriginal word billa
(river or water).
1835. T ' B - Wilson, ' Voyage Round the
World, 'p. 238:
"An empty preserved meat-canister
serving the double purpose of tea-kettle
and tea-pot."
[The word billy is not used, but its
origin is described.]
1857. W. Howitt, 'Tallangetta,' Vol. i.
p. 2O2 :
" 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 or other a ' billy. 5 "
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, more used by townsmen
than bushmen.
1892. 'The Australasian,' April 9, p.
707, col. 4 :
" But I said, ' Dear friend and brother,
yonder billy-can is mine ;
You may confiscate the washing that
is hanging on the line,
You may depredate the larder, take
your choice of pot and pan ;
But, I pray thee, kind sundowner,
spare, oh spare, my billy-can. 5 "
Bingy [g soft], n. stomach or
belly. Aboriginal. The form at
Botany Bay was bindi ; at Jervis
Bay, binjL
BIR-BLA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
3'
1851. Rev. David Mackenzie, 'Ten
Years in Australia,' p. 140:
" They lay rolling themselves on the
ground, heavily groaning in pain, and
with their hands rubbing their bellies,
exclaiming, ' Cabonn bug gel along
bingee' (that is, I am very sick in the
stomach)."
Birch, n. In New Zealand, the
trees called birches are really
beeches (q.v.), but the term birch is
used very vaguely ; see quotation
1889. In Tasmania, the name
is applied to Dodoncza ericifolia,
Don., N.O. Sapindacea.
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, a lofty, beautiful ever-green
tree, 100 feet high. Black-birch (Taw-
hai) of Auckland and Otago (from
colour of bark), Red-birch of Welling-
ton and Nelson (from colour of timber),
Fagus fusca.) N. O. CupulifercE, 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 not
too much to say that the blundering
use of common names in connection
with the New Zealand beeches, when
the timber has been employed in
bridges and constructive works, has
caused waste and loss to the value of
many thousands of pounds."
Bird-catching Plant, n. a
New Zealand shrub or tree, Piso-
nia brunoniana, Endl., N.O. Nycta-
ginece ; 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's garden
at New Plymouth, two Silver-eyes
(Zosterops) and an English Sparrow
had been found with their wings so
glued by the sticky seed-vessels that
they were unable to move, and could
only fly away after having been care-
fully washed."
1889. T- Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 293 :
" It is sometimes termed the * bird-
catching plant ' by settlers and bush-
men. ... It will always be a plant of
special interest, as small birds are often
found captured by its viscid fruits, to
which their feathers become attached
as effectively as if they were glued."
Bird's-nest fungus, n. a small
fungus of the genus Cyathus, four
species of which occur in Queens-
land.
Bitter-Bark, n. an Australian
tree, Petalostigma quadriloMlare,
F. v. M., N. O. Euphorbiacea.
Called also Crab-tree, Native Quince,
Emu apple, and Quinine-tree. The
bark contains a powerful bitter
essence, which is used medicin-
ally. The name is also applied
to Taberncemontana orientalis, R.
Br. , N. O. Apocynece, and to Alstonia
constricta, F. v. M., N.O. Apocy-
nacece, which is also called Fever-
bark.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 204:
" Bitter Bark. This small tree has
an intensely bitter bark, and a de-
coction of it is sometimes sold as
'bitters/"
Bitter-Leaf, n. a Tasmanian
name for the Native Hop. See
Hops and Hopbush.
Bittern, n. bird-name well
known in England. The Aus-
tralian species are
The Bittern
Botaurus pccciloptilus, Wagl.
Black B. -
Butoroides flavicollis, Lath.
Green B.
B.javanica, Horsfield.
Little B.
Ardetta pusilla, Vieill.
Blackberry, Native, or Bram-
ble, n. called also Raspberry. Three
species of the genus Rtibus occur
in Queensland Rubus moluccanus,
Linn., R. t>arvifoliiis, Linn., R.
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BLA
rosifolius, Smith, N.O. Rosacetz.
See also Lawyer.
Blackbird, n. " A cant name for
a captive negro, or Polynesian, on
board a slave or pirate ship."
('O.E.D.') But no instance is
given of its use for a negro.
1871. c Narrative of the Voyage of the
Brig Carl ' [pamphlet] :
" They were going to take a cruise
round the islands ' black-bird ' catch-
ing."
1872. ' The Argus,' Dec. 21, Supple-
ment, p. 2, col. I [Chief Justice's charge in
the case of the ' Carl Outrage '] :
" They were not going pearl-fishing,
but blackbird-hunting. It is said you
should have evidence as to what black-
bird-hunting meant. I think it is a
grievous mistake to" pretend to ignor-
ance of things passing before our eyes
every day. We may know the mean-
ing of slang words, though we do not
use them. Is there not a wide dis-
tinction between blackbird-hunting
and a legitimate 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. 180
(' 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 South Sea islands for
service in Queensland planta-
tions.
1871. ' Narrative of the Voyage of the
Brig Carl ' [pamphlet] :
" All the three methods, however, of
obtaining labour in the South Seas that
which was just and useful, that which
was of suspicious character, and that
which was nothing, more or less, than
robbery and murder were in use the
same time, and all three went by the
same general slang term of 'black-
birding,' 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 is a missionary
bishop, after A has made the name of
missionary an offence by his ingenious
mode of ' black-birding.' "
1892. Gilbert Parker, ' Round the Com-
pass in Australia,' p. 78 :
"In the early days of sugar-planting
there may have been black-birding,
but it was confined to a very few, and
it is done 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 the atrocities of
some black-birding crew."
Blackboy, n. a grass-tree.
Name applied to all species of
the genus Xanthorrhaa, but
especially to X. preissii, Endl.,
N.O. Liliacecz. Compare Maori-
head.
1846. J. L. Stokes, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' 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 the resemblance
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 extracted from the
shrub called the ' blackboy. 3 I regret
to state that the gas ... is not . . .
at present known in the colony."
1886. R. Henty, ' Australiana,' p. 15:
" The common grass-tree or ' black-
boy,' so called from its long dark stem
and dark seed head (when dry)."
1896. 'The Australasian/ Feb. 15,
P- 3*3 (with an Illustration) :
" The Blackboy trees are a species
of grass-tree or Xanthorrhcea, exuding
a gummy substance used by the blacks
for fastening glass and quartz-barbs to
their spears. Many years ago, when
coal was scarce in Western Australia,
an enterprising firm . . . erected a gas-
making plant, and successfully lit their
premises with gas made from the
blackboy."
1896. Modern:
A story is told of a young lady say-
ing to a naval officer : " I was this
morning watching your ship coming
into harbour, and so intently that I
BLA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
33
rode over a young blackboy." The
officer was shocked at her callousness
in expressing no contrition.
Black-Bream, n. an Australian
fish, Chrysophrys australis, Gunth.,
family Sparidce, or Sea-Breams ;
called in Tasmania Silver-Bream,
the fish there called Black-Bream
being" another of the Sparidce,
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 tar-
whine and black-bream of the Sydney
fishermen. . . . We have two species
in Australia. . . . The black-bream,
C. australis, Gunth., and the tarwhine,
C. sarba, Forsk. . . . The Australian
bream is as common on the south as
on the east coast. It affords excellent
sport to anglers in Victoria."
Blackbutt, n. Eucalyptus pilu-
laris, Smith, Victoria ; E. regnans,
F. v. M., New South Wales; a
timber tree, a gum. Another
name is Flintwood. The lower
part of the trunk is black.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 49 :
"The range . . . having with the
exception of the Blackbutt all the
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 falling off 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 and tallow
wood were the most durable and noise-
less woods for street-paving, as well as
the best from a sanitary point of view."
Black-Cod, ;?. a New Zealand
fish, Notothenia angustata.
Blackfellow, . an aboriginal
Australian.
1846. J. L. Stokes, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' i. 4, 74 :
"The native Miago . . . appeared
delighted that these * black fellows, 3 as
he calls them, have no throwing sticks."
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 9 :
" The well-known tracks of black-
fellows are everywhere visible."
1871. Dingo, 'Australian Rhymes,' p.
14:
" Wurragaroo loved Wangaraday
In a blackfellow's own peculiar
way."
Black-Pern, n. The Tasmanian
species so called is Athyrium aus-
trale, Presl., N.O. Polypodea.
Black-fish, n. The name is
given, especially in Sydney, to
the sea-fishes Girella simplex,
Richards (see Ludrick], and Gi-
rella tricuspidata, Cuv. and Val. ;
also to a fresh-water fish all over
Australia, Gadopsis marmoratus,
Richards. G. marmoratus is very
common in New South Wales,
Victoria, South Australia, and
parts of Tasmania. There are
local varieties. It is much es-
teemed as a food fish, but is, like
all mud fishes, rich and oily.
Girella belongs to the family
Sparidcz, or Sea-Breams, and
Gadopsis to the Gadopsidce, a family
allied to that containing the Cod-
fishes. The name was also form-
erly 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 the south sea
fishing the Black-fish or Black-whale,
but known to the naturalist as the
Southern Rorqual, which the whale-
men usually avoid."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. loo :
"Nothing is better eating than a
properly cooked black-fish. The Eng-
lish trout are annihilating them, how-
ever."
Black-Line. See Black- War.
Black-Perch, n. a river fish
of New South Wales. Therapou
D
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BLA
niger, Castln., family Percidce. A
different fish from those to which
the name is applied elsewhere.
See Perch.
Black - and - white Ringed
Snake. See under Snake.
Black Rock-Cod, n. an Austra-
lian fish, chiefly of New South
Wales, Serranus dcemeli, Giinth.; a
different fish from the Rock-Cod of
the northern hemisphere. The
Serrani belong to the family
Percidcz, 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 known as 'rock
cod.' . . One only is sufficiently
useful as an article of food to merit
notice, and that is the 'black rock
cod' (Serranus damelii, Giinther),
without exception the very 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 112 in the
shade. Ashes from the fire at
Macedon, 46 miles away, fell in
Melbourne. The scene forms
the subject of the celebrated pic-
ture entitled "Black Thursday,"
by William Strutt, R.B.A.
1859. Rev. J. D. Mereweather, ' Diary
of a Working Clergyman in Australia,
p. 8 1 :
"Feb. 21 ... Dreadful details are
reaching us of the great bush fires
which took place at Port Phillip
on the 6th of this month . . . Already
it would seem that the appellation o
' Black Thursday ' has been given to
the 6th February, 1851, for it was on
that day that the fires raged with the
greatest fury."
1889. Rev. J. H. Zillman, 'Australia
Life,' p. 39 :
"The old colonists still repeat th
most terrible stories of Black Thursday
when the whole country seemed to b
n fire. The flames leaped from tree
o tree, across creeks, hills, and gullies,
nd swept everything away. Teams
f bullocks in the yoke, mobs of cattle
nd horses, and even whole families
of human beings, in their bush-huts,
vere completely destroyed, and the
harred bones alone found after the
vind and fire had subsided."
Black-Tracker, n. an aboriginal
employed in tracking criminals.
1867. ' Australia as it is,' pp. 88-9 :
"The native police, or 'black
rackers,' as they are sometimes called,
are a body of aborigines trained to act
as policemen, serving under a white
commandant a very clever expedient
or coping with the difficulty ... of
mnting down and discovering murder-
ous blacks, and others guilty of spear-
ing cattle and breaking into huts . . ."
1870. 'The Argus,' March 26, p. 5,
col. 4 :
"The troopers, with the assistance
of two black trackers, pursued the bush-
rangers . . ."
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
"Only three weeks before he had
waddied his gin to death for answer-
ing questions put to her by a black-
tracker, and now he advanced to
Charlie . . . and said, . . . 'What for
you come alonga black fella camp ? ' ' ;
1896. 'The Argus,' March 30, p. 6,
col. 9 :
" About one hundred and fifty horse-
men have been out to-day in addition
to the local police. The black-trackers
arrived by the train last night, and
commenced work this morning."
Black-Trevally. See Trevally*
Black-War, or Black-Line, a
military operation planned in
1830 by Governor Arthur for the
capture of the Tasmanian abori-
gines. A levy en masse of the
BLA-BLE]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
35
colonists was ordered. About
5000 men formed the " black
line," which advanced across the
island from north to south-east,
with the object of driving" the
tribes into Tasman's Peninsula.
The operation proved a complete
failure, two blacks only being
captured at a cost to the Govern-
ment of ^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 serv-
ants, took their respective stations at
the appointed time. As the several
parties advanced, the individuals along
the line came closer and closer together
the plan was to keep on advancing
slowly towards a certain peninsula, and
thus frighten the Aborigines before
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 supplied many
adventures and many an amusing tale,
and, notwithstanding the gravity of
his Excellency, much fun and folly. . .
Five thousand men had taken the
field. Nearly ,30,000 had been ex-
pended, and probably not much less
in time and outlay by the settlers, and
two persons only were captured."
Black Wednesday, n. a politi-
cal phrase for a day in Victoria
(Jan. 9, 1878), when the Govern-
ment without notice dismissed
many Civil Servants, including 1
heads of departments, County
Court judges and police magi-
strates, on the ground that the
Legislative Council had not voted
the money for their salaries.
1878. ' Melbourne Punch,' May 1 6, vol.
xlvi. p. 195 [Title of Cartoon] :
" In Memoriam. Black Wednes-
day, Qth January 1878."
1896. 'The Argus,' [Sydney telegram]
Aug. 1 8, p. 6, col. 4 :
"The times in the public service at
present reminded him of Black Wed-
nesday in Victoria, which he went
through. That caused about a dozen
suicides among public servants. Here
it had not done so yet, but there was
not a head of a department who did
not now shake in his shoes."
Blackwood, n. an Australian
timber, Acacia melanoxylon, R. Br, ;
often called Lightivood ; it is dark
in colour but light in weight.
1828. ' Report of Van Diemen's Land
Company,' Bischoff, 'Van Diemen'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 the mature
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 for all purposes where
strength and flexibility are required."
Bladder Saltbush, . a Queens-
land shrub, A triplex vesicarium,
Reward, N.O. Salsolacecz. The
Latin and vernacular names both
refer to "the bladdery appendage
to fruiting perianth." (Bailey.)
See Saltbush.
Blandfordia, n. the scientific
name of the Gordon-Lily (see
under Lily]. The plant was
named after George, Marquis of
Blandford, son of the second
Duke of Marlborough. The
Tasmanian aboriginals called the
plant Remine, which name has
been given to a small port where
it grows in profusion on the west
coast.
Bleeding - Heart, 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
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BLI-BLO
'coral-pea,' brighten the greyness of
the sandy peaty wastes."
Blight. See Sandy-blight.
Blight-bird, n. a bird-name in
New Zealand for the Zosterops
(q.v.). Called also Silver-eye (q.v.),
Wax-eye, and White-eye (q.v.). It
is called 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 crowded flocks,
sweeps over the face of the country,
and in its progress clears away multi-
tudes 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 of our 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 beautiful circlet of satiny-white
feathers which surrounds the eyes ;
and quite as commonly the 'Blight-
bird' or 'Winter-migrant. 3 ... It
feeds on that disgusting little aphis
known as American blight, which so
rapidly covers with a fatal cloak of
white the stems and branches of our
best apple-trees ; it clears our early
cabbages of a pestilent little insect,
that left unchecked would utterly
destroy the crop ; it visits our gardens
and devours 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 New South Wales/ p. 97 :
" Rhinobatus granulatus or shovel-
nose, which is properly speaking a
Ray, is called here the blind or sand
shark, though, as Mr. Hill remarks, it
is not blind. He says ' that it attains
the length of from 6 to 7 feet, and
is also harmless, armed only with
teeth resembling small white beads
secured closely upon a cord ; it how-
ever can see tolerably well, and
searches on sandy patches for crus-
taceae and small shell fish.' "
1886. J. Douglas-Ogilby, * Catalogue of
the Fishes of New South Wales,' p. 5 :
" Rhinobatus Granulatus ... I have
not seen a New South Wales example
of this fish, which appears to have
been confounded with the following
by writers on the Australian fauna.
Rhinobatus Bongainvillei, Mull and
Heule, Habitat Port Jackson. Shovel-
nosed Ray of Sydney fishermen."
Blind-your-Byes, n. another
name for the Milky Mangrove.
See Mangrove.
Block, doing the, v. lounging
in the fashionable promenade. In
Melbourne, it is Collins Street, be-
tween 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 in one till the
Government purchased the land
for the present Post Office, and
then opened a new street from
George to Pitt Street. Since then
the Government, having pur-
chased more land, has made the
street much wider, and it is now
called Martin's Place.
1869. Marcus Clarke, ' Peripatetic Phi-
losopher,' (in an Essay on 'Doing the
Block') (reprint), p. 13 :
"If our Victorian youth showed
their appreciation for domestic virtues,
Victorian womanhood would 'do the
Block' less frequently."
1872. ' Glimpses of Life in Victoria by
a Resident,' p. 349 :
" A certain portion of Collins street,
lined by the best drapers' and jewellers'
shops, with here and there a bank or
private office intervening, is known as
' the Block,' and is the daily 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 Hyde Park."
1876. Wm. Brackley Wildey, 'Aus-
tralasia and the Oceanic Region,' p. 234 :
" The streets are thronged with
BLO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
37
handsome* women, veritable denizens
of the soil, fashionably and really
tastefully attired, ' doing the block,'
patrolling Collins-street, or gracefully
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 town and ' do the
block.'"
1894. ' Tne Herald' (Melbourne), Oct.
6, p. 6, col. I :
" But the people doing the block
this morning look very nice."
Block, on the. (i) On the pro-
menade above referred to.
1896. 'The Argus, 3 July 17, p. 4,
col. 7 :
" We may slacken pace a little now
and again, just as the busy man, who
generally walks quickly, has to go
slowly in the crowd on the Block."
(2) Term in mining 1 , fully ex-
plained 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 block form."
Blood-bird, n. name given to
the Sanguineous Honey-eater. See
Honey-eater.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
Vol. iv. pi. 63 :
" Myzomelasanguinolentct, Sanguin-
eous Honey-eater. Blood-bird of the
Colonists of New South Wales."
Blood-sucker, n. popular name
for certain species of Lizards
belonging to the genus Amphi-
bolurus (Grammatophord). Espe-
cially 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 ' blood-
sucker.' "
1890. F. McCoy, ' Prodromus of the
Natural History of Victoria,' Dec. 12, pi.
" Why the popular name of ' Blood-
sucker ' should be so universally given
to this harmless creature by the
Colonists (except on the lucus a non
lucendo principle) I cannot conceive."
1890. A. H. S. Lucas, 'Handbook of
the Australasian Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 70 :
"Two species of' blood sucker' so
absurdly designated."
Bloodwood, or Blood-tree, n.
a name applied, with various
epithets, to many of the Gum-
trees '(q.v.), especially to (i) Euca-
lyptus corymbosa, Smith, sometimes
called Rough-barked bloodwood ;
(2) E. eximia, Schauer, Mountain
or Yellow bloodwood ; (3) Balo-
ghia lucida, Endl., N. O. Euphor-
biacece, called Brush Bloodwood.
The sap is blood-red, running
copiously when cut across with a
knife.
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Liiinaean Society,' vol. xv. p. 271 :
"The natives tell me it breeds in
the winter in Mun'ning-trees or Blood-
trees of the colonists (a species of
Eticalyptus}"
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Ex-
pedition,' p. 292 :
" The bergue was covered with
fine bloodwood trees, stringy-bark,
and box."
1892. A. J. North, 'Proceedings of
Linnsean Society,' New South Wales,
vol. vii. series 2, p. 396 :
" I traced her to a termite nest in
a bloodwood tree (Eucalyptus corym-
bosay
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 448 :
"It \E. eximid\ is called 'blood-
wood,' partly because kino exudes in
the concentric circles of the wood . . .
partly because its fruits are in shape
very similar to those of E. 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 it be done
so incompetently that a ' second blow '
is needed, the fleece is hacked."
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BLO-BLU
Blow, 2 . braggadocio, boast-
ing.
1890. Lyth, ' Golden Sou th,'viii. p. 71 :
"Is there not very much that the
Australian may well be proud of, 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 beast that 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. I :
" 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 though often so re-
garded. It is common in Scot-
land and in the United States.
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 387 :
" The blast of the trumpet as heard
in Victoria is louder than all the blasts
and the Melbourne blast beats all
the other blowing of that proud colony.
My first, my constant, my parting
advice to my Australian cousins is
contained in two words, '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 and specu-
lators."
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 the colonial 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 and every sub-
ject)."
1885. R- M. Praed, 'Australian Life,'
P- 45 =
"He was famous for 'blowing' in
Australian parlance ... of his ex-
ploits."
Bluebell, n. The name is
given in Tasmania to the flower
Wahlenbtrgia gracilts, De C., N.O.
Campanulacece.
Blueberry, n. i.q. Native Cur-
rant (q-v.). The name is also
given to Dianella longifolia, R. Br.,
N.O. Liliacea.
Blueberry Ash, . a Victorian
tree, Elczocarpus holopetalus, F.v.M.
1894. ' Melbourne Museum Catalogue,
Economic Woods,' p. 15 :
"Blueberry Ash or Prickly Fig.
A noble tree, attaining a height of
120 feet. Wood pale, fine-grained ;
exquisite for cabinet work."
Blue-bush, n. an Australian
forage plant, a kind of Salt-bush,
Kochia pyramidata, Benth, N.O.
Chenopodiacea .
1876. W. Harcus. ' South Australia,' p.
124:
" [The country] would do splendidly
for sheep, being thickly grassed with
short fine grass, salt and blue bush,
and geranium and other herbs."
Blue-Cod, n. name given to a
New Zealand fish, Percis colias,
family Trachinidce. Called also in
New Zealand Rock-Cod (q.v.).
The fish is of a different family
from the Cod of the northern
hemisphere.
Blue-creeper, n. name given to
the creeper, Comesperma volubile,
Lab., N.O. Campanulacece.
Blue-eye, n. a bird name. The
Blue-faced Honey-eater (q.v.).
1848. J.Gould, 'Birds of Australia,' vol.
iv. pi. 68 :
" Entomyza cyanotis, Swains. Blue-
faced Entomyza. Blue-eye of the
colonists."
Blue-fish, n. name given in Syd-
ney to Girella cyanea, of the family
Sparidtty or Sea-Breams. It is
different from the Blue-fish of the
American coasts, which is of the
family Carangidce.
Blue-Groper, n. a fish of New
BLU]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
39
South Wales and Tasmania, Cos-
syphus gouldii, one of the La brides
or Wrasses, often called Parrot-
fish in Australia. Called also
Blue-head in Tasmania. Distinct
from the fish called the Groper
(q.v.).
Blue-gum, n. See under Gum.
It is an increasing practice to
make a single word of this com-
pound, and to pronounce it with
accent on the first syllable, as
4 wiseman,' 'goodman.'
Blue-head, n. Tasmanian name
for the fish called the Blue-Groper
<q.v.).
Blue Lobelia, . The indigen-
ous species in Tasmania which
receives this name is Lobelia gib-
bosa. Lab., N.O. Campanulacece.
Blue-Pointer, n. a name given
in New South Wales to a species
of Shark, Larnna glauca, Mull, and
Heule, family Lamnida, which is
not confined to Australasia.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales,' p. 95 :
" On the appearance of a ' blue
pointer' among boats fishing for
schnapper outside, the general cry is
raised, * Look out for the blue pointer.'
. . . These are high swimming fishes,
and may be readily seen when about
pushing their pursuits ; the beautiful
azure tint of their back and sides, and
independent manner they have of
swimming rapidly and high among the
boats in search of prey, are means of
easy recognition, and they often drive
the fishermen away."
Bluestone, n. a kind of dark
stone of which many houses and
public buildings are built.
1850. ' The Australasian ' (Quarterly),
Oct. [Footnote], p. 138:
" The ancient Roman ways were
paved with polygonal blocks of a stone
not unlike the trap or bluestone around
Melbourne."
1855. R. Brough Smyth, ' Transactions
of Philosophical Society, Victoria,' vol. i.
"The basalt or 'bluestone,' which
is well adapted to structural purposes,
and generally obtains where durability
is desired."
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook to New
Zealand,' p. 62 :
" Basalts, locally called * bluestones,'
occur of a quality useful for road-
metal, house-blocks, and ordinary rub-
ble masonry."
1890. ' Proceedings of the Royal Society
of Tasmania,' p. xx. [Letter from Mr.
S. H. Wintle] :
" The newer basalts, which in Vic-
toria have filled up so extensively
Miocene and Pliocene valleys, and
river channels, are chiefly vesicular
Zeolitic dolerites and an&mesites, the
former being well represented by the
light-coloured Malmsbury ' bluestone '
so extensively employed in buildings
in Melbourne."
Blue-tongued Lizard, n. name
given to Tiliqua nigroluteus, Gray,
a common Australian and Tas-
manian lizard belonging to the
family Scinddce. The name is
derived from its blue-coloured
tongue, and on account of its
sluggish habits it is also often
called the Sleepy lizard.
1887. F. McCoy, * Prodromus of the
Zoology of Victoria,' Dec. 14, pi. 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. (i) A blue blanket,
commonly used by swagmen in
Australia. He wraps his bundle
in it, and the whole is called a
Swag (q.v.). To hump bluey means
to go on the tramp, carrying a
swag on the back.
(2) In the wet wildernesses of
Western Tasmania a rough shirt
or blouse is made of this material,
and is worn over the coat like an
English smock - frock. Sailors
and fishermen in England call it
a " Baltic shirt."
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BOA-BON
1890. 'The Argus,' Aug. 16, p. 13,
col. 2 :
"We shall have to hump bluey
again."
1891. R. Wallace, ' Rural Economy and
Agriculture of Australia and New Zealand,'
p. 73 :
"' Humping bluey' is for a work-
man to walk in search of work."
1891. W. Tilley, 'The Wild West of
Tasmania,' p. 29 :
"Leehan presents an animated
scene. . . . Heavily laden drays, pack-
horses and mules, form constant pro-
cessions journeying from Dundas or
Trial ; miners with their swags, sur-
veyors in their ' blueys ' ... all aid
effectively in the panorama."
Board, n. term used by shearers.
See quotation.
1893. 'The Herald' (Melbourne), Dec.
23, p. 6, col. I :
" ' The board ' is the technical name
for the floor on which the sheep are
shorn."
With a full board, with a full
complement of shearers.
1894. ' The Herald,' Oct. 6, p. i, col. 2 :
"The secretary of the Pastoralists'
Association . . . reports that the fol-
lowing stations have started shearing
with full boards."
Boar-fish, n. a name applied in
England to various dissimilar
fishes which have projecting
snouts. ('Century.') In New
Zealand it is given to Cyttus
australis, family Cyttidtz, which is
related to the John Dory (q.v.).
This name is sometimes applied
to it, and it is also called Bastard
Dory (q.v.). In Melbourne the
Boar-fish is Histiopterus recurvi-
rostris, family Percidce, and Penta-
ceropsis recurvirostris, family Pent a-
cerotidce. Mrs. Meredith, in ' Tas-
manian Friends and Foes,' 1880
(pi. vi.), figures Histiopterus re-
curvirostris with the vernacular
name of Pig-faced Lady. It is a
choice edible fish.
Boil down, v. to reduce a state-
ment to its simplest form ; a con-
stant term amongst pressmen.
Over the reporters' table in the
old ' Daily Telegraph ' office (Mel-
bourne) there was a big placard
with the words " Boil it down."
The phrase is in use in England.
'O.E.D.' quotes 'Saturday Re-
view,' 1880. The metaphor is
from the numerous boiling-down,
establishments for rendering fat
sheep into tallow. See quotation,,
1878.
1878. F. P. Labilliere, 'Early History
of the Colony of Victoria,' vol. ii. p. 330 :
" The first step which turned the
tide of ill-fortune was the introduction
of the system of boiling down sheep.
When stock became almost worthless,
it occurred to many people that, when
a fleece of wool was worth from half-
a-crown to three shillings in England,
and a sheep's tallow three or four
more, the value of the animal in Aus-
tralia ought to exceed eighteenpence
or two shillings. Accordingly thou-
sands of sheep were annually boiled
down after shearing . . . until . . .
the gold discovery ; and then ' boiling
down,' which had saved the country,
had to be given up. ... The Messrs.
Learmonth at Buninyong . . . found
it answered their purpose to have a
place of their own, instead of sending
their fat stock, as was generally done,
to a public ' boiling down ' establish-
ment."
1895. 'The Argus,' Aug. 17, p. 8, col. 2 :
" Boiled down, the matter comes to
this."
Bonduc Nuts, //. a name in Aus-
tralia for the fruit of the widely
distributed plant Ccesalpina bon-
ducella, Flem., N. O. Leguminostz.
Called Molucca Beans in Scotland
and Nicker Nuts elsewhere.
Bonito, n. Sir Frederick Me
Coy says that the Tunny, the
same fish as the European species
Thynnus thynnus, family Scombrid(z r
or Mackerels, is called Bonito,
erroneously, by the colonists and
fishermen. The true Bonito is
Thynnus pelamys, Linn. r though
BON-BOO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
the name is also applied to various
other fishes in Europe, the United
States, and the West Indies.
Bony - Bream, i.q. Sardine
(q.v.).
Boobook, n. an owl. Ninox
boobook (see Owl] ; Athene boo-
book (Gould's ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. i. pi. 32). "From cry or
note of bird. In the Mukthang
language of Central Gippsland,
BawBaw, the mountain in Gipps-
land, is this word as heard by the
English ear." (A. W. Howitt.)
In South Australia the word is
used for a mopoke.
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, ' Transac-
tions of Linnaean Society/ vol. xv. p. 188:
" The native name of this bird, as
Mr. Caley informs us, is Buck'buck.
It may be heard nearly every night
during winter, uttering a cry corre-
sponding with that word. . . . The
lower order of the settlers in New
South Wales are led away by the idea
that everything is the reverse in that
country to what it is in England : and
the cttckoo, as they call this bird, sing-
ing by night, is one of the instances
which they point out."
1894. ' Tne Argus,' June 23, p. n,
col. 4 :
" In most cases it may not be in
all the familiar call, which is sup-
posed to sound like ' More -pork, 3 is
not the mopoke (or podargus) at all,
but the hooting of a little rusty red
feather-legged owl, known as the Boo-
book. Its double note is the opposite
of the curlew, since the first syllable is
dwelt upon and the second sharp.
An Englishman hearing it for the first
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 Australia for the Brown-
Gannet. See Gannet.
Booby alia, or Boobialla, n.
the aboriginal name for the tree
Acacia longifolia, Willd., N,O. Legu-
minosce, also called Native Willow.
A river in Tasmania bears the
name of Boobyalla, the tree being
plentiful on the coast.
1835. Ross, * Hobart Town Almanack,*
p. 63:
"Acacia sophora. Sophora podded
Acacia or Booby-aloe. This species
forms a large shrub on the sand-hills
of the coast."
1843. J. Backhouse, ' Narrative of a
Visit to the Australian Colonies,' p. 59 :
"The sandbanks at the mouth of
Macquarie Harbour are covered with
Boobialla, a species of Acacia, the
roots of which run far in the sand."
1855- J- Milligan, 'Vocabulary of Dia-
lects of the Aboriginal Tribes of Tasmania/
4 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tas-
mania,' vol. iii. p. 238 :
" Wattle tree seaside. {Acacia
Maritima} Booby allah."
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, . name
of a very large kangaroo, Macro-
pus giganteuSy Shaw. The spelling
"boomah" seems due to a sup-
posed native origin. See quota-
tion, 1872, the explanation in
which is probably erroneous. It
is really from the verb to boom,
to rush with violence.
1830. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack/
p. no :
" Snapped the boomah's haunches,
and he turned round to offer battle."
1833. Lieut. Breton, ' Excursions in
New South Wales, Western Australia, and
Van Diemen's Land,' p. 251 :
" Boomah. Implies a large kan-
garoo."
Ibid. p. 254 :
"The flying gin (gin is the native
word for woman or female) is a boo-
mah, and will leave behind every de-
scription of dog."
-42
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BOO
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 male of 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 being known by the
name of 'boomer,' and the young
female by that of * flying doe,' is the
largest and only truly gregarious
species."
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 once killed
in that colony a kangaroo of such
magnitude, that, being a long way
from home, he was unable, although
on horseback, to carry away any por-
tion except the tail, which alone
weighed thirty pounds. This species
is called the boomah, and stands about
seven feet high."
1857. W. Howitt, ' Tallangetta,' vol. i.
p. 47 :
"Sometimes starting a grand boo-
mah, or great red kangaroo."
1862. F. J. Jobson, 'Australia,' c. v.
p. 124 :
" Some of the male kangaroos, called
'boomers,' were described as 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 male kangaroo, can bring his
head on a level with the face of a man
on horseback. ... A kangaroo's feet
are, in fact, his weapons of defence
with which, when he is brought to bay,
he tears his antagonists the dogs most
dreadfully, and instances are not
wanting of even men having been
killed by a large old male. No doubt
this peculiar method of disposing of
his enemies has earned him the name
oiSooma, which in the native language
signifies to strike."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 16:
"As he plunged into the yellow
waters, the dogs were once more by
his side, and again the 'boomer'
wheeled, and backed against one 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 Australian aborigines, de-
scribed in the quotations. The
origin of the word is by no
means certain. One explanation
is that of Mr. Fraser in quota-
tion, 1892. There may perhaps
be an etymological connection
with the name woomera (q.v.),
which is a different weapon, being
a throwing stick, that is, an in-
strument with which to throw
spears, whilst the boomerang is
itself thrown ; but the idea of
throwing is common to both. In
many parts the word is pro-
nounced by the blacks bum-
merang. Others connect it with
the aboriginal word for "wind,"
which at Hunter River was burra-
maronga, also boomori. In New
South Wales and South Queens-
land there is a close correspond-
ence between the terms for wind
and boomerang.
1827. Captain P. P. King, ' Survey of
Intertropical and West Coasts of Australia,'
vol. i. p. 355 :
"Boomerang is the Port Jackson
term for this weapon, and may be
retained for want of a more descriptive
name."
1830. R. Dawson, 'Present State of
Australia,' p. 108 :
EOO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
43
"We gambolled all the way up,
throwing small pieces of bark at each
other, after the manner of the native
youths, who practise this with a view
of strengthening their arms, and fitting
them for hurling a curious weapon of
war called a 'bomering,' which is
shaped thus : "
Ibid. p. 280 :
"Around their loins was the opos-
sum belt, in one side of which they
had placed their waddies, with which
they meant to break the heads of their
opponents, and on the other was the
bomering, or stick, with which they
threw their spears."
[This is a confusion between
boomerang and woomera (q.v.).
Perhaps Mr. Dawson wrote the
second word, and this is a mis-
print.]
1839. Major T. L. Mitchell, 'Three
Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern
Australia,' vol. ii. p. 348 :
"The bommereng, or their usual
missile, can be thrown by a skilful
hand, so as to rise upon the air, and
thus to deviate from the usual path of
projectiles, its crooked course being,
nevertheless, equally under control/' 5
1845. R. Howitt, 'Australia,' p. 186:
" The admirable dexterity with which
they fling the bomerangs. To our
thinking the thrower was only sending
the instrument along the ground, when
suddenly, after spinning along it a
little way, it sprung up into the air,
performing a circle, its crescent shape
spinning into a ring, constantly spin-
ning round and 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 bommer-
eng, is made of wood, and is much
like the blade of a scimitar. I believe
it has been introduced 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 shape of a
crescent, and when propelled at an
object, apparently point blank, it turns
in any direction intended by the
thrower, so that it can actually be
directed in this manner against a
person standing by his side. The
consummate art visible in its unnatural-
looking progression greatly depends
upon the manner in which it is made
to rebound from the ground when
thrown."
1865. W. Howitt, ' Discovery in Aus-
tralia, 3 vol. ii. p. 107 ;
" He [Sir Thomas Mitchell] applied
to the screw propeller the revolving
principle of the boomerang of the
Australian natives."
1867. G. G. McCrae, ' Balladeadro,' p.
25:
" While circling thro' the air there
sang
The swift careering boomerang."
1888. A. Seth, 'Encyclopaedia Britan-
nica,' 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 a parabola, about
eighteen inches or two feet long from
point to point, the curve being on the
thin side. Of the broad sides of the
missile one is slightly convex, the
other is flat. The thin sides are
worked down finely to blunt edges.
The peculiar curve of the missile gives
it the property of returning to the feet
of the thrower. It is a dangerous
instrument in a melee. Of course the
wood from which it is made is highly
seasoned by fire. 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, some-
what flat, and slender weapon, made
from a hard and heavy wood, Brigalow
(Acacia excelsa\ or Myall (Acacia
44
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BOO-BOR
pendulti), but the best one I found was
made of a lighter kind of wood. The
curving of the boomerang, which often
approaches a right angle, must be
natural, 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 the boomerang
which does not refer to it as a weapon
of war which returns to the thrower,
whereas the returning boomerang is
not a weapon of war, and the boomer-
ang which is a weapon of war does not
return to the thrower. There are
many kinds of boomerang some for
deadly strife, some for throwing at
game, and the returning boomerang,
which is framed only for amusement.
If a native had no other missile at
hand, he would dispatch it at a flight
of ducks. Its circular course, how-
ever, makes it unfit for such a purpose,
and there is a special boomerang
made for throwing at birds. The
latter keeps a straight course, and a
native could throw it more than two
hundred 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 of it is buma
strike, fight, kill ; and -ara, -arai, -arang,
are all of them common formative
terminations."
1893. ' The Argus,' July I, p. 8, col. 7 :
' ' I tell you, sir,' said Mr. Healy at
an Irish political meeting, 'that there
are at the present moment crystallizing
in this city precedents which will
some day come home to roost like a
boomerang.' "
Boongary, n. the tree-kanga-
roo of North Queensland, a mar-
supial tree-climber, about the size
of a large wallaby, Dendrolagus
lumholtzii, Collett. A native name.
Bangaray =-. Red Kangaroo, in
Governor Hunter's vocabulary of
the Port Jackson dialect (1793).
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals '
p. 226:
" The tree-kangaroo is without com-
parison a better-proportioned animal
than the common kangaroo. The
fore-feet, which are nearly as perfectly
developed as the hind-feet, have large
crooked claws, while the hind-feet are
somewhat like those of a kangaroo,
though not so powerful. The sole of
the foot is somewhat broader and more
elastic on account of a thick layer of
fat under the skin. In soft ground its
footprints are very similar to those of
a child. The ears are small and erect,
and the tail is as long as the body of
the animal. The skin is tough, and
the fur is very strong and beautiful. . . .
Upon the whole the boongary is the
most beautiful mammal I have seen in
Australia. It is a marsupial, and goes
out only in the night. During the day
it sleeps in the trees, and feeds on the
leaves."
Bora, n. a rite amongst the
aborigines of eastern Australia ;
the ceremony of admitting a
young black to the 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 made on the
ground, where the ceremonies
take place.
1875. W. Ridley, ' Kamilaroi,' p. 24:
" Girdle bor or bur. Hence Bora r
the ceremony of initiation into man-
hood, where the candidate is invested
with the belt of manhood.'-'
1885. R- M. Praed, 'Australian Life,'
p. 24:
" The great mystery of the Blacks
is the Bora a ceremony at which 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, a plant, Polli-
chia zeylanica, F. v. M., N.O. Bora-
gineee. The so-called Native Borage
is not endemic to Australia. In
India it is used as a cure for
snake bites.
<BOR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
45
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 124 :
"The native borage (Trichodesma
zeylanica, R. Br.)."
Borak, ;/. aboriginal word of
New South Wales, meaning 1 ban-
ter, chaff, fun at another's ex-
pense. (See quotation, 1845.)
Prior to 1870 the word was much
in use on the stations in New
South Wales. About 1870 Vic-
torian farmers' sons took shearing
work there, and brought back the
word with them. It was subse-
quently altered to barrack (q.v.).
1845. C. Griffith, 'Present State and
Prospects of the Port Phillip District of
New South Wales,' p. 162 :
" The following is a specimen of
such eloquence : ' You pilmillally
jumbuck, plenty sulky me, plenty
boom, borack gammon,' which, being
interpreted, means ' If you steal my
sheep I shall be very angry, and will
shoot you and no mistake.' "
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' (very good), and that
' blackfellow doctor was far better than
whitefellow doctor.' In proof of which
he would say, ' Borak you ever see
black fellow with waddie (wooden) leg.
Bungalallee white fellow doctor cut
him leg, borak black fellow stupid like
it that."
1885. ' Australasian Printers' Keepsake, '
P- 75 '
" On telling him my adventures,
how Bob in my misery had 'poked
borack ' at me. . . .' ;
1888. Alfred J. Chandler, 'Curley'
in 'Australian Poets,' 17881888, 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. i :
" It does not do for a man whose
mission it is to wear stuff and a horse-
hair wig to ' poke borak ' at that vener-
able and eminently respectable insti-
tution the law, and still worse is it
for a practising barrister to actually
set to work, even in the most kindly
spirit, to criticise the judges, before
whom at any moment he may be called
upon to plead."
Borboby, n. i.q. Corrobbery
(q.v.), but the word is rare.
1890. Carl Lumholtz, 'Among Canni-
bals' [Title of illustration], p. 122 :
" A warrior in great excitement just
before Borboby commences."
Boree, n. aboriginal name for
the tree Acacia pendula, A. Cunn.,
N.O. Leguminoscz ; a variety of
Myall, probably from Queensland
aboriginal word Booreah, fire. It
would be preferred by black or
white man as firewood over any
other timber except giddea (q.v.).
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants,' p. 363 :
" Weeping, or true myall. It is
sometimes called bastard gidgee in
Western New South Wales. Called
boree by aboriginals, and often boree,
or silver-leaf boree, by the colonists of
Western New 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. 60 :
" The timber, of course, when seen
close at hand is strange. Boree and
gidyah, coolibah and whitewood, brig-
gelow, mulgah, and myall are the un-
familiar names by which you learn to
recognise the commonest varieties."
Borer, n. name applied to an
Australian insect. See quotation.
1876. W. Harcus, ' South Australia,' p.
no :
" There is another destructive insect
called the * borer,' not met with near
the sea-coast, but very active and
mischievous inland, its attacks being
chiefly levelled against timber. This
creature is about the size of a large
fly."
Boronia, n, scientific and ver-
nacular name of a genus of Aus-
tralian plants, certain species of
which are noted for their peculiar
fragrance. The genus is especi-
4 6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BOS-BOT
ally characteristic of West Aus-
tralia, to which out of fifty-nine
species thirty-three are confined,
while only five are known in Tas-
mania. Boronia belongs to the
N.O. Rutacea.
1835. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
"Boronia variabilis. A beautiful
little heath-like plant growing about
the Cascade and other hills round
about Hobart Town. . . . This genus
is named after Borone, an Italian
servant of the late Dr. Sibthorp, who
perished at Athens. . . . Another
species found in Van Diemen's Land
is the Lemon 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 corner the scent of
boronia and the odour of wattle-
blossom greet us from baskets of the
flower-girl."
Boss-cockie, n. a slang- name
in the bush for a farmer, larger
than a Cockatoo (see Cockatoo, n.
2), who employs other labour as
well as working himself.
Botany Bay, n. lying to the
south of the entrance to Port
Jackson, New South Wales, the
destination of the first two ship-
loads of convicts from England.
As a matter of fact, the settle-
ment at Botany Bay never
existed. The " First Fleet,"
consisting of eleven sail under
Governor Phillip, arrived at
Botany Bay on January 18,
1788. The Governor finding the
place unsuitable for a settlement
did not land his people, but on
January 25 removed the fleet to
Port Jackson. On the next day
(January 26) he landed his people
at Sydney Cove, and founded the
city of Sydney. The name, how-
ever, clung topopular imagination,
and was used sometimes as the
name of Australia. Seventy years
after Governor Phillip, English
schoolboys used "go to Botany
Bay " as an equivalent to "go to-
Bath." Captain Cook and his
naturalists, Banks and Solander,
landed at Botany Bay, and the
name was given (not at first,
when the Bay was marked Sting-
ray, but a little later) from the
large number of plants collected
there.
1770. ' Captain Cook's Original Jour-
nal,' 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 Name of Botany Bay."
1789. [Title] :
" The Voyage of Governor PhilliptO'
Botany Bay," published in London.
1789. Captain Watkin Tench [Title]:
" A Narrative of the Expedition 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 others
being high priced. As Lowndes
says, "A work of no authority,
but frequently printed. " Barring-
ton, the pickpocket, whose name
it bears, had nothing to do with
it. It was pirated from Phillip,
Collins, etc. It went through
various editions and enlargements
to 1810 or later. After 1795 the
name was altered to ' Voyage to
New South Wales.'
1798. D. Collins, ' Account of the Eng-
lish Colony in New South Wales,' vol. i.
p. 502 :
" The word * Botany Bay ' became a
term of reproach that was indiscrimin-
ately cast on every one who resided in
New South Wales."
1840. Thos. Hood, 'Tale of a Trum-
pet:'
" The very next day
She 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 Bay coat of arms."
EOT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
47'
1852. J. West, ' History of Tasmania,'
vol. ii. p. 91 :
"Some gentlemen, on a visit to a
London theatre, to draw the attention
of their friends in an opposite box,
called out cooey ; a voice in the gallery
answered ' Botany Bay ! ' "
1894. 'Pall Mall Budget,' May 17, p.
20, col. i :
" The owner of the ship was an ex-
convict in Sydney then called Botany
Bay who had waxed wealthy on the
profits of rum, and the ' shangai-ing '
of drugged sailors."
Botany-Bay Greens, n. a vege-
table common to all the colo-
nies, Atriplex cinereiim, Poir, N.O.
Salsolacea.
1810. G. Barrington, History of New
South Wales,' p. 263 :
" Botany Bay greens are abundant ;
they much resemble sage in appear-
ance ; and are esteemed a very good
dish by the Europeans."
1834. Ross, 'Van Diemen's Land Annual,'
p. 134 :
" I do not think it necessary to enter
upon any description of the Barilla
shrubs (Atriplex halimus^ Rhagodia
billardieri, and Salicornia arbuscula\
which, with some others, under the
promiscuous name of Botany Bay
greens, were boiled and eaten along
with some species of seaweed, by the
earliest settlers, when in a state of
starvation."
1835. Ibid - P- 69 :
"Atriplex Halimus. Barrilla. Bot-
any Bay Greens. This is the plant so
common on the shores of Cape Barren
and other islands of the Straits, from
which the alkaline salt is obtained and
brought up in boats to the soap manu-
factory at Hobart Town. It has been
set down as the same plant that grows
on the coast of Spain 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 a
species of Atriplex as a vegetable, and
spoke very highly of it."
Botany-Bay Oak, or Botany-
Bay Wood, n. a trade name in
England for the timber of Casu-
arina. See Beef-wood.
Bottle-brush, n. name given to
various species of Callistemon and
Melaleuca, N.O. Myrtacece ; the
Purple Bottle-brush is Melaleuca
squamea, Lab. The name is also
more rarely given to species of
Banksia, or Honeysuckle (q.v.).
The name bottle-brush is from the
resemblance of the large hand-
some blossoms to the brush used
to clean out wine-bottles.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 389:
" Red Bottle-brush. The flowers of
some species of Callistemon are like
bottle-brushes in shape."
Bottle-Gourd, ;/. an Australian
plant, Lagenaria vulgaris, Sr.,.
N.O. Cucurbitacea.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 192 :
"Bottle Gourd. This plant, so
plentiful along the tropical coast of
Queensland, is said to be a dangerous
poison. It is said that some sailors
were killed by drinking beer that had
been standing for some time in a bottle
formed of one of these fruits. (F. M.
Bailey.)"
Bottle-Swallow, n. a popular
name for the bird Lagenoplastis
arie/, otherwise called the Fairy
Martin. See Martin. The name
refers to the bird's peculiar retort-
shaped nest. Lagenoplastis is from,
the Greek Aay^vos, a flagon, and
TrAatmjs, a modeller. The nests
are often constructed in clusters
under rocks or the eaves of build-
ings. The bird is widely dis-
tributed in Australia, and has
occurred in Tasmania.
Bottle-tree, n. an Australian
tree, various species of Stercu-
lia, i.q. Kurrajong (q.v.). So
named from its appearance. See
quotations.
1846. C. P. Hodgson, ' Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 264 :
"The sterculia, or bottle-tree, is a
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BOT-BOW
very singular curiosity. It generally
varies in shape between a soda-water
and port-wine bottle, narrow at the
basis, gradually widening at the middle,
and tapering towards the neck."
1848. L. Leichhardt, Letter in 'Cooks-
Jand,' by J. D. Lang, p. 91 :
" The most interesting tree of this
Rosewood Brush is the true bottle-
tree, a strange-looking unseemly tree,
which swells slightly four to five feet
high, and then tapers rapidly into a
small diameter; the foliage is thin,
the crown scanty and irregular, the
leaves lanceolate, of a greyish green ;
the height of the whole tree is about
forty-five feet."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' His-
tory of the Discovery and Exploration of
Australia,' vol. i. p. 127 :
" It was on this range (Lat. 26 42 )
that Mitchell saw the bottle-tree for
the first time. It grew like an enor-
mous pear-shaped turnip, with only
.a small portion of the root in the
ground."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 60:
" A ' Kurrajong.' The ' Bottle-tree '
of N.E. Australia, and also called
* Gouty-stem,' on account of the extra-
ordinary shape of the trunk. It is the
1 Binkey ' of the aboriginals.
" The stem abounds in a mucilagin-
ous substance resembling pure traga-
canth, which is wholesome and nutri-
tious, and is said to be used as an
article of food by the aborigines in
cases of extreme need. A similar
clear jelly is obtainable by pouring
boiling water on chips of the wood."
Bottom, n. in gold-mining, the
old river-bed upon which the
wash-dirt rests, and upon which
the richest alluvial gold is found;
sometimes called the gutter.
1887. H. H. Hayter, 'Christmas Ad-
venture/ p. 5 :
"We reached the bottom, but did
not find gold."
Bottom, v. to get to the bed-
rock, or clay, below which it was
useless to sink (gold-mining).
1858. T. McCombie, 'History of Vic-
.toria/ c. xv. p. 219:
" In their anxiety to bottom their
claims, they not seldom threw away
the richest stuff."
Boundary-rider, n. a man who
rides round the fences 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 an important
personage in his way. He sees that
the sheep in his paddock draw to the
water, that there is water for them to
draw to, and that the fences and gates
are in order. He is paid fairly, and
has a fine, free, solitary life."
1892. 'Scribner's Magazine,' Feb., p.
147:
" The manager's lieutenants are the
* boundary-riders,' whose duty it is to
patrol the estate and keep him informed
upon every portion of it."
Bower-bird, n. an Australian
bird. See quotation, 1891. See
Ptilonorhynchina. The following
are the varieties
Fawn-breasted Bower-bird
Chlamydodera cerviniventris,
Gould.
Golden B.
Prionodura newtoniana, De Vis.
Great B.
Chlamydodera nuchalis, Gould
('Birds of Australia,' vol. iv.
pi. 9).
Queensland B.
C. orientalis, Gould.
Satin B.
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, Vieil-
lot.
Spotted B.
Chlamydodera maculata, Gould
(ibid. pi. 8).
Yellow-spotted B.
C. guttata, Gould.
And the Regent-bird (q.v.).
1845. R. Howitt, ' Australia,' p. 140 :
" The same person had the last sea-
son found, to his surprise, the play-
house, or bower, of the Australian
satin bower-bird.
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 28 :
" Any shred of glass or metal which
BOX
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
49
arrests the eye or reflects the rays of
the sun is a gem in the bower-bird's
collection, which seems in a sense to
parody the art decorations of a modern
home."
1891. 'Guide to Zoological Gardens,
Melbourne ' :
" In one is a representation of the
playing place of the spotted bower-
bird. These bowers are quite inde-
pendent of the birds' nests, which are
built on neighbouring trees. They
first construct a covered passage or
bower about three feet long, and near
it they place every white or bright
object they can find, such as the
bleached bones of animals, pieces of
white or coloured stone, feathers,
shells, etc., etc. ; the feathers they
place on end. When these curious
playing places were first discovered,
they were thought to be made by the
native women for the amusement of
their children. More than a bushel
of small pieces of bleached bones or
shells are often found at one of these
curious sporting places. Sometimes
a dozen or more birds will assemble,
and they delight in chasing each other
through the bower and playing about
it."
Box, Box-tree, Box-gum, n.
The name is applied to many
Eucalypts, and to a few trees of
the genus Tristania, as given be-
low, all of the N. O. Myrtacea,
chiefly from the qualities of their
timber, which more or less re-
sembles "Boxwood." Most of
these trees also bear other verna-
cular names, and the same tree
is further often described verna-
cularly as different kinds of Box.
China-, Heath-, and Native-Box
(q.v. below) are of other Natural
Orders and receive their names
of Box from other reasons. The
following table is compiled from
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. laurina, R. Br., all of the
N.O. Myrtacece.
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
Murray a exotica, Linn., N.O.
Rutacece. (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.
Apocynece. (called also Tonga-
beanwood, owing to its scent).
Iron-bark Box
Eucalyptus obliqua, L'He"rit.
Narrow-leaved Box
Eucalyptus microtheca, F. v. M.
Native Box
Bursaria spinosa, Cav., N.O.
Pittosporecz. (Called also Box-
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[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.;
Tristania conferta, 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 prevail-
ing timber ; of the former many were
useful trees."
1838. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions,' vol. ii. p. 55 :
" The small kind of tree . . . which
Mr. Oxley, I believe, terms the dwarf-
box, grows only on plains subject to
inundation. ... It may be observed,
however, that all permanent waters
are invariably surrounded by the
'yarra.' These peculiarities are only
ascertained after examining many a
hopeless hollow, where grew the 'go-
borro ' only ; and after I had found
my sable guides eagerly scanning the
' yarra ' from afar, when in search of
water, and condemning any view of
the ' goborro ' as hopeless during that
dry season."
[See Yarra, a tree.]
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia/ vol. ii. p. 6:
" Belts of open forest land, princi-
pally composed of the box-tree of the
colonists, a species of eucalyptus (in
no respect resembling the box of
Europe)."
1877. F. v. Miiller, 'Botanic Teachings,'
P- 15:
"The Honey-Eucalypt (Eucalyptus
melliodora). This tree passes by the
very unapt vernacular name Yellow
Box-tree, though no portion of it is
yellow, not even its wood, and though
the latter resembles the real boxwood
in no way whatever. Its systematic
specific name alludes to the odour of
its flowers, like that of honey, and as
the blossoms exude much nectar, like
most eucalypts, sought by bees, it is
proposed to call it the small-leaved
Honey-Eucalypt, but the Latin name
might as easily be conveyed to memory,
with the advantage of its 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 y
box, and iron-bark saplings, with here
and there heavy timber growing on
sour-looking ridges."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs/
p. 7:
" The clumps of box-gums clinging
together for sympathy."
1888. J. Hewlett Ross, ' Laureate of the
Centaurs,' p. 41 :
" Box shrubs which were not yet
clothed with their creamy- white plumes
(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 (one of the
eucalypts) which often attains to an
altitude of over 100 feet ; it is indi-
genous to the north-western portion of
the colony, and to Riverina ; it has a
fine wavy grain, consequently easily
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 thorny character pre-
serves it from extinction upon sheep-
runs : usually a small scrub, in con-
genial localities it developes into a
small 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 come into collision,,
for a ' box, 3 as it is technically called,
causes an infinity of trouble, which is
BOX-BRE
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
the reason that the stations are so far
apart."
Box, v. to mix together sheep
that ought to be kept separate :
apparently from " to box" in the
sense of to shut up in narrow
limits (' O.E.D.' v. i. 5) ; then to
shut up together and so confuse
the classification ; then the sense
of shutting 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 hitherto kept
apart were boxed up together."
1889. RolfBoldrewood, 'Robbery under
Arms,' p. 356 :
"After they'd got out twenty or
thirty they'd get boxed, like a new
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 astonish-
ment."
1890. Tasma, 'In her Earliest Youth,'
p. 166:
"He must keep tally when the sheep
are being counted or draughted, I'm
not sure which, and swear no, he
needn't swear 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 the stiff, low-crowned,
felt hat, called a billy-cock or bowler.
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, Olea lanceolata, Hook., N.O.
Jasminece (Maori name, Maire].
Used by the 'Wellington In-
dependent ' (April 19, 1845) for
woodcuts, and recommended as
superior to box-wood for the pur-
pose. See also Box, n.
Boyla, n. aboriginal word for
a sorcerer.
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 384:
" The absolute power of boylas
or evil sorcerers ... he chanted
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. ' * The sclerotium of Poly-
porus mylitta, C. et M. Until quite
recently 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 a genus as
Mylitta Australis. It is found
throughout Eastern Australia and
Tasmania. The aborigines ate
it, but to the European palate it
is tough and tasteless, and pro-
bably as indigestible as leather."
(L. Rodway.)
1843. James Backhouse, ' Narrative of
a Visit to the Australian Colonies,' p. 40 :
"Natural Order. Fungi. . . . My-
litta Australis. Native Bread. This
species of tuber is often found in the
Colony, attaining to the size of a child's
head : its taste somewhat resembles
boiled rice. Like the heart of the
Tree-fern, and the root of the Native
Potato, cookery produces little change."
1848. ' Papers and Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Yan Diemen's Land,'
vol. i. p. 157 :
"nth October, 1848. . . Specimens
of fat fungus known as ' native bread/
Mylitta Australis, lay upon the table.
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BRE-BRI
A member observed that this sub-
stance, grated and made into a pud-
ding with milk alone, had been found
by him very palatable. Prepared in
the same way, and combined with
double its weight of rice or sago, it
has produced a very superior dish.
It has also been eaten with approval
in soup, after the manner 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 and substantial nutri-
tious matter was the native bread, a
fungus growing in the ground, after
the manner of the truffle, and generally
so near the roots of trees as to be
reputed parasitical."
1896. ' Hobart Mercury,' Oct. 30, p. 2,
last col. :
" A large specimen of ' native bread,'
weighing I2lb., has been unearthed on
Crab Tree farm in the Huon district,
by Mr. A. Cooper. It has been
brought to town, and is being examined
with interest by many at the British
Hotel. It is one of the fungi tribe
that forms hard masses of stored food
for future use."
Breadfruit-tree, name given
by the explorer Leichhardt to the
Queensland tree, Gardenia edulis,
F. v. M., N.O. Rubiacea.
Breakaway, n. (i) A bullock
that leaves the herd.
1893. 'The Argus,' April 29, p. 4,
col. 4:
" The smartest stock horse that ever
brought his rider up within whip dis-
tance of a breakaway or dodged the
horns of a sulky beast, took the
chance."
(2) The panic rush of sheep,
cattle, or other animals at the
sight or smell of water.
1891:
" The Breakaway," title of picture by
Tom Roberts at Victorian Artists'
Exhibition.
Bream, n. The name is applied
in Australia to various species of
Chrysophrys, family Sparidce, and
to other fishes of different
families. The Black-Bream (q.v.)
is C. australis, Giinth. The Bony-
Bream is also called the Sardine
(q.v.). The Silver-Bream (q.v.)
or White-Bream is Gerres ovatus,
Giinth., family Perrida. The Red-
Bream is a Schnapper (q.v.) one
year old. The popular pronunci-
ation is Brim, and the fishes are
all different from the various fishes
called Bream in the northern
hemisphere. See also Tarwhine
and Blue-fish.
Brickfielder, n. (i) Originally a
Sydney name for a cold wind,
blowing from the south and ac-
companied by blinding clouds of
dust; identical with the later name
for the wind, the Southerly Buster
(q.v.). The brickfields lay to the
south of Sydney, and when after
a hot wind from the west or
north-west, the wind went round
to the south, it was accompanied
by great clouds of dust, brought
up from the brickfields. These
brickfields have long been a thing
of the past, surviving only in
"Brickfield Hill," the hilly part
of George Street, between the
Cathedral and the Railway Sta-
tion. The name, as denoting a
cold wind, is now almost obsolete,
and its meaning has been very
curiously changed and extended
to other colonies to denote a very
hot wind. See below (Nos. 2 and
3), and the notes to the quotations.
1833. Lieut. Breton, R.N., 'Excursions
in New South Wales and Van Diemen's
Land,' p. 293 :
" It sometimes happens that a change
takes place from a hot wind to a 'brick-
fielder,' on which occasions the ther-
mometer has been known to fall,
within half an hour, upwards of fifty
degrees! That is to say, from above
100 degrees to 50 degrees ! A brick-
fielder is a southerly wind, and it takes
its local name from the circumstances
of its blowing over, and bringing into
town the flames [sic] of a large brick-
BRl]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
53
field : it is nearly as detestable as a
hot wind."
[Lieut. Breton must have had a
strong imagination. The brickfields,
at that date, were a mile away from
the town, and the bringing in of their
flames was an impossibility. Perhaps,
however, the word is a misprint for
fumes; yet even then this earliest
quotation indicates part of the source
of the subsequent confusion of mean-
ing. The main characteristic of the
true brickfielder was neither flames
nor fumes, and certainly not heat,
but choking dust.]
1839. W. H. Leigh, ' Reconnoitering
Voyages, Travels, and Adventures in the
new Colony of South Australia,' etc., p.
184:
" Whirlwinds of sand come rushing
upon the traveller, half blinding and
choking him, a miniature sirocco, and
decidedly cousin-german to the delight-
ful sandy puffs so frequent at Cape
Town. The inhabitants call these
miseries ' Brickfielders,' but why they
do so I am unable to divine ; probably
because they are in their utmost vigour
on a certain hill here, where bricks are
made."
[This writer makes no allusion to
the temperature of the wind, whether
hot or cold, but lays stress on its
especial characteristic, the dust. His
comparison with the sirocco chiefly
suggests the clouds of sand brought
by that wind from the Libyan Desert,
with its accompanying thick haze and
darkness (' half blinding and chok-
ing '), rather than its relaxing warmth.]
1844. John Rae, 'Sydney Illustrated,'
p. 26 :
"The 'brickfielder' is merely a
colonial name for a violent gust of
wind, which, succeeding a season of
great heat, rushes in to supply the
vacuum and equalises the temperature
of the atmosphere ; and when its
baneful progress is marked, sweeping
over the city in thick clouds of brick-
coloured dust (from the brickfields), it
is time for the citizens to close the
doors and windows of their dwellings,
and for the sailor to take more than
half his canvas in, and prepare for a
storm."
[Here the characteristic is again dust
from the brickfields, as the origin of
the name, with cold as an accompani-
ment.]
1844. Mrs. Meredith, ' Notes and
Sketches of New South Wales,' p. 44:
" These dust winds are locally named
' brickfielders,' from the direction in
which they come" [i.e. from neigh-
bouring sandhills, called the brick-
fields].
[Here dust is the only characteristic
observed, with the direction 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 by colonists
a brickfielder. This wind has all the
characteristics of a sirocco in mini-
ature. . . . Returning home, he dis-
covers that the house is full of sand ;
that the brickfielder has even insinuated
itself between the leaves of his books;
at dinner he will probably find that his
favourite fish has been spoiled by the
brickfielder. Nor is this all ; for on
retiring to rest he will find that the
brickfielder has intruded even within
the precincts of his musquito curtains."
[Here again its dust is noted as the
distinguishing feature of the wind, just
as sand is the distinguishing feature of
the 'sirocco' in the Libyan Desert,
and precipitated sand, ' blood rain '
or 'red snow,' a chief character of
the sirocco 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 draw-
back . . . but they are almost invaria-
bly succeeded by what is there called
a 'brickfielder,' which is a strong
southerly wind, which soon cools the
air, and greatly reduces the tempera-
ture."
[Here the cold temperature of the
brickfielder is described, but not its
dust, and the writer compares the hot
wind which precedes the brickfielder
with the sirocco. He in fact thinks
only of the heat of the sirocco, but the
two preceding writers are thinking of
its sand, its thick haze, its quality of
blackness and its suffocating character,
all which applied accurately to the
true brickfielder]
1853. Rev. H. Berkeley Jones, ' Adven-
tures in Australia in 1852 and 1853,' p. 228 :
54
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BRI
"After the languor, the lassitude,
and enervation which some persons
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 what the
Sydney people call a * brickfielder ' ;
that is, it carries with 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 temper-
ature, which determines the name.]
(2) The very opposite to the
original meaning, a severe hot
wind. In this inverted sense
the word is now used, but not
frequently, in Melbourne and in
Adelaide, and sometimes even in
Sydney, as the following quota-
tions show. It will be noted that
one of them (1886) observes the
original prime characteristic 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 day closes, with
' south-busters ' [sic.]."
1886. F. Cowan, 'Australia, a Char-
coal Sketch ' :
" The Buster and Brickfielder : aus-
tral red-dust blizzard ; and red-hot
Simoom."
This curious inversion of mean-
ing (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 a dusty wind, and
knowing nothing of the origin of
the name, would readily adapt it
to their own severe hot north
winds, which raise clouds of dust
all day, and are described accur-
ately as being ' like a blast from
a furnace,' or ' the breath of a
brick-kiln.' Even a younger
generation in Sydney, having
received the word by colloquial
tradition, losing its origin, and
knowing nothing of the old brick-
fields, might apply the word to a
hot blast in the same way.
(b) From the peculiar phe-
nomenon. A certain cyclonic
change of temperature is a special
feature of the Australian coastal
districts. A raging hot wind
from the interior desert (north
wind in Melbourne and Adelaide,
west wind in Sydney) will blow
for two or three days, raising
clouds of dust; it will be suddenly
succeeded by a ' Southerly Buster '
from the ocean, the cloud of dust
being greatest at the moment of
change, and the thermometer
falling sometimes forty or fifty
degrees in a few minutes. The
Sydney word brickfielder was as-
signed originally to the latter part
the dusty cold change. Later
generations, losing the finer dis-
tinction, applied the word to the
whole dusty phenomenon, and ulti-
mately specialized it to denote
not so much the extreme dusti-
ness of its later period as the
more disagreeable extreme heat
of its earlier phase.
(c] From the apparent, though
not real, confusion of terms, by
those who have described it as a
* sirocco.' The word sirocco (spelt
earlier schirocco, and in Spanish
and 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 in its
original Arabic form to its rising^
with its cloud of sand, in the
BRl]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
55
desert high-lands of North Africa.
True, it is defined by Skeat as
'a hot wind,' but that is only a
part of its definition. Its marked
characteristic is that it is sand-
laden, densely hazy and black,
and therefore 'choking,' like the
brickfielder. The not unnatural
.assumption that writers by com-
paring a brickfielder with a sirocco,
thereby imply that a brickfielder is
a hot wind, is thus disposed of by
this characteristic, and by the
notes on the passages quoted.
They were dwelling only on its
choking dust, and its suffocating
qualities, 'a miniature sirocco.'
See the following quotations on
this character of the sirocco :
1841. 'Penny Magazine,' Dec. 18, p. 494:
" The Islands of Italy, especially
.Sicily and Corfu, are frequently visited
by a wind of a remarkable character,
to which the name of sirocco, scirocco,
or schirocco, has been applied. The
thermometer rises to a great height,
but the air is generally thick and
heavy. . . . People confine themselves
within doors ; the windows and doors
are shut close, to prevent as much as
possible the external air from enter-
ing; . . . but a few hours of the
tramontane, or north wind which
.generally succeeds it, soon braces them
up again. [Compare this whole phe-
nomenon with (b} above.] There are
some peculiar circumstances attending
the wind. . . . Dr. Benza, an Italian
physician, states: 'When the sirocco
has been impetuous and violent,
and followed by a shower of rain,
the rain has carried with it to the
ground an almost impalpable red
micaceous sand, which I have collected
in large quantities more than once in
Sicily. . . . When we direct our atten-
tion to the island of Corfu, situated
some distance eastward of Sicily, we
find the sirocco assuming a somewhat
different character. . . . The more
eastern sirocco might be called a re-
freshing 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 the sirocco
often falls over the countries north of
the Mediterranean as ' blood rain,' or
as 'red snow,' the moisture and the
sand falling together. . . . The tem-
perature never rises above 95."
1889. 'The Century Dictionary/ s.v.
Sirocco :
"(2) A hot, dry, dust-laden wind
blowing from the highlands of Africa
to the coasts of Malta, Sicily and
Naples. . . . During its prevalence the
sky is covered with a dense haze."
(3) The illustrative quotations
on brickfielder, up to this point,
have been in chronological con-
secutive order. The final three
quotations below show that while
the original true definition and
meaning, (i), are still not quite
lost, yet authoritative writers find
it necessary to combat the modern
popular inversion, (2).
1863. Frank Fowler, The Athemeum,'
Feb. 21, p. 264, col. I :
"The 'brickfielder' is not the hot
wind at all ; it is but another name for
the cold wind, or southerly buster,
which follows the hot breeze, and
which, blowing over an extensive
sweep of sandhills called the Brick-
fields, semi-circling Sydney, carries a
thick cloud of dust (or ' brickfielder ')
across the city."
[The writer is accusing Dr. Jobson
(see quotation 1862, above) of plagiar-
ism from his book ' Southern Lights
and Shadows.']
1890. Lyth, 'Golden South,' vol. ii.
p. ii :
" A dust which covered and pene-
trated everything and everywhere.
This is generally known as a 'brick-
fielder.' "
1896. ' Three Essays on Australian
Weather," On Southerly Buster,' by H. A.
Hunt, p. 17 :
" In the early days of Australian
settlement, when the shores of Port
Jackson were occupied by a sparse
population, and the region beyond was
unknown wilderness and desolation,
a great part of the Hay market was
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BRI-BRO
occupied by the brickfields from which
Brickfield Hill takes its name. When
a ' Southerly Burster ' struck the infant
city, its approach was always heralded
by a cloud of reddish dust from this
locality, and in consequence the phe-
nomenon gained the local name of
'brickfielder.' The brickfields have
long since vanished, and with them
the name to which they gave rise, but
the wind continues to raise clouds of
dust as of old under its modern name
of ' Southerly Burster.' "
Bricklow, n. obsolete form of
Brigalow (q.v.).
Brigalow, n. and adj. Spellings
various. Native name, Buriagalah.
In the Namoi dialect in New South
Wales, Bri or Buri is the name
for Acacia pendula, Cunn. ; Buri-
agal, relating- to the buri ; Buria-
galah = place of the buri tree.
Any one of several species of
Acacia, especially A. harpophylla^
F. v. M., N.O. Leguminoscz. J. H.
Maiden ('Useful Native Plants,'
p. 356, 1889) gives its uses thus:
"Wood brown, hard, heavy, and
elastic ; used by the natives for spears,
boomerangs, and clubs. The wood
splits freely, and is used for fancy
turnery. Saplings used as stakes in
vineyards have lasted twenty years or
more. It is used for building pur-
poses, 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 Expedi-
tion,' p. 4:
" The Bricklow Acacia, which seems
to be identical with the Rosewood
Acacia of Moreton Bay; the latter,
however, is a fine tree, 50 to 60 feet
high, whereas the former is either a
small tree or a shrub. I could not
satisfactorily ascertain the origin of
the word Bricklow, but as it is well
understood and generally adopted by
all the squatters between the Severn
River and the Boyne, I shall make
use of the name. Its long, slightly
falcate leaves, being of a silvery green
colour, give a peculiar character to the
forest, where the tree abounds." [Foot-
note] : " Brigaloe, Gould."
1862. H. C. Kendall, ' Poems,' p. 79:
" Good-bye to the Barwan and brig-
alow scrubs."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 190:
" Now they pass through a small
patch of Brigalow scrub. Some one
has split a piece from a trunk of a
small tree. What a scent the dark-
grained wood has ! "
1889. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia/
vol. iv. p. 69:
" There exudes from the brigalow a
white gum, in outward appearance like
gum-arabic, and even clearer, but as
a ' sticker ' valueless, and as a ' chew-
gum 3 disappointing."
1892. Gilbert Parker, ' Round the Com-
pass in Australia,' p. 23 :
"The glare of a hard and pitiless
sky overhead, the infinite vista of salt-
bush, brigalow, stay-a- while, and mulga,
the creeks only stretches of stone, and
no shelter from the shadeless gums."
Brill, n. a small and very bony
rhomboidal fish of New Zealand,
Pseudorhombus scaphus, family
Pleuronectida. The true Brill of
Europe is Rhombus /em's.
Brisbane Daisy, n. See Daisy,
Brisbane.
Bristle-bird, n. a name given to-
certain Australian Reed-warblers.
They are Sphenura brachyptera,
Latham ; Long-tailed B. S. longi-
rostris, Gould ; Rufous-headed
B. S. broadbentii, McCoy. See
Sphenura.
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, ' Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 232 :
" He (Mr. Caley) calls it in his notes
' Bristle Bird.' "
Broad-leaf, n. a settlers' name
for Griselinia 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 so well known
as the broad-leaf. ... It grows to a
BRO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
height of fifty or sixty feet, and a dia-
meter of from three to six ; the bark
is coarse and fibrous, and the leaves a
beautiful deep green of great bril-
liancy."
1879. J. B. Armstrong, ' Transactions
of New Zealand Institute,' vol. xii. Art. 49,
p. 328 :
"The broadleaf (Griselinia litto-
ralis) is abundant in the district [of
Banks' Peninsula], and produces a hard
red wood 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 man completely ruined,
stonebroke.
1891. 'The Australasian,' Nov. 21, p.
1014 :
"We're nearly 'dead brokers,' as
they say out here. Let's harness up
Eclipse and go over to old Yamnibar."
Bronze-wing, n. a bird with a
lustrous shoulder, Phaps chalcop-
tera, Lath. Called also Bronze-
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 curious and singular species
remarkable for having most of the
feathers of the wing marked with a
brilliant spot of golden yellow, chang-
ing, in various reflections of light, to
green and copper-bronze, and when
the wing is closed, forming two bars
of the 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 kan-
garoo hounds, and shot his emus, his
wild turkeys, and his bronze-wings."
1865. 'Once a Week.' 'The Bulla-
Bulla Bunyip.'
" Hours ago the bronze-wing
pigeons had taken their evening
draught from the coffee-coloured
water-hole beyond the butcher's pad-
dock, and then flown back into the
bush to roost on * 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 is nearly the
size of the English wood-pigeon, and
has a magnificent purply-bronze specu-
lum on the wings."
1888. D. Macdonald, ' Gum Boughs,'
P- 33:
" Both the bronze-wing and Wonga-
Wonga pigeon are hunted so keenly
that in a few years they will have
become extinct in Victoria."
1893. 'The Argus,' March 25, p. 4,.
col. 6 :
" Those who care for museum studies
must have been interested in tracing
the Australian quail and pigeon fam-
ilies to a point where they blend their
separate identities in the partridge
bronze-wing of the Central Australian
plains. The eggs mark the converg-
ing lines just as clearly as the birds,
for the partridge-pigeon lays an egg
much more like that of a quail than a
pigeon, and lays, quail fashion, on the
ground."
Brook-Lime, n. English name
for an aquatic plant, applied in
Australia to the plant Gratiola
pedunculata, R. Br., N. O. Scrophu-
larincz. Also called Heartsease.
Broom, n. name applied to the
plant Calycothrix tetragona, Lab.,
N.O. Myrtacece.
Broom, Native, n. an Austra-
lian timber, Viminaria denudata y
Smith, N.O. Leguminoscz.
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native-
Plants,' p. 612 :
"Native broom. Wood soft and
spongy."
Broom, Purple, n. aTasmanian
name for Comesperma retusum^,
Lab., N.O. Polygalece.
Brown Snake, n. See under
Snake.
Brown-tail, n. bird-name for
the Tasmanian Tit. See Tit.
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BRO-BRU
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia, 'vol.
iii. pi. 54
" Acanthiza Diemenensis, Gould.
Brown-tail, colonists of Van Diemen's
Land."
Brown Tree-Lizard, n. of New
Zealand, Naultinus pacificus.
Browny or Brownie, n. a kind
of currant 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 Com-
pass/ p. 36 :
"Roast mutton and brownie are
given us to eat."
Brumby, Broombie (spelling
various), n. a wild horse. The
origin of this word is very doubt- j
ful. Some claim for it an abori-
ginal, and some an English source.
In its present shape it figures in
one aboriginal vocabulary, given
in Curr's 'Australian Race' (1887),
vol. iii. p. 259. At p. 284, boo-
rambyis given as meaning "wild"
on the river Warrego in Queens-
land. The use of the word seems
to have spread from the Warrego
and the Balowne about 1864.
Before that date, and in other
parts of the bush ere the word
came to them, wild horses were
called clear-skins or scrubbers,
whilst Yarraman (q.v.) is the
aboriginal word for a quiet or
broken horse. A different origin
was, however, given by an old
resident of New South Wales, to
a lady of the name of Brumby,
viz. "that in the early days of
that colony, a Lieutenant Brumby,
who was on the staff of one of
the Governors, imported some
very good horses, and that some
of their descendants being allowed
to run wild became the ancestors
of the wild horses of New South
Wales and Queensland." Con-
firmation 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 guide pronounced 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 the Australian
name of * brumbies. 3 "
Ibid. p. 178 :
"The untamed and 'unyardable 3
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 lost money on him called
him a * brumby.' "
1888. RolfBoldrewood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 67 :
" The three-cornered weed he rode
that had been a 'brumbee.'"
1895. ' Chambers' Journal,' Nov. 2,
Heading 'Australian Brumbie Horses':
"The brumbie horse of Australia,
tho' not a distinct equine variety, pos-
sesses attributes and qualities peculiar
to itself, and, like the wild cattle and
wild buffaloes of Australia, is the
descendant of runaways of imported
stock."
1896. ' Sydney Morning Herald, '(Letter
from ' J. F. G.,' dated Aug. 24) :
" Amongst the blacks on the Lower
Balonne, Nebine, Warrego, and Bulloo
rivers the word used for horse is 'ba-
roombie,' the 'a 3 being cut so short
that the word sounds as 'broombie,'
and as far as my experience goes refers
more to unbroken horses in distinction
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."
BRU-BUC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
59
Brush, n. at first undergrowth,
small trees, as in England ; after-
wards applied to larger timber
growth and forest trees. Its
earlier sense survives in the com-
pound words j see below.
1820. Oxley, 'New South Wales'
('O.E.D.'):
" The timber standing at wide inter-
vals, without any brush or under-
growth."
1833. C. Sturt, 'Southern Australia,'
(2nd ed. ) vol. i. p. 62 :
"We journeyed ... at one time over
good plains, at another through
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. pi. 59 :
"Those vast primaeval forests of
New South Wales to which the
colonists have applied the name of
brushes."
1853. Chas. St. Julian and Edward K.
Silvester, ' The Productions, Industry, and
Resources of New South Wales,' p. 20 :
"What the colonists term 'brush'
lands are those covered with tall trees
growing so near each other and being
so closely matted together by under-
wood, parasites, and creepers, as to be
wholly impassable."
1883. G. W. Rusden, ' History of Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 67, note :
" Brush was allotted to the growth of
large timber on alluvial lands, with
other trees intermixed, and tangled
vines. The soil was rich, and ' brush-
land ' was well understood as a descrip-
tive term. It may die away, but its
meaning deserves to be pointed out."
Brush- Apple, n. See Apple.
Brush-Bloodwood, n. See
Bloodwood.
Brush-Cherry, n. an Australian
tree, Trochocarpa laurina, R. Br.,
and Eugenia myrtifolia, Simms.
Called also Brush-Myrtle.
Brush-Deal, n. a slender
Queensland tree, Cupania anacar-
dioides, A. Richard. See Brush,
above.
Brusher, n. a Bushman's name,
in certain parts, for a small walla-
by which hops about in the bush
or scrub with considerable speed.
"To give brusher," is a phrase
derived from this, and used in
many parts, especially of the in-
terior of Australia, and implies
that a man has left without pay-
ing his debts. In reply to the
question " Has so-and-so left the
township ? " the answer, " Oh yes,
he gave them brusher," would
be well understood in the above
sense.
Brush-Kangaroo, n. anothei
name for the Wallaby (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 Geo-
graphical Society,' i. 29 :
"These dogs . . . are particularly
useful in catching the bandicoots, the
small brush kangaroo, and the opos-
sum."
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 tree Syncarpia lepto-
petala, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtacea,
called also Myrtle (q.v.).
Bubrush, n. See Wonga and
Raupo.
Buck, v. Used "intransitively of
a horse, to leap vertically from the
ground, drawing the feet together
like a deer, and arching the back.
Also transitively to buck off."
('O.E.D.') Some say that this
6o
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUG
word is not Australian, but all
the early quotations of buck and
cognate words are connected with
Australia. The word is now used
freely in the United 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 has been ' bucking a hurri-
cane/ to use a colonial expression, the
rider has been cutting up his tobacco
and filling his pipe, while several feet
in the air, nothing in front of him ex-
cepting a small lock of the animal's
mane (the head being between its legs),
and very little behind him, the stern
being down ; the horse either giving a
turn in the air, or going forward 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 a town down/ cried a third.
' Never seed a horse strip himself
quicker/ 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 the buck.'"
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 55 :
" The performance is quite peculiar
to Australian horses, and no one who
has not seen them at it would believe
the rapid contortions of which they are
capable. In bucking, a horse tucks his
head right between his forerlegs, some-
times striking his jaw with his hind
feet. The back meantime is arched
like a boiled prawn's ; and in this
position the animal makes a series
of tremendous bounds, sometimes for-
wards, sometimes sideways and back-
wards, keeping it up for several minutes
at intervals of 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 [the mare] per-
formed."
1886. H. C. Kendall, < Poems,' p. 206 r
" 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, . a
horse given to bucking or buck-
jumping.
1853. H. Berkeley Jones, 'Adventures-
in Australia in 1852 and 1853,' [Footnote]
P- 143 '
" A ' bucker ' is a vicious horse, to
be found only in Australia."
1884. ' Harper's Magazine,' July, No.
301, p. i ('O.E.D.'):
"If we should . . . select a ' bucker/
the probabilities are that 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 Vic-
toria/ vol. i. p. 43 :
"At length it shook off all its
holders, and made one of those ex-
traordinary 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 in Australia and
Tasmania, kept during the years 1850-
1853,' p. 177:
" I believe that an inveterate buck-
jumper can be cured by slinging up
one of the four legs, and lunging him
about severely in heavy ground on the
three legs. The action they must
needs make use of on such an occasion
somewhat resembles the action of
bucking ; and after some severe trials
of that sort, they take a dislike to the
whole style of thing. An Irishman on
the Murrumbidgee is very clever at
BUC-BUD]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
61
this schooling. It is called here
' turning a horse inside out. 3 "
1885. Forman (Dakota), item 26, May
6, 3(<O.E.D.'):
"The majority of the horses there
[in Australia] are vicious and given to
the trick of buck-jumping." [It may
be worth while to 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 country by bad
breaking,' said Mr. Neuchamp oracu-
larly. 'Don't you believe it, sir.
Bucking is like other vices runs in
the blood.'"
Buck-shot, n. a settlers' term
for a geological formation. See
quotation.
1851. 'The Australasian Quarterly,' p.
459:
"The plain under our feet was
everywhere furrowed by Dead men's
graves, and generally covered with the
granulated lava, aptly named by the
settlers buck-shot, and found through-
out the country on these trappean
formations. Buck-shot is always im-
bedded in a sandy alluvium, some-
times 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, which is common collo-
quially in the bush. See Budgeri-
gar.
J 793- J- Hunter, ' Port Jackson,' p.
195 =
" They very frequently, at the con-
clusion of the dance, would apply to
us ... for marks of our approbation
. . . which we never failed to give
by often repeating the word boojery,
good ; or boojery caribberie, a good
dance."
Budgerigar, or Betcherrygah,
n. aboriginal name for the bird
called by Gould the Warbling
Grass-parrakeet ; called also Shell-
parrot and Zebra- Grass-parrakeet.
In the Port Jackson dialect budgeri,
or boodgeri, means good, excellent.
In 'Collins' Vocabulary' (1798),
boodjer-re = good. In New South
Wales gar is common as first
syllable of the name for the white
cockatoo, a.sgaraweh. See Galah.
In the north of New South Wales
kaar = white cockatoo. The spell-
ing is very various, but the first
of the two above given is the more
correct etymologically. In the
United States it is spelt beau-
regarde, derived by * Standard '
from French beau and regarde, a
manifest instance of the law of
Hobson-Jobson .
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 297 :
" The betshiregah (Melopsittacus
Undulatus, Gould) were very numer-
ous."
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. v, pi. 44 :
"Melopsittacus Undulatus. Warb-
ling Grass-Parrakeet. Canary Parrot
colonists. Betcherrygah natives
of Liverpool Plains."
1857. Letter, Nov. 17, in ' Life of Fen-
ton J. A. Hort ' (1896), vol. i. p. 388 :
"There is also a small green creature
like a miniature cockatoo, called a
Budgeragar, which was brought from
Australia. He is quaint and now and
then noisy, but not on the whole a
demonstrative being."
1857. W. Howitt, 'Tallangetta/ vol. i.
p. 48:
" Young paroquets, the green leeks,
and the lovely speckled budgregores."
1865. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand,' p. 7 :
" I saw several pairs of those pretty
62
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUG-BUL.
grass or zebra parroquets, which are
called here by the very inharmonious
name of ' budgereghars.' 7J
1890. Lyth, ' Golden South/ c. xiv. p.
127:
"The tiny budgeriegar, sometimes
called the shell parrot.' ;
Bugle, n. name given to the
Australian plant Ajuga australis,
R. Br., N.O. Labiata.
Bugler, n. a name given in Tas-
mania to the fish Centriscus scolo-
pax, family Centriscida ; called in
Europe the Trumpet-fish, Bellows-
fish, the latter name being also
used for it in Tasmania. The
structure of the mouth and snout
suggests a musical instrument,
or, combined with the outline
of the body, a pair of bellows.
The fish occurs also in Europe.
Bugong, or Bogong, or Bou-
gong, n. an Australian moth,
Danais limniace, or Agrotis spina,
eaten by the aborigines.
1834. Rev. W. B. Clarke, ' Researches
in the Southern Gold Fields of New South
Wales ' (second edition), p. 228 :
"These moths have obtained their
name from their occurrence on the
' Bogongs ' or granite mountains.
They were described by my friend Dr.
Bennett in his interesting work on
' New South Wales,' 1832-4, as abund-
ant on the Bogong Mountain, Tu-
mut River. I found them equally
abundant, and in full vigour, in De-
cember, coming in clouds from the
granite peaks of the Muniong Range.
The blacks throw them on the fire and
eat them."
1859. H. Kingsley, 'Geoffrey Hamlyn,'
P- 355 :
"The westward range is called the
Bougongs. The blacks during summer
are in the habit of coming thus far to
collect and feed on the great grey
moths (bougongs) which are found on
the rocks."
1871. ' The Athenaeum,' May 27, p.
660 :
"The Gibbs Land and Murray
districts have been divided into the
following counties : . . . Bogong
(native name of grubs and moths)."
1878. R. Brough Smyth, 'The Abori-
gines of Victoria,' vol. i. p. 207 :
" The moths the Bugong moths
(Agrotis suffusa) are greedily de-
voured by the natives ; and in former
times, when they were in season, they
assembled in great numbers to eat
them, and they grew fat on this food."
[Also a long footnote.]
1890. Richard Helms, ' Records of the
Australian Museum,' vol. i. No. I :
" My aim was to obtain some ' Boo-
gongs,' the native name for the moths
which so abundantly occur on this
range, and no doubt have given it its
name."
1896. ' Sydney Mail,' April 4, Answers
to Correspondents :
" It cannot be stated positively, but
it is thought that the name of the
moth * bogong ' is taken from that of
the mountain. The meaning of the
word is not known, but probably it is
an aboriginal word."
Bull-a-bull, or Bullybul, n. a
child's corruption of the Maori
word Poroporo (q.v.), a flowering
shrub of New Zealand. It is
allied to the Kangaroo-Apple (q.v.).
1845. ' New Plymouth's National Song,'
in Hursthouse's 'New Zealand/ 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 com-
mon form of the words Bull-dog
Ant (q.v.).
Bull-dog Ant, n. (frequently
shortened to Bull-dog or Bull-ant],
an ant of large size with a fierce
bite. The name is applied to
various species of the genus Myr-
mecia, which is common through-
out Australia and Tasmania.
1878. Mrs. H. Jones, ' Long Years in
Australia,' p. 93 :
" Busy colonies of ants (which every-
where infest the country). . . . One
kind is very warlike the ' bull-dog ' ;
sentinels stand on the watch, outside
the nest, and in case of attack dis-
appear for a moment and return with
BUL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
a whole army of the red-headed mon-
sters, and should they nip you, will
give you a 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
(i) (q.v.).
Bull-head, n. The name is
applied to many fishes of different
families in various parts of the
world, none of which are the same
as the following two. (i) A shark
of Tasmania and South Australia
of small size and harmless, with
teeth formed for crushing 1 shells,
Heterodontus phillipii^ Lace" p. ,
family Cestraciontidcz ; also called
the Hull-dog Shark, and in Sydney,
where it is common, the Port-
Jackson Shark ; the aboriginal
name was Tabbigan. (2) A fresh-
water fish of New Zealand, Eleo-
tris gobwides, Cuv. and Val., family
Gobiidtf. See Bighead.
Bulln-Bulln, n. an aboriginal
name for the Lyre-bird (q.v.).
This native name is imitative.
The most southerly county in
Victoria is called Buln-Buln ; it
is the haunt of the Lyre-bird.
1857. D - Bunce, 'Travels with Leich-
hardt in Australia,' p. 70 :
"We afterwards learned that this
was the work of the Bullen Bullen, or
Lyre-bird, in its search for large worms,
its favourite food."
1871. 'The Athenaeum,' May 27, p.
660 :
" The Gipps Land and Murray
districts have been divided into the
following counties : . . . Buln Buln
(name of Lyre-bird)."
Bull-Oak, n. See Oak.
Bullocky, n. and adj. a bullock-
driver. * ' 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 a dozen and upwards." (B.
and L.)
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Colonial Re-
former,' c. xii. p. 121 :
" ' By George, Jack, you're a regular
bullocky boy.' "
Bull-puncher, or Bullock-
puncher, n. slang for a bullock-
driver. According to Barrere and
Leland's ' Slang Dictionary,' the
word has a somewhat different
meaning in America, where it
means a drover. See Punch.
1872. C. H. 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 bullocks each, and
were driven by a man euphoniously
termed a * bull-puncher.' Armed with
a six-foot thong, fastened to a supple
stick seven feet long. ..."
Bull-rout, n. a fish of New South
Wales, Centropogon robustus^
Giinth., family Scorp&nida.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales,' p. 48 :
" It emits a loud and harsh grunting
noise when it is caught. . . . The fisher-
man knows what he has got by the
noise before he brings his fish to the
surface. . . . When out of the water the
noise of the bull-rout is loudest, and
it spreads its gills and fins a little,
so as to appear very formidable. . . .
The blacks held it in great dread, and
the name of bull-rout may possibly
be a corruption of some native word."
Bull's-eye, n. a fish of New
6 4
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUL-BUN
South Wales, Priacanthus macra-
tanthus, Cuv. and Val. Pria-
mnthus, says Giinther, is a percoid
fish with short snout, lower jaw
and chin prominent, and small
rough scales all over them and
the body generally. The eye
large, and the colour red, pink,
or silvery.
1884. E. P. Ramsay, 'Fisheries Ex-
hibition Literature/ vol. v. p. 311 :
"Another good table-fish is the
* bull's-eye,' a beautiful salmon-red
fish with small scales. ... At times
it enters the harbours in considerable
numbers ; but the supply is irregular."
Bullswool, . colloquial name
for the inner portion of the cover-
ing of the Stringy bark-tree (q.v.).
This is a dry finely fibrous sub-
stance, easily disintegrated by
rubbing between the hands. It
forms a valuable tinder for kind-
ling a fire in the bush, and is
largely employed for that purpose.
It is not unlike the matted hair of
a bull, and is reddish in colour,
hence perhaps this nickname,
which is common in the Tas-
rnanian bush.
Bully, n. a Ta^manian fish,
Blennius tasmanianus, Richards.,
family Blennida.
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 with an explo-
sion, to go to smash (also accord-
Ing to Barrere and Leland still in
use among American thieves), is
in very frequent use in Australia.
In Melbourne in the times that
followed the collapse of the land-
boom it was a common expres-
sion to say that Mr. So-and-so
had "gone bung," sc. filed his
schedule or made a composition
with creditors ; or that an insti-
tution had "gone bung," sc,
closed its doors, collapsed. In
parts of Australia, in New South
Wales and Queensland, the word
"bung" is an aboriginal word
meaning "dead, "and even though
the slang word be of English
origin, its frequency of use in
Australia may be due to the ex-
istence of the aboriginal word,
which forms the last syllable in
Billabong (q.v.), and in the ab-
original word milbung blind, liter-
ally, eye-dead.
(a) The aboriginal word.
1847. J. D. Lang, ' Cooksland,' p. 430 :
"A place called Umpie Bung, or
the dead houses.' 5 [It is now a suburb
of Brisbane, Humpy-bong.]
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in Queens-
land,' 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 gets the money, he
goes bong on you " (i. e. he dies).
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 142 :
" Their [the blacks'] ordinary creed
is very simple. 'Directly me bung
(die) me jump up white feller,' and
this seems to be the 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 go to
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 con-
fectionery."
1893. 'The Argus/ April 15 (by Oriel),
p. 13, col. 2 :
IJUX]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
" 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. One member
of the mischief-making brotherhood
wrote the words 'gone bung' under
a notice on the Government Savings
Bank, and he was brought before the
Police Court charged with damaging
the bank's property to the extent of
$d. The offender offered the Bench
his views on the bank, but the magis-
trates bluntly told him his conduct
was disgraceful, and fined him ^3
with costs, or two months' imprison-
ment."
Bunga or Bungy, n. a New
Zealand settlers' corruption of
the Maori word^unga (q.v.).
Bunt, n. a Queensland fungus
growing on wheat, fetid when
crushed. Tilletia caries, Tul.,
N. O. fungi.
Bunya-Bunya, n. aboriginal
word. \Bunyi at heads of Bur-
nett, Mary, and Brisbane rivers,
Queensland ; baanya, on the Darl-
ing Downs.] An Australian tree,
Araucaria bidwillii, Hooker, with
fruit somewhat like Bertholletia
excelscty N.O. Conifers. Widgi-
Widgi station on the Mary was
the head-quarters for the fruit of
this tree, and some thousands of
blacks used to assemble there in
the season to feast on it ; it was
at this assembly that they used to
indulge in cannibalism ; every
third year the trees were said to
bear a very abundant crop.
The Bunya-Bunya mountains in
Queensland derive their name
from this tree.
1843. L. Leichhardt, Letter in ' Cooks-
land, 3 by J. D. Lang, p. 82 :
"The bunya-bunya tree is noble
and gigantic, and its umbrella-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 which numerous 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 forms dense
forests, one of the finest of the Arau-
caria tribe, attaining an approximate
height of 200 feet. The Bunya-Bunya
withstands drought better than most
of the genus, and flourishes 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 blacks exhibited
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 half inches long
by three-quarters of an inch broad ;
they are sweet before being perfectly
ripe, and after that resemble roasted
chestnuts in taste. They are plentiful
once in three years, and when the
ripening season arrives, which is gener-
ally in the month of January, the ab-
originals assemble in large numbers
from a great distance around, and
feast upon them. Each tribe has its
own particular set of trees, and of
these each family has a certain number
allotted, which are handed down from
generation to generation with great
exactness. The bunya is remarkable
as being the only hereditary property
which any of the aborigines are known
to possess, and it is therefore protected
by law. The food seems to have a
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
66
fattening effect on the aborigines, and
they eat large quantities of it after
roasting it at the fire."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 377 : ...
" The ' Bunya-bunya ' of the aborigi-
nals a name invariably adopted by
the colonists."
1892. J. Fraser, 'Aborigines of New
South Wales,' p. 50 :
"The Bunya-bunya tree, m the
proper season, bears a fir cone of great
s i ze s ix 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. i :
" There is a beautiful bunya-bunya
in a garden just beyond, its foliage
fresh varnished by the rain, and toning
from a rich darkness to the very spring
tint of tender green."
Bunyip, n. (i) the aboriginal
name of a fabulous animal. See
quotations. For the traditions
of the natives on this subject see
Brough Smyth, 'Aborigines of
Victoria,' vol. i. p. 435.
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
P- 39 1 :
" Certain large fossil bones, found in
various parts of Australia Felix, have
been referred by the natives, when
consulted on the subject by the colon-
ists, to a huge animal of extraordinary
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 deep rivers, and permanent
water-holes, having a round head, an
elongated neck, with a body and tail
resembling an ox. These reports have
not been unattended to, and the bun-
yup is said to have been actually seen
by many parties, colonists as well as
aborigines. ... [A skull which the
natives said was that of a 'piccinini
Kianpraty 3 was found by Professor
Owen to be that of a young calf. The
Professor] considers it all but impos-
sible that such a large animal as the
bunyup of the natives can be now
living in the country. [Mr. Westgarth
suspects] it is only a tradition of the
alligator or crocodile of the north.
[BUN
1849. W. S. Macleay, ' Tasmanian Jour-
nal,' vol. iii. p. 275 :
' On the skull now exhibited at the
Colonial Museum of Sydney as that of
he Bunyip."
1855. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes,'
p. 214:
"Did my reader ever hear of the
Bunyip (fearful name to the aboriginal
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 the water 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 taken temporary
lodgings outside the town. This bete
noire of the Australian bush Luke as-
serted he had often seen in bygone
times. He described it as being bigger
than an elephant, in shape like a 'poley '
bullock, with eyes like live coals, and
with tusks like a walrus's.
*****
" What the Bunyip is, I cannot pre-
tend to say, but I think it is highly
probable that the stories told by both
old bushmen and blackfellows, of some
bush beast bigger and fiercer than any
commonly known in Australia, are
founded on fact. Fear and the love
of the marvellous may have introduced
a considerable element of exaggeration
into these stories, but I cannot help
suspecting that the myths have an
historical basis."
1872. C. Gould, 'Papers and Proceed-
ings of the Royal Society of Tasmania,'
1872, p. 33 :
" The belief in the Bunyip was just
as prevalent among the natives in
parts hundreds of miles distant from
any stream in which alligators occur.
. . . Some other animal must be
sought for." . . . [Gould then quotes
from ' The Mercury' of April 26, 1872,
an extract from the 'Wagga Adver-
tiser 3 ] : "There really is a Bunyip or
Waa-wee, actually existing not far
from us ... in the Midgeon Lagoon,
sixteen miles north of Naraudera. . .
I saw a creature coming through the
water with tremendous rapidity. . . .
EUR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
67
The animal was about half as long
again as an ordinary retriever dog, the
hair all over its body was jet black
and shining, its coat was very long."
[Gould cites other instances, and con-
cludes that the Bunyip is probably a
seal.]
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals/
p. 202 :
" In the south-eastern part of Aus-
tralia the evil spirit of the natives is
called Bunjup, a monster which is be-
lieved to dwell in the lakes. It has of
late been supposed that this is a mam-
mal of considerable size that has not
yet been discovered ... is described
as a monster with countless eyes and
ears. ... He has sharp claws, and
can run so fast that it is difficult to
escape him. He is cruel, and spares
no one either young or old."
1894. 'The Argus,' June 23, p. n, col.
4:
" The hollow boom so often heard
on the margin of reedy swamps more
hollow and louder by night than day
is the mythical bunyip, 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 Australian vocabulary : Bunyip
became, and remains a Sydney syn-
onoyme for impostor, pretender, hum-
bug, and the like. The black fellows,
however, unaware of the extinction,
iby superior authority, of their favourite
loup-garou, still continue to cherish
the fabulous bunyip in their shuddering
imagination."
1853. W. C. Wentworth Speech in
August quoted by Sir Henry Parkes in
* Fifty Years of Australian History ' (1892),
vol. i. p. 41 :
"They had been twitted with at-
tempting to create a mushroom, a
Brummagem, a bunyip aristocracy ;
but I need scarcely observe that where
argument fails ridicule is generally
resorted to for aid."
Burnet, Native, n. The name
is given in Australia to the plant
Acccna ovina, Cunn., N.O. Rosacea*.
Burnett Salmon, n. one of the
names given to the fish Ceratodus
forsteri, Krefft. See Burramundi.
Burnt-stuff, n. a geological
term used by miners. See quota-
tion.
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 as iron technically called
' burnt-stuff' which robbed the pick
of its points nearly as soon as the
blacksmith had steeled them at a
charge of 2s. 6d. a point."
Bur, n. In Tasmania the name
is applied to Ac&na rosacece, Vahl.,
N.O. Rosacece.
Burramundi, or Barramunda,
n. a fresh-water fish, Osteoglossum
leichhardtii, Giinth., family Osteo-
glossidcz, found in the Dawson
and Fitzroy Rivers, Queensland.
The name is also incorrectly ap-
plied by the colonists to the large
tidal perch of the Fitzroy River,
Queensland, Lates calcarifer,
Giinth., a widely distributed fish
in the East Indies, and to
Ceratodus forsteri, Krefft, family
Sirenidce, of the Mary and Burnett
Rivers, Queensland. Burramundi
is the aboriginal name for O.
leichhardtii. The spelling barra-
munda is due to the influence of
barracouta (q.v.). See Perch.
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. Giinther, ' Study of Fishes,' p.
357 =
u Ceratodus. . . . Two species, C.
forsteri and C. miolepis, are known
from fresh-waters of Queensland. . . .
Locally the settlers call it * flathead/
' Burnett or Dawson salmon,' and the
aborigines * barramunda,' a name
which they apply also to other large-
scaled fresh-water fishes, as the
68
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUR-BUS
Osteoglossum leichhardtii. . . . The
discovery of Ceratodus does not date
farther back than the year 1870."
1882. W. Macleay, 'Descriptive Cata-
logue of Australian Fishes' (' Proceedings
of the Linnsean Society of New South
Wales,' vol. vi. p. 256) :
" Osteoglossum leichhardtii^ Giinth.
Barramundi of the aborigines of the
Dawson River."
1892. Baldwin Spencer, 'Proceedings
of the Royal Society of Victoria,' vol.
iv. [Note on the habits of Ceratodtis
forstert] :
" It has two common names, one of
which is the 'Burnett Salmon' and
the other the ' Barramunda "... the
latter name ... is properly applied to
a very different form, a true teleostean
fish (Osteoglossum leichhardtii} which
is found . . . further north . . . in the
Dawson and Fitzroy . . . Mr. Saville
Kent states that the Ceratodus is much
prized as food. This is a mistake,
for, as a matter of fact, it is only
eaten by Chinese and those who can
afford to get nothing better."
Burrawang, or Bur wan, n.
an Australian nut-tree, Macro-
zamia 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 prepare it by
roasting and immersion in a running
stream, to free it from its poisonous
qualities."
1851. J. Henderson, * Excursions in
New South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 238 :
"The Burrowan, which grows in a
sandy soil, and produces an 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 to some extent
now, very common about Burrawang,
N.S.W. The nuts are relished by the
aboriginals. An arrowroot of very
good quality is obtained from them."
Bush, n. Not originally an
Australian application. " Recent,
and probably a direct adoption
of the Dutch Bosch, in colonies
originally Dutch " (' O.E.D.'),
[quoting (1780) Forster, in 'Phil.
Trans.' Ixxi. 2, " The common
Bush-cat of the Cape ; " and
(1828) Scott, * Tapestr. Cham-
ber,' "When I was in the Bush,
as the Virginians call it "].
"Woodland, country more or
less covered with natural wood :
applied to the uncleared or un-
tilled districts in the British
Colonies which are still in a state
of nature, or largely so, even
though not wooded ; and by ex-
tension to the country as opposed
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, as it is
called here.'
1836. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 85:
" With the exception of two or three
little farms, comprising about 20
or 30 acres of cultivation, all was
' bush ' as it is colonially called. The
undergrowth was mostly clear, being
covered only with grass or herbs, with
here and there some low shrubs."
1837. J- D - Lang, ' New South Wales,'
vol. i. p. 253 :
" His house was well enough for the
bush, as the country is generally
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 the uninclosed
and uncultivated country . . . when
in the country, 'the Bush' means
more especially the forest. The word
itself has 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 in the
bush,' says the deputation of the un-
employed."
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 123 :
" At first the eternal silence of the
bush is oppressive, but a short sojourn
is sufficient to accustom a neophyte to
the new scene, and he speedily becomes,
enamoured of it."
BUS]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
69
1865. J. F. Mortlock, 'Experiences
of a Convict,' p. 83 :
" The * bush,' a generic term synony-
mous with l 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 surrendered for 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 the gum-tree forest,
with which so great a part of Australia
is covered, that folk who follow a
country life are invariably said to live
in the bush. Squatters who look after
their own runs always live in the bush,
even though their sheep are pastured
on plains. Instead of a town mouse
and a country mouse in Australia, there
would be a town mouse and a bush
mouse ; but mice living in the small
country towns would still be bush
mice."
Ibid. c. xx. p. 299 :
" Nearly every place beyond the in-
fluence of the big towns is called ' bush,'
even though there should not be a tree
to be seen around."
1883. G. W. Rusden, 'History of
Australia,' vol. i. p. 67, n. :
" Bush was a general term for the
interior. It might be thick bush, open
bush, bush 'forest, or scrubby bush-
terms which explain themselves."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance
Australia,' p. 40 :
" The first thing that strikes me is
the lifeless solitude of the bush.
There is a deep fascination about the
freedom of the bush."
1890. E. W. Hornung [Title] :
" A Bride from the Bush."-
1896. 'Otago Daily Times,' Tan. 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 rather a 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 ;
always easy to distinguish, the j
hyphen depending on the fancy of
the writer.
1836. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack, '
P. 75:
"The round trundling of our cart
wheels, it is well known, does not
always improve the labours of Mac-
adam, much less a bush road."
1848. Letter by Mrs. Perry, given in
Canon Goodman's ' Church in 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 recom-
mend to new settlers is l Bush Partner-
ship ' Let two friends or neighbours
agree to work together, until three
acres are cropped, dividing the work,
the expense, and the produce this
partnership will grow apace ; I have
made numerous bush agreements of
this kind. ... I never knew any
quarrel or bad feeling result from these
partnerships, on the contrary, I believe
them calculated to promote much
neighbourly good will ; but in the
association of a large number of
strangers, for an indefinite period, I
have no confidence."
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 through
the bush, but a road which has not
been formed, and is in a state of nature
except for the wear of vehicles upon
it, and perhaps the clearing of trees
and scrub.]
1864. ' The Reader,' April 2, p. 40, col.
i ('O.E.D.'):
" The roads from the nascent metro-
polis still partook mainly of the ran-
dom character of ' bush tracks.' "
1865. W. Howitt, ' Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. ii. p. 2ii :
" Dr. Wills offered to go himself in
the absence of any more youthful
and, through bush seasoning, qualified
person."
1880. ' Black wood's Magazine,' Feb.,
p. 169 [Title]:
" Bush-Life in Queensland."
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUS
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 sup-
planted it.]
1889. Cassell's"' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. iv. p. 3 :
" Not as bush roads go. The Aus-
tralian habit is here followed of using
'bush' for country, though no word
could be more ludicrously inapplicable,
for there is hardly anything on the way
that can really be called a bush."
1894. ' Sydney Morning Herald ' (exact
date lost) :
"Canada, Cape Colony, and Aus-
tralia have preserved the old signifi-
cance of Bush Chaucer has it so as
a territory on which there are trees ;
it is a simple but, after all, a kindly
development that when a territory is
so unlucky as to have no trees, some-
times, 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 Snowy River ' :
" It is not easy to write ballads de-
scriptive of the bushland of 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 was dressed
likelike a bush larrikin. His name
was Jim."
Bush-faller, n. one who cuts
down timber in the bush.
1882. 'Pall Mall Gazette, 'June 29, p.
"A broken-down, deserted shanty,
inhabited once, perhaps, by rail-
splitters or bush-fallers." ['O.E.D.,'
from which this quotation is taken, puts
(?) before the meaning ; but " To fall "
is not uncommon in Australia for " to
fell."]
Bush-fire, . forests and grass
on fire in hot summers.
1868. C. Dilke, 'Greater Britain,' vol.
11. part 111. c. iii. p. 32 :
" The smoke from these bush-fires
extends for hundreds of miles to sea."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Melbourne
Memories/ c. xxii. p. 156 :
" A reserve in case of bush-fires and
bad seasons."
Bush-lawyer, n. (i) A Bramble.
See Lawyer.
(2) Name often used for a lay-
man who fancies he knows all
about the law without consulting
a solicitor. He talks a great
deal, and Mays down the law.'
1896. H. G. Turner, 'Lecture on J. P.
Fawkner ' :
" For some years he cultivated and
developed his capacity for rhetorical
argument by practising in the minor
courts of law in Tasmania as a paid
advocate, a position which in those
days, and under the exceptional cir-
cumstances of the Colony, was not
restricted to members of the legal pro-
fession, and the term Bush Lawyer
probably takes its origin from the
practice of this period."
Bush-magpie, n. an Aus-
tralian bird, more commonly
called a Magpie (q.v.).
1888. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia/
vol. ii. p. 235 :
"... the omnipresent bush-mag-
pie. Here he may warble all the day
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. (i) 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 Bush-
man ' :
" How weary, how dreary the stillness
must be !
But oh ! the lone bushman is dream-
ing of me."
1886. Frank Cowan : ' Australia ; a
Charcoal Sketch ' :
"The Bushman . . . Gunyah, his
bark hovel ; Damper, his unleavened
bread baked in the ashes ; Billy, his
tea-kettle, universal pot and pan and
BUS]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
bucket ; Sugar-bag, his source of sac-
charine, a bee-tree ; Pheasant, his face-
tious metaphoric euphism for Liar,
quasi Lyre-bird ; Fit for Woogooroo,
for Daft or Idiotic ; Brumby, his pecu-
liar term for wild horse ; Scrubber,
wild ox ; Nuggeting) calf-stealing ;
Jumbuck, sheep, in general ; an Old-
man, grizzled wallaroo or kangaroo ;
Station, Run, a sheep- or cattle-ranch ;
and Kabonboodgery an echo of the
sound diablery for ever in his ears,
from dawn to dusk of Laughing Jack-
ass and from dusk to dawn of Dingo
his half-bird-and-beast-like vocal sub-
stitute 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 see in cabbage-tree hats,
Crimean shirts, strapped trousers, and
elastic-side boots."
(2) One who has knowledge of
the bush, and is skilled in its
ways. A "good bushman" is
especially used of a man who can
find 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. Batman would
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 under-
take the charge of the camp, cook the
provisions, and look after the horses,
during the absence of the rest on flying
excursions."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia,' 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 men said he
could find his way over it blindfold, or
on the darkest night that ever was."
(3) Special sense. See quota-
tion.
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 80 :
" Some were what is termed, par
excellence, bushmen that is, men who
split rails, get posts, shingles, take
contracts for building houses, stock-
yards, etc. men, in fact, who work
among timber continually, sometimes
felling and splitting, sometimes saw-
ing."
Bushmanship, n. knowledge
of the ways of the bush.
1882. A. J. Boyd, 'Old Colonials,' p.
261:
" A good laugh at the bushmanship
displayed."
Bushranger, n. one who ranges
or traverses the bush, far and
wide ; an Australian highway-
man ; in the early days usually
an escaped convict. Shakspeare
uses the verb ' to range ' 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 protects and
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 repeatedly advertised,
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 for many
years past by a banditti of runaway
convicts, who have endangered the
person and property of every one. . . .
These wretches, who are known in the
colony by the name of bushrangers. . . "
1820. Lieut. Chas. Jeffreys, 'Van Die-
man's [sic] Land,' p. 15 :
"The supposition . . . rests solely
on the authority of the Bush Rangers,
a species of wandering brigands, who
will be elsewhere described."
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUS
1838. T. L. Mitchell, ' Three Expedi-
tions/ vol. i. p. 9:
" Bushrangers, a sub-genus in the
order banditti, which happily can now
only exist there in places inaccessible
to the mounted police."
1845. R. Howitt, ' Australia,' p. 81 :
" This country [Van Diemen's Land]
is as much infested as New South
Wales with robbers, runaway convicts,
or, as they are termed, Bush-rangers."
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 77:
" The whole region was infested by
marauding bands of bush-rangers,
terrible after nightfall."
1887. J. F. Hogan, ' The Irish in Aus-
tralia,' p. 252 :
" Whilst he was engaged in this duty
in Victoria, a band of outlaws ' bush-
rangers ' as they are colonially termed
who had long defied capture, and
had carried on a career of murder and
robbery, descended from their haunts
in the 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 their assigned serv-
ants could not be known from soldiers,
owing to their dress ; which very much
assisted the crime of * bush-ranging. 5 "
Bush-scrubber, n. a bushman's
word for a boor, bumpkin, or
slatternly person. See Scrubber.
1896. Modern. Up-country manservant
on seeing his new mistress :
" My word ! a real lady ! she's no
bush-scrubber ! "
Bush-telegraph, n. Confeder-
ates of bushrangers who supply
them with secret information of
the movements of the police.
1878. ' The Australian,' vol. i. p. 507 :
" The police are baffled by the false
reports of the confederates and the
number and activity of the bush tele-
graphs."
1893. Kenneth Mackay, 'Out Back,'
p. 74 :
"A hint dropped in this town set
the bush telegraphs riding in all
directions."
Bush woman, n. See quota-
tion.
1892. ' The Australasian,' April 9, p.
707, col. i :
" But who has championed the cause
of the woman of the bush or, would
it be more correct to say bushwoman,
as well as bushman? and allowed her
also a claim to participate in the
founding 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 parti-
ciple^ lost in the bush ; then, lost
or at a loss.
1861. T. McCombie, 'Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 115:
" I left my seat to reach a shelter,
which was so many miles off, that I
narrowly escaped being ' bushed.' "
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 283 :
" The poor youth, new to the wilds,
had, in the expressive phrase of the
colonials, got bushed, that is, utterly
bewildered, and thus lost all idea of the
direction that he ought to pursue."
1885. R. M. Praed, 'Australian Life,'
p. 29:
" I get quite bushed in these streets."
1896. ' The Argus,' Jan. i, p. 4, col. 9 :
"The Ministry did not assume its
duty of leading the House, and Mr.
Higgins graphically described the posi-
tion of affairs by stating that the House
was 'bushed ;' while Mr. Shiels com-
pared the situation to a rudderless
ship drifting hither and thither."
Bustard, n. " There are about
twenty species, mostly of Africa,
several of India, one of Australia,
and three properly European."
(' Century.') The Australian
variety is Eupodotis australis,
Gray, called also Wild Turkey,
Native Turkey, and Plain Turkey.
See Turkey.
Buster, Southerly, . The word
is a corruption of * burster,' that
which bursts. A sudden and
violent squall from the south.
BUT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
73
The name, used first in Sydney,
has been adopted also in other
Australian cities. See Brick-
fielder.
1863. F. Fowler, in ' Athenaeum/ Feb.
21, p. 264, col. i :
" The cold wind or southerly buster
which . . . carries a thick cloud of
dust . . . across the city."
1878. ' The Australian,' vol. i. p. 587 :
" Southerly Blisters by * Ironbark.'"
1886. F. Cowan, ' Australia, a Charcoal
Sketch':
" The Buster and Brickfielder : aus-
tral 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 hot
wind ; then suddenly (as it has been
put) it is as though a bladder of cool
air were exploded, and the strong cool
southerly air drives up with tremendous
force. However pleasant the change
of temperature may be it is no mere
pastime to be caught in a ' southerly
buster,' but the drifting rain which
always follows soon sets matters right,
allays the dust, and then follows the
calm fresh bracing wind which is the
more delightful by contrast with the
misery through which one has passed
for three long dreary days and nights."
1893. ' The Australasian,' Aug. 12, p.
302, col. I :
" You should see him with Commo-
dore Jack out in the teeth of the ' hard
glad weather,' when a southerly buster
sweeps up the harbour."
1896. H. A. Hunt, in Three Essays on
Australian Weather' (Sydney), p. 16 :
" An Essay on Southerly Bursters,
. . . with Four Photographs and Five
Diagrams."
[Title of an essay which was awarded
the prize of 2$ offered by the Hon.
Ralph Abercrombie.]
Butcher, n. South Australian
slang for a long- drink of beer,
so-called (it is said) because the
men of a certain butchery in
Adelaide used this refreshment
regularly; cf. "porter" in Eng-
land, after the drink of the old
London porters.
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.; for-
merly C. destructor^ Gould.
Black B.-
C. quoyi, Less.
Black-throated B.
C. nigrigulariS) Gould.
Grey B. (Derwent Jackass)
C. dnereus, 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, ' Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 213 :
" Mr. Caley observes Butcher-bird.
This bird used frequently to come
into some green wattle-trees near my
house, and in wet weather was very
noisy ; from which circumstance it
obtained the name of ' Rain-bird.' "
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. ii. pi. 52 :
" Cracticus Destructor. Butcher
Bird, name given by colonists of Swan
River, a permanent resident in New
South Wales and South Australia. I
scarcely know of any Australian bird
so generally dispersed."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 50 :
"Close to the station one or two
butcher-birds were piping their morn-
ing song, a strange little melody with
not many notes, which no one who has
heard it will ever forget."
Buttercup, n. The familiar
English flower is represented in
Australia and Tasmania by
74
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[BUT-BUZ
various species of Ranunculus,
such as R. lappaceus, Sin., N.O.
Ranunculacece.
Butter-fish, n. a name given in
Australia to Oligorus mitchellii,
Castln. (see Murray Perch] ; in
Victoria, to Chilodactylus nigricans,
Richards, (see Morwong) ; in New
Zealand, to Coridodaxpullus, Forst.,
called also Kelp-fish. The name
is in allusion to 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/' 3
1880. Giinther, ' Study of Fishes,' p.
" The ' butter-fish,' or 'kelp-fish ' of
the colonists of New Zealand (C.
pullus), is prized as food, and attains
to a weight of four or five pounds."
Butterfly-conch, n. Tasmanian
name for a marine univalve mol-
lusc, Valuta papillosa, Swainson.
Butterfly-fish, ?z. a New Zealand
sea-fish, Gasterochisma melampus,
Richards., one of \hsNomeida. The
ventral fins are exceedingly broad
and long, and can be completely
concealed in a fold of the abdo-
men. The New Zealand fish is so
named from these fins ; the Euro-
pean Butterfly -fish, Blennius ocel-
laris, derives its name from the
spots on its dorsal fin, like the
eyes in a peacock's tail or butter-
fly's wing.
Butterfly-Lobster, n. a marine
crustacean, so called from the
leaf-like expansion of the anten-
nae. It is " the highly specialized
macrourous decapod Ibacus Pe-
ronii." (W. A. Haswell.)
1880. Mrs. Meredith, 'Tasmanian
Friends and Foes,' p. 248 :
"Those curious crustaceans that I
have heard called ' butterfly lobsters '
. . . the shell of the head and body (pro-
perly known as the carapace) expands
into something like wing-forms, en-
tirely hiding the legs beneath them."
Butterfly-Plant, n. a small
flowering plant, Utricularia dicho-
toma, Lab., N.O. Lentibularintz.
Button-grass, n. Schcenus sphce-
rocephalus,Po\rQt, N.O. Cyperacece.
The grass is found covering
barren boggy land in Tasmania,
but is not peculiar to Tasmania.
So called from the round shaped
flower (capitate inflorescence), on
a thin stalk four or five feet long,
like a button on the end of a foil.
Buzzard, n. an English bird-
name applied in Australia to
Gypoictinia melanosternon, Gould>
the Black-breasted Buzzard.
CAB]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
75
C
Cabbage Garden, a name
applied to the colony of Victoria
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 New South
Wales, once called Victoria, but a
garden notwithstanding. Better at
any rate 'the cabbage garden' than
the mere sheep run or cattle paddock."
Cabbage - Palm, n. same as
Cabbage-tree (i) (q.v.).
Cabbage-tree, n. ( i )Name given
to various palm trees of which
the heart of the young leaves is
eaten like the head of a cabbage.
In Australia the name is applied
to the fan palm, Livistona inermis,
R. Br., and more commonly to
Livistona australis, Martius. In
New Zealand the name is given
to various species of Cordyline,
especially to Cordyline indivisa.
See also Flame-tree (2).
1769. 'Capt. Cook's Journal,' ed.
Wharton (1893), P- J 44 :
"We likewise found one Cabage
Tree which we cut down for the sake
of the cabage."
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' p. 60 :
" Even the ships' crews helped,
except those who brought the cabbage
trees."
1846. J. L. Stokes, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. ii. c. iv. p. 132 :
" Cabbage-tree . . . grew in abund-
ance."
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Ex-
pedition,' p. 72 :
" Several of my companions suffered
by eating too much of the cabbage -
palm."
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 414:
" Clumps of what the people of
King George's Sound call cabbage-
trees."
1867. F. Hochstetter, ' New Zealand, '
p. 240 :
" There stands an isolated * cabbage-
tree ' (Ti of the natives ; Cordyline
Australis] nearly thirty feet high, with
ramified branches and a crown of
luxuriant growth."
(2) A large, low-crowned,
broad-brimmed hat, made out of
the leaves 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 in the
hollowed tree-trunk which serves for
the water-trough of an up-country
Australian inn. He forgot, however,
to take off his ' cabbage-tree ' before
he ducked, and angry at having made
a fool of himself, he gave fierce orders,
in a thick voice, for his men to fall in,
shoulder arms, and mark time."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, ' His-
tory of the Discovery and Exploration of
Australia,' vol. i. pp. 160, 161 :
" The cabbage-palm was also a new
species, called by Mr. Brown the
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CAB-CAM
Livistonia inermis. It was abundant ;
but the cabbage (the heart of the young
budding leaves) too small to be useful
as an article of food, at least to a ship's
company. But the leaves were found
useful. These dried and drawn into
strips were plaited into hats for the
men, and to this day the cabbage-tree
hat is very highly esteemed by the
Australians, as a protection from the
sun, and allowing free ventilation."
[Note]: "A good cabbage-tree hat,
though it very much resembles a com-
mon straw hat, will fetch as much as
3."
1878. ' The Australian,' vol. i. p. 527 :
"... trousers, peg-top shaped, and
wore a new cabbage-tree hat."
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 Cab-
bagites, obsolete Australian slang
for modern Larrikins (q.v)., be-
cause wearing 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 a sort of
4 loafers ' known as the Cabbage-tree
mob, a class who, in the spirit of the
.ancient tyrant, one might excusably
wish had but one nose in order to
.make it a bloody one. . . . Unaware of
the propensities of the cabbagites he
was by them furiously assailed."
Cad, n. name in Queensland
for the Cicada (q.v.).
1896. 'The Australasian,' Jan. u, p.
76, col. i :
" 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 or wide-awake. In
the Australian bush the brim is
generally turned down at the back
and sometimes all round.
Cadet, n. term used in New
Zealand, answering to the Aus-
tralian Colonial Experience, or
Jackaroo (q.v.).
1866. Lady Barker, ' Station Life in
JS T ew Zealand,' p. 68 :
" A cadet, as they are called he is
a clergyman's son learning sheep-
farming under our auspices."
1871. C. L. Money, ' Knocking About
in New Zealand/ p. 6 :
" The military designation of cadet
was applied to any young fellow who
was attached to a sheep or cattle
station in the same capacity as myself.
He was ' neither flesh nor fowl nor
good red herring,' neither master nor
man. He was sent to work with the
men, but not paid."
Caloprymnus, n. the scientific
name of the genus called the
Plain Kangaroo-Rat. (Grk. KaXos,
beautiful, and 7rpv/x,voV, hinder
part.) It has bright flanks. See
Kangaroo-Rat.
Camp, n. (i) A place to live in,
generally temporary ; a rest.
1885. H. Finch- Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia,' pp. 46, 47 :
" I was shown my camp, which was
a slab hut about a hundred yards away
from the big house. ... I was rather
tired, and not sorry for the prospect
of a camp."
(2) A place for mustering
cattle.
1885. II. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance Aus-
tralia/ p. 64 :
"All about the run, at intervals of
five or six miles, are cattle-camps, and
the cattle that belong to the surround-
ing districts 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 expedi-
tion. Often in composition with
" out," a camp-out.
1869. 'Colonial Monthly/ vol. iv. p.
289:
"A young fellow with even a mod-
erate degree of sensibility must be
excited by the novelty of his first
' camp-out ' in the Australian bush."
CAM-CAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
77
1880. R. H. Inglis, 'Australian Cousins/
P- 233 :
"We're going to have a regular
camp ; we intend going to Port Hock-
ing 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 its population of
twelve thousand inhabitants, the camp,
that can appreciate these things : he
who still recollects the few earth-huts
and solitary tents scattered through
the forest brush surrounding Sydney
Cove (known properly then indeed by
the name of 'The Camp')."
1852. Mrs. Meredith, ' My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 193 :
" Living during the winter in Hobar-
ton, usually called ' the camp,' in those
days."
Camp, v. (i) Generally in com-
position with "out," to sleep in
the open air, usually without any
covering. Camping out is exceed-
ingly common in Australia owing 1
to the warmth 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 be-
lated travellers when they have 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 good fire
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 ; and should that fail
them, there is no end of other places ;
or the bush, as a fall back, where, in-
deed, some of them prefer camping as
it is."
1891. 'The Australasian,' Nov. 14, p.
963, col. i : ' A Lady in the Kermadecs :
" For three months I ' camped out '
there alone, shepherding a flock of
Angoras."
(2) By extension, to sleep in
any unusual place, or at an un-
usual 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 l camp ' in a
railway carriage, and Sir Henry Parkes
being flood-bound at Quirindi."
1896. Modern :
" Visitor, ' Where's your Mother ? '
' Oh, she's camping.' ; ' [The lady 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 if it's agreeable
to you. I will take the horses out, and
we'll find 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 Austra-
lian timber ; the wood of Callitris
(Frenea) robusta, Cunn., N.O. Con-
iferce. Called also Light, Black,
White, Dark, and Common Pine,
as the wood varies much in its
colouring. See Pine.
Canajong, n. Tasmanian abori-
ginal name for the plants called
Pig-faces (q.v.).
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants, 'p. 44 :
" Pig-faces. It was the canajong of
the Tasmanian aboriginal. The fleshy
fruit is eaten raw by the aborigines :
the leaves are eaten baked."
Canary, n. (i) A bird-name
used in New Zealand for Clitonyx
ochrocephala, called also the Yellow-
head. Dwellers in the back-
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CAN-CAP
blocks of Australia apply the
name to the Orange-fronted Ephthi-
,anura (E. aurifrons, Gould), and
sometimes to the White-throated
Gerygone (Gerygone albigularis).
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 56 :
"Clitonyx Ochrocephala. Yellow-
head. * Canary ' of the colonists."
(2) Slang for a convict. See
quotations. As early as 1673,
* canary-bird ' was thieves' Eng-
lish 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 the name of
canaries, by reason of the yellow
plumage in which 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 * canary birds.' "
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former/ c. vi. p. 49 :
" Can't you get your canaries off the
track here for about a quarter of an
hour, and let my mob of cattle pass ? "
Candle-nut, . The name is
given in Queensland to the fruit
of Aleurites moluccana, Willd.,
N.O. Euphorbiacea . The nuts are
two or more inches diameter.
The name is often given to the
tree itself, which grows wild in
Queensland and is cultivated in
gardens there under the name
of A. triloba, Forst. It is not
endemic in Australia, but the ver-
nacular name of Candle-nut is
confined to Australia and the
Polynesian Islands.
1883. F. M. Bailey, 'Synopsis of Queens-
land Flora/ p. 472 :
" Candle-nut. The kernels when
dried and stuck on a reed are used by
the Polynesian Islanders as a substitute
for candles, and as an article of food in
New Georgia. These nuts resemble
walnuts somewhat in size and taste.
When pressed they yield a large pro-
portion of pure palatable oil, used as a
drying-oil for paint, and known as
country walnut-oil and artists' oil.'*
i.q.
Bamboo-
Cane-grass,
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 it takes its name,
and others in the Straits. It is about
the same size as a common goose, the
plumage a handsome mottled brown
and gray, somewhat owl-like in char-
acter."
[Cape Barren Island is in Bass Strait,
between Flinders Island and Tasmania.
Banks Strait flows between Cape
Barren Island and Tasmania. The
easternmost point on the island is
called Cape Barren.]
Cape-Barren Tea, n. a shrub or
tree, Correa alba, Andr., N.O.
Rutacece.
1834. Ross, 'Van Diemen's Land An-
nual/ p. 134:
" Leptospermum lanigerum, hoary
tea-tree ; Acacia decurrens, black
wattle ; Corrcea alba, Cape Barren tea.
The leaves of these have been used as
substitutes for tea in the colony."
Cape Lilac, n. See Lilac.
Cape "Weed, n. In Europe,
Roccella tinctoria, a lichen from
the Cape de Verde Islands, from
which a dye is produced. In New
Zealand, name given to the Euro-
pean cats-ear, Hyp&choris radicata.
In Australia it is as in quotation
below. See 'Globe Encyclopaedia,'
1877 (s.v.).
1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, 'First Book of
Australian Botany/ p. 60 :
"Cape Weed. Cryptostcmma Ca-
lendulaceum. (Natural Order, Com-
positcc.} This weed, which has proved
such a pest in many parts of Victoria,
was introduced from the Cape of Good
Hope, as a fodder plant. It is an
annual, flowering in the spring, and
giving a bright golden hue to the
fields. It proves destructive to other
herbs and grasses, and though it
affords a nutritious food for stock in
CAP-CAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
79
the spring, it dies off in the middle of
summer, after ripening its seeds, leav-
ing the fields quite bare."
Caper-tree, n. The Australian
tree of this name is Capparis no-
bilis, F. v. M., N.O. Capparidea.
The Karum of the Queensland
aboriginals. The fruit is one to
two inches in diameter. Called
also Grey Plum or Native Pome-
granate. The name is also given
to Capparis Mitchelli, Lindl. The
European caper is Capparis spinosa^
Linn.
1894. ' Melbourne Museum Catalogue,
Economic Woods,' p. 10 :
" Native Caper Tree or Wild Pome-
granate. Natural Order, Capparidece.
Found in the Mallee Scrub. A small
tree. The wood is whitish, hard,
close-grained, and suitable for engrav-
ing, carving, and similar purposes.
Strongly resembles lancewood."
Captain Cook, or Cooker, n.
New Zealand colonists' slang.
First applied to the wild pigs of
New Zealand, supposed to be
descended from those first intro-
duced by Captain Cook ; after-
wards used as term of reproach
for any pig which, like the wild
variety, obstinately refused to
fatten. See Introduction, p. xv.
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 wild boars 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 a different
appearance from the domesticated
variety ; and hence a gaunt, ill-shaped,
or sorry-looking pig is everywhere
called in derision a ' Captain Cook.' "
Carbora, n. aboriginal name
for (i) the Native Bear. See
Bear.
(2) A kind of water worm that
eats into timber between high
and low water on a tidal river.
Cardamom, n. For the Austra-
lian tree of this name, see quota-
tion.
1890. C. Lumholtz,' Among Cannibals,'
p. 96:
"The Australian cardamom tree."
[Footnote] : " This is a fictitious name,
as are the names of many Australian
plants and animals. The tree belongs
to the nutmeg family, and its real
name is Myristica insipida. The name
owes its existence to the similarity of
the fruit to the real cardamom. But
the fruit of the Myristica has not so
strong and pleasant an odour as the
real cardamom, and hence the tree is
called insipida."
Carp, n. The English fish is of
the family Cyprinidcz. The name
is given to different fishes in Ire-
land and elsewhere. In Sydney
it is Chilodactylus fuscus, Castln.,
and Chilodactylus macropterus,
Richards. ; called also Morwong
(q.v.). The Murray Carp is Mur-
ray ia cyprinoideS) Castln., a percoid
fish. Chilodactylus belongs to the
family Cirrhitidce, in no way allied
to Cyprinidce, which contains the
European carps. Cirrhitidcz, says
Giinther, may be readily recog-
nized by their thickened undivided
lower pectoral rays, which in
some are evidently auxiliary
organs of locomotion, in others,
probably, organs of touch.
Carpet-Shark, n. i.q. Wobbegong
(q.v.).
Carpet-Snake, ;/. a large Aus-
tralian snake with a variegated
skin, Python variegata^ Gray. In
Whitworth's 'Anglo-Indian Dic-
tionary,' 1885 (s.v.), we are told
that the name is loosely applied
(sc. in India) to any kind of snake
found in a dwelling-house other
than a cobra or a dhaman. In
Tasmania, a venomous snake,
8o
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CAR-CAS
Hoplocephalus curtus, Schlegel. See
under Snake.
Carrier, n. a local name for a
water-bag.
1893. A. F. Calvert, 'English Illus-
trated/ Feb., p. 321 : . ,
" For the water-holders or carriers
(made to fit the bodies of the horses
carrying them, or to ' ride easily ' on
pack-saddles)."
Carrot, Native, (i) Daucus
brachiatus, Sieb., N.O. Umbelli-
fera. Not endemic in Australia.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition/ 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 a small annual her-
baceous plant, growing plentifully on
sandhills and rich soil ; the seeds,
locally termed ' carrot burrs,' are very
injurious to wool, the hooked spines
with which the seeds are armed attach-
ing themselves to the fleece, rendering
portions of it quite stiff and rigid. The
common carrot belongs, of course, to
this genus, and the fact that it is
descended from an apparently worth-
less, weedy plant, indicates that the
present species is capable of much
improvement by cultivation."
(2) In Tasmania Geranium dis-
sectum, Linn., is also called " native
carrot."
Cascarilla, Native, n. an Aus-
tralian timber, Croton vtrreauxii,
Baill., N.O. Euphorbiacea.
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 genus being found in
"the Islands in the Indian Archi-
pelago." ('O.E.D.') The Aus-
tralian variety is Casuarius austra-
lis, Waller. The name is often
erroneously applied (as in the
first two quotations), to the Emu
(q.v.), which is not a Cassowary.
1789. Governor Phillip, 'Voyage,' c.
xxii. p. 271 :
"New Holland Cassowary. [De-
scription given.] This bird is not un-
common in New Holland, as several
of them have been seen about Botany
Bay, and other parts. . . . Although
this bird cannot fly, it runs so swiftly
that a greyhound can scarcely overtake
it. The flesh is said to be in taste not
unlike beef."
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales/ c. xi. p. 438 :
"The cassowary of New South
Wales is larger in all respects than
the well-known bird called the cas-
sowary."
1869. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia'
(Supplement) :
" Casuarius Australis, Wall., Aus-
tralian 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 thick brush-
wood. The Australian cassowary is
found in Northern Queensland from
Herbert river northwards, in all the
large vine-scrubs on the banks of the
rivers, and on the high mountains 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 shorter and stouter
in build than the emu."
Casuarina, ;/. the scientific
name of a large group of trees
common to India, and other parts
lying between India and Austra-
lasia, but more numerous in Aus-
tralia than elsewhere, and often
forming a characteristic feature of
the vegetation. They are the
so-called She-oaks (q.v.). The
word is not, however, Australian,.
CAT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Si
and is much older than the dis-
covery of Australia. Its etymo-
logy is contained in the quota-
tion, 1877.
1806. 'Naval Chronicles,' c. xv. p. 460 :
" Clubs made of the wood of the
casuarina."
1814. R. Brown, 'Botany of Terra Aus-
tralis,' in M. Flinders' ' Voyage to Terra
Australis,' vol. ii. p. 571 :
" Casuarinae. The genus Casuarina
is certainly not referable to any order
of plants at present established . . it
may be considered a separate order
. . . The maximum of Casuarina
appears to exist in Terra Australis,
where it forms one of the character-
istic features of the vegetation."
1855. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes,'
p. 160:
"The dark selvage of casuarinas
fringing its bank."
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 10:
"The vegetation assumed a new
character, the eucalyptus and casuarina
alternating with the wild cherry and
honeysuckle."
1877. F. v. Miiller, ' Botanic Teachings,'
P- 34:
"The scientific name of these well-
known plants is as appropriate as their
vernacular appellation is odd and un-
suited. The former alludes to the
cassowary (Casuarius\ the plumage of
which is comparatively as much re-
duced among birds, as the foliage of
the casuarinas is stringy among trees.
Hence more than two centuries ago
Rumph already bestowed the name
Casuarina on a Java species, led by
the Dutch colonists, who call it there
the Casuaris-Boom. The Australian
vernacular name seems to have arisen
from some fancied resemblance of the
wood of some casuarinas to that of
oaks, notwithstanding the extreme
difference of the foliage and fruit ;
unless, as Dr. Hooker supposes, the
popular name of these trees and shrubs
arose from the Canadian ' Sheack.' "
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 397 :
"From a fancied resemblance of
the wood of casuarinas to that of
oak, these trees are called ' oaks,' and
the same and different 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 a number of
casuarinas those leafless, dark trees,
which always make a sad impression
on the traveller ; even a casual ob-
server will notice the dull, depressing
sigh which comes from a grove of these
trees when there is the least breeze."
Cat-bird, n. In America the
name is given to Mimus carolinen-
sts, a mocking thrush, which like
the Australian bird has a cry re-
sembling the mewing of a cat.
The Australian species are
The Cat-bird
Ailurtzdus viridts, Lath.
Spotted C.
Ailurcedus maculosus, Ramsay.
Pomatostomus rubeculus, Gould.
Tooth-billed C.
Scenopceus dentirostris, Ramsay.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. iv. pi. II :
" Its loud, harsh and extraordinary
note is heard ; a note which differs so
much from that of all other birds, that
having been once heard it can never
be mistaken. In comparing it to the
nightly concert of the domestic cat, I
conceive that I am conveying to my
readers a more perfect idea of the note
of this species than could be given by
pages of description. This concert,
like that of the animal whose name it
bears, is performed either by a pair or
several individuals, and nothing more
is required than for the hearer to shut
his eyes from the neighbouring foliage
to fancy himself surrounded by London
grimalkins of house-top celebrity."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 36:
" One of the most peculiar of birds'
eggs found about the Murray is that
of the locally-termed 'cat-bird,' the
shell of which is veined thickly with
dark thin threads as though covered
with a spider's web."
1890. C. Lumholtz,' Among Cannibals.'
p. 96:
"The cat-bird (dLlurcedus maculo-
sus}, which makes its appearance to-
wards evening, and has a voice strik-
ingly like the mewing of a cat."
82
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CAT
1893. 'The Argus.' March 25 :
" Another quaint caller of the bush
is the cat-bird, and its eggs are of
exactly the colour of old ivory."
1896. G. A. Keartland, ' Home Expedi-
tion in Central Australia,' pt. ii. Zoology,
p. 92 :
" Their habit of mewing like a cat
has gained for them the local cogno-
men of cat-birds."
Cat-fish, n. The name is ap-
plied in the Old World to various
fishes of the family Siluridce, and
also to the Wolf-fish of Europe
and North America. It arises
from the resemblance of the teeth
in some cases or the projecting
" whiskers " in others, to those of
a cat. In Victoria and New South
Wales it is a fresh-water fish,
Copidoglanis tandanus, Mitchell,
brought abundantly to Melbourne
by railway. It inhabits the rivers
of the Murray system, but not of
the centre of the continent.
Called also Eel-fish and Tandan
(q.v.). In Sydney the same name
is applied also to Cnidoglanis
megastoma, Rich., and in New
Zealand Kathetostoma monoptery-
gium. Copidoglanis and Cnidoglanis
are Siluroids, and Kathetostoma
is a " stargazer," i. e. a fish
having eyes on the upper surface
of the head, belonging to the
family Trachinidce.
1851. J.Henderson, ' Excursions in New
South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 207 :
"The Cat-fish, which I have fre-
quently caught in the McLeay, is a
large and very ugly animal. Its head
is provided with several large tentac-
atas, and it has altogether a disagree-
able appearance. 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
the conformation of its mouth. It has
the power of prolongating both its
jaws to nearly the extent of half-an-
inch from their natural position. This
is done by a most beautiful bit of
mechanism, somewhat on the principle
of what are called lazy tongs/
The cat-fish possesses a like feature,
but on a much larger scale, the front
part of the mouth being capable of
being protruded between two and three
inches when seizing prey.' "
Cat, Native, n. a small carniv-
orous marsupial, of the genus
Dasyurus. The so-called native
cat is not a cat at all, but a
marsupial which resembles a
very large rat or weasel, with
rather a bushy tail. It is fawn-
coloured or mouse-coloured, or
black and covered with little white
spots ; a very pretty little animal.
It only appears at night, when it
climbs 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. hallucatusj Gould.
Papuan N.C.
D. albopunctatus, 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.] but smaller, and its
fur 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."
CAT-CAU]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
1894. 'The Argus,' June 23, p. n,
col. 4 :
" The voices of most of our night
animals are guttural and unpleasing.
The 'possum has a throaty half-stifled
squeak, the native cat a deep chest-
note ending with a hiss and easily
imitated." [See Skirr.\
Catholic Frog, n. name applied
to a frog living in the inland parts
of New South Wales, Notaden
bennettii, Giinth., which tides over
times of drought in burrows, and
feeds on ants. Called also "Holy
Cross Toad." The names are
given in consequence of a large
cross-shaped blackish marking on
the back.
1891. J. J. Fletcher, 'Proceedings of
the Linnsean Society, New South Wales,'
vol. vi. (2nd series), p. 265 :
''Notaden bennettii, the Catholic
frog, or as I have heard it called the
Holy Cross Toad, I first noticed in
January 1885, after a heavy fall of rain
lasting ten days, off and on, and suc-
ceeding a severe drought."
Cat's Byes, n. Not the true
Ca?s-eye, but the name given in
Australia to the opercula of Turbo
smaragdus, Martyn, a marine mol-
lusc. The operculum is the horny
or shelly lid which closes the
aperture of most spiral shell 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 I have not
the remotest idea. ... It is full of
beauty the pinnules so exquisitely
formed and indented, and gemmed
beneath with absolute constellations
of Sport Polystichum vestitum?'
Catspaw, n. a Tasmanian plant,
Trichiniumspathulatum^ Poir.,7V. O.
Amarantacece.
Cat's Tail, n. See Wonga.
Cattle-bush, n. a tree, Ata-
laya hemiglauca, F. v. M., N. O.
Sapindacetz. 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
seasons of 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 Recol-
lections of Sixteen Years' Labour in the
Australian Backwoods,' p. 294 :
" A Cattle-racket. The term at the
head of this chapter was originally
applied in New South Wales to the
agitation of society which took place
when some wholesale system of plunder
in cattle was brought to light. It is
now commonly applied to any circum-
stance of this sort, whether greater or
less, and whether springing from a
felonious intent or accidental."
Caustic-Creeper, n. name given
to Euphorbia drummondii^ Boiss.,
N. O. Euphorbiacece.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 127 :
"Called 'caustic-creeper' in Queens-
land. Called 'milk-plant' and 'pox-
plant 3 about Bourke. This weed is
unquestionably poisonous to sheep,
and has recently (Oct. 1887) been
reported as having been fatal to a
flock near Bourke, New South Wales.
. . . When eaten by sheep in the
early morning, before the heat of the
sun has dried it up, it is almost certain
to be fatal. Its effect on sheep is
curious. The head swells to an
enormous extent, becoming so heavy
that the animal cannot support it, and
therefore drags it along the ground ;
the ears suppurate. (Bailey and
Gordon.) "
8 4
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CAU-CEL
Caustic-Plant, or Caustic-
Vine, n. Sarcostemma australis, R.
Br., N. O. AsclepiadecE. Cattle and
sheep are poisoned by eating it.
Cavally, n. the original form of
the Australian fish-name Trevally
(q.v.). The form Cavally is used
in Europe, but is almost extinct
in Australia ; the form Trevally is
confined to Australia.
Cedar, n. The true Cedar is a
Conifer (N.O. Conifera) of the
genus Cedrus, but the name is
given locally to many other trees
resembling it in appearance, or
in the colour or scent of their
wood. The New Zealand Cedar
is the nearest approach to the
true Cedar, and none of the so-
called Australian Cedars are of
the order Coniferce. The follow-
ing are the trees to which the
name is applied in Australia :
Bastard Pencil Cedar
Dysoxylon rufum, Benth., N.O.
Meliacece.
Brown C.
Ehretia acuminata, R. Br., N.O.
Asperifolice.
Ordinary or Red C.
Cedrela australis^ F. v. M.
Cedrela toona, R. Br., N.O.
Meliacece. [C. toona is the
"Toon" tree of India: its
timber is known in the
English market as Moulmein
Cedar ; but the Baron von
Miiller doubts the identity
of the Australian Cedar with
the "Toon " tree ; hence his
name australis.\
Pencil C.
Dysoxylon Fraserianum, Benth.,
N. O. Meliacea.
Scrub White C.
Pentaceras australis^ Hook, and
Don., N.O. Rutacea.
White C.
Melia composita, Willd., N.O.
Meliacece.
Yellow C.
Rhus rhodanthema, F. v. M.,
N.O. Anacardiacea.
In Tasmania, three species of
the genus Arthrotaxis are called
Cedars or Pencil Cedars ; namely,
A. cupressoideS) Don., known as
the King William Pine ; A. laxi-
folia, Hook., the Mountain Pine ;
and A. selaginoides, Don., the Red
Pine. All these are peculiar to
the island.
In New Zealand, the name of
Cedar is applied to Libocedrus
bidwillii. Hook., N.O. Conifer a ;
Maori name, Pahautea.
1838. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions/ vol. i. p. 328:
"The cedar of the colony (Cedrela
toona, R. Br.), which is 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 red cedar has
many medicinal properties. The bark
is spoken of as a powerful astringent,
and, though not bitter, said to be a
good substitute for Peruvian bark in
the cure of remitting and intermitting
fevers."
1883. J. Hector, ' Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 123:
"Pahautea, Cedar. A handsome
conical tree sixty to eighty feet high,
two to three feet in diameter. In
Otago it produces a dark-red, free-
working timber, rather brittle . . .
frequently mistaken for totara."
Celery, Australian, or Native,
n. Apium australe, Thon. Not en-
demic in Australia. In Tasmania,
A. prostratum, Lab., N.O. Umbel-
liferce.
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants,' p. 7 :
" Australian Celery. This plant may
be utilised as a culinary vegetable.
(Mueller.) It is not endemic in
Australia."
Celery-topped Pine. ?i. See
Pine. The tree is so called from
the appearance of the upper part
CEN-CHE]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
of the branchlets, which resemble
in shape the leaf of the garden
celery.
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 9 :
" The tanekaha is one of the remark-
able ' celery-topped pines,' and was dis-
covered by Banks and Solander during
Cook's first voyage."
Centaury, Native, n. a plant,
Erythrtza ait straits, R. Br., N.O.
Gentianea. In New South Wales
this Australian Centaury has been
found useful in dysentery by Dr.
Woolls.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 175 :
" Native centaury ... is useful as a
tonic medicine, especially in diarrhoea
and dysentery. The whole plant is
used and is pleasantly bitter. It is
common enough in grass-land, and
appears to be increasing in popularity
as a domestic remedy."
Centralia, n. a proposed name
for the colonv South Australia
(q.v.).
1896. J. S. Laurie, ' Story of Austra-
lasia, ' p. 299 :
"For telegraphic, postal, and general
purposes o?ie word is desirable for a
name e.g. why not Centralia; for
West Australia, Westraliaj for New
South Wales, Eastralia ? "
Cereopsis, n. scientific name of
the genus of the bird peculiar to
Australia, called the Cape Barren
Goose. See Goose. The word is
from Grk. Kf/pdc, wax, and o4/,
face, and was given from the
peculiarities of the bird's beak.
The genus is confined to Aus-
tralia, and Cereopsis novce-hollandicz
is the only species known. The
bird was noticed by the early
voyagers to Australia, and was
extraordinarily tame when first
discovered.
Channel-Bill, n. name given
to a bird resembling a large
cuckoo, Scythrops novce-hollandice,
Lath. See Scythrops.
Cheesewood, n. a tree, so-
called in Victoria (it is also
called Whitewood and Waddywood
in Tasmania), Pittosporum bicolor,
Hook., N.O. Pittosporecz.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 588:
" Cheesewood is yellowish - white,
very hard, and of uniform texture and
colour. It was once used for clubs by
the aboriginals of Tasmania. It turns
well, and should be tested for wood-
engraving. ('Jurors' Reports, London
International Exhibition of 1862.') It
is much esteemed for axe-handles,
billiard-cues, etc."
Cherry, Herbert River, n. a
Queensland tree, Antidesma dalla-
chyanum, Baill., N.O. Euphorbi-
acece. The fruit is equal to a
large cherry in size, and has a
sharp acid flavour.
Cherry, Native, n. an Aus-
tralian tree, Exocarpus cupressi-
formis, R. Br., N.O. Santalacea.
1801. ' History of New South Wales '
(1818), p. 242:
" Of native fruits, a cherry, insipid
in comparison of the European sorts,
was found true to the singularity which
characterizes every New South Wales
production, the stone being on the
outside of the fruit."
1830. R. Dawson, ' Present State of
Australia/ p. 411:
"The shrub which is called the
native cherry-tree appears like a
species of Cyprus, producing its fruit
with the stone united to it on the out-
side, the fruit and the stone being each
about the size of a small pea. The
fruit, when ripe, is similar in colour to
the Mayduke cherry, but of a sweet
and somewhat better quality, and
slightly astringent to the palate, pos-
sessing, 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 tenderer green,
bearing a worthless little berry, having
its stone or seed outside, whence its
scientific name of exocarpus"
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CHE-CHGE
1855. W. Howitt, ' Two Years in
Victoria,' vol. i. p. 33:
" We also ate the Australian cherry,
which has its stone, not on the outside,
enclosing the fruit, as the usual phrase
would indicate, but on the end with
the fruit behind it. The stone is only
about the size of a sweet-pea, and the
fruit only about twice that size, alto-
gether not unlike a yew-berry, but of
a very pale red. It grows on a tree
just like an arbor vitae, and is well
tasted, though not at all like a cherry
in flavour."
1877. F. v. Miiller, ' Botanic Teachings,'
p. 40:
" The principal of these kinds of
trees received its generic name first
from the French naturalist La Bil-
lardiere, during D'Entrecasteaux's Ex-
pedition. 1 1 was our common Exocarpus
cupressiformis, which he described, and
which has been mentioned so often in
popular works as a cherry-tree, bearing
its stone outside of the pulp. That
this crude notion of the structure of
the fruit is erroneous, must be apparent
on thoughtful contemplation, for it is
evident at the first glance, that the red
edible part of our ordinary exocarpus
constitutes merely an enlarged and
succulent fruit-stalklet (pedicel), and
that the hard dry and greenish por-
tion, 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 enlarged succulent
pedicel. This is the poor little fruit
of which so much has been written in
English descriptions of the peculiarities
of the Australian flora. It has been
likened to a cherry with the stone out-
side (hence the vernacular name) by
some imaginative person."
1893. 'Sydney Morning Herald/ Aug.
19, p. 7, col. i :
" Grass-trees and the brown brake-
fern, whips of native cherry, and all
the threads and tangle of the earth's
green russet vestment hide the feet of
trees which lean and lounge between
us 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-billed Honey- eater [q.v.].
Cherry -picker, colonists of Van
Diemen's Land."
Chestnut Pine, . See Pine.
Chewgah-bag, n. Queensland
aboriginal pigeon - English for
Sugar-bag (q.v.).
Chinkie, n. slang for a China-
man. "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 varia-
tion ' Chow ')."
Chock-and-log, n. and adj. a
particular kind of fence much
used on Australian stations.
The Chock is a thick short piece
of wood laid flat, at right-angles
to the line of the fence, with
notches in it to receive the Logs,
which are laid lengthwise from
Chock to Chock, and the fence is
raised in four or five layers of this
chock-and-log to form, as it were,
a wooden wall. Both chocks and
logs are rough-hewn or split, 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 long logs,
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 of kangaroos dis-
turbed from their feeding-ground, leap-
ing through the air, bounding over the
wire and ' chock-and-log ' fences like so
many india-rubber automatons."
Choaropus, n. the scientific
name for the genus of Australian
marsupial animals with only one
known species, called the Pig"
footed-Bandicoot (q.v.), and see
CHR-CHU]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Bandicoot. (Grk. xWs> a pig 1 *
TTous, foot.) The animal is about
the size of a rabbit, and is confined
to the inland parts of Australia.
Christinas, n. and adj. As
Christmas falls in Australasia at
Midsummer, it has different cha-
racteristics from those in England,
and the word has therefore a dif-
ferent connotation.
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' p. 184 :
" Sheep-shearing in November, hot
midsummer weather at Christmas, the
bed of a river the driest walk, and corn
harvest in February, were things
strangely at variance with 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 Austra-
lian tree, Ceratopetalum gummi-
ferum, Smith, N. O. Saxifrages.
Called also Christmas-tree (q. v.),
and Officer-bush.
1888. Mrs. McCann, ' Poetical Works,'
p. 226 :
" Gorgeous tints adorn the Christ-
inas bush with a crimson blush."
Christmas-tree, n. In Austra-
lia, it is the same as Christmas-
bush (q.v.). In New Zealand, it
is Metrosideros tomentosa, Banks,
N. O. Myrtacea ; Maori name,
Pohutukawa (q.v.).
1867. F. Hochstetter, 'New Zealand,'
p. 240 :
" Some few scattered Pohutukaua
trees (Metrosideros tomentosa), the
last remains of the beautiful vegetation
. . . About Christmas these trees are
full of charming purple blossoms ;
the settler decorates his church and
dwelling with its 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 holly of the
home countries. As the scarlet berry
gives its ruddy colour to Christmas
decorations in 'the old country, 3 so
here the creamy blossoms of the
Christmas-tree are the only shrub
flowers that survive the blaze of mid-
summer."
1889. E. H. and S. Featon, 'New
Zealand Flora,' p. 163 :
"The Pohutukawa blossoms in
December, when its profusion of
elegant crimson-tasselled flowers im-
parts a beauty to the rugged coast-line
and sheltered bays which may fairly
be called enchanting. To the settlers
it is known as the * Christmas-tree,'
and sprays of its foliage and flowers
are used to decorate churches and
dwellings during the festive Christmas-
tide. To the Maoris this tree must
possess a weird significance, since it is
related in their traditions that at the
extreme end of New Zealand there
grows a Pohutukawa from which a
root descends to the beach below.
The spirits of the dead are supposed
to descend by this to an opening,
which is said to be the entrance to
<Te Reinga.'"
Chucky-chucky, n. aboriginal
Australian name for a berry ; in
Australia and New Zealand, the
fruit of species of Gaultheria. See
Wax Cluster.
1885. R. M. Praed, 'Australian Life,'
p. 146 :
" To gather chucky-chuckies as the
blacks name that most delicious of
native berries."
1891. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open/
'New Zealand Country Journal,' vol. xv.
p. 198 :
"When out of breath, hot and
thirsty, how one longed for a handful
of chuckie-chucks. In their season
how good we used to think these fruits
of the gaultkeria, or rather its thick-
ened calyx. A few handfuls were
excellent in quenching one's thirst,
and so plentifully did the plant abound
that quantities could soon be gathered.
In these rude and simple days, when
housekeepers in the hills tried to con-
vert carrots and beet-root into apricot
and damson preserves, these notable
women sometimes encouraged children
88
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CHU-CLA
to collect sufficient chuckie-chucks to
make preserve. The result was a jam
of a sweet mawkish flavour that gave
some idea of a whiff caught in passing
a hair-dresser's shop."
Chum, n. See New Chum.
Chy-ack, v. simply a variation
of the English slang verb, to
cheek.
1874. Garnet Walch, 'Adamanta,' Act
ii. sc. ii. p. 27 :
" I've learnt to chi-ike peelers."
[Here the Australian pronun-
ciation is also caught. Barere
and Leland give " chi-iked
(tailors), chaffed unmercifully,"
but without explanation.]
1878. ' The Australian,' vol. i. p. 742 :
" The circle of frivolous youths who
were yelping at and chy-acking him."
1894. E - w - Hornung, ' Boss of Tar-
oomba,' p. 5 :
" It's our way up here, you know, to
chi-ak each other and our visitors too."
Cicada, n. an insect. See
Locust.
1895. G. Metcalfe, 'Australian Zoology,'
p. 62 :
"The Cicada is often erroneously
called a locust. . . It is remarkable
for the loud song, or chirruping whirr,
of the males in the heat of summer ;
numbers of them on the hottest days
produce an almost deafening sound."
Cider-Tree, or Cider-Gum, n.
name given in Tasmania to
Eucalyptus gunnii^ Hook., N.O.
Myrtacece. 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 resembling molasses. . . . When
allowed to remain some time and to
ferment, it settles into a coarse sort of
wine or cider, rather intoxicating if
drank to any excess."
City, n. In Great Britain and
Ireland the word City denotes " a
considerable town that has been,
(a) an episcopal seat, (b) a royal
burgh, or (c) created to the dig-
nity, like Birmingham, Dundee,
and Belfast, by a royal patent.
In the United States and Canada,
a municipality of the first class,
governed by a mayor and alder-
men, and created by charter."
('Standard.') In Victoria, by
section ix. of the Local Govern-
ment Act, 1890, 54 Victoria, No.
1 1 12, the Governor-in-Councit
may make orders, 12 :
" To declare any borough, including
the city of Melbourne and the town of
Geelong, having in the year preceding
such declaration a gross revenue of
not less than twenty thousand pounds^
a city."
Claim, n. in mining, a piece
of land appropriated for mining
purposes : then the mine itself.
The word is also used in the
United States. See also Reward-
claim and Prospecting-claim.
1858. T. McCombie, * History of Vic-
toria,' 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 pur-
chases permission to dig."
1887. H. H. Hayter, 'Christmas Ad-
venture,' p. 3 :
" I decided ... a claim to take up."'
Clay-pan, n. name given, espe-
cially in the dry interior of Aus-
tralia, to a slight depression of
the ground varying in size from,
a few yards to a mile in length,
where the deposit of fine silt
prevents the water from sinking
into the ground as rapidly as it
does elsewhere.
1875. J onn Forrest, 'Explorations in-
Austral ia,' p. 260 :
"We travelled down the road for
about thirty-three miles over stony
plains ; many clay-pans with water
but no feed."
1896. Baldwin Spencer, 6 Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia/ Narrative, voL
i. p. 17:
" One of the most striking features
CLE-CLO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
89
of the central area and especially
amongst the loamy plains and sand-
hills, is the number of clay-pans.
These are shallow depressions, with
no outlet, varying in length from a
few yards to half a mile, where the
surface is covered with a thin clayey
material, which seems to prevent the
water from sinking as rapidly as it
does in 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 distinguish them from
the branded cattle."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories/ c. xv. p. 109 :
" Strangers and pilgrims, calves and
clear-skins, are separated at the same
time."
1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, ' Australian
Life/ p. 82:
" ' Clear-skins/ as unbranded cattle
were commonly called, were taken
charge of at once."
1893. ' The Argus/ April 29, p. 4, col. 4 :
" As they fed slowly homeward bel-
lowing for their calves, and lowing for
their mates, the wondering clean-skins
would come up in a compact body,
tearing, ripping, kicking, and moaning,
working round and round them in
awkward, loblolly canter."
Clearing lease, . Explained
in quotation.
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia/ vol. i. c. x. p. 321 :
" [They] held a small piece of land on
what is called a clearing lease that is
to say, they were allowed to retain
possession of it for so many years for
the labour of clearing the land."
Clematis, n. the scientific and
vernacular name of a genus of
plants belonging to the N.O.
Ranunculacecz. The common
species in Australia is C. aristata,
R. Br.
1834. Ross, 'Van Diemen's Land An-
nual/ p. 124 :
"The beautiful species of clematis
called aristata, which may be seen
in the months of November and
December, spreading forth its milk-
white blossoms over the shrubs . . .
in other places rising up to the top of
the highest gum-trees."
Clianthus, n. scientific name
for an Australasian genus of
plants, N.O. Leguminosa, contain-
ing only two species in Austra-
lia, Sturfs Desert Pea (q.v.), C.
dampieri ; and in New Zealand,
the Kaka-bill (q.v.), C. puniceus.
Both species are also called
Glory-Pea, from Grk. K-Ae'oe, glory,
and av6og, a flower.
1892. ' Otago Witness/ Nov. 24, ' Native
Trees':
"Hooker says the genus Clianthus
consists of the Australian and New
Zealand species only, the latter is there-
fore clearly indigenous. ' One of the
most beautiful plants known ' (Hooker).
Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander
found it during Cook's first voyage."
Climbing-fish, n. i.q. Hopping-
fsh (q.v.).
Climbing-Pepper, n. See Pep-
per.
Clitonyx, n. the scientific name
of a genus of New Zealand birds,,
including the Yellow-head (q.v.)
and the White-head (q.v.) ; from
Greek KAtVeiv, root /cAtr, to lean,,
slant, and oVv, claw. The genus
was so named by Reichenbach in
1851, to distinguish the New
Zealand birds from the Australian
birds of the genus Orthonyx (q.v.),,
which formerly included them both.
Clock-bird, n. another name for
the Laughing Jackass. ^QQ Jackass.
Clock, Settlers', n. i.q. Clock-
bird, q.v.
Cloudy-Bay Cod, n. a New
Zealand name for the Ling (q.v.).
See also Cod.
Clover-Pern, n. another name
for the plant called Nardoo (q.v.).
Clover, Menindie, ;/. an Aus-
tralian fodder plant, Trigonella
90
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CLO-COA
suavissima, Lind., N.O. Legumi-
nosecz.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 143 :
" From its abundance in the neigh-
bourhood of Menindie, it is often called
* Menindie-clover.' It is the 'Aus-
tralian shamrock' of Mitchell. This
perennial, fragrant, clover-like plant
is a good pasture herb."
Clover-Tree, n. a Tasmanian
tree, called also Native Laburnum.
See under Laburnum.
Coach, n. a bullock used as a
decoy to catch wild cattle. This
.seems to be from the use of coach
-as the University term for a
private tutor.
1874. w - H - L - Ranken, ' Dominion of
Australia, 3 c. vi. p. no:
"To get them [sc. wild cattle] a
party of stockmen take a small herd of
quiet cattle, ' coaches.' "
Coach, v. to decoy wild cattle
or horses with tame ones.
1874. W. H. L. Ranken, ' Dominion of
Australia,' c. vi. p. 121 :
" Here he [the wild horse] may be
got by ' coaching ' like wild cattle."
Coach- whip Bird, n. Psophodes
-crepitans, V. and H. (see Gould's
( Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pi.
15); Black-throated C.B., P.
nigrogularis, Gould. Called also
Whipbird and Coachman.
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, ' Transac-
tions of Linnsean 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 the colonists give it the name
of coachwhip), may be heard from a
great distance."
1827. P. Cunningham, 'Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 158 :
"If you should hear a coachwhip
crack behind, you may instinctively
start aside to let the mail pass ; but
quickly find it is only our native coach-
man with his spread-out fantail and
perked-up crest, whistling and crack-
ing out his whip-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 was that
of the ' coachman,' than which no title
could be more appropriate, his chief
note being a long clear whistle, with a
smart 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 warb-
ling 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 the crack
of a whip."
1855. W. Howitt, ' Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. ii. p. 76 :
"The whip-bird, whose sharp wiry
notes, even, are far more agreeable
than the barking of dogs and the
swearing of diggers."
1881. A. C. Grant, ' Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 24 :
" That is the coach-whip bird. There
again. Whew-ew-ew-ew-w^//. How
sharply the last note sounds."
1887. R. M. Praed, ' Longleat of Koo-
ralbyn,' c. vi. p. 54 :
" The sharp st wt of the whip-bird
. . . echoed through the gorge."
1888. James Thomas, ' May o' the
South,' 'Australian Poets 17881888'
(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 to station.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Squatter's
Dream,' xxv. 295 :
"I ain't like you, Towney, able to
coast about without a job of work from
shearin' to shearin'."
COA-COC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
9 1
Coaster, n. a loafer, a Sun-
downer (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 a coach. " I am
going by Cobb. " The word is still
used, though no Mr. Cobb has
been connected with Australian
coaches for many years. See
quotation.
1861. T. McCombie, 'Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 184 :
" Mr. Cobb was an American, and
has returned long ago to his native
country. He started a line of convey-
ances from Melbourne to Castlemaine
some time after the gold discoveries.
Mr. Cobb had spirit to buy good horses,
to get first-class American coaches, to
employ good Yankee whips, and in a
couple of years or so he had been so
extensively patronised that he sold out,
and retired with a moderate fortune."
[But the Coaching 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, . (i) The last sheep,
an Australian shearing term. (2)
Another name for the fish called
the Fortescue (q.v.).
1893. ' The Herald ' (Melbourne), Dec.
23, p. 6, col. I :
" Every one might not know what a
4 cobbler ' is. It is the last sheep in a
catching pen, and consequently a bad
one to shear, as the easy ones are
picked first. The cobbler must be
taken out before 'Sheep-ho' will fill
up again. In the harvest field English
rustics used to say, when picking up
the last sheaf, ' This is what the cob-
bler threw at his wife.' 'What?' 'The
last,' with that lusty laugh, which,
though it might betray ' a vacant mind,'
comes from a very healthy organism."
Cobblers-Awl, n. bird-name.
The word is a provincial English
name for the Avocet. In Tasmania,
the name is applied to a Spine-
Bill (q.v.) from the shape of its
beak.
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. iv. pi. 61 :
" Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris,
Lath., Slender-billed Spine-bill. Cobb-
ler's Awl) Colonists of Van Diemen's
Land. Spine-bill, Colonists of New
South Wales."
Cobbler's Pegs, name given
to a tall erect annual weed,
Erigeron linifolius, Willd., N.O.
Composites and to Bidens pilosus,
Linn., N.O. Composite?.
Cobbra, n. aboriginal word for
head, skull. \Kabura or Kabbera,
with such variations as Kobra,
Kobbera, Kappara, Kopul, from
Malay Kapala, head : one of the
words on the East Coast mani-
festly of Malay origin. J.
Mathew. Much used in pigeon-
converse with blacks. ' Good-
way cobra tree' = 'Tree very tall.']
Collins, ' Port Jackson Vocabu-
lary,' 1798 (p. 611), gives ' Ka-
bura, ca-ber-ra.' Mount Cobberas
in East Gippsland has its name
from huge 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 small attention on
his cobra, as the head is usually called
in the pigeon-English which they
employ."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xiii. p. 134:
" I should be cock-sure that having
an empty cobbra, as the blacks say,
was on the main track that led to the
grog-camp."
Cock-a-bully, n. a popular
name for the New Zealand fish
Galaxias fasciatus, Gray, a corrup-
tion of its Maori name Kokopu
(q.v.)-
1896. 'The Australasian,' Aug. 28, p.
407, col. 3 :
" During my stay in New Zealand
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[coc
my little girl caught a fish rather
larger than an English minnow. Her
young companions called it a ' cock-a-
bully.' It was pretty obvious to scent
a corruption of a Maori word, for,
mark you, cock-a-bully has no mean-
ing. It looks as if it were English
and full of meaning. Reflect an in-
stant and it has none. The Maori
name for the fish is ' kokopu.' "
Cockatiel, -eel, ;/. an arbitrary
diminutive of the word Cockatoo,
and used as another name for the
Cockatoo - Parrakeet, Calopsitta
novcz-hollandia, and generally for
any Parrakeet of the genus
Calopsitta. ('O.E.D.')
Cockatoo, n. (i) 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 Coca-
tua eos A
White C.
Cacatua galerita, Lath.
White-tailed C.
Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Vig.
See also Parrakeet.
1839. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions,' vol. ii. p. 62 :
"We saw to-day for the first time
on the Kaldre, the redtop cockatoo
(Plyctolophus Leadbeatert)."
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' c. viii. p. 272 :
"The rose-breasted cockatoo (Co-
catua eos, Gould) visited the patches
of fresh burnt grass."
Ibid. p. 275 :
"The black cockatoo (Calyptorhyn-
cus Banksit} has been much more fre-
quently 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 sup-
plied 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 r
Third Schedule ' :
" Black Cockatoos. Gang - gang
Cockatoos. [Close season.] From the
ist day of August to the 2Oth day of
December next following in each year.'*
1893. 'The Argus,' March 25, p. 4,
col. 6 :
" The egg of the blood-stained cock-
atoo has not yet been scientifically de-
scribed, and the specimen in this col-
lection has an interest chiefly in that
it was taken [by Mr. A. J. Campbell]
from a tree at Innamincka waterholes,
not far from the spot where Burke the
explorer died."
(2) A small farmer, called earlier
in Tasmania a Cockatooer (q.v.).
The name was originally given in
contempt (see quotations), but it is
now used by farmers themselves.
Cocky is a common abbreviation.
Some people distinguish between
a cockatoo and a ground -parrot,
the latter being the farmer on a
very small scale. Trollope's
etymology (see quotation, 1873)
coc]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
93
will not hold, for it is not true
that the cockatoo scratches the
ground. After the gold fever, circa
1860, the selectors swarmed over
the country and ate up the sub-
stance of the squatters ; hence
they were called Cockatoos. The
word is 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. 1 10 :
"These small farmers are called
cockatoos in Australia by the squatters
or sheep-farmers, who dislike them for
buying up the best bits on their runs ;
and say that, like a cockatoo, the small
freeholder alights on good ground, ex-
tracts all he can from it, and then flies
,away to 'fresh fields and pastures
new.' . . . However, whether the name
is just or not, it is a recognised one
here ; and I have heard a man say in
answer to a question about his usual
occupation, ' I'm a cockatoo.' "
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 135 :
"The word cockatoo in the farina-
ceous colony has become so common
as almost to cease to carry with it the
intended sarcasm ... It signifies that
the man does not really till 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 the industrious
farmer, who settled or perched on the
resumed portions of a squatter's run,
so much to the latter's rage and disgust
that he contemptuously likened the
farmer to the white-coated, yellow-
crested screamer that settles or perches
on the trees at the edge of his name-
sake's clearing."
1889. ' Cornhill Magazine,' Jan., p. 33 :
" ' With a cockatoo ' [Title]. Cocka-
too is the name given to the small,
bush farmer in New Zealand."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. xliii. p. 377 :
" The governor is a bigoted agricul-
turist ; he has contracted the cockatoo
complaint, I'm afraid."
1893. 'The Argus,' June 17, p. 13,
col. 4 :
" Hire yourself out to a dairyman,
take a contract with a rail-splitter, sign
articles with a cockatoo selector ; but
don't touch land without knowing
something about it."
Cockatoo, v. intr. (i) To be a
farmer.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Squatter's
Dream,' c. xx. p. 245 :
"Fancy three hundred acres in
Oxfordshire, with a score or two of
bullocks, and twice as many black- faced
Down sheep. Regular cockatooing."
(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 tossing
horn-billows."
Cockatooer, n. a variant of
Cockatoo (q.v.), quite fallen into dis-
use, if quotation be not a nonce
use.
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
of bird, but human beings : who rent
portions of this forest ... on exorbi-
tant terms . . . and vainly endeavour
to exist on what they can earn besides,
their frequent compulsory abstinence
from meat, when they cannot afford to
buy it, even in their land of cheap and
abundant food, giving them some af-
finity to the grain-eating white cocka-
toos."
Cockatoo Fence, n. fence
erected by small farmers.
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' c. xxii. p. 155 :
" There would be roads and cockatoo
fences ... in short, all the 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
94
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[COC-COL
and logs of trees laid on the ground
one across the other with posts and
slip-rails in lieu of gates."
Cockatoo Bush, n. i.q. Native
Currant (q.v).
Cockatoo Orchis, n. a Tasman-
ian name for the Orchid, Caleya
major, R. Br.
Cock-eyed Bob, a local slang
term in Western Australia for a
thunderstorm.
1894. ' The A S e >' J an - 20 P- J 3> co1 - 4 :
"They [the natives of the north-
west of Western Australia] are ex-
tremely frightened of them [sc. storms
called Willy Willy, q.v.], and in some
places even on the approach of an
ordinary thunderstorm or ' Cock-eyed
Bob,' they clear off to the highest
ground about."
Cockle, n. In England the
name is given to a species of the
familiar marine bivalve mollusc,
Cardium. The commonest Aus-
tralian species is Cardium tenui-
costatum, Lamarck, present in all
extra-tropical Australia. The
name is also commonly applied to
members of the genus Chione.
Cock-Schnapper, n. a fish ; the
smallest kind of Schnapper (q.v.).
See also Count-fish.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales,' p. 41 :
" The usual method of estimating
quantity for sale by the fisherman is,
by the schnapper or count-fish, the
school-fish, and squire, among which
from its metallic appearance is the
copper head or copper colour, and the
red bream. Juveniles rank the smallest
of the fry, not over an inch or two in
length, as the cock-schnapper. The
fact, however, is now generally ad-
mitted that all these are one and the
same genus, merely in different stages
of growth."
Cod, n. This common English
name of the Gadus morrhua is
applied to many fishes in Aus-
tralia of various families, Gadoid
and otherwise. In Melbourne it
is given to Lotella callarias, Giinth.,
and in New South Wales to several
fishes of the genus Serranus. Lotella
is a genus of the family Gadidcz,
to which the European Cod
belongs ; Serranus is a Sea-perch
(q.v.). See Rock Cod, Black Rock
Cod, Red Rock Cod, Black Cod*
Blue Cod, Red Cod, Murray Cod,
Cloudy Bay Cod, Ling, Groper y
Hapuku, and Haddock.
Coffee-Bush, n. a settlers' name
for the New Zealand tree the
Karamu (q.v.). Sometimes called
also Coffee-plant.
Coffer-fish, n. i.q. Trunk-fish
(q.v.).
Coffee Plant, or Coffee Berry,
n. name given in Tasmania to the
Tasmanian Native Holly (q.v.).
Colonial Experience, n. and
used as adj. same as cadet (q.v.)
in New Zealand ; a young man
learning squatting business, gain-
ing his colonial experience. Called
3\so Jackaroo (q.v.).
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Colonial
Reformer,' p. 95 :
"You're the first 'colonial experi-
ence ' young fellow that it ever occurred
to within my knowledge."
Colonial Goose, n. a boned
leg of mutton stuffed with sage
and onions. In the early days
the sheep was almost the sole
animal food. Mutton was then
cooked and served in various
ways to imitate other dishes.
Colour, n. sc. of gold. It is
sometimes used with ' 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 the colour.' "
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Miner's Right/
c. xiv. p. 149:
CON-COO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
95'
" 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 Tas-
mania,' p. 14 :
" After spending a little time there,
and not finding more than a few
colours of gold, he started for Mount
Heemskirk."
Convictism, n. the system of
transportation of convicts to
Australia and Van Diemen's
Land, now many years abolished.
1852. J. West, 'History of Tasmania,'
vol. i. p. 309 :
" May it remain nailed to the mast
until these colonies are emancipated
from convictism."
1864. 'Realm,' Feb. 24, p. 4(<O.E.D.') :
"No one who has not lived in
Australia can appreciate the profound
hatred of convictism that obtains there."
1880. G. Sutherland, 'Tales of Gold-
fields,' p. 16:
" They preferred to let things remain
as they were, convictism included."
Coobah, n. an aboriginal name
for the tree Acacia salicina, Lindl.,
N.O. Leguminosa. See Acacia.
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 and river-oaks."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xxviii. p. 400 :
" The willowy coubah weeps over
the dying streamlet."
Coo-ee, or Gooey, n. and inter/.
spelt in various ways. See quo-
tations. A call borrowed from
the aborigines and used in the
bush by one wishing to find or
to be found by another. In the
vocabulary of native words in
4 Hunter's Journal,' published in
1790, we find " C<?z/-=tocome."
1827. P. Cunningham, 'New South
Wales,' vol. ii. p. 23 :
" In calling to each other at a dis-
tance, the natives make use of the word
Coo-ee, as we do the word Hollo, pro-
longing the sound of the coo, and
closing that of the ee with a shrill jerk.
... [It has] become of general use-
throughout the colony ; and a new-
comer, in desiring an individual 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 T
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 Expedi-
tions,' p. 46 :
"Although Mr. Brown made the
woods echo with his ' cooys. 3 " [See
also p. 87, note.]
1845. Clement Hodgkinson, ' Australia
from Port Macquarie to Moreton Bay,' p.
28:
" We suddenly heard the loud shrill.
couis of the natives."
1846. C. P. Hodgson, ' Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 231 :
" Their cooi'eys are not always what
we understand by the word, viz., a call
in which the first note is low and the
second high, uttered after sound of the
word coo'iey. This is a note which
congregates all together and is used
only as a simple ' Here. 3 "
1852. J. West, 'History of Tasmania/
vol. ii. p. 91 :
"Like the natives of New South
Wales, they called to each other from
a great distance by the cooey ; a word
meaning ' come to me. 5 The Sydney
blacks modulated this cry with succes-
sive inflexions ; the Tasmanian uttered
it with less art. It is a sound of great
compass. The English in the bush
adopt it : the first syllable is prolonged ;,
the second is raised to a higher key,
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 the bush by persons
wishful to find each other. On a still
night it will travel a couple of miles,,
and it is thus highly serviceable to>
lost or benighted travellers. 33
9 6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[coo
1869. J. F. Townend, ' Reminiscences of
Australia,' p. 155 :
"The jingling of bells round the
necks of oxen, the cooey of the black
fellow . . . constituted the music of
these desolate districts."
1873. J.*B. Stephens, 4 Black Gin/ p. 82 :
" Hi ! . . . cooey ! you fella . . .
open 3 im lid."
1880. Fison and Howitt, ' Kamilaroi
and Kurnai,' p. 283 :
"A particular 'cooee 3 . . . was
made known to the young men when
-they were initiated."
1880. G. Sutherland, ' Tales of the Gold-
fields,' p. 40 :
" From the woods they heard a pro-
longed cooee, which evidently pro-
ceeded 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 of the 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 ever forgot ' coo-ee ! ' That was
the startling cry as nearly as it can be
written. But no letters can convey the
sustained shrillness of the long, pene-
trating note represented by the first
syllable, nor the weird, die-away wail
of the second. It is the well-known
bush call, 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. I ('O.E.D.'):
" A common mode of expression is
to be ' within cooey ; of a place. . . .
Now to be ' within cooey ' of Sydney is
to be at 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 'within coo-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 J and
'cooed' again, in their usual tone of
calling to each other at a distance."
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition," p. 115 :
"Brown cooeed to him, and by a
sign requested him to wait for us."
1847. J. D. Lang, ' Phillipsland,' p.
85 [Footnote] :
" Cooey is the aboriginal mode of
calling out to any person at a distance,
whether visible or not, in the forest.
The sound is made by dwelling on the
first syllable, and pronouncing the
second with a short, sharp, rising in-
flexion. It is much easier made, and
is heard to a much greater distance
than the English holla! and is con-
sequently in universal use among the
colonists. . . . There is a story current
in the colony of a party of native-born
colonists being in London, one of
whom, a young lady, if I recollect
aright, was accidentally separated from
the rest, in the endless stream of
pedestrians and vehicles of all descrip-
tions, at the intersection of Fleet Street
with the broad avenue leading to
Blackfriars Bridge. When they were
all in great consternation and per-
plexity at the circumstance, it occurred
to one of the party to cooey, and the
well-known sound, with its ten thousand
Australian associations, being at once
recognised and responded to, a reunion
of the party took place immediately,
doubtless to the great wonderment of
the surrounding Londoners, who would
probably suppose they were all fit for
Bedlam."
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
p. 90 :
'They [the aborigines] warily entered
scrubs, and called out (cooyed) re-
peatedly in approaching water-holes,
even when yet at a great distance."
1852. J. .West, c History of Tasmania,'
vol. ii. p. 91 :
" A female, born on this division of
the globe, once stood at the foot of
London Bridge, and cooyed for her
husband, of whom she had lost sight,
and stopped the passengers by the
novelty of" the sound ; which however
is not unknown in certain neighbour-
hoods of the metropolis. Some gen-
COO-COP]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
97
tlemen, on a visit to a London theatre,
to draw the attention of their friends
in an opposite box, called out cooey ; a
voice in the gallery answered ' Botany
Bay ! J "
1880 (circa). 'Melbourne Punch,' [In
the days of long trains] :
" George, there's somebody treading
on my dress ; cooee to the bottom of
the stairs."
Coo - in - new, n. aboriginal
name for "a useful verbenace-
ous timber -tree of Australia,
Gmelina leichhardtii, F. v. M. The
wood has a fine silvery grain, and
is much prized for flooring and
for the decks pf vessels, as it is
reputed never to shrink after a
moderate seasoning." (' Century.')
Usually called Mahogany - tree
(q.v.).
Coolaman or Kooliman, n. an
aboriginal word, Kamilaroi Dia-
lect of New South Wales. [W.
Ridley,' Kamilaroi,' p. 25, derives
it from Kulu, seed, but it is just
as likely from Kolle, water. J.
Mathew.] A hollowed knot of a
tree, used as a seed vessel, or
for holding water. The word is
applied to the excrescence on the
tree as well as to the vessel ; a
bush hand has been heard to
speak of a hump-backed man as
* cooliman-backed.'
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 269 :
" Three koolimans (vessels of stringy
bark) were full of honey water, 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 holding water.
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. ii. p. 24 :
" Koolimans, water vessels . . . The
koolimans were made of the inner 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 bark which
covers an excrescence peculiar to a
kind of gum-tree."
Cooper's-flag, n. another name
in New Zealand for Raupo (q.v.).
Coopers-wood, n. the timber
of an Australian tree, Alphitonia
excelsa, Reiss, JV. O. Rhamnea.
The wood becomes dark with
age, and is used for coopers'
staves and 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 bird-
name ; the Australian species is
Fulica australis, Gould. See also
Bald-Coot.
Copper-head, n. See under
Snake.
Copper Maori. This spelling
has been influenced by the Eng-
lish word Copper, but it is really
a corruption of a Maori word.
There is a difference of opinion
amongst Maori scholars what
this word is. Some say Kapura,
a common fire used for cooking,
in contradistinction to a * chiefs
fire,' at which he sat, and which
would not be allowed to be
defiled with food. Others say
Kopa. The Maori word Kopa
was (i) adj. meaning bent, (2) n.
angle or corner, and (3) the native
oven, or more strictly the hole
scooped out for the oven.
1888. T. Pine, 'Transactions of New
Zealand Institute,' 'A local tradition of
Raukawa,' vol. xxi. p. 417 :
"So they set to work and dug holes
on the flat, each hole about 2 ft. across
and about \\ ft. deep, and shaped
something like a Kopa Maori."
H
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[COP--COR
1889. H. D. M. Haszard, ibid. ' Notes
on some Relics of Cannibalism,' vol. xxii.
p. 104 :
" In two distinct places, about four
chains apart, there were a number
of Kapura Maori, or native ovens,
scattered about within a radius of
about forty feet."
Coprosma, n. scientific and
vernacular name for a large genus
of trees and shrubs of the order
Rubiacece. From the Greek /coVpos,
dung, on account of the bad smell
of some of the species. See quot-
ation. The Maori name is Kara-
mu (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. no:
" Coprosma comprises about forty
species, of which at least thirty are
found in New Zealand, all of which
are restricted to the colony except C.
pumila, which extends to Australia.
Five species are found in Australia,
one of which is C. pumila mentioned
above. A few species occur in the
Pacific, Chili, Juan Fernandez, the
Sandwich Islands, &c."
Coral, n. See Bat swing- Coral.
Coral-Pern, n. name given in
Victoria to Gleichenia circinata,
Swartz, called in Bailey's list
Parasol-fern. See Fern.
Coral-Flower, n. a plant, Epacris
(q.v.), Epacris microphylla, R. Br.,
N.O. Epacridece.
Coral-Pea, n. another name for
the Kennedy a (q.v.).
1896. ' The Melburnian,' Aug. 28, p. 53 :
"The trailing scarlet kennedyas,
aptly called the 'bleeding-heart 5 or
' coral pea,' brighten the greyness of
the sandy, peaty wastes."
Coranderrk, n. the aboriginal
name for the Victorian Dogwood
(q.v.). An "aboriginal station,"
or asylum and settlement for the
remaining members of the abori-
ginal race of Victoria, is called
after this name because the wood
grew plentifully there.
Cordage-tree, n. name given
in Tasmania to a Kurrajong (q.v.).
The name Sida pulchella has been
superseded by Plagianthus sidoides,
Hook.
1835. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack/
p. 108:
" Sida pulchella. Handsome Sida.
Currijong or cordage tree of Hobart
Town. . . . The bark used to be taken
for tying up post and rail fences, the
rafters of huts, in the earlier periods of
the colony, before nails could be so
easily procured."
Corella, n. any parrot of the
genus Nymphicus; the word is dim.
of late Lat. cora = Koprj, a girl, doll,
etc. The Australian Corella is
N. nova-hollandice, and the name
is also given to Licmetus nasicus,
Temm, the Long -billed Cockatoo
(q.v.). It is often used indis-
criminately by bird-fanciers for
any pretty little parrot, parrakeet,
or cockatoo.
Cork-tree,
Coral.
See Bafs-wing
Corkwood, n. a New Zealand
tree, Entelea arborescens^ R. Br.,
N.O. Tiliacece. Maori name, Wliau*
1889. T- Kirk ) 'Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 45 :
" The whau ... is termed cork-
wood by the settlers on account of its
light specific gravity."
Cormorant, n. common Eng-
lish bird-name. In Australia the
name is applied to the following
birds:
Black Cormorant
Graculus nova-hollandia, Stephu
Little C.
G. melanoleucus, Vieill.
Little-black C.
G. stictocephalus , Bjp.
Pied C.
G. varius. Gm.
COR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
99
White-breasted Cormorant
G. leucogaster, Gould.
White-throated C.
G. brevirostris, Gould.
Cornstalk, n. a young 1 man or
a girl born and 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 (Indian corn),
from the way in which they shoot up."
1834. Geo. Bennett, ' Wanderings in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 341 :
"The Australian ladies may com-
pete for personal beauty and elegance
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. 3 . . . The
designation 'cornstalk' is given be-
cause the young people run 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 worship so 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, and sometimes camping out
down the harbour."
Correa, n. the scientific name
of a genus of Australian plants of
the N. O. Rutacea, so named after
Correa de Serra, a Portuguese
nobleman who wrote on rutaceous
plants at the beginning of the
century. They bear scarlet or
green and sometimes yellowish
flowers, and are often called
Native 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 to the 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. Miiller, ' Botanic Teachings,'
p. 70:
"With all wish to maintain ver-
nacular names, which are not actually
misleading, I cannot call a correa by
the common colonial name 'native
fuchsia, 5 as not the slightest structural
resemblance and but little habitual
similarity exists between these plants ;
they indeed belong to widely different
orders."
Ibid.
"All Correas are geographically
restricted to the south-eastern portion
of the Australian continent and Tas-
mania, the genus containing but few
species."
1880. Mrs. Meredith, 'Tasmanian Friends
and Foes, ' p. 23 :
" I see some pretty red correa and
lilac." [Footnote] : " Correa speciosa,
native fuchsia of Colonies."
Corrobbery, n. This spelling
is nearest to the accepted pro-
nunciation, the accent falling on
the second syllable. Various
spellings, however, occur, viz.
Corobbery, Corrobery, Corroberry,
Corroborree, Corrobbory, Corro-
borry, Corrobboree, Coroboree^ Cor-
roboree, Korroboree^ Corroborri^
Corrobaree, and Caribberie. To
these Mr. Eraser adds Kardbari
(see quotation, 1892), but his
spelling has never been accepted
in English. The word comes
from the Botany Bay dialect.
[The aboriginal verb (see Rid-
ley's * Kamilaroi and other Aus-
tralian Languages,' p. 107) is
korobra, to dance ; in the same
locality boroya or beria means to
sing ; probably koro is from a
100
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[COR
common Australian word for
emu. J. Mathew.]
(i) An aboriginal name for a
dance, sacred, festive, or warlike.
1793. Governor Hunter, 'Port Jack-
son,' p. 195 :
" They very frequently, at the con-
clusion of the dance, would apply to
us ... for marks of our approbation
. . . which we never 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 harle-
quin steps."
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia/ vol.
ii. c. iii. p. 55 :
" They hold their corrobories (mid-
night 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 King George's
Sound, being tempted by the offer of
some tubs of rice and sugar were
persuaded to hold a ' corrobery ' or
great dancing party." [Description
follows.]
1838. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions/ vol. ii. p. 4 :
" There can be little doubt that the
corrobboree is the medium through
which the delights of poetry aud the
drama are enjoyed in a limited degree,
even by these primitive savages of
New Holland."
1844. Mrs. Meredith. ' Notes and
Sketches of New South Wales/ p. 91 :
" Great preparations were made, as
for a grand corrobory, or festival, the
men divesting themselves of even the
portions of clothing commonly worn,
and painting their naked black bodies
in a hideous manner with pipe-clay.
After dark, they lit their fires, which
are small, but kept blazing with con-
stant additions of dry bark and leaves,
and the sable gentry assembled by
degrees as they completed their even-
ing toilette, full dress being painted
nudity. A few began dancing in
different parties, preparatory to the
grand display, and the women, squat-
ting on the ground, commenced their
strange monotonous chant, each beat-
ing accurate time with two boomer-
angs. Then began the grand corro-
bory, and all the men joined in the
dance, leaping, jumping, bounding
about in the most violent manner, but
always in strict unison with each other,
and keeping time with the chorus,
accompanying their wild gesticulations
with frightful yells, and noises. The
whole * tableau ' is fearfully grand !
The dark wild forest scenery around
the bright fire-light gleaming upon
the savage and uncouth figures of the
men, their natural dark hue being
made absolutely horrible by the paint-
ings bestowed on them, consisting of
lines and other marks done in white
and red pipe-clay, which gives them
an indescribably ghastly and fiendish
aspect their strange attitudes, and
violent contortions and movements,
and the unearthly sound of their yells,
mingled with the wild and monotonous
wail-like chant of the women, make
altogether a very near approach to the
horribly sublime in the estimation of
most Europeans who have witnessed
an 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 being accom-
panied by the beating of two sticks
together, and by the women thumping
their opossum rugs."
1847. J. D. Lang, ' Cooksland/ p. 447
[Footnote] :
" These words, which were quite as
unintelligible to the natives as the cor-
responding words in the vernacular
language of the white men would have
been, were learned by the natives, and
are now commonly used by them in
conversing with Europeans, as English
words. Thus corrobbory, the Sydney
word for a general assembly of natives,
is now commonly used in that sense at
Moreton Bay ; but the original word
there is yanerwille. Gabon, great ;
narang, little ; boodgeree, good ; myall,
wild native, etc. etc., are all words of
this description, supposed by the
COR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
101
natives [of Queensland] to be English
words, and by the Europeans to be
aboriginal words of the language of
that district."
[The phrase "general assembly"
would rise naturally in the mind of
Dr. Lang as a Presbyterian minister ;
but there is no evidence of anything
parliamentary about a corrobbery.]
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
p. 78:
" The exact object or meaning of
their famous corrobboree or native
dance, beyond mere exercise and
patience, has not as yet been properly
ascertained ; but it seems to be
mutually understood and very ex-
tensively practised throughout Aus-
tralia, and is generally a sign of
mutual fellowship and good feeling
on 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.' "
1854. E. Stone Parker, 'Aborigines of
Australia,' p. 21 :
"It is a very great mistake to sup-
pose . . . that there is any kind of
religious ceremony connected with
the ordinary corrobory ... I may
also remark that the term corrobory is
not a native word."
[It is quite certain that it is native,
though not known to Mr. E. Stone
Parker.]
1862. G. T. Lloyd, ' Thirty-three Years
in Tasmania and Victoria,' p. 49 :
[In Tasmania] "the assembling of
the tribes was always celebrated by a
grand corroboree, a species of bestial
bal masque. On such occasions they
presented a most grotesque and
demon-like appearance, their heads,
faces, and bodies, liberally greased
were besmeared alternately with clay
and red ochre ; large tufts of bushy
twigs were entwined around their
ankles, wrists, and waists ; and these
completed their toilet."
1879. J- D - Woods, ' Native Tribes of
South Australia,' Introduction, pp. xxxii.
and xxxiii. :
"The principal dance is common
all over the continent, and 'corrob-
boree 5 is the name by which it is
commonly known. It is not quite
clear what a corrobboree is intended
to signify. Some think it a war-dance
others that it is a representation of
their hunting expeditions others
again, that it is a religious, or pagan,
observance ; but on this even the
blacks themselves give no inform-
ation."
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
p. 41 :
"The good fortune to witness a
korroboree, that is a festive dance by
the natives in the neighbourhood."
1892. J. Fraser, ' The Aborigines of
New South Wales,' p. 21 :
" ' Kardbari ' is an aboriginal name
for those dances which our natives
often have in the forests at night.
Hitherto the name has been written
corrobboree, but etymologically it
should be kardbari, for it comes from
the same root as ' karaji,' a wizard or
medicine-man, and ' bari ' is a common
formative in the native languages.
The kardbari has been usually re-
garded as a form of amusement . . .
these dances partake of a semi-
religious character." [Mr. Eraser's
etymology is regarded as far-fetched.]
(2) The song that accompanied
the dance.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' 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
utmost enthusiasm. . . . These corro-
borrees travel for many hundreds of
miles from the place where they origin-
ated. . . . These composers [of song
and dance] pretend that the Spirit
of Evil originally 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 Tommy was always after a hero
amongst his countrymen."
(3) By transference, any large
102
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[COR-COT
social gathering or public meet-
ing.
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, fuss or 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 chatter-
ing corrobories in the tops of 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 bush-
rangers, if they went in for that sort
of thing."
1897. 'The Herald,' Feb. 15, p. i,
col. i :
" Latest about the Cretan corroboree
in our cable messages this evening.
The situation at the capital is decidedly
disagreeable. A little while ago the
Moslems threw the Christians out and
took charge. Now the last report is
that there is a large force of Christians
attacking the city and quite ready, we
doubt not, to cut every Moslem throat
that comes in the way."
Corrobbery, v. (i) 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. Fraed, 'Australian Life,'
p. 22 :
" For some time the district where
the nut [bunya] abounds is a scene of
feasting and corroboreeing."
. ( 2 ) Bv transference to animals,
birds, insects, etc.
1846. C. P. Hodgson, 'Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 257 :
" The mosquitoes from the swamps
corroboreed with unmitigated ardour."
1871. C. Darwin, 'Descent of Man'
(2nd ed. 1885), p. 406 :
"The Menura Alberti [see Lyre-
bird] scratches for itself shallow holes,
or, as they are called by the natives,
corroborying places, where it is be-
lieved both sexes assemble."
(3) To boil ; to dance as boil-
ing 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 of the quart-pots, which was
boiling madly, while with the other he
dropped in about as much tea as he
could hold between his fingers and
thumb."
Ibid. p. 49 :
"They had almost finished their
meal before the new quart corro-
borreed, as the stockman phrased it."
Corypha-palm, . an obsolete
name for Livistona inermis, now
called Cabbage-tree (q.v.).
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 49 :
"The bottle-tree and the corypha-
palm were frequent."
Cottage, n. a house in which
all the rooms are on the ground-
floor. An auctioneer's advertise-
ment often runs " large weather-
board cottage, twelve rooms, etc.,"
or "double-fronted brick cottage."
The cheapness of land caused
nearly all suburban houses in
Australia to be built without
upper storeys and detached.
Cotton-bush, n. name applied
to two trees called Salt-bush (q.v.).
(i) Bassia bicornis, Lindl. (2)
Kochia aphylla, R. Br., N.O. Sal-
solacea. S. Dixon (apud Maiden,
p. 132) thus describes it
" All kinds of stock are often largely
dependent on it during protracted
droughts, and when neither grass nor
COT-CRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
103
hay are obtainable I have known the
whole bush chopped up and mixed
with a little corn, when it proved an
excellent fodder for horses."
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 the shrub Pimelea
mvea } Lab., N.O. Thymelecz.
Cotton-tree, n. an Australian
tree, Hibiscus tiliaceus. Linn., N.O.
Malvaceae.
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants/ p. 624 :
" The fibre of the bark [cotton-tree]
is used for nets and fishing-lines by
the aborigines."
Cotton-wood, n. the timber of
an Australian tree, Bedfordia sali-
cina, De C.,N.O. Composite. 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 Southern New
South Wales, on account of the abun-
dant down on the leaves. A hard,
pale-brown, well-mottled wood, said
by some to be good for furniture. It
emits a foetid smell when cut/'
Coucal, n. a bird-name, " men-
tioned probably for the first time
in Le Vaillant's * Oiseaux d'Af-
rique,' beginning about 1796 ;
perhaps native African. An
African or Indian spear-headed
cuckoo : a name first definitely
applied by Cuvier in 1817 to the
birds of the genus Centropus"
(' Century.') The Australian spe-
cies is Centropus phasianellus,
Gould, or Centropus phasianus,
Lath. It is called also Swamp-
pheasant (q.v.), and Pheasant-cuckoo.
Count-fish, n. a large Schnapper
(q.v.). See Cock- Schnapper.
1874. ' Sydney Mail,' ' Fishes and Fish-
ing in New South Wales ' :
" The ordinary schnapper or count-
fish implies that all of a certain size are
to count as twelve to the dozen, the
shoal or school-fish eighteen or twenty-
four to the dozen, and the squire, thirty
or thirty-six to the dozen the latter
just according to their size, the red-
bream at per bushel."
Count-muster, n. a gathering,
especially of sheep or cattle in
order to count them.
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, ' A Sydney-side
Saxon,' p. i :
" The old man's having a regular
count-muster of his sons and daughters,
and their children and off-side rela-
tives 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 J is the
only common name in general use.
When the timber was first introduced
into Britain it was termed ' cowrie-' or
' kowdie-pine ' ; but the name speedily
fell into disuse, although it still appears
as the common name in some horti-
cultural 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
(Corynocarptis Icevigata), also called
kopi by the natives, and cow-tree by
Europeans (from that animal being
partial to its leaves), grows luxuriantly
in Sydney."
Crab, n. Of the various Austra-
lian species of this marine crusta-
cean, Scylla serrata alone is large
enough to be much used as food,
and it is seldom caught. In Tas-
mania and Victoria, Pseudocarcinus
gigas, called the King-Crab, which
reaches a weight of 20 Ibs., is
occasionally brought to market.
There is only one fresh-water
104
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CRA
crab known in Australia Tel-
phusa transversa.
1896. Spencer and Hall, ' Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' Zoology, p.
228:
" In the case of Telphusa transversa,
the fresh-water crab, the banks of
certain water holes are riddled with
its burrows."
Crab-hole, n. a hole leading
into a pit-like burrow, made origin-
ally by a burrowing crayfish, and
often afterwards increased in size
by the draining into it of water.
The burrows are made by cray-
fish belonging to the genera
Engceus and Astacopsis, which are
popularly known as land-crabs.
1848. Letter by Mrs. Perry, given in
Canon Goodman's ' Church in Victoria,
during Episcopate of Bishop Perry,' p. 72 :
" Full of crab holes, which are ex-
ceedingly dangerous for the horses.
There are holes varying in depth from
one to three feet, and the smallest of
them wide enough to admit the foot
of a horse : nothing more likely than
that a horse should break its leg in
one . . . These holes are formed by
a small land-crab and then gradually
enlarged by the water draining into
them."
1859. H. Kingsley, 'Geoffrey Hamlyn,'
p. 368 :
" This brute put his foot in a crab-
hole, and came down, rolling on 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, 7z. common in Australia,
but of Californian origin. "A
trough on rockers in which auri-
ferous earth or sand is shaken
in water, in order to separate and
collect the gold." (' O.E.D.')
1849. { Illustrated London News,' Nov.
T 7> P- 3 2 5> col. I ('O.E.D.') [This applies
to California, and is before the Australian
diggings began] :
" Two men can keep each other
steadily at work, the one digging and
carrying the earth in a bucket, and
the other washing and rocking the
cradle."
1851. Letter by Mrs. Perry, quoted in
Canon Goodman's ' Church in Victoria
during Episcopate of Bishop Perry,' p.
171 :
" The streets are full of cradles and
drays packed for the journey."
1858. T. McCombie, ' History of Vic-
toria,' 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 a miner's cradle.
1890. RolfBoldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. 21, p. 197 :
" The laborious process of washing
and * cradling ' the ore."
Crake, n. common English
bird-name. The Australian varie-
ties ^re
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
also Ground-berry ; name given
to three Australian shrubs, (i)
Styphelia (formerly Lissanthe) humi-
fusa, Persoon, N.O. Epacridcce.
1834. J. Ross, 'Van Diemen's Land
Annual,' p. 133 :
" Astroloma humifusum. The native
cranberry has a fruit of a green, red-
dish, or whitish colour, about the size
of a black currant, consisting of a
viscid apple-flavoured pulp inclosing
a large seed ; this fruit grows singly on
the trailing stems of a small shrub
CRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
105
resembling juniper, bearing beautiful
scarlet blossoms in autumn."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 8 :
"Commonly called 'ground-berry.'
In Tasmania the fruits are often called
native cranberries. The fruits of these
dwarf shrubs are much appreciated
by school-boys and aboriginals. They
have a viscid, sweetish pulp, with a
relatively large stone. 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.
Epacridea.
1866. 'Treasury of Botany/ p. 688
('O.E.D.') :
" Lissanthe sapida, a native of South-
eastern Australia, is called the Aus-
tralian Cranberry, on account of its
resemblance 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 like the cran-
berry of Europe both in size and
colour, but its flesh is thin, and has
been likened to that of the Siberian
crab. [Found in] New South Wales."
(3) Pernettya tasmanica, Hook.,
N.O. Ericece. (peculiar to Tas-
mania).
Crane, n. common English
bird-name. In Australia used for
(i) the Native-Companion (q.v.),
Grus australianus, Gould ; (2) vari-
ous Herons, especially in New
Zealand, where the varieties are
Blue Crane (Matuku}, Ardea
sacra, Gmel. ; White Crane (Ko-
tuku], Ardea egretta, Gmel. See
Kotuku and Nankeen Crane. The
Cranes and the Herons are often
popularly confused.
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,' vol.
vi. pi. 53 :
" Ardea Novcz-Hollandicz, Lath.,
White-fronted Heron, Blue Crane of
the colonists. Herodias Jugnlaris,
Blue Reef Heron, Blue Crane, colonists
of Port Essington."
1848. Ibid. pi. 58 :
" Herodias Immaculata, Gould [later
melanopus^ Spotless Egret, White
Crane of the colonists."
1890. 'Victorian Consolidated Statutes,.
Game Act,' 3rd Schedule :
"[Close Season.] All Birds known
as Cranes such as Herons, Egrets, &c.
From First day of August to Twentieth
day of December following in each
year."
Craw-fish, n. a variant of
Crayfish (q.v.).
Crawler, n. that which crawls ;.
used specially in Australia of
cattle.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Colonial
Reformer,' p. 217 :
" Well-bred station crawlers, as the
stockmen term them from their peace-
able and orderly habits."
Cray-fish, n. The Australasian
Cray-fish belong to the family
ParastacidcB) the members of which
are confined to the southern hemi-
sphere, whilst those of the family
Potamobiidce, are found in the
northern hemisphere. The two
families are distinguished from
one another by, amongst other
points of structure, the absence
of appendages on the first ab-
dominal segment in the Para-
stacidcz. The Australasian cray-
fishes are classified in the fol-
lowing genera Astacopsis, found
in the fresh waters of Tasmania
and the whole of Australia ; En-
gaeus, a land-burrowing form,
found only in Tasmania and
Victoria ; Paranephrops, found in
the fresh waters of New Zealand ;
and Palinurus, found on the coasts
of Australia and New Zealand..
The species are as follows :
(i) The Yabber or Yabbie Cray-
fish. Name given to the com-
monest fresh - water Australian
Cray-fish, Astacopsis bicarinatus^
Gray. This is found in water-
holes, but not usually in running
streams, over the greater part of
io6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CRA
the continent, and often makes
burrows in the ground away from
water, and may also do great
damage by burrowing holes
through the banks of dams and
reservoirs and water-courses, as
at Mildura. It was first described
as the Port Essington Crayfish.
1845. Gray, in E. J. Eyre's ' Expeditions
into Central Australia,' vol. i. p. 410 :
"The Port Essington Cray fish.
Astacus bicarinatus"
1885. F. McCoy, 'Prodromus of the
Zoology of Victoria/ Dec. 2, pi. 29 :
" They are commonly known about
Melbourne by the native name of
Yabber or Yabbie."
(2) The Murray Lobster or the
.Spiny Cray-fish. Name given to
the largest Australian fresh-water
Cray-fish, Astacopsisserratus, Shaw,
which reaches a length of over
twelve inches, and is found in
the rivers of the Murray system,
and in the southern rivers of
Victoria such as the Yarra, the
latter being distinguished as a
variety of the former and called
locally the Yarra Spiny Cray-fish.
1890. F. McCoy, ' Prodromus of the
Zoology of Victoria/ Dec. 8, pi. 160:
" Our plate 160 illustrates a remark-
able variety of the typical A. serratus
of the Murray, common in the Yarra
and its numerous affluents flowing
southwards."
(3) The Tasmanian Cray-fish.
Name given to the large fresh-
water Cray-fish found in Tas-
mania, Astacopsis frankUnii) Gray.
(4) The Land-crab. Name ap-
plied to the burrowing Cray-fish
of Tasmania and Victoria, En-
gceus fossor, Erich., and other
species. This is the smallest of
the Australian Cray-fish, and in-
habits burrows on land, which it
excavates for itself and in which
a small store of water is retained.
When the burrow, as frequently
happens, falls in there is formed
a Crab-hole (q.v.).
1892. G. M. Thomson, ' Proceedings of
the Royal Society of Tasmania/ p. 2 :
"Only four of the previously de-
scribed forms are fresh-water species,
namely : Astacopsis franklinii and
A. tasmanicus, Engaus fossor and
E. cunicularius, all fresh-water cray
fishes."
(5) New Zealand Fresh -water
Cray-fish. Name applied to Para-
nephrops zealandicus, White, which
is confined to the fresh water of
New Zealand.
1889. T - I- Parker, ' Studies in Biology '
(Colonial Museum and Geological Survey
Department, New Zealand), p. 5 :
" Paranephrops which is small and
has to be specially collected in rivers,
creeks or lakes."
(6) Sydney Cray-fish. Name
given to the large salt-water
Cray-fish, rarely called Craw-fish,
or Spiny Lobster, found along
the Sydney coast, Palinurus
hilgeli, Heller.
1890. F. McCoy, ' Prodromus of the
Zoology of Victoria/ Dec. 16, pi. 159:
" This species, which is the common
Sydney Craw-fish, is easily distin-
guished from the southern one, the
P. Lalandi, which is the common
Melbourne Craw-fish."
(7) Southern Rock-Lobster or Mel-
bourne Cray-fish. Name given to
the large salt-water Cray-fish,
sometimes called Craw-fish, found
along the southern coast and
common in the Melbourne market,
Palinurus lalandi, Lam.
1890. F. McCoy, 'Prodromus of the
Zoology of Victoria/ Dec. 15, pi. 150:
" I suggest the trivial name of
Southern Rock Lobster for this species,
which abounds in Victoria, Tasmania
and New Zealand, as well as the Cape
of Good Hope . . . does not appear to
have been noticed as far north as
Sydney."
The name Craw-fish is merely
an ancient variant of Cray-fish,
though it is said by Gasc, in his
French Dictionary, that the term
was invented by the London fish-
mongers to distinguish the small
CRE]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
107
Spiny Lobster , which has no claws,
from the common Lobster, which
has claws. The term Lobster, in
Australia, is often applied to the
Sydney Cray-fish (see 7, above).
Creadion, n. scientific name
given by Vieillot in 1816 to a
genus of birds peculiar to New
Zealand, from Greek /cpeaSiov, a
morsel of flesh, dim. of xpeas, flesh.
Buller says, " from the angle
of the mouth on each side there
hangs a fleshy wattle, or caruncle,
shaped like a cucumber seed and
of a changeable bright yellow
colour." ('Birds of New Zealand,'
1886, vol. i. p. 1 8.) The Jack-
bird (q.v.) and Saddle-back (q.v.)
are the two species.
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
p. 404 :
" Family Sturnida Tieki (Creadion
Carunculatus). This is a beautiful
black bird with a chestnut band across
the back and wings ; it has also a
fleshy lappet on either side of the
head. The tieki is considered a bird
of omen : if one 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 of a river. "An
application of the word entirely
unknown in Great Britain."
{'O.E.D.') The 'Standard Dic-
tionary' gives, as a use in the
United States, "a tidal or valley
stream, between a brook and a
river in size." In Australia, the
name brook is not used. Often
pronounced crick, as in the United
States.
Dr. J. A. H. Murray kindly
sends the following note: "Creek
goes back to the early days of
exploration. Men sailing up the
Mississippi or other navigable
river saw the mouths of tributary
streams, but could not tell with-
out investigation whether they
were confluences or mere inlets,
creeks. They called them creeks,
but many of them turned out to
be running streams, many miles
long tributary rivers or rivulets.
The name creek stuck to them,
however, and thus became syno-
nymous with tributary stream,
brook."
1793. Governor Hunter, 'Voyage/ p.
516:
"In the afternoon a creek obliged
them to leave the banks of the river,
and go round its head, as it was too
deep to cross : having rounded the
head of this creek . . . 7 '
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 the Rev. Mr.
Marsden on the creek."
1826. Goldie, in Bischoifs 'Van Die-
men'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 a transitory existence,
now swollen by the casual shower, and
again rapidly subsiding under the
general dryness and heat of the
climate."
1854. 'Bendigo Advertiser,' quoted in
' Melbourne Morning Herald,' May 29 :
" A Londoner reading of the cross-
ing of a creek would naturally imagine
the scene to be in the immediate
neighbourhood of the coast, instead of
being perhaps some hundreds of miles
in the interior, and would dream of
salt water, perriwinkles and sea-weed,
when he should be thinking of slimy
mud-holes, black snakes and gigantic
gum-trees."
1861. Mrs. Meredith, ' Over the Straits,'
c. iv. p. 134 :
" The little rivulet, called, with that
singular pertinacity for error which I
have so often noticed here, 'the
creek.' "
loS
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CRE-CRU
1865. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand,' p. 29 :
" The creek, just like a Scotch burn,
hurrying and tumbling down the hill-
side to join the broader stream in the
valley."
1870. P. Wentworth, 'Amos Thorne,'
i. p. II :
" 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 water-
courses, and dignified by the name of
'river,' or small tributaries called by
the less sounding appellation 'creeks.' "
1887. Cassell's 'Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. i. p. 41 :
" Generally where the English lan-
guage is spoken a creek means a small
inlet of the sea, but in Australia a
creek is literally what it is etymologic-
ally, a crack in the ground. In dry
weather there is very little water ;
perhaps in the height of summer the
stream altogether ceases to run, and
the creek becomes a string of water-
holes ; but when the heavens are
opened, 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 genus Certhi-
parus, N.O. Passeres. The Maori
names are Pipipi, Toitoi, and
Mohona.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 51 :
" Certhiparus Novce Zelandice,
Finsch. New Zealand Creeper." [A
full description.]
Cronk, adj. Derived from the
German krank sick or ill. (i)
A racing term used of a horse
which is out of order and not
" fit " for the contest ; hence
transferred to a horse whose
owner is shamming its illness
and making it "run crooked"
for the purpose of cheating its
backers. (2) Used more gener-
ally as slang, but not recognized
in Barere and 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 figure because
it was ' cronk.' The word ' cronk,*
Mr. Finlayson explained, meant 'not
honestly come by.' "
Crow, n. common English
bird-name. The Australian
species is White-eyed, Corvus
coronoides V. and H. In New
Zealand (Maori name, Kokako]
the name is used for the Blue-
wattled Crow, Glaucopis wilsoni
and for the (N. island) Orange-
wattled, G. tittered, Gmel. (S.
island).
Crow-shrike, n. Australian
amalgamation of two common
English bird-names. The Crow-
shrikes are of three genera, Stre-
pera, Gymnorrhina, and Cracticus.
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. plumbed^ Gould.
Pied C.-
S. graculina, White.
Birds of the genus Gymnorrhina
are called Magpies (q.v.). Those
of the genus Cracticus are called
Butcher-birds (q.v.).
Crush, n. a part of a stock-
yard. See quotations.
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 69 :
"A crush, which is an elongated
funnel, becoming so narrow at the end
CUC-CUL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
109
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 osculant, Gould.
Bronze C.
Chalcoccyx plagosuS) Lath.
Brush C.
Cacomantis insperatus. [Gould,
'Birds of Australia,' vol. iv.
pi. 87.]
Chestnut-breasted C.
C. castanei-ventris, Gould.
Fantailed C.
C.flabtlliformis, Lath.
Little-bronze C.
Chalcoccyx malayanus, Raffles.
Narrow-billed bronze C.
C. basalts, Hors.
Oriental C.
Cuculus intermedius, Vahl.
Pallid C.
Cacomantis pallidus and C. cano-
rus. Linn.
Square-tailed C.
C. variolosus, Hors.
Whistling-bronze C.
Chalcoccyx lucidus, Gmel.
In New Zealand, the name is
applied to Eudynamis taitensis (sc.
of Tahiti) Sparm., the Long-tailed
Cuckoo; and to Chrysococcyx luci-
dus, Gmel., the Shining Cuckoo.
The name Cuckoo has sometimes
been applied to the Mopoke (q.v.)
and to the Boobook (q.v.). See
also Pheasant-cuckoo,
1855. G. W. Rusden, ' Moyarra,' Notes,
p. 30:
" The Australian cuckoo is a night-
jar, 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 Long-
tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamis taitensis},
and the beautiful Bronze or Shining
Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidtis}. They
are both migratory birds. The Long-
tailed Cuckoo spends its winter in some
of the Pacific islands, the Shining
Cuckoo in Australia."
Cuckoo-shrike, n. This com-
bination of two common English
bird-names is assigned in Aus-
tralia to the following
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. Gray-
ling (q.v.).
Cultivation paddock, n. a field
that has been tilled and not kept
for grass.
1853. Chas. St. Julian and Ed. K. Sil-
vester, 'The Productions, Industry, and
Resources of New South Wales,' p. 170 :
"Few stations of any magnitude
are without their 'cultivation pad-
docks,' 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 of trees,
some twenty to thirty acres in extent,
on the banks of the creek, known as
the 'Cultivation Paddock,' where in
former days my husband had grown
a sufficient supply of wheat for home
consumption.'"'
110
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CUR
1893. 'The Argus,' June 17, p. I3>
col. 4 :
"How any man could have been
such an idiot as to attempt to make a
cultivation paddock on a bed of clay
passed all my knowledge.'
Curlew, n. common English
bird-name. The Australian
species is Numenius cyanopus,
Vieill. The name, however, is
more generally applied to (Edic-
nemus grallarius, 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 the curlew, which
you take no notice of in course of
time ; but which to us, wet, weary,
hungry, and strange, sounded most
eerie."
1890. 'Victorian Statutes, Game Act,
Third Schedule ' :
" Southern Stone Plover or Curlew."
1894. <The Argus,' June 23, p. II,
col. 4 :
"The calling of the stone plover.
It might as well be a curlew at once,
for it will always be a curlew to country
people. Its first call, with the pause
between, sounds like 'Curlew 3 that
is, if you really want it to sound so,
though the blacks get much nearer
the real note with ' Koo-loo,' the first
syllable sharp, the second long drawn
out."
1896. Dr. Holden, of Hobart, ' Private
letter,' Jan. :
"There is a curlew in Australia,
closely resembling the English bird,
and it calls as that did over the Locks-
ley Hall sand-dunes ; but Australians
are given to calling CEdicnemus gral-
larius Latham (our Stone Plover),
the ' curlew,' which is a misnomer. This
also drearily wails, and after dark."
Currajong or Currijong, i.q.
Kurrajong (q.v.).
Currant, Native, n. The name
is given to various shrubs and
trees of the genus Coprosma, espe-
cially Coprosma billardieri, Hook.,
N.O. Rubiacea; also to Leucopogon
richei, Lab., N.O. Epacridea,
various species of Leptomeria, N. O.
Santalacea, and Myoporum serra-
tum, R. Br., N.O. Myoporima.
The names used for M. serratum,
chiefly in South Australia, are
Blueberry Tree, Native Juniper,
Native Myrtle^ Palberry, and Cock-
atoo 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 the cranberry, and
make an excellent preserve when
mixed with the raspberry."
1834. Ross, 'Van Diemen's Land
Annual,' p. 133:
" Leucopogon lanceolatum. A large
bush with numerous harsh leaves,
growing along the sea shore, with
some other smaller inland shrubs of
the same tribe, produces very small
white berries of a sweetish and rather
herby flavour. These are promiscuously
called white or native currants in the
colony."
["The insignificant and barely edible
berries of this shrub are said to have
saved the life of the French botanist
Riche, who was lost in the bush on the
South Australian coast for three days,,
at the close of the last century."
(Maiden.) The plant is now called L.
Riekei.]
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 (over half a century ago)
when British fruits were scarce, it
was made into puddings by some
of the settlers of Tasmania, but the
size and number of the seeds were
objectionable."
Currant, Plain, n. See Plain
Currant.
Currency, n. (i) Name given
especially to early paper-money
in the Colonies, issued by private
traders and of various values, and
in general to the various coins of
CUS-CUT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
IIP
foreign countries, which were
current and in circulation. Bar-
rington, in his 4 History of New
South Wales ' (1802), gives a
table of such 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
$s. each. 3 Some . . . make them pay-
able in Colonial currency."
[p. 69, note] : " 25^. 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 all Contracts and
Agreements whatsoever which . . .
shall be drawn and circulated or issued,
or made and entered into, and shall
be therein expressed ... to be pay-
able in Currency, Current Money,
Spanish Dollars . . . shall be ...
Null and Void."
1862. Geo. Thos. Lloyd, ' Thirty-three
years in Tasmania and Victoria,' p. 9 :
"Every man in business . . issued
promissory notes, varying in value
from the sum of fourpence to twenty
shillings, payable on demand. "These
notes received the appellation of paper
currency. . . The pound sterling re-
presented twenty-five shillings 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 XX I . Currency or Colonial-
born population."
Ibid. p. 33 :
" Our colonial-born brethren are best
known here by the name of Cttrrency, in
contradistinction to Sterling, or those
born in the mother-country. The
name was originally given by a face-
tious paymaster of the 73rd Regiment
quartered here the pound currency
being at that time inferior to the
pound sterling."
1833. H. W. Parker, 'Rise, Progress,
and Present State of Van Diemen's Land,'
p. 189 :
" The Currency lads, as the country-
born colonists in the facetious nomen-
clature of the colony are called, in
contradistinction 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 colonial vessels." [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 a striking
characteristic of colonial craftsmen, at
least of the * currency ' or native-born
portion. Many of them who are clever,
ingenious and industrious, will begin a
new work, be it ship, house, or other
erection, and labour at it most assidu-
ously until it be about two-thirds com-
pleted, and then their energy seems
spent, or they grow weary of the old
occupation, and some new affair is set
about as busily as the former one."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Colonial
Reformer,' p. 35 :
"English girls have such lovely
complexions and cut out us poor cur-
rency lasses altogether."
Ibid. p. 342 :
" You're a regular Currency lass . . .
always thinking about horses."
Cushion-flower, n. i.q. Hakea
laurina, R. Br. See Hakea.
Cut out, v. ( i ) To separate cattle
from the rest of the herd in the
open.
1873. Marcus Clarke, 'Holiday Peak,
&c.,' p. 70 :
"The other two . . . could cut out
a refractory bullock with the best
stockman on the plains."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' c. x. p. 7 2 :
" We . . camped for the purpose of
separating our cattle, either by drafting
through the yard, or by * cutting out '
on horse-back."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 70 :
" Drafting on the camp, or c cutting
112
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[CUT
out ' as it is generally called, is a very
pretty performance to watch, if it is well
done."
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 sirpple as going on to
a cutting-out camp up North and run-
ning 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 psit-
tacorum, Labill., N.O. Cyperacea.
It grows very long narrow blades
whose thin rigid edge will readily
cut flesh if incautiously handled ;
it is often called Sword-grass.
1858. T. McCombie ' History of Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 8 :
" Long grass, known as cutting-grass
between four and five feet high, the
blade an inch and a half broad, the
edges exquisitely sharp."
1891. W. Tilley, Wild West of Tas-
mania,' p. 42 :
"Travelling would be almost im-
possible but for the button rush and
cutting grass, which grow in big tus-
socks out of the surrounding bog."
1894. ' The Age,' Oct. 19, p. 5, col. 8 :
" ' Cutting grass ' is the technical
term for a hard, tough grass about
eight or ten inches high, three-edged
like a bayonet, which stock cannot eat
because in their efforts to bite it off it
cuts their mouths."
DAB-DAM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Dabchick, n. common English
bird-name. The New Zealand
species is Podiceps rufipectus. There
is no species in Australia.
Dacelo, n. Name given by
"W. E. Leach, 1816. An ana-
gram or transposition of Lat.
Alcedo, a Kingfisher." ('Cen-
tury.') Scientific name for the
Jackass (q.v.).
Dactylopsila, n. the scientific
name of the Australian genus of
the Striped Phalanger, called
locally the Striped Opossum; see
Opossum. It has a long bare toe.
(Grk. SaKTvAos, a finger, and i/fiAo?,
bare.)
Daisy, Brisbane, n. a Queens-
land and New South Wales plant,
Brachycome microcarpa, F. v. M.,
N.O. Composites.
Daisy, Native, n. a Tasmanian
flower, Brachycome detipiens. Hook.,
N.O. Composites.
Daisy Tree, n. two Tasmanian
trees, Astur stellulatus, Lab., and
A. glandulosus, Lab., N.O. Com-
posites. The latter is called the
Swamp- Daisy- Tree.
Dam, n. In England, the word
means a barrier to stop water :
in Australia, it also means the
rater so stopped, as 'O.E.D.'
shows it does in Yorkshire.
1873. Marcus Clarke, 'Holiday Peak,
=.,'p. 76:
" The dams were brimming at
Quartz-borough, St. Roy reservoir was
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 sub-
divided into paddocks smaller than
20,000 acres apiece. If in each of
these there is but one waterhole or
dam that can be relied upon to hold
out in drought, sheep and cattle will
destroy as much grass in tramping
from the far corners of the grazing to
the drinking spot as they will eat.
Four paddocks of 5,000 acres each,
well supplied with water, ought to
carry almost double the number of
sheep."
1896. 'The Argus,' March 30, p. 6,
col. 9 :
" [The murderer] has not since been
heard of. Dams and waterholes have
been dragged . . . but without result."
Dammara, n. an old scientific
name of the genus, including the
Kauri Pine (q.v.). It is from the
Hindustani, damar, * resin.' The
name was applied to the Kauri
Pine by Lambert in 1832, but it
was afterwards found that Salis-
bury, in 1805, had previously
constituted the genus Agathis for
the reception of the Kauri Pine
and the Dammar Pine of Am-
boyna. This priority of claim
necessitated the modern restora-
tion of Agathis as the name of
the genus.
Damper, n. a large scone of
flour and water baked in hot
ashes ; the bread of the bush,
which is always unleavened.
[The addition of water to the
i
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DAM-DAP
flour suggests a more 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, which they call
damper , and cook these in the ashes. . ."
1833. C. Sturt, 'Southern Australia,'
vol. ii. c. viii. p. 203 :
" I watched the distorted counten-
ances of my humble companions while
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. It is the
bread of the bush, made with flour and
water kneaded together 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 is generally 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 usually styled a damper."
[Footnote] : " This appellation is said
to have originated somehow with
Dampier, the celebrated navigator."
1867. F. Hochstetter, ' New Zealand,'
p. 284:
" ' Damper ' is a dough made from
wheat-flour and water without yeast,
which is simply pressed flat, and baked
in the ashes ; according to civilized
notions, rather hard of digestion, but
quite agreeable to hungry woodmen's
stomachs."
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 2O:
" At first we had rather a horror of
eating damper, imagining it to 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 sheet of bark,
and then kneaded into a disc some
two or three inches thick to about one
or two feet in diameter, great care to
avoid cracks being taken in the knead-
ing. This is placed in a hole scraped
to its size in the hot ashes, covered
over, and there left till small cracks
caused by the steam appear on the
surface of its covering. This is a sign
that it is nearly done, and in a few
minutes the skilful chef will sound it
over with his knife, and if he finds it
hard will take it out and stand it on its
edge to cool. No disagreeable dust or
grit ever adheres, and the smell, espe-
cially to a hungry bushman, is most
seductive."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
P- 9:
" Their palates have been ruined by
an everlasting diet of mutton and
dyspeptic damper."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Colonial
Reformer,' p. 85 :
" Wedges of damper (or bread baked
in hot ashes) were cut from time to time
from great circular flat loaves of that
palatable and wholesome but some-
what compressed-looking bread."
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
p. 32:
" Damper is the name of a kind of
bread made of wheat flour and water.
The dough is shaped into a flat round
cake, which is baked in red-hot ashes.
This bread looks very inviting, and
tastes very good as long as it is fresh,
but it soon becomes hard and dry."
Damson, Native, n. called also
Native Plum y an Australian shrub,
Nageia spimdosa, F. v. M., N.O.
Conifera.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 53 :
"Native Damson or Native Plum.
This shrub possesses edible fruit,
something like a plum, hence its ver-
nacular names. The Rev. Dr. Woolls
tells me that, mixed with jam of the
Native Currant (Leptomeria acida), it
makes a very good pudding."
Dandelion, Native, n. a flower-
ing plant, Podolepis acuminata^ R.
Br., N.O. Composite.
Daphne, Native, n. an Austra-
lian timber, Myoporum viscorum, R.
Br., N.O. Myoporinece; called also
Dogwood and Waterbush.
DAR-DEA
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
115
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
IMams,' p. 575 :
" Native Daphne. . . . Timber soft
.and moderately light, yet tough. It
is used for building purposes. It
dresses well, and is straight in the
grain."
Darling Pea, n. an Australian
plant, Swainsonia galegifolia, R.
Br., N.O. Leguminoscc ; i.q. Indigo
Plant (q.v.). See also Poison-
bush. The Darling Downs and
River were named after General
(later Sir Ralph) Darling, who
was Governor of New South
Wales from Dec. 19, 1825, to
Oct. 21, 1831. The "pea" is
named from one of these.
Darling Shower, n. a local
name in the interior of Australia,
and especially on the River Dar-
ling, for a dust storm, caused by
cyclonic winds.
Dart, n. (i) 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 in-
credulous."
1892. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Nevermore,'
p. 22:
" Your only dart is to buy a staunch
Tiorse with a tip-cart."
(2) Particular fancy or personal
taste.
1895. Modern :
" * Fresh strawberries eh ! that's my
dart,' says the bushman when he sees
the fruit lunch in Collins-street."
Darter, n. common English
name for birds of the genus
Plotus. So called from the way
it " darts" upon its prey. The
Australian species is Plotus novce-
.hollandice, Gould.
Dasyure, and Dasyurus, n. the
scientific name of the genus of
Australian animals called Native
Cats. See under Cat. The first
form is the Anglicized spelling,
and is scientifically used in pre-
ference to the misleading verna-
cular name. From the Greek
oWvs, thick with hair, hairy,
shaggy, and ovpa, tail. They
range over Australia, Tasmania,
New Guinea, and the adjacent
islands. Unlike the Thylacine and
Tasmanian Devil (q.v.), which are
purely terrestrial, the Dasyures
are arboreal in their habits, while
they are both carnivorous and
insectivorous.
The Thylacine, Tasmanian
Devil, Pouched Mice, and Banded
Ant-eater have sometimes been
incorrectly classed as Dasyures,
but the name is now strictly
allotted to the genus Dasyurus,
or Native Cat.
Date, Native, n. a Queensland
fruit, Capparis canescens, Banks,
N.O. Capparidece. The fruit is
shaped like a pear, and about
half an inch in its largest dia-
meter. It is eaten raw by the
aborigines.
Deadbeat, n. In Australia, it
means a man "down on his
luck," "stone-broke," beaten by
fortune. In America, the word
means an impostor, a sponge.
Between the two uses the con-
nection is clear, but the Austra-
lian usage is logically the earlier.
Dead-bird, n. In Australia, a
recent slang term, meaning "a
certainty." The metaphor is from
pigeon-shooting, where the bird
being let loose in front of a good
shot is as good as dead.
Dead-finish, n. a rough scrub-
tree. ( i ) Albizzia basaltica, Benth. ,
N.O. Leguminosce.
(2) Acacia farnesiana, Willd.,
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DEA-DEF
N. O. Leguminosce. See quotation,
1889.
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia/ 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 woods with
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.' This name
given to some species of Acacia and
Albizzia, is on account of the trees
or shrubs shooting thickly from the
bottom, 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 repre-
sented by a brush commonly called
' dead finish.' " [p.6i]: " Little knolls
are crowned with 'dead finish' that
sheep are always glad to nibble."
Dead-wood Fence, n. The
Australian fence, so called, is very
different from the fence of the
same name in England. It is
high and big, built of fallen tim-
ber, logs and 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 five feet thick,
and five or six high, the lower part
being formed of the enormous trunks
of trees, cut into logs six or eight feet
long, laid side by side, and the upper
portion consisting of the smaller
branches skilfully laid over, or stuck
down and twisted."
1872. G. Baden-Powell, ' New Homes
for the Old Country,' p. 207 :
"A very common fence is built by
felling trees round the space to 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 data, F. v. M.,
N. O. Conifers. For other ver-
nacular 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, rarely
cylindrical ; wood free from knots,
soft, close, easily worked, good for
joiners' and cabinet-work ; some trees
afford planks of great beauty. (Mac-
arthur.) Fine specimens of this
timber have a peculiar mottled appear-
ance not easily described, and often
of 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 burn-
ing breath
Across the bosom of the shrinking
earth."
Deepsinker, n. (i) The largest
sized tumbler ; (2) the long drink
served in it. The idea is taken
from deep-sinking in a mining
shaft.
1897. 'The Argus,' Jan. 15, p. 6, col 5:
"As athletes the cocoons can run
rings round the beans ; they can jump
out of a tumbler whether medium,
small, or deepsinker is not recorded."
Deep Yellow- Wood, n. Rhus
rhodanthema, F. v. M., N.O. Ana-
cardiacea. A tree with spreading
head ; timber valuable. See
Yellow- Wood.
Deferred Payment, . a legal
phrase. " Land on deferred pay-
ment"; " Deferred payment
settler"; "Pastoral deferred
payment." These expressions in
New Zealand have reference to
the mode of statutory alienation
of Crown lands, known in other
colonies as conditional sale, etc.,
i.e. sale on time payment, with
conditions binding the settler to
DEL-DEV]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
117
erect improvements, ending 1 in
his acquiring the fee-simple. The
system is obsolete, but many
titles are still incomplete.
Dell-bird, n. another name for
the Bell-bird (q.v.).
Dendrolagus, n. the scientific
name of the genus of Australian
marsupials called Tree-Kangaroos
(q.v.). (Grk. SeVS/ooi/, a tree, and
Aaywg, a hare.) Unlike the other
kangaroos, their fore limbs are
nearly as long as the hinder pair,
and thus adapted for arboreal
life. There are five species, three
belong to New Guinea and two to
Queensland; they are the Queens-
land Tree-Kangaroo, Dendrolagus
lumholtzi ; Bennett's T.-k., D.
bennettianus ; Black T.-k., D. ursi-
nus ; Brown T.-k., D. inustus ;
Doria's T.-k., D. dorianus. See
Kangaroo.
Derry, n. slang. The phrase
" to have a down on " (see
Down] is often varied to "have
a derry on." The connection is
probably the comic-song refrain,
" Hey derry down derry."
1896. 'The Argus,' March 19, p. 5,
col. 9 :
"Mr. Croker: Certainly. We will
tender it as evidence. (To the wit-
ness.) Have you any particular ' derry '
upon this Wendouree? No; not at
all. There are worse vessels knocking
about than the Wendouree."
Dervener, n. See quotation,
and Derwenter.
1896. ' The Argus,' Jan. 2, p. 3, col. 4,
Letters to the Editor :
"'Dervener.' An expression used
in continental Australia for a man from
the Derwent in Tasmania. Common
up till 1850 at least. David Blair."
Ibid. Jan. 3, p. 6, col. 6 :
"With respect to 'dervener,' the
word was in use while the blue shirt
race existed [sc. convicts], and these
people did not become extinct until
after 1860. Cymro- Victoria."
Derwenter, n. a released con-
vict from Hobart Town, Tas-
mania, which is on the River
Derwent.
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Melbourne
Memories,' c. xx. p. 140 :
" An odd pair of sawyers, generally
' Derwenters,' as the Tasmanian ex-
pirees were called."
Desert Lemon, n. called also
Native Kumquat^ Atalantia glauca,
Hook., N.O. Rutacecz.
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 agreeable beverage from
its acid juice."
Desert-Oak, n. an Australian
tree, Casuarina decaisneana,
F. v. M. See Casuarina and Oak.
1896. Baldwin Spencer, 'Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' Narrative,
p. 49:
" We had now amongst these sand-
hills come into the region of the
'Desert Oak' (Casuarina Decaisne-
ana). Some of the trees reach a height
of forty or fifty feet, and growing either
singly or in clumps form a striking-
feature amongst the thin sparse scrub.
. . . The younger ones resemble
nothing so much as large funeral
plumes. Their outlines seen under a
blazing sun are indistinct, and they
give to the whole scene a curious
effect of being ' out of focus.' "
Devil, Tasmanian, 72. an animal,
Sarcophilus ur sinus ^ Harris. Form-
erly, but erroneously, referred to
the genus Dasyurus (q.v.), which
includes the Native Cat (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, Dasyurtis ursinus, is very properly
named."
1853. J. West, 'History of Tasmania,'
vol. i. p. 323 :
"The devil (Dasyurus ur sinus,
Geoff.), about the size of a bull terrier,
is an exceedingly fierce and disgusting-
iiS
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DEV-DIG
looking animal, of a black colour, usu-
ally having one white band across the
chest, and another across the back,
near the tail. It is a perfect glutton,
and most indiscriminate in its feeding."
1862. F. J. Jobson, ' Australia,' c. vii.
p. 186 :
" Dasyurus ursimis a carnivorous
marsupial. Colonists in 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 brutes
are hated by every one in Tasmania,
their habitat, owing to their destruc-
tiveness amongst poultry, and even
sheep. They are 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 Australia to the Dodder-
Laurel (see Laurel], Cassytha fili-
formis. Linn., N. O. Lauracea. In
Tasmania the name is applied to
Lyonsia straminea, R. Br., N.O.
Apocynece.
1862. W. Archer, 'Products of Tas-
mania,' p. 41 :
" Lyonsia {Lyonsia straminea, Br.).
Fibres of the bark fine and strong.
The lyonsia is met with, rather spar-
ingly, in dense thickets, with its stems
hanging like ropes among the trees."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 14 :
" This and other species of Cassytha
are called 'dodder-laurel. 3 The em-
phatic name of * devil's guts ' is largely
used. It frequently connects bushes
and trees by cords, and becomes a
nuisance to the traveller." [This plant
is used by the Brahmins of Southern
India for seasoning their buttermilk.
('Treasury of Botany.')]
Ibid, p.; 162:
" It is also used medicinally."
Devil-on-the-Coals, n. a
Bushman's name for a small and
quickly-baked damper.
1862. Rev. A. Polehampton, ' Kangaroo
Land,' p. 77 :
" Instead of damper we occasionally
made what is colonially known as
' devils on the coals. J . . . They are
convenient when there is not time to
make damper, as only a minute or sa
is required to bake them. They are
made about the size of a captain's
biscuit, and as thin as possible, thrown
on the embers and turned quickly
with the hand."
Diamond Bird, n. a bird-name.
In the time of Gould this name
was only applied to Pardalotus
punctatus, Temm. Since that time
it has been extended to all the
species of the genus Pardalotus
(q.v.). The broken colour of the
plumage suggested a sparkling
jewel.
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 238:
"We are informed by Mr. Caley
that this species is called diamond
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 Queens-
land and New South Wales,
Python spilotes, Lace" p.; in Tasma-
nia, Hoplocephalus superbus. Gray,
venomous. See under Snake.
Digger, n. a gold-miner. The
earliest mines were alluvial. Of
course the word is used else-
where, but in Australia it has
this special meaning.
1852. Title:
" Murray's Guide to the Gold Dig-
gings. The Australian Gold Diggings ;
where they are, and how to get at
them ; with letters from Settlers and
Diggers telling how to work them.
London : Stewart & Murray, 1852."
J 853. Valiant, 'Letter to Council, 'given
in McCombie's ' History of Victoria' (1858),
c. xvi. p. 248 :
" It caused the diggers, as a body,
to pause in their headlong career."
1855. W. Howitt, ' Land, Labour, and
Gold,' vol. ii. p. 148, Letter xxx :
"Buckland River, January 29th, 1854.
The diggers here are a very quiet and
civil race, at the same time that they
are a most active and laborious one.
J)ICz]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
119
. . . The principal part of the 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 the diggers
and fossickers, from the days when he
used to slip out first thing in the
morning and take a run across the
frosty flat in his shirt."
Digger's Delight, n. a flower,
Veronica perfoliata, R. Br., N.O.
Scrophularinece, described in quo-
tations.
1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, 'First Book of
Australian Botany,' p. 64 :
" Digger's Delight, Veronica perfo-
liata, N.O. Scrophularinece. A pretty,
blue-flowering shrub, with smooth
stem-clasping leaves ; found in the
mountainous districts of Victoria and
New South Wales, and deriving its
common name from a supposition
that its presence indicated auriferous
country. It is plentiful in the elevated
cold regions 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 the iron-barks in the gold
country, and was once supposed to
grow only on auriferous soils. When
no one would think of digging for
gold in this field, the presence of the
flower is, perhaps, as reliable an in-
dication of a golconda underneath as
the reports and information on the
strength of which many mining com-
panies 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.
. . . Open carriages driving about,
crowded with diggers and their dig-
geresses."
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, . a place where
gold-mining is carried on. The
word is generally regarded as
singular. Though common in
Australia, it is very old, even
in the sense of 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 was disappointed,
but the Diggings are visible at this
Day."
1852. J. Morgan, ' Life and Adventures
of William Buck ley '(published at Hobart),
p. 183 [quoting from the ' Victoria Com-
mercial Review,' published at Melbourne,
by Messrs. Westgarth, Ross, & Co., under
date September i, 1851] :
"The existence of a 'goldfield' was
not ascertained until May last. . . .
Numbers of persons are daily 'pro-
specting' throughout this Colony and
New South Wales in search of gold.
. . . In Victoria, as well as in New
South Wales, regular 'diggings 'are
now established."
1852. Murray, ' The Australian Gold
Diggings : where they are and how to get
at them,' p. I :
" It cannot but be acceptable to the
crowds of intending colonists and gold
seekers, to present them with a picture
of the 'Progress of the Diggins,'
[sic] drawn by the diggers."
1858. T. McCombie, ' History of Vic-
toria,' 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 ?]
120
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DIL-DIN
1887. H. H. Hayter, ' Christmas Ad-
venture,' 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. an
aboriginal word, coming 1 from
Queensland, for a bag made either
of grasses or of fur twisted into
cord. Dhilla is the term for
hair in Kabi dialect, Mary River,
Queensland. Dirrang and jirra
are corresponding words in the
east of New South Wales. The
aboriginal word dilli has been
tautologically increased to dilly-
bag, and the word is used by
bushmen for a little bag for odds-
and-ends, even though made of
calico or holland.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Ex-
pedition,' p. 90:
"In their 'dillis 5 (small baskets)
were several roots or tubers."
Ibid. p. 195 :
" A basket (dilli) which I examined
was made of a species of grass."
1885. R. M. Praed, ' Australian Life,' p.
34 =
" I learned too at the camp to plait
dilly-bags."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xvii. p. 210 :
" Mayboy came forward dangling
a small dilly-bag."
Dingle-bird, n. a poetical name
for the Australian Bell-bird (Q.V.}.
1870. F. S. Wilson, 'Australian Songs,'
p. 30:
" The bell-like chimings of the dis-
tant dingle-bird."
1883. C. Harpur, ' Poems,' p. 78 :
"I ... list the tinkling of the dingle-
bird."
1896. A. J. North, ' Report of Austra-
lian Museum,' p. 26 :
" Dilly-bag (partly wool and partly
grass)."
Dingo, n. the native dog of
Australia, Cants dingo. "The
aborigines, before they obtained
dogs from Europeans, kept the
dingo for hunting, as is still done
by coast tribes in Queensland.
Name probably not used further
south 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 as the Euro-
pean dogs ; is very ill-natured and
vicious, and snarls, howls, and moans,
like dogs in common. Whether this
is the only dog in New South Wales,
and whether they have it in a wild
state, is not mentioned ; but I should
be inclined to believe they had no
other ; in which case it will constitute
the wolf of that country ; and that
which is domesticated is only the wild
dog tamed, without having yet pro-
duced a variety, as in some parts of
America."
1798. D. Collins, ' Account of English
Colony in New South Wales,' 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, was proved to be
fully equal in this respect [sport] to the
fox ; but as the pack was not sufficiently
numerous to kill these animals at once,
they always suffered so severely from
their bite that at last the members of
the hunt were shy in allowing the 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, war-
ragal or native dog, does not hunt in
packs like the wolf and jackal."
1860. William Story, ' Victorian Govern-
ment Prize Essays,' p. 101 :
"The English hart is so greatly
superior, as an animal of chase, to
that cunning poultry thief the fox,
DIN-DIP]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
121
that I trust Mister Reynard will never
be allowed to become an Australian
immigrant, and that when the last of
the dingoes shall have shared the fate
of the last English wolf, Australian
Nimrods will resuscitate, at the anti-
podes of England, the sterling old
national sport of hart hunting, con-
jointly with that of African boks,
gazelles, and antelopes, and leave the
fox to their English 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 where they
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, 3 sup-
porting 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 destructive to sheep.
They were . . . neither more nor less
than wolves, but more cowardly and
not so ferocious, seldom going in large
packs. They hunted kangaroos when
in numbers, or driven to it by hunger ;
but usually preferred smaller and more
easily obtained prey, as rats, bandi-
coots, and 'possums."
1890. C. Lumholtz, 'Among Cannibals,'
p. 38:
"On the large stations a man is
kept whose sole work it is to lay out
poison for the dingo. The black
variety with white breast generally
appears in Western Queensland along
with the red."
1891. 'Guide to Zoological Gardens,
Melbourne ' :
"The dingo of northern Australia
can be distinguished from his brother
of the south by his somewhat smaller
size and courageous bearing. He
always carries his tail curled over his
back, and is ever ready to attack any
one or anything ; whilst the southern
dingo carries his tail low, slinks along
like a fox, and is easily frightened.
The pure dingo, which is now ex-
ceedingly rare in a wild state, partly
through the agency of poison, but still
more from the admixture of foreign
breeds, is unable to bark, and can
only express its feelings in long-drawn
weird howls."
1894. 'The Argus,' June 23, p. 11,
col. 4 :
"Why is the first call of a dingo
always apparently miles away, and
the answer to it another quavering
note slightly more shrill so close at
hand ? Is it delusion or distance ? "
Dinornis, n. the scientific
name given by Professor Owen
to the genus of huge struthious
birds of the post-Pliocene period,
in New Zealand, which survive
in the traditions of the Maoris
under the name of Moa (q.v.).
From the Greek 6Wo's, terrible,
and opvts, bird.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. Intro, p. xviii :
" The specimens [fossil-bones] trans-
mitted . . . were confided to the learned
Professor [Owen] for determination ;
and these materials, scanty as they *
were, enabled him to define the generic
characters of Dinornis, as afforded by
the bones of the hind extremity."
Ibid. p. xxiv :
" Professor Owen had well-nigh
exhausted the vocabulary of terms
expressive of largeness by naming his
successive discoveries ingens, gigan-
teiiS) crasstis, robustus, and elephanto-
pus, when he had to employ the
superlative Dinornis maximus to dis-
tinguish a species far exceeding in
stature even the stately Dinornis
giganteus. In this colossal bird . . .
some of the cervical vertebras almost
equal in size the neck-bones of a
horse ! The skeleton in the British
Museum . . . measures n feet in
height, and . . . some of these feathered
giants attained to a still greater
stature."
Dipper, n. a vessel with a
handle at the top of the side like
a big tin mug. That with which
one dips. The word is not Aus-
tralian, but is of long standing in
the United States, where it is used '
as a name for the constellation of
the Great Bear.
122
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DIP-DIV
1893.
Feb. :
Australasian Schoolmaster,'
"These answers have not the true
colonial ring of the following, which
purports to be the remark of the
woman of Samaria : * Sir, the well is
very deep, and you haven't got a
dipper.' "
Dips, n. Explained in quota-
tion.
1859. G. Bunce, Travels with Leich-
hardt,' p. 161 :
". . . Dr. Leichhardt gave the party
a quantity of dough boys, or as we
called them, dips . . ."
[p. 171]: "In this dilemma, Dr. Leich-
hardt ordered the cook to mix 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 up with
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 suffi-
cient, when they were eaten with the
water in which they were boiled."
Dirt, n. In Australia, any allu-
vial deposit in which gold is
found ; properly Wash-dirt. The
word is used in the United States.
See quotation, 1857.
1853. Mrs. Chas. Clancy, ' Lady's Visit
to the Gold Diggings,' p. 109 :
" And after doing this several times,
the * dirt,' of course, gradually dimin-
ishing, I was overjoyed to see a few
bright specks."
1857. Borthwick, 'California,' [Bartlett,
quoted in ' O.E.D.'] p. 120 :
"In California, 'dirt' is the univer-
sal word to signify the substance dug ;
earth, clay, gravel, or loose slate. The
miners talk of rich dirt and poor dirt,
and of stripping off so many feet of
' top dirt ' before getting to * pay-dirt,'
the latter meaning dirt with so much
gold in it that it will pay to dig it up
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. RolfBoldrewood, c Miner's Right,'
c. xiv. p. 142 :
"We were clean worked out . . .
before many of our neighbours at
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
rough vessel in which gold is
washed. The word is used in the
United States.
1890. "Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 17:
" I have obtained good dish prospects
after crudely crushing up the quartz."
Dishwasher, n. an old English
bird-name for the Water-wag-
tail ; applied in Australia to
Seisura inquieta. Lath., the Restless
Fly-catcher (q.v.). Seisura is from
Grk. o-eieiv (to shake), and ovpd
(a tail), being thus equal in
meaning to Wagtail. Also called
Dishlick, Grinder^ and Razor-grinder
(q.v.).
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, ' Transac-
tions of the Linnaean Society,' vol. xv. p.
250 :
" This bird is called by the colonists
Dishwasher. It is very curious in its
actions. In alighting on the stump
of a tree it makes several semi-circular
motions, spreading out its tail, and
making a loud noise somewhat like
that caused by a razor-grinder when
at work."
Distcechurus, n. the scientific
name of the genus of the New
Guinea Pentailed-Phalanger, or
so-called Opossum-mouse (q.v.). It
has a tail with the long hairs
arranged in two opposite rows,
like the vanes of a feather. (Grk.
Storot^os, with two rows, and ovpa,
a tail.)
Diver, ;/. common bird-name
used in Australia for a species of
Grebe.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. vii. pi. 80 :
" Podiceps australis, Gould ; Austra-
DOC-DOG]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
123
lian Tippet Grebe ; Diver of the
Colonists."
Doctor, n. word used in the
South Australian bush for " the
cook."
1896. 'The Australasian,' June 13, p.
1133, col. i:
" '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 be-
longs to various fishes of distinct
families, chiefly sharks. In Aus-
tralia, it is used for the fish
Scyllium lima, family Scylliida. In
New South Wales it is Scyllium
maculatum, Bl. The Spine Dog-fish
of New Zealand is Acanthias
maculatus, family Spinacidce. The
Spotted Dog-fish of New South
Wales is Scyllium anale. The
Dusky Dog-fish of New South
Wales is Chiloscyllium modestum,
Gunth., and there are others in
Tasmania and Australia.
Dogleg, adj. applied to a primi-
tive kind of fence made of rough
timber. Crossed spars, which
are the doglegs, placed at inter-
vals, keep in place a low rail
resting on short posts, and are
themselves fixed by heavy sap-
lings resting 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 they have
somewhat the appearance that might
be presented by the stretched-out legs
of a crowd of dogs running at full
speed. An upright stick at intervals,
with a fork at the top, on which
some of the cross-branches rest, adds
strength to the structure."
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 path of our foresters." [sc.
kangaroos ; see ForesterJ]
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Robbery
under Arms,' p. 71 :
" As we rode up we could see a
gunyah made out of boughs, and a
longish wing of dog leg fence, made
light but well put together."
Dog's Tongue, n. name given to
the plant Cynoglossum sitaveolens,
R. Br., N.O. Asperifolicz.
Dogwood, n. various trees and
their wood ; none of them the
same as those called dogwood
in the Northern Hemisphere, but
their woods are used for similar
purposes, e.g. butchers' skewers,
fine pegs, and small pointed
wooden instruments. In Aus-
tralia generally, Jacksonia scoparia,
R. Br., also Myoporum platycarpum,
R. Br. In Tasmania, Bedfordia
salicina, De C., N.O. Composite \
which is also called Honeywood^
and in New South Wales, Cotton-
wood (q.v.), and the two trees
Pomaderris elliptica, Lab., and P.
apetala, Lab., N.O. Rhamnacece,
which are called respectively
Yellow and Bastard Dogwood. See
also Coranderrk. In parts of
Tasmania, Pomaderris apetala,
Lab., N.O. Rhamnece, is also
called Dogwood, or Bastard Dog-
wood.
1836. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack/
p. 164 :
" 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,
had the greatest difficulty imaginable
to get out after three or four hours*
124
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DOG-DOT
labour. Not one of the plants was
more than six inches apart from the
others, while they rose from 6 to
12 yards in height, with leaves at
the top which almost wholly excluded
the light of the sun."
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition/ p. ii :
" Iron-bark ridges here and there,
with spotted gum, with dogwood
(Jacksonia) on a sandy soil." (p. 20) :
" A second creek, with running water,
which from the number of dogwood
shrubs (Jacksonia), in the full glory
of their golden blossoms, I called
' Dogwood Creek.'"
1894. ' Melbourne Museum Catalogue
Economic Woods,' p. 46 :
"Native dogwood, a hard, pale-
.brown, well-mottled wood ; good for
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, ' Trans -
.-actions of Linnaean Society,' vol. xv. p. 202:
"The settlers call it dollar-bird,
from the silver-like spot on the wing."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia.'
vol. ii. pi. 17 :
" Eurystomus Atistralis, Swains.,
Australian Roller. Dollar Bird of the
Colonists. During flight the white
spot in the centre of each wing, then
widely expanded, shows very distinctly,
and hence the name of Dollar Bird."
1851. J. Henderson, c Excursions in New
South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 183 :
"The Dollar-bird derives its name
from a round white spot the size of a
dollar, on its wing. It is very hand-
some, and flies in rather a peculiar
manner. It is the only bird which I
have observed to perform regular mi-
-grations ; and it is strange that in such
a climate any one should do so. But
it appears that the 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 to the John Dory
(q.v.), from the mark on its side.
See quotation, 1880. The name
Dollar-fish is given on the Ameri-
can coasts to a different fish.
1880. Gunther, 'Study of Fishes,' p.
451 :
" The fishermen of Roman Catholic
countries hold this fish in special
respect, as they recognize in a black
round spot on its side the mark left by
the thumb of St. Peter, when he took
the piece 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 the colony
was in Mexican coin it was called a
' dollar-fish. 3 "
Dorca-Kangaroo, n. See Dor-
copsis and Kangaroo.
Dorcopsis, n. the scientific name
of a genus of little Kangaroos
with pretty gazelle-like faces.
(Grk. Sop/cas, a gazelle, and oi/as,
appearance.) They are called
Dorca-Kangaroos, and are confined
to New Guinea, and form in
some respects a connecting link
between Macropus and the Tree-
Kangaroo (q.v.). There are three
species the Brown Dorca l&ax\-
g&r oo, Dorcopsis mueller i ; Grey D.,
D. luctuosa ; Macleay's D., D.
macleayi. See Kangaroo (e).
Dottrel, n. formerly Dotterel,
common English bird-name,
applied in Australia to Charadrius
australis, Gould.
Black-fronted Dottrel
Charadrius nigrifrons, Temm.
Double-banded D.
C. bicincta, Jord. and Selb.
Hooded D.
C. monacha, Geoff.
Large Sand D.
C. (^Egialitis) geoffroyi, Wag.
Mongolian Sand D.
C. (./Egialitis) mongolica, Pallas.
Oriental D.
C. veredus, Gould.
DOV-DRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
125
Red-capped Dottrel
Charadrius ruficapilla, Temm. ;
called also Sand-lark.
Red-necked D.
C. (sEgialitis] master si > 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. tranquiUa, 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. artel, Gould.
Dover, n. a clasp knife, by a
maker of that name, 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 in making
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 Austra-
lian 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 J . . ."
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. 1 80 :
" They [diggers] had a ' dead down r
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 that those who
represented the churches or religious
people had a regular down upon free-
dom of thought."
1893. ' The Age,' June 24, p. 5, col. I :
"Mr. M. said it was notorious in
the department that one of the com-
missioners 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 because they
have a down on him ! ' I cried. * I
never heard the like. 3 "
Down, adv. "To come, or be
down," is the phrase used in
Australian Universities for to be
"plucked," or "ploughed," or
" spun," i. e. to fail in an examin-
ation. It has been in use for a
few years, certainly not earlier
than 1886. The metaphor is
either taken from a fall from a
horse, or perhaps from the prize-
ring. The use has no connection
with being "sent down," or "going
down," at Oxford or Cambridge.
Draft, v. to separate and sort
cattle. An adaptation of the
meaning "to select and draw off
for particular 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
126
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DRA-DRO
drafted that had been brought from
the Lost Waterhole."
Draft, n. a body of cattle
separated from the rest 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 Re-
former/ c. xviii. p. 227:
" They behave better, though all the
while keeping the drafters incessantly
popping at the fence by truculent
charges."
Drafting-gate, n. gate used in
separating cattle 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 a drafting-gate."
Drafting-stick, n. a stick used
in drafting cattle.
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' c. x. p. 72:
"We . . . armed ourselves with
drafting-sticks and resolutely faced
it."
Drafting-yard, n. a yard for
drafting cattle.
1890. 'The Argus,' Aug. 16, p. 13,
col. i :
"There were drafting-yards and a
tank a hundred yards off, but no
garden."
Dray, n. an ordinary cart for
goods. See quotation, 1872.
1833. C. Sturt, 'Southern Australia/
vol. i. Intro, p. xlix:
"They send their produce to the
market . . . receiving supplies for
home consumption on the return of
their drays or carts from thence."
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland/ p. 31 :
"A horse dray, as known in Aus-
tralia, is by no means the enormous
thing its name would signify, but
simply an ordinary cart on two wheels
without springs." [There are also
spring-drays.]
1886. II. 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 the Australian Dormouse
Phalangers, or little Opossum- Q* Fly-
ing-Mice, as they are locally called.
See Opossum, Opossum-mouse, and
Phalanger. They are not really
the " Flying "-Mice or Flying-
phalanger, as they have only an
incipient parachute, but they are
nearly related to the Pigmy
Petaurists (q.v.) or small Flying-
Phalangers. (Grk. Spo/xiKos, good
at running, or swift.)
Drongo, n. This bird-name was
" given by Le Vaillant in the form
drongeur to a South African bird
afterwards known as the Musical
Drongo, Dicrurus musicus, then
extended to numerous . . . fly-
catching, crow-like birds. " ( ' Cen-
tury.') The name is applied in
Australia to Chibia bracteata,
Gould, which is called the Spangled
Drongo.
1895. W. O. Legge, ' Australasian Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science'
(Brisbane), p. 448 :
"There being but one member of
the interesting Asiatic genus Drongo
in Australia, it was thought best to
characterize it simply as the Drongo
without any qualifying term."
Drop, . (Slang.) To " have the
drop on " is to forestall, gain
advantage over, especially by
covering with a revolver.
It is curious that while an
American magazine calls this
phrase Australian (see quotation),
the ' Dictionary of Slang ' one
editor of which is the distinguished
American, Godfrey C. Leland
says it is American. It is in
common use in Australia.
1894. ' Atlantic Monthly/ Aug., p. 179 :
" His terrible wife, if we may borrow
DRO-DUC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
127
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 ' to muster,
track, and drove."
1896. A. B. Paterson, ' Man from Snowy
River ' [Poem ' In the Droving Days'],
P- 95 :
" For though he scarcely a trot can
raise,
He can take me back to the droving
days."
Drum, n. a bundle ; more
usually called a swag (q.v.).
1866. Wm. Stamer, Recollections of a
Life of Adventure,' vol. i. p. 304 :
"... and ' humping his drum ' start
off for the diggings to seek 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 indifferently called."
1886. Frank Cowan, 'Australia, Char-
coal Sketch, 'p. 31 :
" The Swagman : bed and board
upon his back or, having humped his
drum and set out on the wallaby . . ."
Drummer, n. a New South
Wales name for the fish Girella
elevata, Macl., of the same family
as the Black-fish (q.v.).
Dry-blowing, n. a Western
Australian term in gold-mining 1 .
1894. 'The Argus,' March 28, p. 5,
col. 5 :
"When water is not available, as
unfortunately is the case at Coolgardie,
* dry blowing ' is resorted to. This is
done by placing the pounded stuff in
one dish, and pouring it slowly at a
certain height into the other. If there
is any wind blowing it will carry away
the powdered stuff; if there is no wind
the breath will have to be used. It is
not a pleasant way of saving gold,
but it is a case of Hobson's choice.
The unhealthiness of the method is
apparent."
Duboisine, n. an alkaloid de-
rived from the plant Duboisia myo-
posides, N. O. Sofanacecz, a native of
Queensland and New South
Wales. It is used in medicine
as an application to the eye for
the purpose of causing the pupil
to dilate, in the same way as
atropine, an alkaloid obtained
from the belladonna plant in
Europe, has long been employed.
Duboisine was discovered and
introduced into therapeutics by a
Brisbane physician.
Duck, n. the well-known Eng-
lish name of the birds of the
Anatince, Fuligulina, 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 nczvosa, 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 is called
also by sportsmen Tree-
duck.]
White-eyed D., or Hard-head
(q.v.)-
Nyroca australis, Gould.
Wild D.
Anas superdliosa, Gmel.
Wood D. (the Maned Goose ; see
Goose],
The following is a table of the
ducks as compiled by Gould
nearly fifty years ago.
128
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DUC-DUF
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. vii:
Plate
Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Aus-
tralian Wild Duck 9
Anas ncEVOsa, Gould, Freckled
Duck 10
Anas ptmctata, Cuv. Chestnut-
breasted Duck ... ii
Spatula Rhyncotis, Australian
Shoveller 12
Malacorhynchus membranaceus,
Membranaceous Duck ... ... 13
Dendrocygna arcitata, Whistling
Duck (q.v.) 14
Leptotarsis Eytoni, Gould, Ey-
ton'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
Zealand Ducks.
1889. Prof. Parker, ' Catalogue of New
Zealand Exhibition,' p. 117:
" There are eleven species of Native
Ducks belonging to nine genera, all
found elsewhere, except two the little
Flightless Duck of the Auckland
Islands (genus Nesonetta) and the
Blue Mountain Duck (Hymenolcemus).
Among the most interesting of the
non-endemic forms, are the Paradise
Duck or Sheldrake (Casarca varie-
.gato), the Brown Duck (Anas chlorotis\
the Shoveller or Spoonbill Duck (Rhyn-
chaspis variegata}, and the Scaup or
Black Teal (Fuligula Novce-Zea-
Duckbill, n. See Platypus.
Sometimes also called Duckmole.
Duckmole, n. See Platypus.
1825. Barren Field, ' First Fruits of
Australian Poetry,' in ' Geographical Me-
moirs 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 Darwin-
ism,' p. 237:
" The Ornithorhyncus or duck-mole
of Tasmania."
Duck-shoving, and Duck-
shover, n. a cabman's phrase.
In Melbourne, before the days
of trams, the wagonette-cabs
used to run by a time-table from
fixed stations at so much (gener-
ally ^d.) a passenger. A cabman
who did not wait his turn on the
station rank, but touted for pas-
sengers up and down the street
in the neighbourhood of the
rank, was termed a Duck-
shover.
1870. D. Blair, ' Notes and Queries/
Aug. 6, p. ill:
" Duck-shoving is the term used by
our Melbourne cabmen to express the
unprofessional trick of breaking the
rank, in order to push past the cab-
man on the stand for the purpose of
picking up 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 technically known
as ' duck shoving,' a process of getting
passengers which operated unfairly
against the cabmen who stayed on
the licensed stand 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- J 7O:
" In the grassland, a sort of ground
pigeon, called the dudu, a very hand-
some little bird, got up and went oft"
like a partridge, strong and swift, re-
alighting on the ground, and returning
to cover."
Duff, v. to steal cattle by
altering the brands.
1869. E. Carton Booth, ' Another
England,' p. 138 :
" He said there was a ' duffing pad-
dock 3 somewhere on the Broken
River, into which nobody but the
owner had ever found an entrance,
and out of which no cattle had ever
found their way at any rate, not to
come into their owner's possession.
. . . The man who owned the ' duffing
paddock ' was said to have a knack of
altering cattle brands . . ."
DUF-DUM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
129
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Squatter's
Dream,' c. xiv. p. 162 :
"I knew Redcap when he'd think
more of duffing a red heifer than all
the money in the country."
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Sydney-
side Saxon/ p. 95 :
"As to the calves I'm a few short
myself, as I think that half-caste chap
of yours must have ' duffed.' "
Duffer, n. a cattle stealer, i.q.
Cattle-duffer (c^.v.).
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xxv. p. 352 :
" What's a little money ... if your
children grow up duffers and plant-
ers?"
Duffer 2 , n. a claim on a mine
which turns out unproductive,
called also shicer (q.v.). [This is
only a special application of the
slang English, duffer, an in-
capable person, or a failure.
Old English Daffe, a fool.]
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 193 :
"It was a terrible duffer anyhow,
every ounce of gold got from it cost
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 the duffering part of the business
which makes it all so sad. So much
work is done from which there is
positively no return."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 266 :
" The place is then declared to be a
* duffer,' and abandoned, except by a
few fanatics, who stick there for
months and years."
1891. 'The Australasian,' Nov. 21, p.
1014:
" Another duffer ! Rank as ever
was bottomed ! Seventy-five feet hard
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 Aus-
tralia/ p. 279 :
"He then reported to the share-
holders that the lode had 'duffered
out,' and that it was useless to con-
tinue 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 yc
Harry,' she said.
p. 58:
"'So you're duffered out again,
' c-T-.^, c-o^ "
Dugong Oil, n. an oil obtained
in Australia, from Halicore dugong,
Gmel., by boiling the superficial
fat. A substitute for cod-liver
oil. The dugongs are a genus of
marine mammals in the order
Sirenia. If. dugong inhabits the
waters of North and North-east
Australia, the southern shores of
Asia, and the east coast of Africa.
The word is Malay.
Dug-out, n. a name imported
into New Zealand from America,
but the common name for an
ordinary Maori canoe.
Duke Willy, n. See Whistling
Dick.
Dummy, n. (i) In Australia,
when land was thrown open for
selection (q.v.), the squatters who
had previously the use of the land
suffered. Each squatter exer-
cised his own right of selection.
Many a one also induced others
to select nominally for them-
selves, really for the squatter.
Such selector was called a dummy.
The law then required the selector
to swear that he was selecting
the land for his own use and
benefit. Some of the dummies
did not hesitate to commit per-
jury. Dictionaries give " dummy,
adj. fictitious or sham." The
Australian noun is an extension
1 3 o
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DUM
of this idea. Webster gives
" (drama) one who plays a merely
nominal part in any action, a
sham character." This brings
us near to the original dumby,
from dumb, 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 the squatters (they say,
in self-defence) have, in turn, availed
themselves of it, to secure ' the eyes '
or water-holes of the country, so far
as they could by means of * dummies/
and other blinds."
1879. R - Niven, 'Eraser's Magazine/
April, p. 516 :
" This was the, in the colony, well-
known 'dummy' system. Its nature
may be explained in a moment. It
was simply a swindling transaction
between the squatter on the one hand
and some wretched fellow on the
other, often a labourer in the employ-
ment of the squatter, in which the
former for a consideration induced the
latter to personate the character of a
free selector, to acquire from the State,
for the purpose of transferring to him-
self, the land he most coveted out of
that thrown open for selection adjoin-
ing his own property."
1892. ' Scribner's Magazine/ Feb. p.
140:
"By this device the squatter him-
self, all the members of the family, his
servants, shepherds, boundary-riders,
station-hands and rabbiters, each
registered a section, the dummies
duly handing their * selection ' over
to the original holder for a slight con-
sideration."
(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 seat of the
dummy was occupied by a young Tas-
manian lady and her cousin, and,
while one portion of the cart struck
her a terrible blow on the body, the
shaft pinned her by the neck against
the front stanchion of the dummy."
Dummy, v. to obtain land
in the way above described.
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand/ c. vi. p. 101 :
" Each partner in the run has pur-
chased his ten thousand, and there
have been many Mrs* Harrises. The
Mrs. Harris system is generally called
dummying putting up a non-existent
free-selector and is illegal. But I
believe no one will deny that it has
been carried to a great extent."
1896. 'The Champion' (Melbourne),
Jan. II :
"The verb 'to dummy' and the
noun ' dummyism ' are purely Austra-
lian, quotations to illustrate the use
of which can be obtained from * Han-
sard/ the daily papers, and such works
as Epps' monograph on the ' Land
Tenure Systems of Australasia.' "
Dummyism, n. obtaining land
by misrepresentation. See Dum-
my, 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 selection and dummyism
till a land law was introduced."
1887. J. F. Hogan, ' The Irish in Aus-
tralia/ p. 98 :
" This baneful and illegal system of
land-grabbing is known throughout
the colonies by the expressive name of
' dummyism,' the persons professing to
DUM-DUN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
be genuine selectors, desirous of estab-
lishing themselves on the soil, being
actually the agents or the * dummies '
of the adjoining squatters."
Dump, n. a small coin formerly
used in Australia and Tasmania.
Its history is given in the quota-
tions. In England the word for-
merly meant a heavy leaden
counter ; hence the expression,
" I don't care a dump." See
Holy Dollar.
1822. ' Hobart Town Gazette,' Decem-
ber 14 :
" Government Public Notice. The
Quarter Dollars, or ' Dumps,' struck
from the centre of the Spanish Dollar,
and issued by His Excellency Governor
Macquarie, in the year 1813, at One
Shilling and Threepence each, will be
exchanged for Treasury Bills at Par,
or Sterling money."
1823. 'Sydney Gazette,' Jan. ['Cen-
tury '] :
"The small colonial coin denom-
inated dumps have all been called in.
If the dollar passes current for five
shillings the dump lays 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 treating his sick
gin to a cup of tea."
Ibid. p. 225 :
" The genuine name of an Australian
coin, in value is. $d.' }
1852. J. West, ' History of Tasmania,'
vol. ii. p. 141 :
" Tattered promissory notes, of small
amount and doubtful parentage, flut-
tered about the colony ; dumps, struck
out from dollars, were imitated by a
coin prepared without requiring much
mechanical ingenuity."
1870. T. H. Braim, 'New Homes,' c.
iii. p. 131 :
" The Spanish dollar was much used.
A circular piece was struck out of the
centre about the size of a shilling, and
it was called a ' dump.' "
1879. w - J- Barry, ' Up and Down,' p.
"The coin current in those days
(1829) consisted of ring-dollars and
dumps, the dump being the centre of
the dollar punched out to represent a
smaller currency."
1893. 'The Daily News' (London),
May n, p. 4:
"The metallic currency was then
[1819-25] chiefly Spanish dollars, at
that time and before and afterwards
the most widely disseminated coin in
the world, and they had the current
value of 5 s. But there were too few of
them, and therefore the centre of them
was cut out and circulated under the
name of 'dumps' at is. $d. each, the
remainder of the coin called by way
of a pun, ' holy dollars ' still retaining
its currency value of 5^."
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 carriage through the
country, for however well you may do
it, it is always re-pressed, or ' dumped, 1
as it is called, by hydraulic pressure on
its arrival in port, the force being so
great as to crush 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 the packing-shed ; there,
by the help of machinery, they are
pressed into sacks, and the sacks are
then themselves heavily pressed and
bound with iron bands, till they be-
come hard cubes. This process is
called 'dumping.'"
Dumplings, n. i.q. Apple-berry
(q.v.).
Dundathee, or Dundathu
Pine, n. the Queensland species
(Agathis robusta, Sal.) of the Kauri
Pine (q.v.) ; and see Pine.
Dungaree-Settler, n. Now ob-
solete. See quotation.
1852. Anon, ' Settlers and Convicts ; or,
Recollections of Sixteen Years' Labour in
the Australian Backwoods,' p. n :
"The poor Australian settler (or,
according to colonist phraseology, the
Dungaree-settler ; so called from their
132
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[DUN-DWA
frequently clothing themselves, their
wives, and children in that blue Indian
manufacture of cotton known as Dun-
garee) sells his wheat crop."
Dunite, n. an ore in New Zea-
land, so called from Dun moun-
tain, near Nelson.
1883. J. Hector, ' Handbook of New Zea-
land,' p. 56 :
" Chrome ore. This ore, which is a
mixture of chromic iron and alumina,
is chiefly associated with magnesian
rock, resembling olivine 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 a pannikin of
dust."
Dwarf-box, n. Eucalyptus micro-
theca, 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."
EAG-EBO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
133
E
Eagle, n. There are nine species
of the true Eagle, all confined to
the Old World, except one. The
word is also applied to birds of
the genus Haliaetus y such as the
Baldheaded Eagle (H. leucocephalus],
the national emblem of the United
States. ('Century.') In Australia
the name is assigned 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.
If alias tur girrenera, Vieill.
Eaglehawk, n. an Australian
name for the bird Uroaetus, or
Aquila audax, Lath. The name
was applied to the bird by the
early colonists of New South
Wales, and has persisted. In
'O.E.D.' it is shown that the name
was used in Griffith's translation
(1829) of Cuvier's < Regne Animal '
as a translation of the French
aigle-autour, Cuvier's name for a
South American bird of prey of
the genus Morphnus, called Spizae-
tus by Vieillot ; but it is added
that the word never came into
English use. See Eagle. There
is a town in Victoria called Eagle-
hawk. The Bendigo cabmen
make the name a monosyllable,
" Glawk."
1834. L. E. Threlkeld, 'Australian
Grammar/ p. 56 :
"The large eaglehawk, which de-
vours young kangaroos, lambs, etc."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. i. pi. I :
"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 hovering about
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 Aus-
tralia," p. 106:
"Since the destruction of native
dogs and eagle-hawks by the squatters,
who stocked the country with sheep,
the kangaroos have 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 is sometimes
so great a pest amongst the lambs that
the settlers periodically burn him out
by climbing close enough to the nest
to put a fire-stick in contact with it."
Eagle-hawking, n. bush slang :
plucking wool off dead sheep.
Eagle-Ray, ;/. name belonging
to any large Ray of the family
Myliobatida ; the New Zealand
species is Myliobatis nieuhofii.
Eastralia, n. recent colloquial
name, fashioned on the model of
Westralia (q.v.), used in Wes^:
Australiafor the Eastern Colonies.
In Adelaide, its application seems
confined to New South Wales.
Ebony, n. a timber. The name
is applied in Australia to two
species of Bauhinia, B. carronii.
134
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[ECH
F. v. M., and B. hookeri, F. v. M.,
N.O. Leguminosce. Both are called
Queensland or Mountain Ebony.
Echidna, n. a fossorial Mono-
treme, in general appearance re-
sembling a Porcupine, and often
called Spiny Ant-eater or Porcupine,
or Porcupine Ant-eater. The body is
covered with thick fur from which
stiff spines protrude ; the muzzle
is in the form of a long toothless
beak; and the tongue is very long
and extensile, and used largely
for licking up ants ; the feet are
short, with strong claws adapted
for burrowing. Like the Marsu-
pials, the Echidna is provided
with a pouch, but the animal is
oviparous, usually laying two
eggs at a time, which are carried
about in the pouch until the
young ones are hatched, when
they are fed by a secretion from
mammary glands, which do not,
however, as in other mammals,
open on to a nipple. The five-
toed Echidnas (genus Echidna)
are found in New Guinea, Aus-
tralia, and Tasmania, while the
three-toed Echidnas (genus Pro-
echidna) are confined to New
Guinea. The species are Com-
mon E., Echidna aculeata^ Shaw ;
Bruijn's E., Proechidna bruijni,
Peters and Doria ; Black-spined
E. , Proechidna nigro-aculeata, Roths-
child. The name is from Grk.
X<^va, an adder or viper, from the
shape of the long 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 Australian Colonies,' p. 89 :
"The Porcupine of this land,
Echidna hystrix, is a squat species of
ant-eater, with short quills among its
hair : it conceals itself in the day time
among dead timber in the hilly forests."
1851. ' Papers and Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land/
vol. i. p. 178 :
" Mr. Milligan mentioned that one
of the Aborigines of Tasmania reports
having often discovered the nest of the
Echidna Setosa, porcupine or ant eater,
of the colony ; that on several occasions
one egg had been found in it, and never
more : this egg has always been found
to contain a foetus or chick, and is said
to be round, considerably less than a
tennis ball, and without a shell. The
mother is said to sit continuously (for
a period not ascertained) in the manner
of the common fowl over the eggs ;
she does not leave the young for a
considerable time after having hatched
it ; at length, detaching it from the
small teat, she moves out hurriedly
and at long intervals in quest of food,
the young one becoming, at each suc-
cessive return, attached to the nipple.
. . , The Platypus (Ornithorhyncus
paradoxus) is said to lay two eggs,
having the same external membranous
covering, but of an oblong shape."
i860. G. Bennett, 'Gatherings of a
Naturalist in Australasia,' p. 147 :
" The Porcupine Ant-eater of Aus-
tralia (Echidna hystrix) (the native
Porcupine or Hedgehog of the colon-
ists), and the Ornithorhynchus, to
which it is allied in internal organiza-
tion, form the only two genera of the
order Monotremata."
1888. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. ii. p. 230 :
" Among the gigantic boulders near
the top he may capture the burrowing
ant-eating porcupine, though if per-
chance he place it for a moment in the
stoniest ground, it will tax all his
strength to drag it from the instan-
taneous burrow in which it will defi-
antly embed itself."
1892. A. Sutherland, ' Elementary Geo-
graphy of British Colonies,' p. 273 :
" The echidna is an animal about a
foot or 1 8 inches long, covered with
spines like a hedgehog. It lives chiefly
upon ants. With its bill, which is like
a duck's but narrower, it burrows 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
ECH-EGR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
135
with facility their food of ants and
their larvae, echidnas are provided with
* very large glands, discharging into
* the mouth the viscid secretion which
causes the ants to adhere to the long
worm-like tongue when thrust into a
mass of these insects, after being ex-
posed by the digging powers of the
claws of the echidna's limbs. . . .
When attacked they roll themselves
into a ball similar to the hedgehog."
Bchu, n. the name of an Aus-
tralian bird which has not been
identified. The word does not
occur in 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. II, p.
73, col. i :
' ' Yeldina ' (Rochester) writes
While I was on the Murray, a few
<lays before Christmas last, some miles
below Echuca.) my attention was at-
tracted to the melancholy note, as of
a bird which had lost its mate, calling
ee-k-o-o, e-e-koo, which was repeated
several times, after which a pause,
then ee-koo, ee-ko, coolie, coolie, ee-
koo. This happened in the scrub at
sunset, and came, I think, from a bird
smaller than the Australian minah, and
of a greenish yellowish hue, larger, but
similar to the members of the feathered
tribe known to young city ' knights of
the catapult ' as greenies. It was while
returning to camp from fishing that I
noticed this bird, which appeared of
solitary habits."
"'Crossbolt' (Kew) writes The echu
is probably identical with a handsome
little bird whose peculiar cry 'e-e-
choo ' is familiar to many bush ramblers.
It is the size of a small wood-swallow ;
black head, back, wings, and tail more
or less blue - black ; white throat ;
neck and breast light to rich brown.
The female is much plainer, and would
scarcely be recognized as the mate of
the former. The melodious ' e-e-choo '
is usually answered from a distance,
whether by the female or a rival I can-
not say, and is followed by a prolonged
warbling."
Eel, n. The kinds present in
Australia are
Common Eel
Anguilla australts, Richards.
Conger E.
Conger labiatus, Castln., and
Gonorhynchus grayi, Richards.
Green E. (New South Wales)
Murczna afra, Bl.
Silver E.
Mur&nesox cinereus, Forsk. ; also
called the Sea-eel (New South
Wales).
Conger wilsoni, Castln. (Mel-
bourne).
The New Zealand Eels are
Black Eel
Anguilla australis, Richards.
Conger E.
Conger vulgaris, Cuv.
Sand E.
Gonorhynchus grayi, Richards.
Serpent E.
Ophichthys serpens, Linn.
Silver E.
Congromurcena habenata, Rich-
ards.
Tuna E.
Anguilla aucklandii, Richards.
The Sand Eel does not belong
to the Eel family, and is only
called an Eel from its habits.
Bel-fish, n Plotosus tandanus,
Mitchell. Called also Catfish
(q.v.), and Tandan (q.v.).
1838. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions,' vol. i. pi. 5, pp. 44 and 95 [Note] :
''Plotosus tandanus, tandan or
eel-fish. Tandan is the aboriginal
name."
Egret, n. an English bird-name.
The following species are present
in Australia, some being European
and others exclusively Austra-
lian
Lesser Egret
Herodias melanopus, Wagl.
Little E.
H. garzetta^ Linn.
Pied E.
H. picata, Gould.
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[ELD-EMU
Plumed Egret
Herodias intermedia, v. Hasselq.
White E.
H. alba, Linn.
Elder, n. See next word.
Elderberry, Native, n. The two
Australian species of the Elder
are Sambucus gaudichaudiana,
De C, and S. xanthocarpa, F. v.
M., N.O. Caprifoliacece.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 56:
"Native elderberry. The fruit of
these two native elders is fleshy and
sweetish, and is used by the aborigines
for food."
Elephant-fish, n. a fish of New
Zealand, South Australian, and
Tasmanian waters, Callorhynchus
antarcticus, Lace"p., family Chimce-
ridce. "It has a cartilaginous
prominence of the snout, ending
in a cutaneous flap " (Giinth.),
suggesting a comparison with an
elephant's trunk. 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 great a variety
as the land ; of these the elephant fish
were very palatable food. 3 ''
Ellangowan Poison-bush, n. a
Queensland name for 'Myoporum
deserti, Cunn., N.O. Myoporina ;
called "Dogwood Poison-bush"
in New South Wales. Ellan-
gowan is on the Darling Downs
in Queensland. Poisonous to
sheep, but only when in fruit.
Emancipatist, and Emanci-
pist, n. (the latter, the commoner),
an ex-convict who has served out
his sentence. 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, and emancipists, who
have arrived here as convicts, and have
either been pardoned or completed
their term of servitude."
1830. R. Dawson, ' Present State of
Australia,' p. 302 :
" Men who had formerly been con-
victs, but who, after their period 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 abuse of language
in the misapplication of the terms
emancipists and absentees to two por-
tions of the colonial felonry. An eman-
cipist could not be understood to mean
the emancipated but the emancipator.
Mr. Wilberforce may be honoured
with the title of emancipist ; but it is
as absurd to give the same appellation
to the emancipated felons of New
South Wales as it would be to bestow
it upon the emancipated negroes of the
West Indies."
1845. J. O. Balfour, 'Sketch of New
South Wales,' p. 69 :
" The same emancipist will, however,
besides private charity, be among the
first and greatest contributors to a new
church."
1852. 'Eraser's Magazine,' vol. xlvi. p.
135 =
" The convict obtained his ticket-of-
leave . . . became an emancipist . . .
and found transportation no punish-
ment."
Emu, 71. an Australian bird,
Dromaius novce-hollandice, Lath.
There is a second species, Spotted
Emu, Dromaius irroratus, Bartlett.
An earlier, but now unusual, spell-
ing is Emeu. Emeus is the scien-
tific name of a New Zealand
genus of extinct struthious birds.
The word Emu is not Australian,
but from the Portuguese Ema,
the name first of the Crane,
afterwards of the Ostrich. Form-
erly the word Emu was used in
English for the Cassowary, and
even for the American Ostrich.
Since 1885 an Emu has been the
design on the twopenny postage;
stamp of New South Wales.
EMU]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
137
; 1613. ' Purchas Pilgrimmage, ' pt. I.
vol. v. c. xii. p. 430 (' O.K. p.') :
"The bird called Emia or Erne 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 different from any other
in the known world, was killed and
brought in. Its length was between
seven and eight feet ; its flesh was
good and thought to resemble beef.
It has obtained the name of the New
South Wales Emu."
1789. Captain W. Tench, 'Expedition
to Botany Bay,' p. 123 :
" The bird which principally claims
attention is a species of ostrich, ap-
proaching nearer to the emu of South
America than any other we know of."
1793- Governor Hunter, 'Voyage,'
p. 69:
" Some were of opinion that it was
the emew, which I think is particularly
described by Dr. Goldsmith from Lin-
neus : others imagined it to be the
cassowary, but it far exceeds that bird
in size . . . two distinct feathers grew
out from every quill."
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 whose judg-
ment none can entertain a doubt, to
come nearer to what is known of the
American ostrich than to either the
emu of India or 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. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
p. 165 :
"We saw an emu track down the
side of a hill."
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. c. ix. p. 276 :
" The face of the emu bears a most
remarkable likeness to that of 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 the digestion of an emu' has
its origin."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia/
vol. vi. pi. i :
" Dromaius NOVCB Hollandice. The
Emu. New Holland Cassowary.
'Governor Phillips' Voyage, 1789.'"
1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, ' Port Phillip irv
1849,' P- 42 :
" The emu strides with such rapidity
over the plains as to render its capture
very difficult even by the swiftest grey-
hound."
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 52 :
"A couple of grave-looking emus..
These wobble away at an ungainly
but rapid pace directly they sight us,
most probably vainly pursued by the
dray dogs which join us farther on,
weary and unsuccessful indeed the
swiftest dog finds an emu as much as-
he can manage."
1878. A. Newton, in ' Encyclopaedia
Britannica' (gth edit.), vol. viii. p. 173 :
" Next to the ostrich the largest of
existing birds, the common emeu . . ."
1881. A. C. Grant, ' Bush Life in Queens-
land,' vol. i. p. 210 :
"... points out two emus to John.
. . . They resemble ostriches, but are
not so large, and the tail droops more.
. . . John can distinguish every point
about them, from their black 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
1 4th day of June to the 2oth day 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 like that of the emu
except that the colour is pale moss
green instead of the dark green of the
emu."
Emu-Apple, n. See Apple.
Emu-Bush, n. an Australian
i 3 8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[EMU-EUC
shrub, Eremophila longifolia, F.
v. M., N. O. Myoporinea.
1875. T. Laslett, 'Timber and Timber
Trees,' p. 206 :
"Emu-tree. A small Tasmanian
tree ; found on low marshy ground ;
used for turners' work."
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants/ p. 317 :
" Emu-bush. Owing to emus feed-
ing on the seeds of this and other
species. Heterodendron oleafolium,
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. pi. 31 :
" StipiturusMalachurus, Less. Emu
Wren. The decomposed or loose
structure of these [tail] feathers, much
resembling those of the emu, has sug-
tested the colonial name of Emu-Wren
>r this species, an appellation singu-
larly appropriate, inasmuch as it at
once indicates the kind of plumage
with which the 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 Mel-
bourne), ' Station Life in New Zealand,'
p. 8:
"Then there is the emu-wren, all
sad-coloured, but quaint, with the tail-
feathers sticking up on end, and exactly
like those of an emu, on the very small-
est scale, even to the peculiarity of two
feathers growing out of the same little
-quill."
Eopsaltria, n. scientific name
for the genus of Australian birds
called Shrike-Robins (q.v.). (Grk.
j)ws, dawn, and if/dX-pia, a female
harper.)
Epacris, n. scientific name of
the typical genus of the order
Epacridea, a heath-like flower of
which there are twenty - five
species, mostly Australian. From
vGreek ri, upon, and a/cpov, top
| (the flowers grow in spikes at
the top of the plant). In Aus-
tralia they are frequently confused
with and called Ericas.
Ephthianura, n. scientific name
of a genus of very small Austra-
lian birds, anglicized as Ephthia-
nure. For species see quotation,
1848. A fourth species has been
discovered since Gould's day, E.
crocea, Castln. and Ramsay, which
inhabits Northern Australia. The
name was first given by Gould,
in the ' Proceedings of the Zoo-
logical Society of 1837,' p. 148,
as a genus novum. The origin of
the word is not certain, but as
the tail is unusually small, it is
suggested that the name is from
the Greek ov/oa, tail, and Homeric
imperfect 3rd person sing. 2<f>6uv,
wasted away, from <#uo ( = <0iVw).
[The word occurs //. xviii. 446.]
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. iii. pi. 64 :
"Ephthianura Albifrons, White-
fronted Ephthianura," pi. 65. " Auri-
frons, Gould, Orange-fronted E.," pi.
66. " Tricolor, Gould, Tricoloured E."
1890. 'Victorian Statutes Game Act,
Third Schedule':
" Close season. Ephthianuras. The
whole year."
Escapee, n. one who has es-
caped. Especially used of French
convicts who escape from New
Caledonia. The word is formed
on the model of absentee, refugee,
etc., and is manifestly influenced
by Fr. echappe. Escaper is the his-
torical English form. (See Bible,
2 Kings ix. 15, margin.)
1880. ' Melbourne Argus,' July 22, p. 2,
col. 3 ('O.E.D.'):
" The ten New Caledonia escapees
. . . are to be handed over to the
French consul."
Eucalyn, n. a sugar obtained,
together with laevulose, by fer-
mentation of melitose (q.v.) with
yeast, or by boiling it with dilute
acids.
EUC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
139
Bucalypt, n. shortened English
form of Eucalyptus used especially
in the plural, Eucalypti. Euca-
lypti sounds pedantic.
1880. T. W. Nutt, ' Palace of Industry,'
p. II :
" Stems of the soaring eucalypts that
rise
Four hundred friendly feet to glad
the skies."
1887. J. F. Hogan, ' The Irish in Aus-
tralia,' p. 126 :
"There is no unmixed good, it is
said, on this mundane sphere, and the
evil that has accompanied the exten-
sive settlement of Gipps Land during
recent years is to be found in the wide-
spread destruction of the forests, re-
sulting in a disturbance of the atmo-
spheric conditions and the banishment
of an ever-active agent in the preserv-
ation of health, for these eucalypts, or
gum-trees, as they are generally called,
possess the peculiar property of arrest-
ing fever-germs and poisonous exhal-
ations. They have been transplanted
for this especial purpose to some of
the malaria-infested districts of Europe
and America, and with pronounced
success. Australia, to which they are
indigenous, has mercilessly hewn them
down in the past, but is now repenting
of its folly in that respect, and is re-
planting them at every seasonable
opportunity."
1892. A. Sutherland, ' Elementary Geo-
graphy of British Colonies,' p. 270 :
" Throughout the whole of Australia
the prevailing trees are eucalypts,
known generally as gum-trees on ac-
count of the gum which they secrete,
and which may be seen standing like
big translucent beads on their trunks
and branches."
Eucalyptene, n. the name
given by Cloez to a hydrocarbon
obtained by subjecting Eucalyptol
(q.v.) to dehydration by phos-
phorus pentoxide. The same name
has also been given by other
chemists to a hydrocarbon be-
lieved to occur in eucalyptus oil.
Bucalyptian, adj. playfully
formed ; not in common use.
1870. A. L. Gordon, 'Bush Ballads,'
p. 8:
" Gnarl'd, knotted trunks Eucalyptian
Seemed carved, like weird columns
Egyptian,
With curious device quaint inscrip-
' tion
And hieroglyph strange."
Eucalyptic, adj. full of gum-
trees.
1873. J. Brunton Stephens, ' Black Gin,
etc., 'p. 6:
" This eucalyptic cloisterdom is any-
thing but gay."
Eucalyptol, n. a volatile oil of
camphor-like smell, extracted
from the oil of Eucalyptus globulus,
Labill., E. amygdalina, Labill.,
etc. Chemically identical with
cineol, got from other sources.
Eucalyptus, n. the gum tree.
There are 120 species, as set forth
in Baron von Miiller's * Eucalypto-
graphia, a Descriptive Atlas of
the Eucalypts of Australia.' The
name was first given in scientific
Latin by the French botanist
L'He"ritier, in his Sertum Anglicum^
published in 1788. From the
Greek cv, well, and icoA/un-reiv, to
cover. See quotation, 1848. N.O.
Myrtacece. The French now say
Eucalyptus ; earlier they called it
F acajou de la nouvelle Hollande.
The Germans call it Schonmutze.
See Gum.
1823. Sidney Smith, ' Essays,' p. 440 :
" A London thief, clothed in Kan-
garoo's skins, lodged under the bark
of the dwarf eucalyptus, and keeping
sheep, fourteen thousand miles from
Piccadilly, with a crook bent into the
shape of a picklock, is not an uninter-
esting picture."
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia,' vol.
i. c. ii. p. 80 :
" A large basin in which there are
stunted pines and eucalyptus scrub."
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
p. 132 :
" The scientific term Eucalyptus has
been derived from the Greek, in allu-
sion to a lid or covering over the
140
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[EUR-EXP
blossom, which falls off when the
flower expands, exposing a four-celled
capsule or seed-vessel."
1851. G. W. Rusden, * Moyarra,' canto
i. p. 8 :
" The eucalyptus on the hill
Was silent challenge to his skill."
1870. 'Temple Bar/ Oct., p. 237
CO.E.D.'):
"The sombre eucalypti . . . inter-
spersed here and there by their dead
companions."
1886. J. A. Froude, 'Oceana,' p. 118:
"At intervals the bush remained
untouched, but the universal eucalyp-
tus, which I had expected to find grey
and monotonous, was a Proteus in
shape and colour, now branching like
an oak or a cork tree, now feathered
like a birch, or glowing like an 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 foots sheer athwart a tiny
watercourse."
Euro, n. one of the aboriginal
names for a Kangaroo (q.v.) ;
spelt also Yuro.
1885. Mrs. Praed, ' Head Station,' p.
192:
" Above and below . . . were beetling
cliffs, with ledges and crannies that
afforded foothold only to yuros and
rock- wallabies.' '
Exclusionist, n. and adj. See
quotation.
1827. P. Cunningham. 'Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. ii. pp. 118-19 :
". . . one subdivision of the emi-
grant class alluded to, is termed the
exclusionist party, from their strict
exclusion of the emancipists from their
society."
Exileism, n. a word of same
period as Exiles (q.v.).
1893. A. P. Martin, ' Life of Lord Sher-
brooke,' vol. i. p. 381 :
" A gentleman who was at this time
engaged in pastoral pursuits in New
South Wales, and was therefore a sup-
porter of ' exileism.' "
Exiles, n. euphemistic name for
convicts. It did not last long.
1847. A. P. Martin, < Life of Lord Sher-
brooke ' (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 ex-
plained in his despatch of Sept 3,
1847, 'a scheme of reformatory dis-
cipline.' "
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 their probation at home, were
forwarded till 1843."
Expiree, n. a convict whose
term of sentence had 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 expiree convicts from
New South Wales and Van Diemen's
Land, are thoroughly unprincipled
men."
1883. E. M. Curr, 'Recollections of
Squatting in Victoria' (1841 1851), p. 40 :
"Hiring men in Melbourne in 1841
was not by any means an agreeable
job, as wages were high, and labourers
(almost all old gaol-birds and expiree
convicts) exceedingly independent and
rowdy."
FAI-FAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
141
F
Fairy Gardens, n. a miner's
term, explained in quotation.
1852. F. Lancelott, 'Australia, as it is,'
vol. ii. p. 221 :
"On the south-eastern portion of
this county is the world-famed Burra
Burra copper mine. . . . Some of the
cuttings are through solid blocks of
ore, which brilliantly glitter as you
pass with a lighted candle, while others
are formed in veins of malachite, and
from their rich variegated green
appearance are not inaptly called by
the miners 'Fairy gardens.'"
Fake-mucker, n. a Tasmanian
name for the Dusky Robin (Petroica
vittata). See Robin.
Falcon, n. English bird-name.
The Australian species are
Black Falcon
Falco subniger. Gray.
Black-cheeked F.
F. melanogenys, Gould.
Grey F.
F. hypoleuatS) Gould.
Little F.
F. lunulatus, Lath.
See also Nankeen-Hawk.
Fantail, n. bird-name applied
in England to a pigeon ; in Aus-
tralia and New Zealand, to the
little birds of the genus Rhipidura
(q.v.). It is a fly-catcher. The
Australian species are
Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould.
Black-and-White Fantail (called
also the Wagtail y 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.
(TiwaiwaJca).
Pied F.
R. flabellifera, Gmel. (Piwaka-
waka).
In Tasmania, the R. diemenensis
is called the Cranky Fantail, be-
cause 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 expanded tail, and per-
forming all manner of fantastic evolu-
tions, in its diligent pursuit of gnats
and flies, is one of the most pleasing
and attractive objects in the New Zea-
land forest. It is very tame and
familiar."
Farinaceous City, or Village,/?,
a playful name for Adelaide. The
allusion is to wheat being the
leading export of South Australia.
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 184 :
"[Adelaide] has also been nick-
named the Farinaceous City. A little
gentle ridicule is no doubt intended to
be conveyed by the word."
142
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FAT-FER
Fat-cake, n. ridiculous name
sometimes applied to Eucalyptus
leucoxylon, F. v. M., according to
Maiden (< Useful Native Plants,'
p. 471).
Pat-hen, n. a kind of wild
spinach. In England the name is
applied to various plants of thick
foliage.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 40 :
" The fat-hen (Atriplex) . . ."
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland/ p. 120 :
"Another wild vegetable grew in
the sandy beds of the rivers and
creeks, called * fat-hen.' It was exactly
like spinach, and not only most agree-
able but also an excellent anti-scor-
butic, a useful property, for scurvy is
not an unknown thing in the bush by
any means."
1881. A. C. Grant, ' Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 156.
" Boiled salt junk, with fat-hen (a
kind of indigenous spinach)."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 1 6 :
" Chenopodium murale, Linn., Aus-
tralian 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
South Wales an order which happily
exists in no other country in the world.
A legitimate member of the tribe of
appellatives ... as peasantry, ten-
antry, yeomanry, gentry."
1858. T. McCombie, ' History of Vic-
toria/ c. xv. p. 24 :
"The inundation of the Australian
colonies with British Felonry."
1888. Sir C. Gavan Duffy, 'Contem-
porary Review/ vol. liii. p. 14 ['Cen-
tury']:
" To shut out the felonry of Great
Britain and Ireland."
Ferns. The following list of
Australian ferns is taken from
'The Fern World of Australia,'
by F. M. Bailey of Brisbane
(1881), omitting from his list alt
ferns of which the vernacular and
scientific names coincide with the
names of ferns elsewhere.
Bat's-wing Fern
Pteris incisa, Thunb.
Black Tree F. of New Zea-
land
Cyathea medullaris, Sw.
Blanket F.
Grammitis rutcefolia, 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.
Platy cerium 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.
Davallia pyxidata, Cav.
Jersey F.
Grammitis leptophylla y 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, S m .
Prickly F. (q.v.)
Alsophila australis, R. Br.
* Elsewhere the name is applied to a
different species.
FER]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
143;
Prickly-tree Fern
Alsophila leichhardtiana, F. v. M.
Ribbon F.
Ophioglossum pendulum. Linn.
Shiny F.
Poly podium aspidoides, Bail.
Snake's-tongue F.
Lygodium, spp.
The following are not in Bailey's
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 also Fern-
tree.
Pern-bird, n. a New Zealand
bird of the genus Sphenczcus.
Also called Grass-bird, and New
Zealand Pipit. There are three
species
The Fern-bird
Sphencecus 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 yet to 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 is yet to be heard
among the tall fern, though it is not so
plentiful 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 our commonest birds,
but is oftener heard than seen. It
frequents the dense fern of the open
country and the beds of Raupo."
Fern-tree, n. Name applied to
various species of ferns which
grow to a large size, the stem in
the fully grown plant reaching
often a height of many feet before
the leaves are given off. Such
Tree-ferns clothe the sides of deep
and shady gullies amongst the
hills, and give rise to what are
known as Fern-tree gullies,
which form a very characteristic
feature of the moister coastal
Ranges of many parts of Australia.
The principal Fern-trees or Tree-
ferns, as they are indiscriminately
called, of Australia and Tasmania
are Dicksonia antarctica, Lab. ;
Alsophila australis, R. Br. ; Todea
africana, 'Willd. ; Cyathea cun-
ninghami, J. Hook. ; Alsophila ex-
celsa, R. Br. ; the last named, how-
ever, not occurring in Tasmania
or Victoria.
1836. Ross, 'Hobart Town Almanack/
p. 164:
" We entered a beautiful fern-tree
grove, that also concealed the heavens
from view, spreading like a plantation
or cocoa-nut tree 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. 45), and I
measured one trunk no less than six
feet in circumference. An arborescent
fern was found by Forster in New
Zealand in 46, where orchideous
plants are parasitical on the trees. In
the Auckland Islands, ferns, according
to Dr. Dieffenbach, have trunks so
thick and high that they may be
almost called tree-ferns."
1857. F. R. Nixon (Bishop of Tasmania),
' Cruise of the Beacon,' p. 26 :
" With these they [i.e. the Tasma-
nian Aborigines] mingled the core or
pith of the fern trees, Cibotium Billar-
dieri and Alsophila Australis (of which
the former is rather astringent and
dry for a European palate, and the
latter, though more tolerable, is yet
scarcely equal to a Swedish turnip.)"
144
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FER-FIG
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 Bal-
ls,' 'Canterbury Poets ' (Scott, 1888), pp.
lads,
180-81 :
fern-trees make a
" The feathery
screen,
Wherethrough 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 ; the Indian fig
with its tortuous branches clothed with
a drapery of 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, ;/. another name
for Bitter-bark (q.v.).
Fibrous Grass, n. aTasmanian
grass (see Grass), Stipa semi-
barbata, R. Br., N.O. Graminea.
1862. W. Archer, < Products of Tas-
mania,' p. 41 :
" Fibrous grass (Stipa scmibarbata,
Br.). After the seed has 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 in
Australia to the beetle, Schizor-
rhina australasia.
Fiddler, n. a New South Wales
and Victorian name for a species
of Ray, Trygonorhina fasciata,
Mull, and Heule, family Rhinoba-
tida.
Fig-bird, n. a bird-name. Sphe-
cotheres maxillaris. Lath. ; Yellow-
bellied, S. flaviventris, Gould. S.
maxillaris is also called Mulberry-
bird (q.v.).
Fig-eater, n. a bird, i.q. Grape-
eater (q.v.).
Fig-tree, n. The name is applied
in Australia to the following
species :
Blue Fig
Elaocarpus grandis, F. v. M.,
N.O. Tiliacea.
Clustered F.
Ficus glomerata, Willd., N.O.
Urticacea.
Moreton Bay F.
F. macrophylla, Desf., N.O. Ur-
ticaria.
Prickly F.
Elaocarpus holopetalus, F. v. M.,
N.O. Tiliacea.
Purple F., or White F., or Rough-
leaved F., or Flooded F.
[Clarence River]
Ficus scabra, G. Forst., N.O.
Urticaria.
Ribbed F.
F. pleurocarpa, F. v. M., N.O.
Urticaria.
Rusty F., or Narrow-leaved F.
[or Port Jackson]
F. rubiginosa y Desf., N.O. Urti-
caria ; 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 which is
FIL-FIR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
sometimes used, though it is very
difficult to season."
[It is a handsome evergreen
with dark leaves, larger than
those of a horse-chestnut, much
used as an ornament in streets
and gardens, especially in Sydney
and Adelaide. The fig is not
edible.]
1890. Rolf Boldre wood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. 44, p. 380:
"The , . . venerable church with
its alleys of araucaria and Moreton
Bay fig-trees."
File-fish, n. name given in New
Zealand to the fish Monacanthus
rudis, Richards, family Schroder-
mi; in New South Wales to
species of the genus Balistes. The
first of the spines of the dorsal
fin is roughened in front like a
file. Batistes maculatus is the
"Spotted File-fish" of Sydney.
It is closely allied to the genus
Monacanthus, called Leather-jacket
(q.v.), which is much more numer-
ously represented in Australasia.
Finch, n. a bird-name, first
applied in Australia, 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.
Taniopygia castanotis, Gould.
Crimson F.
Neochmia phaeton, Homb. and
Jacq.
Fire-tailed F.
Zonceginthus bellus, Lath.
Gouldian F.
Poephila gouldice, 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.
sEgintha temporalis, Lath.
Red-eared F.
Zonceginthus 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
the lighted stick which the Aus-
tralian natives frequently carry
about, when moving from camp
to camp, so as to be able to light
a fire always without the neces-
sity of producing it by friction.
The fire-stick may be carried in a
smouldering condition for long
distances, and when traversing
open grass country, such as the
porcupine-grass covered districts
of the interior, the stick is used
for setting fire to the grass, partly
to destroy this and partly to drive
out the game which is hiding
amongst it. The fire-stick (see
quotations) is also used as em-
blematic of the camp-fire in cer-
tain ceremonies.
1847. J. D. Lang, 'Cooksland,' p.
126, n. :
"When their fire-stick has been
146
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FIR-FLA
extinguished, as is sometimes the case,
for their jins or vestal virgins, who
have charge of the fire, are not always
sufficiently vigilant."
1896. F. J. Gillen, 'Home Expedition
in Central Australia,' Anthropology, pt.
iv. p. 170:
" Carrying fire-sticks, they place
rings, woven of fur and vegetable
down, round the boy's neck and arms
and sometimes over and under the
shoulders ; the fire-sticks are then
handed to him, the lubras saying :
* Take care of the fire ; keep to your
own camp.' "
Firetail, n. name applied in
Victoria to the bird sEgintha
temporalis, Lath. ; and in Tas-
mania to Zonczginthus (Estrelda)
bellus, Lath. In New South
Wales, sE. temporalis is known
as the Red-head.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. iii. pi. 78:
"Estrelda Bella, Fire-tailed finch.
Fire-tail, Colonists of Van Diemen's
Land."
Fire-tree, n. a tree of New
Zealand ; another name for Pohu-
tukawa (q.v.). For Queensland
Fire-tree, see Tulip-tree.
Fireweed, n. a name given to
several weeds, such as Senetio
lautus, Sol., N.O. Composite ; so
called because they spring up in
great luxuriance where the forest
has been burned off.
Fish-hawk, n. English name
applied to Pandion leucocephalus,
Gould ; called also the Osprey.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. i. pi. 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 not unknown in English
in the sense of to grip. (Shak-
speare, 'Cor.' IV. v. 124.)
1846. C. P. Hodgson, ' Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 366 :
"'Fist it,' a colonial expression,
which may convey to the uninitiated
the idea that knives, forks, plates, etc.,
are unknown in the bush ; such was
formerly the case, but the march of
improvement has banished this pecu-
liar simplicity."
Five-corners, n. name given
to the fruit of an Australian tree
and to the tree itself, Styphelia
triflora, Andr., N.O. Epacridea.
There are many species of Sty-
phelia (q.v.), the fruit of several
being edible.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 6 1 :
" Five-corners. These fruits have a
sweetish pulp with a large stone. They
form part of the food of the aboriginals,
and are much appreciated by school-
boys. When from a robust plant they
are 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 and elsewhere to
several trees with bright scarlet,
or crimson, flowers. In Australia,
two different trees are called
Flame-trees
(1) A tree of Eastern Australia,
with profuse bright coral-like
flowers, Brachychiton acerifolium,
F. v. M., N.O. Sterculiacea.
(2) A tree of Western Aus-
tralia, with brilliant orange-col-
oured flowers, Nuytsia floribunda,
N.O. Loranthacea ; which is also
called Tree Mistletoe, and, locally,
a Cabbage-tree.
1885. R. M. Praed, ' Australian Life,' p.
96:
"There are flame-trees showing in
spring vivid patches of crimson."
Flannel Flower, n. an Austra-
lian flower, Actinotus helianthi,
Labill., N.O. Composite. It ranges
from Gippsland to Southern
FLA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
147
Queensland, but is particularly
abundant in New South Wales.
Sometimes called the Australian
Edelweiss. For the reason 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 is the ' Flannel
Flower 5 a rather unpoetical designa-
tion, but a really descriptive one, and
one universally accepted. It is, of
course, in allusion to the involucre,
which looks as if it were snipped out of
white flannel. It is also known to a few
t>y the name of Australian Edelweiss."
Flathead, n. name given to
several Australian marine fishes,
Platycephalusfuscus, Cuv. and Val.,
and other species of Platycephalus,
family Cottida. The Red Flat-
head is P. bassensis, Cuv. and
Val., and the Rock F. is P. Icevi-
gatus, Cuv. and Val. See also
Tupong and Maori-chief.
1793. Governor Hunter, ' Voyage,' p.
410 (Aboriginal Vocabulary) :
"Paddewah, a fish called a flat-
head."
1832. J. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
c. ii. p. 32 :
" The market of Hobart Town is
supplied with small rock cod, flat-
heads, and a fish called the perch."
Flat Pea, n. a genus of Aus-
tralian flowering plants, Platylo-
bium, N. O. Leguminosce.
1793. ' Transactions of Linnaean Society,'
vol. ii. p. 350 :
" Its name I have deduced from
TrXaruy, broad, and Xo/3os-, a pod."
" P. formosum. Orange flat-pea . . .
A figure of this . . . will soon be
given in the work I have undertaken
on the botany of New Holland."
[The figure referred to will be found
at p. 17 of the ' Specimen of the Botany
of New Holland.']
Flax, Native, n. The European
flax is Linum usitatissimum, N. O.
Lima. There is a species in
Australia, Linum marginale, Cunn.,
JV. O. Lmacece.) called Native Flax.
In New,- Zealand, the Phormium is
called Native Flax. See next
word.
1889. J. H. 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 by the blacks for making fish-
ing-nets and cordage."
Flax, New Zealand, n. Phorm-
ium tenax, N. O. Liliacece. A plant
yielding a strong fibre. Called
also, in New Zealand, Native Flax,
and Flax Lily.
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 distinctive name.
Any portion of the leaf, when gathered,
becomes here 'kie kie, 5 or literally,
' tying stuff.' The operation of scrap-
ing is called 'karo,' the fibre when
prepared, 'muka.'" [Mr. Tregear says
that Wakefield's statements are mis-
taken.]
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. Braim, 'New Homes,' c.
viii. p. 375:
" The native flax (Phormium tenax)
is found in all parts of 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, un-
dyed."
1893. 'Murray's Handbook to New
Zealand,' p. 29:
"The so-called native flax (phorm-
ium tenax)?
i 4 8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FLA-FLY
Flax-blade, n. the leaf of the
New Zealand Flax (q.v.).
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf,' i. 5, p.
II:
" With flax-blades binding to a tree
The Maid who strove her limbs to
free."
Flax-bush, n. the bush of the
New Zealand Flax.
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 New Zealand Flax (q.v.).
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf,' xiv. 3, p.
221 :
" little isles
Where still the clinging flax-flower
smiles."
Flax-leaf, n. the blade of the
New Zealand Flax (q.v.).
1884. T. Bracken, 'Lays of Maori,' p.
69:
" Zephyrs stirred the flax-leaves into
tune."
Flax-lily, n. (i) An Australian
fibre plant, Dianella Icevis, van
aspera, R.Br., N. O. Liliacece. (2)
Phormium tenax. See Flax, 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
trees called 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, Pseu-
dorhombus russelii, Gray ; in Mel-
bourne, Rhombosolea victoria,
Castln. ; in New Zealand and
Tasmania, R. monopus, Giinth.
Maori name, Pdtiki ; family Pleu-
ronectidcz. They are all excellent
eating".
1876. P. Thomson, ' Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. ix. art. Ixvii.,
p. 487 :
"Patiki (flounder). Flounders are
in the market all the year."
Flower-pecker, n. bird-name
used elsewhere, but in Australia
assigned to Dicceum hirundin-
aceum. Lath.
Flowering Rush, n. name given
to the rush or reed, Xyris opercu-
lata, Lab., N.O. Xyridece.
Flute-bird, n. another name for
the bird Gymnorrhina 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 Fly-catcher
Monarcha melanopsis, Vieill.
Blue F.
Myiagra concinna, Gould.
Broad-billed F.
M. latirostriS) Gould.
Brown F. [called also Jacky Winter
(q-v.)I-
MicrcBca fascinans. Lath
Leaden F.
Myiagra rubecula, Lath.
Lemon-breasted F.
Micrceca flavigaster ) Gould.
Lesser Brown F.
M. assimiliS) Gould.
Little F.
Seisura nana, Gould.
Pale F.
Micraca pallida.
Pearly F.
Monarcha canescens, Salvad.
FLY]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
149
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 Tas-
mania].
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.
Macharirhynchus flaviventer,
Gould.
1790. J. White, ' Voyage to New South
Wales,' p. 161 :
" We this day caught a yellow-eared
fly-catcher (see annexed plate). This
bird is a native of New Holland."
[Description follows.]
Ply-eater, n. the nevv ver-
nacular name for the Australian
birds of the genus Gerygone (q.v.),
and see Warbler. The species
are
Black-throated Fly-eater
Gerygone per sonata, Gould.
Brown F.
G. fusca, Gould.
Buff-breasted F.
G. Icevigaster, 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 Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science '
(Brisbane), p. 447 :
"[The habits and habitats of the
genus as] applied to Gerygone sug-
gested the term Yly-eater, as distin-
guished from Fly- catcher, for this
aberrant and peculiarly Australasian
form of small Fly-catchers, which not
only capture their food somewhat after
the manner of Fly-catchers, but also
seek for it arboreally."
Flyer, n. a swift kangaroo.
1866. T. McCombie,' Australian Sketch-
es,' second series, p. 172 :
" I may here state that the settlers
designate the old kangaroos as 'old
men ' and ' old women/' the full-grown
animals are named 'flyers/ and are
swifter than the British hare."
Flying-Pox, n. a gigantic Aus-
tralian bat, Pteropus poliocephalus ,
Temm. It has a fetid 'odour and
does great damage to fruits, and
is especially abundant in New
South Wales, though often met
with in Victoria. Described, not
named, in first extract.
1793. Governor Hunter, 'Voyage,' p.
57:
"The head of this bat strongly
resembles that of a fox, and the wings
of many of them extend three feet ten
inches. . . . [Description of one
domesticated.] . . . They are very fat,
and are reckoned by the natives ex-
cellent food ... It was supposed more
than twenty thousand of them were
seen within the space 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 horrific appearance, that no
wonder one of Cook's honest tars
should take 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. It was, in fact,
a large kind of bat, with the nose
resembling in colour and shape that
of a fox, and in scent it was exactly
similar to it. The wing was that of a
common English bat, and as long as
that of a crow, to which it was about
equal in the length and circumference
of its body."
150
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FLY
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,
hanging by the heels in thousands,
from the higher branches of the
trees."
1863. B. A. Hey wood, ' Vacation Tour
at the Antipodes/ p. IO2 :
" The shrill twitter of the flying fox,
or vampire bat, in the bush around
us."
1871. Gerard Krefft, ' Mammals of Aus-
tralia ' :
"The food on which the 'Foxes'
principally live when garden fruit is
not in season, consists of honey-bear-
ing blossoms and the small native
figs abounding in the coast-range
scrubs. . . . These bats are found on
the east coast only, but during very
dry seasons they occur as far west as
the neighbourhood of Melbourne."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. ii. p. 2O:
" A little further on they came to a
camp of flying foxes. The huge trees
on both sides of the river are actually
black with them. The great bats
hang by their hooked wings to every
available branch and twig, squealing
and quarrelling. The smell is dread-
ful. The camp extends for a length of
three miles. There must be millions
upon millions of them."
Flying-Mouse, n. See Opossum-
mouse and Flying-Phalanger.
Flying-Phalanger, n. included
in the class of Phalanger (q.v.).
The " flying" Phalangers " have
developed large parachute-like
expansions of skin from the sides
of the body, by means of which
they are able to take long flying
leaps from bough to bough, and
thus from tree to tree. . . .
While the great majority of the
members of the family are purely
vegetable feeders, ... a few
feed entirely or partly on insects,
while others have taken to a diet
of flesh." (R. Lydekker.)
They include the so-called Fly-
ing-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 Fly ing- Squirrel.
The species are
Lesser F.-Ph.
Petaurus breviceps.
Papuan Pigmy F.-Ph.
Acrobates pulchellus (confined to
Northern Dutch NewGuinea).
Pigmy F.-Ph.
A. pygmceus.
Squirrel F.-Ph.
Petaurus sciureus.
Taguan F.-Ph.
Petauroides volans.
Yellow-bellied F.-Ph.
P. australis.
Flying-Squirrel, n. popular
name for a Flying-Phalanger,
Petaurus sciureus, Shaw, a mar-
supial with a parachute-like fold
of skin along the sides by which
he skims and floats through the
air. The name is applied to
entirely 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, with a fur so fine
that, although a small animal, the
hatters here give 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- ? 253:
" In the year 1845 I drew the atten-
FLY-FOR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
tion of the Tasmanian Society to the
interesting fact that the Petaurus
stiureus, or Flying Squirrel, of Port
Phillip, was becoming naturalized in
Van Diemen's Land. . . . No species
of Petaurus is indigenous to Tasmania.
... It does not appear from all that I
can learn, that any living specimens
of the Petaurus scmretts were im-
ported into Van Diemen's Land prior
to 1834 ; 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 the marsupial
order, is a beautiful little creature, and
disposed over the whole of the interior
of New South Wales : its fur is of a
finer texture than that of the opossum."
1855. W. Blandowski, 'Transactions of
Philosophical Society of Victoria/ vol. i.
p. 70:
" The common flying squirrel (Pe-
taurus sciureus) is very plentiful in
the large gum trees near the banks of a
creek or river, and appears to entertain
a peculiar aversion to the high lands."
1890. C. Lumholtz, 'Among Cannibals,'
p. 90:
"Flying squirrel." [Footnote] :
"The marsupial flying phalanger is
so called by the Australians."
Fly-Orchis, n. name applied in
Tasmania to the orchid, Pra-
sophyllum patens, R. Br.
Forest, n. See quotation.
1839. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions into the Interior of Eastern Aus-
tralia,' 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 Kan-
garoo, Macropus giganteus, Zimm.
1832. J. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
vol. ii. p. 27 :
"There are three or four varieties
of kangaroos ; those most common
are denominated the forester and brush
kangaroo."
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Ex-
pedition,' p. 423 :
" I called this river the ' Red Kan-
garoo River,' for in approaching it we
first saw the red forester of Port
Essington."
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 Forester Kangaroo
(Macropus giganteus) tame, for they
have been so hunted and destroyed
that there are very few left in Tas-
mania, and those are in private pre-
serves, or very remote out-of-the-way
places, and rarely seen. . . . The ab-
origines called the old father of a flock
a Boomer. These were often very
large : about five feet high in their
usual position, but when standing quite
up, they were fully six feet . . . and
weighing 1 50 or 200 pounds."
1890. RolfBoldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. xix. p. 181 :
"The dogs . . . made for them as
if they had been a brace of stray
foresters from the adjacent ranges."
Forest-Oak, n. See Oak.
Forget-me-not, n. The species
of this familiar flower is Myosotis
australiS) R. Br., N.O. Asperifolm.
Fortescue, or 40-skewer, n. a
fish of New South Wales, Pen-
taroge marmorata, Cuv. and Val.,
family Scorpcenidce ; called also
the Scorpion, and the Cobbler. All
its names allude to the thorny
spines of its fins. The name
Fortescue is an adaptation of 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, as these fish
are popularly termed by fishermen,
152
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FOR- FOS
have been known for a long time, and
bear that name no doubt in memory
of the pain they have hitherto inflicted ;
and for its number and array of prickles
it enjoys in this country the alias
1 Forty-skewer ' or * Fortescure.' "
1896. F. G. Aflalo, 'Natural History of
Australia,' p. 228 :
" Fortescue is a terrible pest, lurking
among the debris in the nets and all
but invisible, its spines standing erect
in readiness for the unwary finger.
And so intense is the pain inflicted by
a stab, that I have seen a strong 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 it-
self means spotted "like the
pard." See also Diamond-bird.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. ii. pi. 37 :
" Pardalotus quadragintus, Gould,
Forty-spotted pardalote. 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 one wonders 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 special meanings. Derived,
like fosse, a. ditch, and fossil^
through French from Lat. fossus,
perfect part, of fodere, to dig.
Fossicking as pres. part., or as
verbal noun, is commoner than
the other parts of the verb.
(1) To pick out gold.
1852. W. H. Hall, ' Practical Ex-
periences at the Diggings in Victoria,'
p. 16:
"Or fossicking (picking out the
nuggets from the interstices of the
slate formation) with knives and
trowels."
(2) To dig for gold on aban-
doned 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
hinamen 'fossicking' after gold
amidst the dirt of the river, which
had already been washed by the first
gold-seekers."
1880. G. Sutherland, ' Tales of Gold-
fields,' p. 22 :
"He commenced working along
with several companions at surface
digging and fossicking."
1894. 'The Argus,' March 14, p. 4,
col. 6 :
"The easiest and simplest of all
methods is ' fossicking.' An old dig-
gings is the place for this work, because
there you will learn the kind of country,
formation, and spots to look for gold
when you want to break new ground.
'Fossicking' means going over old
workings, turning up boulders, and
taking the clay from beneath them,
exploring fissures in the rock, and
scraping out the stuff with your table
knife, using your pick to help matters.
Pulling up of trees, and clearing all
soil from the roots, scraping the bot-
toms of deserted holes, and generally
keeping your eye about for little bits
of ground left between workings by
earlier miners who were in too great a
hurry looking after the big fish to
attend much to small fry."
(3) To search for gold gener-
ally, even by stealing.
1861. T. McCombie,' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 60 :
"A number of idle and disorderly
fellows had introduced a practice
which was termed 'fossicking.'. . . .
In the dead hours of midnight they
issued forth, provided with wax tapers,
and, entering upon the ground, stole
the auriferous earth."
(4) To search about for any-
thing, 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."
FOS-FRE]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
153
1890. ' The Argus/ Aug. 2, p. 4,
col. 3 :
" Half the time was spent in fossick-
ing 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. works among the tailings of
old gold-mines for what may be
left.
1853. C. Rudston Read, ' What I heard,
saw, and did at the Australian Gold Fields/
p. 150:
"The man was what they called a
night fossicker, who slept, or did nothing
during the day, and then went round
at night to where he knew the claims
to be rich, and stole the stuff by candle-
light."
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketch-
es/ p. 87 :
"I can at once recognize the ex-
perienced ' fossickers/ who know well
how to go to work with every chance
in their favour."
1864. J. Rogers, ' New Rush/ pt. ii. p.
"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 total abandonment,
a two hundred ounce nugget had been
found by a solitary 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 of their own
building."
Four-o'clock, n. another name
for the Friar-bird (q.v.).
Free-select, v. to take up land
under the Land Laws. See Free-
selector. This composite verb,
derived from the noun, is very
unusual. The word generally
used is to select.
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories/ c. xix. p. 134:
" Everything which he could have
needed had he proceeded to free-select
an uninhabited island."
Free-selection, n. (i) The pro-
cess of selecting or choosing land
under the Land Laws, or the
right to choose. Abbreviated
often into Selection. See Free-
selector.
1865. 'Ararat Advertiser' [exact date
lost] :
"He was told that the areas open
for selection were not on the Geelong
side, and one of the obliging officials
placed a plan before him, showing the
lands on which he was free to choose
a future home. The selector looked
vacantly at the map, but at length be-
came attracted by a bright green allot-
ment, which at once won his capricious
fancy, indicating as it did such luxurious
herbage ; but, much to his disgust, he
found that ' the green lot ' had already
been selected. At length he fixed on
a yellow section, and declared his in-
tention of resting satisfied with the
choice. The description and area of
land chosen were called out, and he
was requested to move further over
and pay his money. ' Pay ? ' queried
the fuddled but startled bond fide, ' I
got no money (hie), old 'un, thought it
was free selection, you know.' "
1870. T. H. Braim, 'New Homes/ ii. 87 :
" A man can now go and make his
free selection before survey of any
quantity of land not less than 40 nor
more than 320 acres, at twenty shil-
lings an acre."
1878. ' The Australian/ vol. i. p. 743 :
" You may go to nine stations out of
ten now without hearing any talk but
' bullock and free-selection.' "
1880. G. Sutherland, 'Tales of Gold-
fields/ p. 82 :
" His intention . . . was to take up
154
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FRE-FRI
a small piece of land under 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 abbreviated
form, Selection.
1887. R. M. Praed, ' Longleat of Koo-
ralhyn,' vol. vi. p. 56 :
" I've only seen three females on my
selection since I took it up four years
last November."
Free-selector, n. (abbreviated
often to Selector\ one who takes
up a block of Crown land under
the Land Laws and by annual
payments acquires the freehold.
[320 acres in 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 the
squatter, the squatter puts in force
against him ; he selected upon the
squatter's run, and the squatter selects
upon his grazing right."
1873. Ibid. p. 33 :
" Men who select small portions of
the Crown lands by means of land
orders or by gradual purchase, and
who become freeholders and then per-
manently 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 a piece of land
to be tilled by the owner is the one
which the best class of immigrants
desire."
1875. ' Melbourne Spectator,' June 12,
p. 70, col. 2 :
" A public meeting of non-resident
selectors has been held at Rushworth."
1884. Marcus Clarke, 'Memorial Vol-
ume, p. 85 :
"A burly free selector pitched his
tent in my Home-Station paddock and
turned my dam into a wash."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' 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 order that 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 from our land."
Fresh-water Herring, n. In
Sydney, the fish is Clupea rich-
mondia, Macl. Elsewhere in Aus-
tralia, and in Tasmania, it is
another name for the Grayling
(q.v.).
Fresh-water Perch, n. name
given in Tasmania to the fish
Microperca tasmanice.
Friar-bird, n. an Australian
bird, of the genus called Philemon*
but originally named Tropidorhyn-
chits (q.v.). It is a honey-eater,
and is also called Poor Soldier
and other names ; see quotation,.
1848. The species are
Friar-Bird
Philemon corniculatus^ Lath.
[Called also Leather-head > q.v.T
Helmeted F.
P. buceroides. Swains.
Little F.
P. sordidus, Gould.
Silvery-crowned F.
P. argenticeps, Gould.
Yellow-throated F.
P. citreogularisy Gould.
Western F.
P. occidentalism Ramsay.
1798. D. Collins, ' Account of English
Colony in New South Wales,' p. 6iC
(Vocab.):
" Wirgan, bird named by us the
friar."
FRI-FRO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
155
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 324 :
" Friar, a very common bird about
Paramatta, called by the natives ' col-
dong? It repeats the words 'poor
soldier' and 'four o'clock 3 very dis-
tinctly."
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. pi. 58 :
" Tropidorhynchus Corniculatus, Vig.
and Hors.
"From the fancied resemblance of
its notes to those words, it has ob-
tained from the Colonists the various
names of 'Poor Soldier,' ' Pimlico, 3
' Four o'clock/ etc. Its bare head and
neck have also suggested the names
of 'Friar Bird.' 'Monk,' 'Leather
Head,' etc."
1855. W. Blandowski, ' Transactions of
the Philosophical Society of Victoria,' vol.
i. p. 64 :
" The Tropidorhynchus corniculatus
is well known to the colonists by the
names ' poor soldier,' ' leather-headed
jackass,' ' friar-bird,' etc. This curious
bird, in common with several other
varieties of honey-eaters, is remarkable
on account of its extreme liveliness and
the singular resemblance of its notes
to the human voice."
Frilled-Lizard, ;/. See quota-
tion.
1875. G.Bennett, ' Proceedings of Royal
Society of Tasmania,' p. 56 :
"Notes on the Chlamydosaunts or
frilled-lizard of Queensland (C. Kin-
Frogsmouth, n. an Australian
bird ; genus Podargus, commonly
called Mopoke (q.v.). The mouth
and expression of the face re-
semble the appearance of a frog.
The species are
Freckled Frogsmouth
Podargus phalanoides, Gould.
Marbled F.
P. marmoratus, Gould.
Plumed F.
P. papuensis, Quoy and Gaim.
Tawney F.
P. strigoides, Lath.
1895. W. O. Legge, ' Australasian As-
sociation for the Advancement of Science '
(Brisbane), p. 447 :
" The term ' Frogsmouth ' is used in
ordertogetrid of that very objectionable
name Podargus, and as being allied to
the other genera Batrachostomtts and
Otothrix of the family Steatornina in
India. It is a name well suited to the
singular structure of the mouth, and
presumably better than the mythical
title of 'Goatsucker.' 'Night-hawk, 5
sometimes applied to the Caprimul-
gtncB, does not accord with the mode of
flight of the genus Podargus?
Frontage, n. land along a
river or creek, of great import-
ance to a station. A use common
in Australia, not peculiar to it.
1844. 'Port Phillip Patriot,' July 18, 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. Hawkes-
bury through the 'frontage' and a,
considerable portion of the 'back*
regions of Gondaree."
Frost-fish, n. name given irt
Australia and New Zealand to>
the European Scabbard-fish, Lepi-
dopus caudatus, White. The name
is said to be derived from the cir-
cumstance that the fish is found
alive on New Zealand sea-beaches
on frosty nights. It is called the
Scabbard-fish in Europe, because
it is like the shining white metal
sheath of a long sword. Lepi-
dopus belongs to the family Tri-
chiurida; it reaches a length of
five or six feet, but is so thin that
it hardly weighs as many pounds.
It is considered a delicacy in
New Zealand.
i 5 6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[FRU-FUR
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 51 :
"The frost-fish ... the most deli-
cately flavoured of all New Zealand
fishes, is an inhabitant of deep water,
and on frosty nights, owing probably
to its air-bladders becoming choked,
it is cast up by the surf on the ocean-
"beach."
Fruit-Pigeon, ;/. The name is
given to numerous pigeons of
the genera Ptilinopus and Car-
pophaga. In Australia it is as-
signed to the following birds :
Allied Fruit-Pigeon
Ptilinopus assimilis, Gould.
Purple-breasted F.-P.
P. magnified, 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 Car-
pophaga novcR-zealandice, Grnel.
(Maori name, Kereru Kuku, or
Kukupa.)
Fryingpan-Brand, n. a large
brand used by cattle-stealers to
cover the owner's brand. See
Duffer and Cattle-Duffer.
1857. Frederic De Brebant Cooper,
* Wild Adventures in Australia,' p. 104 :
"... This person was an ' old
hand,' and got into some trouble on
the other side (z. e. the Bathurst side)
by using a 'frying-pan brand.' He
was stock-keeping in that quarter, and
was rather given to ' gulley-raking.'
One fine day it appears he ran in three
bullocks belonging to a neighbouring
squatter, and clapt his brand on the
top of the other so as to efface it."
Fuchsia, Native, ;/. The name
is applied to several native plants.
(i) In Australia and Tasmania,
to various species of Correa (q.v.),
especially to Correa speciosa, And. ,
N.O. Rutacea.
(2) In Queensland, to Eremo-
phila maculata, F. v. M., N.O.
Myoporinece.
(3) In New Zealand, to Fuchsia
excorticata, Linn., N.O. Onagrarice.
(Maori name, Kotukutuku, 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 (from which it has
been named the * Native Fuchsia '),
and the Scarlet Grevillea (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. mactilata. A ... shrub called
native fuchsia, and by some considered
poisonous, by others a good fodder
bush."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 126 :
"E.tnaculata Called ' Native
Fuchsia ' in parts of Queensland."
1892. 'Otago Witness,' Nov. 24, 'Na-
tive Trees ' :
" A species of native fuchsia that is
coming greatly into favour is called
[Fuchsia] Procumbens. It is a lovely
pot plant, with large 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 gold-
field as ever she was on."
Furze, Native, n. a shrub,
Hakea ulicina, R. Br. See Hakea.
Futtah, n. a settlers' corruption
of the Maori word Whata (q.v.).
1895. W. S. Roberts, ' Southland in
1856,' p. 28 :
FUT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
157
"These stores were called by the
Europeans futters, but the Maori
name was Whata."
1896. ' Southland Daily News,' Feb. 3 :
" * Futtah ' is familiar as ' household
words.' There were always rats in
New Zealand that is, since any tradi-
tions of \\sfauna existed. The original
ones were good to eat. They were
black and smooth in the hair as the
mole of the Old Country, and were
esteemed delicacies. They were al-
ways mischievous, but the Norway rat
that came with the white man was
worse. He began by killing and eating
his aboriginal congener, and then made
it more difficult than ever to keep any-
thing eatable out of reach of his teeth.
Human ingenuity, however, is superior
to that of most of the lower animals,
and so the 'futtah' came to be a
storehouse on four posts, each of them
so bevelled as to render it impossible
for the cleverest rat to climb them.
The same expedient is to-day in use
on Stewart Island and the West Coast
in fact, wherever properly constructed
buildings are not available for the.
storage of things eatable or destruc-
tible by the rodents in question."
1 5 8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GAL-GAR
G
G-alah, n. a bird. (The accent
is now placed on the second
syllable.) Aboriginal name for the
Cacatua roseicapilla, Vieill., the
Rose-breasted Cockatoo. See Cocka-
too. With the first syllable com-
pare 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 evening sky 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 they settled to
roost, passed over and around him,
.and lifting up his head, he saw how
all their grey feathers were flushed
with the sunset light, their coloured
breasts deepening into darkest ruby,
they seemed like loosed spirits."
Gallows, n. Explained in quota-
tion. Common at all stations,
where of course the butchering is
done on the premises.
1866. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand,' p. 64 :
" The gallows, a high wooden frame
from which the carcases of the
butchered sheep dangle."
Gang-gang, or Gan-gan, n.
the aboriginal word for the bird
Callocephalon galeatum. Lath., so
called from its note ; a kind of
cockatoo, grey with a red head,
called also Gang-gang Cockatoo.
See Cockatoo.
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia,' vol.
i. Intro, p. xxxviii :
" Upon the branches the satin-bird,
the gangan, and various kinds of
pigeons were feeding."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. v. pi. 14 :
" Callocephalon Galeatum, Gang-
gang Cockatoo, Colonists of New South
Wales."
Gannet, n. the English name
for the Solan Goose 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 to any fish of the family
Belonida. The name was origin-
ally used for the common Euro-
pean Belone vulgaris. In Mel-
bourne the Garfish\s a true one,^-
loneferox, Gunth., called in Sydney
11 Long Tom." In Sydney, Tas-
mania, and New Zealand it is
Hemirhamphus intermedius. Can-
tor. ; and in New South Wales,
generally, it is the river-fish If.
regularis, Gunth., family Sombre-
sotidce. Some say that the name
was originally "Guard-fish," and
it is still sometimes so spelt.
But the word is derived from Gar,
in Anglo - Saxon, which meant
spear, dart, javelin, and the
GAS-GER]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
159
allusion is to the long- spear-like
projection of the fish's jaws.
Called by the Sydney fishermen
Ballahoo, and in Auckland the
Piper (q.v.).
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 288 :
" Charley brought me ... the head
bones of a large guard-fish."
1849. Anon., ' New South Wales : its
Past, Present, and Future Condition,' 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 19,
p. 81, col. i :
" 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 our
coasts. One, Hemirhamphus regularis^
is the favourite breakfast fish of the
citizens of Sydney. H. melanochir, or
* river garfish,' is a still better fish, but
has become very scarce. H. argentcus,
the common Brisbane species . . .
and H. commersoni?
Gastrolobium, n. scientific
name of a genus of Australian
shrubs, N.O. Leguminostz, com-
monly known as Poison Bushes
(q.v.). The species are
Gastrolobium bilobum, R. Br.
G. callistachyS) Meissn.
G. calyrium, Benth.
G. obovatum, Benth.
G. oxylobioideS) Benth.
G. spinosum,) Benth.
G. trilobum, Benth.
All of which are confined to West-
ern Australia. The species Gastro-
lobium grandiflorum, F. v. M. (also
called Wall-flower\ is the only
species found out of Western Aus-
tralia, and extends across Central
Australia to Queensland. All the
species have pretty yellow and
purple flowers. The name is from
the Greek yao-T?j/3,yao-T/oos, the belly,
and \6pLov, dim. of Ao/?os, " the
capsule or pod of leguminous
plants." (<L. & S.')
Geebung, or Geebong, n.
aboriginal name for the fruit of
various species of the tree Per-
soonia, and also for the tree itself,
N.O. Proteacecz.
1827. P. Cunningham, 'Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 221 :
"The jibbong is another tasteless
fruit, as well as the five corners, much
relished by children."
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 478 :
"We gathered and ate a great
quantity of gibong (the ripe fruit of
Persoonia falcata}"
1852. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes,'
c. vii. p. 176, 3rd edition 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 with geebongs and
scrub berries, set forth a dessert."
1885. RolfBoldrewood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 255 :
" You won't turn a five-corner into a
quince, or a geebung into an orange."
1889. J. H. 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 of a genus of
small warblers of Australia and
New Zealand ; the new name for
them is Fly-eater (q.v.). In New
Zealand they are called Bush-
warblers , Grey-warblers, etc., and
they also go there by their Maori
name oiRiro-riro. For the species,
see Fly-eater and Warbler. The
name is from the Greek ycpvyov-r],
" born of sound," a word used by
Theocritus.
1895. W. O. Legge, * Australasian Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Science '
(Brisbane), p. 447 :
"[The habits and habitats of the
i6o
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GHI-GID
genus] Gerygone suggested the term
Y\y-eater, as distinguished from Fly-
catcher, for this aberrant and peculiarly
Australasian form of small Fly-catchers,
which not only capture their food some-
what after the manner of Fly-catchers,
but also seek for it arboreally."
Ghilgai, n. an aboriginal word
used by white men in the neigh-
bourhood of Bourke, New South
Wales, to denote a saucer-shaped
depression in the ground which
forms a natural reservoir for rain-
water. Ghilgais vary from 20
to 100 yards in diameter, and
are from five to ten feet deep.
They differ from Claypans (q.v.),
in being more regular in outline
and deeper towards the centre,
whereas Claypans are generally
flat-bottomed. Their formation
is probably due to 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 list of ' barbarisms '] :
" Gibber, a stone."
[Pace Mr. Threlkeld, the word
is aboriginal, though not of the
dialect of the Hunter District, of
which he is speaking.]
1852. ' Settlers and Convicts ; or Re-
collections of Sixteen Years' Labour in the
Australian Backwoods,' p. 159 :
" Of a rainy night like this he did
not object to stow himself by the fire-
side 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. i, p. 4, col. 2:
" At first and for more than a hun-
dred miles [from Oodnadatta north-
wards], our track led across what is
called the gibber country, where the
plains are covered with a thin layer of
stones the gibbers of various sizes,
derived from the breaking down of a
hard rock which forms the top of
endless low, table-topped hills belong-
ing to the desert sandstone formation."
Gibber-gunyah, n. an abori-
ginal cave-dwelling. See Gibber
and Gunyah, also Rock-shelter.
1852. ' Settlers and Convicts ; or, Re-
collections of Sixteen Years' Labour in the
Australian Backwoods,' p. 211 :
" I coincided in his opinion that it
would be best for us to camp for the
night in one of the ghibber-gunyahs.
These are the hollows under over-
hanging 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 (i) a
species of Acacia, A. homalophylla,
Cunn. The original meaning is
probably small, cf. gidju, War-
rego, Queensland, and kutyo,
Adelaide, both meaning small.
(2) A long spear made from
this wood.
1878. 'Catalogue of Objects of Ethno-
typical Art in National Gallery, Melbourne,'
p. 46:
" Gid-jee. Hardwood spear, with
fragments of quartz set in gum on two
sides and grass-tree stem. Total length,
7 feet 8 inches."
1885. R. M. Praed, 'Australian Life,'
P- 5i:
" Gidya scrubs."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 357 :
" A. homalophylla. A ' Spearwood.'
Called 'Myall J in Victoria. . . . Abori-
S'nal names are . . . Gidya, Gidia, or
idgee (with other spellings in New
CIL-GIN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
161
South Wales and Queensland). This
is the commonest colonial name . . .
much sought after for turner's work on
account of its solidity and fragrance.
, . . The smell of the tree when in
flower is abominable, and just before
rain almost unbearable."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xvii. p. 2ii :
"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 colon-
ists gidya-scrub, which manifests itself
even at a distance by a very character-
istic, but not agreeable odour, being
especially pungent after rain."
1896. Baldwin Spencer, ' Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' Narrative,
p. 22 : T
" We camped beside a water-pool
on the Adminga Creek, which is bor-
dered for the main part by a belt of the
stinking acacia, or giddea (A. homa-
lophylla). When the branches are
freshly cut it well deserves the former
name, as they have a most objection-
able smell."
Gill-bird, n. an occasional
name for the Wattle-bird (q.v.).
1896. ' Menu ' for October 15 :
" Gill-bird on Toast. 53
Gin, n. a native word for an
aboriginal woman, and used,
though rarely, even for a female
kangaroo. See quotation 1833.
The form gun (see quotation 1865)
looks as if it had been altered to
meet yw>j, and of course generate
is not derived from ywrj, though
it may be a distant relative. In
4 Collins's Vocabulary ' occurs
"*#, a woman." If such a pho-
netic spelling as djin had been
adopted, as it well might have
been, to express the native sound,
where would the yw?j theory have
been?
1798. D. Collins, 'Account of English
Colony in New South Wales,' 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 a gin
(wife)."
Ibid. p. 153 :
" She agrees to become his gin."
1833. Lieut. Breton, R.N., 'Excur-
sions in New South Wales,' p. 254 :
"The flying gin (gin is the native
word for woman or female) is a boo-
mah, and will leave behind every de-
scription 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 from any attach-
ment to the spirit of that name, but
from some (to me) unknown deriva-
tion."
1846. J. L. Stokes, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' 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
great dread."
1847. J. D. Lang, 'Cooksland,' p.
126, n. :
"When their fire-stick has been
extinguished, as is sometimes the case,
for their jins or vestal virgins, who
have charge of the fire, are not always
sufficiently vigilant."
1852. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes '
(edition 1855), p. 98:
"Gins native women from
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 Dis-
covery, ' p. 250 :
" Gin or gun, a woman. Greek
ywi? and derivative words in English,
such as generate, generation, and the
like."
M
1 62
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GIN-GOA
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 118 :
" The gins are captives of their bow
and spear, and are brought home before
the captor on his saddle. This seems
the orthodox way of wooing the coy
forest maidens. . . . All blacks are
cruel 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 sacri-
ficed."
Ginger, Native, n. an Australian
tree, Alpinia coerulea^ Benth., N. O.
Scitaminece. 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
ccerulea)."
Give Best, v. Australian slang,
meaning to acknowledge superi-
ority, or to give up trying at any-
thing.
1883. Keighley, ' Who are You ? ' p. 87 :
" But then the fact had better be con-
fessed,
I went to work and gave the schooling
best."
1887. J. Farrell, ' How he Died,' p. 80 :
" Charley gave life best and died of
grief."
1890. RolfBoldrewood, ' Miner's Right,'
c. xviii. p. 174 :
" It's not like an Englishman to jack
up and give these fellows best."
Globe-fish, n. name given to
the fish Tetrodon hamiltoni, Rich-
ards., family Gymnodontes. The
Spiny Globe-fish is Diodon. These
are also called Toad-fish (q.v.), and
Porcupine-fish (q.v.). The name
is applied to other fish 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 by Leichhardt, but not
identified. Probably the Boobook
(q.v.), and see its quotation 1827 ;
see also under Mopoke quotation,
Owl, 1846.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 23 :
" The musical note of an unknown
bird, sounding like 'gluck gluck 3 fre-
quently repeated, and ending in a
shake . . . are heard from the neigh-
bourhood 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 throughout the moon-
light nights."
Ibid. pp. 398, 399 :
"During the night, we heard the
well-known note of what we called the
* Glucking bird,' when we first met with
it in the Cypress-pine country at the
early part of our expedition. Its re-
appearance with the Cypress-pine cor-
roborated my supposition, that the bird
lived on the seeds of that tree."
Glue-pot, n. part of a road so
bad that the coach or buggy
sticks in it.
1892. ' Daily News,' London (exact date
lost) :
"The Bishop of Manchester [Dr.
Moorhouse, formerly Bishop of Mel-
bourne], whose authority on missionary
subjects will not be disputed, assures
us that no one can possibly under-
stand the difficulties and the troubles
attendant upon the work of a Colonial
bishop or clergyman until he has
driven across almost pathless wastes
or through almost inaccessible forests,
has struggled through what they used
to call 'glue-pots,' until he has been
shaken to pieces by ' corduroy roads,'
and has been in the midst of forests
with the branches of trees falling
around on all sides, knowing full well
that if one fell upon him he would
be killed."
Goai, n. common name in
southern island of New Zealand
GOA-GOL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
163
for Kowhai (q.v.), of which it is a
corruption. It is especially used
of the timber of this tree, which is
valuable for fencing. The change
from K to G also took place in
the name Ofago, formerly spelt
Otakou.
1860. John Blair, 'New Zealand for
Me':
" The land of \htgoai tree, mapu, and
pine,
The stately totara, and blooming-
wild vine."
1863. S. Butler, ' First Year in Canter-
bury Settlement,' p. 104 :
" I remember nothing but a rather
curiously shaped gowai-tree."
Groanna, Guana, and Guano, n.
popular corruptions for Iguana,
the large Lace-lizard (q.v.), Var-
anus variuS) Shaw. In New Zea-
land, the word Guano is applied to
the lizard-like reptile Sphenodon
punctatum. See Tuatara. In Tas-
mania, the name is given to Tiliqua
scincoides, White, and throughout
Australia any lizard of a large size
is popularly called a Guana, or in
the bush, more commonly, a Go-
anna. 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 of lizard) jumped
out of the grass, and with amazing
rapidity ran, as they always do when
disturbed, up a high tree. ; '
1864. J. Rogers, ' 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 of the 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, with three iron feet,
and two ears, from which it was
suspended by a wire handle over
the fire. It is a corruption of
the Maori word Kohua (q.v.), by
the law of Hobson-Jobson.
1849. W. Tyrone Power, 'Sketches in
New Zealand with Pen and Pencil,' p. 160 :
" Engaged in the superintendence of
a Maori oven, or a huge gipsy-looking
cauldron, called a ' go-ashore.' "
1877. An Old Colonist, ' Colonial Ex-
periences,' p. 124 :
" A large go-ashore, or three-legged
pot, of the size and shape of the caul-
dron usually introduced in the witch
scene in Macbeth."
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 Eucalyptus microtheca, F. v. M.
See Dwarf-box^ under Box.
Goburra, and Gogobera, ;/.
variants of Kookaburra (q.v.).
Goditcha. See Kurdaitcha.
Godwit, n. the English name
for birds of the genus Limosa.
The Australian species are
Black-tailed G., Limosa melanu-
roides, Gould ; Barred-rumped G.,
L. uropygialis, Gould.
Gogobera, and Goburra, n.
variants of Kookaburra (q.v.).
Gold-. The following words and
phrases compounded with "gold"
are Australian in use, though
probably some are used else-
where.
Gold-bearing, verbal adj. auri-
ferous.
1890. ' Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 13 :
" A new line of gold-bearing quartz."
Gold-digging, verbal n. mining
or digging for gold
1880. G. Sutherland, ' Tales of Gold-
fields,' p. 36 :
" There were over forty miners thus
1 64
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GOL
playing at gold-digging in Hiscock's
Gully."
Gold-digger, n.
1852. J. Bonwick [Title] :
" Notes of a Gold-digger."
Gold-fever, n. the desire to
obtain gold by digging. The
word is more especially applied
to the period between 1851 and
1857, the early Australian dis-
covery of gold. The term had
been previously applied in a simi-
lar way to the Californian excite-
ment in 1848-49. Called also
Yellow-fever.
1888. A. J. Barbour, 'Clara.' c. ix. p.
"The gold fever coursed through
every vein."
Gold-field, . district where
mining for gold is carried on.
1858. T. McCombie, ' History of Vic-
toria,' 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 ... re-
ceived ,15,000 as his reward."
Gold-founded,/^;-/, adj. founded
as the result of the discovery of
gold.
1890. RolfBoldrewood, ' Miner's Right.'
c. ix. p. 91 :
"I rode up the narrow street, ser-
pentine in construction, as in all gold-
founded townships."
Gold-hunter, n. searcher after
gold.
1852. G. S. Rutter [Title] :
" Hints to Gold-hunters."
1890. RolfBoldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. v. p. 48 :
" I was not as one of the reckless
gold-hunters with which the 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 Gold-
fields,' p. 23 :
" He had already had quite enough
of gold-mining."
Gold-seeking, adj.
1890. RolfBoldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. xv. p. 150 :
" The great gold-seeking multitude
had swelled ... to the population of
a province."
Golden Bell-Prog, n. name ap-
plied to a large gold and green
frog, Hyla aurea, Less., which,
unlike the great majority of the
family Hylidce to which it belongs,
is terrestrial and not arboreal in
its habits, being found in and
about water-holes in many parts
of Australia.
1881. F. McCoy, ' Prodromus of the
Zoology of Victoria,' Dec. 6, pi. 53 :
" So completely alike was the sound
of the Bell-frogs in an adjoining pond
at night to the noise of the men by
day."
Golden-chain, n. another name
for the Laburnum (q.v.).
Golden-eye, n. the bird Cer-
thia lunulatu, Shaw ; now called
Melithreptus lunulatus, Shaw, and
classed as White-naped Honey-
eater (q.v.).
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 315:
"'This bird,' Mr. Caley says, Ms
called Golden-eye by the settlers. I
shot it at Iron Cove, seven miles from
Sydney, on the Paramatta road.' "
Golden-Perch, n. a fresh- water
fish of Australia, Ctenolates am-
biguus, Richards., family Perrida,
and C. christyi, Castln.; also called
the Yellow-belly. C. ambiguus is
common in the rivers 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
GOO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
165
into gathering armfuls of early wattle
had cause to regret their devotion to
the Australian national bloom, for the
golden wattle blossoms produced un-
pleasant associations in the minds of
the wearers of the green, and there
were blows and curses in plenty. In
political botany the wattle and black-
thorn cannot grow side by side."
1896. 'The Melburnian,' Aug. 28, p.
" The last two weeks have been alive
with signs and tokens, saying ' Spring
is coming, Spring is here.' And though
this may not be the * merry month of
May,' yet it is the time of glorious
Golden Wattle, wattle waving by the
river's bank, nodding aloft its soft
plumes of yellow and its gleaming
golden oriflamme, or bending low to
kiss its own image in the brown waters
which it loves."
Goodenia, n. the scientific
and popular name of a genus of
Australian plants, closely resem-
bling the Gentians; there are
many species. The name was
given by Sir James Smith, presi-
dent of the Linnsean Society, in
1793. See quotation.
I 793- 'Transactions of the Linnsean
Society,' vol. ii. p. 346 :
" I [Smith] have given to this . . .
genus the name of Goodenia, in honour
of ... Rev. Dr. Goodenough, treasurer
of this Society, of whose botanical
merits . . . example of Tournefort,
who formed Gundelia from Gundel-
scheimer . . ."
[Dr. Goodenough became Bishop of
Carlisle ; he was the grandfather of
Commodore Goodenough.]
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 1 88 :
" A species of Goodenia is supposed
to be used by the native 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 in which rubies are
found. So named by Professor
Black of Dunedin, in honour of
his assistant, William Goodlet,
who was the first to discover the
rubies in the matrix, on the west
coast.
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 = a shelter in the Wirad-
huri dialect. It is the same word
as Gunyah (q.v.).
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Colonial Re-
former, ' c. xvii. p. 204 :
"There were a dozen 'goondies'
to be visited, and the inmates started
to their work."
Goose, n. English bird-name.
The Australian species are
Cape Barren Goose
Cereopsis novce-hollandice^ Lath.
[Gould ('Birds of Australia,'
vol. vii. pi. i) calls it the
Cereopsis Goose, or Cape
Barren Goose of the Colon-
ists.]
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 beach of
Preservation Island [Bass Strait]."
Goose-teal, n. the English
name for a very small goose of
the genus Nettapus. The Aus-
tralian species are Green, Net-
tapus pulchellus, Gould ; White-
quilled, N. albipenniS) Gould.
Gooseberry-tree, Little, n.
name given to the Australian tree
Buchanania mangoides, F. v. M.,
N.O. Anacardiacecz.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 479 :
" My companions had, for several
days past, gathered the unripe fruits of
Coniogeton arbor escens, R. Br., which,
when boiled, imparted an agreeable
acidity to the water. . . . When ripe,
i66
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GOR-GRA
they became sweet and pulpy, like
gooseberries. . . . This resemblance
induced us to call the tree ' the little
gooseberry-tree.' "
Gordon Lily, n. See under Lily.
Gouty-stem, n. the Australian
Baobab-tree (q.v.), Adansonia
gregorii) F. v. M. According to
Maiden (p. 60), Sterculia rupestris,
Benth., is also called Gouty-stem,
on account of the extraordinary
shape of the trunk. Other names
of this tree are the Sour-gourd,
and the Cream-of-tartar tree.
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. II. c. iii. p. 115 :
" The gouty-stem tree . . . bears a
very fragrant white flower, not unlike
the jasmine." [Illustration given at p.
1 1 6.]
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, ' His-
tory of the Discovery and Exploration of
Australia,' vol. i. p. 289 [Note] :
"This tree is distinguished by the
extraordinary swollen appearance of
the stem, which looks as though the
tree were diseased or the result of a
freak of nature. The youngest as
well as the oldest trees have the same
deformed appearance, and inside the
bark is a soft juicy pulp instead of
wood, which is said to be serviceable as
an article of food. The stem of the
largest tree at Careening Bay was
twenty-nine feet in girth ; it is named
the Adansonia digitata. A species is
found in Africa. In Australia it occurs
only on the north coast."
Government, n. a not unusual
contraction of " Government ser-
vice," used by contractors and
working men.
Government men, n. an
obsolete euphemistic name for
convicts, especially for assigned
servants (q.v.).
1846. G. H. Haydon, < Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 122 :
"Three government men or con-
victs."
1852. J. West, ' History of Tasmania,'
vol. ii. p. 127 :
" Government men, as assigned serv-
ants were called."
Government stroke, n. a lazy
style of doing work, 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 shil-
lings a-day, were breaking stones with
what is called * the Government stroke/
which is a slow-going, anti-sweating
kind of motion. . . ."
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' c. ix. [near end] p. 163 :
" In colonial parlance the govern-
ment stroke is that light and easy
mode of labour perhaps that sem-
blance of labour which no other
master will endure, though govern-
ment is forced to put up with it."
1893. 'Otago Witness,' December 21,
p. 9, col. I :
"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 have a pen-
chant for public works in Melbourne,
with a good daily pay and the ' Govern-
ment stroke' combined."
Grab-all, n. a kind of net used
for marine fishing near the shore.
It is moored to a piece of floating
wood, and by the Tasmanian
Government regulations must
have a mesh of z\ inches.
1883. Edward O. Cotton, 'Evidence
before Royal Commission on the Fisheries
of Tasmania,' p. 82 :
" Put a graball down where you will
in 'bell-rope' kelp, more silver trum-
peter will get in than any other fish."
1883. Ibid. p. xvii :
"Between sunrise and sunset,
nets, known as 'graballs,' may be
used."
Grammatophore, n. scientific
name for " an Australian agamoid
lizard, genus Grammatophora."
(< Standard.')
Grape, Gippsland, n. called
also Native Grape. An Australian
fruit tree, Vitis hypoglauca, F.v.M.,
N.O. Vinifera ; called Gippsland
Grape in Victoria.
GRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
167
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 66 :
" Native grape ; Gippsland grape.
This evergreen climber yields black
edible fruits of the size of cherries.
This grape would perhaps be greatly
improved by culture. (Mueller.)"
Grape, Macquarie Harbour,
or Macquarie Harbour Vine
;(q.v.), n. name given to the climb-
ing shrub Muhlenbeckia adpressa,
Meissn., N.O. Polygonacecz. Called
Native Ivy in Australia. See
under Ivy.
Grape-eater, n. a bird, called
formerly Fig-eater, now known as
the Green-backed White-eye (q.v.),
Zoster ops gouldi^ Bp.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. iv. pi. 82 :
" Zosterops chloronotus, Gould,
Green-backed Z. ; Grape and Fig-eater,
Colonists of Swan River."
Grass, n. In Australia, as else-
where, the name Grass is some-
times given to plants which are
not of the natural order Grami-
necE, yet everywhere it is chiefly
to this natural order that the
name is applied. A fair propor-
tion of the true Grasses common
to many other countries in the
world, or confined, on the one
hand to temperate zones, or on
the other to tropical or sub-trop-
ical regions, are also indigenous
to Australia, or Tasmania, or
New Zealand, or sometimes to
all three countries. In most cases
such grasses retain their Old-
World names, as, for instance,
Barnyard- or Cock-spur Grass
{Panicum crus-galli, Linn.) ; in
others they receive new Austra-
lian names, as Ditch Millet (Pas-
palum scrobitulatum, F. v. M.), the
' Koda Millet ' of India ; and still
again certain grasses named in
Latin by scientific botanists have
been distinguished by a vernacular
English name for the first time in
Australia, as Kangaroo Grass
(Anthistiria ciliata, Linn.), which
was "long known before Aus-
tralia became colonized, in South
Asia and all Africa " (von Miil-
ler), but not by the name of the
Kangaroo.
Beyond these considerations,
the settlers of Australia, whose
wealth depends chiefly on its
pastoral occupation, have intro-
duced many of the best Old- World
pasture grasses (chiefly of the
genera Poa and Festucd], and
many thousands of acres are said
to be " laid down with English
grass" Some of these are now
so wide-spread in their acclimatiz-
ation, that the botanists are at
variance as to whether they are
indigenous to Australia or not ;
the Couch Grass, for instance
( Cynodon dactylon, Pers.), or Indian
Doub Grass, is generally con-
sidered to be an introduced grass,
yet Maiden regards it as indige-
nous.
There remain, "from the vast
assemblage of our grasses, even
some hundred indigenous to Aus-
tralia" (von Miiller), and a like
number indigenous to New Zea-
land, the greater proportion of
which are endemic. Many of
these, accurately named in Latin
and described by the botanists,
have not yet found their vernacu-
lar equivalents ; for the bushman
and the settler do not draw fine
botanical distinctions. Maiden
has classified and fully described
158 species as "Forage Plants,"
oif which over ninety have never
been christened in English. Mr.
John Buchanan, the botanist and
draughtsman to the Geographical
Survey of New Zealand, has
prepared for his Government a
' Manual of the Indigenous
Grasses of New Zealand,' which
enumerates eighty species, many
i68
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GRA
of them unnamed in English, and
many of them common also to Aus-
tralia and Tasmania. These two
descriptive works, with the assist-
ance of Guilfoyle's Botany and
Travellers' notes, have been made
the basis of the following list of
all the common Australian names
applied to the true Grasses of the
N.O. Graminea. Some of them
of very special Australian charac-
ter appear also elsewhere in the
Dictionary in their alphabetical
places, while a few other plants,
which are grasses by name and
not by nature, stand in such
alphabetical place alone, and not
in this list. For facility of com-
parison and reference the range
and habitat of each species is
indicated in brackets after its
name; the more minute limitation
of such ranges is not within the
scope of this work. The species
of Grass present in Australia,
Tasmania, and New Zealand are
1. Alpine Rice Grass
Ehrharta colensot, 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 Lands-
borough 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. Billardire'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 ^<f
Grass.
17. Bent G. Toothea
D. forsteri, Kunth. (A., T. r
N.Z.)
18. Bent G. Young's
D. youngii, Hook. f. (N.Z.)
19. Blady G.
Imperata arundinacea, Cyr.
(A.)
20. Blue G.
Andropogon annulatus, Forst*
(A.)
A.pertusus, Willd. (A.)
A. sericeus, R.Br. (A.)
21. Brome G. Seaside
Bromus arenarius, Labill. (A. r
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.)
GRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
169
26. Couch G.
Cynodon dactylon, Pers. (A.,
not endemic.) Called also
Indian Doub Grass.
27. Couch G. Native
Distichlys maritima, Raffin-
esque. (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 , Li n n . ( Au s-
tralasia, not endemic.)
31. Fescue G. Poa-like
F. scoparia, Hook. f. (N.Z.)
32. Fescue G. Sandhill
F. littoralis, R.Br., var. triti-
coides, 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 cegyptica, Pers. (A.,
not endemic.)
36. Finger G. Hairy
(i.q. Cocksfoot Finger Grass.
See 33.)
37. Foxtail G.
(i.q. Knee-jointed Foxtail Grass.
See 42.)
38. Hair G. Crested
Koeleria cristata, Pers. (A., T.,
N.Z.)
39. Hair G. Turfy
Deschampia cczspitosa, Beavo.
(N.Z., not endemic.)
40. Holy G.
Hierochloe alpina, Rcem. &
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.
Glyceriafluitans, 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. y
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. triticoides, F. v. M. (A.)
52. Mouse G.
(i.q. Long-haired 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.)
170
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GRA
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. paudflora, 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.)
-6 1. 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.)
4. Oat G. Shining
Trisetum antarcticum, Hook. f.
(N.Z.)
65. Oat G. Sheep
Danthonia semi-annular is,
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. Aus-
tralis, 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 satarius, var. Rcem.
and Schult. (A., N.Z., not
endemic.)
72. Paper G. Native
Poa caspitosa, 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. Poa G. Common Field
P. anceps, Forst., var. b,foliosa,
Hook. f. (N.Z.)
80. Poa G. Dense-flowered
P. anceps, Forst., var. d, densi-
flora, Hook. f. (N.Z.)
81. Poa G. Dwarf
P.pigmaa (new species). (N.Z.)
82. Poa G. Hard short-stemmed
P. anceps, Forst., var. c, brevi-
calmis, Hook. f. (N.Z.)
83. Poa G. Kirk's
P. kirkii(nzvf 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. Poa G. Nodding Plumed
P. anceps, Forst., var. A, data,
Hook. f. (N.Z.)
89. Poa G. One-flowered
P. uniflora (new species).
(N.Z.)
90. Poa G. Short-glumed
P. breviglumis, Hook. f. (N.Z.)
GRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
171
91.
92.
93-
94.
95-
96.
97-
98.
99
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106,
Poa G. Slender
P. anceps, Forst., var. E,
debilis, Kirk, Ms. (N.Z.)
Poa G. Small Tussock
P. intermedia (new species).
(N.Z.)
Poa G. Tussock
P. easpitosa, Forst. (A., T.,
N.Z. See 71.)
Poa G. Weak-stemmed
Eragrostis imbedlla, Benth.
(A., N.Z.)
Poa G. White-flowered
Poa sclerophylla, Berggren.
(N.Z.)
Porcupine G. (q.v.)
Triodia (various species).
Rat-tailed G.
Sporobulus indicus, R.Br. (A.,
N.Z., not endemic.) Called
also Chilian Grass.
Ischceum laxum, R.Br.
Reed G.
Pragmites communis,
(N.Z. See 16.)
Rice G.
Leer sia hexandria, SIN &
Rice G. Bush
Aficrotana avenacea, Hook. f.
(N.Z.)
Rice G. Knot-jointed
M.polynoda, Hook. f. (N.Z.)
Rice G. Meadow
M. stipoides, R.Br. (A.,T.,
N.Z.) Called also Weeping
Grass.
Roly-Poly G.
Panicum macractinum, Benth.
(A.)
Rough-bearded G.
Echinopogon ovatus, Palisot.
(A., T., N.Z.)
Sacred G.
Hierochloe redo lens, R.Br.
(Australasia, not endemic.)
Called also Scented Grass,
and Sweet-scented Grass.
Scented G.
\Chryscpogon pa rviflorus^ Benth.
(A.) See also 105.
(A.)
Trin.
. (A.)
107. Seaside Brome G.
(i.q. Brome Grass See 21.)
108. Silt G.
(i.q. Seaside Millet. See 50.)
109. Seaside Glumeless G.
Gymnostychum gractle, Hook.
' f. (N.Z.)
1 10. Snow G. (q.v.)
(i.q. Paper Grass. See 72.)
(N.Z.)
in. 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.)
Spinifeoc 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. HairyFinger 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.Arotdea).
(i.q. Settlers' Twine, q.v.)
122. Tussock G.
(See 93 and 72.)
123. Tussock G. Broad-leaved
Oat
Danthoniaflavescens, Hook. f.
(N.Z.)
172
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GRA
124. TussockG. Erect Plumed
Arundo fulvida, Buchanan.
(N.Z.) Maori name, Toi-
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. (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 culti-
vated land. (Not en-
demic.) See 26.
138. WiryG.
(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 Zea-
land, Sphenceacus punctatus, Gray,
the same as Fern-bird (q.v.) ; in
Australia, Megalurus (Sphenczacus)
gramineus, Gould.
Grass-leaved. Fern, n. Vittaria
elongata, Swartz, N.O. Filices.
1883. F. M. Bailey, 'Synopsis of Queens-
land Flora/ p. 693 :
" Grass-leaved fern. . . . Frond
varying in length from a few inches to
several feet, and with a breadth of
from one to five lines. . . . This
curious grass-like fern may be fre-
quently seen fringing the stems of
the trees in the scrubs of tropical
Queensland, in which situation the
fronds are usually very long."
Grass-Parrakeet, n. a bird of
the genus Euphema. The Aus-
tralian species are
Blue-winged Parrakeet
Euphema aurantia, Gould.
Bourke's P.
E. bourkii) Gould.
Grass-P.
E. elegant, 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 {Eu-
phema petrophila, Gould), which is
sometimes classed as a Grass-
Parrakeet.
GRA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
Grass-tree, n. (i) The name
applied to trees of the genus
Xanthorrhcea, N.O. Liliacece, of
which thirteen species are known
in Australia. See also Richea.
(2) In New Zealand Pseudopanax
crassifolium, Seemann, N.O. Ara-
leacecB. When young, this is the
same as Umbrella-tree^ so called
from its appearance like the ribs
of an umbrella. When older, it
grows more straight and is called
Lancewood (q.v.).
(3) In Tasmania, besides two
species of Xanthorrhcea the Grass-
tree of the mainland, the Richea
dracophylla, R.Br. , N. O. Epacridece,
found on Mount Wellington, near
Hobart, is also known by that
name, whilst the Richea pandani-
Jolia, Hook., found in the South-
west forests, is called the Giant
Grass-tree. Both these are pecu-
liar to the island.
(4) An obsolete name for Cordy-
line australis, Hook., JV. O. Lilia-
cea, 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 that about 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."
*833. C. Sturt, 'Southern Australia,'
vol. II. c. iii. p. 54 :
" The grass-tree is not found west-
ward of the mountains."
1839. T. L. Mitchell, 'Three Expedi-
tions,' vol. ii. p. 308:
" We approached a range of barren
hills of clay slate, on which grew the
grass-tree (Xanthorhcea) 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 3 or
'cabbage-tree' (Ti of the natives;
Cordyline Australis}"
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. Miiller, ' Botanic Teachings,'
p. 119:
" How strikingly different the ex-
ternal features of plants may be,
though floral structure may draw them
into congruity, is well demonstrated
by our so-called grass-trees, which
pertain truly to the liliaceous order.
These scientifically defined as Xan-
thorhosas from the exudation of yellow-
ish sap, which indurates into resinous
masses, have all the essential notes of
the order, so far as structure of flowers
and fruits is concerned, but their palm-
like habit, together with cylindric spikes
on long and simple stalks, is quite
peculiar, and impresses on landscapes,
when these plants in masses are occur-
ing, a singular feature."
1879. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia'
(ed. 1893), p. 52 :
" The grass trees (Xanthorrhoea) are
a peculiar feature in the Australian
landscape. From a rugged stem, vary-
ing from two to ten or twelve feet in
height, springs a tuft of drooping wiry
foliage, from the centre of which rises
a spike not unlike a huge bulrush.
When it flowers in winter, this spike
becomes covered with white stars, and
a heath covered with grass trees then
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, and tastes
something like the meat of the almond-
tree ; but being unaccustomed to the
kind of fare, and probably owing to
the empty state of our stomachs, we
suffered severely from diarrhoea."
1885. H. Finch- Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 43 :
" Grass-trees are most comical-look-
ing objects. They have a black bare
174
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GRA-GRE
stem, from one to eight feet high, sur-
mounted by a tuft of half rushes and
half grass, out of which, again, grows
a long thing exactly like a huge bull-
rush. A lot of them always grow
together, and a little way off they are
not unlike the illustrations of Red-
Indian chiefs in Fenimore Cooper's
novels."
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 59 :
"It \Pseudopanax crassifolitun, the
Horoekd\ is commonly called lance-
wood by the settlers in the North
Island, and grass-tree by those in
the South. This species was dis-
covered during Cook's first voyage,
and it need cause no surprise to learn
that the remarkable difference between
the young and mature states led so
able a botanist as Dr. Solander to
consider them distinct plants."
1896. Baldwin Spencer. ' Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' Narrative,
p. 98:
"As soon as we came upon the
Plains we found ourselves in a belt of
grass trees belonging to a species not
hitherto described (X. Thorntoni}. . . .
The larger specimens have a stem
some five or six feet high, with a crown
of long wiry leaves and a flowering
stalk, the top of which is fully twelve
feet above the ground."
[Compare Blackboy and Maori-
head.^
Grayling, n. The Australian fish
of that name is Prototroctes marczna,
Giinth. It is called also the
Fresh-water Herring, Yarra Herring
(in Melbourne), Cucumber-Fish,
and Cucumber- Mullet. The last
two names are given to it from
its smell. It closely resembles
the English Grayling.
1880. W. Senior, 'Travel and Trout,'
P- 93:
" These must be the long-looked-for
cucumber mullet, or fresh-water her-
ring. . . . < The cucumber mullet,' I
explain, * I have long suspected to be
a grayling.' "
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales/ p. 109 :
" Though not a fish of New South
Wales, it may be as well to mention
here the Australian grayling, which
in character, habits, and the manner
of its capture is almost identical with
the English fish of that name. In
shape there is some difference between
the two fish. ... A newly caught fish
smells exactly like a dish of fresh-sliced
cucumber. It is widely distributed in
Victoria, and very abundant in all the
fresh-water streams of Tasmania. . . .
In Melbourne it goes by the name of
the Yarra herring. There is another
species in New Zealand."
1889. Cassell's ' Picturesque Austral-
asia/ 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 the genus Podiceps.
The species known in Australia
are
Black-throated Grebe
Podiceps novce-hollandia, Gould.
Hoary-headed G.
P. nestor, Gould.
Tippet G.
P. cristatus, Linn.
But Buller sees no reason for sep-
arating P. cristatus from the well-
known P. cristatus of Europe.
Some of the 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 both islands."
Greenhide, n. See quotation.
Greenhide is an English tannery
term for the hide with the hair
on before scouring.
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 27:
" Drivers, who walked beside their
teams carrying over their shoulders a
long-handled whip with thong of raw
salted hide, called in the colony
' greenhide.' "
Greenie, n. a school-boys'
name for Ptilotis penicillata, Gould,,
the White-plumed Honey-eater.
GRE]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
1896. ' The Australasian,' Jan. u, p. 73,
col. i :
" A bird smaller than the Australian
minah, and of a greenish yellowish
hue, larger, but similar to the members
of the feathered tribe known to young
city ' knights of the catapult J as
greenies."
1897. A. J. Campbell (in ' The Austral-
asian, 3 Jan. 23), p. 180, col. 5 :
" Every schoolboy about Melbourne
knows what the 'greenie' is the white-
plumed honey-eater (P. penicillata).
The upper-surface is yellowish-grey,
and the under-surface brownish in
tone. The white-plumed honey-eater
is common in Victoria, where it appears
to be one of the few native birds that
is not driven back by civilisation. In
fact, its numbers have increased in the
parks and gardens in the vicinity of
Melbourne."
Green-leek, n. an Australian
Parrakeet. See quotation.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. v. pi. 15 :
u Poly felis Barrabandi, Wagl, Bar-
raband's Parrakeet ; Green-leek of the
colonists of New South Wales."
1855. R. Howitt, ' Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 123 :
"We observed in the hollow trees
several nests of the little green paro-
quet, here, from its colour, called the
leek."
Green Lizard, n. sometimes
called the Spotted Green Lizard y
a New Zealand reptile, Naultinus
elegans. Gray.
Green Oyster, n. name given in
Queensland to the sea-weed Ulva
lactuca. Linn., N.O. Alga. From
being frequently found attached
to oysters, this is sometimes
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 called nephrite
by mineralogists, and is found in the
Middle Island of New Zealand, in the
Hartz, Corsica, China and Egypt. The
most valuable 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 found on the
west coast of the South Island. In-
deed, on Captain Cook's chart this
island is called ' T ; Avai Poenammoo '
Te wai pounamu, the water of the
greenstone."
1892. F. R. Chapman, 'The Working
of Greenstone by the Maoris ' (New Zea-
land Institute), p. 4 :
" In the title of this paper the word
' greenstone ' occurs, and this word is
used throughout the text. I am quite
conscious that the term is not geo-
logically or mineralogically correct;
but the stone of which I am writing is
known by that name throughout New
Zealand, and, though here as elsewhere
the scientific man employs that word
to describe a totally different class of
rock, I should run the risk of being
misunderstood were I to use any other
word for what is under that name an
article of commerce and manufacture
in New Zealand. 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, ^.Tasmanian name
for the Orchid, Pterostylis peduncu-
lata, R. Br.
Green-tree Ant, n. common
Queensland Ant.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 294:
" It was at the lower part of the
Lynd that we first saw the green-tree
ant ; which seemed to live in small
societies in rude nests between the
green leaves of shady trees."
Green Tree-snake, n. See
under Snake.
Grevillea, n. a large genus of
trees of Australia and Tasma-
nia, N.O. Proteacece, named in
honour of the Right Hon. Charles
Francis Greville, Vice-President
of the Royal Society of London..
1 7 6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GRE-GRO
The name was given by Robert
Brown in 1809. The 'Century'
Dictionary gives Professor Gre-
ville as the origin of the name ;
but "Professor Robert K. Greville
of Edinburgh was born on the
1 4th Dec., 1794, he was therefore
only just fourteen years old when
the genus Grevillea was estab-
lished." (' Private letter from
Baron F. von Miiller.')
1851. 'Quarterly Review,' Dec., p. 40:
" Whether Dryandra, Grevillea,
Hakea, or the other Proteacecz, 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 with orange-
coloured blossoms."
Grey-jumper, n. name given
to an Australian genus of spar-
row-like birds, of which the only
species is Struthidea cinerea, Gould ;
also called Brachystoma and Brachy-
porus.
Grey Nurse, n. a New South
Wales name for a species of
Shark, Odontaspis americanus,
Mitchell, family Lamnidce, which
is not confined to Australasia.
Gridironing, v. a term used in
the province of Canterbury, New
Zealand. A man purchased land
in the shape of a gridiron, know-
ing that nobody would take the
intermediate strips, which later
he could purchase at his leisure.
In other provinces free-selection
(q.v.) was only allowed after
survey.
Grinder, n. See Razor-grinder
-and Dishwasher.
Groper, n. a fish. In Queens-
land, Oligorus terrcz-regince, Ram-
say ; in New Zealand, O. gigas,
"called by the Maoris and col-
onists 'HapukuJ" (Giinther) a
large marine species. Oligorus is
a genus of the family Percidce, and
the Murray- Cod (Q.V.) and Murray-
Perch (q.v.) belong to it. There
is a fish called the Grouper or
Groper of warm seas quite distinct
from this one. See Cod, Perch,
Blue- Groper and Hapuku.
Ground-berry, i.q. Cranberry
(q.v.).
Ground-bird, n. name given in
Australia to any bird of the genus
Cinclosoma. The species are
Chestnut-backed Ground-bird
Cinclosoma castaneonotum, Gould.
Chestnut-breasted G.-b.
C. castaneothorax , Gould.
Cinnamon G.-b.
C. cinnamomeum^ Gould.
Northern, or Black-vented G.-b.
C. marginatuni) Sharpe.
Spotted G.-b.
C. punctatum, Lath., called by
Gould Ground-Dove (q.v.).
Ground-Dove, n. (i) Tasmanian
name for the Spotted Ground-bird
(q.v.).
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. iv. pi. 4 :
" Cinclosoma punctatum^ Vig. and
Horsf., Spotted Ground-thrush. In
Hobart Town it is frequently exposed
for sale in the markets with bronze-
f wing pigeons and wattle-birds, where
it is known by the name of ground-
dove ... very delicate eating."
(2) The name is given by Gould
to three species of Geopelia.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. v. pis. 72, 73, 74 :
" Geopelia humeralis, Barred-shoul-
dered Ground-dove " (pi. 72) ;
" G. tranquilla " (pi. 73) ;
" G. cuneata, Graceful Ground-dove "
(Pi- 74).
Ground-Lark, n. (i) In New
Zealand, a bird also called by the
Maori names, Pihoihoi and Hioi.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 63 :
" Anthus NovaZelandice, Gray, New
GRO-GUL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
177
Zealand Pipit ; Ground-Lark of the
Colonists."
(2) In Australia, the Australian
Pipit (Anthus australis) is also
called a Ground-lark.
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. iii. pi. 73 :
" Anthus Australis, Vig. and Horsf.,
Australian Pipit. The Pipits, like
many other of the Australian birds,
are exceedingly perplexing."
Ground-Parrakeet, n. See
Parrakeet and Pezoporus.
Ground- Parrot, n. (i) The
bird Psittacus pulchellus, Shaw.
For the Ground-parrot of New
Zealand, see Kakapo.
1793. G. Shaw, ' Zoology [and Botany]
of New Holland,' p. 10 :
"Long-tailed green Parrot, spotted
with black and yellow, . . . the Ground
Parrot."
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Trans-
actions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p.
278:
" The settlers call it ground-parrot.
It feeds upon the ground."
Ibid. p. 286 :
" What is called the ground-parrot
at Sydney inhabits the scrub in that
neighbourhood."
1859. H. Kingsley, ' Geoffrey Hamlyn,'
p. 298 :
"The ground-parrot, green, with
mottlings of gold and black, rose like
a partridge from the heather, and flew
low."
(2) Slang name for a small
farmer. See Cockatoo, n. (2).
Ground-Thrush, //. name of
birds found all over the world.
The Australian species are
Geocincla lunulata, Lath.
Broadbent Ground-Thrush
G. cuneata.
Large-billed G.
G. macrorhyncha, Gould.
Russet-tailed G.
G. heinii, Cab.
Grub, v. to clear (ground) of the
roots. To grub has long been
English for to dig up by the roots.
It is Australian to apply the word
not to the tree but to the land.
1852. Mrs. Meredith, ' My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 185 :
"Employed with others in 'grub-
bing ' a piece of new land which was
heavily timbered."
1869. Mrs. Meredith, ' Tasmanian Me-
mory of 1834,' p. 10 :
"A bit of land all grubbed and
clear'd too."
Guana, or Guano, n. i.q. Goanna
(q.v.).
Guard-fish, n. Erroneous spell-
ing of Garfish (q.v.).
Gudgeon, n. The name is given
in New South Wales to the fish
Rleotris coxii, Krefft, of the family
of the Gobies.
Guitar Plant, a Tasmanian
shrub, Lomatia tinctoria, R.Br.,
N.O. Proteacece.
Gull, n. common English name
for a sea-bird. The Australian spe-
cies are
Long-billed Gull
Larus longirostris, Masters.
Pacific G.
L. padficus, Lath.
Silver G.
L. nova-hollandice, Steph.
Torres-straits G.
L. gouldi, Bp.
Gully, n. a narrow valley. The
word is very common in Australia,
and is frequently used as a place-
name. It is not, however, Austra-
lian. Dr. Skeat ('Etymological
Dictionary ') says, ' ' a channel worn
by water." Curiously enough,
his first quotation is from * Capt.
Cook's Third Voyage/ b. iv. c. 4.
Skeat adds, " formerly written gul-
let : ' It meeteth afterward with
another gullet,' i.e. small stream.
Holinshed, ' Description of
Britain,' c. n : F. goulet, 'a
gullet ... a narrow brook or
N
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GUL-GUM
deep gutter of water.' (Cotgrave.)
Thus the word is the same as
gullet." F. goulet is from Latin
gula. Gulch is the word used in
the Pacific States, especially in
California.
1773. ' Hawkesworth's Voyages,' vol.
iii. p. 532 Captain Cook's First Voyage,
May 30, 1770 :
" The deep gullies, which were worn
by torrents from the hills."
1802. D. Collins, ' Account of New
South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 214 :
" A man, in crossing a gully between
Sydney and Parramatta, was, in at-
tempting to ford it, carried away by
the violence of the torrent, and
drowned."
1862. H. C. Kendall, ' Poems,' p. 17 :
" The gums in the gully stand gloomy
and stark."
1867. A. L. Gordon, 'Sea-spray, etc.,'
P- 134 :
" The gullies are deep and the uplands
are steep."
1875. Wood and Lapham, ' Waiting for
the Mail,' p. 1 6 :
"The terrible blasts that rushed
down the narrow gully, as if through a
funnel."
Gully-raker, n. a long whip.
1881. A C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 40 :
" The driver appealing occasionally
to some bullock or other by name,
following up his admonition by a
sweeping cut of his ' gully-raker, 3 and a
report like a musket-shot."
Gum, or Gum-tree, n. the
popular name for any tree of the
various species of Eucalyptus.
The word Gum is also used in its
ordinary English sense of exuded
sap of certain trees and shrubs, as
e.g. Wattle-gum (q.v.)in Australia,
and Kauri-gum (q.v.) in New Zea-
land. In America, the gum-tree
usually means " the Liquidambar
styraclflua^ favourite haunt of the
opossum and the racoon, whence
the proverbial possum up a gum-
tree" ('Current Americanisms,'
s.v. Gum.)
The names of the various Aus-
tralian Gum-trees are as follows
Apple Gum, or Apple-scented
Gum
Eucalyptus stuartiana y F. v. M.
Bastard G.
E. gunnii, Hook.
Bastard Blue G.
E. leucoxylon, F. v. M. (South
Australia).
Bastard White G.
E. gunnii) Hook. (South Aus-
tralia) ;
E. radiata (Tasmania).
Black G.
E. stellulata, Sieb.
Black-butted G.
E. pillularis, Smith (Victoria) ;
E. regnans, F. v. M. (New South
Wales). See Blackbutt.
Blue G. [see also Blue-Gum]
E. botryoideS) Smith (New South
Wales) ;
E. diversicolor, F. v. M. [Karri];
E. globuluS) Labill. ;
E. goniocalyX) F. v. M. ;
E. leucoxylon, F. v. M. (South
Australia) [Ironbark] ;
E. saligna, Smith ;
E. tereticornis, Smith ;
E. vimtnalis, Labill. (West New
South Wales).
Botany Bay G.
E. rcsinifcra, Smith.
Brittle G.
E. hczmastoma, Smith ;
E. micrantha^ Smith.
Brown G.
E. robusta^ Smith.
Cabbage G.
E. sieberiana, F. v. M. (Braid-
wood, New South Wales).
Cider G.
E. gunnii^ Hook. (Tasmania).
Citron-scented G.
E. maculata, Hook.
Creek G.
E. rostrata, Schlecht (West New
South Wales).
GUM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
179
Curly White G.
E. radiata (Tasmania).
Dark Red G.
E. rostrata, Schlecht.
Desert G.
E. eudesmoides^ F. v. M. (Cen-
tral Australia) ;
E. gracilis, F. v. M.
Drooping G.
E. pauciflora, Sieb. (Drooping
Gum in Tasmania is E. ris-
doni, Hook., N.O. Myrtacece ;
the tree is peculiar to Tas-
mania) ;
E. viminalis, Labill. (New South
Wales).
Flood, or Flooded G.
E. gunnii, Hook. (Bombala,
New South Wales) ;
E. micro theca, F. v. M. (Carpen-
taria and Central Australia) ;
E. rostrata, Schlecht ;
E. saligna, Smith ;
E. tereticornis, Smith (New
South Wales).
Fluted G.
E. salubris, F. v. M.
Forest G.
E. rostrata, Schlecht (South
Australia).
Giant G.
E. amygdalina, Labill.
Gimlet G.
E. salubris, F. v. M.
Green G.
E. stellulata, Sieb. (East Gipps-
land).
Grey G.
E. crebra, F. v. M. ;
E. goniocalyx, F. v. M. (New
South Wales, east of Divid-
ing range) ;
E.punctata, DeC. (South Coast
of New South Wales) ;
E. raveretiana, F. v. M ;
E. resinifera, Smith ;
E. saligna, Smith (New South
Wales) ;
E. tereticornis, Smith (New
South Wales) ;
E. mminalis, Labill (Sydney) ;
Honey-scented G.
JS. melliodora,) Cunn.
Iron G.
E. raveretiana, F. v. M.
Lemon-scented, or Lemon G.
E. titriodora, Hook. f.
Lead G.
E. stellulata, Cunn.
Mallee G.
E. dumosa (generally called
simply Mallee^ q.v.).
Mountain G.
E. tereticornis, Smith (South New
South Wales).
Mountain White G.
E. pauciflora, Sieb. (Blue Moun-
tains).
Nankeen G.
E. populifolia, Hook. (Northern
Australia).
Olive Green G.
E. stellulata, Cunn. (Leichhardt's
name).
Pale Red G.
E. rostrata, Schlecht.
Peppermint G.
E. viminaliS) Labill.
Poplar-leaved G.
E. polyanthema, Schau.
Red G.
E. amygdalina, Labill. (Vic-
toria) ;
E. calophylla, R. Br. ;
E. gunnii, Hook. (Bombala) ;
E. melliodora, Cunn. (Victoria) ;
E. odorata, Behr (South Aus-
tralia) ;
E. punctata, De C. ;
E. resinifera, Smith ;
E. rostrata, Schlecht ;
E. stuartiana, F. v. M. (Tas-
mania) ;
E, tereticornis, Smith (New
South Wales).
Ribbon G.
E. amygdalina, Labill.
Ribbony G.
E. viminalis, Labill.
i8o
AUSTRALASIAN DICTION
ARY
[GUM
Risdon G.
JS. amygdalina, Labill.
River G.
E. rostrata, Schlecht (New South
Wales, Queensland, and Cen-
tral Australia).
River White G.
E. radiata.
Rough-barked, or Rough G.
E. botryoides, Smith (Illawarra).
Rusty G.
E. eximia, Schau.
Scribbly G.
E. hcemastoma, Smith.
Scribbly Blue G.
E. leucoxylon, F. v. M. (South
Australia).
Scrub G.
E. cosmophylla, F. v. M.
Slaty G.
E. saligna, Smith (New South
Wales) ;
E.tereticornis, Smith (New South
Wales and Queensland) ;
E. largiflorens, F. v. M.
Spotted G.
E. capitellata, Smith (New Eng-
land) ;
E. goniocalyx, F. v. M. ;
E. hcemastoma, Smith ;
E. maculata, Hook.
Sugar G.
E. corynocalyx, F. v. M. ;
E. gunnii, Hook.
Swamp G.
E. gunnii, Hook. ;
E. microtheca, F. v. M. ;
E. pauciflora, Sieb. ;
E. viminalis, Labill. (Tasmania).
Weeping G.
E. pauciflora, Sieb. (Tasmania);
E. viminalis, Labill. (New South
Wales).
White G.
E. amygdalina, Labill. ;
E. gomphocephala, De C. (West-
ern Australia) ;
E, goniocalyx, F. v. M. ;
E. hcemastoma. Smith ;
E. hemiphloia, F. v. M. (Sydney);
E. leucoxylon, F. v. M. (South
Australia) ;
E. pauciflora, Sieb. ;
E. populifolia, Hook. (Queens-
land) ;
E. radiata (New South Wales);
E. redunca, Schau. (Western
Australia) ;
E. robusta, Schlecht. (South
Australia) ;
E. saligna, Smith (New South
Wales) ;
E. stellulata, Cunn. ;
E. stuartiana, F.v.M. (Victoria);
E. viminalis, Labill.
White Swamp G.
E. gunnii, Hook. (South Aus-
tralia).
Yellow G.
E. punctata, De C.
York G.
E. fcecunda, Schau. (Western
Australia).
This list has been compiled by
collating many authorities. But
the following note on Eucalyptus
amygda!ina(from Maiden's * Useful
Native Plants,' p. 429) will illus-
trate the difficulty of assigning
the vernacular names with abso-
lute accuracy to the multitudinous
species of Eucalyptus
''''Eucalyptus amygdalina, Labill.,
Syn. E. fissilis, F. v. M. ; E. radiata,
Sieb.; E. elata, Dehn.; E. tenuiramis^
Miq.; E. nitida, Hook, f.; E. longi-
folia, Lindl. ; E. Lindleyana, DC. ;
and perhaps E. Risdoni, Hook, f. ; E.
dives, Schauer. This Eucalypt has
even more vernacular names than bo-
tanical synonyms. It is one of the
'Peppermint Trees' (and variously
'Narrow-leaved Peppermint, 3 'Brown
Peppermint, 3 'White Peppermint, 3 and
sometimes ' Dandenong Peppermint 3 ),
and ' Mountain Ashes 3 of the Dande-
nong Ranges of Victoria, and also of
Tasmania and Southern New South
Wales. It is also called ' Giant Gum r
and 'White Gum. 3 In Victoria it is
one of the ' Red Gums. 3 It is one of
the New South Wales ' Stringybarks/
GUM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
181
and a 'Manna Gum.' Because it is
allied to, or associated with, ' Stringy-
bark,' it is also known by the name of
* Messmate.' . . . A variety of this gum
(E. radiata} is called in New South
Wales 'White Gum' or ' River White
Gum.' ... A variety of E. amygdalina
growing in the south coast district of
New South Wales, goes by the name
of ' Ribbon Gum,' in allusion to the
very thin, easily detachable, smooth
bark. This is also E. radiata prob-
ably. A further New South Wales
variety goes by the name of ' Cut-tail 3
in the Braidwood district. The author
has been unable to ascertain the mean-
ing of this absurd designation. These
varieties are, several of them, quite
different in leaves, bark, and timber,
and there is no species better than the
present one to illustrate the danger in
attempting to fit botanical names on
Eucalypts when only the vernacular
names are known."
Various other trees not of the
genus Eucalyptus are also some-
times popularly called Gums, such
as, for instance
Broad-leaved Water Gum
Tristania suavolens, Smith.
Orange G.
Angophora lanceolata, Cave.
Water G.
Callistemon lanceolatus, DeC.
Tristania laurina, R. Br.
T. neriifolia, R. Br.
And others.
In addition to this, poets and
descriptive writers sometimes
apply epithets, chiefly denoting
colour or other outward appear-
ance, which are not names of dis-
tinct species, such as Cinnamon,
~ Worrell, Salmon, Cable, Silver, etc.
See quotation under Silver Gum.]
1642. Abel Tasman, 'Journal of the
/oyage to the Unknown Southland'
(Translation by J. B. Walker in ' Abel J.
^asman : His Life, etc.' 1896) :
[Under date Dec. 2, 1642, after de-
ribing the trees at Fredrik Hendrik's
y (now Blackman's Bay, Forestier's
'eninsula, Tasmania) 2 to 2j fathoms
ick, 60 to 65 feet to the first branch,
and with steps 5 feet apart cut in them,
Tasman says that they found] " a little
gum, fine in appearance, which drops
out of the trees, and has a resemblance
to gum lac (gomma lacca)."
177- ' Captain Cook's Journal ' (ed.
Wharton, 1893), p. 245 :
"May ist. We found two sorts of
gum, one sort of which is like gum
dragon, and is the same, I suppose,
Tasman took for gum lac ; it is ex-
tracted from the largest tree in the
woods.
"May 6th. The biggest trees are
as large or larger than our oaks in
England, and grow a good deal like
them, and yield a reddish gum ; the
wood itself is heavy, hard, and black
like Lignum vitce."
1788. Governor Phillip (Despatch, May
15) in 'Historical Records of New South
Wales, vol. i. pt. ii. p. 128 :
" What seeds could be collected are
sent to Sir Joseph Banks, as likewise
the red gum taken from the large gum-
tree by tapping, and the yellow gum
which is found on the dwarf palm-tree."
1789. Captain Watkin Tench, ' Narra-
tive of the Expedition to Botany Bay,' p.
119:
" The species of trees are few, and
. . . the wood universally of so bad a
grain, as almost to preclude the possi-
bility of using it. ... These trees
yield a profusion of thick red gum (not
unlike the Sanguis draconis)."
1790. J. White, ' Voyage to New South
Wales,' p. 231 :
"The red gum-tree, Eucalyptus
resinifera. This is a very large and
lofty tree, much exceeding the English
oak in size."
1793. Governor Hunter, 'Voyage,' p.
69:
" I have likewise seen trees bearing
three different kinds of leaves, and
frequently have found others, bearing
the leaf of the gum-tree, with the gum
exuding from it, and covered with bark
of a very different kind."
1820. W. C. Wentworth, 'Description
of New South Wales,' p. 66 :
"Full-sized gums and iron barks,
alongside of which the loftiest trees in
this country would appear as pigmies,
with the beefwood tree, or, as it is
1 82
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GUM
generally termed, the forest oak, which
is of much humbler growth, are the
usual timber."
1827. P. Cunningham, 'Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 200 :
" The gum-trees are so designated
as a body from producing a gummy
resinous matter, while the peculiarities
of the bark usually fix the particular
names of the species thus the blue,
spotted, black-butted, and woolly gums
are so nominated from the correspond-
ing appearance of their respective
barks ; the red and white gums, from
their wood ; and the flooded gums
from growing in flooded land."
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia/ vol. II. c. iii. p. 108 :
"The silvery stems of the never-
failing gum-trees."
1857. H. Parkes, 'Murmurs of Stream,'
p. 56:
"Where now the hermit gum-tree
stands on the plain's heart."
1864. J. S. Moore, ' Spring Life Lyrics,'
p. 114:
" Amid grand old gums, dark cedars
and pines."
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' c. xiii. p. 209 :
" The eternal gum-tree has become
to me an Australian crest, giving evi-
dence of Australian ugliness. The
gum-tree is ubiquitous, and is not the
loveliest, though neither is it by any
means the ugliest, of trees."
1877. F. v. Miiller, ' Botanic Teachings,'
p. 7:
" The vernacular name of gum-trees
for the eucalypts is as unaptly given
as that of most others of our native
plants, on which popular appellations
have been bestowed. Indeed our
wattles might far more appropriately
be called gum-trees than the eucalypts,
because the former exude a real gum
(in the chemical meaning of the word);
whereas the main exudation from the
stems and branches of all eucalypts
hardens to a kino-like substance, con-
tains a large proportion of a particular
tannin (kino-tannic acid), and is to a
great extent or entirely soluble in alco-
hol, thus very different from genuine
gum."
1884. R. L. A. Davies, ' Poems and
Literary Remains,' p. 176 :
" Golden, 'mid a sunlit forest,
Stood the grand Titanic forms
Of the conquerors of storms ;
Stood the gums, as if inspired,
Every branch and leaflet fired
With the glory of the sun,
In golden robes attired,
A grand priesthood of the sun."
1889. P. Beveridge, * Aborigines of Vic-
toria and Riverina,' p. 61 :
"Nearly all the eucalyptus species
exude gum, which the natives utilise
in the fabrication of their various
weapons as Europeans do glue. The
myall and mimosa also exude gum ;
these the natives prefer before all other
kinds when obtainable, they being less
brittle and more adhesive than any of
the others."
1891. ' Guide to Zoological Gardens,
Melbourne ' :
" This is an exact representation of
the camps which were scattered over
the country not more than fifty years
ago, and inhabited by the original
lords of the soil. The beautiful she-
oak and red-gum forest that used to
clothe the slopes of Royal Park was
a very favourite camping-ground of
theirs, as the gum-tree was their most
regular source of food supply. The
hollows of this tree contained the sleek
and sleepy opossum, waiting to be
dragged forth to the light of day and
despatched by a blow on the head.
It was to the honey-laden blossoms of
this tree that the noisy cockatoos and
parrots used to flock. Let the kan-
garoo be wary and waterfowl shy, but
whilst he had his beloved gum-tree,
little cared the light-hearted black."
1892. 'The Times,' [Reprint] 'Letters
from Queensland,' p. 2 :
" The immense extent of gum-trees
stretches indefinitely, blotting out the
conception of anything but its own
lightly-timbered pasture. It has not
even the gloom and impressiveness
which we associate in England with
the name of forest land, for the trees
are thinly scattered, their long leaves
hang vertically from the branches, and
sunlight filters through with sufficient
force to promote the growth of the
tussocked grass beneath. The whole
GUM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
183
would be indescribably commonplace,
but that the vastness becomes at last
by its own force impressive."
The following quotations illus-
trate special uses of the word in
composition.
Apple Gum
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 283 :
"On the small flats the apple-gum
grew."
Ibid. c. viii. p. 264 :
"Another Eucalyptus with a scaly
butt . . . but with smooth upper trunk
and cordate ovate leaves, which was
also new to me ; we called it the Apple-
gum."
Blue Gum
1802. D. Collins, 'Account of New
South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 235 :
" The blue gum, she-oak, and cherry-
tree of Port Jackson were common
here."
1832. J. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
p. 22 :
" The Blue Gum is found in greater
abundance ; it is a loose-grained heavy
wood."
1851. James Mitchell, ' Proceedings of
the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land,'
p. 125 :
u The name blue gum appears to
have been derived from the bluish
gray colour of the whole plant in the
earliest stages of its growth, which is
occasioned by a covering of dust or
bloom similar to that upon the sloe or
damson."
1884. R. L. A. Davies, 'Poems and
Literary Remains,' p. 199 :
" I love to see the blue gums stand
Majestically tall ;
The giants of our southern woods,
The loftiest of all."
Black-butted Gum
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia,' vol.
II. c. viii. p. 236 :
"One species . . . resembling
strongly the black-butted gum."
Cable Gum
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia,' vol. II. c. iv. p. 132 :
" Cable-gum . . . like several stems
twisted together, abundant in interior."
Cider Gum (or Cider Tree}
1830. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 119:
" That species of eucalyptus called
the cider tree, from its exuding a
quantity of saccharine liquid resem-
bling molasses. Streaks of it were to
be seen dripping down the bark in
various parts, which we tasted, and
found very palatable. The natives
have a method at the proper season of
grinding holes in the tree, from which
the sweet juice flows plentifully, and is
collected in a hole at the root. We
saw some of these covered up with a
flat stone, doubtless to prevent the
wild animals from coming to drink
it. When allowed to remain some
time, and to ferment, it settles into a
coarse sort of wine or cider, rather
intoxicating."
Cinnamon Gum
1893. 'Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug.
19, p. 7, col. i :
" A forest only fit for urban gnomes
these twisted trunks. Here are no
straight and lofty trees, but sprawling
cinnamon gums, their skin an unpleas-
ing livid red, pock-marked ; saplings
in white and chilly grey, bleeding gum
in ruddy stains, and fire-black boles
and stumps to throw the greenery into
bright relief."
Drooping Gum
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia,' vol. II. c. xii. p. 387 :
" The trees, which grew only in the
valleys, were small kinds of banksia,
wattles and drooping gums ."
Flooded Gum
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 7 :
"Large flooded gum-trees (but no
casuarinas) at the low banks of the
lagoons."
Lemon-scented Gum
1860. G. Bennett, 'Gatherings of a Na-
turalist,' p. 265 :
" Among the Eucalypti or gum-trees
growing in New South Wales, a species
named the lemon-scented gum-tree,
Eucalyptus citriodora^ is peculiar to
the Wide Bay district, in the northern
part of the colony."
1 84
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GUM
Mountain Gum
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia,' vol.
I. c. iii. p. 118 :
" The cypresses became mixed with
casuarina, box and mountain-gum."
Red Gum [see also Red-gum}
1802. O. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' c. xi. p. 461 :
"The red gum-tree. This is a
very large and lofty tree, much exceed-
ing the English oak in size."
1846. G. H. Haydon, 'Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 33 :
" Red gum, a wood which has of late
years been exported to England in
great quantities ; it has all the proper-
ties of mahogany."
1868. W. Carleton, ' Australian Nights,'
p. 14:
" While she, the younger, went to fill
Her red-gum pitcher at the rill."
1870. J. O. Tucker, 'The Mute,' etc.,
p. 85:
" Then the dark savage 'neath the red
gum's shade
Told o'er his deeds."
1890. ' The Argus,' June 14, p. 4, col. I :
" Those of the leaden hue are red
gums."
Rough Gum
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia,' vol.
I. c. iii. p. 118:
" The rough-gum abounded near the
creek."
Rusty Gum
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 48 :
"The range was openly timbered
with white gum, spotted gum, Iron-
bark, rusty gum and the cypress pine."
Salmon Gum
1893. 'The Australasian,' Aug. 3, p.
252, col. 4 :
" The chief descriptions are salmon,
morrel and white gums, and gimlet-
wood. The bark of the salmon gum
approaches in colour to a rich golden
brown, but the satin-like sheen on it
has the effect of making it several
shades lighter, and in the full glare of
the sun it is sufficiently near a rich
salmon tint to justify its name."
Silver Gum
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 113:
" When so many of our Australian
trees were named 'gums,' a distin-
guishing prefix for each variety was
clearly necessary, and so the words red,
blue, yellow, white and scarlet, as
marking some particular trait in the
tree, have come into everyday use.
Had the pioneer bush botanist seen at
least one of those trees at a certain
stage in its growth, the term * silver
gum ' would have found expression."
Spotted Gum
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 1 1 :
"Ironbark ridges here and there
with spotted gum . . . diversified the
sameness."
Swamp Gum
1853. ' Papers and Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land,'
vol. ii. p. 132 [James Mitchell, On the
Strength of Timber, etc., read Nov. 12,
1851].:
"The Swamp Gum grows to the
largest size of any of this family in Van
Diemen's Land. Its growth is nearly
twice as rapid as that of the Blue Gum :
the annular layers are sometimes very
large ; but the bark, and the whole
tree indeed, is so like the Blue Gum,
as not to be easily distinguished from
it in outward appearance. It grows
best in moist places, which may prob-
ably have given rise to its name. Some
extraordinary dimensions have been
recorded of trees of this species. I
lately measured an apparently sound
one, and found it 21 feet in circumfer-
ence at 8 feet from the ground, and
87 feet to the first branches. Another
was i8 feet in circumference at 10
feet from the ground, and 213 feet to
the highest branch or extreme top.
A third reached the height of 251 feet
to the highest branch : but I am told
that these are pigmies compared to
the giants of even the Blue Gum species
found in the southern districts."
1880. Garnet Walch, 'Victoria in 1880,'
p. loo :
" Groups of native trees, including
the black wattle, silver box, messmate,
GUM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
185
stringy bark, and the picturesque but
less useful swamp gum."
Water Gum
1847. L. Leichhhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 387 :
" Long hollows surrounded with
drooping tea-trees and the white water-
gums."
Weeping Gum
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 169 :
"A kind of Eucalyptus, with long
drooping leaves, called the ' Weeping
Gum,' is the most elegant of the
family."
White Gum
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnsean Society,' vol. xv. p. 278 :
"The natives tell me that it [the
ground-parrot] chiefly breeds in a
stump of a small White Gum-tree."
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 48 :
"The range was openly timbered
with white gum."
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants,' p. 471 :
" E. leucoxylon, F. v. M.- The ' blue
or white gum ' of South Australia and
Victoria is a gum-tree with smooth
bark and light-coloured wood (hence
the specific name). The flowers and
fruit of E. leucoxylon are very similar
to those of E. sideroxylon, and in this
way two trees have been placed under
one name which are really quite dis-
tinct. Baron Mueller points out that
there are two well-marked varieties
of E. leucoxylon in Victoria. That
known as ' white-gum ' has the greater
portion of the stem pale and smooth
through the outer layers of the bark
falling off. The variety known chiefly
as the 'Victorian Ironbark,' retains
the whole bark on the stem, thus
becoming deeply fissured and furrowed,
and very hard and dark coloured."
Yellow Gum
1848. T. L. Mitchell, 'Tropical Aus-
tralia,' p. 107 :
" We this day passed a small group
of trees of the yellow gum, a species
of eucalyptus growing only on the poor
sandy soil near Botany Bay, and other
parts of the sea-coast near Sydney."
York Gum
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia,' vol. II. c. iv. p. 132 :
" York gum . . . abundant in York
on good soil."
Gum- (In Composition}. See
Gum.
1862. H. C. Kendall, ' Poems,' p. 134 :
" I said to myself in the gum-
shadowed glen."
1868. W. L. Carleton, 'Australian
Nights,' p. I :
" To see the gum-log flaming bright
Its welcome beacon through the
night."
1890. ' The Argus,' August 2, p. 4, col. 3 :
" Make a bit of a shelter also. You
can always do it with easily-got gum-
boughs."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xvii. p. 201 :
" The edge of the long, black, gum-
shrouded lagoon."
Gummy, n. name given to a
shark of Victorian and Tasmanian
waters, Mustelus antarcticus ,
Giinth., and called Hound (q.v.)
in New South Wales, Victoria,
and New Zealand. The word
Gummy is said to come from the
small numerous teeth, arranged
like a pavement, so different from
the sharp erect teeth of most
other sharks. The word Hound
is the Old World name for all
the species of the genus Mustelus.
This fish, says Hutton, is much
eaten by the Maoris.
Gum-sucker, n. slang for Vic-
torian-born, not now much used ;
but it is not always limited to
Victorians.
1827. P. Cunningham, 'Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 201 :
"The acacias are the common
wattles of this country ; from their
trunks and branches clear transparent
beads of the purest Arabian gum are
seen suspended in the dry spring
weather, which our young currency
bantlings eagerly search after and re-
gale themselves with."
1 86
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GUN
[The practice of 'gum-sucking' is
here noticed, though the word does not
occur.]
1855. W. Howitt, 'Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 24 :
" If he had not been too 'cute to be
bitten twice by the over-'cute 'gum-
suckers,' as the native Victorians are
called."
1890. ' Quiz ' (Adelaide), Dec. 26 :
" Quiz will take good care that the
innocent Australians are not fooled
without a warning. Really L. and his
accomplices must look upon gum-
suckers as being pretty soft."
Gunyah, n. aboriginal name for
a black-fellow's hut, roughly con-
structed of boughs and bark ; ap-
plied also to other forms of shelter.
The spelling varies greatly : in
Col. Mundy's book (1855) there
are no fewer than four forms.
See Humpy and Gibber. What
Leichhardt saw (see quotation
1847) was very remarkable.
1798. D. Collins, ' Account of English
Colony in New South Wales,' in an abori-
ginal vocabulary of Port Jackson, p. 610 :
" Go-m'ea. hut."
1830. R. Dawson, 'Present State of
Australia,' p. 70 :
" One of their gunyers (bark huts)."
Ibid. p. 171 :
"A native encampment, consisting
of eight or ten * gunyers.' This is the
native term for small huts, which are
supported by three forked sticks (about
three feet long) brought together at the
top in a triangular form : the two sides
towards the wind are covered by long
sheets of bark, the third is always left
open to the wind."
1833. C. Sturt, 'Southern Australia,'
vol. I. c. ii. p. 78 :
"We observed a fresh-made gun-
neah (or native hut)."
1839. T. L. Mitchell, ' Three Expedi-
tions into the Interior of Eastern Australia,'
c. ii. p. 35 :
" Three huts, or gunyahs, consisted
of a few green boughs, which had just
been put up for shelter from the rain
then falling."
1845. J. O. Balfour, Sketch of New
South Wales,' p. 10 :
"Their only habitation ... is
formed by two sheets of bark stripped
from the nearest tree, at the first
appearance of a storm, and joined
together at an angle of 45 degrees.
This, which they call a gunnya, is cut
up for firewood when the storm has
passed."
1846. C. P. Hodgson, ' Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 238:
" Behind appears a large piece of
wood hooded like a ' gunyia ' or
' umpee.' "
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 290 :
" We saw a very interesting camping
place of the natives, containing several
two-storied gunyas."
1852. ' Settlers and Convicts ; or. Re-
collections of Sixteen Years' Labour in the
Australian Backwoods,' p. 211 :
" I coincided in his opinion that it
would be best for us to camp for the
night in one of the ghibber-gunyahs.
These are the hollows under over-
hanging rocks."
1852. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes, '
ed. 1855, p. 164 :
"A sloping sheet of bark turned
from the wind in bush lingo, a break-
weather or in guneeahs of boughs
thatched with grass." [p. 200] : " Gun-
eah." [p. 558]: "Gunneah." [p. 606] :
" Gunyah."
1860. G. Bennett, ' Gatherings of a
Naturalist,' p. 1 14 [Footnote] :
" The name given by the natives to
the burrow or habitation of any animals
is 'guniar,' and the same word is
applied to our houses."
1880. P. J. Holdsworth, ' Station Hunt-
ing':
"hunger clung
Beneath the bough-piled gunyah."
1885. R. M. Praed, 'Australian Life,' p.
19:
" The sleepy blacks came out of
their gunyahs." [p. 52]: "A gunya of
branches."
1890. Lyth, ' Golden South,' c. ii. p. 16 :
" Where this beautiful building now
stands, there were only the gunyahs
or homes of the poor savages."
1890. A. J. Vogan, ' Black Police/ p.
98:
" One of the gunyahs on the hill.
. . . The hut, which is exactly like all
GUN-GUT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
187
the others in the group, and for the
matter of that all within two or three
hundred miles, is built of sticks,
which have been stuck into the ground
at the radius of a common centre, and
then bent over so as to form an egg-
shaped cage, which is substantially
thatched on top and sides with herb-
age and mud."
Gunyang, n. the aboriginal
word for the Kangaroo Apple (q.v.),
though the name is more strictly
applied not to Solarium aviculare^
but to S. vescum.
1877. F - von Muller, 'Botanic Teach-
ings,' p. 1 06 :
" The similarity of both [S. vescum
and S. amculare] to each other forbids
to recommend the fruit of the Gunyang
as edible."
1878. W. R. Guilfoyle, 'Australian
Botany,' p. 73 :
" Kangaroo Apple, Solatium amcu-
lare . . . The Gunyang (Solanum ves-
cum) is another variety found in Vic-
toria."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 222 :
"A couple of tiny streams trickle
across the plains to the sea, a dwarfed
ti-tree, clinging low about the ground,
like the gunyang or kangaroo apple,
borders the banks."
Gurnard, n. i.q. Gurnet (q.v.).
Gurnet, n. The species of
Trigla found in British waters,
called Gurnards are of the family
of Cottidce. The word Gurnet is
an obsolete or provincial form of
Gurnard, revived in Australia, and
applied to the fish Centropogon scor-
pcenoides, Guich., family Scorpon-
nidce. The original word Gurnard
is retained in New Zealand, and
applied to the new species Trigla
kumu (kumu being the Maori
name), family Cottidce. The Flying
Gurnet \s Trigla polyommata, Rich-
ards., found on all the Australian
coasts from New South Wales
to Western Australia, family
Cottidcz. It is a distinct species,
not included in the British species.
They have large pectoral fins, but
are not known to possess the
power of supporting themselves
in the air like the "flying fish"
which belong to other genera.
Sir Fredk. McCoy says that
Sebastes Percoides, Richards., is call-
ed Gurnet, or Garnet-perch, by the
fishermen and dealers, as well as
the more common Neosebastes
scorpcenoides, Guich., and Scorpcena
panda, Richards.
Gutter, n. in Australian gold-
mining," the lower and auriferous
part of the channel of an old
river of the Tertiary period "
('Century'). "The lowest portion
of a lead. A gutter is filled with
auriferous drift or washdirt, which
rests on the palaeozoic bed-rock."
(Brough Smyth, ' Glossary of
Mining Terms.')
1864. J. Rogers, ' New Rush,' p. 55 :
"Duffers are so common
And golden gutters rare."
1871. J. J. Simpson, ' Recitations,' p. 23 :
" Privations and hardships you all
have to suffer
Ere you can expect to get on to the
gutter."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. viii. p. 8 1 :
" If we happened to drop right down
on the ' gutter ' or main course of the
lead, we were all right."
1890. ' Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 23 :
" The Company . . . are putting in
a drive to strike the old Shakspeare
gutter."
1891. ' The Australasian,' Nov. 21, p.
1015 :
" Evidently both claims had been
driving for a 'gutter. 3 One of them
had got to the end of its tether before
reaching it."
Gutter-flags, n. ' ' Flags fixed on
the surface to denote where the
course of a gutter or lead under-
ground has been discovered."
i88
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[GWE-GYM
(Brough Smyth, * Glossary of
Mining- Terms.')
Gweeon, n. a stone tomakawk
of the aborigines. Gweh-un, in
Mukthang language, Gippsland.
Apparently a remnant of a term
occurring along the east side of
Australia ; Burgoin, New South
Wales ; bulgoon and balgon, Burde-
kin River, Queensland ; related
to balgoungo, to chop.
Gymnobelideus, n. the scien-
tific name of the genus confined
to Australia of Squirrel Phalan-
gers, or Squirrel Opossums, as they
have been called. See Opossum.
The name was given by Sir
Frederick McCoy in 1867. Only
two specimens have been found,
and they are in the Melbourne
Museum of Natural History.
There is only one species, G. lead-
beateri, M'Coy. In general form
they resemble the so-called Aus-
tralian Flying-Squirrel (q.v.), save
for the absence of the parachute.
They have large naked ears.
(Grk. yv/xT/o's, naked, and Latin,
belideuS) the Flying-Phalanger or
Squirrel.)
Gymnorrhina, n. the scientific
name of the Australian genus of
Piping Crow-Shrikes, called locally
by the vernacular name of Mag-
pies (q.v.). They have the nostrils
and beak unfeathered. (Grk.
yv/x,vos, naked, and pi's, nose.) For
the species see under Magpie.
HAD-HAK]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
189
Haddock, n. The New Zealand
Haddock is Gadus australis, Hutton,
Pseudophyds barbatus, Gunth., and
Merlucius gayi, Guich., or australis,
Hutton, all belonging to the
family GadidcR or Cod-fishes. The
European species of Merlucius is
known as the " Hake."
Haeremai, interj. Maori term of
welcome, lit. come hither ; haere
is the verb. It has been collo-
quially adopted.
1769. J. Hawkesworth, 'Voyages,' vol.
iii. p. 229 (ed. 1785) :
" When they came near enough to
be heard, they waved their hands, and
called out * Horomai.' These ceremo-
nies we were told were certain signs
of their friendly disposition."
1832. ' Henry Williams' Journal,' in H.
Carleton's ' Life of Henry Williams,' p.
112:
"After breakfast we went to them
all ; they were very glad to see us, and
gave us the usual welcome, 'Haeremai !
Haeremai ! ' "
1845. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand,' p. 249 :
" As I ascended the steep hill with
my train, scarcely any greeting was
addressed to me, no shouts of haeremai,
so universal a welcome to the stranger,
were to be heard."
1863. F. E. Maning (The Pakeka-
Maori], ' Old New Zealand,' p. 14 :
" The boat nears the shore, and now
arises from a hundred voices the call
of welcome, ' Haere mai ! haere mai !
hoe mai ! ' Mats, hands, and certain
ragged petticoats all waving in the air
in sign of welcome. Then a pause.
Then, as the boat came nearer, another
burst of haere mai ! But unaccustomed
as I was then to the Maori salute, I
disliked the sound. There was a
wailing, melancholy cadence that did
not strike me as being the appropriate
note of welcome."
1867. F. Hochstetter, ' New Zealand,'
(English edition) p. 438 :
" Rev. Mr. Chapman received me
at his garden gate with a hearty wel-
come, the natives shouted their friendly
'haeremai,' and ere long we were all
in comfortable shelter beneath the
missionary's roof."
1883. F. S. Renwick, 'Betrayed,' p.
34:
" Haire mai ho ! 'tis the welcome song
Rings far on the summer air."
Hair-trigger, n. a Tasmanian
name for any plant of genus
Stylidium. Called also Trigger-
plant ', and Jack in a Box (q.v.).
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. ii. p. 71.
" The Stylidium, or as we named it,
the ' Hair-trigger,' is common all over
the colony."
Haka, n. Maori word for a
dance.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' p. 198 :
"A haka was now performed by
about one hundred and fifty men and
women. They seated themselves in
ranks in one of the courtyards of the
pa, stripped to the waist. An old
chieftainess, who moved along the
ranks with regular steps, brandishing
an ornamental spear in time to her
movements, now recited the first verse
of a song, in a monotonous, dirge-like
measure. This was joined in by the
others, who also kept time by quivering
their hands and arms, nodding their
heads and bending their bodies in
accordance with each emphasis and
pause."
1852. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes,'
c. xvi. p. 409 (3rd ed. 1855) :
" I witnessed a national spectacle
190
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HAK-HAN
which was new to me a sort of in-
cantation performed by women alone
the haka, I think it is called."
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf/ XV. c. vi.
p. 242 :
" The Mka-dances, where she shone
supreme."
1873. 'Appendix to Journal of House
of Representatives/ G. I, B., p. 8:
" Thursday was passed by them [the
natives] in feasting and hakas."
1883. F. S. Renwick, ' Betrayed,' p. 34 :
"A rushing throng in the furious
haka share."
1896. 'Otago Witness,' Jan. 23, p. 50,
col. 5 :
" He also received a visit from three
or four hostile natives, who, with
blood-curdling yells, duly performed
the indispensable haka."
Hakea, . the scientific name
given, in honour of Baron Hake
of Hanover, to " a large Austra-
lian genus of plants belonging
to the follicular section of the
Proteacecz, tribe Grevillecz, and dis-
tinguished from Grevillea by its
axillary inflorescence and sama-
roid seeds. The species, nearly
100 in number [Maiden's index
to ' Useful Native Plants ' gives
sixteen], are all evergreen shrubs,
or small trees, with alternate cori-
aceous, variously lobed, often
spiny leaves. They are orna-
mental in cultivation, and several
have acquired special names
H. ulicina. Native Furze ; H. lau-
rina, Cushion-flower ; H. adcularis
(Lissosperma)) Native Pear ; H.
fiexilis, Twine-bush. " ( * Century. ')
1877. F. v. Muller, 'Botanic Teach-
ings/ p. 50:
"Proteacecz are more extensively
still represented in Victoria by the
well known genera Grevillea and Ha-
kea, the former dedicated to the Right
Hon. C. F. Greville, of Paddington,
the latter genus named in honour of
Baron Hake, of Hanover, both having
been alike patrons of horticulture at
the end of the last century."
1897. 'The Australasian/ Jan. 30, p.
226, col. 3 :
" Recently, according to * Nature,'
Mr. G. M. Thomson, an eminent au-
thority on New Zealand botany, has
shown that one of the genera, namely
Hakea, though absent at present from
the islands [of New Zealand], formerly
existed there. Plant remains were
found at St. Bathans, in a bed of clay,
which have been identified by him as
Hakea. The question of the identi-
fication of fossil plants is always a
difficult one, but as Mr. Thomson
announces that he has obtained fruit
capsules and leaves there can be but
little doubt as to the correctness of his
determinations. Hitherto the genus
has been regarded as Australian only,
and about 100 species are known, of
which no less than 65 are West Aus-
tralian. It would seem then that the
Hakeas had obtained a footing in
Eastern Australia before the connec-
tion with New Zealand had disap-
peared, and that probably the genus is
a far older one than had been antici-
pated. Why, after finding its way to
New Zealand, it should have died out
there is a question to which no answer
can as yet be supplied."
Hand-fish, n. a Tasmanian fish,
Brachionichthys hirsutus, Lac^p. ,
family Pediculati. The name is
used in the northern hemisphere
for a different fish, which is also
called there the Frog-fish and
Toad-fish. The name arises from
a fancied resemblance of the pro-
file of the fish to a human hand.
It is also called Frog-fish and
Tortoise-shell fish. Mrs. Meredith
calls it Tortoise-shell Fish from
its colour, when figuring it in
' Tasmanian Friends and Foes '
under its former scientific name
of Cheironectes politus. The sur-
face of its skin is hirsute with
minute spines, and the lobe at the
end of the detached filament of
the dorsal fin called the fintacle
hangs loose. The scientific
names of the genus are derived
from Grk. /fya^tW, "the arm,"
HAN-HAP]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
191
and x 4>> "the hand." The arm-
like pectoral fins are used for
holding on to stones or seaweed.
1850. ' Papers and Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land,'
Jan. 9, vol. i. p. 268 :
"A little spotted fish belonging to
the genus Chironectes . . . Mr. Champ
writes thus respecting the frog fish :
' It was found in the sea at Port Arthur
by a person who was with me, and
when caught had all the appearance
of having four legs, from the position
and shape of the fins ; the two longest
of which, from the sort of elbow in
them, and the division into (rays) what
resemble fingers, seem to form a con-
necting link between fins and legs or
arms.' "
1880. Mrs. Meredith, 'Tasmanian
Friends and Foes,' p. 249 :
" It has fins like feet ; one small
pair where pectoral fins usually are,
and a larger pair, with absolute elbows
to them, and apparently shoulder-
blades too, only those do not belong
to the fore pair of feet ! A very anti-
podean arrangement truly ! The
markings on the body and on the
delicate pellucid fins are like tortoise-
shell."
Hand, Old, n. one who has been
a convict.
1861. T. McCombie, 'Australian
Sketches,' p. 141 :
" The men who have been convicts
are termed 'old hands' ; they are mostly
rude, rough men, with no moral prin-
ciple or religious feeling, and who
have little sympathy for humanity."
1865. J. O. Tucker, ' Australian Story,'
c. i. p. 85 :
" Reformed convicts, or, in the lan-
guage of their proverbial cant, 'old
hands.'"
1865. F. H. Nixon, 'Peter Perfume,'
p. 102 :
"'Boshman' in the old-hand ver-
nacular signifies a fiddler." ["Bosh
in gypsy means music and also violin."
Barrlre and Leland.]
1885. J. Rae, ' Chirps by an Australian
Sparrow,' p. 99 :
" The old hands were quite tidy too
With hats of cabbage-tree."
Hang up, v. to tie up a horse.
1860. W. Kelly, ' Life in Victoria,' p.
49 [Footnote] :
" In Melbourne there are posts sunk
in the ground almost opposite every
door. . . . Fastening your horse to
one of these posts is called ' hanging
him up.' "
1885. II. Finch - Hatton, 'Advance
Australia,' p. 32 :
" We got off, hung our horses up to
a tree."
1890. E. W. Hornung, ' Bride from the
Bush,' p. 296 :
" The mail-boy is waiting impatiently
in the verandah, with his horse * hung
up ; to one of the posts."
Hapalote, n. Anglicized form of
Hapalotis (Grk. cbraAo's, soft, and
ous, cms, ear), a peculiar Australian
genus of rodents of the mouse
family. They are called Jumping
Mice, and have soft ears, and en-
larged hind limbs like the jerboa,
but are not marsupial like the
kangaroo. There are many
species.
Hapu, n. Maori word for sub-
tribe ; sometimes even, family.
1857. C. Hursthouse, ' New Zealand,
the Britain of the South,' vol. i. p. 162 :
"The 70,000 semi-civilised natives
now in New Zealand are divided into
some dozen chief tribes, and into
numerous sub-tribes and ' harpu.' "
1873. ' Appendix to Journals of House
of Representatives,' vol. iii. G. 7, p. 87 :
"Were not all your hapu present
when the money was paid ? My hapu,
through whom the land was claimed,
were present : we filled the room."
1882. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open,'
p. 171 :
"An important structure that en-
gaged the united labours of the hapu."
1887. J. White, 'Ancient History of
the Maori,' vol. i. p. 290 :
"Each of which is subdivided again
into Hapu, or smaller communities."
1891. Rev. J. Stacks, ' Report of Aus-
tralasian Association for the Advancement
of Science,' vol. iii. sect. G. p. 378:
"On arriving in New Zealand, or
Ao-tea-roa, the crews of the colonizing
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HAP-HAR
fleet dispersed themselves over the
length and breadth of these islands, and
formed independent tribes or nations,
each of which was divided into hapus,
and the hapus into families."
Hapuku, n. Maori name for a
fish, Oligorus gigas, Giinth., called
later Polyprion prognathus (see quo-
tation, 1895), pronounced hapu-
ka, frequently corrupted into
habuka, the Groper (q.v.). It is
variously called a Cod, a Perch,
and a Sea-Perch. See quotations.
1845 (about). ' New Plymouth's National
Song, Hursthouse's 'New Zealand,' p.
217:
" Lowing herds on every side,
Hapuka in every tide."
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, 'Te Ika a Maui,'
p. 411:
"Hapuku, or whapuku, commonly
called the cod, but a much richer fish
in flavour : externally it more resembles
the salmon, and is known in New Hol-
land as the dew or jew-fish. It
attains a large size and is considered
the best fish of New Zealand."
1862. Anon., 'From the Black Rocks
on Friday,' 'All the Year Round,' May
17, 1862, No. 160 :
"A kind of codfish called by the
natives whapuku or hahpuka."
1878. P. Thomson, ' Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. XI. art. Hi. p.
383:
" The hapuka, or groper, was in
pretty regular supply."
1880. Glinther, ' Study of Fishes,' p.
392:
"The second (Oligorus gigas) is
found in the sea, on the coast of New
Zealand, and called by the Maoris and
colonists 'Hapuku' . . . Dr. Hector,
who has had opportunities of examin-
ing it in a fresh state, has pointed out
anatomical differences from the Murray
Cod."
1880. W. Colenso, ' Transactions of the
New Zealand Institute,' vol. XIII. art. ii.
p. 46:
" A feast of good things prepared
eels, and hapuku (codfish), and taro."
1884. W. D. Hay, in the 'Field,' May
10, p. 637, col. i :
"The pakirikiri (Percis colias) is
the fish to which settlers in the north
of New Zealand generally give the
name of whapuka."
1895. 'Oxford English Dictionary ' (s.v.
Cod):
" In New Zealand, a serranoid fish
Polyprion prognathus, called by the
Maories hapuku."
Hardhead, n. the English
sportsman's name for the ruddy
duck (Erismatura rubidd). Applied
by sportsmen in Australia to the
White-eyed Duck, Nyroca aus-
tralis, Gould. See Duck.
Hardwood, n. The name is ap-
plied to many Australian timbers
something' like teak, but especially
to Backhousia bancroftii, F. v. M.
and Bailey, N.O. Myrtacece. In
Tasmania, it means any gum-
timber (Eucalyptus). It is in
constant and universal use for
building and fencing in Australia.
1888. Candish, 'Whispering Voices,' p.
108:
" Sitting on a block of hardwood
. . . is the gray-haired forest feller."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Miner's
Right,' c. iii. p. 24 :
"It was a hammer-like piece of hard-
wood above a plate of tin."
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Sydney-side
Saxon,' p. 93 :
"A hardwood slab-door weighs a
goodish deal, as any one may find out
that has to hump it a hundred yards."
Hardyhead, n. name given in
Sydney to the fish Atherinapinguis,
Lacep. , family Atherinidce.
Hare-Kangaroo, n. a small
Kangaroo, resembling the British
hare. Called also Hare- Wallaby.
The scientific name is Lagorchestes
(q.v.).
1871. G. Krefft, 'Mammals of Aus-
tralia':
"The Hare-kangaroos, so called
from their resemblance to that well
known rodent, are the fleetest of the
whole tribe, and though they do not
exceed a common hare in bulk, they
HAR-HAT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
193
can make clear jumps of eight and ten
feet high."
Hare- Wallaby, n. See Hare-
Kangaroo > Wallaby, and Lagor?
chestes.
Harlequin-Pigeon, n. formerly
referred to the genus Peristera,
but now to the genus Phaps. It
is commonly called in the interior
the "flock " pigeon.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 296 :
" Large flocks of Peristera histri-
onica (the harlequin - pigeon) were
lying on the patches of burnt grass on
the plains."
Harmonic Thrush, n. See Port-
Jackson Thrush.
Harpagornis, n. a scientific
name for a partly fossilised, huge
raptorial bird of New Zealand.
From Greek ap7ra, robbing, and
opvis, a bird.
1878. A. Newton, ' Encyclopaedia Bri-
tannica,' vol. iii. p. 731 :
" There is a harpagornis; a bird of
prey of stature sufficient to have made
the largest dinornis its quarry."
Harrier, n. English bird-name
(that which harries), assigned in
New Zealand to Circus gouldii,
Bonap. (also called Swamp-hawk],
and in Australia to C. assimilis,
Jard. and Selb., or C.approximans,
Bonap., called Spotted Harrier.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 206 :
" Circus Gouldi, Bonap., New Zea-
land harrier, or Gould's harrier."
Hat, Black, n. slang for a new
immigrant.
1887. R. M. Praed, ' Longleat of
Kooralbyn,' c. xxviii. p. 277 :
" Lord ! if I were Mr. Dyson Mad-
dox, I'd never let it be said that a
black hat had cut me out sweet-
heartin'."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. iii. p. 21 :
" A ' black hat ' in Australian par-
lance means a new arrival."
Hat, Old. See Old-hat.
Hatter, (i) A solitary miner
miner who works without a mate
partner : sc. one who has every-
thing under his own hat.
1869. Brough Smyth, ' Goldfields of
Victoria,' p. 613 ('Glossary of Mining
Terms ') :
" One who works alone. He differs
from the fossicker who rifles old work-
ings, or spends his time in trying
abandoned washdirt. The hatter leads
an independent life, and nearly always
holds a claim under the bye-laws."
1884. R - L. A. Davies, ' Poems and
Literary Remains,' p. 267 :
" Oh, a regular rum old stick ; . . .
he mostly works a ' hatter.' He has
worked with mates at times, and leaves
them when the claim is done, and
comes up a 'hatter' again. He's a
regular old miser."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'The Miner's
Right,' p. 37 :
" Instead of having to take to fos-
sicking like so many ' hatters ' solitary
miners."
(2) By extension to other pro-
fessions.
1893. ' The Herald ' (Melbourne), Aug.
28, p. i. col. 7 :
" He had been a burglar of the kind
known among the criminal classes as
' a hatter.' That is to say, he burgled
'on his own hook,' never in a gang.
He had never, he told me, burgled
with a companion."
Hatteria, n. scientific name for
a genus of reptiles containing a
Lizard peculiar to New Zealand,
the only living representative of
the order Rhynchoeephalina* See
Tuatara.
Hatting, quasi pres. partic.,
solitary mining. See Hatter.
1891. ' The Age,' Nov. 25, p. 6, col. 7 :
"Two old miners have been . . .
hatting for gold amongst the old
alluvial gullies."
Hat-tree, n. name given to a
species of Sterculia, the Bottle-
trees (q.v.).
I 9 4
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HAU-HEA
Hau-hau, n. a Maori super-
stition. This superstition arose
in Taranaki in 1864, through the
crazy fancies of the chief Te Ua,
who communed with angels and
interpreted the Bible. The mean-
ing of the word is obscure, but
it probably referred to the wind
which wafted the angels to the
worshippers whilst dancing round
an erect pole. Pai Marire was
another name for the superstition,
and signifies "good and peace-
ful." (See Gudgeon's 'War in
New Zealand,' p. 23 sq. ; also
Colenso's pamphlet on ' Kereopa,'
p. 4.)
Hawk, n. This common Eng-
lish bird-name is applied in Aus-
tralia to many species
Brown-Hawk
Hieracidea orientalis^ Schl.
Crested-H.-
Baza subcristata, Gould.
Eagle-H.-
Another name for Wedge-tailed
Eagle. (See Eagle and Eagle-
hawk. )
Fish-H.
Another name for Osprey. (See
Fish-hawk.}
Gos-H.
Astur approximate, V. and H.
Grey Gos-H.
A. cinereus, Vieill.
Lesser Gos-H.
A. cruentus, Gould.
Lesser White Gos-H.
A. leucosomus, Sharpe.
Red Gos-H.
A. radiatus, Lath.
Sparrow-H.
Acdpiter cirrhocephahis, Vieill.
Striped Brown-H.
Hieracidea berigora, V. and H.
[See Berigora.}
Swamp-H. [See Harrier J\
White Gos-H.
Astur nopce-hollandicB) Gm.
See also Nankeen-Hawk, and
Night-Hawk.
In New Zealand, the varieties
appear in the quotation, 1889.
1888. W. L. Buller, ' Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 206 :
[A complete description.]
1889. Prof, Parker, ' Catalogue of New
Zealand Exhibition,' p. 117 :
"Of the three species recognized,
two, the quail-hawk (Harpa Novcz
ZealandicB] and the bush-hawk (H.
ferox) [or sparrow-hawk], belong to a
genus peculiar to New Zealand." [The
third is the New Zealand harrier,
Circus Gouldi^ also found in Australia.]
Hazel, n. name applied in
Victoria to the tree Pomaderris
apetala, Labill., N.O. Rhamnacece.
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants/ p. 590 :
" Called ' hazel ' in Victoria. A tall
shrub, or small tree. The wood is
excellent, of a beautiful satiny texture,
and adapted for carvers' and turners'
work. [Grows in] all the colonies ex-
cept Western Australia and Queens-
land."
Head, n. the rammer for crush-
ing quartz in gold-mining.
1890. ' Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 7 :
"Forty additional heads will be
shortly added to the crushing power,
bringing the battery up to sixty heads."
Head-Station, n. the principal
buildings, including the owner's
or manager's house, the hut,
store, etc., of a sheep or cattle
run,
1885. Mrs. Campbell Praed [Title] :
" The Head Station."
Heart-Pea, n. i.q. Balloon-Vine
(q.v.).
Heartsease, . i.q. Brooklime,
(q.v.).
Heartseed, n. i.q. Balloon- Vim
(q.v.).
Heartwood. n. See Ironwood.
Heath, n. In Tasmania, where
the Epacris is of very beautiful
HED-HER]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
195
colour, this name is popularly
used for Epacris impressa, Labill.,
N.O. Epacridea. See Epacris.
Hedgehog - Fruit, ;/. popular
name applied to the fruit of
Echinocarpus australis, Benth.,
N.O. Tiliacece. The tree is also
called Maiden's Blush (q.v.).
Hedge-Laurel, n. a name given
to the tree Mapau (q.v.), an ever-
green shrub of New Zealand, of
the genus Pittosporum (q.v.). It
has dark glossy foliage and hand-
some flowers, and is planted and
cultivated in the form of tall
garden hedges. See also Laurel.
Hei-tiki, n. Maori name for a
neck ornament made of green-
stone (q.v.).
1835. W. Yate, ' Account of New Zea-
land,' p. 151 :
" The latter idea [that they are re-
presentatives of gods] was conceived
from the hei-tiki being taken off the
neck, laid down . . . and then wept
and sung over."
1889. Dr. Hocken, ' Catalogue of New
Zealand Exhibition,' p. 81 :
" Hei means ornament for the neck.
Tiki was the creator of man, and these
are the representations of him. By a
sort of license, they are occasionally
taken to represent some renowned
ancestor of the possessor ; but wooden
Tikis, some of immense size, usually
represented the ancestors, and were
supposed to be visited by their spirits.
These might be erected in various
parts of a pa, or to mark boundaries,
etc. The Maories cling to them as
sacred heirlooms of past generations,
and with some superstitious rever-
ence."
Helmet-Orchis, n. This Eng-
lish name is applied in Australia
to the orchid Pterostylis cucullata,
R. Br.
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. ii. p. 168 :
" I also found three varieties of a
singular green orchis, of a helmet-
shape, growing singly, on rather tall
slender footstalks."
Hemp, Queensland, n. name
given to the common tropical weed
Sida rhombifolia, Linn., N.O. Mal-
vacecz. Called also Paddy Lucerne,
and in other colonies Native
Lucerne, and Jelly Leaf. It is not
endemic in Australia.
Hemp-bush, n. the plant Plagi-
anthus pulchellus, A. Gray, N.O.
Malvaceae t native of Australia and
New Zealand. Though not true
hemp (cannabh], it yields a fibre
commercially resembling it.
He-Oak, n. See Oak and She-
Oak.
Heron, n. common English
bird-name. The species present
in Australia are
Ashy Reef H.
Demiegretta asha, Sykes.
Great-billed H.
Ardea sumatrana, RafH.
Grey H.-
A. cinerea, Linn.
Night H.-
Nycticorax caledonicus, Lath
Reef H.-
Demiegretta sacra, Gmel.
White-fronted H.
'Ardea nova-hollandice, Lath.
White-necked H.
A. pacifica, Lath.
The Cranes and the Herons
are often popularly confused.
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' p. n :
" There did I shoot . . a blue crane
the Australian heron."
Herring, ;/. Various species of
Clupeidce, to which the European
Herring belongs, are known by
this name in Australasia, and the
word is also applied to an entirely
different fish, Prototroctes inarana,
Giinth., the Yarra Herring, Fresh-
water Herring, Grayling (q.v.),
[ 9 6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HER-HIC
or Cucumber- Mullet, found in the
rivers of Victoria or Tasmania.
The Clupeidce are Clupea sagax
(called also Maray, q.v., and Pil-
chard}, C. sundaica, C. hypselosoma,
Bleek., C. nova-hollandia, Cuv.
and Val., C. vittata, Castln.
(called the Smelt, q.v.), and
others. In Western Australia
Chatoessus erebi, Richards., is
called the Perth Herring. See
also Picton Herring, Aua, and
Sardine.
Herring-cale, n. name given in
New South Wales to the fish
Olistherops brunneus, Macl., family
Labrida, or Wrasses.
Hickory, n. The name Hickory
is originally American, and is
derived from the North-American
Indian ; its earliest form was
Pohickery. The tree belongs to
the genus Carya. The wood
is excellent for gig-shafts,
carriage-poles, fishing-rods, etc.
The name is applied in Australia
to various trees whose wood is
suitable for similar purposes. In
Tasmania, the name Hickory is
given to Eriostemon squameus,
Labill., N.O. Rutacecz. Native
Hickory, or Hickory-Acacia, is
Acacia leprosa, Sieb., N.O. Le*u-
minosa, and in the southern part
of New South Wales, Acacia
melanoxylon. (Maiden, ' Useful
Native Plants,' p. 358.)
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' c. v. p. 35 :
"The beautiful umbrageous black-
wood, or native hickory, one of the
handsomest trees in Australia."
Hickory-Eucalypt, n. one of
the names for the tree Eucalyptus
punctata, DeC., N.O. Myrtacea.
Called also Leather-jacket (q.v.).
Hickory- Wattle, n. a Queens-
land name for Acacia aulacocarpa,
Cunn., N.O. Leguminosa ; called
Hickory about Brisbane.
Hielaman, n. a word of Syd-
ney and neighbourhood. The
initial h, now frequently used by
the natives, is not found in the
earliest forms. The termination
man is also English. Elimang
(Hunter), e-lee-mong (Collins),
hllaman (Ridley). A narrow-
shield of an aboriginal, made of
bark or wood. Notice Mr.
Grant's remarkable plural (1881
quotation).
1798. D. Collins, ' Account of English
Colony in New South Wales,' p. 612:
" E-lee-mong shield made of bark."
1834. L - E - Threlkeld, 'Australian
Grammar,' p. 5 :
"As an initial, h occurs in only a
few words, such as hilaman, a ' shield.' "
Ibid. p. 10:
" As a barbarism, ' hillimung a
shield.' "
[A barbarism means with Mr.
Threlkeld little more than " not
belonging to the Hunter district."]
1839. T. L. Mitchell, ' Three Expeditions
into the Interior of Eastern Australia,' vol.
ii. p. 349 :
" There is much originality in the
shield or hieleman of these people.
It is merely a piece of wood, of little
thickness, and two feet eight inches
long, tapering to each end, cut to an
edge outwards, and having a handle
or hole in the middle, behind the
thickest part."
1852. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes'
(edition 1855), p. 102 :
" The hieleman or shield is a piece
of wood, about two and a half feet long,
tapering to the ends, with a bevelled
face not more than four inches wide at
the broadest part, behind which the
left hand passing through a hole is
perfectly guarded."
1865. S. Bennett, 'Australian Dis-
covery,' p. 251:
" Hieleman, a shield. Saxon, heilan ;
English, helm or helmet (a little shield
for the head)."
[This is a remarkable contribu-
tion to philological lore. In no
dictionary is the Saxon " heilan "
to be found, and a misprint may
HIE-HOL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
197
charitably be suspected. There is
no doubt that the h is an English
Cockney addition to the aboriginal
word. It would need an ingeni-
ous fancy to connect " e-lee-
mong" with "helm."]
1873. J. B. Stephens, 'Black Gin, etc.,'
p. 26:
" No faint far hearing of the waddies
banging
Of club and heelaman together
clanging,
War shouts and universal boom-
eranging."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 66:
" Nullah- nullahs, paddy -melon
sticks, boomerangs, tomahawks, and
heelimen or shields lay about in every
direction."
Hielaman-tree, n. another
name for the Bats-wing Coral
(q.v.), ErythrinavespertiliOy Benth.,
N.O. Leguminosce.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 426 :
" ' Heilaman [sic] tree.'" The wood
is soft, and used by the aborigines for
making their ' heilamans ' or shields."
Hinau, n. Maori name for the
New Zealand tree, Elczocarpus
dentatus, Vahl., N.O. Tiliacece.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 317:
" Another export was much talked
of. This was the bark of the hinau,
a large forest tree which abounds all
over the country near Cook's Strait.
The natives extract from this bark the
black dye for their mats."
1873. 'Catalogue of Vienna Exhibition':
" Hinau a white wood used for
turner's work."
Ibid. :
" The natives produce the black dye
for their flax-work, for which purpose
the bark is first bruised and boiled for
a short time. When cold the flax is
put into the mixture ... it is then
steeped thoroughly for two days in red
swamp mud, rich in peroxide of iron."
1883. J. Hector, ' Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 130:
" Hinau, a small tree about fifty feet
high and eighteen inches thick in stem,
with brown bark which yields a per-
manent blue-black dye, used for tan-
ning . . . used by Maoris for colouring
mats and baskets. Wood a yellowish
brown colour and close-grained ; very
durable for fencing and piles."
Hoki, n. a New Zealand fish,
Coryph&noicUs novce-zelandice. Cory-
phcenoides belongs to the family
Macruridcz, which are deep-sea
Gadoids. See Tasmanian Whip-
tail.
Holly, Native, n.- name given
in Australia to the tree Lomatia
ilicifolia, R.Br., N.O. Proteacece,
and in Tasmania to Coprosma
htrtella, Labill., N.O. Rubiacece ;
called also Coffee Plant.
Holly, Smooth, n. name given
to the tree Hedycarya angustifolia,
A. Cunn., N.O. Monimiacea ;
called also Native Mulberry.
Hollyhock-tree, n. name given
to Hibiscus splendens, Eraser,
N.O. Malvacetz.
Holy City, n. a nickname for
Adelaide. See Farinaceous City.
1875. R. and F. Hill, ' What we Saw
in Australia,' p. 264 :
"... including so many churches
that we are at a loss to understand
why Adelaide should, in virtue of her
supposed superabundance, be nick-
named by her neighbours the Holy
City."
Holy-cross Toad, n. See
Catholic Frog.
Holy-Dollar, n. punning name
for a dollar out of which a Dump
(q.v.) had been punched.
1822. ' Hobart Town Gazette,' Aug.
10 [Proclamation by Sir Thomas Bris-
bane, Governor-in-Chief of New South
Wales and its dependencies, then including
Van Diemen's Land] :
" Whereas in the Year of our Lord
1813, it was deemed expedient to send
a Quantity of Spanish Dollars to the
Colony. . . . And whereas His Excel-
lency, the then Governor, thought
i 9 8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HON
proper to direct, that every such Dollar,
with a small circular Piece of Silver,
struck out of its Centre, should be
current within this Territory, and every
part thereof, for the Sum of Five
Shillings."
[These were called holy (holey)
dollars, or ring dollars, though
the name does not occur in the
above quotation.]
1857. D. Bunce, ' Australasiatic Re-
miniscences,' p. 59 :
" We were more particularly struck
with the character and various kinds
of currency [in Tasmania in 1833].
Our first change for a pound consisted
of two dumps, two holy dollars, one
Spanish dollar, one French coin, one
half-crown, one shilling, and one six-
pence."
Honey-Ant, n. name given to
various species of Ants, in which
the body of certain individuals
becomes enormously distended
by sweet food with which they
are fed by the worker ants, for
whom this store of ' honey '
serves as a food supply. When
the side of the distended abdomen
is tapped, the ant passes the
1 honey ' out of its mouth, and
it is then eaten. Three species
are known in Australia, Campo-
notus inflatuS) Lubbock ; C. cowlei,
Froggatt; and C. midas, Froggatt.
The aboriginal name of the first
is * Yarumpa.'
1896. W. W. Froggatt, ' Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' pt. ii. p. 386 :
" Our Australian honey ants belong
to the genus Camponotus, members
of which are found in all parts of the
world, and are known as ' sugar-ants, 3
from their fondness for all kinds of
sweets."
Honey-bird, n. See next word.
Honey-eater, n. an Australian
bird, with a tongue specially
adapted for being formed into a
tube for the absorption of honey
from flowers. The name is ap-
plied to the following species
Banded Honey-eater
Myzomela pectoralis, Gould.
Black H.
M. nigra, Gould.
Black-chinned H.
Melithreptus gularis, Gould.
Black-headed H.
M. melanocephalus, Gould.
Blue-faced H.
Entomyza cyanotis. Swain. [See
Bridled H.
Ptilotis frenata, Ramsay.
Broadbent H.
Stigmatops alboauricularis, Ram-
say.
Brown H.
S. ocularis, Gould.
Brown-backed H.
Glydphila modes ta, Gray.
Brown-headed H.
Melithreptus brevirostns.
Cockerill H.
Ptilotis cockerelli, Gould.
Crescent H.
Meliornis australasiana, Shaw.
Dusky H.
Myzomela obscura, Gould.
Fasciated H.
Ptilotis fasciogula ris, Gould.
Fuscous H.
P.fusca, Gould.
Gay H.
Melithreptus vinitinatus, Gould.
Golden-backed H.
M. IcBtior, Gould.
Helmeted H.
Ptilotis cassidix, Jard.
Least H.
Stigmatops subocularis, Gould.
Long-billed H.
Meliornis longirostris, Gould.
Moustached H.
M. mystacalis, Gould.
New Holland H.
M. novcR-hollandice, Lath.
Painted H.
En tomophila picta , Gould.
Pied H.
Certhionvx leucomelas, Cuv.
HON]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
199
Red-headed Honey-eater
Myzomela erythrocephala, Gould.
Red-throated H.
Entomophila rufigularis, Gould.
Rufous-breasted H.
. albigularis, Gould.
Sanguineous H.
Myzomela sanguineolenta. Lath.
[See Blood-bird^
Singing 1 H.
Ptilotis vittata, Cuv.
Spiny-cheeked H.
Acanthoch&ra rufigularis, Gould.
Streak-naped H.
Ptilotis filigera, Gould.
Striped H.
Plectorhyncha lanceolata, Gould.
Strong-billed H.
Melithreptus validirostris, Gould.
[See also Cherry-picker :]
Tawny-crowned H.
Glyciphila fulvifrons, L e wi n .
Varied H.
Ptilotis versicolor, Gould.
Warty-faced H.
Meliphaga phrygta, Lath. (Called
also the Mock Regent-bird,
q.v.)
Wattle-cheeked H.
Ptilotis cratitia, Gould.
White-breasted H.
Glyciphila fasdata, Gould.
White-cheeked H.
Meliornis sericea, Gould.
White-eared H.
Ptilotis leucotis, Lath.
White-fronted H.
Glyciphila albifrons, Gould.
White-gaped H.
Stomiopora unicolor, Gould.
White-naped H.
Melithreptus lunulatus, Shaw.
[See also Golden-Eye.\
White-plumed H.
Ptilotis penicillata , Gould.
White-quilled H.
Entomyza albipennis, Gould.
White-throated H.
Melithreptus albogularis, Gould.
Yellow H.
Ptilotis flavescens, Gould.
Yellow-eared H.
P. lewini. Swains.
Yellow-faced H.
P. chrysops, Lath.
Yellow-fronted H.
P. plumula, Gould.
Yellow-plumed H.
P. ornata, Gould.
Yellow-spotted H.
P. graciliS) Gould.
Yellow-streaked H.
P. madeayana, Ramsay.
Yellow-throated H.
P.flavicollisi Vieill.
Yellow-tinted H.
P. flava, Gould.
Yellow-tufted H.
P. auricomis. Lath.
Gould enumerated the species,
nearly fifty years ago, in his
'Birds of Australia' (vol. iv.),
as follows :
Plate
Meliphaga Novce-Hollandicz, Vig.
and * Horsf., New Holland
Honey-eater ... ... -..23
M. longirostris, Gould, Long-billed
H 24
M. sericea, Gould, White-cheeked
H 25
M. viystacalis, Gould, Moustached
H. 26
M. Australasiana, Vig. and Horsf.,
Tasmanian H 27
Glyciphila fulvifronS) Swains., Ful-
vous-fronted H ... ... 28
G. albifrons, Gould, White-fronted
H 29
G.fastiata, Gould, Fasciated H 30
G. ocularis, Gould, Brown H. ... 31
Ptilotis chrysotis, Yellow-eared H. 32
P. sonorus, Gould, Singing H. ... 33
P. versicolor, Gould, Varied H. ... 34
P.flavigula, Gould, Yellow-throat-
ed H 35
P. leucotis, White-eared H. ...36
P. auricomis, Yellow-tufted H. ... 37
P. cratitius, Gould, Wattle-cheeked
H 38
P. ornatus, Gould, Graceful Ptilotis 39
P.plumulitS) Gould, Plumed P. ... 40
200
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[RON
Plate
Ptilotis flavescens, Gould, Yellow-
tinted H. 41
P.flava, Gould, Yellow H. ... 42
P. penicillatus, Gould, White-
plumed H. ... ... ... 43
P.fusciiS) Gould, Fuscous H. ... 44
P. chrysops. Yellow-faced H. ... 45
P. unicolor, Gould, Uniform H. ... 46
Plectorhyncha lanceolata, Gould,
Lanceolate H. ... ... -..47
Zanthomyza Phrygia, Swains.,
Warty-faced H. 48
Melicophila picata, Gould, Pied H. 49
Entomophila picta, Gould, Painted
H. 50
E. albogularis, Gould, White-
throated H. ... 51
E. rufogularis. Gould, Red-throated
H 52
Acanthogenys mfogularis, Gould,
Spiny-cheeked H 53
Anthochcera inauris, Wattled H. 54
A. Carunculata, Wattled H. ... 55
[Buller, ' Birds of New Zealand,'
vol. i. p. 1 06.]
Myzomela scmguinolenta. Sanguin-
eous H. 63
M. erythrocephala, Gould, Red-
headed H. 64
M.pectoraliS) Gould, Banded H. 65
M. nigra, Gould, Black H. ... 66
M. obscura, Gould, Obscure H. ... 67
Entomyza cyanotis, Swains., Blue-
faced Entomyza 68
E. albipennis, Gould, White-
pinioned H. ... ... ... 69
Melithrcptus validirostris, Gould,
Strong-billed H. 70
M. pularis, Gould, Black-throated
H 71
M. lunulatus, Lunulated H. ... 72
M. brevirostris, Gould,
M. chloropsis, Gould, Swan River
H 73
M. albogtilaris, Gould, White-
throated H. (as well as pi. 51) 74
M. melanocephalus, Gould, Black-
headed H. 75
Myzanthagarrula, Vig. and Horsf.,
Garrulous H. ... ... ... 76
M. obscura, Gould, Sombre H. ... 77
M. lutea, Gould, Luteous H. ... 78
In the Supplement of 1869,
Gould adds Plate
Ptilotis cassidix, Jard., Helrneted
H 39
Plate
P.fasciogulariS) Gould, Fasciated
H 40
P. notata.) Gould, Yellow-spotted H. 41
P.filigera, Gould, Streaked H. ... 42
P. Cockerelli, Gould, Cockerell's H. 43
Tropidorhynchus buceroides, H el-
meted H. 44
[Note. The Brush Wattle-
birds, Friar-birds, Spine-bills,
and the Yellow-throated Minah,
are known as Honey-eaters, and
the whole series are sometimes
called Honey-birds.]
1897. A. J. Campbell (in ' The Austral-
asian,' Jan. 23), p. 180, col. I :
" The honey-eaters or meliphagous
birds are a peculiar and striking feature
in Australian ornithology. As Gould
points out, they are to the fauna what
the eucalypts, banksias, and melaleu-
cas are to the flora of Australia. They
are closely adapted to feeding on these
trees. That great author asks : 'What
can be more plain than that the brush-
like tongue is especially formed for
gathering the honey from the flower-
cups of the eucalypti, or that their
diminutive stomachs are especially
formed for this kind of food, and the
peculiar insects which constitute a
portion of it ? ' "
Honey-Bucalypt, n. See Box-
tree. Yellow.
Honey-flower, n. Lambertia for-
mosci) Smith, N. O. Proteacea.
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' c. iv. p. 101 :
" They . . . returned . . . dreadfully
exhausted, having existed chiefly by
sucking the wild honey-flower and
shrubs."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 37 :
"'Honey-flower' or 'honeysuckle,'
a plant as well known to small boys
about Sydney as to birds and insects^
It obtains its vernacular name on ac-
count of the large quantity of a clear
honey-like liquid the flowers contain.
After sucking some quantity the liquid
generally produces nausea and head-
ache."
Honey-plant, n. name given in>
HON-HOO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
2or
Tasmania to Richea scoparia,
Hook., N.O. Epacridece. See
Efacris.
Honeysuckle, n. name given
to the Banksias (q.v.) ; also called
Bottle-brush (q.v.). The species
are
Coast Honeysuckle
Banksia integrifolia, Linn.
Common H.
B. marginata, Cav.
Heath H.
B. serrata,) Linn.
New Zealand H.
Knightia excelsa, R. Br.
Silvery H.
Grevillea striata, R. Br.
Tasmanian H.
Banksia margirata, Cav.
1834. R S S, 'Van Diemen's Land An-
nual,' p. 125 :
"Some scattered honeysuckles, as
they are called, but which, being
specimens of a ligneous evergreen
shrub (Banksia Anstralis), my Eng-
lish reader will please not to assimilate
in his mind's eye in any respect with
the woodbine."
1846. G. H. Haydon, 'Five Years in
Australia Felix/ p. 84 :
" The honeysuckle (Banksia integri-
folia) will greatly disappoint those who,
from its name, expect to see anything
similar to the sweet-scented climbers
of English hedges and gardens this
being a tree attaining to thirty or
forty feet in height, with spiral yellow
flowers. The blossoms at the proper
seasons yield a great quantity of honey,
which on a dewy morning may be
observed dropping from the flowers."
1848. Letter by Mrs. Perry, given in
Goodman's ' Church in Victoria during
Episcopate of Bishop Perry,' p. 83 :
" In the course of our journey to-
day we passed through a thin wood
of honeysuckle trees, for, I should
think, about three miles. They take
their name from the quantity of honey
contained in the yellow cone-shaped
flo\ver, which is much prized and
sucked by the natives the aborigines,
I mean."
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 164 :
" The honeysuckle-tree (Banksia
latifolia] is so unreasonably named . . .
so very unlike any sort or species of
the sweet old flower whose name it so
unfittingly bears. . . . The blossoms
form cones, which when in full bloom,
are much the size and shape of a large
English teazel, and are of a greenish
yellow. . . . The honeysuckle trees
grow to about thirty feet in height."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 10 :
" Banksia, spp., N.O. Proteacea.
The name ' honeysuckle ' was applied
to this genus by the early settlers, from
the fact that the flowers, when in full
bloom, contain, in a greater or lesser
quantity, a sweet, honey-like liquid,
which is secreted in considerable quan-
tities, especially after a dewy night,
and is eagerly sucked out by the abor-
igines."
1892. A. Sutherland, ' Elementary Geo-
graphy of British Colonies,' p. 271 :
" It [banksia] is called the ' honey-
suckle 3 by the people of Australia,
though it has no resemblance to an
English honeysuckle. Many of the
banksias grow into stately trees."
Honeywood, n. name given in
Tasmania to the tree Bedfordia
salidna, DeC., N.O. Composite;
also there called Dogwood (q.v.).
Hoop-Pine, n. another name for
the tree Araucaria cunninghamii
or Moreton-Bay Pine. See Pine.
Hoot, n. slang term for com-
pensation, payment, money ;
characteristic corruption of Maori
Utu (q.v.).
1896. 'Truth' (Sydney), Jan. 12 :
" There are several specimens of bush
slang transplanted from the Maori
language. ' Hoot ' is a very frequent
synonym for money or wage. I have
heard a shearer at the Pastoralist
Union office in Sydney when he sought
to ascertain the scale of remuneration,
enquire of the gilt-edged clerk behind
the barrier, ' What's the hoot, mate ? '
The Maori equivalent for money is
utu, pronounced by the Ngapuhi and
202
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HOP-HOR
other northern tribes with the last
syllable clipped, and the word is very
largely used by the kauri-gum diggers
and station hands in the North Island.
The original meaning of utu in Maori
is ' revenge.' When the missionaries
first settled in New Zealand, they found
that the savage inhabitants had no
conception of any recompense except
the grim recompense of blood. Under
Christianizing influences the natives
were induced to forego the blood-
revenge for injuries, on receiving a
solatium in goods or land, and so utu
came to have the double meaning of
revenge and recompense, and eventu-
ally became recognized as the Maori
word for money/"'
Hop-bush, n. "the name for all
species of Dodoncza " (Maiden, p.
417), N.O. SapindacecB.
1883. F. M. Bailey, ' Queensland Flora,'
Synopsis, p. 82 :
" The capsules of many Dodonceas
are used for hops, and thus the shrubs
are known as hop-bushes in Queens-
land."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 621 :
"'Hop-bush,' called 'switch-sorrel'
in Jamaica, and according to Dr. Ben-
nett, 'apiri' in Tahiti. Found in all
the colonies."
Hopping-fish, or Climbing-
fish, n. a fish of the north of New
South Wales and of Queensland,
Periophthalmus australis, Castln.,
family Gobiidce. Called also Skip-
per.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales,' p. 27 :
" On the confines of the northern
boundaries of New South Wales may
be seen a very remarkable Goby called
the ' Hopping-fish.' The pectoral fins
are developed into regular legs, with
which the fish hops or leaps along the
mud flats . . . The eyes are on the
top of the head, and very prominent,
and moreover they can be thrust very
far out of their sockets, and moved
independently of one another, thus the
fish can see long distances around,
and overtake the small crabs in spite
of the long stalks to their optics. It
is a tropical form, yet it is said to be
found on the mud-flats of the Rich-
mond River."
Hops, Native, or Wild, n. In
Australia, the fruit of the Hop-bush
(see above), Dodonaa spp. In
Tasmania, Daviesia latifolia,
R. Br., N.O. Leguminosce, and
called also there Bitter-Leaf.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 23 :
" * Native hops,' on account of the
capsules bearing some resemblance to
hops, both in appearance and taste.
In the early days of settlement trie
fruits of these trees were extensively
used, yeast and beer of excellent quality
being prepared from them. They are
stUl so used to a small extent. D.
attenuata, A. Cunn., for instance, was
largely used in the Western District.
In times of drought cattle and sheep
eat them."
1896. A. B. Paterson, 'Man from
Snowy River,' p. 7 :
" The wild-hop scrub grew thickly, an,d
the hidden ground was full
Of wombat-holes, and any slip was
death."
Horizontal, n. a Tasmanian
shrub, Anodopetalum biglandulosum,
Cunn., N.O. Saxifrages. Hori-
zontal Scrub, peculiar to the
island, occurs in the western
forests ; it derives its name from
the direction of the growth of its
lower stems, and constitutes a
tedious obstacle to the progress
of the traveller.
1888. R. M. Johnston, 'Geology of
Tasmania ' [Introd. p. vi] :
" The Horizontal is a tall shrub or
tree. ... Its peculiar habit to which
it owes its name and fame is for the
main stem to assume a horizontal and
drooping position after attaining a con-
siderable height, from which ascend
secondary branches which in turn as-
sume the same horizontal habit. From
these spring tertiary branchlets, all of
which interlock, and form ... an al-
most impenetrable mass of vegetation."
HOR-HOT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
203
1891. ' The Australasian,' April 4 :
" That stuff as they calls horizontal,
a mess of branches and root."
Hornerah, n. aboriginal name
for a throwing-stick ; a dialectic
variation of Woomera (q.v.). A
nonce-use.
1830. R. Dawson, ' Present State of
Australia,' p. 20:
"I observed, too, that they used a
stick, shaped thus **, called the
hornerah (which assists them in throw-
ing the spear)."
Horn-Bay, n. a New Zealand
and Australian Ray, the fish Rhino-
batus banksit, Mull and Heule. In
this genus of Rays the cranial
cartilage is produced into a long
rostral process (Giinther): hence
the name.
Horopito, n. Maori name for
the New Zealand shrub, Drimys
axillaris, Forst. , N. O. Magnoliacece ;
called also Pepper-tree (q.v.).
1847. G. F. Angas, 'Savage Life and
Scenes in Australia and New Zealand,' vol.
ii. p. 17 :
" A delicious fragrance, like that of
hyacinth and jessamine mingled, filled
the warm still air with its perfume. It
arose from the petals of a straggling
shrub, with bright green shining leaves
resembling those of the nutmeg-tree ;
and a profusion of rich and delicate
blossoms, looking like waxwork, and
hanging in clusters of trumpet-shaped
bells : I observed every shade of colour
amongst them, from pinkish white to
the deepest crimson, and the edges of
the petals were irregularly jagged all
round. The natives call this plant
horopito."
Ibid. p. 75 :
" The fuchsia and the horopito were
also abundant."
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 129 :
"Horopito, pepper -tree, winter's
bark. A small slender evergreen tree,
very handsome. Whole plant aro-
matic and stimulant ; used by the
Maoris for various diseases. Wood
very ornamental in cabinet-work."
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. I :
"The Horopito, or pepper-tree of
the settlers, is an ornamental shrub or
small tree occurring in woods, on the
margin of which it is sometimes found
in great abundance."
Horse-Mackerel, n. The name
is applied in Sydney to the fish
Auxis ramsayi, Castln., family
Scombrida. In New Zealand it is
Caranx (or Trachurus] trachurus,
Cuv. and Val., which is the
same fish as the Horse-Mackerel
of England. This is called
Yellow-tail on the Australian
coasts. See Trevally.
Horseradish-tree,^, name given
to Codonocarpus cotim/olius, F. v.
M., N.O. Phytolacea.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 164 :
"'Quinine-tree,' 'medicine-tree' of
the interior. Called also ' horse-radish
tree ' owing to the taste of the leaves.
The bark contains a peculiar bitter,
and no doubt possesses medicinal pro-
perties. The 'taste is, however, quite
distinct from quinine.''
Horseshoe-Pern, n. name given
in New Zealand to the fern Ma-
rattia fraxinia, Sm., called in
Australia the Potato-Fern. See
under Fern.
Hot Wind, n. an Australian
meteorological phenomenon. See
quotations, especially 1879, A, R.
Wallace. The phrase is of course
used elsewhere, but its Australian
use is peculiar. The hot wind
blows from the North. Mr. H. C.
Russell, the Government Astro-
nomer of New South Wales,
writes " The hot wind of Austra-
lia is a circulation of wind about
the anticyclone in the rear of
which, as it moves to the east,
there is a strong force of wind
from north to north-west, which
blowing over the heated plains
of the interior gathers up its
204
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HOT-HOU
excessive temperature and carries
it to the southern colonies. They
seldom last more than two or three
days in Sydney, and the great heat
by which they are remembered
never lasts more than a few hours
of one day, and is always a sign
of the end, which is an inrush of
southerly wind, the circulation
forming the front of the new in-
coming anticyclone."
1833. C.Sturt, 'Southern Australia,' vol.
II. c. iii. p. 66 :
"This was the only occasion upon
which we felt the hot winds in the
interior."
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in
Australia,' vol. II. c. vi. p. 243 :
" These squalls generally succeed
the hot winds that prevail at this sea-
son in South Australia, coming from
the interior." Footnote " During the
hot winds we observed the thermo-
meter, in the direct rays of the sun, to
be 135."
1846. Ibid. c. xii. p. 403 :
" A hot wind set in ; ... at one
time the thermometer fet the public
offices [Adelaide] was 158."
1849. C. Sturt, ' Expedition into Cen-
tral Australia,' vol. ii. p. 90:
"I sought shelter behind a large
gum tree, but the blasts of heat were
so terrific that I wondered the very
grass did not take fire. . . . Every-
thing, both animate and inanimate,
gave way before it : the horses stood
with their backs to the wind, and their
noses to the ground, without the mus-
cular strength to raise their heads ;
the birds were mute, and the leaves of
the trees, under which we were sitting,
fell like a snow shower around us. At
noon I took a thermometer, graduated
to 127, out of my box, and observed
that the mercury was up to 125.
Thinking that it had been unduly in-
fluenced, I put it in the fork of a tree
close to me, sheltered alike from the
wind and the sun. In this position I
went to examine it about an hour after-
wards, when I found that the mercury
had risen to the top of the instrument,
and that its further expansion had
burst the bulb. ... We had reached
our destination, however, before the
worst of the hot wind set in."
1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, 'Port Phillip
in 1849,' p. 25 :
"The immediate cause of the hot
winds has given rise to much specula-
tion. . . . The favourite theory is that
they are generated in the sandy plains
of the interior, which becoming power-
fully heated, pour their glowing breath
upon the fertile regions of the south."
1871. Dingo, 'Australian Rhymes, 'p. 7:
" A hot wind swift envelopes me
In dust from foot to head."
1879. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia/
(1893) vol. i. P- 39:
"They are evidently produced by
the sinking down to the surface of that
north-westerly current of heated air
which ... is always passing overhead.
The exact causes which bring it down
cannot be determined, though it evi-
dently depends on the comparative
pressure of the atmosphere on the
coast and in the interior. Where from
any causes the north-west wind be-
comes more extensive and more power-
ful, or the sea breezes diminish, the
former will displace the latter and
produce a hot wind till an equilibrium
is restored. It is the same wind passing
constantly overhead which prevents
the condensation of vapour, and is the
cause of the almost uninterrupted
sunny skies of the Australian summer."
1879. Rev - J- H. Zillmann, ' Australian
Life,' p. 40 :
" Scientific men, however, tell us that
those hot winds are just what make
Australia so healthy a climate that
they act as scavengers, and without
them the death-rate of the colonies
would be alarmingly great.''
Hot-windy, adj. See above.
1871. Dingo, 'Australian Rhymes,' p.
18:
" A spell that still makes me forget
The dust and the hot-windy weather."
Houhere, or Hohere, n. Maori
name for a New Zealand tree,
Hoheria populnea^ A. Cunn., N.O.
Malvaceae; called also Lacebark
(q.v.) and Ribbonwood (q.v.).
HOU-HUM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
205
1883. J. Hector, ' Handbook of New Zea-
land,' p. 130 :
" Houhere, ribbonwood of Dunedin.
[The name is now more general.] An
ornamental shrub-tree ten to thirty
feet high. Bark fibrous and used for
cordage, and affords a demulcent drink.
Wood splits freely for shingles, but is
not durable. . . . Bark used for making
a tapa cloth by the Maoris in olden
times."
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 87 :
" In one or other of its varied forms
the ' houhere ' is found in nearly every
district in N.Z. It is everywhere
admired for its handsome foliage, and
the beauty of its pure white flowers,
which are produced in vast profusion
during the early winter months. . . .
The bark is capable of division into a
number of layers. ... By settlers all
forms are termed ' ribbonwood,' or less
frequently * lace-bark ' names which
are applied to other plants ; they are
also termed 'thousand-jacket.'"
1895. 'Longman's Geography Reader
for New Zealand,' p. 231 :
"The houhere is a small tree with
beautiful white flowers, and the bark
splits up into thin layers which look
like delicate lace ; hence the plant is
called lace-bark or ribbon-wood by the
colonists."
Houi, n. Maori name for New
Zealand tree, Ribbonwood (q.v.),
N.O. Malvacecz, kindred to
Hoheria, Plagianthus Betulinus,
sometimes called Howi. In Maori,
the verb houwere means to tie, to
bind : the outer bark was used for
tying.
Hound n. (sometimes Smooth
Hound), the Old World name for
all the sharks of the genus
Mustelus ("the Hell-hound of
the Deep ") ; applied specially in
New South Wales and New
Zealand to the species Mustelus
antarcticus, Gunth., also called
Gummy (q.v.).
Hovea, n. scientific name for a
genus of shrubs. "After Anthony
Pantaleon Hove, a Polish botan-
ist. A small genus of highly
ornamental leguminous shrubs,
from Australia, having blue or
purple flowers in axillary clusters,
or very short racemes, alternate
simple leaves, and short turgid
pods." ('Century.')
Huia, n. Maori name for a New
Zealand bird, like a starling,
Heteralocha actitirostris, Gould, of
limited occurrence, chiefly found
in North Island ; having beak
straight and short in the male,
long and curved in female. The
tail feathers are highly prized for
ornament by the Maoris.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand," vol. i. p. 91 :
" The huia is a black bird about as
large as a thrush, with long thin legs
and a slender semi-circular beak,
which he uses in seeking in holes of
trees for the insects on which he feeds.
In the tail are four long black feathers
tipt with white. These feathers are
much valued by the natives as orna-
ments for the hair on great occasions.
. . . The natives attracted the birds
by imitating the peculiar whistle, from
which it takes the name of huia."
1883. F. S. Renwick, 'Betrayed,' p. 36 :
" One snow-tipped hui feather graced
his hair."
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 7 :
[A full description.]
Hump, to, v. to shoulder,
carry on the back ; especially, to
hump the swag, or bluey, or drum.
See Swag, Bluey, Drum.
1855. W. Howitt, ' Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 226 :
" He ' humped his swag,' in digger's
phrase, that is, shouldered his pack
and disappeared in the woods."
1857. 'Geelong Advertiser,' quoted in
'Argus,' Oct. 23, p. 5, col. 3 :
" The despised old chum bought his
swag, 'humped it,' grumbled of
course."
206
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HUM-HUO
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Sydney-side
Saxon,' p. 93 :
"A hardwood slab-door weighs a
goodish deal, as any one may find out
that has to hump it a hundred yards."
1893. Haddon Chambers, ' Thumbnail
Sketches of Australian Life,' p. 224:
" I ' humped my swag ' i.e. tied
my worldly possessions, consisting of
a blanket, a pannikin, and an odd pair
of boots, upon my back and ' footed
it ' for the capital."
1896. H. Lawson, 'When the World
was Wide,' p. 134 :
"But Bill preferred to hump his
drum
A-paddin' of the hoof."
Hump, n. a long walk with a
swag on one's back.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Miner's Right,'
c. 3, p. 46 :
"We get a fair share of exercise
without a twenty-mile hump on Sun-
days."
Humpy, n. ( i ) a native hut. The
aboriginal word is Oompi ; the
initial h is a Cockney addition,
and the word has been given an
English look, the appearance of
the huts suggesting the English
word hump. [The forms himbing
and yamba occur along the East
coast of Australia. Probably it
is kindred with koombar, bark, in
Kabi dialect, Mary River, Queens-
land.] The old convict settlement
in Moreton Bay, now broken up,
was called Humpy Bong (see
Bung), sc. Oompi Bong, a dead
or deserted settlement. The
aboriginal names for hut may be
thus tabulated :
Gunyah )
Goondie I
.. New South Wales.
Humpy (Oompi)... Queensland.
Mia-mia Victoria and West-
ern Australia.
Wurley (Oorla) ... South Australia.
Whare New Zealand.
1846. C. P. Hodgson, ' Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 228 :
" A ' gunyia ' or ' umpee.' "
1873. J. Brunton Stephens, 'Black Gin/
p. 16 :
" Lo, by the ' humpy ' door, a smock-
less Venus."
(2) Applied to a settler's house,
very small and primitive.
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 133 :
" To dwell in the familiar old bark
'humpy,' so full of happy memories.
The roof was covered with sheets of
bark held down by large wooden riders
pegged in the form of a square to one
another."
1885. R. M. Praed, 'Australian Life,' p.
57:
"A lonely hut . . . and a kitchen
a smaller humpey at the back."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Squatter's
Dream,' p. 247 :
" He's in bed in the humpy."
1893. Gilbert Parker, 'Pierre and his
People,' p. 135 :
" Shon McGann was lying on a pile
of buffalo robes in a mountain hut, an
Australian would call it a humpey."
Hungry Quartz, n. a miner's
term for unpromising Quartz
(q.v.).
Huon-Pine, n. a large Tas-
manian evergreen tree, Dacry-
dium franklinii, Hook, N. O.
Coniferce. The timber is prized
in cabinet-work, being repellent
to insects, durable, and fairly
easy to work ; certain pieces are
beautifully marked, and resemble
bird's-eye maple. The Huon is a
river in the south of Tasmania,
called after a French officer. See
Pine.
1800. J. J. Labillardiere, ' Voyage a la
Recherche de la Perouse,' torn, i., Introd.
p. xi :
" Ces deux flutes regurent des noms
analogues au but de Fentreprise. Celle
que montoit le general, Dentrecasteaux,
fut nommee la Recherche, et 1'autre,
commandee par le major de vaisseau,
Huon Kermadec, regut le nom de
PEsperance. . . . Bruny Dentrecast-
eaux [fut le] commandant de 1'ex-
pedition, [et} Lahillardiere [fut le].
naturaliste."
HUT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
207
[Of these gentlemen of France
and their voyage the names Bruni
Island, D'Entrecasteaux Channel,
Recherche Bay, Port Esperance,
Kermandie [sic] River, Huon Is-
land, Huon River, perpetuate the
memory in Southern Tasmania,
and the Kermadec Islands in the
Southern Ocean.]
1820. C. Jeffreys, R. N. , ' Geographical
and Descriptive Delineations of the Island
of Van Diemen's Land,' p. 28 :
" On the banks of these newly dis-
covered rivers, and the harbour, grows
the Huon Pine (so called from the
river of that name, where it was first
found)."
1829. 'The Tasmanian Almanack,' p.
8 7 :
"1816. Huon pine and coal dis-
covered at Port Davey and Macquarie
Harbour."
1832. J. Bischoff, 'Van Diemen's Land/
vol. ii. p. 23 :
" Huon-pine is by far the most
beautiful wood found in the island."
1852. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes/
(edition 1855) p. 515
" Knots of the beautiful Huon pine,
finer than bird's-eye maple for orna-
mental furniture."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods,
' History of the Discovery and Exploration
of Australia/ vol. i. p. 71 :
" The river was named the Huon,
and has since become celebrated for
the production which yields the pretty
cabinet-wood known as Huon pine."
1890. Lyth, 'Golden South/ c. xii. p.
102 :
"The huon-pine is of immense
height and girth."
Hut, n. the cottage of a shep-
herd or a miner. The word is
English but is especially common
in Australia, and does not there
connote squalor or meanness.
The " Men's Hut" on a station
is the building occupied by the
male employees.
1844. ' P rt Phillip Patriot/ July 1 1, pt.
i, c. 3:
"At the head station are a three-
roomed hut, large kitchen, wool-shed,,
etc."
1862. G. T. Lloyd, 'Thirty -three Years
in Tasmania/ p. 21 :
" If a slab or log hut was required
to be erected ... a cart-load of wool
was pitchforked from the wasting heap,
wherewith to caulk the crevices of the
rough-hewn timber walls."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories/ c. vi. p. 42 :
" ' The hut,' a substantial and com-
modious structure, arose in all its
grandeur."
1890. Id. 'Miner's Right/ c. vi. p.
62:
"Entering such a hut, as it is
uniformly, but in no sense of con-
tempt, termed a hut being simply
lower in the scale than a cottage you
will find there nothing to shock the
eye or displease the taste."
1891. W. Tilley, ' Wild West of Tas-
mania/ p. 29 :
" Bark and weatherboard huts al-
ternating with imposing hotels and
stores."
Hut-keep, v. to act as hut-
keeper.
1865. S. Sidney, 'Three Colonies of
Australia/ p. 380 :
" At this, as well as at every other
station I have called at, a woman ' hut-
keeps/ while the husband is minding
the sheep,"
1890. 'Melbourne Argus,' June I4th,
p. 4, coL 2 :
" ' Did you go hut-keeping then ? '
' Wrong again. Did I go hut-keeping ?
Did you ever know a hut-keeper cook
for sixty shearers ?'"
Hut-keeper, n. Explained in
quotations.
1802. D, Collins, 'Account of New
South Wales/ vol. ii.. p. 285 :
" Old men, unfit for anything but
to be hut-keepers who were to remain
at home to prevent robbery, while the
other inhabitants of the hut were at
labour."
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia/ vol. II. c. iii. p. 458 :
" My object was to obtain a few of
these heads, which the hut-keeper
. . . instantly gave."
208
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[HYA-HYP
1853. G. Butler Earp, ' What we Did
in Australia,' p. 17 :
"The lowest industrial occupation
in Australia, viz. a hut-keeper in the
bush ... a station from which many
of the wealthiest flockmasters in Aus-
tralia have risen."
1883. E. M. Curr, 'Recollections of
Squatting in Victoria' (1841-1851), p. 21 :
"A bush hut-keeper, who baked
our damper, fried our chops."
Hyacinth, Native, n. a Tas-
.manian flower, Thelymitra longi-
folia, R. and G. Forst., N.O.
Orchidece.
Hyaena, n. See Thylarine, and
Tasmanian Tiger.
Hypsiprymnodon, n. the scien-
tific name of the genus of the
Australian animal called Musk
Kangaroo. (Grk. {u/a7rpu//,i/os, with
a high stern.) A very small,
rat-like, arboreal kangaroo, about
ten inches long. The strong
musky odour from which it takes
its vernacular name is perceptible
in both sexes.
1874. R - Lydekker,' Marsupialia,' p. 73 :
"The third and last subfamily
(Hypsiprymnodontidae) of the Macro-
podidas is represented solely by the
remarkable creature known, from its
strong scent, as the Musk-kangaroo."
IBI-INA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
209
Ibis, n. There are twenty-four
species of this bird distributed
over all the warmer parts of the
globe. Those present in Austral-
asia are
Glossy (Black, or Bay) Ibis
Ibis falcinellus, Linn.
Straw-necked I.
Geronticus spinnicollis, Jameson.
White I.
Threskiornis strictipennis , Gould.
Of these the last two are con-
fined to Australia, the first is
cosmopolitan.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition/ p. 155 :
" All they had for supper and break-
fast were a straw-coloured ibis, a duck
and a crow."
Ibid. p. 300 :
" Crows were feasting on the remains
of a black Ibis."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. vi. :
" Geronticus spinicollis, straw-necked
ibis (pi. 45). This beautiful ibis has
never yet been discovered out of Aus-
tralia, over the whole of which immense
country it is probably distributed."
" Threskiornis strictipennis, white
ibis " (pi. 46).
" Ibis falcinelhts, Linn., glossy ibis "
(pi. 47).
1892. 'The Australasian,' April 9, p.
707, col. 4 :
"When the hoarse-voiced jackass
mocked us, and the white-winged
ibis flew
Past lagoons and through the rushes,
far away into the blue."
Ice-Plant, n. Tasmanian name
for Tetragonia implexicoma, Hook.,
N.O. Ficoidecz, B. Fl. Various
species of Tetragonia are culti-
vated as Spinach (q.v.).
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 63 :
"Called 'ice-plant' in Tasmania.
Baron Mueller suggests that this plant
be cultivated for spinach. [Found in]
all the colonies except Queensland."
Identity, Old, n. phrase denot-
ing a person well known in a place.
A term invented in Dunedin, New
Zealand, in 1862, in a popular
topical song, by Mr. R. Thatcher,
an improvisator. In the song the
11 Old Identity," the former resid-
ent of Dunedin, was distinguished
from the " New Iniquity," as the
people were termed who came
from Australia.
1879. w - J- Barry, ' Up and Down,' p.
197:
" The old identities were beginning
to be alive to the situation."
1894. ' Sydney Morning Herald,' Oct. :
" It is permissible to wonder about
the origin of the phrase ' an old iden-
tity.' Surely no man, however old,
can be an identity ? An entity he is,
or a nonentity ; an individual, a centen-
arian, or an oldest inhabitant ; but
identity is a condition of sameness, of
being identical with something. One
can establish one's identity with that
of some one who is being sought or
sued, but once established it escapes
us."
Inaka, n. a fish. See Inanga.
Inanga or Inaka, n. (the ng as
in the word singer, not as in
finger) , a New Zealand fish, Gal-
axias attennatus, or Retropinna
richardsoni. It is often called
the Whitebait and Minnow, and
in Tasmania the larger variety
p
210
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[iNC-IND
is called Jolly-tail. The change
from Inanga to Inaka is a dia-
lectal Maori variation, answering
exactly to the change from North
Island Kainga to South Island
Kaik (q.v.).
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 100 :
" This fish is called hinanga [sic.],
and resembles Blackwall white-bait in
size and flavour. Its colour is a
pinkish white, spotted with black."
1896. 'The Australasian/ Aug. 28, p.
407, col. 3 :
"About the same size as this fish
[the cockabully] is the 'inaka' much
used for bait. Indeed, it is called the
New Zealand whitebait. A friend
from Victoria having used this bait, I
asked him to spell the name of the
fish, and he wanted to make it like
the patriarch who ' walked with God '
Enoch-a. The more correct shape
of the Maori word is inanga ; but in
the South Island *k' often takes the
place of that distinctive Maori letter
' ng,' as ' kainga ' becomes kaik ; ngaio,
kaio."
Inchman, n. a Tasmanian name
for the Bull-dog Ant (q.v.), from
its length, which is sometimes
nearly an inch.
Indians, pi. n. early and now
obsolete name for the Aboriginals
in Australia and even for the
Maoris.
1769. J. Banks, 'Journal,' Oct. 21 (Sir
J. D. Hooker edition), p. 191 :
"We applied to our friends the
Indians for a passage in one of their
canoes."
[These were Maoris.]
1770. Ibid. April 28 :
" During this time, a few of the
Indians who had not followed the boat
remained on the rock opposite the
ship, threatening and menacing with
their pikes and swords."
[These were Australian Aboriginals.]
1825. Barron Field, 'Geographical
Memoirs of New South Wales,' p. 437 :
" Some of the Indians have also
seriously applied to be allowed convict-
labourers, as the settlers are, although
they have not patience to remain in
the huts which our Government has
built for them, till the maize and cab-
bage that have been planted to their
hands are fit to gather."
1830. ' The Friend of Australia,' p. 244 :
"It is the observation of some
writers, that the system pursued in
Australia for educating the children of
the Indians is not attended with
success. The black children will never
do any good there, until some other
plan is commenced . . ."
Indigo, Native, n. All the
species of Swainsonia, N.O. Le-
guminosce, are called " Native
Indigos." See Indigo-plant. In
Tasmania, the Native Indigo is
Indigofera australis, Willd., N.O.
Leguminosce. The plants are also
called Indigo-plant and Darling-pea
(q.v.). Swainsonia belongs to the
same N.O. as Indigofera tinctoria,
which furnishes the Indigo of
commerce.
1826. J. Atkinson, 'Agriculture and
Grazing in New South Wales,' p. 24 :
" Indigo brushes are not very com-
mon ; the timber in these is generally
white or blackbutted gum ; the ground
beneath is covered with the native
indigo, a very beautiful plant, with a
light purple flower."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 140 :
" The ' darling-pea' or ' indigo-plant '
is a dreaded plant from the great
amount of loss it has inflicted on stock-
owners. Its effect on sheep is well
known ; they separate from the flock,
wander about listlessly, and are known
to the shepherds as 'pea-eaters,' or
'indigo-eaters.' When once a sheep
takes to eating this plant it seldom or
never fattens, and may be said to be
lost to its owner. The late Mr. Charles
Thorn, of Queensland, placed a lamb
which had become an 'indigo-eater'
in a small paddock, where it refused
to eat grass. It, however, ate the
indigo plant greedily, and followed
Mr. Thorn all over the paddock for
some indigo he held in his hand."
IND-IRO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
211
Indented Servants, n. same as
Assigned (<\.\ .) Servants.
1810. ' History of New South Wales '
(1818), p. 352:
" Public Notice. Secretary's Office,
Sydney, July 21, 1810. A ship being
daily expected to arrive here from
England with female convicts, whom
it is His Excellency the Governor's
intention to distribute among the
settlers, as indented servants. ..."
Ink-plant, n. another name for
the "toot," a New Zealand shrub,
Coriaria thymifolia, N.O. Coria-
riece. Called Ink-plant on account
of its juice, which soon turns to
black. There is also an European
Ink-plant, Coriaria myrtifolia, so
that this is only a different species.
Ironbark, . Early settlers
gave this name to several large
Eucalypts, from the hardness of
their bark, especially to E. leu-
coxylon^ F. v. M., and E. resinifera^
Smith. In Queensland it is ap-
plied to E. siderophloia, Benth.
See also Leguminous Ironbark^ and
Lemon-scented Ironbark.
1802. G. Barrington, * History of New
South Wales,' c. viii. p. 263 :
" A species of gum-tree, the bark of
which on the trunk is that of the iron-
bark of Port Jackson."
1830. R. Dawson, 'Present State of
Australia,' p. 183 :
" It was made out of a piece of bark
from a tree called ironbark (nearly as
hard when dry as an English elm-
board)."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, < His-
tory of the Discovery and Exploration of
Australia,' vol. ii. p. 45 :
" But this gradually changed to an
ironbark (Eucalyptus resinifera) and
cypress-pine forest."
1875. T - Laslett, 'Timber and Timber
Trees,' p. 199 :
" The ironbark-tree (Eucalyptus
resinifera) is ... widely spread over
a large part of Australia. ... A lofty
forest tree of moderate circumference.
. . . It is believed to have been named
as above by some of the earliest Aus-
tralian settlers on account of the ex-
treme hardness of its bark ; but it
might with equal reason have been
called ironwood. The wood is of a
deep red colour, very hard, heavy,
strong, extremely rigid, and rather
difficult to work . . . used extensively
in shipbuilding and engineering works
in Australia ; and in this country (Eng-
land) it is employed in the mercantile
navy for beams, keelsons, and . . .
below the line of flotation."
1883. G. W. Rusden, ' History of Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 77 :
"The ironbark (Eucalyptus sidero-
xylon} became from its durability a
synonym for toughness."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood,' Miner's Right,'
c. xxvii. p. 248 :
" The corrugated stems of the great
ironbark trees stood black and col-
umnar."
1893. 'The Age,' May 11, p. 7, col. 3,
(advt.):
"Monday, I5th May. Supply in
one or more contracts of not less than
20 beams of 400 ironbark or box beams
for cattle pits, delivered at any station.
Particulars at the office of the Engineer
for Existing Lines."
With qualifications. Silver-
leaved
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 65 :
" The silver-leaved ironbark (Euca-
lyptus pulverulentus} was here coming
into blossom."
Narrow-leaved
1847. Ibid. p. 154 :
" The narrow-leaved ironbark [grew]
on a lighter sandy soil."
Iron hand, a term of Victorian
politics. It was a new Standing
Order introducing what has since
been called the Closure, and was
first moved in the Victorian
Legislative Assembly on Jan. 27,
1876.
1876. ' Victorian Hansard,' Jan. 20, vol.
xxiii. p. 2002 :
" They [the Government] have dealt
with the Opposition with a velvet
glove ; but the iron hand is beneath,
and they shall feel it."
212
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[IRO-IVY
1884. G - W. Rusden, History of Aus-
tralia,' vol. iii. p. 406 :
" The cloture, or the ' iron hand,' as
McCulloch's resolution was called, was
adopted in Victoria, for one session."
Ironheart, n. a New Zealand
tree, Metrosideros tomentosa, N.O.
Myrtacea ; native name, Pohutu-
kawa.
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf,' p. 311 :
" It was the * downy ironheart '
That from the cliffs o'erhanging
grew,
And o'er the alcove, every part,
Such beauteous leaves and blos-
soms threw."
''Note. This most lovely tree is
common about the northern coasts
and cliffs of the North Island and the
banks of Lake Tarawera."
Ironwood, n. The name is
used of many hard-wooded trees
in various parts of the world.
The Australian varieties are
Ironwood (Queensland)
Acacia excelsa, Benth., N.O.
Leguminosa ;
Melaleuca genistifolia^ Smith,
N.O. Myrtacea.
Ironwood (North Queensland)
Myrtus gonodada, F. v. M., N.O.
Myrtacece.
Ironwood (North New South
Wales)
Olea paniculata^ R.Br., N.O.
Jasminece.
Ironwood (Tasmania)
Notelcea ligustrina. Vent., N.O.
Jasminca.
Scrub Ironwood
Myrtus hillii, Benth., N.O.
Myrtacecz.
For Ironwood of New Zealand,
see Puriri.
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' c. xii. p. 479 :
"A club of iron-wood, which the
cannibals had left in the boat."
1823. W. B. Cramp, 'Narrative of a
Voyage to India,' p. 17 :
"... they have a short club made
of iron wood, called a waday, and a
scimeter made of the same wood."
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants,' p. 579 :
' ' Ironwood ' and ' Heartwood ' of
Tasmania ; ' Spurious Olive,' * White
Plum ' of Gippsland. An exceedingly
hard, close-grained wood, used for
mallets, sheaves of blocks, turnery,
etc. The heartwood yields a very
peculiar figure ; it is a very fair sub-
stitute for lignum-vitas."
Irriakura, n. an aboriginal
name for the tubers of Cyperus
rotundus. Linn., N.O. Cyperacece^
adopted by white men in Central
Australia.
1896. E. C. Stirling, 'Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' Anthropology,
p. 60 :
" Cyperus rotundus. In almost
every camp we saw large quantities of
the tunicated tubes of this plant, which
are generally called 'Erriakura' or
* Irriakura' by the Arunta natives. . .
Even raw they are pleasant to the
taste, having an agreeable nutty
flavour, which is much improved by
the slight roasting."
Ivory-wood, n. an Australian
timber, Siphonodon austrate,Benth.,
N.O. Celastrina.
Ivy, n. a child's name for the
ivy-leaf geraniums, especially the
double pink-flowered one called
Madame Kruse. In Australia the
warm climate makes these all
evergreens, and they are trained
over fences and walls, sometimes
to the height of twenty or thirty
feet, supplanting the English ivy
in this use, and covered with
masses of flowers.
Ivy, Native, an Australian
plant, Muehlenbeckia adpressa,
Meissn., N.O. Polygonacece ; called
also Macquarie Harbour Vine, or
Grape. The name is widely applied
also to the acclimatised Cape Ivy,
or German Ivy (Senecio scandens}.
IVY]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
213
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 46 :
" ' Native Ivy, 3 Macquarie Harbour
Vine or Grape of Tasmania. The
currant-like fruits are sub-acid, and
were, and perhaps still are, used for
tarts, puddings, and preserves ; the
leaves taste like sorrel."
Ivy, Wild, n. an Australian
creeper, Platylobium triangular e>
R.Br., N.O. Leguminosa.
Ivy-tree, . New Zealand tree,
genus Panax, N.O. Araliaccz ;
Maori name, Horoeka. It is also
called Lancewood (q.v.).
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 127 :
" Horoeka, ivy-tree. An ornamental,
slender, and sparingly-branched tree.
Wood close-grained and tough."
214
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[JAB-JAC
Jabiru, n. The word comes
from Brazil, and was first given
there to the large stork Mycteria
(Xenorhynchus] Americana. The
Australian species is M. australis,
Lath. It has the back and neck
dark grey, changing on the neck
to scarlet. There is a black-necked
stork in Australia (Xenorhynchus
asiaticus\ which is also called the
Jabiru.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 194 :
"We saw a Tabiroo [sic] (Mycte-
ria)
1860. G. Bennett, ' Gatherings of a
Naturalist,' p. 195 :
" In October, 1858, I succeeded in
purchasing a fine living specimen of
the New Holland Jabiru, or Gigantic
Crane of the colonists (Mycteria
Australis)?
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
P- 323 :
" The splendid Australian jabiru
(Mycteria Australts), and I had the
good fortune to shoot on the wing a
specimen of this beautiful variety of
the stork family."
Jacana, n. a Brazilian word for
a bird of the genus Parra (q.v.).
The Australian species is the
Comb-crested Jacana, Parra gal-
linacea^ Temm. It is also called
the Lotus-bird (q.v.).
Jack in a Box, i.q. Hair-
trigger (q.v,).
1854. ' The Home Companion,' p. 554 :
" When previously mentioning the
elegant Stylidium graminifolium
(grass-leaved Jack-in-a-box), which
may be easily known by its numerous
grassy-like radical leaves, and pretty
pink flowers, on a long naked stem,
we omitted to mention a peculiarity
in it, which is said to afford much
amusement to the aborigines, who are,
generally speaking, fond of, and have
a name for, many of the plants com-
mon in their own territories. The
stigma lies at the apex of a long
column, surrounded and concealed by
the anthers. This column is exceed-
ingly irritable, and hangs down on one
side of the flower, until it is touched,
when it suddenly springs up and shifts
to the opposite side of the blossom or
calyx."
1859. D. Bunce, ' Australasiatic Remin-
iscences,' p. 26 :
" Stylidium (native Jack in a box).
This genus is remarkable for the sin-
gular elasticity of the column stylis,
which support the anthers, and which
being irritable, will spring up if pricked
with a pin, or other little substance,
below the joint, before the pollen, a
small powder, is shed, throwing itself
suddenly over, like a reflex arm, to the
opposite side of the flower. Hence
the colonial designation of Jack in a
box."
Jack the Painter, n. very strong
bush-tea, so called from the mark
it leaves round the drinker's
mouth.
1855. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes,'
p. 163 :
" Another notorious ration tea of the
bush is called Jack the Paintera
very green tea indeed, its viridity evi-
dently produced by a discreet use of
the copper drying-pans in its manu-
facture."
1878. * The Australian,' vol. i. p. 418 :
" The billy wins, and ' Jack the
Painter' tea
Steams on the hob, from aught like
fragrance free."
1880. Garnet Walch, ' Victoria in 1880,'
p. 113 :
" Special huts had to be provided for
JAC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
215
them [the sundowners], where they
enjoyed eleemosynary rations of
mutton, damper, and 'Jack the
Painter.' "
Jackaroo, n. a name for a
Colonial Experience (q.v.), a young
man fresh from England, learning
squatting ; called in New Zealand
a Cadet (q.v.). Compare the
American "tenderfoot." A verse
definition runs :
"To do all sorts and kinds of jobs,
Help all the men Jacks, Bills or Bobs,
As well as he is able.
To be neither boss, overseer, nor man,
But a little of all as well as he can,
And eat at the master's table."
The word is generally supposed
to be a corruption (in imitation
of the word Kangaroo) of the
words "Johnny Raw." Mr. Mes-
ton, in the * Sydney Bulletin,'
April 1 8, 1896, says it comes from
theold Brisbaneblacks, who called
the pied crow shrike (Strepera
graculind) "tchaceroo," a gabbling
and garrulous bird. They called
the German missionaries of 1838
"jackeroo," a gabbler, because
they were always talking. After-
wards they applied it to all white
men.
1880. W. Senior, 'Travel and Trout,'
p. 19:
"Jackaroos the name given to
young gentlemen newly arrived from
home to gather colonial experiences."
1881. A. C. Grant ' Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 53 :
"The young jackaroo woke early next
morning." [Footnote] : " The name by
which young men who go to the Aus-
tralian colonies to pick up colonial
experience are designated."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance
Australia,' p. 85 :
" Of course before starting on their
own account to work a station they go
into the bush to gain colonial expe-
rience, during which process they are
known in the colony as ' jackaroos.' "
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Sydney-
side Saxon,' p. 74 :
" We went most of the way by rail
and coach, and then a jackaroo met us
with a fine pair of horses in a wag-
gonette. I expected to see a first
cousin to a kangaroo, when the coach-
driver told us, instead of a young gen-
tleman learning squatting."
1894. ' Sydney Morning Herald ' (date
lost) :
" ' Jack-a-roo ' is of the same class of
slang ; but the unlucky fellow often
gentle and soft-handed who does the
oddwork of a sheep or cattle station, if
he finds time and heart for letters to
any who love him, probably writes his
rue with a difference."
Jackaroo, v. to lead the life of
a Jackaroo.
1890. Tasma, ' In her Earliest Youth,'
p. 152 :
" I've seen such a lot of those new
chums, one way and another. They
knock down all their money at the
first go-off, and then there's nothing
for them to do but to go and jackaroo
up in Queensland."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Squatter's
Dream,' c. xix. p. 239 :
"A year or two more Jackerooing
would only mean the consumption of
so many more figs of negro-head, in
my case."
Jackass-fish, n. another Sydney
name for the Morwong (q.v.).
Jackass, Laughing, n. (i)The
popular name of an Australian bird,
Dacelo gigas, Bodd, the Great
Brown Kingfisher of Australia;
see Dacelo. To an Australian
who has heard the ludicrous
note of the bird and seen its
comical, half-stupid appearance,
the origin of the name seems
obvious. It utters a prolonged
rollicking laugh, often preceded
by an introductory stave re-
sembling the opening passage of
a donkey's bray.
But the name has been errone-
ously derived from the French
jacasse, as to which Littre gives
terme popidaire. Femme^ fille
216
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[JAC
qui park beaucoup." He adds,
that the word jacasse appears
to come from jacquot, a name
popularly given to parrots and
magpies, our " Poll." The verb
jacasser means to chatter, said of
a magpie. The quotation from
Collins (1798) seems to dispose
of this suggested French origin,
by proving the early use of the
name Laughing Jackass. As a
matter of fact, the French name
had already in 1776 been assigned
to the bird, viz. Grand Martin-
pecheur de la Nouvelle Guinee. [See
Pierre Sonnerat, ' Voyage a la Nou-
velle Guin'ee ' ( Paris , 1 776) , p . 171.]
The only possibility of French
origin would be from the sailors
of La Pe"rouse. But La Perouse
arrived in Botany Bay on January
26, 1788, and found Captain
Phillip's ships leaving for Sydney
Cove. The intercourse between
them was very slight. The French
formed a most unfavourable idea
of the country, and sailed away on
March 10. If from their short
intercourse, the English had ac-
cepted the word Jackass, would
not mention of the fact have been
made by Governor Phillip, or
Surgeon White, who mention the
bird but by a different name (see
quotations 1789, 1790), or by
Captain Watkin Tench, or Judge-
Advocate Collins, who both men-
tion the incident of the French
ships ?
The epithet " laughing " is now
often omitted; the bird is gene-
rally called only a Jackass, and
this is becoming contracted into
the simple abbreviation of Jack.
A common popular name for it
is the Settlers' -Clock. (See quota-
tions 1827, Cunningham ; 1846,
Haydon ; and 1847, Leichhardt.)
The aboriginal name of the bird
is Kookaburra (q.v.), and by this
name it is generally called in
Sydney ; another spelling is Gogo-
bera.
There is another bird called a
Laughing Jackass in New Zealand
which is not a Kingfisher, but an
Owl, Sceloglaux albifacies, Kaup.
(Maori name, Whekau). The New
Zealand bird is rare, the Aus-
tralian bird very common. The
so-called Demvent Jackass of Tas-
mania is a Shrike ( Cracticus rinereus,
Gould), and is more properly called
the Grey Butcher-bird. See Butcher-
bird.
1789. Governor Phillip, ' Voyage,' p.
287:
Description given with picture,
but under name "Great Brown
Kingsfisher" \sic\.
Ibid. p. 156:
Similar bird, with description and
picture, under name " Sacred King's
Fisher."
1790. J. White, ' Voyage to New South
Wales,' p. 137 :
"We not long after discovered
the Great Brown King's Fisher, of
which a plate is annexed. This bird
has been described by Mr. Latham in
his ' General Synopsis of Birds,' vol. ii.
p. 603."
Ibid. p. 193 :
"We this day shot the Sacred
King's-Fisher (see plate annexed)."
1798. Collins, ' Account of English
Colony in New South Wales,' p. 615,
(Vocabulary) :
" Gi-gan-ne-gine. Bird named by
us the Laughing Jackass. Go-con-de
inland name for it."
1827. P. Cunningham, * Two Years in
New South Wales, ' vol. i. p. 232 :
"The loud and discordant noise of
the laughing jackass (or settler's-clock,
as he is called), as he takes up his
roost on the withered bough of one of
our tallest trees, acquaints us that the
sun has just dipped behind the hills."
1827. Vigors and Horsfield, 'Transac-
tions of Linnasan Society,' vol. xv. p. 204 :
"The settlers call this bird the Laugh-
ing Jackass. I have also heard it called
the Hawkesbury-Clock (clocks being
JAC]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
217
at the period of my residence scarce
articles in the colony, there not being
one perhaps in the whole Hawkes-
bury settlement), for it is among the
first of the feathered tribes which
announce the approach of day."
1846. G. H. Haydon, ' Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 71 :
" The laughing jackass, or settler's-
clock is an uncouth looking creature
of an ashen brown colour . . . This
bird is the first to indicate by its note
the approach of day, and thus it has
received its other name, the settler's-
clock."
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 234 :
" I usually rise when I hear the
merry laugh of the laughing-jackass
(Dacelo gigantea), which, from its
regularity, has not been unaptly named
the settlers'-clock."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
vol. ii. pi. 1 8 :
"Dacelo Gigantea, Leach, Great
Brown King Fisher; Laughing Jackass
of the Colonists."
1855. W. Howitt, 'Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 58 :
" You are startled by a loud, sudden
cackling, like flocks of geese, followed
by an obstreperous hoo ! hoo ! ha ! ha !
of the laughing jackass (Dacelo gigan-
tea) a species of jay."
[Hewitt's comparison with the
jay is evidently due to the azure
iridescent markings on the upper
part of the wings, in colour like
the blue feathers on the jay.]
1862. F. J. Jobson, ' Australia,' c. vi. p.
H5:
" The odd medley of cackling, bray,
and chuckle notes from the ' Laughing
Jackass.'"
1872. C. H. Eden, 'My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 18 :
" At daylight came a hideous chorus
of fiendish laughter, as if the infernal
regions had been broken loose this
was the song of another feathered
innocent, the laughing jackass not
half a bad sort of fellow when you
come to know him, for he kills snakes,
and is an infallible sign of the vicinity
of fresh- water."
1880. T. W. Nutt, ' Palace of Industry,'
P- I 5-
"Where clock-bird laughed and
sweet wild flowers throve." [Footnote] :
" The familiar laughing jackass."
1880. Garnet Walch, 'Victoria in 1880,'
P- 13:
" Dense forests, where the prolonged
cacchinations of that cynic of the
woods, as A. P. Martin calls the laugh-
ing jackass, seemed to mock us for
our pains."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 37:
" The harsh-voiced, big-headed,
laughing jackass."
1881. D. Blair, 'Cyclopaedia of Aus-
tralasia,' p. 202 :
" The name it vulgarly bears is a
corruption of the French word Jacasser,
'to chatter,' and the correct form is
the ' Laughing Jacasse. 5 "
[No. See above.]
1885. ' Australasian Printers' Keepsake,'
p. 76:
" Magpies chatter, and the jackass
Laughs Good-morrow like a Bac-
chus."
1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, 'Australian
Life,' [telling an old story] p. 155 :
" The Archbishop inquired the name
of a curious bird which had attracted
his attention. 'Your grace, we call
that the laughing jackass in this
country, but I don't know the botanical
[sic] name of the bird."
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Canni-
bals,' p. 27 :
" Few of the birds of Australia have
pleased me as much as this curious
laughing jackass, though it is both
clumsy and unattractive in colour.
Far from deserving its name jackass,
it is on the contrary very wise and also
very courageous. It boldly attacks
venomous snakes and large lizards,
and is consequently the friend of the
colonist."
1890. Tasma, 'In her Earliest Youth/
p. 265 :
' 'There's a jackass a real laughing
jackass on that dead branch. They
have such a queer note ; like this, you
know ' and upon her companion's
startled ears there rang forth, all of a
sudden, the most curious, inimitable,
218
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[j AC-JAR
guttural, diabolical tremolo it had ever
befallen them to hear."
1890. 'Victorian Statutes Game Act,
Third Schedule' :
" [Close season.] Great Kingfisher or
Laughing Jackass. The whole year.
All Kingfishers other than the Laugh-
ing Jackass. From the ist day of
August to the 2oth day of December
next following in each year."
(2) The next quotations refer
to the New Zealand bird.
1882. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open/
p. 122:
"Athene Albifacies, wekau of the
Maoris, is known by some up-country
settlers as the big owl or laughing
jackass"
"The cry of the laughing jackass
. . . Why it should share with one of
our petrels and the great Dacelo of
Australia the trivial name of laughing
jackass, we know not ; if its cry re-
sembles laughter at all, it is the un-
controllable outburst, the convulsive
shout of insanity ; we have never been
able to trace the faintest approach to
mirthful sound in the unearthly yells
of this once mysterious night-bird."
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 198 :
" Sceloglaux albifacies, Kaup.,
Laughing Owl ; Laughing Jackass of
the Colonists."
[The following quotation refers
to the Demuent Jackass.]
1880. Mrs. Meredith, ' Tasmanian
Friends and Foes,' p. no :
" You have heard of . . the laugh-
ing jackass. We, too, have a * jackass, 3
a smaller bird, and not in any way
remarkable, except for its merry gab-
bling sort of song, which when several
pipe up together, always gives one the
idea of a party of very talkative people
all chattering against time, and all at
once."
Jack-bird, n. a bird of the
South Island of New Zealand,
Creadion cinereus, Buller. See also
Saddle-back and Creadion.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 23 :
"It has become the habit to speak
of this bird as the Brown Saddle-back ;
but this is a misnomer, inasmuch as
the absence of the ' saddle ' is its dis-
tinguishing feature. I have accord-
ingly adopted the name of Jack-bird,
by which it is known among the
settlers in the South Island. Why
it should be so called I cannot say,
unless this is an adaptation of the
native name Tteke, the same word
being the equivalent, in the Maori
vernacular, of our Jack."
Jack Shay, or Jackshea, n.
a tin quart-pot.
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 209 :
" Hobbles and Jack Shays hang
from the saddle dees." [Footnote] : "A
tin quart-pot, used for boiling water
for tea, and contrived so as to hold
within it a tin pint-pot."
1890. 'The Argus,' June 14, p. 4,
col. i :
" Some of his clothes, with his
saddle, serve for a pillow ; his ration
bags are beside his head, and his
jackshea (quart-pot) stands by the
fire."
Jacky Winter, n. the ver-
nacular name in New South
Wales of the Brown Flycatcher,
Micrceca fascinans , a common little
bird about Sydney. The name
has been ascribed to the fact that
it is a resident species, very com-
mon, and that it sings all through
the winter, when nearly every
other species is silent. See Fly-
catcher.
Jade, n. See Greenstone.
Jarrah, n. Anglicised form of
Jerryhl, the native name of a
certain species of Eucalyptus,
which grows in the south of
Western Australia, east and
south-east of Perth. In Sir
George Grey's Glossary (1840),
Djar-rail ; Mr. G. F. Moore's
(1884), Djarryl. (Eucalyptus mar-
ginata, Donn.) The name Bastard-
Jarrah is given to E. botryoides,
Smith, which bears many other
names. It is the Blue-Gum of
JAS-JEM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
219
New South Wales coast-districts,
the Bastard-Mahogany of Gipps-
land and New South Wales, and
also Swamp Mahogany in Victoria
and New South Wales, and occa-
sionally Woolly-Butt.
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 102:
" It may be that after all the hopes
of the West- Australian Micawbers will
be realised in jarrah-wood."
1875. T. Laslett, 'Timber and Timber
Trees/ p. 189:
"The Jarrah or Mahogany-tree is
also found in Western Australia. The
wood is red in colour, hard, heavy,
close in texture, slightly wavy in the
frain, and with occasionally enough
gure to give it value for ornamental
purposes ; it works up quite smoothly
and takes a good polish."
1883. G. W. Rusden, ' History of Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 77 :
"The jarrah of Western Australia
(Eucalyptus marginata) has a peculiar
reputation for its power to defy decay
when submerged and exposed to the
attacks of the dreaded teredo, and has
been largely exported to India."
1888. R. Kipling, ' Plain Tales from the
Hills,' p. 163 :
"... the awful butchery . . of the
Maribyrnong Plate. The walls were
colonial ramparts logs of jarrah
spiked into masonry with wings as
strong as Church buttresses.' 3
[Jarrah is not a Victorian, but a
West-Australian timber, and imported
logs are not used by the V.R.G.,
but white or red gum. For making
"jumps," no logs are "spiked into
masonry," and the Maribyrnong Plate
is not a "jump-race."]
1892. Gilbert Parker, ' Round the Com-
pass in Australia,' p. 415 :
"Mr. W. H. Knight, twenty years
ago, gave evidence as to the value of
the jarrah. ... It is found that piles
driven down in the Swan River were,
after being exposed to the action of
wind, water, and weather for forty
years, as sound and firm as when put
into the water. ... It completely
resists the attacks of the white ants,
where stringy-bark, blue-gum, white-
gum, and black-wood are eaten
through, or rendered useless, in from
six to twelve years."
1896. 'The Times' (weekly edition),
Dec. 4, p. 822, col. i :
" The jarrah, Eucalyptus marginata,
stands pre-eminent as the leading
timber tree of the Western Australian
forests. For constructive work neces-
sitating contact with soil and water
jarrahwood has no native equal. A
jarrah forest is dull, sombre, and un-
interesting to the eye. In first-class
forests the trees attain a height of from
90 ft. to 1 20 ft, with good stems 3ft. to
5ft. in diameter. The tree is practi-
cally confined to the south-western
division of the colony, where the heavi-
est rains of the season fall. As a rule,
jarrah is found either intermixed with
the karri tree or in close proximity
to it."
Jasmine, Native, n. an Aus-
tralian plant, Ritinocarpus pini-
folius, Desf., N.O. Euphorbiacece.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants/ p. 286 :
" Native Jasmine. This plant yields
abundance of seeds, like small castor-
oil seeds. They yield an oil."
Jelly-leaf, n. i.q. Queensland
Hemp (q.v.).
Jelly-plant, a sea-weed, Eu-
cheuma speciosum, J. Agardh, N.O.
Alga.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 28 :
"Jelly-plant of Western Australia.
This is a remarkable sea-weed of a very
gelatinous character [used by] the
people of Western Australia for making
jelly, blanc- mange, etc. Size and
cement can also be made from it. It
is cast ashore from deep water."
Jemmy Donnelly, n. a ridi-
culous name given to three trees,
Euroschinus falcatus. Hook, N.O.
Anacardiacece ; My r sine variability
R.Br., N.O. Myrsinacece ; and
Eucalyptus resinifera, Sm., N.O.
Myrtacecz. They are large timber
trees, highly valued in Queens-
land.
220
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[JER-JIM
Jerrawicke, n. obsolete name
for Colonial beer.
x ?57' J- Askew, * A Voyage to Aus-
tralia and New Zealand,' p. 272 :
" There were always a number of
natives roaming about. There might
be about 150 in all, of the Newcastle
tribe. They were more wretched and
filthy, and impossible, uglier than those
of Adelaide. . . . All the earnings of
the tribe were spent in tobacco and jer-
rawicke (colonist-made ale)."
1857. Ibid. p. 273 :
" A more hideous looking spectacle
can hardly be imagined than that pre-
sented by these savages around the
blazing fire, carousing among jerra-
wicke and the offal of slaughtered
animals.' "
Jew-fish, n. a name applied in
New South Wales to two or
more different species, Sriana
antarctica, Castln., and Glaucosoma
hebraicum, Richards. Sci&na an-
tarctica, Castln., is the King-fish
of the Melbourne market. Scicena
is called Dew-fish in Brisbane.
It belongs to the family Scicenidce.
The Australian species is distinct
from S. aquila, the European
"Maigre" or " Meagre," but
closely resembles it. Glaucosoma
belongs to the Percidcz. The
Silver Jew-fish of New South
Wales is thought to be the same
as the Teraglin (q.v.), Otolithus
atelodus, Giinth., also of the
family Scicenidce. Tenison Woods
(in ' Fish and Fisheries of
New South Wales,' 1882, p. 34)
says the Jew-fish of New South
Wales is sometimes Glaucosoma
scapulare, Ramsay ; and Glauco-
soma hebraicum, Richards., is the
Jew-fish of Western Australia (a
marine fish). Fishes on the
American coasts, different from
these, are there called Jew-fishes.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 40 :
"The water-holes abounded with
jew-fish and eels."
Jew-Lizard, n. a large Aus-
tralian lizard, Amphibolurus bar-
batus, Cuv. ; called also Bearded
Lizard.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 89 :
" A small Chlamydophorus (Jew-
lizard of the Hunter) was also seen."
[The Hunter is a river of New South
Wales.]
1890. F. McCoy, 'Prodromus of the
Natural History of Victoria,' Decade xiii.
pi. 121 :
"This is commonly called the Jew
Lizard by colonists, and is easily dis-
tinguished by the beard-like growth
of long slender spires round the throat
. . . when irritated, it inflates the
body to a considerably increased size,
and hisses like a snake exciting alarm ;
but rarely biting."
1893. 'The Argus,' July 22, p. 4,
col. 5 :
" The great Jew-lizards that lay and
laughed horribly to themselves in the
pungent dust on the untrodden floors."
Jil-crow-a-berry, n. the Angli-
cised pronunciation and spelling
of the aboriginal name for the
indigenous Rat-tail Grass, Sporo-
bolus indicus, R.Br.
Jimmy, n. obsolete name for
an immigrant, a word which was
jocularly changed into Jimmy
Grant. The word * immigrant '
is as familiar in Australia as
' emigrant ' in England.
1859. H. Kingsley, ' Geoffrey Hamlyn,'
p. 211 :
" ' What are these men that we are
going to see ? ' ' Why one,' said Lee,
is a young Jimmy I beg your pardon,
sir, an emigrant, the other two are old
prisoners.' "
1867. Cassell's Magazine,' p. 440 :
" ' I never wanted to leave England,'
I have heard an old Vandemonian
observe boastfully. ' I wasn't like one
of these ' Jemmy Grants' (cant term
for ' emigrants ') ; I could always earn
a good living ; it was the Government
as took and sent me out."
[The writers probably used the word
immigrant, which, not being familiar
JIM-JIR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
221
to the English compositor, was mis-
printed emigrant. The "old Vande-
monian" must certainly have said
immigrant^
Jimmy Low, n. one of the many
names of a Timber-tree, Euca-
lyptus resinifera. Smith, N.O.
Myrtacece.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 208:
" The ' Red,' or ' Forest Mahogany,'
of the neighbourhood of Sydney.
These are bad names, as the wood
bears no real resemblance to the true
mahogany. Because the product of
this tree first brought Australian kino
into medical notice, it is often in old
books called ' Botany Bay Gum-tree.'
Other names for it are Red gum,
Grey gum, Hickory, and it perpetuates
the memory of an individually being
called ' Jimmy Low.' "
Jingle, n. a two - wheeled
vehicle, like an Irish car, once
common in Melbourne, still used
in Brisbane and some other
towns : so called from the rattle
made by it when in motion. The
word is not Australian, as is
generally supposed ; the * Cen-
tury ' gives "a covered two-
wheeled car used in the south of
Ireland."
1862. Clara Aspinall, ' Three Years in
Melbourne,' p. 122 :
" An omnibus may be chartered at
much less cost (gentlemen who have
lived in India will persist in calling
this vehicle a jingle, which perhaps
sounds better) ; it is a kind of dos-a-
dos conveyance, holding three in front
and three behind : it has a water-
proof top to it supported by four iron
rods, and oilskin curtains to draw all
round as a protection from the rain
and dust."
1863. B. A. Heywood, 'Vacation Tour
at the Antipodes,' p. 44 :
" During my stay in Melbourne I
took a jingle, or car, and drove to St.
Kilda."
1865. Lady Barker, writing from Mel-
bourne, ' Station Life in New Zealand,'
p. 12:
" A vehicle which was quite new to
me a sort of light car with a canopy
and curtains, holding four, two on
each seat, dos-a-dos, and called a
jingle of American parentage, I fancy.
One drive in this carriage was quite
enough, however. 5;
1869. Marcus Clarke, ' Peripatetic Philo-
sopher,' p. 14 :
" Some folks prefer to travel
Over stones and rocks and gravel ;
And smile at dust and jolting fit to
dislocate each bone.
To see J em driving in a jingle,
It would make your senses tingle,
For you couldn't put a sixpence 'twixt
the wheel and the kerb-stone."
1887. CasselPs ' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. i. p. 64 :
" In former days the Melbourne cab
was a kind of Irish car, popularly
known as a jingle. . . . The jingle
has been ousted by the one-horse
waggonette."
1887. R. M. Praed, ' Longleat of Kooral-
byn,' c. iv. p. 30:
"The Premier hailed a passing
jingle."
[This was in Brisbane.]
Jinkers, n. a contrivance
much used in the bush for moving
heavy logs and trunks of trees.
It consists of two pairs of wheels,
with their axle-trees joined by a
long beam, under which the trunks
are suspended by chains. Its
structure is varied in town for
moving wooden houses. Called
in England a " whim."
1894. ' The Argus,' July 7, p. 8, col. 4 :
" A rather novel spectacle was to be
seen to-day on the Ballan road in the
shape of a five-roomed cottage on
jinkers. . . . Mr. Scottney, carrier of
Fitzroy, on whose jinkers the removal
is being made . . ."
Jirrand, adj. an aboriginal word
in the dialect of Botany Bay, signi-
fying "afraid." Ridley, in his
vocabulary, spells it jerron, and
there are other spellings.
1827. P. Cunningham, ' Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. ii. p. 59 :
" The native word jirrand (afraid)
222
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[JO-JOE
fyas become in some measure an
adopted child, and may probably
puzzle our future Johnsons with its
unde derivatztr."
1889. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 316 :
" When I saw the mob there was I
didn't see so much to be jerran about,
as it was fifty to one in favour of any
one that was wanted."
Jo-Jo, n. name used by Mel-
bourne larrikins for a man with
a good deal of hair on his face.
So called from a hairy-faced
Russian "dog-man" exhibited in
Melbourne about 1880, who was
advertised by that name.
Job's Tears. The seeds of
Coix lachryma, which are used for
necklace-making by the native
tribes on the Cape York penin-
sula, are there called Job's tears.
Joe, Joe-Joe, Joey, interjection,
then a verb, now obsolete. Ex-
plained in quotations.
1855. W. Howitt, ' Two Years in Vic-
toria, 3 vol. i. p. 400:
" The well-known cry of ' Joe ! Joe ! '
a cry which means one of the myr-
midons of Charley Joe, as they
familiarly style Mr. [Charles Joseph]
La Trobe, a cry which on all the
diggings resounds on all sides on the
appearance of any of the hated
officials."
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian
Sketches,' p. 135 :
" The cry of ' Joey ' would rise every-
where against them." [Footnote]: "To
'Joey' or 'Joe 3 a person on the dig-
gings, or anywhere else in Australia, is
to grossly insult and ridicule him."
1863. B. A. Hey wood, ' Vacation Tour
at the Antipodes,' p. 165 :
" In the early days of the Australian
diggings 'Joe' was the warning word
shouted out when the police or gold
commissioners were seen approaching,
but is now the chaff for new chums."
1865. F. H. Nixon, ' Peter Perfume,' p.
5 8:
" And Joe joed them out, Tom toed
them out."
1891. ' The Argus,' Dec. 5, p. 13, col. 4 :
" ' The diggers,' he says, ' were up
in arms against the Government
officials, and whenever a policeman
or any other Government servant was
seen they raised the cry of "Joe-Joe."'
The term was familiar to every man in
the fifties. In the earliest days of the
diggings proclamations were issued on
diverse subjects, but mostly in the
direction of curtailing the privileges of
the miners. These were signed, 'C.
Joseph La Trobe,' and became known
by the irreverent not to say flippant
description of 'Joes.' By an easy
transition, the corruption of the second
name of the Governor was applied to
his officers, between whom and the
spirited diggers no love was lost, and
accordingly the appearance of a police-
man on a lead was signalled to every
tent and hole by the cry of 'Joe-Joe.' "
Joey, n. (i) A young kangaroo.
1839. w - H. Leigh, 'Reconnoitring
Voyages in South Australia ' pp. 93-4 :
" Here [in Kangaroo Island] is also
the wallaba. . . The young of the
animal is called by the islanders a joe."
1861. T. McCombie, ' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 172 :
"The young kangaroos are termed
joeys. The female carries the latter
in her pouch, but when hard pressed
by dogs, and likely to be sacrificed,
she throws them down, which usually
distracts the attention of the pack and
affords the mother sufficient time to
escape."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs/
p. 10:
" Sometimes when the flying doe
throws her 'joey ' from her pouch the.
dogs turn upon the little one."
1896. F. G. Aflalo, ' Natural History of
Australia,' p. 29 :
"At length the actual fact of the
Kangaroo's birth, which is much as
that of other mammals, was carefully
observed at the London Zoo, and the
budding fiction joined the myths that
were. It was there proved that the
little 'joey' is brought into the world
in the usual way, and forthwith con-
veyed to the comfortable receptacle
and affixed to the teat by the dam,
which held the lifeless-looking little
thing tenderly in her cloven lips."
JOH]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
225
(2) Also slang used for a baby
or little child, or even a young
animal, such as a little guinea-pig.
Compare " kid."
(3) A hewer of wood and drawer
of water.
1845. J. A. Moore, ' Tasmanian Rhym-
ings,' p. 15 :
" He was a 'joey, 3 which, in truth,
Means nothing more than that the
youth
Who claims a kangaroo descent
Is by that nomenclature meant."
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Robbery un-
der Arms,' p. 198 :
" I'm not going to be wood-and-
water joey, I can tell ye."
John Dory, or Dorey, n. a fish.
This name is applied in New
South Wales and Tasmania to
Cyttus (Zeus) australis, Richards.,
family Cyttida, which is nearly
the same as Zeus faber, the " John
Dory " of Europe. Others call
C. australis the Bastard Dorey
(q.v.), and it is also called the
Boar-fish (q.v.) and Dollar-fish
(q.v.).
1880. Giinther, 'Study of Fishes,' p.
451 :
'"John Dorys ' are found in the
Mediterranean, on the eastern tem-
perate shores of the Atlantic, on the
coasts of Japan and Australia. Six
species are known, all of which are
highly esteemed for the table. The
English name given to one of the
European species (Zeus Faber] seems
to be partly a corruption of the Gascon
'Jau,' which signifies cock, 'Dory'
being derived from the French Doree,
so that the entire name means Gilt-cock.
Indeed, in some other localities of
southern Europe it bears the name of
Gallo. The same species occurs also
on the coasts of South Australia and
New Zealand."
Johnny-cake, n. The name is
of American origin, originally
given by the negroes to a cake
made of Indian corn (maize). In
Australia it is a cake baked on
the ashes or cooked in a frying-
pan. (See quotations.) The name
is used in the United States for a
slightly different cake, viz. made
with Indian meal and toasted
before a fire.
1861. Mrs. Meredith, ' Over the Straits,'
P- 154:
" The dough-cakes fried in fat, called
' Johnny-cakes.' "
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 20 :
" Johnny-cakes, though they are
smaller and very thin, and made in a
similar way [sc. to dampers : see
Damper\ ; when eaten hot they are
excellent, but if allowed to get cold
they become leathery."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance of
Australia,' p. 3 :
"Johnny-cakes are made with no-
thing but flour, but there is a great art
in mixing them. If it is done pro-
perly they are about the lightest and
nicest sort of bread that can be made ;
but the efforts of an amateur generally
result in a wet heavy pulp that sticks
round one's teeth like bird-lime."
1890. 'The Argus,' Aug. 16, p. 13,
col. i :
" Here I, a new chum, could, with
flour and water and a pinch of baking-
powder, make a sweet and wholesome
johnny cake."
1892. Mrs. Russell, 'Too Easily Jealous,'
p. 273 :
" Bread was not, and existed only in
the shape of johnny-cakes flat scones
of flour and water, baked in the hot
ashes."
1894. The Argus,' March 10, p. 4, col.
6 :
"It is also useful to make your
damper or ' Johnny-cake,' which serves
you in place of yeast bread. A Johnny-
cake is made thus : Put a couple of
handfuls of flour into your dish, with a
good pinch of salt and baking soda.
Add water till it works to a stiff paste.
Divide it into three parts and flatten
out into cakes about half an inch thick.
Dust a little flour into your frying-pan
and put the cake in. Cook it slowly
over the fire, taking care it does not
burn, and tossing it over again and
again. When nearly done stand it
224
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[JOL-JUM
against a stick in front of the fire, and
let it finish baking while you cook the
other two. These, with a piece of
wallaby and a billy of tea, are a sweet
meal enough after a hard day's work."
Jolly-tail, n. a Tasmanian name
for the larger variety of the fish
Galaxias attenuatus, Jenyns, and
other species of Galaxias called
Inanga (q.v.) in New Zealand.
Galaxias weedoni is called the
Mersey Jolly-tail, and Galaxias
atkinsoni) the Pieman Jolly-tail.
Pieman and Mersey are two Tas-
manian rivers. See Mountain-
Trout.
July, . a winter month in
Australia. See Christmas.
1888. Mrs. M'Cann, ' Poetical Works,'
P- 235 :
" Scarce has July with frigid visage
flown."
Jumbuck, n. aboriginal pigeon-
English for sheep. Often used
in the bush. The origin of this
word was long unknown. It is
thus explained by Mr. Meston, in
the ' Sydney Bulletin,' April 18,
1896: "The word 'jumbuck'for
sheep appears originally asjimba,
jombock, dombock, and dumbog. In
each case it meant the white mist
preceding a shower, to which a
flock of sheep bore a strong re-
semblance. It seemed the only
thing the aboriginal mind could
compare it to."
1845. C. Griffith, 'Present State and
Prospects of the Port Phillip District of
New South Wales,' p. 162 :
" The following is a specimen of such
eloquence : ' You pilmillally jumbuck
plenty sulky me, plenty boom, borack
gammon,' which being interpreted
means, ' If you shoot my sheep I
shall be very angry, and will shoot you
and no mistake. 5 "
1855. W. Ridley, 'Transactions of Philo-
logical Society,' p. 77 :
"When they adopt English words
ending in mutes, the blacks drop the
mute or add a vowel : thus, jimbugg^
a slang name for sheep, they sound
jimbii" [It was not English slang but
an aboriginal word.]
1893. ' The Argus,' April 8, p. 4, col. I :
" Mister Charlie, jumbuck go along
of grass, blood all there, big dog catch
him there, big jumbuck, m'me word,
neck torn."
1896. 'The Australasian,' June 6, p.
1085, col. i :
" Jumbuck (a sheep) has been in use
from the earliest days, but its origin is
not known."
Jump, to, v. to take possession
of a claim (mining) on land, on the
ground that a former possessor
has abandoned it, or has not ful-
filled the conditions of the grant.
The word is also used in the
United States, but it is very com-
mon in Australia. Instead of
"you have taken my seat," you
have jumped it. So even with a
pew. A man in England, to
whom was said, "you have
jumped my pew," would look
astonished, as did that other who
was informed, " Excuse me, sir,
but you are occupewing my py."
1861. T. McCombie,' Australian Sketch-
es,' p. 31 :
". . . on condition that he occupies
it within twenty-four hours : should this
rule not be observed, the right of the
original holder is lost, and it may be
occupied (or ' jumped ' as it is termed)
by any other person as a deserted
claim."
1861. ' Victorian Hansard,' vol. vii. p.
942 (May 21) :
" Mr. Wood : Some of the evils
spoken of seemed indeed only to exist
in the imagination of the hon. and
learned gentleman, as, for instance,
that of 'jumping,' for which a remedy
was already given by the 77th section
of the present Act.
" Mr. Ireland : Yes ; after the claim
is 'jumped.'"
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' The Miner's
Right,' p. 37 :
"If such work were not commenced
within three days, any other miners
JUM-JUN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
225
might summarily take possession of or
jump the claim."
Ibid. p. 52 :
" Let us have the melancholy satis-
faction of seeing Gus's pegs, and noting
whether they are all en regie. If not,
we'll 'jump 'him."
Ibid. p. 76 :
" In default of such advertisement,
for the general benefit, they were liable,
according to custom and practice, to
have their claim 'jumped, 5 or taken
forcible possession of by any party of
miners who could prove that they were
concealing the golden reality."
1875. ' Melbourne Spectator,' August
21, p. 189, col. 3 :
"Jumping selections ... is said to
be very common now in the Winmera
district."
Jumpable, adj. open to another
to take. Seey#;;*/.
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Melbourne
Memories,' c. xvi. p. 114:
" The heifer station was what would
be called in mining parlance ' an aban-
doned claim ' and possibly ' jumpable.' "
Jumper, n.
claim.
one who jumps a
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. xii. p. 127 :
k 'Come along, my noble jumper,
you've served your injunction."
Jumping-mouse, n. See Hapa-
lote.
June, n. a winter month in
Australia. See Christmas.
1886. H. C. Kendall, ' Poems,' p. 132:
" Twenty white-haired Junes have
left us
Grey with frost and bleak with gale."
Jungle-hen, n. name given
to a mound-building bird, Mega-
podius tumulus, Gould. See also
Megapode. The Indian Jungle-
fowl is a different bird.
1890. Carl Lumholtz, 'Among Can-
nibals,' p. 97 :
" But what especially gives life and
character to these woods are the
jungle-hens (mound-builders). . . The
bird is of a brownish hue, with yellow
legs and immensely large feet ; hence
its name Megapodius."
Juniper, Native, n. i.q. Native
Currant (q.v.).
226
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAH-KAI
Kahawai, n. Maori name for
the fish Arripis salar, Richards. ;
called in Australia and New Zea-
land Salmon (q.v.).
Kahikatea, n. Maori name for
a New Zealand tree, Podocarpus
dacrydioides, A. Rich., N.O. Coni-
fers. Also called White-Pine. See
Pine. The settlers' pronunciation
is often Kackatea. There is a
Maori word Kahika, meaning
ancient.
1855. Rev. R. Taylor. ' Te Ika a Maui,'
P- 439 ' .
" White-pine, Podocarpus dacry-
dioides -- Kahikatea, kahika, koroi.
This tree is generally called the white-
pine, from the colour of its wood.
The kahikatea may be considered as
nearly the loftiest tree in the New
Zealand forest ; it often attains a height
of little less than two hundred feet,
and in that respect rivals the noble
kauri, but the general appearance is
not very pleasing."
1875. T. Laslett, 'Timber and Trees/
p. 304 :
"The kahikatea or kakaterra-tree
(Dacrydium excelsum or taxifoliuui).
This majestic and noble-looking tree
belongs to the natural order of Taxacece,
more commonly known by the name
of Joint Firs. Height 150 to 180 feet,
rising sixty feet and upward without a
branch."
1876. W. Blair, ' Transactions of New
Zealand Institute,' vol. ix. art. 10, p. 160 :
"This timber is known in all the
provinces, except Otago, by the native
name of 'kahikatea.' I think we
should adopt it also, not only on ac-
count of being more euphonious, but
for the reason that so many timbers
in other parts of the world are called
white-pine."
1873. ' Appendix to Journal of House of
Representatives,' vol. iii. G. 7, p. II :
" On the purchased land stands, or
lately stood, a small kahikatea bush.
. . . The wood appears to have been
of no great money value, but the natives
living in Tareha's pa depended upon
it for their supply of fire -wood."
1883. T. Heetor, 'Handbook of New
Zealand, p. 124 :
[It is Sir James Hector who assigns
the tree to Conifera, not Taxacece^
1888. Cassell's 'Picturesque Austral-
asia,' vol. iii. p. 210 :
" The \Vhite Pine or kahikatea is a
very beautiful tree, and droops its dark
feathery foliage in a way which recalls
the graceful branches of the English
elm-tree."
Kahikatoa, n. Maori name for
New Zealand shrub, but no longer
used by the settlers.
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 126 :
" Kahikatoa, tea-tree of Cook.
Leptospermum scoparium, Forst, N. O.
Myrtacea."
Kahikomako, n. Maori name
[shortened into kaikomako\ for
a New Zealand timber, Pen-
nantia corymbosa, N.O. Oladnece ;
called also Ribbomvood (q.v.).
1883. T. Hector, ' Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 130 :
" Kahikomako, a small, very grace-
ful tree, with white sweet-smelling
flowers ; height twenty to thirty feet.
Wood used by the Maoris for kindling
fires by friction."
Kai, n. Maori word for food ;
used also in the South Sea islands.
Kai-kai is an English adaptation
for feasting.
1807. J. Savage, 'Some Account of
New Zealand,' Vocab. p. 75 :
" Kiki . . . food." [The / has the
English not the Italian sound.]
1820, 'Grammar and Vocabulary of
KAI-KAK]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
227
Language of New Zealand ' (Church
Missionary Society), p. 157 :
"Kai, s. victuals, support, etc.; a.
eatable."
1845. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 29 :
" He explained to us that every one
would cry very much, and then there
would be very much kai-kai or feasting."
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
P- 95 :
" Kai, the general word for food, is
not used at Rotorua, because it was
the name of a great chief, and the word
tami has been substituted for it."
1895. Louis Becke and J. D. Fitzgerald,
' The Maori in Politics,' ' Review of
Reviews,' June 20, p. 621 :
"We saw some thirty men and
women coming towards us, singing in
chorus and keeping step to the music.
In their hands they carried small
baskets woven of raupo reeds, con-
taining kai, or food. This was the
' kai ' dance."
Kainga, and Kaika, n. now
generally kaik, and pronounced
kike, a Maori settlement, village.
Kainga is used in the North, and
is the original form ; Kaika is the
South Island use. It is the village
for dwelling ; the/0 is for fighting
in.
1820. ' Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand ' (Church Mis-
sionary Society), p. 157 :
" Kainga. A place of residence, a
home," etc.
1873. Lt. -Colonel St. John, < Pakeha
Rambles through Maori Lands/ p. 164
[Heading of Chapter x.] :
" How we live in our kainga."
1896. ' Otago Witness,' Jan. 23, p. 50,
col. 5 :
" A cosy-looking kainga located on
the bank of a picturesque bend of the
river."
Ibid. p. 52, col. I :
"We steamed on slowly towards
Tawhitinui, a small kainga or kaik, as
it is called in the South island."
1884. ' Maoriland,' p. 84 :
" The drive may be continued from
Portobello to the Maori kaik."
Kaio, n. popular corruption in
the South Island of New Zealand
of Ngaio (q.v.).
Kaitaka, n. Maori word for
the best kind of native mat.
1835. W. Yate, 'Account of New
Zealand/ p. 157 :
"Requiring from three to four
months' close sitting to complete one
of their kaitakas the finest sort of
mat which they make. This garment
has a very silky appearance."
1845. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 244 :
" Pukaro ended by flinging over my
shoulders a very handsome kaitaka
mat, which he had been wearing while
he spoke."
1881. J. L. Campbell, ' Poenamo/ p.
205:
" Highly prized and beautiful kaitaka
mats."
Kaiwhiria, n. Maori name for
New Zealand tree, Hedycarya
dentata, Forst., N.O. Monimiacea.
Porokaiwhiri is the fuller name
of the tree.
1883. Hector, ' Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 129 :
" Kaiwhiria, a small evergreen tree,
twenty to thirty feet high ; the wood
is finely marked and suitable for
veneering."
Kaka, n. the Maori name for
a parrot. The word is imitative
of a parrot's cry. It is now
always used to denote the Brown
Parrot of New Zealand, Nestor
meridionals, Gmel.
1835. w - Yat e, 'Account of New
Zealand,' p. 54 :
" Kaka a bird of the parrot kind ;
much larger than any other New
Zealand parrot."
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 259 :
" The kaka, a large russet parrot, of
excellent flavour, and very abundant
in many places."
1851. Mrs. Wilson, ' New Zealand,' p.
40:
" The bright red feathers from under
the wing of the kaka or large parrot."
1854. w - Colder, ' Pigeons' Parliament/
[Notes] p. 79 :
228
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAK-KAM
" The kaka is a kind of parrot of a
reddish grey colour, and is easily
tamed when taken young."
1866. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand/ p. 93 :
" The hoarse croak of the ka-ka, as
it alighted almost at our feet, and pre-
pared, quite careless of our vicinity, to
tear up the loose soil at the root of a
tall tree, in search of grubs."
1869. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,'
(Supplement) :
"Nestor hypopolius, ka-ka parrot."
1884. T - Bracken, ' Lays of Maori,' p.
38:
" I heard mocking kakas wail and cry
above thy corse."
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 150 :
" Nestor meridional is, kaka parrot."
Ibid. p. 158 :
" Sprightly in its actions, eminently
social, and more noisy than any other
inhabitant of the woods, the kaka holds
a prominent place among our native
birds."
Kaka-bill, ;/. a New Zealand
plant, the Clianthus (q.v.), so
called from the supposed resem-
blance of the flower to the bill
of the Kaka (q.v.). Called also
Parrot-bill, Glory-Pea, and Kowhai
(q.v.).
1842. W. R. Wade, 'Journey in New
Zealand,' [Hobart Town] p. 196 :
" Kowai ngutukaka [parrot-bill ko-
wai] ; the most elegant flowering
shrub of the country."
1892. ' Otago Witness,' Nov. 24, 'Native
Trees ':
"A plantation of a shrub which is
in great demand in England and on
the Continent, and is greatly neglected
here the Clianthus puniceus^ or scarlet
glory pea of New Zealand, locally
known as kaka beak."
Kakapo, n. Maori name for the
Night-parrot, Stringops habroptilus,
Gray. Called also Owl-parrot.
See Kaka. The syllable po is
Maori for night. Compare Katipo
(q.v.).
1869. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia '
(Supplement) :
" Strigops habroptilus, G. R. Gray,
Kakapo, native name."
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 149 :
" Stringops, owl-parrot ground-
parrot of the colonists."
1889. Prof. Parker, < Catalogue of New
Zealand Exhibition,' p. 117 :
"Although possessing large wings,
it is flightless, its breast-muscles being
so small as to be practically useless.
Its habits are nocturnal, and it has a
ring of feathers arranged round the
eye, giving it a curious resemblance
to an owl, whence the name owl-parrot
is often applied to it."
1893. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia,'
vol. i. p. 445 :
"Another remarkable bird is the
owl parrot (Stringops habroptilus) of a
greenish colour, and with a circle of
feathers round the eye as in the owl.
It is nocturnal in its habits, lives in
holes in the ground under tree-roots or
rocks."
1896. ' Otago Witness,' June II, p. 53 :
" The Kakapo is one of our most
unique birds."
Kakariki, n. Maori name for a
green Parrakeet. There are two
species, Platycercus novce zelandice,
Sparrm., and P. auriceps, Kuril.
See Parrakeet. The word kaka-
riki means literally little parrot,
kaka (q.v.) and iki (little), the r is
intrusive. It is applied also to a
green lizard. In Maori it be-
comes later an adjective, meaning
( green.'
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te IkaaMaui,'
p. 404 :
"The Kakariki . . . (platycercus
novae zeal.yis a pretty light green parrot
with a band of red or yellow over the
upper beak and under the throat. This
elegant little bird is about the size of
a small thrush."
1894. ' Transactions of the New Zealand
Institute,' vol. xxvii. p. 95 [Note] :
" The name Kakarika (indicative of
colour) is applied alike to the green
lizard and to the green Parrakeet of
our woods.''
Kamin, n. aboriginal word,
KAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
229
explained in quotation. It is
probably local.
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
p. 89 :
" If he [the Australian black] has
to climb a high tree, he first goes
into the scrub to fetch a piece of the
Australian calamus (Calamus austra-
lis\ which he partly bites, partly breaks
off; he first bites on one side and
breaks it down, then on the other
side and breaks it upwards one, two,
three, and this tough whip is severed.
At one end of it he makes a knot, the
other he leaves it as it is. This imple-
ment, which is usually from sixteen to
eighteen feet long, is called a kamin."
Kanae, n. (trisyll.) Maori name
for a fish of New Zealand, the
Silver-Mullet, Mugil perusii or
argenteus.
1820. ' Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand' (C.M.S.), p.
158:
" Kanae, s. The mullet fish."
1888. Order in Council, New Zealand,
Jan. 10, ' Regulations under the Fisheries
Conservation Act ' :
" The months of December, January,
and February in each year are here
prescribed a close season for the fish
of the species of the mugil known as
mullet or kanae."
Kanaka, . and adj. a labourer
from the South Sea Islands, work-
ing in Queensland sugar-planta-
tions. The word is Hawaiian
(Sandwich Islands). The kindred
words are given in the following
extract from
Fornander's Polynesian Race' (1885),
vol. iii. p. 154 :
" Kanaka, s. Hawaiian, man, human,
mankind, a common man in distinction
from chiefs. Samoan, New Zealand
[sc. Maori], Tongan, tangata^ man.
Tahitian, taata, man."
In the original word the accent
is on the first syllable, which
accent Mr. Rudyard Kipling pre-
serves (see quotation, 1893),
though he has changed the word
in his reprint of the poem in
' The Seven Seas ' ; but the usual
pronunciation in Australia is to
accent the second syllable.
1794. J. J. Jarves, 'History of Ha-
waiian Islands,' printed at Honolulu
(1872), p. 82:
"[On 2 ist Feb. 1794.] A salute was
then fired, and the natives shouted,
' Kanaka no Beritane ' we are men
of Britain."
1852. A. Miller, ' Narrative of United
States Exploring Expedition,' c. ii. p. 142 :
"On Monday (Nov. 16, 1840) our
gentlemen formed themselves into two
parties, and started on horseback for
their journey. One party consisted of
Messrs. Reade, Rich, and Wall, with
eight kanakas and two guides."
1873. A. Trollope, ' Australia and New
Zealand,' c. viii. p. 133 :
" Queensland at present is supplying
itself with labour from the South Sea
Islands, and the men employed are
called Polynesians, or canakers, or
islanders."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, ' Advance Aus-
tralia/ p. 162 :
"The word 'kanaka' is really a
Maori word, signifying a man, but in
Australia it has come to be applied
exclusively to the inhabitants of the
South Sea Islands."
1885. R. M. Praed,'Head Station,' p. 9 :
" The kanaka reverences women
and adores children. He is loyal in
heart, affectionate of disposition, and
domestic in his habits."
1888. H. S. Cooper, 'The Islands of
the Pacific,' p. 5 :
" The kanakas, who at present
populate Hawaii, are, as a rule, well
made and intelligent. That there is a
cross of the Malay and Indian blood
in them few can doubt."
1890. C. Lumholtz, 'Among Cannibals,'
p. 64 :
" Natives of the South Sea Islands,
who in Australia are called kanakas
a capable and intelligent race, es-
pecially to this kind of work [on
plantations], for they are strong, and
endure the tropical heat far better
than the whites."
1892. Gilbert Parker, * Round the Com-
pass in Australia,' p. 298 :
"Thus, it is maintained 'by the
230
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAN
planters, the kanaka, necessary as
he is to the conditions of North
Queensland, opens up avenues of
skilled labour for the European, and
makes population and commerce pos-
sible where otherwise there would be
complete stagnation."
1892. ' The Times,' Dec. 28 :
" The principal open-air labour of
the sugar plantations is furnished by
kanakas, who are the native inhabit-
ants of certain groups of South Sea
Islands not at present under the
protection of any European flag."
1893. R. L. Stevenson, ' Island Night's
Entertainments,' p. 41 :
" What we want is a man-of-war
a German, if we could they know
how to manage kanakas."
1893. Rudyard Kipling, 'Banjo Song' :
" We've shouted on seven-ounce
nuggets,
We've starved on a kanaka's pay."
1893. C. H. Pearson, 'National Life
and Character,' p. 32 :
" In Australasia . . . the Maori, the
Kanaka, and the Papuan are dying
out. We cannot close our eyes to the
fact that certain weak races even
when, like the kanaka, they possess
some very high qualities seem to
wither away at mere contact with the
European. . . . The kanakas (among
whom we may include the Maories)."
Kangaroo, n. (i) an aboriginal
word. See Marsupial.
(a) The Origin of the Name.
The name was first obtained
in 1770, while H.M.S. Endeavour
lay beached at the Endeavour
River, where Cooktown, Queens-
land, now is. The name first
appears in print in 1773, in
the book brought out by the
relatives of Mr. Parkinson, who
was draughtsman to Banks the
naturalist, and who had died on
the voyage. The object of this
book was to anticipate the official
account of Cook's Voyage by
Hawkesworth, which appeared
later in the same year. It is now
known that Hawkesworth's book
was like a rope twisted of four
strands, viz. Cook's Journal, the
diaries of the two naturalists,
Banks and Solander, and quartum
quid, the Johnsonian pomposity
of Dr. Hawkesworth. Cook's
Journal was published in 1893,
edited by Captain Wharton,
hydrographer to the Admiralty ;
Banks's Journal, in 1896, edited
by Sir J. D. Hooker. Solander's
Journal has never been printed.
When Englishmen next came
to Australia in 1788, it was found
that the word Kangaroo was not
known to the natives round Port
Jackson, distant 1500 miles to the
South of Cooktown. In fact, it
was thought by them to be an
English word. (See quotation,
Tench, 1789.) It is a question
whether the word has belonged
to any aboriginal vocabulary
since. " Capt. Philip P. King, the
explorer, who visited that locality
[sc. Endeavour River] forty-nine
years after Cook, relates in his
' Narrative of the Survey of the
Intertropical and Western Coasts
of Australia,' that he found the
word kangaroo unknown to the
tribe he met there, though in
other particulars the vocabulary
he compiled agrees very well
with Captain Cook's." (Curr's
* Australian Race,' vol. i. p. 27.)
In the fourth volume of Curr's
book a conspectus is given of
the words used in different parts
of Australia for various objects.
In the list of names for this
animal there are a few that are
not far from Kangaroo, but some
inquirers suspect the accuracy of
the list, or fancy that the natives
obtained the words sounding like
Kangaroo from English. It may
be assumed that the word is
not now in use as an aboriginal
word. Has it, then, disappeared ?
KAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
231
or was it an original mistake on
the part of Banks or Cook ?
The theory of a mistake has
obtained widely. It has figured
in print, and finds a place in
at least one dictionary. Several
correspondents have written that
the word Kangaroo meant " I
don't understand," and that
Banks mistook this for a name.
This is quite possible, but at
least some proof is needed, as
for instance the actual words in
the aboriginal language that
could be twisted into this mean-
ing. To find these words, and to
hear their true sound, would test
how near the explanation hits the
mark. Banks was a very careful
observer, and he specially notes
the precautions he took to avoid
any mistake in accepting native
words. Moreover, according to
Surgeon Anderson, the aborigines
of Van Diemen's Land. described
the animal by the name of Kanga-
roo. (See quotation, 1787.)
On the other hand, it must be
remembered that it is an ascer-
tained fact that the aborigines
taboo a word on the death of
any one bearing that word as a
proper name. (See quotation
under Nobbier, 1880.) If, there-
fore, after Cook's visit, some man
called Kangaroo died, the whole
tribe would expunge Kangaroo
from its vocabulary. There is,
however, some evidence that the
word was much later in use in
Western Australia. (See quota-
tion, 1835.)
It is now asserted that the
word is in use again at the
very part of Queensland where
the Endeavour was beached.
Lumholtz, in his * Amongst Can-
nibals ' (p. 311), gives it in his
aboriginal vocabulary. Mr. De
Vis, of the Brisbane Museum, in
his paper before the Geographical
Society at Brisbane (1894), says
that "in point of fact the word
' kangaroo ' is the normal equiva-
lent for kangaroo at the En-
deavour River ; and not only so,
it is almost the type-form of a
group of variations in use over
a large part of Australia." It is
curiously hard to procure satis-
factory evidence as to the fact.
Mr. De Vis says that his first
statement was " made on the
authority of a private corre-
spondent ; " but another corre-
spondent writes from Cooktown,
that the blacks there have taken
Kangaroo from English. Inquiries
inserted in each of the Cooktown
newspapers have produced no
result. Mr. De Vis' second
argument as to the type-form
seems much stronger. A spoken
language, unwritten, unprinted,
must inevitably change, and
change rapidly. A word cur-
rent in 1770 would change
rather than disappear, and the root
consonants would remain. The
letters ng together, followed by
r, occur in the proportion of one in
thirteen, of the names for the
animal tabulated by Curr.
It is a difficult matter on which
to speak decidedly, but probably
no great mistake was made, and
the word received was a genuine
name of the animal.
See further the quotations,
1896.
(b) The Plural of the Word.
There seems to be considerable
doubt as to the plural of the
word, whether it should take s
like most English words, or
remain unchanged like sheep,
deer. In two consecutive pages
of one book the two plurals are
used. The general use is the
plural in s. See 1793 Hunter,
232
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAN
1845 Balfour, and 1880 Senior ;
sportsmen frequently use the
form Kangaroo.
[Since 1888 a kangaroo has
been the design on the one-shilling
postage stamp of New South
Wales.]
1815. * History of New South Wales,'
(1818) pp. 460-461 :
" Throughout the general course of
the journey, kangaroos, emus, ducks,
etc. were seen in numbers." " Mr.
Evans saw the kangaroo in immense
flocks."
1830. R. Dawson, 'Present State of
Australia,' p. 49 :
" The kangaroos are too subtle and
shy for us to get near."
1846. G. H. Haydon, 'Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 125 :
" In the afternoon we saw some
kangaroos and wallaby, but did not
succeed in killing any."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' c. iii. p. 23 :
"Though kangaroo were plentiful,
they were not overwhelming in num-
ber."
(c) Kangaroo in French.
1777. Buffon, ' Supplement a 1'Histoire
Naturelle,' torn. iv. 'Table des Matieres':
" Kanguros, espece de grosse Ger-
boise qui se trouve dans les terres
australes de la Nouvelle Hollande."
1800. J. J. Labillardiere, ' Voyage a la
recherche de La Perouse,' torn. i. p. 134:
[Under date April 24, 1792.]
"Un de nos chasseurs trouva un
jeune kangourou sur les bords de la
mer."
1880. H. de Charency, ' Recherches sur
les Dialectes Tasmaniens,' p. 21 :
" Kangourou. Ce mot semble d'ori-
gine non Australienne, comme on 1'a
soutenu, mais bien Tasmanienne."
1882. Littre, ' Dictionnaire de la Langue
Frangaise' (s.v.) :
" Kanguroo ou kangurou. On dcrit
aussi kangarou et kangourou."
1882. A. Daudet, 'Jack,' p. 131 :
" II regardait les kanguroos dresse's
sur leurs pattes, si longues qu'elles
ont l'agilit et Man d'une paire d'ailes."
1890. Oscar Comettant [Title] :
. " Au Pays des Kangourous."
(d) Kangaroo in German Kan-
gum h :
1892. R. v. Lendenfeld, ' Australische
Reise, 5 p. 46 :
"Die Kanguruh hoben in dern
Augenblick, als sie das Geheul horten,
die Kopfe hoch und witterten, blickten
und loosten in alle Richtungen."
Notice that both in French
and German the u sound of the
middle syllable is preserved and
not changed as in English to a.
(e) The species.
The name Kangaroo is applied
to the following larger species of
the genus Macropus, the remaining
species being called Wallabies
Antilopine Kangaroo
Macropus antilopinus, Gould.
Great Grey K., or Forester
M. giganteus, Zimm.
Great Red K.
M. rufus, Desm.
Isabelline K.
M. isabellimis, Gould.
Owen's K.
M. magnus, Owen.
Wallaroo, or Euro
M. robustus, Gould.
The name Kangaroo is also ap-
plied to certain other species of
Marsupials belonging to the
genus Macropus, but with a qualify-
ing adjective, such as Dorca-, Tree-,
Rat-, Musk-, etc. ; and it is applied
to species of the genera Dorcopsis,
Dendrolagus, Bettongia, and Hypsi-
prymnodon. The Brush-Kangaroo
(q.v.) is another name for the
Wallaby (q.v.), and the Rat-Kan-
garoo is the stricter scientific
appellation of Kangaroo-Rat (q.v.).
The Banded-Kangaroo is a Banded-
Wallaby (see Lagostrophus}. See
also Dorca-Kangaroo, Tree-Kan-
garoo, Musk- Kangaroo, Dorcopsis,
Dendrolagus, Bettongia, Hypsiprym-
nodon, Rock- Wallaby, Paddy-melon >
Forester, Old Man, Joey,
KAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
233
(/) The Use of the Word.
1770. ' Capt. Cook's Journal ' (edition
Wharton, 1893), p. 244 :
"May i st. An animal which must
feed upon grass, and which, we judge,
could not be less than a deer."
[p. 280] : " June 23rd. One of the
men saw an animal something less
than a greyhound ; it was of a mouse
colour, very slender made, and swift of
foot."
[p. 294]: August 4th. "The animals
which I have before mentioned, called
by the Natives Kangooroo or Kan-
guru." [At Endeavour River, Queens-
land.]
1770. Joseph Banks, ' Journal ' (edition
Hooker, 1896), p. 287 :
"July 14. Our second Lieutenant
had the good fortune to kill the animal
that had so long been the subject of
our speculations. To compare it to
any European animal would be im-
possible, as it has not the least re-
semblance to any one that I have seen.
Its forelegs are extremely short, and of
no use to it in walking ; its hind again
as disproportionally long ; with these
it hops seven or eight feet at a time, in
the same manner as the jerboa, to
which animal indeed it bears much re-
semblance, except in size, this being in
weight 381bs., and the jerboa no larger
than a common rat."
Ibid. p. 301 :
"August 26. Quadrupeds we saw
but few, and were able to catch but few
of those we did see. The largest was
called by the natives kangooroo / it is
different from any European, and,
indeed, any animal I have heard or
read of, except the jerboa of Egypt,
which is not larger than a rat, while
this is as large as a middling lamb.
The largest we shot weighed 84lbs.
It may, however, be easily known from
all other animals by the singular pro-
perty of running, or rather hopping,
upon only its hinder legs, carrying its
fore-feet close to its breast. In this
manner it hops so fast that in the rocky
bad ground where it is commonly
found, it easily beat my greyhound,
who though he was fairly started at
several, killed only one, and that quite
a young one."
I 773- Sydney Parkinson, ' Journal of a
Voyage,' p. 149 :
" Kangooroo, the leaping quadru-
ped." [A description given at p. 145.]
I 773- J- Hawkesworth, ' Voyages,' vol.
iii. p. 577 :
"July 14, 1770. Mr. Gore, who
went out this day with his gun, had
the good fortune to kill one of the
animals which had been so much the
subject of our speculation. An idea of
it will best be conceived by the cut,
plate xx., without which the most ac-
curate verbal description would answer
very little purpose, as it has not simili-
tude enough to any animal already
known to admit of illustration by refer-
ence. In form it is most like the gerbua,
which it also resembles in its motion,
as has been observed already, for it
greatly differs in size, the gerbua not
being larger than a common rat, and
this animal, when full grown, being as
big as a sheep : this individual was a.
young one, much under its full growth,
weighing only thirty-eight pounds.
The head, neck, and shoulders are
very small in proportion to the other
parts of the body ; the tail is nearly as
long as the body, thick near the rump,
and tapering towards the end : the
fore-legs of this individual were only
eight inches long, and the hind-legs
two-and-twenty : its progress is by
successive leaps or hops, of a great
length, in an erect posture ; the fore-
legs are kept bent close to the breast,
and seemed to be of use only for
digging : the skin is covered with a
short
of a dark mouse or grey
colour, excepting the head and ears,
which bear a slight resemblance to
those of a hare. In form it is most
like the gerbua. This animal is called
by the natives 'kanguroo.'" [This
account, it will be seen, is based on
the notes of Banks.]
1774. Oliver Goldsmith, ' Animated
Nature,' Book VII. c. xvi., 'The Ger-
bua,' [in four- vol. ed., vol. iii. p. 30] :
" But of all animals of this kind,
that which was first discovered and
described by Mr. Banks is the most
extraordinary. He calls it the kan-
guroo ; and though from its general
outline and the most striking peculi-
arities of its figure it greatly resembles
234
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAN
the gerbua, yet it entirely differs, if
we consider its size, or those minute
distinctions which direct the makers of
systems in assorting the general ranks
of nature. The largest of the gerbua
kind which are to be found in the
ancient continent do not exceed the
size of a rabbit. The kanguroo of
New Holland, where it is only to be
found, is often known to weigh above
sixty pounds, and must consequently
be as large as a sheep. Although the
skin of that which was stuffed and
brought home by Mr. Banks was not
much above the size of a hare, yet it
was greatly superior to any of the
gerbua kind that have been hitherto
known, and very different in many
particulars. The snout of the gerbua,
as has been said, is short and round,
that of the discovered animal long and
slender ; the teeth also entirely differ,
for as the gerbua has but two
cutting teeth in each jaw, making
four in all, this animal, besides
its cutting teeth, has four canial
teeth also ; but what makes a
more striking peculiarity, is the form-
:ation of its lower jaw, which, as the
ingenious discoverer supposes, is
divided into two parts which open and
shut like a pair of scissors, and cut
grass, probably this animal's principal
food. The head, neck, and shoulders
are very small in proportion to the
other parts of the body ; the tail is
nearly as long as the body ; thick near
the rump and tapering towards the
head and ears, which bear a slight
resemblance to those of the hare. We
are not told, however, from the form-
ation of its stomach to what class of
quadrupeds it belongs : from its eating
grass, which it has been seen to do,
one would be apt to rank it among the
ruminating animals ; but from the
canial teeth which it is found to have,
we may on the other hand suppose it
to bear some relation to the carni-
vorous. Upon the whole, however, it
can be classed with none more properly
than with the animals of the gerbua
kind, as its hind-legs are so much
longer than the fore ; it moves also
precisely in the same manner, taking
great bounds of ten or twelve feet at
a time, and thus sometimes escaping
the fleetest greyhound, with which Mr.
Banks pursued it. One of them that
was killed proved to be good food ;
but a second, which weighed eighty-
four pounds, and was not yet come to
its full growth, was found to be much
inferior."
1787. Surgeon Anderson, quoted by W.
Eden, in ' History of New Holland ' (second
edition), p. 71 :
" However, we must have a far more
intimate acquaintance with the langu-
ages spoken here [Van Uiemen's Land]
and in the more northern parts of New
Holland, before we can pronounce that
they are totally different ; nay, we have
good grounds for the opposite opinion ;
for we found that the animal called
kangaroo at Endeavour River was
known under the same name here."
1781. T. Pennant, 'History of Quad-
rupeds,' vol. i. p. 306 :
No. 184. [A Scientific Description of
the Kangaroo.]
1789. Governor Phillip, ' Voyage ' :
[p. 106] : "The kanguroo."
p. 1 68]: "Skeleton of the head of
the kanguroo."
[At each of these places there
is a description and a picture.
Under each picture the name is
spelt " Kangooroo." At p. 289
there is a further note on the
kanguroo. In the text at p. 149
the spelling " Kangooroo " is
adopted.]
Ibid. p. 104 :
" The kanguroo, though it resembles
the jerboa in the peculiarity of using
only the hinder legs in progression,
does not belong to that genus."
Ibid, p. 168 :
"Since stating the dimensions of
the kanguroo, in page 106, Lord
Sydney has received from Governor
Phillip a male of a much larger size.
. . . Lieutenant Shortland describes
them as feeding in herds of about
thirty or forty, and assures us that one
is always observed to be apparently
upon the watch at a distance from
the rest."
1789. Watkin Tench, .' Account of the
Settlement of Port Jackson,' p. 171 :
" Kangaroo was a name unknown to
KAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
235
them [the aborigines of Port Jackson]
for any animal, until we introduced it.
When I showed Colbee [an aboriginal]
the cows brought out in the Gorgon he
asked me if they were kangaroos."
1793. Governor Hunter, * Voyage,' p.
66 :
"The animal described in the
voyage of the Endeavour, called the
kangaroo (but by the natives pata-
gorang), we found in great numbers."
Ibid. p. 568 :
" I had a kanguroo on board,
which I had directions to carry to
Lord Grenville, as a present for his
Majesty. Nov. 26, 1791." [There is no
statement whether the animal reached
England.]
Ibid. p. 402 :
" In rowing up this branch, we saw
a flock of about thirty kangaroos or
paderong, but they were only visible
during their leaps, as the very long
grass hid them from our view."
1809. G. Shaw, 'Zoological Lectures,'
vol. i. p. 94 :
" The genus Macropus or kan-
garoo . . . one of the most elegant as
well as curious animals discovered in
modern times." [Under the picture
and in list of contents : Kanguroo.]
1814. M. Flinders, 'Voyage to Terra
Australis,' Introd. p. Ixiii :
" An animal found upon one of the
islands is described [by Dampier,
* Voyage to New Holland,' vol. iii. p.
123] as 'a sort of raccoon, different
from that of the West Indies, chiefly
as to the legs ; for these have very
short fore legs ; but go jumping upon
them 5 [not upon the short fore, but
the long hind legs, it is to be pre-
sumed] ' as the others do ; and like
them are very good meat.' This
appears to have been the small kan-
garoo, since found upon the islands
which form the road ; and if so, this
description is probably the first ever
made of that singular animal " [though
without the name].
1820. W. C. Wentworth, ' Description
of New South Wales,' p. 57 :
" Coursing the kangaroo and emu
forms the principal amusement of the
sporting part of the colonists, (p. 68) :
The colonists generally pursue this
animal [kangaroo] at full speed on
horseback, and frequently manage,
notwithstanding its extraordinary swift-
ness, to be up at the death."
1833. Charles Lamb, ' Essays of Elia '
[edition 1895], p. 151, 'Distant Cor-
respondents ' :
"The kangaroos your Aborigines
do they keep their primitive sim-
plicity un-Europe-tainted, with those
little short fore puds, looking like a
lesson framed by nature to the pick-
pocket ! Marry, for diving into fobs
they are rather lamely provided a
priori; but if the hue and cry were
once up, they would show as fair a
pair of hind-shifters as the expertest
loco motor in the colony."
1833. C. Sturt, ' Southern Australia,' vol.
I. c. iii. p. 106 :
" Those that were noticed were
made of the red kangaroo-skin."
1834. L - E - Threlkeld, 'Australian
Grammar of the Language spoken by the
Aborigines, at Hunter's River,' p. 87 :
" K6ng-go-rong, The Emu, from the
noise it makes, and likely the origin of
the barbarism, kangaroo, used by the
English, as the name of an animal,
called Mo-a-ne."
1835. T. B - Wilson, 'Narrative of a
Voyage round the World, etc.' p. 212 :
"They [natives of the Darling
Range, W.A.] distinctly pronounced
( kangaroo ' without having heard any
of us utter that sound : they also called
it waroo, but whether they distin-
guished ' kangaroo ' (so called by us,
and also by them) from the smaller
kind, named ' wallabtj and by them
' waroo] we could not form any just
conclusion."
1845. J. O. Balfour, 'Sketch of New
South Wales, 'p. 23:
" Kangaroos are of six different
species, viz. the forester, the flyer, the
wallaby, the wallaroo, the kangaroo-
rat, and the kangaroo-mouse." [This
is of course merely a popular classifi-
cation.]
1845. J. A. Moore, ' Tasmanian Rhym-
ings,' p. 15 :
"A kangaroo, like all his race,
Of agile form and placid face."
1861. W. M. Thackeray, ' Roundabout
Papers,' p. 83 :
" The fox has brought his brush, and
the cock has brought his comb, and
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAN
the elephant has brought his trunk
and the kangaroo has brought his bag,
and the condor his old white wig and
black satin hood."
1880. W. Senior, 'Travel and Trout,'
p. 8:
" To return to the marsupials. I
have been assured that the kangaroos
come first and eat off the grass ; that
the wallabies, following, grub up the
roots."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 114 :
" Sometimes a kangaroo would come
down with measured thud, thud, and
drink, and then return without noticing
the human beings."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 118:
" According to the traditions of the
bush not always reliable the name
of kangaroo was given under a mis-
conception. An aborigine being asked
by one of the early discoverers the
name of the animal, replied, ' Kan-
garoo ' (' I don't know '), and in this
confession of ignorance or misappre-
hension the name originated. It seems
absurd to suppose that any black
hunter was really ignorant of the name
of an animal which once represented
the national wealth of Australians as
the merino does to-day."
[The tradition is not quite so ridicu-
lous, if the answer meant "I don't
know what you mean, I don't under-
stand you." See above.]
1891. ' Guide to Zoological Gardens,
Melbourne ' :
" In this enclosure is a wooden
model of a kangaroo of ancient times.
This is copied from a restoration by
Professor McCoy, who was enabled to
represent it from fossil remains which
have been unearthed at various places
in Australia."
1896. E. Meston, 'Sydney Bulletin,'
April 18 :
" The origin of the word ' kangaroo '
was published by me six years ago.
Captain Cook got it from the Endeavor
River blacks, who pronounce it to-day
exactly as it is spelled in the great
navigator's journal, but they use it
now only for the big toe. Either the
blacks in Cook's time called the kan-
garoo 'big toe' for a nick-name, as
the American Indians speak of the
' big horn,' or the man who asked the
name of the animal was holding it by
the hind foot, and got the name of the
long toe, the black believing that
was the part to which the question
referred."
1896. Rev. J. Mathew, Private Letter,
Aug. 31 :
" Most names of animals in the
Australian dialects refer to their ap-
pearance, and the usual synthesis is
noun + adjective ; the word may be
worn down at either end, and the
meaning lost to the native mind.
" A number of the distinct names
for kangaroo show a relation to words
meaning respectively nose, leg, big,
long, either with noun and adjective in
combination or one or other omitted.
" The word kangaroo is probably
analysable into ka or kang, nose (or
head}, and goora, long, both words or
local equivalents being widely current."
(2) Wild young cattle (a special
use)
1827. P. Cunningham, ' Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 290 :
"A stockyard under six feet high
will be leaped by some of these kan-
garoos (as we term them) with the most
perfect ease, and it requires to be as
stout as it is high to resist their rushes
against it."
(3) Used playfully, and as a
nickname for persons and things
Australian. An Australian boy at
an English school is frequently
called " Kangaroo." It is a Stock
Exchange nickname for shares in
Western Australian gold-mining
companies.
1896. 'Nineteenth Century ' (Nov.), p.
711 :
" To the 80,000,000 Westralian min-
ing shares now in existence the Stock
Exchange has long since conceded a
special 'market'; and it has even con-
ferred upon these stocks a nickname
the surest indication of importance and
popularity. And that ' Kangaroos,' as
they were fondly called, could boast
of importance and popularity nobody
would dare to gainsay."
KAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
237
(4) A kind of chair, apparently
from the shape.
1834. Miss Edgeworth, ' Helen/ c. xvi.
('Century'):
" It was neither a lounger nor a
dormeuse, nor a Cooper, nor a Nelson,
nor a Kangaroo : a chair without a
name would never do ; in all things
fashionable a name is more than half.
Such a happy name as Kangaroo Lady
Cecilia despaired of finding."
Kangarooade, n. a Kangaroo
hunt; nonce word. See quotation.
1863. M. K. Beveridge, 'Gatherings
among the Gum Trees,' p. 86 :
" The Kangarooade in three Spirts."
[Title of a poem.]
Kangaroo-Apple, n. an Austra-
lian and Tasmanian fruit, Sola-
tium aviculare, Forst. , N. O. Sola-
nacece. The name is also applied
to S. vescum, called the Gunyang
(q.v.). In New Zealand, the fruit
is called Poroporo (q.v.).
1834. Ross, 'Van Diemen's Land An-
nual,' p. 133 :
' Solanum laciniatum, the kangaroo-
apple, resembling the apple of a potato ;
when so ripe as to split, it has a mealy
sub-acid taste."
1846. G. H. Haydon, 'Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 85 :
" The kangaroo-apple (Solanum la-
dniatum) is a fine shrub found in many
parts of the country, bearing a pretty
blue flower and a fruit rather unpleas-
ant to the taste, although frequently
eaten by the natives, and also by
Europeans."
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
p. 132 :
" The kangaroo-apple comes from a
bush or small tree bearing blue blos-
soms, which are succeeded by apples
like those of the potato. They have a
sweetish flavour, and when ripe may
be boiled and eaten, but are not greatly
prized."
1857. F. R. Nixon (Bishop), ' Cruise of
Beacon,' p. 28 :
" Of berries and fruits of which they
partook, the principal were those of
Solanum laciniatum, or kangaroo-
apple, when dead ripe."
1877. F. v. Muller, 'Botanic Teachings,'
p. 105 :
" Solanum aviculare, on which our
colonists have very inappropriately
bestowed the name Kangaroo-apple,
while in literal scientific translation it
ought to be called Bird's Nightshade,
because Captain Cook's companions
observed in New Zealand that birds
were feeding on the berries of this
bush."
Kangaroo-Dog, n. a large dog,
lurcher, deerhound, or greyhound,
used for hunting the Kangaroo.
1806. ' History of New South Wales '
(1818), p. 265 :
" Shortly before the Estramina left
the River Derwent, two men unfortun-
ately perished by a whale-boat upset-
ting, in which they were transporting
four valuable kangaroo-dogs to the
opposite side, none of which ever
reached the shore."
1830. R. Dawson, 'Present State of
Australia,' p. 141 :
" The kind of dog used for coursing
the kangaroo is generally a cross be-
tween the greyhound and the mastiff
or sheep-dog ; but in a climate like
New South Wales they have, to use
the common phrase, too much lumber
about them. The true bred greyhound
is the most useful dog : he has more
wind ; he ascends the hills with more
ease ; and will run double the number
of courses in a day. He has more
bottom in running, and if he has less
ferocity when he comes up with an
' old man,' so much the better, as he
exposes himself the less, and lives to
afford sport another day."
1832. J. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
c. ii. p. 31 :
" They . . . are sometimes caught
by the kangaroo-dogs."
1845. R. Howitt, ' Australia,' p. 126:
"A fine kangaroo-dog was pointed
out to us, so fond of kangarooing that
it goes out alone, kills the game, and
then fetches its master to the dead
animals."
1847. J. D. Lang, ' Cooksland,' p. 422 :
"With the gun over his shoulder,
and the kangaroo-dog in a leash by
his side."
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAN
1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, ' Port Phillip
in 1849,' c. iii. p. 35 :
" On every station, also, a large kind
of greyhound, a cross of the Scotch
greyhound and English bulldog, called
the kangaroo-dog, which runs by sight,
is kept for the purpose of their destruc-
tion."
1888. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. ii. p. 91 :
" Kangaroo-dogs are a special breed,
a kind of strong greyhound."
1893. ' The Argus,' April 8, p. 4, col. I :
" That big, powerful, black kangaroo-
dog Marmarah was well worth looking
at, with his broad, deep chest, intelli-
gent, determined eyes, sinews of a
gymnast, and ribs like Damascus steel.
On his black skin he bore marks of
many honourable fights ; the near side
showed a long, whitish line where the
big emu he had run down, tackled
single-handed, and finally killed, had
laid him open. His chest and legs
showed numerous grey scars, each
with a history of its own of which he
might well be proud."
Kangaroo-Ply, n. a small Aus-
tralian fly, Cabarus. See quota-
tions.
1833. C. Sturt, 'Southern Australia,' vol.
I. c. ii. p. 71 :
"Our camp was infested by the
kangaroo-fly, which settled upon us in
thousands."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, His-
tory of the Discovery and Exploration of
Australia,' vol. i. p. 313 [Note] :
" Rather smaller than the house-fly,
it acts with such celerity that it has no
sooner settled on the face or hands
than it inflicts instantaneously a pain-
ful wound, which often bleeds subse-
quently. It is called by the colonists
the kangaroo-fly ; and though not very
common, the author can testify that it
is one of the most annoying pests of
Australia."
Kangaroo-Grass, n. a name
given to several species of grasses
of the genera Anthistiria and An-
dropogon, chiefly from their height,
but also because, when they are
young and green in spring, the
Kangaroo feeds on them. Andro-
is more like a rush or
sedge, and is sometimes so high
as to completely conceal horses.
See Grass.
1827. P. Cunningham, ' Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 209 :
" Of native grasses we possess the
oat-grass, rye-grass, florin, kangaroo-
grass, and timothy, blady grass grow-
ing in wet, flooded, alluvial spots, and
wire-grass upon cold, wet, washed
clays."
1838. ' Report of Van Diemen's Land
Company,' in J. Bischoff's 'Van Diemen's
Land' (1832), c. v. p. 119 :
" The grasses were principally timo-
thy, foxtail, and single kangaroo."
1845. T. L. Mitchell, 'Tropical Aus-
tralia,' p. 88 :
"A new species of Anthistiria oc-
curred here, perfectly distinct from the
kangaroo grass of the colony."
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix/
p. 131 :
" The most conspicuous of the native
Gramtneee that so widely cover the
surface of Australia Felix."
1862. G. T. Lloyd, ' Thirty-three Years
in Tasmania and Victoria,' p. 36 :
"Where are the genial morning
dews of former days that used to glisten
upon and bespangle the vernal-leaved
kangaroo grass ? "
1862. G. T. Lloyd, ' Thirty-three Years
in Tasmania,' p. 393 :
" Between the Lake River and
Launceston ... I was most agreeably
surprised in beholding the novel sight
of a spacious enclosure of waving kan-
garoo grass, high and thick-standing
as a good crop of oats, and evidently
preserved for seed."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 8:
" Not even a withered wisp of kan-
garoo-grass." (p. 193): "The long
brown kangaroo-grass."
1891. ' The Argus,' Dec. 19, p. 4, col. 2 :
" Had they but pulled a tuft of the
kangaroo-grass beneath their feet,
they would have found gold at its
roots."
Kangaroo-hop, n. a peculiar
affected gait. See quotation.
1875. ' Spectator ' (Melbourne), May 22,
p. 27, col. 2 :
KAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
239'
" The young lady that affects water-
falls, the Grecian-bend, or the kan-
garoo hop."
Kangaroo-Hound, n. i.q. Kan-
garoo-Dog (q . v . ) .
1865. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand,' p. 28 :
"A large dog, a kangaroo-hound
(not unlike a lurcher in appearance)."
Kangarooing, vb. n. hunting the
kangaroo.
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' p. 257 :
"In chasing kangaroos, or, as it is
technically termed, ' kangarooing,'
large powerful dogs are used ..."
1870. E. B. Kennedy, ' Four Years in
Queensland,' p. 194:
" You may be out Kangarooing ; the
dogs take after one [a kangaroo], and
it promises to be a good course."
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 15 :
" We were sick of kangarooing, like
the dogs themselves, that as they grew
old would run a little way and then
pull up if a mob came jump, jump,
past them."
Kangaroo - Mouse, n. more
strictly called the Pouched-Mouse
(q.v.).
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 256 :
"It is a long chain from the big
forester, down through the different
varieties of wallaby to the kangaroo-
rat, and finally, to the tiny interesting
little creature known on the plains as
the ' kangaroo-mouse ' ; but all have
the same characteristics."
Kangaroo-net, n. net made by
the natives to catch the kangaroo.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expedi-
tion,' p. 45 :
" I found . . . four fine kangaroo-
nets, made of the bark of sterculia."
Kangaroo-Rat, or Bat-Kan-
garoo, n. the name applied to
species of Marsupials belonging
to the following genera, viz.
(i) PotorouS) (2) Caloprymnus, (3)
Bettongia^ (4) ^Epyprymnus.
(1) The first genus (Potorous y
q.v.) includes animals about the
size of a large rat ; according to
Gould, although they stand much
on their hind-legs they run in a
totally different way to the kan-
garoo, using fore and hind-legs in
a kind of gallop and never at-
tempting to kick with the hind-
feet. The aboriginal name was
Potoroo. The species are three
the Broad-faced Kangaroo-Rat,
Potorousplatyops, Gould ; Gilbert's,
P. gilberti, Gould ; Common, P.
tridactylus, Kerr. They are con-
fined to Australia and Tasmania,
and one Tasmanian variety of the
last species is bigger than the
mainland form. There is also a
dwarf Tasmanian variety of the
same species.
(2) A second genus (Caloprym-
nus, q.v.) includes the Plain Kan-
garoo-Rat ; it has only one species,
C. campestriS) Gould, confined to
South Australia. The epithet
plain refers to its inhabiting plains.
(3) A third genus (Bettongia^
q.v.) includes the Prehensile-
tailed Rat-Kangaroos and has
four species, distributed in Aus-
tralia and Tasmania
Brush-tailed Kangaroo-Rat
Bettongia penicillata^ Gray.
Gaimard's K.-R.
B. gaimardi, Desm.
Lesueur's K.-R.
B. lesueuri, Quoy and Gaim.
Tasmanian K.-R.
B. cuniculus, Ogilby.
(4) A fourth g
q.v.) includes the Rufous Kan-
garoo-Rat. It has one species, &.
rufescens, Grey. It is the largest
of the Kangaroo-Rats and is dis-
tinguished by its ruddy colour,
black-backed ears, and hairy
nose.
[Mr. Lydekker proposes to call
240
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAN
the animal the Rat-Kangaroo (see
quotation, 1894), but the name
Kangaroo-Rat is now so well-
established that it does not seem
possible to supersede it by the,
perhaps, more correct name of
Rat-Kangaroo. The introduction
of the word Kangaroo prevents
any possibility of confusion be-
tween this animal and the true
rodent, and it would seem to be
a matter of indifference as to
which word precedes or follows
the other.]
1788. Governor Phillip (Despatch, May
15), in ' Historical Records of New South
Wales,' vol. I. pt. ii. p. 135 :
" Many trees were seen with holes
that had been enlarged by the. natives
to get at the animal, either the squirrel,
kangaroo rat, or opossum, for the
going in of which perhaps they wait
under their temporary huts, and as the
enlarging these holes could only be
done with the shell they used to sepa-
rate the oysters from the rocks, must
require great patience."
1793. Governor Hunter, 'Voyage,' p.
61 :
"As most of the large trees are
hollow by being rotten in the heart,
the opossum, kangaroo-rat, squirrel,
and various other animals which in-
habit the woods, when they are pur-
sued, commonly run into the hollow
of a tree."
1802. G. Barrington, 'History of New
South Wales,' c. xi. p. 430 :
" The poto roo, or kangaroo-rat. . . .
This curious animal which is indeed a
miniature of the Kangaroo."
1832. J. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
c. ii. p. 28 :
"The kangaroo-rat is a small in-
offensive animal and perfectly distinct
from the ordinary species of rat."
1836. C. Darwin, ' Naturalist's Voyage,'
c. xix. p. 321 :
"The greyhounds pursued akangaroo-
rat into a hollow tree, out of which we
dragged it ; it is an animal as large
as a rabbit, but with the figure of a
kangaroo."
1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, 'Port Phillip
in 1849,' p. 37 :
" The kangaroo-rat is twice the size
of a large English water-rat, and of
the same colour, measuring nearly two
feet in length."
1852. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes'
(edition 1853), p. 157 :
" Two or three of the smallest kind,
called the kangaroo-rat about the
size of a hare, and affording pretty
good coursing."
1860. Fison and Howitt, ' Kamilaroi and
Kurnai,' p. 195 :
" One of the skin aprons . . . made
from the skin of a kangaroo-rat."
1879. c - W. Schiirmann, ' Native
Tribes of Australia Port Lincoln Tribe,'
p. 214:
"The natives use this weapon [the
Waddy\ principally for throwing at
kangaroo-rats or other small animals."
1890. A. H. S. Lucas, 'Handbook
of the Australasian Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 63 :
"The Victorian Kangaroo rat is
Bettongia cuniculus"
1894. R - Lydekker,' Marsupialia,' p. 63 :
" The rat-kangaroos, often incorrectly
spoken of as kangaroo-rats."
Kangaroo-skin, ;/. either the
leather for the tanned hide, or the
complete fur for rugs and wraps.
1806. ' History of New South Wales '
(1818), p. 258:
"The fitness of the kangaroo-skin
for upper leathers will no doubt obtain
preference over most of the imported
leather, as it is in general lighter and
equally durable."
1872. C. H. Eden, ' My Wife and I in
Queensland,' p. 106 :'
" I used always to strip and preserve
the pelt, for it makes good and pretty
door-mats, and is most useful for
pouches, leggings, light-whips, or any
purpose where you require something
strong and yet neater than green hide.
I have seen saddles covered with it,
and kangaroo-skin boots are very last-
ing and good."
Kangaroo-tail Soup, ;/. soup
made from the kangaroo-tail.
1820. W. C. Wentworth, 'Description
of New South Wales,' p. 58 :
" The tail of the forest kangaroo in
particular makes a soup which, both
KAN-KAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
241
in richness and flavour, is far superior
to any ox-tail soup ever tasted."
1865. Lady Barker, writing from Mel-
bourne, ' Station Life in New Zealand,'
p. 14:
"The soups comprised kangaroo-
tail a clear soup not unlike ox-tail,
but with a flavour of game."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. xxxv. p. 312:
" Kangaroo-tail and ox-tail soup
disputed pre-eminence."
Kangaroo-Thorn, n. an indi-
genous hedge-plant, Acacia ar-
mata, R. Br., N.O. Leguminosce ;
called also Kangaroo Acacia.
Kapai, adj. Maori word for
good, used by the English in the
North Island of New Zealand :
e.g. " That is a kapai pipe." " I
have a kapai gun."
1896. ' New Zealand Herald,' Feb. 14
(Leading Article) :
"The Maori word which passed
most familiarly into the speech of
Europeans was ' kapai,' ' this is good.' "
Kapu, n. Maori word for a
stone adze. The Maori word
means the hollow of the hand.
The adze is so called from its
curved shape. (Williams, ' Maori
Diet.')
1889. ' Catalogue of New Zealand Ex-
hibition,' p. 140:
" Kapu, or adze."
Karaka, n. Maori name for a
tree, Corynoeqrpus Icevigata, Forst.
N.O. Anacardiacece ; also called
Cow-tree (q.v.), forty feet high,
with orange-coloured berries, two
to three inches long.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 226 :
" Two or three canoes were hauled
up under some karaka trees, which
formed a pleasant grove in a sort of
recess from the beach."
Ibid. vol. i. p. 233 :
"The karaka-tree much resembles
the laurel in its growth and foliage.
It bears bright orange-coloured berries
about the size and shape of damsons,
growing in bunches. The fruit is
sickly and dry ; but the kernel forms
an important article of native food."
1859. A. S. Thomson, 'Story of New
Zealand,' p. 157 :
" The karaka fruit is about the size
of an acorn. The pulp is eaten raw ;
the kernel is cooked in the oven for
ten days, and then steeped for several
weeks in a running stream before it
is fit for use. Karaka berries for
winter use are dried in the sun. The
kernel is poisonous uncooked."
1872. A. Domett, Ranolf,' p. 108 :
" The thick kardkas' varnished
green."
1881. J. L. Campbell, ' Poenamo,' p.
102 :
"The karaka with its brilliantly-
polished green leaves and golden
yellow fruit."
1883. F. S. Renwick, ' Betrayed,' p. 35 :
" Bring the heavy karaka leaf,
Gather flowers of richest hue."
1892. 'Otago Witness,' Nov. 10.
(Native Trees) :
" Corynocarpus Icevigata (generally
known by the name of karaka). The
fruit is poisonous, and many deaths of
children occur through eating it. Mr.
Anderson, a surgeon who accompanied
Captain Cook, mentions this tree and
its fruit, and says the sailors ate it,
but does not say anything about it
being poisonous. The poison is in the
hard inner part, and it may be that
they only ate the outer pulp."
Karamu, n. Maori name for
several species of the New Zealand
trees of the genus Coprosma, N. O.
Rubiacea. Some of the species
are called Tree-karamu, and others
Bush-karamu ; to the latter (C.
lucida, Kirk) the name Coffee-plant,
or Coffee-bush, is also applied.
1874. J. White, ' Te Rou, or the Maori
at Home,' p. 221 :
"Then they tied a few Karamu
branches in front of them and went
towards the settlement."
1876. J. C. Crawford, ' Transactions of
the New Zealand Institute,' vol. IX. art.
Ixxx. p. 545 :
" I have seen it stated that coffee of
fine flavour has been produced from
the karamu, coprosma lucida"
242
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAR-KAT
1883. J. Hector, ' Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 132:
" Karamu. An ornamental shrub-
tree ; wood close-grained and yellow ;
might be used for turnery."
1887. T. F. Cheeseman, 'Transactions
of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. XX.
art. xxii. p. 143 :
"The first plant of interest noted
was a new species of coprosma, with
the habit of the common karamu."
1889. T. Kirk, 'Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 275:
" ' Karamu ' is applied by the Maoris
to several species of Coprosma, amongst
which, I believe, this \C. arbored\ is
included, but it is commonly termed
' tree-karamu ' by bushmen and settlers
in the North."
1891. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open,'
'New Zealand Country Journal,' vol. xv.
p. 105 :
" Of these fruits that of the karamu,
(Coprosma lucida), seemed to be
amongst the first to be selected."
Kareau or Kareao, n. Maori
name for Supplejack (q.v.).
Karmai, n. used by settlers in
South Island of New Zealand for
Towhai (q.v.), a New Zealand
tree, Weinmannia racemosa, Forst.
N.O. Saxifrages. Kamahi is the
Maori, and Karmai, or Kamai,
the corruption.
1876. W. N. Blair, ' Transactions of the
New Zealand Institute,' vol. ix. p. 148 :
"As will be seen by the tables of
names, kamai is called black birch in
the Catlin River District and South-
land, which name is given on account
of a supposed resemblance to the
' birches,' or more correctly ' beeches,'
a number of which occur in that lo-
cality. I cannot understand how such
an idea could have originated, for
except in the case of the bark of one
there is not the slightest resemblance
between the birches and kamai. What-
ever be the reason, the misapplication
of names is complete, for the birches
are still commonly called kamai in
Southland."
Karoro, n. Maori name for a
Black-backed Gull, Larus domini-
canus, Licht.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 47 :
[Description.]
Karri or Kari, n. aboriginal
name (Western Australia) for
Eucalyptus diversicolor. F. v. M.
1870. W. H. Knight, 'Western Aus-
tralia: Its History, Progress, Condition,
etc.,' p. 38:
The Karri (eucalyptus colossea) is
another wood very similar in many
respects to the tuart, and grows to an
enormous size."
1875. T. Laslett, ' Timber and Timber
Trees,' p. 196 :
" The kari-tree is found in Western
Australia, and is said to be very
abundant ... of straight growth and
can be obtained of extraordinary size
and length. . . . The wood is red in
colour, hard, heavy, strong, tough, and
slightly wavy or curled in the grain."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 444 :
"Commonly known as 'karri,' but
in its native habitat as blue-gum. . . .
The durability of this timber for
lengthened periods under ground yet
remains to be proved."
1896. 'The Inquirer and Commercial
News,' [Perth] July 3, p. 4, col. 5 :
"Mr. J. Ednie Brown, conservator
of forests . . . expresses astonishment
at the vastness of the karri forests there
. . . they will be in a position to export
one thousand loads of karri timber for
street-blocking purposes every week."
1896. ' The Times ' (Weekly Edition),
Dec. 4, p. 822, col. I :
" Karri, Eucalyptus diversicolor, is
the giant tree of Western Australia.
An average tree has a height of about
2ooft, and a diameter of 4ft. at 3ft. or
4ft. above the ground. The tree is a
rapid grower, and becomes marketable
in 30 or 40 years, against 50 years for
jarrah. Karri timber is being largely
exported for London street-paving, as
its surface is not easily rendered
slippery."
Katipo, n. a small venomous
spider of New Zealand and Aus-
tralia. The name is Maori. The
scientific name is Latrodectus scelio,
Thorel. In New Zealand, it is
KAU]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
243
generally found on the beach
under old driftwood ; but in Aus-
tralia it is found widely scattered
over the Continent, and always
frequents dark sheltered spots.
The derivation may be from Ka-
kati, verb, to sting, and po, night.
Compare Kakapo. It is a dark-
coloured spider, with a bright red
or yellowish stripe.
1867. F. Hochstetter, 'New Zealand,'
p. 440:
"A small black spider with a red
stripe on its back, which they [the
natives of New Zealand] call katipo or
katepo."
1870. Sir W. Buller, before Wellington
Philosophical Society, quoted in ' The
Katipo,' Jan. I, 1892, p. 2 :
" I have satisfied myself that in
common with many other venomous
creatures it (the katipo) only asserts its
dreaded power as a means of defence,
or when greatly irritated, for I have
observed that on being touched with
the finger it instantly folds its legs,
rolls over on its back, and simulates
death, remaining perfectly motionless
till further molested, when it attempts
to escape, only using its fangs as the
dernier ressort"
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Canni-
bals,' p. 39 :
" Another spider (Lathrodectus
scelid), which is very common here
and everywhere in Queensland, is very
dangerous even to men. It is a small
black animal, of the size of our house-
spider, with a brilliant scarlet mark on
its back."
1891. C. Frost, 'Victorian Naturalist,'
p. 140:
"I also determined, should oppor-
tunity occur, to make some further
experiments with the black and red
spider Latrodectus scelio ... I found
suspended in the web of one of this
species a small lizard . . . which
doubtless had been killed by its bite."
1892. Jan. i, 'The Katipo,' a Journal of
Events in connection with the New Zealand
Post Office and Telegraph Services. On
p. 2 of the first number the Editor says :
" If hard words could break bones,
the present lot of the proprietors of
'The Katipo' would be a sorry one.
From certain quarters invectives of
the most virulent type have been
hurled upon them in connection with
the title now bestowed upon the publi-
cation the main objections expressed
cover contentions that the journal's
prototype is a 'repulsive,' 'vindictive,'
and 'death-dealing reptile,' 'inimical
to man,' etc. ; and so on, ad infinitum"
[The pictorial heading of each
number is a katipo's web, sugges-
tive of the reticulation of telegraph
wires, concerning which page 3
of the first number says: "The
Katipo spider and web extends its
threads as a groundwork for unity
of the services."]
1895. H. R. Hogg, ' Home Expedition
in Central Australia,' Zoology, p. 322 :
"This spider, popularly known as
the red streaked spider, is found all
over Victoria and New South Wales,
and is recorded from Rockhampton
and Bowen on the Queensland Coast,
and from the North Island of New
Zealand, where it is known by the
Maoris as the Katipo."
Kauri, or Cowry, or Kauri-
Pine, n. Maori name for the tree
Agathis australiS) Sal. (formerly
Dammara A.), N.O. Conifera.
Variously spelt, and earlier often
called Coivdie. In ' Lee's New
Zealand Vocabulary,' 1820, the
spelling Kaudi appears. Although
this tree is usually called by the
generic name of Dammara (see
quotation, 1832), it is properly
referred to the genus Agathis^ an
earlier name already given to it
by Salisbury. There is a Queens-
land Kauri (Dammara robusta, F.
v. M.). See Pine.
1823. R. A. Cruise, 'Ten Months in
New Zealand,' p, 145 :
" The banks of the river were found
to abound with cowry ; and . . . the
carpenter was of opinion that there
could be no great difficulty in loading
the ship. The timber purveyor of the
Coromandel having given cowry a
decided preference to kaikaterre, . . .
244
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KAU-KAV
it was determined to abandon all fur-
ther operations."
1835. w - Yate, ' True Account of New
Zealand,' p. 37 :
" As a shrub, and during its youthful
days, the kauri is not very graceful :
. . . but when it comes to years of
maturity, it stands unrivalled for
majesty and beauty."
1852. G. C. Mundy, 'Our Antipodes'
(edition 1855), p. 285 :
"The kauri (Dammera [sic] Austra-
lis] is coniferous, resinous, and has an
elongated box-like leaf."
" 1860. G. Bennett, ' Gatherings of a
Naturalist,' p. 349 :
"When Captain Cook visited New
Zealand (nearly a century after the dis-
covery of the Dammara of Amboyna),
he saw, upon the east coast of the
Northern Island, a tree, called by the
natives Kowrie ; it was found to be a
second species of Dammara, and was
named D. Australis"
1867. F. Hochstetter, 'New Zealand,'
p. 140 :
"The Kauri-pine is justly styled the
Queen of the New Zealand forest. . . .
the celebrated and beautiful Kauri."
1874. w - M - B -> 'Narrative of Edward
Crewe,' p. 169 :
" The kauri is the only cone-bearing
pine in New Zealand. The wood is of
a yellow colour, wonderfully free from
knots, and harder than the red-pine of
the Baltic. Beautifully mottled logs
are sometimes met with, and are fre-
quently made up into furniture."
1875. T. Laslett, ' Timber and Timber
Trees,' p. 295 :
" The Kaurie or Cowdie-Pine (Dam-
mara Australis) is a native of and is
found only in New Zealand. ... A
tall and very handsome tree with a
slightly tapering stem. . . . For masts,
yards, etc., is unrivalled in excellence,
as it not only possesses the requisite
dimensions, lightness, elasticity, and
strength, but is much more durable
than any other Pine." [The whole of
chap. 37 is devoted to this tree.]
1883. F. S. Renwick, ' Betrayed,' p. 47 :
"As some tall kauri soars in lonely
pride,
So proudly Hira stood."
1886. J. A. Froude, ' Oceana,' p. 318 :
" Only the majestic Kauri tolerated
no approaches to his dignity. Under
his branches all was bare and brown."
1889. T. Kirk, 'Forest Flora of New
Zealand,' p. 143 :
" The Native name ' Kauri ' is the
only common name in general use.
When the timber was first introduced
into Britain it was termed ' cowrie ' or
' kowdie-pine J ; but the name speedily
fell into disuse, although it still appears
as the common name in some horticul-
tural works."
1890. Brett, 'Early History of New
Zealand,' p. 115 :
" < The Hunter' and * Fancy' loaded
spars for Bengal at the Thames in
1798." ..." These two Indian vessels in
the Thames were probably the earliest
European ships that loaded with New
Zealand Timber, and probably mark
the commencement of the export Kauri
trade."
Kauri-gum, n. the resin which
exudes from the Kauri (<\.v.\ used
in making varnish.
1867. F. Hochstetter, 'New Zealand,'
p. 140:
" In the year 1859 the amount of
timber exportation from the Province
of Auckland was ,34,376 ; that of
kauri-gum exported 20,776."
1874. G. Walch, ' Head over Heels,'
P- *5 :
" He paid his passage with kauri-
gum."
1893. ' Murray's Handbook to New
Zealand,' p. 62 :
"The industry which will most in-
terest the tourist is the Kauri-gum . .
The resin or gum which they [the
Kauri-trees] contained fell into the
ground as the trees died, and (not
being soluble in water) has remained
there ever since. Men go about with
spears which they drive into the
ground, and if they find small pieces
of gum sticking to the end of the spear,
they commence digging, and are often
rewarded by coming on large lumps
of gum."
Kava,. ThewordisTonganfor
(i) An ornamental shrub, Piper
methysticum, Miq. ; also Macropiper
latifolium, Miq. See Kawa-kawa.
(2) A narcotic and stimulant bever-
KAW-KEA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
245
age, prepared from the root of this
plant, which used to be chewed
by the natives of Fiji, who ejected
the saliva into a Kava bowl, added
water and awaited fermentation.
The final stage of the manufacture
was accompanied by a religious
ceremonial of chanting. The
manufacture is now conducted in
a cleaner way. Kava produces
an intoxication, specially affecting
the legs.
1858. Rev. T. Williams, 'Fiji and the
Fijians,' vol. i. p. 141 :
" Like the inhabitants of the groups
eastward, the Fijians drink an infusion
of the Piper methysticum, generally
called Ava or Kava its name in the
Tongan and other languages. Some
old men assert that the true Fijian
mode of preparing the root is by grat-
ing, as is still the practice in two or
three places ; but in this degenerate
age the Tongan custom of chewing is
almost universal, the operation nearly
always being performed by young men.
More form attends the use of this nar-
cotic on Somosomo than elsewhere.
Early in the morning the king's herald
stands in front of the royal abode, and
shouts at the top of his voice, ' Ya-
gona.f Hereupon all within hearing
respond in a sort of scream, * Mama I '
' Chew it ! ' At this signal the chiefs,
priests, and leading men gather round
the well-known bowl, and talk over
public affairs, or state the work assign-
ed for the day, while their favourite
draught is being prepared. When
the young men have finished the
chewing, each deposits his portion in
the form of a round dry ball in the
bowl, the inside of which thus becomes
studded over with a large number of
these separate little masses. The man
who has to make the grog takes the
bowl by the edge and tilts it towards
the king, or, in his absence, to the
chief appointed to preside. A herald
calls the king's attention to the slant-
ing bowl, saying, * Sir, with respects, the
yagona is collected.' If the king thinks
it enough, he replies, in a low tone,
* Loba* 'Wring it' an order which
the herald communicates to the man
at the bowl in a louder voice. The
water is then called for and gradually
poured in, a little at first, and then
more, until the bowl is full or the master
of the ceremonies says, ' Stop ! ' the
operator in the meantime gathering up
and compressing the chewed root."
1888. H. S. Cooper, 'The Islands of
the Pacific,' p. IO2 :
" Kava is the name given to a liquor
produced by chewing the root of a
shrub called angona, and the cere-
monious part of the preparation con-
sists in chewing the root."
Kawa-kawa, n. Maori name
for an ornamental shrub of New
Zealand, Macropiper excelsum. In
Maori, Kawa =" unpleasant to
the taste, bitter, sour." (Williams.)
The missionaries used to make
small beer out of the Kawa-kawa.
1850. Major Greenwood, ' Journey from
Taupo to Auckland,' p. 30 :
"The good missionary . . . thrust
upon us ... some bottles of a most
refreshing light beverage made from
the leaves of the kawa-kawa tree, which
in taste much resembled ginger-beer."
1877. Anon. , ' Colonial Experiences, or
Incidents of Thirty-four Years in New
Zealand,' p. 104 :
" Our tea was made from the dried
leaves of a native shrub, of a very
spicy flavour, and known as the kawa-
kawa, too pungent if used fresh and
green."
1896. ' Otago Witness/ June 4, p. 49 :
"The tints of kaiva, of birch and
broadleaf, of rimu and matai are
blended together into one dark indi-
visible green."
Kawau, n. Maori name for a
Shag, Phalacrocorax nova - hoi-
landicz, Steph.
1888. W. L. Buller, ' Birds of New Zea-
land,' vol. ii. p. 145 :
[Description given.]
Kea, n. a parrot of New Zea-
land, Nestor notabilis, Gould. For
its habits see quotations.
1862. J. Von Haast, 'Exploration of
Head Waters of Waitaki, 1862,' in ' Geo-
logy of Westland' (published 1879), p. 36 :
" What gave still greater interest to
246
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KEL
the spot was the presence of a number
of large green alpine parrots (Nestor
notabilis\ the kea of the natives, which
visited continually the small grove of
beech-trees near our camp."
1880. ' Zoologist ' for February, p. 57 :
" On the 4th of November last the
distinguished surgeon, Mr. John Wood,
F.R.S., exhibited before the Pathologi-
cal Society of London the colon of a
sheep, in which the operation known
as Colotomy had been performed by a
Parrot . . . the species known as the
'Kea' by the Maoris, the 'Mountain
Parrot' of the colonists, Nestor nota-
bilis of Gould. Only five species . . .
are known, one of which (Nestor pro-
ductus] has lately become extinct ;
they only occur in New Zealand and
Norfolk Island. They were formerly
classed among the Trichoglossince or
brush-tongued parrots . . . more
nearly allied to true Psittaci ... Its
ordinary food consists of berries and
insects ; but since its Alpine haunts
have been reached by the tide of
civilization, it has acquired a taste for
raw flesh, to obtain which it even
attacks living animals."
1882. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open,'
p. 176:
" We have the hoary-headed nestors,
amongst which are found the noisy
honey-loving kaka, the hardy kea,
that famous sheep-killer and flesh-
eater, the dread of many an Alpine
sheep farmer."
1888. W. L. Buller, < Birds of New Zea-
land,' vol. i. p. 166 :
" Nestor notabilis, Gould, Kea-parrot,
Mountain-parrot of the Colonists."
1888. ' Antipodean Notes,' p. 74 :
" The Kea picks the fat which sur-
rounds the kidneys. . . Various theo-
ries have been started to explain how
this parrot has become carnivorous."
[Two pages are devoted to the ques-
tion.]
1889. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. iv. p. 19 :
" The kea-parrot. . . . The kea is
pretty to look at, having rich red and
green plumage, but it is a cruel bird.
It is said that it will fasten on the back
of a living sheep and peck its way
down to the kidney-fat, for which this
parrot has a special fancy. No
tourist need feel compunction about
shooting a kea."
1893. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia,' vol.
i. p. 445 :
" Another very interesting group of
birds are the large dull colonial parrots
of the genus Nestor, called kea or kaka
by the natives from their peculiar
cries. Their natural food is berries
. . . but of late years the kea (Nestor
notabilis\ a mountain species found
only in the South Island, has developed
a curious liking for meat, and now
attacks living sheep, settling on their
backs and tearing away the skin and
flesh to get at the kidney fat."
1895. ' Otago Witness,' Dec. 26, p. 3,
col. i :
" There is in the Alpine regions of
the South Island a plant popularly
called the ' vegetable sheep,' botanically
named Raoulia. From the distance
of even a few yards it looks like a
sheep. It grows in great masses, and
consists of a woolly vegetation. A
large specimen of this singular plant
was exhibited in the Colonial and
Indian Exhibition. It is said that the
kea was in the habit of tearing it up
to get at the grubs which harbour
within the mass, and that mistaking
dead sheep for vegetable sheep it
learned the taste of mutton. A more
enterprising generation preferred its
mutton rather fresher."
Kelp-fish, n. In New Zealand,
also called Butter-fish (q.v.), Cori-
dodax pullus, Forst. In Tasmania,
Odax baleatusi Cuv. and Val.;
called also Ground Mullet by the
fishermen. In Victoria, Chironemus
marmoratuS) Giinth. Coridodax
and Odax belong to the family
Labrida or Wrasses, which com-
prises the Rock- Whitings ; Chiron-
emus to the family Cirrhitida.
The name is also given in New
Zealand to another fish, the
Spotty (q.v.). These fishes are
all different from the Californian
food-fishes of the same name.
1841. J. Richardson, ' Description of
Australian Fishes,' p. 148 :
" This fish is known at Port Arthur
KEN-KIL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
247
by the appellation of * Kelp-fish,' I
suppose from its frequenting the
thickets of the larger fuci."
Kennedya, n. the scientific
name of a genus of perennial
leguminous herbs of the bean
family named, in 1804, after Mr.
Kennedy, a gardener at Hammer-
smith, near London. There are
seventeen species, all natives of
Australia and Tasmania, many of
them cultivated for the sake of
their showy flowers and berries.
Others lie near the ground like a
vetch; K. prostrata is called the
Coral Pea (q.v.), or Bleeding Heart,
or Native Scarlet Runner, or Run-
ning Postman. Another species is
called Australian Sarsaparilla. See
Sa rsapa rilla.
1885. R. M. Praed, ' The Head Station,'
p. 294 :
" Taking off his felt hat, he twisted
round it a withe of crimson Kennedia,
then put it on again."
Kestrel, n. the common
English name for a falcon. Ac-
cording to Gould the Australian
species is identical with Cerchneis
tinnunculus, a European species,
but Vigors and Horsfield differ-
entiate it as Tinnunculus cenchroides.
1893. ' The Argus,' March 25, p. 4, col. 5 :
" The kestrel's nest we always found
in the fluted gums that overhung the
creek, the red eggs resting on the red
mould of the decaying trunk being
almost invisible."
Kia ora, inter/'. Maori phrase
used by English Jin the North
Island of New Zealand, and mean-
ing " Health to you ! " A private
letter (1896) says " You will hear
any day at a Melbourne bar the
first man say Keora ta-u, while the
other says Keora tatu, so replacing
" Here's to you!" These ex-
pressions are corruptions of the
Maori, Kia ora taua, " Health to
us too ! " and Kia ora tatou,
4 'Health to all of us ! "
Kie-kie, n. Maori name for a
climbing plant, Freydnetia banksii,
N. O. Pandanacece ; frequently pro-
nounced ghi-ghi in the North
Island of New Zealand, and gay-
gie in the South Island.
1854. W. Colder, Pigeons' Parliament,'
p. 77:
" The trees were . . . covered with
a kind of parasite plant, called a kee-
kee, having a thick cabbage-like stock."
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf ' (Notes), p.
505:
"Kie-kie (parasite) ... A lofty
climber ; the bracts and young spikes
make a very sweet preserve."
1882. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open,'
p. 20 :
" The unused food ... of our little
camp, together with the empty kie-kie
baskets."
[sc. baskets made of kie-kie leaves.]
Kiley, n. aboriginal word in
Western Australia for a flat
weapon, curved for throwing,
made plane on one side and
slightly convex on the other.
A kind of boomerang.
1839. Nathaniel Ogle, 'The Colony of
Western Australia/ p. 57 :
" In every part of this great continent
they have the koilee, or boomerang . . ."
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discovei'ies in Aus-
tralia,' vol. I. c. iv. p. 72 :
" One of them had a kiley or bom-
erang."
1872. Mrs. E. Millett, 'An Australian
Parsonage ; or, The Settler and the Savage
in Western Australia/ p. 222 :
"The flat curved wooden weapon,
called a kylie, which the natives have
invented for the purpose of killing
several birds out of a flock at one
throw, looks not unlike a bird itself
as it whizzes (or walks as natives say)
through the air in its circular and as-
cending flight . . ."
1885. Lady Barker, 'Letters to Guy,'
p. 177 :
"More wonderful and interesting,
however, is it to see them throw the
kylie (what is called the boomerang
in other parts of Australia), a curiously
curved and flat stick, about a foot
long and two or three inches wide . . .
248
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KIN
There are heavier 'ground kylies,'
which skim along the ground, describ-
ing marvellous turns and twists, and
they would certainly break the leg of
any bird or beast they hit ; but their
gyrations are nothing compared to
those of a good air-kylie in skilful
hands."
Kinaki, n. a Maori word for
food eaten with another kind to
give it a relish. Compare Grk.
o\l/ov.
1820. * Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand ' (Church Mis-
sionary Society), p. 164 :
" Kinaki. Victuals, added for va-
riety's sake."
1873. ' Appendix to Journal of House of
Representatives,' vol. iii. G. i, p. 5 :
" If it be a Maori who is taken by
me, he will also be made into a kinaki
for my cabbage."
1878. R. C. Barstow, < Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. XI. art. iv.
p. 71 : '
" Fifty years ago it would have been
a poor hapu that could not afford a
slave or two as a kinaki, or relish, on
such an occasion."
King-fish, n. In New Zealand
a sea-fish, Seriola lalandii (Maori,
Hakn\ sometimes called the
Yellow-tail ; in Victoria, Sciczna
antarctica^ Castln. Called Jew-fish
(q.v.) in New South Wales. Teni-
son Woods says the King-
fish of Port Jackson must not be
confounded with the King-fish
of Victoria or the King-fish of
Tasmania (Thy r sites micropus,
McCoy). The Port Jackson
King-fish belongs to a genus
called " Yellow-tails " in Europe.
This is Seriola lalandii^ Cuv. and
Val. Seriola belongs to the family
Carangidce, or- Horse-Mackerels.
Thyrsites belongs to the family
Trichiurida. The "Barracouta"
of Australasia is another species of
Thyrsites, and the "Frost-fish"
belongs to the same family. The
JZingfish of America is a different
fish ; the name is also applied to
other fishes in Europe.
1876. P. Thomson, ' Transactions of New
Zealand Institute, 'vol. XL art. Iii. p. 381 :
"The king-fish, Seriola Lalandii^
put in no appearance this year."
1883. ' Royal Commission on Fisheries
of Tasmania,' p. n :
" Thyrsites Lalandii, the king-fish
of Tasmania : migratory. Appear in
immense numbers at certain seasons
(December to June) in pursuit of the
horse-mackerel. Caught with a
swivelled barbless hook at night.
Voracious in the extreme individuals
frequently attacking each other, and
also the allied species, the barracouta."
Kingfisher, n. common English
bird-name. Gould mentions thir-
teen species in Australia. The
Australian species are
Blue Kingfisher
Halcyon azurea, Lath.
Fawn-breasted K.
Dacelo ceruina, Gould.
Forest K.
Halcyon macleayi, Jard. and Selb.
Laughing Jackass (q.v.)
Dacelo gigas, Bodd.
Leach's K.
D. leachii, Vig. and Hers.
Little K.
Halcyon pusilla^ Temm,
Mangrove K.
H. sordidus, Gould.
Purple K.
H. pulchra, Gould.
Red-backed K.
H. pyrropygius, Gould.
Sacred K.
H. sanctus, Vig. and Hors.
White-tailed K.
Tanysiptera sylvia, Gould.
Yellow-billed K.
Symaflavirostris, Gould.
There is a Kingfisher in New
Zealand (Halcyon vagans, Less.)
considered identical by many with
H. sanctus of Australia, but con-
cluded by Buller to be a distinct
species.
KIN-KIT]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
249
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. i. p. 121 :
[A full description.]
King of the Herrings, n. an-
other name for the Elephant-fish
(q.v.).
1890. A. H. S. Lucas, 'Handbook of
the Australasian Association ' (Melbourne),
p. 72:
"The King of the Herrings, Callo-
rhynchus antarcticus, is fairly common
with us."
King-Parrot. See Parrot.
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods,
' History of the Discovery and Exploration
of Australia,' vol. i. p. 317 :
"This creek [King Parrot Creek]
was named after a beautiful parrot
which was then seen for the first time.
It is a bird of magnificent plumage,
with crimson feathers on the body, and
blue wings, both of gorgeous hue, and
no other colour except a little black.
The name, King Parrot, is variously
applied to several birds in different
parts of Australia ; the one described
is common."
King William Pine, n. a Tas-
manian tree. See Cedar.
Kino, n. a drug; the dried juice,
of astringent character, obtained
from incisions in the bark of
various trees. In Australia it is
got from certain Eucalypts, e.g.
E. resinifera, Smith, and E. co-
rymbosa. Smith. "It is used in
England under the name of Red-
gum in astringent lozenges for
sore throat." ('Century.') See
Red Gum. The drug is Australian,
but the word, according to Littr,
is " Mot des Indes orientates"
Kipper, n. a youth who has
been initiated, i.e. been through
the Bora (q.v.). It is a Queens-
land word. In Kabi, Queens-
land, the form is klvar : on the
Brisbane River, it is kippa, where-
as in the Kamilaroi of New South
Wales the word is kubura.
1853. H. Berkeley Jones, ' Adventures
in Australia in 1852 and 1853,' p. 126 :
" Around us sat ' Kippers,' i. e.
'hobbledehoy blacks.'"
1885. R. M. Praed, ' Australian Life,' p.
24:
"The young men receive the rank
of warriors, and are henceforth called
kippers."
Kit, n. a flexible Maori basket ;
not the English kit used by
soldiers, but the Maori word
kete, a basket.
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, < Te Ika a Maui,*
p. 199:
"Kete (Maori), pa-kete (Anglo-
Maori), basket, kit (Eng.)."
1856. E. B. Fitton, 'New Zealand/
p. 68 :
" The natives generally bring their
produce to market in neatly made
baskets, plaited from flax and known
by the name of * Maori kits.' ".
1857. C. Hursthouse, ' New Zealand, the
Britain of the South,' vol. i. p. 180:
"The kit is a large plaited green-
flax basket."
1877. An Old Colonist, 'Colonial Ex-
periences,' p. 31 :
" Potatoes were procurable from the
Maoris in flax kits, at from one to five
shillings the kit."
1884. Lady Martin, 'Our Maoris,' p.
44 '.
"They might have said, as an old
Maori woman long afterwards said to
me, ' Mother, my heart is like an old
kete (i.e. a coarsely woven basket). The
words go in, but they fall through.' "
Kite, n. common English bird-
name. The species in Australia
are
Allied Kite
Milvus affim's, Gould.
Black-shouldered K.
Elanus axillaris. Lath.
Letter-winged K.
E. scriptus, Gould.
Square-tailed K.
Lophoictinia isura^ Gould.
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 321 :
" We had to guard it by turns, whip-
250
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KIW-KNO
in hand, from a host of square-tailed
kites (Mill/us isiztrus}"
1895. G. A. Keartland, 'Home Expe-
dition in Central Australia,' Zoology, p.
55:
" At any stockyard or station passed
Kites were seen ... at Henbury one
female bird was bold enough to come
right into camp and pick up the flesh
thrown to it from birds I was skin-
ning."
Kiwi, n. Maori name for a
wingless struthious bird of New
Zealand, the Apteryx (q.v.), so
called from the note of the bird.
The species are
Large Grey Kiwi (Roa roa, gener-
ally shortened to Roa, q.v.)
Apteryx haastii. Potts.
Little Grey K.
A. oweni, Gould.
North Island K.
A. bulleri) Sharpe.
South Island K. (Tokoeka)
A. australis, Shaw and Nodder.
See Duller, ' Birds of New
Zealand' (1888), vol. ii. p. 308.
1835. W. Yate, 'Account of New
Zealand,' p. 58:
"Kiwi the most remarkable and
curious bird in New Zealand."
1848. J. Gould, 'Birds of Australia,' vol.
vi. pi. 2 :
"Apteryx Australis, Shaw, Kiwi
kiwi."
[Australis here equals Southern,
not Australian.]
1867. F. Hochstetter, 'New Zealand,'
p. 181:
" The Kiwi, however, is only the last
and rather insignificant representative
of the family of wingless birds that
inhabited New Zealand in bygone
ages."
1872. A. Domett, 'Ranolf,' p. 232:
"'Twas nothing but that wing-less,
tail-less bird,
The kiwi?
1882. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open,'
P- 35^
"The fact that one collector alone
had killed and disposed of above 2000
specimens of the harmless kiwi."
1889. Professor Parker, 'Catalogue of
New Zealand Exhibition,' p. 116 :
" The Kiwi, although flightless, has
a small but well-formed wing, provided
with wing quills."
Knockabout, adj. a species of
labourer employed on a station ;
applied to a man of all work on a
station. Like Rouseabout (q.v.).
1876. W. Harcus, ' Southern Australia/
P- 275 :
" Knockabout hands, 17^. to 20^. per
week."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. i. p. 80 :
"They were composed chiefly of
what is called in the bush 'knock-
about men' that is, men who are
willing to undertake any work, some-
times shepherding, sometimes making
yards or driving."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories,' xvi. p. 118:
" I watched his development through
various stages of colonial experience
into dairyman, knockabout man,
bullock-driver, and finally stock-rider."
Knock-down, v. generally of
a cheque. To spend riotously,
usually in drink.
1869. Marcus Clarke, ' Peripatetic Phi-
losopher ' (reprint), p. 80 :
" Last night ! went knocking round
with Swizzleford and Rattlebrain.
C'sino, and V'ri'tes. Such a lark !
Stole two Red Boots and a Brass Hat.
Knocked down thirteen notes, and
went to bed as tight as a fly ! "
1871. J.J.Simpson, ' Recitations, 'p. 9:
" Hundreds of diggers daily then
were walking Melbourne town,
With their pockets fill'd with gold,
which they very soon knock'd
down."
1882. A. J. Boyd, ' Old Colonials,' p. 6 :
"Cashed 1 by the nearest publican,
who of course never handed over a
cent. A man was compelled to stay
there and knock his cheque down
' like a man.' "
1885. H. Finch- Hatton, 'Advance
Australia,' p. 222 :
"A system known as 'knocking
down one's cheque' prevails all over
the unsettled parts of Australia. That
KOA-KON]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
is to say, a man with a cheque, or a
sum of money in his possession, hands
it over to the publican, and calls for
drinks for himself and his friends,
until the publican tells him he has
drunk out his cheque."
1887. R. M. Praed, ' Longleat of Kooral-
byn,' c. xviii. p. 182 :
" The illiterate shearer who knocks
down his cheque in a spree."
Koala, Coola, or Kool-la, n.
aboriginal name for Native Bear
(q.v.) ; genus, Phascolarctus(o L .v.'].
A variant of an aboriginal word
meaning a big animal. In parts
of South Australia koola means
a kangaroo.
1813. 'History of New South Wales'
(1818), p. 432:
" The koolah or sloth is likewise an
animal of the opossum species, with a
false belly. This creature is from a
foot and a half to two feet in length,
and takes refuge in a tree, where he
discovers his haunt by devouring all
the leaves before he quits it."
1849. J. Gould, 'Proceedings of the
Zoological Society of London,' November :
"The light-coloured mark on the
rump, somewhat resembling that on
the same part of the Koala . . . the
fur is remarkable for its extreme
density and for its resemblance to that
of the Koala."
Kohekohe, n. Maori name for
a New Zealand tree, sometimes
called Cedar, Dysoxyhim spectabile,
Hook (N. O. Meliacea}.
1883. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 127 :
"Kohekohe. A large forest tree,
forty to fifty feet high. Its leaves are
bitter, and used to make a stomachic
infusion : wood tough, but splits
freely."
Kohua, n. Maori word, for (i) a
Maori oven ; (2) a boiler. There
is a Maori verb Kohti, to cook or
steam in a native oven (from a
noun Kohu, steam, mist), and an
adj. Kohu, concave. The word
is used by the English in New
Zealand, and is said to be the
origin of Goashore (q.v.).
Kokako, n. Maori name for the
Blue -wattled Crow. See under
Crow and Wattle-bird.
1882. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open,'
P- 194 :
"The Orange - wattled Crow, or
wattled bird, kokako of the Maoris,
Glaucopis cinerea, Gml., still seems to
be an almost unknown bird as to its
nesting habits . . . The kokako loving
a moist temperature will probably soon
forsake its ancient places of resort."
Kokopu, n. Maori name for a
New Zealand fish ; any species
of Galaxias, especially G. fasda-
tus ; corrupted into Cock-a-bully
(q.v.). See Mountain Trout.
1820. ' Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand ' (Church Mis-
sionary Society), p. 106 :
" Kokopu. Name of a certain fish."
1886. R. A. Sherrin, ' Fishes of New
Zealand,' p. 138 :
" ' Kokopu,' Dr. Hector says, * is
the general Maori name for several
very common fishes in the New Zea-
land streams and lakes, belonging to
the family of GalaxiidcE? "
Kokowai, n. Maori name for Red
Ochre, an oxide of iron deposited
in certain rivers, used by the
Maoris for painting. It was
usually mixed with shark oil, but
for very fine work with oil from
the berries of the titoki (q.v.).
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 124 :
"His head, with the hair neatly
arranged and copiously ornamented
with feathers, reclined against a carved
post, which was painted with kokowai,
or red ochre."
1878. R. C. Barstow, ' Transactions
of New Zealand Institute,' vol. XI. art. iv.
P- 75 :
" Kokowai isakind of pigment, burnt,
dried, and mixed with shark-liver oil."
Konini, n. Maori name for (i)
the fruit of the New Zealand
fuchsia, Fuchsia excorticate ^ Linn.
252
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KOO-KOR
(2) A settlers' name for the tree
itself. See Kotukutuku.
1882. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open,'
p. 114:
"The berries of the konini . . .
ripening early furnish some part of its
(bell-bird's) food supply." (p. 146):
"Rather late in August, when the
brown-skinned konini begins to deck
its bare sprays with pendulous flowers."
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New-
Zealand,' p. 53 :
" Mr. Colenso informs me that it
\Ftichsia excorticatd\ is the Kohutu-
hutu and the Kotukutuku of the
Maoris, the fruit being known as
Konini, especially in the South Island
and the southern part of the North
Island. The settlers sometimes term
it Kotukutuku or Konini, but more
generally fuchsia."
Kooberry, n. aboriginal name
for the Bidyan Ruffe (q.v.).
Kookaburra, n. (also Gogobera
and Goburra), the aboriginal
name for the bird called the
Laughing-Jackass (q.v.). The first
spelling is that under which the
aboriginal name now survives in
English, and is the name by which
the bird is generally called in
Sydney.
1862. H. C. Kendall, ' Poems,' p. 123 :
" And wild goburras laughed aloud
Their merry morning songs."
1870. F. S. Wilson, ' Australian Songs/
p. 167:
" The rude rough rhymes of the wild
goburra's song."
1886. E. M. Curr, 'Australian Race,'
p. 29:
" The notes of this bird are chiefly
composed of the sounds ka and koo y
and from them it takes its name in
most of the languages . . . It is notice-
able in some localities that burra is
the common equivalent of people or
tribe, and that the Pegulloburra . . .
the Owanburra, and many other tribes,
called the laughing - jackass kako-
oburra, kakaburra, kakoburra, and so
on ; literally the Kakoo-people." [Mr.
Curr's etymology is not generally
accepted.]
1890. ' The Argus,' Oct. 25, p. 4, col 5 :
"You might hear the last hoot of
the kookaburra then."
1893. 'Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug.
26, p. 5, col. 4 :
"But what board will intervene to
protect the disappearing marsupials,
and native flora, the lyre-bird, the
kookaburra, and other types which are
rapidly disappearing despite the laws
which have been framed in some in-
stances for their protection ? ''
1894. E - P- Ramsay, 'Catalogue of
Australian Birds in the Australian Museum
at Sydney, 'p. 2, s.v. Dacelo :
" Gogobera. aborigines of New South
Wales."
Koradji, or Coradgee, n. ab-
original name for a wise man,
sorcerer, or doctor. In the south-
east of New South Wales, it means
one of the tribal wizards, usually
called "blackfellow-doctors."
1845. J. O. Balfour, 'Sketch of New
South Wales,' p. 14 :
" The coradgees, who are their wise
men, have, they suppose, the power of
healing and foretelling. Each tribe
possesses one of these learned pundits,
and if their wisdom were in proportion
to their age, they would indeed be
Solons."
1865. S. Bennett, 'Australian Dis-
covery,' p. 250 :
" Kiradjee, a doctor ; Grk. xctpovpyog.
Persian, khoajih. English, surgeon.
Old English (obsolete), chirurgeon."
[Curious and impossible etymology.]
1865. W. Howitt, 'Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 287 :
"One who seemed a coradge, or
priest, went through a strange cere-
mony of singing, and touching his eye-
brows, nose, and breast, crossing him-
self, and pointing to the sky like an
old Druid."
1885. R. M. Praed, 'Australian Life/
p. 23:
" The korradgees, or medicine men,
are the chief repositories (of the secrets
of their religion)."
1892. J. Fraser, 'Aborigines of New-
South Wales,' p. 63 :
" For some diseases, the karaji, or
native doctor when he is called in,
KOR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
253
makes passes with his hand over the
sick man, much in the same way as a
mesmerist will do ... Our Australian
karaji is highly esteemed, but not
paid."
Korari, n. often pronounced
Koraddy and Koladdy, and spelt
variously ; the Maori word for
the flowering stem of Pkormium
tenax, J. and G. Forst. (q.v.),
generally used for making a
mokihi (q.v.). There is a Maori
noun, kora, a small fragment ; and
a verb korari, to pluck a twig, or
tear it off.
1879. ' Old Identity ' [Title] :
" The Old Identities of the Province
of Otago." [p. 53] : "A kolladie (the
flower stalk of the flax, about seven
feet long) carried by each, as a balanc-
ing pole or staff."
1893. Daniel Frobisher, ' Sketches of
Gossipton,' p. 75 :
" But now the faithful brute is gone ;
Through bush and fern and flax
koladdy,
Where oft he bunny pounced upon,
No more will follow me, poor
Paddy."
Korero, n. Maori for a confer-
ence, a conversation. The verb
means "to tell, to say, to ad-
dress, to speak, to talk." ('Wil-
liams' Maori Dictionary,' 4th. ed.)
1820. ' Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand' (Church Mis-
sionary Society), p. 168 :
" Korero, s. a speaking ; v. n.
speaking."
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' c. i. p. 78 :
"There were about sixty men as-
sembled, and they proceeded to hold
a ' korero,' or talk on the all-important
subject."
Ibid. p. 8 1 :
" With the exception of an occasional
exclamation of ' korero, korero,' 'speak,
speak,' which was used like our
' hear, hear,' in either an encouraging
or an ironical sense, or an earnest but
low expression of approval or dissent,
no interruption of the orators ever took
place."
1863. T. Moser, ' Mahoe Leaves,' p. 30 :
"As he had to pass several pahs on
the road, at all of which there would
be 'koreros.'" (p. 31): " Had been
joined by a score or more of their ac-
quaintances, and what between 'ko-
reros' and 'ko-mitis,' had not made
any further progress on their journey."
1896. 'Otago Witness,' Jan. 23, p. 42,
col. 3 :
"All this after a very excited 'ko-
rero' on the empty dray, with the
surging and exciting crowd around."
Korimako, n. Maori name for
the Bell-Bird (q.v.).
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
p. 402 :
" The korimako, or kokorimako
(Anthornis melanura). This bird is
the sweetest songster of New Zealand,
but is not distinguished by its plumage,
which is a yellowish olive with a
dark bluish shade on each side of the
head."
Ibid. p. 75 :
" In the first oven [at the Maori
child's naming feast] a korimako was
cooked ; this is the sweetest singing
bird of New Zealand ; it was eaten
that the child might have a sweet
voice and be an admired orator."
1872. A. Domett, 'Ranolf,'p. 202:
" The korimako, sweetest bird
Of all that are in forest heard."
1888. W. W. Smith, 'Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. XXI. art.
xxi. p. 213 :
"Anthornis melanura, korimako or
bell-bird. In fine weather the bush
along the south shores of Lake Brun-
ner re-echoes with the rich notes of
the tui and korimako, although both
species have disappeared from former
haunts east of the Alps."
Koromiko, n. a white flower-
ing arborescent Veronica of New
Zealand, Veronica salicifolia, Forst.,
N.O. Scrophularinecz.
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
P- 454 :
" Koromiko, a very ornamental
plant, but disappearing before the
horse. It bears a tapering- shaped
flower of a purplish white."
254
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KOR-KOW
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf/ p. 2 :
"Just a ditch,
With flowering koromiko rich."
1884. T - Bracken, ' Lays of Maori,' p.
21 :
" The early breeze
That played among the koromiko's
leaves."
1889. Vincent Pyke, 'Wild Will
Enderby,' p. 16 :
" Fostered by the cool waters of a
mountain rivulet, the koromiko grows
by the side of the poisonous tutu
bushes."
Korora, n. Maori name for a
Slue Penguin, Spheniscus minor,
Gmel. See Penguin.
Korrumburra, n. aboriginal
name for the common blow-fly,
which in Australia is a yellow-
bottle, not a blue-bottle.
1896. 'The Melburnian,' Aug. 28, p.
" Odd ' Korrumburras ' dodge
quickly about with cheerful hum.
Where they go, these busy buzzy flies,
when the cold calls them away for
their winter vac. is a mystery. Can
they hibernate ? for they show them-
selves again at the first glint of the
spring sun."
Kotuku, n. Maori. name for the
White Crane of the Colonists,
which is really a White Heron
(Ardea egretta). See Crane.
1888. W. L. Buller, 'Birds of New
Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 124 :
[A full description.]
Kotukutuku, n. Maori name
for the New Zealand tree, Fuchsia
excorticata, Linn., N.O. Onagrariece;
written also Kohutuhutu. This
name is not much used, but
is corrupted into Tookytook (q.v.).
See Konini and Fuchsia.
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 127 :
" Kotukutuku. The fruit is called
konini. A small and ornamental tree,
ten to thirty feet high ... a dur-
able timber. . . . The wood might
be used as dye-stuff. ... Its fruit is
pleasant and forms principal food of
the wood-pigeon."
Kowhai, n. Maori name given
to (i) Locust-tree, Yellow Kowhai
(Sophora tetraptera, Aiton, N. O. Le-
guminosce}. (2) Parrot-bill, Scarlet
Kowhai (Clianthus puniceus, N.O*
Leguminosa), or Kaka-bill (q.v.).
Variously spelt Kowai and Kohai,
and corrupted into Goat (q.v.) by
the settlers.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 58 :
" The kohai too, a species of mimo-
sa covered with bright yellow blossoms,
abounds in such situations where the
stunted growth is an almost unvarying
sign of constant inundation."
[Mr. Wakefield was mistaken.
The Kohai is not a mimosa.]
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf,' p. 261 :
" 'Tis the Kowhai, that spendthrift so-
golden :
Bat its kinsman to Nature beholden,
For raiment its beauty to fold in,
Deep-dyed as of trogon or lory,
How with parrot-bill fringes 'tis
burning,
One blood-red mound of glory ! "
1873. ' New Zealand Parliamentary De-
bates,' No. 1 6, p. 863 :
" Kowai timber, thoroughly seasoned,
used for fencing posts, would stand for
twelve or fourteen years ; while posts
cut out of the same bush and used
green would not last half the time."
1882. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open/
p. 146:
" The head of the straight-stemmed
kowhai is already crowned with racemes
of golden blossoms."
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 131 :
" Kowhai a small or middling-sized
tree. . . . Wood red, valuable for fenc-
ing, being highly durable . . . used for
piles in bridges, wharves, etc."
1884. T. Bracken, 'Lays of Maori/
p. 21 :
" The dazzling points of morning's
lances
Waked the red kowhai's drops
from sleep."
KUK-KUR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
255
Kuku, or Kukupa, n. Maori
name for the New Zealand Fruit-
pigeon (q.v.), Carpophaga nova-
zelandi(Z) Gmel. Called also
Kereru. The name is the bird's
note.
1820. ' Grammar and Vocabulary of
Language of New Zealand ' (Church Mis-
sionary Society), p. 170 :
" Kuku, s. the cry of a pigeon."
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
p. 406 :
" Family Cohimbidce kereru, kuku-
pa (kuku, Carpophaga Novce Zealan-
dice), the wood-pigeon. This is a very
fine large bird, the size of a duck ; the
upper part of the breast green and
gold, the lower a pure white, legs and
bill red. It is a heavy flying bird,
and very stupid, which makes it an
easy prey to its enemies. The natives
preserve large quantities in calabashes,
taking out the bones ; these are called
kuku."
Ibid. p. 183 :
" The pigeon bears two names the
kuku and kukupa, which are common
to the isles."
1881. J. L. Campbell, ' Poenamo,' p.
"5:
" The kukupa . . . was just the bird
created expressly for the true cockney
sportsman the one after his heart
... for if not brought down by the
first shot, why he only shakes his
feathers and calmly waits to be shot at
again ! "
1883. F. S. Renwick, ' Betrayed,' p. 45 :
" The kuku, plaintive, wakes to mourn
her mate."
Kumara, or Kumera, n. (pro-
nounced Koomera), a Maori word
for an edible root, the yam or
sweet potato, Ipom&a batatas,
N.O. Convolvulacecs. There are
numerous varieties. It should be
added that it is doubtful whether
it grows wild in New Zealand.
1773. Sydney Parkinson, 'Journal of a
Voyage to the South Seas ' (see extract in
* Transactions of New Zealand Institute,'
' Manibus Parkinsonibus Sacrum,' W. Col-
enso, vol. x. art. ix. p. 124) :
" Several canoes came alongside of
the ship, of whom we got some fish,
kumeras or sweet potatoes, and several
other things."
1828. ' Henry William Diarys ' (in Life
by Carleton), p. 69 :
" Kumara had been planted over the
whole plain."
1830. Ibid. p. 79 :
" We passed over the hill, and found
the assailants feasting on the kumara,
or sweet potato, which they just pulled
up from the garden at which they had
landed."
1851. Mrs. Wilson, ' New Zealand,' p..
49:
"He saw some fine peaches and
kumaras or sweet potatoes."
1852. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes,'
c. xi. p. 273 (3rd edition, 1855) :
" The kumara or sweet potato is a
most useful root."
1863. F. E. Maning (Pakeha Maori),
' Old New Zealand,' p. 51 :
" Behind the pigs was placed by the
active exertion of two or three hundred
people, a heap of potatoes and kumera,
in quantity about ten tons, so there
was no lack of the raw material for a
feast."
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf,' p. 430 :'
" Now the autumn's fruits
Karaka, taro, kumera, berries,
roots
Had all been harvested with merry
lays
And rites of solemn gladness."
1884. T. Bracken, 'Lays of Maori/
p. 18:
" Some more dainty toothsome dish
Than the kumera and fish."
Kumquat, Native, n. an Aus-
tralian tree, Atalantia glauca,
Hook., N.O. Rutacecz, i.q. Desert
Lemon (q.v.).
Kurdaitcha, Coordaitcha, or
Goditcha, n. a native term applied
by white men to a particular
kind of shoe worn by the abori-
gines of certain parts of Central
Australia, and made of emu
feathers matted together. The
two ends are of the same shape,
so that the direction in which the
wearer has travelled cannot be
2 5 6
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[KUR
detected. The wearer is sup-
posed to be intent upon murder,
and the blacks really apply the
name to the wearer himself. The
name seems to have been trans-
ferred by white men to the shoes,
the native name for which is in-
terlina, or urtathurta.
1886. E. M. Curr, 'Australian Race,'
vol. i. p. 148 :
" It was discovered in 1882 . . . that
the Blacks . . . wear a sort of shoe
when they attack their enemies by
stealth at night. Some of the tribes
call these shoes Kooditcha, their name
for an invisible spirit. I have seen a
pair of them. The soles were made
of the feathers of the emu, stuck to-
gether with a little human blood, which
the maker is said to take from his arm.
They were about an inch and a half
thick, soft, and of even breadth. The
uppers were nets made of human hair.
The object of these shoes is to prevent
those who wear them from being
tracked and pursued after a night
attack."
1896. P. M. Byrne, ' Proceedings of
the Royal Society of Victoria,' p. 66 :
"The wearing of the Urtathurta
and going Kurdaitcha luma appears
to have been the medium for a form
of vendetta.'
Kurrajong, n. or Currajong
(spelt variously), the aboriginal
name for various Australian and
Tasmanian fibrous plants ; see
quotations, 1825 and 1884. They
are the
Black Kurrajong
Sterculia diver sifolia, G. Don.,
and Sterculia quadrifida, R.Br.,
N. O. Sterculiacece.
Brown K.
Commersonia echinata, R. and G.
Forst. ; also, Brachychiton
gregorii ; both belonging to
N.O. Sterculiacece.
<Green K.
Hibiscus heterophyllus, Vent.,
N.O. Malvacea.
Tasmanian K.
Plagianthus sidoides, Hook. , N. O.
Malvaceae.
Others are Trema aspera, Blume,
N.O. Urticece ; and Sterculia rupes-
tris, Benth., N.O. Urticece. Some
of the varieties are also called
Bottle - treeS) and, in Tasmania,
Cordage-trees (q.v.).
1823. 'Uniacke's Narrative of Oxley's
Expedition,' quoted by J. D. Lang,
' Cooksland,' p. 408 :
" The nets used for fishing [by the
natives] are made by the men from the
bark of the kurrajong {Hibiscus hete-
rophyllus), a shrub which is very
common in the swamps."
1825. Barren Field, Glossary, in ' Geo-
graphical Memoirs of New South Wales,'
p. 502 :
" Currijong or Natives' cordage tree
(Hibiscus heterophyllus)."
1832. J. Bischoff, ' Van Diemen's Land,'
vol. ii. p. 25 :
" The curragong is sometimes found ;
its inner bark may be manufactured
into ropes."
1846. C. P. Hodgson, ' Reminiscences
of Australia,' p. 149 :
"The currajong(5/ra//ztf)is used for
cordage, and makes strong, close, but
not very durable ropes."
1847. L. Leichhardt, 'Overland Expe-
dition,' vol. iii. p. 91 :
" Dillis neatly worked of koorajong
bark."
1849. J. P. Townsend, 'Rambles in
New South Wales,' p. 214 :
" In such a valley in which stands
a spreading corrijong {Sterculia diver-
sifolia), which has a strong resemblance
to the English oak, I constantly found
a flock of sheep."
1862. W. Archer, 'Products of Tas-
mania,' p. 41 :
" Currajong {Plagianthus sidoides ',
Hook). The fibres of the bark are
very strong. It is a large shrub, found
chiefly on the southern side of the
Island, in various and shady places,
and grows rapidly."
1878. Rev. W. W. Spicer, ' Handbook
of the Plants of Tasmania,' p. 104 :
"Plagianthus sidoides^ Hooker.
KUR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
257
Currijong, N.O. Malvacece. Peculiar
to Tasmania."
1883. G. W. Rusden, 'History of
Australia,' vol. i. p. 77 :
"The currejong of the forest, and
the casuarina which lines the rivers,
stand with brighter green in cheering
contrast to the dulness of surrounding
leaves."
1884. w - R - Guilfoyle, ' Australian
Botany' (second edition), p. 162 :
"The aborigines apply the name
Kurrajong, or Currijong, to some
[Pimeleas] ; but it would appear that
this native name is indiscriminately
given to any plant possessing a tough
bark."
1888. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia.'
vol. iii. p. 138 :
" Quaint currajongs . . . very like
in form to the stiff wooden trees we
have all played with in childish days."
2 5 8
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LAB-LAM
Laburnum, Native, n. the Tas-
manian Clover-tree Goodenia loti-
folia, Sal., N.O. Leguminosce.
Laburnum, Sea-coast, n. also
called Golden Chain, Sophora to-
mentosa, Linn., N.O. Leguminosce ;
a tall, hoary shrub.
Lace-bark, Lacey-bark, or
Lacewood, n. names for Ribbon-
wood (q.v.). The inner bark of
the tree is like fine lace.
1876. W. N. Blair, 'Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. IX. art. x. p.
175 :
" Ribbonwood, Plagianthus bctuli-
nus, botanical name, Hooker ; Whau-
whi, Maori name, according to Hector ;
lace-bark tree, settlers' name, accord-
ing to Buchanan."
1882. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open':
"The soft, bright-foliaged ribbon-
wood (lace-bark, Plagianthus) con-
trasts with the dusky hue of the dark-
leaved fagus.' ;
Lace-Lizard, n. Hydrosaurus
( Varanus) varius. See Goanna.
1881. F. McCoy, 'Prodomus of the
Natural History of Victoria,' Dec. 4 :
" Although the present Lace Lizard
is generally arboreal, climbing the
forest trees with ease, and running
well on the ground, it can swim nearly
as well as a Crocodile."
Lagorchestes, n. the scientific
name for a genus of Australian
marsupial mammals, called the
Hare- Wallabies or Hare- Kangaroos
(q.v.). (Grk. Aayws, a hare, and
6pXeo-r7s, a dancer.) They live on
plains, and make a " form " in the
herbage like the hare, which they
resemble.
Lagostrophus, n. the scientific
name of the genus containing the
animal called the Banded- Wallaby.
(Grk. Aaytos, a hare, and o-rpo'^os, a
band or zone.) Its colour is a grey-
ish-brown, with black and white
bands, its distinguishing charac-
teristic. It is sometimes called
the Banded '- Kangaroo, and is
found at Dirk Hartog's Island,
and on one or two islands in
Shark's Bay, and in West Aus-
tralia. For its interesting habits
see R. Lyddeker's ' Marsupialia.'
Lake-Trout, . a Tasmanian
fish, Galaxias auratus, family Gal-
axidce. See Mountain-Trout.
Lamb down, v. tr. (i) To
knock down a cheque or a sum
of money in a spree. There is an
old English verb, of Scandinavian
origin, and properly spelt lamm,
which means to thrash, beat.
1873. J. B. Stephens, 'Black Gin,' p.
51
" It is the Bushman come to town
Come to spend his cheque in town,
Come to do his lambing down."
1890. 'The Argus,' June 7, p. 4, col. 2 :
" The lambing down of cheques."
1890. Ibid. Aug. 9, p. 4, col. 5 :
"The old woman thought that we
were on gold, and would lamb down
at the finish in her shanty."
(2) To make a man get rid of
his money to you ; to clean him
out."
1873. Marcus Clarke, 'Holiday Peak,
etc.,' p. 21 :
" The result was always the same
a shilling a nobbier. True, that Trow-
bridge's did not ' lamb down ' so well
as the Three Posts, but then the Three
Posts put fig tobacco in its brandy
LAM-LAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
259
casks, and Trowbridge's did not do
that."
1880. Garnet Walch, 'Victoria in 1880,'
p. 130:
"The operation combining equal
parts of hocussing, overcharging, and
direct robbery and facetiously chris-
tened by bush landlords 'lambing
down.'"
1890. V The Argus,' Aug. 16, p. 4, col. 7 :
" One used to serve drinks in the
bar, the other kept the billiard-table.
Between them they lambed down more
shearers and drovers than all the rest
on the river."
Lamprey, n. The Australian
Lampreys are species of the
genera Mordacia and Geotria, of
the same family as the * ' Lamp-
reys" of the Northern Hemisphere.
Lancelot, n. The fishes of this
name present in Australasia are
In Queensland, Epigonichthys cul-
tellus, Peters, family Amplinga ; in
Victoria and New South Wales,
species of Heteropleuron.
Lancewood, n. There are
many lancewoods in various parts
of the world. The name, in Aus-
tralia, is given to Backhousia myr-
tifolia, Hook, and Harv., N.O.
Myrtacea; and in New Zealand, to
Panax crassifolium, Dec. and Plan.,
N.O. Araliacea, known as Ivy-tree,
and by the Maori name of Horoeka
(q.v.).
Landsborough Grass, n. a
valuable Queensland fodder grass
of a reddish colour, Anthistiria
membranacea, Lindl., N.O. Gra-
minece. See Grass.
Lantern, Ballarat, n. a local
term. See quotation.
1875. Wood and Lapham, ' Waiting for
the Mail,' p. 21 :
"I may explain that a 'Ballarat
Lantern' is formed by knocking off
the bottom of a bottle, and putting a
candle in the neck."
Lark, n. common English bird
lame. The Australian species
are
Brown Song Lark
Cindoramphus cruralis, Vig. and
Hors.
Bush L
Mirafra horsfieldii, Gould.
Field L.
Calamanthus campestris, Gould.
Ground L.
Anthus australis, Vig. and Hors.
(Australian Pipit),
A. nova-zelandce, Gray (New
Zealand Pipit).
Lesser Bush L.
Mirafra secunda, Sharpe.
Little Field L.
Cathonicola sagittata, Lath.; see
Magpie-Lark.
Magpie L.
Grallina picata, Lath.
Rufous Song L.
Cindoramphus rufescens, Vig. and
Hors.
Striated Field L.
Calamanthus fuliginosus, Vig.
and Hors.
See Ground-Lark, Sand- Lark,
Pipit, and Magpie-Lark.
Larrikin, n. The word has
various shades of meaning be-
tween a playful youngster and a
blackguardly rough. Little street-
boys are often in a kindly way
called little larrikins. (See quota-
tions, 1870 and 1885.) Archibald
Forbes described the larrikin as
" a cross between the Street Arab
and the Hoodlum, with a dash of
the Rough thrown in to improve
the mixture." (' Century.') The
most exalted position yet reached
in literature by this word is in
Sir Richard Burton's 'Translation
of the Arabian Nights' (1886-7),
vol. i. p. 4, Story of the Larrikin
and the Cook; vol. iv. p. 281,
Tale of First Larrikin. The pre-
vious translator, Jonathan Scott,
260
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LAR
had rendered the Arabic word,
Sharper.
There are three views as to the
origin of the word, viz.
(1) That it is a phonetic spell-
ing of the broad Irish pronuncia-
tion, with a trilled r of the word
larking. The story g-oes that a
certain Sergeant Dalton, about
the year 1869, charged a youthful
prisoner at the Melbourne Police
Court with being " a-larrr-akiri 1
about the streets." The Police
Magistrate, Mr. Sturt, did not
quite catch the word "A what,
Sergeant ? " " A larrikin', your
Worchup." The police court
reporter used the word the next
day in the paper, and it stuck.
(See quotation, 'Argus,' 1896.)
This story is believed by 99
persons out of 100 ; unfortunately
it lacks confirmation ; for the
record of the incident cannot be
discovered, after long search in
files by many people. Mr. Skeat's
warning must be remembered
"As a rule, derivations which
require a story to be told turn out
to be false." * ~*
(2) That the word is thieves'
English, promoted like swag, plant,
Hft, etc., into ordinary Australian
English. Warders testify that
for a number of years before the
word appeared in print, it was
used among criminals in gaol as
two separate words, viz. leary
('cute, fly, knowing), and kinchen
(youngster), * leary kinchen, ' -
shortened commonly into ' leary
kin* and * leary kid.' Australian
warders and constables are Irish,
almost to a man. Their pronun-
ciation of * leary kin ' would be
very nearly * lairy kin,' which
becomes the single word larrikin.
(See quotation, 1871.) It is pos-
sible that Sergeant Dalton used
this expression and was misunder-
stood by the reporter.
(3) The word has been derived
from the French larron (a thief),
which is from the Latin latronem
(a robber). This became in Eng-
lish larry, to which the English
diminutive, kin, was added ; al-
though this etymology is always
derided in Melbourne.
1870. 'The Daily Telegraph' (Mel-
bourne), Feb. 7, p. 2, col. 3 :
" We shall perhaps begin to think of
it in earnest, when we have insisted
upon having wholesome and properly
baked bread, or a better supply of
fish, and when we have put down the
' roughs ' and ' larrikins.' "
1870. ' The Age,' Feb. 8, p. 3, col. i :
" In sentencing a gang of ' larrikins '
who had been the terror of Little
Bourke-street and its neighbourhood
for several hours on Saturday night,
Mr. Call remarked. ..."
1870. 'The Herald,' April 4, p. 3,
col. 2 :
"... three larikins who had be-
haved in a very disorderly manner in
Little Latrobe-street, having broken
the door of a house and threatened to
knock out the eye of one of the
inmates."
1870. Marcus Clarke, 'Goody Two
Shoes,' p. 26 :
" He's a lively little larrikin lad, and
his name is Little Boy Blue."
1871. 'The Argus,' Sept. 19, p. 5,
col. 4 :
"In San Francisco, the vagabond
juveniles who steal, smash windows,
and make themselves generally ob-
noxious to the respectable inhabitants,
instead of being termed ' larrikins,' as
in Victoria, are denominated 'hood-
leums.' The name is more musical
than the one in vogue here, and pro-
bably equally as descriptive, as its
origin appears to be just as obscure as
that of the word ' larrikin.' This word,
before it got into print, was confined
to the Irish policemen, who generally
pronounced it 'lerrikan,' and it has
been suggested that the term is of
Hibernian origin, and should be spelt
* lerrichaun.' "
LAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
261
1871. Sir George Stephen, Q.C., ' Lar-
rikinism,' a. Lecture reported in ' Prahran
Telegraph,' Sept. 23, p. 3, col. I :
" What is Larrikinism ? It is a
modern word of which I can only
guess the derivation, . . . nor can I
find any among the erudite professors
of slang who adorn our modern liter-
ature who can assist me. Some give
our police the credit of coining it from
the ' larking ' of our school boys, but I
am inclined to think that the word is
of Greek origin Laros, a cormorant
though immediately derived from the
French ' larron ' which signifies a thief
or rogue. If I am right, then larrikin
is the natural diminutive form in Eng-
lish phraseology for a small or juvenile
thief. . . . This however is, I must
acknowledge, too severe a construction
of the term, even if the derivation is
correct ; for I was myself, I frankly
confess it, an unquestionable larrikin
between 60 and 70 years ago. . . .
Larrikinism is not thieving, though a
road that often leads to it. . . . Is it a
love of mischief for mischief's sake ?
This is the theory of the papers, and is
certainly a nearer approach to the true
solution."
1871. ' Figaro,' in ' Prahran Telegraph,'
Sept. 30, p. 7, col. 3 :
"A local contemporary has . . .
done his ' level best ' to help me out
of my ' difficulty ; with respect to the
word Larrikin. He suggests that ler-
richan should read leprichaim, a mis-
chievous sprite, according to Irish
tradition. . . . We think we may with
more safety and less difficulty trace
the word to the stereotype [sic] reply
of the police to the magisterial ques-
tion ' What was he doing when you
apprehended him?' 'Oh! larriking
(larking) about, yer Wurtchip. 3 "
1872. J. S. Elkington, 'Tenth Report
of Education, Victoria,' dated Feb. 14:
"My inquiries into the origin and
habits of that troublesome parasite
the larrikin (if I may adopt Constable
Dalton's term) do not make me
sanguine that compulsory primary in-
struction can do much for him, unless
indirectly."
1875. ' Spectator' (Melbourne), May 15,
p. 21, col. 3 :
"On Sunday night an unfortunate
Chinaman was so severely injured by
the Richmond larrikins that his life
was endangered."
1875. David Blair, in 'Notes and
Queries,' July 24, p. 66 :
"Bedouins, Street Arabs, Juvenile
Roughs in London ; Gamins in Paris ;
Bowery Boys in New York; Hood-
lums in San Francisco ; Larrikins in
Melbourne. This last phrase . is an
Irish constable's broad pronunciation
of 'larking' applied to the nightly
street performances of these young
scamps, here as elsewhere, a real
social pestilence."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 338 :
"There is not a spare piece of
ground fit for a pitch anywhere round
Melbourne that is not covered with
' larrikins ' from six years old upwards."
1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, ' Australian
Life,' p. 159 :
" It has become the name for that
class of roving vicious young men who
prowl about public-houses and make
night hideous in some of the low parts
of our cities. There is now the bush
' larrikin ' as well as the town ' larrikin,'
and it would be difficult sometimes to
say which is the worse. Bush 'larri-
kins' have gone on to be bush-
rangers."
1890. 'The Argus,' May 26, p. 6, col. 7 :
" He was set upon by a gang of
larrikins, who tried to rescue 'the
prisoner."
1891. ' Harper's Magazine,' July, p. 215,
col. 2 :
" The Melbourne ' larrikin ' has dif-
ferentiated himself from the London
' rough,' and in due season a term had
to be developed to denote the differ-
entiation."
1893. 'Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug.
12, p. 13, col. 2 :
"Robert Louis Stevenson, in a
recent novel, 'The Wrecker,' makes
the unaccountable mistake of con-
founding the unemployed Domain
loafer with the larrikin. . This only
shows that Mr. Stevenson during his
brief visits to Sydney acquired but a
superficial knowledge of the underlying
currents of our social life."
1896. J. St. V. Welch, in ' Australasian
262
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LAR
Insurance and Banking Record,' May 19,
P- 376:
" Whence comes the larrikin ? that
pest of these so-called over-educated
colonies ; the young loafer of from
sixteen to eight-and-twenty. Who
does not know him, with his weedy,
contracted figure ; his dissipated
pimply face ; his greasy forelock
brushed flat and low over his fore-
head ; his too small iacket ; his tight-
cut trousers ; his high-heeled boots ;
his arms with out-turned elbows
swinging across his stomach as he
hurries along to join his 'push,' as
he calls the pack in which he hunts
the solitary citizen a pack more to
be dreaded on a dark night than any
pack of wolves and his name in
Sydney is legion, and in many cases
he is a full-fledged voter. j;
1896. W. H. Whelan, in 'The Argus,'
Jan. 7, p. 6, col. 3 :
" Being clerk of the City Court, I
know that the word originated in the
very Irish and amusing way in which
the then well-known Sergeant Dalton
pronounced the word larking in respect
to the conduct of ' Tommy the Nut,'
a rowdy of the period, and others of
both sexes in Stephen (now Exhibition)
street.
" Your representative at the Court,
the witty and clever 'Billy' O'Hea,
who, alas ! died too early, took ad-
vantage of the appropriate sound of
the word to apply it to rowdyism in
general, and, next time Dalton repeated
the phrase, changed the word from
verb to noun, where it still remains,
anything to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. I speak of what I do know, for
O'Hea drew my attention to the matter
at the time, and, if I mistake not, a
reference to your files would show that
it was first in the ' Argus ' the word
appeared in print."
(" We can fully confirm Mr. Whelan's
account of the origin of the word
'larrikin.'" Ed. 'Argus.')
[But see quotation from 'Argus,'
1871.]
Larrikin, adj.
1878. 'The Australian,' vol. i. p. 522 :
"Marks the young criminals as
heroes in the eyes not only of the
ostensible larrikin element .
Larrikinalian, adj. (Not com-
mon.)
1893. ' Evening Standard,' July 5, p. 4,
col. 4 (Leading Article) :
" In the larrikinalian din which pre-
vailed from start to finish . . ."
Larrikiness, n. a female larri-
kin.
1871. ' Collingwood Advertiser and Ob-
server,' June 22, p. 3, col. 5 :
" Evidence was tendered as to the
manner of life led by these larikinesses
. . . The juvenile larrikin element
being strongly represented in court,
all the boys were ordered out."
1871. Sir George Stephen, Q.C., ' Lar-
rikinism,' a Lecture reported in * Prahran
Telegraph,' Sept. 23, p. 3, col. I :
" I know many a larrikiness to whose
voice I could listen by the hour with
all my heart, without the least fear of
her stealing it, even if it were worth
the trouble."
1892. Gilbert Parker, ' Round the Com-
pass in Australia,' p. 224 :
" I have not found the larrikin [in
Brisbane]. . . . The slouch-hat, the
rakish jib, the drawn features are not
to be seen ; nor does the young larri-
kiness that hideous outgrowth of
Sydney and Melbourne civilization
exist as a class."
Larrikinism, n. the conduct of
larrikins (q.v.).
1870. 'The Australian' (Richmond,
Victoria), Sept. 10, p. 3, col. 3 :
" A slight attempt at ' larrikinism '
was manifested. ..."
1871. J. J. Simpson, ' Recitations and
Rhymes,' p. 17 :
"Melbourne larrikinism is still very
bad,
By the papers each day we are told."
1875. 'Spectator' (Melbourne), June
19, p. 80, col. 2 :
" He took as his theme the ' Dialect
of Victoria,' which was coarse and
vulgar to a degree. ' Larrikinism '
was used as a synonym for 'black-
guardism.' "
1876. A. P. Martin, ' Sweet Girl-Grad-
uate,' p. 2O :
"There is no doubt that its rising
generation afforded material for letters
in the newspapers, under the headings
LAU-LAW]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
263
'Larrikinism,' or, 'What shall we do
with our boys ? ' "
1893. ' The Argus,' Feb. 23 :
" Outbreaks of larrikinism are not
always harmless ebullitions of animal
spirits. Sometimes they have very
serious results."
Laughing Jackass, n. See
Jackass.
Launce, n. The Australian
species of this fish is Congrogradus
subducens, Richards., found in
North - West Australia. The
Launces or Sand-eels of the Nor-
thern Hemisphere belong to a
different group.
Laurel, n. The English tree-
name is applied in Australia to
various trees, viz.
Alexandrian Laurel
Calophyllum inophyllum, Linn.,
N.O. Guttifera ; not endemic
in Australia.
Diamond-leaf L.
Pittosporum rhombifolium, A.
Cunn., N.O. Pittosporea.
Dodder L.
Cassytha filiformis, Linn., N.O.
Lauracecz ; called also Devil's
Guts, not endemic in Aus-
tralia.
Hedge L.^(q.v.)
Pittosporum eugenioides, Cunn.
Moreton Bay L.
Cryptocarya australis, Benth.,
N.O. ^ Lauracea ; called also
. Grey Sassafras.
Native L.
Pittosporum undulatum, Andr.,
N. O. Pittosporece ; called also
Mock Orange (q.v.).
Panax elegant, C. Moore and
F. v. M., N.O. Araliacece ;
which is also called Light or
White Sycamore.
White L.
Cryptocarya glaucescens, R. Br.,
N. O. Lauracece ; for other
names see Beech.
In Tasmania, the name Native
Laurel is applied to Anopterus
glandulosus, Lab.,jJV. O. Saxifrages.
Peculiar to Tasmania.
The New Zealand Laurel is
Laurelia novce-Zelandicz ; called also
Sassafras.
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants,' p. 292 :
" Native Laurel, [also called] * Mock
Orange.' This tree is well worth culti-
vating on a commercial scale for the
sake of the sweet perfume of its
flowers."
Lavender, Native, n. a Tas-
manian tree, Styphelia australis,
R. Br., N.O. Epacridece.
Lawyer, n. One of the Eng-
lish provincial uses of this word
is for a thorny stem of a briar or
bramble. In New Zealand, the
name is used in this sense for
the Rubus australis, N. O. Rosacea,
or Wild Raspberry- Vine (Maori,
Tataramoa). The words Bush-
Lawyer, Lawyer- Vine, and Lawyer-
Palm^ are used with the same
signification, and are also applied
in some colonies to the Calamus
australis, Mart. (called also
Lawyer-Cane}, and to Flagellaria
indica, Linn., similar trailing
plants.
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' His-
tory of the Discovery and Exploration of
Australia,' vol. ii. p. 157 :
" Calamus Australis, a plant which
Kennedy now saw for the first time. . .
It is a strong climbing palm. From
the roots as many as ninety shoots will
spring, and they lengthen out as they
climb for hundreds of feet, never thicker
than a man's finger. The long leaves
are covered with sharp spines ; but
what makes the plant the terror of the
explorers, is the tendrils, which grow
out alternately with the leaves. Many
of these are twenty feet long, and they
are covered with strong spines, curved
slightly downwards."
1867. F. Hochstetter, 'New Zealand,'
P- 135 =
" Rubus Australis, the thorny strings
264
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LAW-LEA
of which scratch the hands and face,
and which the colonists, therefore, very
wittily call the ' bush-lawyer.' "
1882. T. H. Potts, ' Out in the Open,'
p. 71 :
" Torn by the recurved prickles of
the bush-lawyer."
1889. Vincent Pyke, ' Wild Will Ender-
by,' p. 16 :
" Trailing ' bush-lawyers,' interming-
led with coarse bracken, cling lovingly
to the rude stones."
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
p. 103 :
" In the mountain scrubs there grows
a very luxuriant kind of palm (Calamus
Australis], whose stem of a finger's
thickness, like the East Indian Rotang-
palm, creeps through the woods for
hundreds of feet, twining round trees
in its path, and at times forming so
dense a wattle that it is impossible to
get through it. The stem and leaves
are studded with the sharpest thorns,
which continually cling to you and
draw blood, hence its not very polite
name of lawyer-palm."
1891. A. J. North, ' Records of Austra-
lian Museum,' vol. i. p. 118 :
" Who, in the brushes of the Tweed
River, found a nest placed on a mass
of ' lawyer- vines ' (Calamus Australis}"
1892. Gilbert Parker, < Round the Com-
pass in Australia,' p. 256 :
"'Look out,' said my companion,
4 don't touch that lawyer-vine ; it will
tear you properly, and then not let you
go.' Too late ; my fingers touched it,
and the vine had the best of it. The
thorns upon the vine are like barbed
spears, and they would, in the lan-
guage of the Yankee, tear the hide off
a crocodile."
1892. 'The Times,' [Reprint] 'Letters
from Queensland,' p. 7 :
"But no obstacle is worse for the
clearer to encounter than the lawyer-
vines where they are not burnt off.
These are a form of palm which
grows in feathery tufts along a pliant
stalk, and fastens itself as a creeper
upon other trees. From beneath its
tufts of leaves it throws down trailing
suckers of the thickness of stout cord,
armed with sets of sharp red barbs.
These suckers sometimes throw them-
selves from tree to tree across a road
which has not been lately used, and
render it as impassable to horses as so
many strains of barbed wire. When
they merely escape from the under-
growth of wild ginger and tree-fern
and stinging-bush, which fringes the
scrub, and coil themselves in loose
loops upon the ground, they are dan-
gerous enough as traps for either man
or horse. In the jungle, where they
weave themselves in and out of the
upright growths, they form a web
which at times defies every engine of
destruction but fire."
Lawyer-Cane, Lawyer-Palm,
and Lawyer- Vine. See Lawyer.
Lead, n. (pronounced leed), a
mining term. In the Western
United States and elsewhere, the
term lead in mining is used as
equivalent for lode. In Australia,
the word lead is only used in re-
ference to alluvial mining, and
signifies the old river-bed in which
gold is found.
1875. ' Spectator ' (Melbourne), June 19,
p. 75, col. 2:
"There was every facility for ab-
stracting the gold in the rich lead of a
neighbour."
1880. Fison and Howitt, 'Kamilaroi
and Kurnai,' p. 272 [Note] :
" The expression ' deep lead ' refers
to those ancient river-courses which
are now only disclosed by deep-mining
operations."
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, < Miner's Right,'
c. v. p. 55 :
"Taking the general matter of
' leads ' or dead rivers, it chiefly ob-
tained that if gold were found on one
portion of them, it extended to all the
claims within a considerable distance."
Lead, to strike the. See
above. Used figuratively for to
succeed.
1874. Garnet Walch, ' Head over Heels,'
p. 74:
"We could shy up our caps for a
feller,
As soon as he struck the lead."
Leadbeater, n. applied to a
Cockatoo, Cacatiia leadbeateri, Vig.,
LEA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
265
called Leadbeater's Cockatoo by
Major Mitchell (q.v.).
1890. Lyth, ' Golden South,' c. xiv. p.
127 :
" The birds are very beautiful the
Blue Mountain and Lowrie parrots
. . . leadbeater, and snow-white
cockatoos."
Leaf-insect, n. See Phasmid.
Lease, n. a piece of land leased
for mining purposes. In England,
the word is used for the docu-
ment or legal right concerning
the land. In Australia, it. is used
for the land itself. Compare
Right-of-way.
1890. ' Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 15 :
" A nice block of stone was crushed
from Johnson's lease."
Lease in perpetuity, a statu-
tory expression in the most recent
lan'd legislation of New Zealand,
indicating a specific mode of
alienating Crown lands. It is a
lease for 999 years at a perma-
nent rental equal to 4% on the
capital value, which is not subject
to revision.
Leather-head, n. another name
for the Friar-bird (q.v.), Philemon
corniculatus, Lath. See Tropido-
rhynchus.
1847. L. -Leichhardt, ' Overland Ex-
pedition/ p. 461 :
"The Leatherhead with its con-
stantly changing call and whistling."
1855. W. Howitt, ' Two Years in
Victoria,' vol. i. p. 58 :
"The leather-heads utter their settled
phrase ' Off we go ! off we go ! ' in the
woods, or they come to suck honey
from the Melianthus major, which
stands up like a huge artichoke plant,
tipped with dark red plumes of flowers."
1860. G. Bennett, 'Gatherings of a
Naturalist,' p. 233 :
" Among the Honey-suckers is that
singular-looking bird, the Leatherhead,
or Bald-headed Yu^n(Tropidorhynchus
corniculattis) ; it is commonly seen
upon the topmost branches of lofty
trees, calling ' Poor Soldier,' ' Pimlico,'
' Four o'clock,' and uttering screaming
sounds. It feeds upon insects, wild
fruits, and any sweets it can procure
from the flowers of the Banksia and
Gum-trees."
Leather-Jacket, n. (i) A name
applied popularly and somewhat
confusedly to various trees, on
account of the toughness of their
bark (a) Eucalyptus punctata,
DeC., Hickory Eucalypti (q.v.) ;
(b) Alphitonia excelsa, Reiss., or
Cooperswood ; (c) Ceratopetalum,
or Coachwood ; (d) Cryptocarya
meissnerii, F. v. M.; (e) Weinmannia
benthami, F. v. M.
(2) A fish of the family Sclero-
dermi, Monacanthus ayraudi, Quoy.
and Gaim., and numerous other
species of Monocanthus. Leather-
Jackets are wide-spread in Aus-
tralian seas. The name is given
elsewhere to other fishes. See
File-fish and Pig-fish.
1770. ' Capt. Cook's Journal,' edition
Wharton, 1893, p. 246 :
" They had caught a great number
of small fish, which the sailors call
leather jackets, on account of their
having a very thick skin ; they are
known in the West Indies."
1773. ' Hawkesworth's Voyages,' vol.
iii. p. 503 ' Cook's First Voyage,' May 4,
1770 (at Botany Bay) :
" Small fish, which are well known
in the West Indies, and which our
sailors call Leather jackets, because
their skin is remarkably thick."
1789. W. Tench, ' Expedition to Botany
Bay,' p. 129 :
" To this may be added bass, mul-
lets, skaits, soles, leather-jackets, and
many other species."
(3) A kind of pancake.
1846. G. H. Haydon, 'Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 151 :
"A plentiful supply of 'leather-
jackets' (dough fried in a pan)."
1853. Mossman and Banister, 'Australia
Visited and Revisited, 5 p. 126 :
" Our party, upon this occasion, in-
dulged themselves, in addition to the
usual bush fare, with what are called
' Leather jackets,' an Australian bush
266
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LEA-LEG
term for a thin cake made of dough,
and put into a pan to bake with some
fat ... The Americans indulge in this
kind of bread, giving them the name
of ' Puff ballooners,' the only difference
being that they place the cake upon
-the bare coals . . ."
1855. R. Howitt, 'Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 117 :
"The leather-jacket is a cake of
mere flour and water, raised with
tartaric acid and carbonate of soda
instead of yeast, and baked in the
frying-pan ; and is equal to any muffin
you can buy in the London shops."
Leather-wood, n. i.q. Pinkwood
(q.v.).
Leawill, or Leeangle (with
other spellings), n. aboriginal
names for a native weapon, a
-wooden club bent at the striking
end. The name is Victorian,
especially of the West ; probably
derived from lea or leang, or lean-
yook, a tooth. The aboriginal
forms are langeel, or leanguel, and
led-wil, or le-ow-el. The curve
evidently helped the English ter-
mination, angle.
1845. Charles Griffith, 'Present State
and Prospects of the Port Phillip District
of New South Wales/ p. 155 :
' The liangle is, I think, described
by Sir Thomas Mitchell. It is of the
shape of a pickaxe, with only one pick.
Its name is derived from another
native word, Hang, signifying a tooth.
It is a very formidable weapon, and
used only in war."
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in
Australia,' vol. II. c. xiii. p. 479 :
"A weapon used by the natives
called a Liangle, resembling a miner's
pick."
1863. M. K. Beveridge, ' Gatherings
among the Gum-trees/ p. 56 :
" Let us hand to hand attack him
With our Leeawells of Buloite."
Ibid. (In Glossary) p. 83 :
" Leeawell, a kind of war club."
1867. G. Gordon McCrae, 'Mamba/
p. 9:
" The long liangle's nascent form
Fore-spoke the distant battle-storm."
1886. R. Henty, ' Australiana/ p. 21 :
" His war-club or leeangle."
1889. P. Beveridge, ' Aborigines of Vic-
toria and Riverina/ p. 67 :
"Of those [waddies] possessing
we might almost say a national
character, the shapes of which seem
to have come down generation after
generation, from the remotest period,
the Leawill is the most deadly-looking
weapon. It is usually three feet long,
and two and a half inches thick, having
a pointed head, very similar both in
shape and size to a miner's driving
pick ; in most cases the oak (Cas-
uarina) is used in the manufacture
of this weapon ; it is used in close
quarters only, and is a most deadly
instrument in the hands of a ruthless
foe, or in a general melee such as a
midnight onslaught."
Leeangle, n. i.q. Leawill (q.v.).
Leek, n. a small parrot. See
Greenleek.
Leek, Native, n. a poisonous
Australian plant, Bulbine bulbosa^
Haw., N.O. Liliacecz. Called also
Native Onion. Its racemes of
bright yellow flowers make the
paddocks gay in spring.
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants/ p. 121 :
"'Native Onion,' 'Native Leek.
Mr. W. N. Hutchinson, Sheep In-
spector, Warrego, Queensland, reports
of this plant: 'Its effects on cattle
. . . are . . . continually lying down,
rolling, terribly scoured, mucous dis-
charge from the nose.' "
Leg, n. mining term. A pe-
culiar ,form of quartz-reef, form-
ing a nearly vertical prolongation
of the saddle.
1890. 'The Argus/ June i6th, p. 6,
col. i :
" It may also be observed that in
payable saddle formations a slide
intersects the reef above the saddle
coming from the west, and turning
east with a wall of the east leg, where
the leg of reef is observed to go down
deeper, and to carry a greater amount
of gold than in ordinary cases."
LEG-LER]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
267
Legitimacy, n. See quotation.
[Old and now unused slang.]
1827. P. Cunningham, c Two Years in
New South Wales,' vol. i. p. 16 :
" Legitimacy a colonial term for
designating the cause of the emigra-
tion of a certain portion of our popu-
lation ; i. e. having legal reasons for
making the voyage."
[So also at p. 116, " Legitimates."]
Leguminous Ironbark, n. a
name given by Leichhardt to the
Queensland tree Erythrophl&um
laboucherii, F. v. M., N.O. Le-
guminosa. See Ironbark.
Leichhardt, or Leichhardt-
Tree, n. an Australian timber-tree,
Morinda ritrifolia, Linn., N.O.
Rubiacece. ; called also Canary-
wood and Indian Mulberry. In
Queensland, the name is applied
to Sarcocephalus cordatus, Miq.,
N. O. Rubiacea, a large timber-tree
of North Queensland, much used
in building.
1874. M. K. Beveridge, 'Lost Life,'
p. 40:
" Groaning beneath the friendly
shade
That by a Leichhardt-tree was
made."
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, 'Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 258 :
"The Leichhardt is a very sym-
metrical tree, that grows to a height
of about sixty feet, and has leaves
rather like a big laurel."
Leichhardt-Bean, n. See Bean.
Leichhardt's Clustered-Fig,
n. i.q. Clustered Fig. See Fig.
Lemon, Desert, n. See Desert
emon.
Lemon-scented Gum, n. See
rum.
Lemon-scented Ironbark, n. a
lame given to the Queensland
tree Eucalyptus staigeriana, F. v.
N.O. MyrtacecE. See Iron-
. The foliage of this tree
yields a large quantity of oil,
equal in fragrance to that of
lemons.
Lemon-Sole, n. In England,
the name is applied to an inferior
species of Sole. In New South
Wales, it is given to Plagusia uni-
color, Macl., of the family Pleu-
ronectida or Flat-fishes. In New
Zealand, it is another name for
the New Zealand Turbot (q.v.).
Lemon, Wild, n. a timber tree,
Canthium latifolium, F. v. M.,
N.O. Rubiacece ; called also Wild
Orange.
Lemon- Wood, n. one of the
names given by settlers to the
New Zealand tree called by
Maoris Tarata (q.v.), or Mapau
(q.v.). It is Pittosporum eugenoides,
A. Cunn., N.O. Pittosporece.
Leopard-Tree, n. an Austra-
lian tree, Flindersia maculosa (or
Strezleckiand], F. v. M., N.O.
Meliacece ; called also Spotted-Tree
(q.v.), and sometimes, in Queens-
land, Prickly Pine.
Lerp, . an aboriginal word
belonging to the Mallee District
of Victoria (see Mallee]. Some-
times spelt leurp, or laap. The
aboriginal word means * sweet.'
It is a kind of manna secreted by
an insect, Psylla eucalypti, and found
on the leaves of the Mallee, Eu-
calyptus dumosa. Attention was
first drawn to it by Mr. Thomas
Dobson (see quotations). A
chemical substance called Lerpa-
myllum is derived from it ; see
Watts' ' Dictionary of Chemistry,'
Second Supplement, 1875, s.v.
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
P- 73:
" The natives of the Wimmera pre-
pare a luscious drink from the laap, a
sweet exudation from the leaf of the
mallee (Eucalyptus dumosa)?
1850. T. Dobson, ' Papers and Proceed-
268
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LIF-LIG
ings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's
Land/ vol. i. p. 235 :
"The white saccharine substance
called ' lerp/ by the Aborigines in the
north-western parts of Australia Felix,
and which has attracted the attention
of chemists, under the impression that
it is a new species of manna, originates
with an insect of the tribe of Psyllidce,
and order Hemiptera?
1850. Ibid. p. 292 :
" Insects which, in the larva state,
have the faculty of elaborating from
the juices of the gum-leaves on which
they live a glutinous and saccharine
fluid, whereof they construct for them-
selves little conical domiciles."
1878. R. Brough Smyth, 'The Abori-
gines of Victoria/ vol. i. p. 211 :
"Another variety of manna is the
secretion of the pupa of an insect of
the Psylla family and obtains the name
of lerp among the aborigines. At
certain seasons of the year it is very
abundant on the leaves of E. dumosa,
or mallee scrub . . ."
Lift, v. tr. to drive to market
from the run.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Squatter's
Dream/ c. iv. p. 45 :
" I haven't lifted a finer mob this
season."
1890. 'The Argus/ June 14, p. 4,
col. 2:
"We lifted 7000 sheep."
Light-horseman, n. obsolete
name for a fish ; probably the fish
now called a Sweep (q.v.).
1789. W. Tench, ' Expedition to Botany
Bay/ p. 129 :
" The French once caught [in Botany
Bay] near two thousand fish in one
day, of a species of grouper, to which,
from the form of a bone in the head
resembling a helmet, we have given
the name of light horseman."
1793. J. Hunter, 'Voyage/ p. 410
[Aboriginal Vocabulary]:
"Woolamie, a fish called a light-
horseman." [But see WollomaiJ}
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales/ c. iv. p. 78 :
"A boat belonging to the Sirius
caught near fifty large fish, which
were called light-horsemen from a
bone that grew out of the head like a
helmet."
Lightwood, n. a name given
to various trees. See Blackwood.
It is chiefly applied to Acacia
melanoxylon, R.Br., N.O. Legumi-
nosce. See quotations, 1843 and
1889.
1843. I. Backhouse, ' Narrative of a
Visit to the Australian Colonies/ p. 48 :
" Light wood Acacia Melandxylon
. . . It derives its name from swim-
ming in water, while the other woods
of V. D. Land, except the pines,
generally sink. In some parts of the.
Colony it is called Blackwood, on
account of its dark colour."
1852. G. C. Mundy, ' Our Antipodes '
(edition 1855), p. 515:
"Some immense logs of 'light
wood/ a non lucendo^ darker than
mahogany."
1864. J. Rogers, ' New Rush/ p. 17:
" Arms so brown and bare, to look at
them
Recalls to mind the lightwood's
rugged stem."
1866. H. Simcox, ' Rustic Rambles/
P- 54:
" The numerous lightwood trees with
sombre shade
Tend to enhance the richness of the
glade."
1884. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Melbourne
Memories/ c. xv. p. 1 1 1 :
" The ex-owner of Lyne wished him-
self back among the old lightwood
trees."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants/ p. 359 :
" Called ' Blackwood ' on account of
the very dark colour of the mature
wood. It is .sometimes called * Light-
wood' (chiefly in South Tasmania,
while the other name is given in North
Tasmania and other places), but this
is an inappropriate name. It is in
allusion to its weight as compared
with Eucalyptus timbers. It is the
'Black Sally' of Western New South
Wales, the 'Hickory' of the southern
portion of that colony, and is some-
times called ' Silver Wattle.' This is
considered by some people to be the
most valuable of all Australian timbers.
LIG-LIL]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
269
it is hard and close-grained; much
valued for furniture, picture-frames,
cabinet-work, fencing, bridges, etc.,
railway, and other carriages, boat-
building, for tool-handles, gun-stocks,
naves of wheels, crutches, parts of
organs, pianofortes (sound-boards and
actions), etc."
Light Yellow- wood, i.q. Long-
Jack (o^.).
Lignum (i), or Lignum- Vitse,
n. The name is applied to several
trees, as Myrtus acmenioides,
F. v. M., called also White
Myrtle; Acacia falcata, Willd.,
N.O. LeguminoscE, called also
Hickory and Sally ; but chiefly to
Eucalyptus polyanthema, Schau.,
N.O. Myrtacecz.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 505 :
" \E. polyantkema.} The Red Box '
of South-eastern Australia. Called
also ' Brown Box,' ' Grey Box,' and
* Bastard Box.' * Poplar-leaved Gum '
is another name, but it is most com-
monly known as * Lignum Vitas ' be-
cause of its tough and hard wood.
Great durability is attributed to this
wood, though the stems often become
hollow in age, and thus timber of large
dimensions is not readily afforded. It
is much sought after for cogs, naves
and felloes ; it is also much in demand
for slabs in Amines, while for fuel it is
unsurpassed. (Mueller.) Its great
hardness is against its general use."
(2) A bushman's contraction
for any species of the wiry plants
called polygonum.
1880. Mrs. Meredith, 'Tasmanian
Friends and Foes,' [writing of the Lachlan
district, New South Wales] p. 180 :
" The poor emus had got down into
the creek amongst the lignum bushes
for a little shade ... I do not know
what a botanist would call them ; they
are something like cane, but with
large leaves, which all animals are
fond of, and they grow about eight
feet high in the creeks and gullies."
1896. H. Lawson, 'When the World
was Wide,' p. 135 :
" By mulga scrub and lignum plain."
Lilac, n. name given in Aus-
tralia to the tree Melia composita,
Willd., N.O. Meliacea, called Cape
Lilac. It is not endemic in Aus-
tralia, and is called " Persian
Lilac" in India. In Tasmania
the name of Native Lilac is given
to Prostanthera rotundifolia, R. Br.,
N.O. Labiate, and by Mrs. Mere-
dith to Tetrathecd juncea, Smith,
of the Linnean Order, Octandria.
1793. J. E. Smith, ' Specimen of Botany
of New Holland,' p. 5 :
" Tetratheca juncea, Rushy Tetra-
theca [with plate]."
1852. Mrs. Meredith, 'My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. ii. p. 69 :
"A little purple flower, which is
equally common, so vividly recalls to
my mind, both by its scent and colour,
an Old-World favorite, that I always
know it as the native Lilac ( Tetratheca
jtmcea}."
Lily, Darling, n. a bulbous
plant, Crinum flaccidum, Herb.,
N.O. Amaryllidece ; called also the
Murray Lily. (See Lily, Murray. )
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 20 :
"The 'Darling Lily.' This exceed-
ingly handsome white-flowered plant,
which grows back from the Darling,
has bulbs which yield a fair arrowroot.
On one occasion, near the town of
Wilcannia, a man earned a handsome
sum by making this substance when
flour was all but unattainable."
Lily, Flax, n. See Flax-Lily,
and Flax, New Zealand.
Lily, Giant-, or Spear-, n. a
fibre plant, Doryanthes excelsa,
Corr., N.O. Amaryllidecz.
i860. G. Bennett, 'Gatherings of a
Naturalist,' p. 339 :
" The Doryanthes excelsa, a gigantic
Lily of Australia, is a magnificent
plant, with a lofty flowering spike.
The bunches or clusters of crimson
flowers are situated in the summit of
the flowering spike . . . The diameter
of a cluster of blossoms is about 14
inches . . . The flower-buds are of a
brilliant crimson, and the anthers of
270
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LIL-LIM
the stamens are, in the recently ex-
panded flower, of a dark-green colour."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 621 :
" ' Spear Lily.' < Giant Lily.' The
leaves are a mass of fibre, of great
strength, which admits of preparation
either by boiling or maceration, no
perceptible difference as to quality or
colour being apparent after heckling.
Suitable for brush making, matting,
etc."
Lily, Gordon, n. a Tasmanian
plant and its flower, Blandfordia
marginata, Herb., N.O. Liliacca,
and other species of Blandfordia
(q.v.).
1835. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 72:
" Blandfordia nobilis. This splendid
plant is common on the west coast
and on the shores of the Mersey. It
bears a head of pendulous scarlet
blossoms tipped with yellow, one inch
long, rising out of a stalk of from i^
to 3 feet long, from between two op-
posite series of strapshaped leaves.
It is named after George [Gordon]
Marquis of Blandford, son of the
second Duke of Marlborough."
Lily, Murray, n. i.q. Darling
Lily. See above.
1877. F. v. Miiller, * Botanic Teachings,'
p. 119:
"This showy genus Crinum furnishes
also Victoria with a beautiful species,
the Murray Lily (Crinum flaccidum\
not however to be found away from
the Murray- River southward."
Lilly-Pilly, n. name given to a
large timber tree, Eugenia smithii,
Poir., N.O. Myrtacece. The bark
is rich in tanning. Sometimes
called Native Banana.
1860. G. Bennett, ' Gatherings of a
Naturalist,' p. 327 :
"The Lillipilly-trees, as they are
named by the colonists, consist of
several species of Acmena, and are all
of elegant growth and dense and
handsome foliage."
1879. Rev - J- E - Tenison-Woods,
' Proceedings of the Linnsean Society of
New South Wales,' p. 134 :
" Etigenia Smithii, or Lilli pilli, and
Melodorum Leichhardtii are also fair
eating. The latter goes by the name
of the native banana though it is very
different from a banana, and in reality
allied to the custard apple."
1889. J. H. Maiden, ' Useful Native
Plants,' p. 29 :
" < Lilly Pilly.' The fruits are eaten
by aboriginals, small boys, and birds.
They are formed in profusion, are
acidulous and wholesome. They are
white with a purplish tint, and up to
one inch in diameter."
Lily, Rock, n. an orchid, Den-
drobium speciosum. Smith, N.O.
Orchidece. Although not a Lily,
it is always so called, especially
in Sydney, where it is common.
1879. H - N - Moseley, 'Notes by
Naturalist on Challenger,' p. 270 :
"A luxuriant vegetation, with huge
masses of Stagshorn Fern (Platyce-
rium} and ' rock-lilies ' (orchids), and a
variety of timbers, whilst there are
Tree-ferns and small palms in the
lateral shady gullies."
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 22 :
"'Rock Lily. 3 The large pseudo-
bulbs have been eaten by the abori-
ginals; they contain little nutritive
matter."
Lily, Water, n. There are
several indigenous native varieties
of the N. O. Nymphceacece Cabombia
peltata, Pursh ; Nymphcea gigantea,
Hook. (Blue Water-lily}.
Lily, Yellow, n. a Tasmanian
name for Bulbine bulbosa, Haw.,
N. O. Liliacece. See Leek, Native.
Lime, Native, n. an Australian
tree, Citrus australasica, F. v. M.,
N.O. Rutacecz ; called also Finger
Lime and Orange. But the appel-
lation of Native Lime is more
generally given to Citrus australis,
Planch., N.O. Rutacea.
1889. J. H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants,' p. 16:
"' Native Lime. Orange.' The fruit,
which is an inch and a half in diameter,
LIN-LOG]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
271
and almost globular, yields an agree-
able beverage from its acid juice."
Ling, n. a fish. The name is
given in England to various fishes,
from their length. In New Zea-
land and Tasmania, it is applied to
Genypterus blacodes, Forst. ; also
called Cloudy Bay Cod. Lotella mar-
ginata, Macl.,is called Ling, in New
South Wales, and Beardie. Genyp-
terus belongs to the Ophidiida*. and
Lotella to the next family, the
Gadidce.
Lobster, n. The name is often
carelessly used in Australia for
the Crayfish (q.v.).
Lobster's - Claw, n. another
name for Sturfs Desert Pea (q.v.).
Locust, n. name popularly but
quite erroneously applied to in-
sects belonging to two distinct
orders.
(1) Insects belonging to the
order Hemiptera. The great black
Cicada, Cicada mcerens, Germ.,
and the great green Cicada, Cy-
chchila australasia, Donov.
(2) Insects belonging to the
order Orthoptera, such as the
great green gum-tree grass-
hopper, Lo&usta vigentissima, Serv.,
or the Australian yellow-winged
locust, Oedipoda musica, Fab.
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia,' vol. I. c. ix. p. 285 :
"The trees swarmed with large
locusts (the Cicada], quite deafening
us with their shrill buzzing noise."
1862. F. J. Jobson, ' Australia,' c. iv.
p. 104 :
" We heard everywhere on the gum-
trees the cricket-like insects usually
called locusts by the colonists hissing
their reed-like monotonous noise."
1869. J. Townend, 'Reminiscences of
Australia,' p. 155 :
" The perpetual song of unnumbered
locusts."
1885. H. H. Hayter, 'Carboona,' p. 5 :
" The deaf ning hum of the locusts."
1885. F. McCoy, 'Prodromus of the
Natural History of Victoria,' Dec. 5, pi.
5 :
" Our Cicada moerens . . . produces
an almost deafening sound from the
numbers of the individuals in the
hottest days and the loudness of their
noise." " This species (Cydochila Aus-
tralasia] is much less abundant than
the C. moerens, and seems more con-
fined to moist places, such as river
banks and deep ravines and gullies."
1889. F. McCoy, 'Prodromus of the
Natural History of Victoria,' Dec. n, pi.
no:
"The great size of the muscular
thighs of the posterior pair of feet
enables the Locusts to jump much
higher, further, and more readily than
Grasshoppers, giving an example of
muscular power almost unparalleled
in the animal kingdom."
1896. F. A. Skuse, * Records of Aus-
tralian Museum,' vol. ii. No. 7, p. 107 :
"What are commonly styled 'locusts
in this country are really Cicadce,
belonging to a totally distinct and
widely separated order of insects. And
moreover the same kind of Cicada is
known by different names in different
localities, such as 'Miller,' 'Mealy-
back,' etc. The true locusts belong to
the grasshoppers, while the Homo-
pterous Cicadidce have been known as
Cicadas from times of remote anti-
quity."
Locust-tree, of New Zealand,
See Kowhai.
Logan-Apple, n. a small
Queensland tree, with an acid
fruit, Acronychia acidia, F. v. M.,
N.O. Rutacece.
Log-hut, TZ. Log-cabin is Ameri-
can. Log-hut is Australian.
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' p. 178 :
" Not more than ten settlers had
been able to erect dwellings better
than log-huts." [This was in Sydney,
1796.]
1846. J. L. Stokes, ' Discoveries in Aus-
tralia,' vol. I. c. ix. p. 287 :
" Captain Fyans was living in a log-
hut on the banks of the Marabool
river."
.272
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LOG-LON
Miner's
1890. Rolf Boldrewood,
Right,' c. vi. p. 6 1 :
"Log-huts, with the walls built
American fashion, of horizontal tree-
trunks."
Log-Runner, n. an Australian
bird, called also a Spinetail. The
species are Black-headed, Ortho-
nyx spaldingi, Ramsay ; Spine-
tailed, O. spinicatida, Temm., called
also Pheasant's Mother. See
Orthonyx.
Logs, n. pi. the Lock-up.
Originally, in the early days, a
log-hut, and often keeping the
name when it was made a more
secure place. Sometimes, when
there was no lock-up, the prisoners
werechained to heavy logs of trees.
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' p. 184 :
" The governor resolved on building
a large log prison both at Sydney and
Paramatta, and 'as the affair cried
haste,' a quantity of logs were ordered
to be sent in by the various settlers,
officers and others." [p. 196]: "The
inhabitants of Sydney were assessed to
supply thatch for the new gaol, and the
building was enclosed with a strong
high fence. It was 80 feet long, the
sides and ends were of strong logs, a
double row of which formed each par-
tition. The prison was divided into
22 cells. The floor and the roof were
logs, over which was a coat eight inches
deep of clay."
1851. Letter from Mrs. Perry, given in
Canon Goodman's ' Church of Victoria
during Episcopate of Bishop Perry,' p.
164 :
"One [sentry] at the lock-up, a
regular American log-hut." [sic. But
in America it would have been called
a log- cabin.]
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 193 :
" Let's put him in the Logs . . . The
lock-up, like most bush ones, was
built of heavy logs, just roughly
squared, with the ceiling the same
sort."
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, 'A Sydney-
side Saxon,' p. in :
"'He'll land himself in the logs
about that same calf racket if he
doesn't look out, some day.' ' Logs ! '
I says. ' There don't seem to be many
about this part. The trees are all too
small.'"
Log up, v. to make a log-sup-
port for the windlass.
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. v. p. 54 :
" We . . . had logged up and made
a start with another shaft."
Lolly, .,//. Lollies. The Eng-
lish word lollipop is always short-
ened in Australia, and is the
common word to the exclusion of
others, e.g. sweets. Manufac-
turers of sweetmeats are termed
Lolly-makers.
1871. J. J. Simpson, 'Recitations,' p.
24:
" Lollies that the children like."
1874. Garnet Walch, ' Head over Heels,'
p. 18:
" Common children fancy lollies,
Eat them 'gainst their parents' wills."
1882. A. J. Boyd, 'Old Colonials,' p.
165:
" I thankfully expended the one in
bile-producing cakes and lollies."
1893. ' Evening Standard' (Melbourne),
Oct. 1 8, p. 6, col. 2 :
"Mr. Patterson (musing over last
Saturday's experiences) : You're going
to raise the price of lollies. I'm a
great buyer of them myself. (Laugh-
ter.) If you pay the full duty it
will, doubtless, be patriotic for me to
buy more when I go amongst the
juveniles."
Long-fin, n. name given to the
fish Caprodon schlegelii, Giinth.,
and in New South Wales to
Anthias longimanus, Giinth.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales,' p. 33 :
" The long-fin, Anthias longtmanus,
Giinth., is a good fish that finds its way
to the market occasionally . . . may
be known by its uniform red colour, and
the great length of the pectoral fins."
Long-Jack, name given to the
tree Flindersia oxleyana, F. v. M.,
I.ON-LOR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
273
N. O. Meliacea ; called also Light
Yellow-Wood.
Long-sleever, n. name for a
big drink and also for the glass in
which it is contained. Perhaps
in allusion to its tall, tapering, long
shape.
1888. Cassell's ' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. iii. p. 83 :
" Their drivers had completed their
regulation half-score of ' long-sleevers '
of 'she-oak.' ; '
Long-Tom, n. name given in
Sydney to Belone ferox, Giinth., a
species of Garfish which has both
jaws prolonged to form a slender
beak. See Garfish.
Long-Yam. See Yam.
Look, v. tr. to examine.
1874. W. H. L. Ranken, ' Dominion of
Australia,' c. vi. p. 105 :
" Plains are scoured and every piece
of timber looked." [sc. looked-over.]
Lope, n. a slow and steady gal-
lop. From Dutch verb loopen,
to leap, to run. The word is
American rather than Australian.
1855. W. Howitt, ' Two Years in Vic-
toria,' vol. i. p. 35 :
" Every body gallops here, or at
least goes at a canter which they call
the Australian lope."
Loquat, a Chinese word mean-
ing " Rush-orange," Photinia
japonica. Being highly orna-
mental and bearing a pleasant
stony juicy fruit of the colour and
size of a small orange, it has
been introduced into nearly all
Australian gardens. The name
.Native Loquat has been given to
an indigenous shrub, Rhodomyrtus
macrocarpa, Benth., N.O. Myr-
tacece.
Lorikeet, n. a bird-name, a
little Lory (q.v.). The species in
Australia are
Blue-bellied Lorikeet
Trichoglossus novce-hollandicz,
Gmel.
Blue-faced L.
Cydopsitta macleayana, Ramsay.
Little L.
Trichoglossus pusittuS) Shaw.
Musk L.
T. concinnus, Shaw.
Purple-crowned L.
T. porphyrocephalus , Dietr.
Red-collared L.
T. rubritorqus, Vig. and Hors.
Red-faced L.
Cydopsitta coxenii, Gould.
Scaly-breasted L.
Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus ,
Kuhl.
Swift L.
Lathamus discolor, Shaw.
Varied L.
Trichoglossus versicolor, Vig.
The following table gives
Gould's classification in 1848 :
1848. J. Gould, ' Birds of Australia,'
vol. v.
Plate
Lathamus discolor, Swift Lorikeet 47
Trichoglossus Novcz - Hollandice,
Jard. and Selb., Swainson's L. 48
T. rubritorquis, Vig. and Horsf.,
Red-collared L 49
T. chlorolepidotus, Scaly-breasted
L 50
T. versicolor, Vig., Varied L. ... 51
T. concinnus, Musky L 52
T. porphyrocephalus, Diet., Por-
phyry-crowned L 53
T. pusillus, Little L 54
1890. 'The Argus,' June 7, p. 13,
col. 4 :
"On the hill-sides the converse of
the lorikeets as they drain the honey-
cups and swing and chatter in low
undertones the whole day long."
Lory, n. a bird-name. The
word is Malay. (See 'Encyclopaedia
Britannica,' vol. xv.) It is often
spelt Lowrie in Australia. The
species in Australia are
Crimson-winged Lory
Aprosmictus coccineopterus , Gould.
King L.
A. scapulatus, Bechst.
2/4
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LOT-LUB
Red-winged Lory
A. erythropterus, Gmel.
1848. Gould's ' Birds of Australia,' vol.
v. :
" Aprosmictus scapulatus, king lory ;
erythropturiiS) red-winged lory."
Lotus-bird, n. Parr a gallinacea,
Temm. ; called also the Jacana
(q.v.), and the Parra (q.v.).
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
p. 22:
" The most striking bird on the
lagoon is doubtless the beautiful Parra
gallinacea, which in Australia is called
the lotus-bird. It sits on the leaves
that float on the water, particularly
those of the water-lily."
Lowan, n. aboriginal bird-
name for Leipoa ocellata, Gould.
The name is used for the bird in
Victoria and in the south-east
district of South Australia. In the
Mallee district, it is called Mallee-
btrd y Mallei fowl, Mallee-hen (q.v.) ;
in South Australia, Native Pheasant
(q.v.) ; and in various parts of
Australia, the Scrub-Turkey. The
county called Lowan, after the
bird, is in the Mallee country in
the west of Victoria. See Turkey.
1888. RolfBoldrewood, ' Robbery under
Arms,' p. 171 :
"The lowan (Mallee-hen, they're
mostly called). The lowan eggs beau-
tiful pink thin-shelled ones they are,
first-rate to eat, and one of 'em a
man's breakfast." '
1890. A. H. S. Lucas, 'Handbook of
the Australasian Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 68 :
" To the dry, arid Mallee Scrub of
the Western District is a radical
change of scene. There the so-called
Mallee hen, or Native name, Lowan
(Leipoa ocellata), loves to dwell."
1896. ' The Argus,' Aug. 4, p. 5, col. 2 :
" The postmaster at Nhill had drawn
the attention of the Deputy Post-
master-General to the large number
of letters which are received there
addressed to ' Lowan.' It should be
understood that this is the name of a
county containing several postal dis-
tricts, and correspondents should be
more specific in their addresses."
Lowrie, n. a bird-name. An
Australian variant of Lory (q.v.).
1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, 'Port Phillip
in 1849,' P- 40 :
" A great many species of the parrot
are found ; and of these the King
Parrot is the most beautiful, and that
called the Lowrie is perhaps the most
docile."
1890. Lyth, 'Golden South, 'p. 127:
" The birds are very beautiful the
Blue Mountain and Lowrie parrots . . .'
Lubra, n. aboriginal name for
a black woman. The name
comes from Tasmania, appearing
first in the form loubra, in a vo-
cabulary given in the 'Voyage
de De"couvertes de 1'Astrolabe *
(Paris, 1834), vol. vii. p. 9, and
was obtained from a Tasmanian
woman, belonging to Port Dal-
rymple on the Tamar River. It
is probably a compound of the
Tasmanian words loa or Iowa, a
woman, and proi (with variants),
big. In Victoria, the use of the
word began at the Hopkins
River and the vicinity, having
been introduced by settlers from
Tasmania, but it was generally
adopted south of the Murray.
North of the Murray the native
women were called Gins (q.v.).
Both words are now used indis-
criminately.
1855. W. Blandowski, ' Transactions of
Philosophical Society of Victoria,' vol. i.
P- 73:
" The young man who wishes to
marry has first to look out for a wife
amongst the girls or leubras of some
neighbouring tribe."
1864. H. Simcox, 'Outward Bound,'
p. 87:
" Many lubras so black with their load
on their back."
1885. R. M. Praed, ' Australian Life/
p. 23:
" Certain stout young gins or lubras,,
LUC-LYR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
275
set apart for that purpose, were sacri-
ficed."
1891. ' The Argus,' Nov. 7, p. 13, col. 4 :
" A few old lubras sufficiently dirty
and unprepossessing."
1892. Gilbert Parker, ' Round the
Compass in Australia,' p. 28 :
" Naked, and not ashamed, the old
men grey-bearded and eyes bright,
watched the cooking of the fish, and
the younger, with the lubras, did the
honours of reception."
Lucerne, Native, or Paddy, n.
i.q. Queensland Hemp. See Hemp.
1895. A. B. Paterson, * Man from Snowy
River,' p. 95 :
"And now lies wandering fat and sleek,
On the lucerne flats by the Home-
stead Creek."
Luderick, or Ludrick, n. an
aboriginal Gippsland name for a
local variety of the fish Girella
simplex, Richards., the Black-fish
(q.v.).
Lugg, n. a fish not identified.
" Lug, a kind of fish." (< Walker,'
1827.)
1802. Flemming, 'Journal of the Ex-
ploration of C. Grimes ' (at Port Phillip),
ed. by J. J. Shillinglaw, Melbourne, 1897,
p. 27:
" Many swans, ducks and luggs."
Lyonsia, n. a Tasmanian plant.
See DeviF s^guts.
Lyre-bird, n. an Australian bird,
originally called the Bird of Para-
dise of New South Wales ; then
called a Native Pheasant, or
Mountain Pheasant, and still gener-
ally called a Pheasant by the
Gippsland bushmen. The name
Lyre-bird apparently began be-
tween 1828 and 1834. It is not
used by Cunningham, ' Two
Years in New South Wales'
(1828), vol. i. p. 303. See Menura.
The species are
The Lyre-bird
Menura superba, Davies.
Albert L.-b.
M. alberti, Gould.
Victoria L.-b.
M. victories, Gould.
Since 1888 the Lyre-bird has
been the design on the eight-
penny postage-stamp of New
South Wales.
1802. G. Barrington, ' History of New
South Wales,' p. 435:
" The Bird of Paradise of New South
Wales [with picture]. This elegant
bird, which by some is called the Bird
of Paradise, and by others the Maenura
Superba, has a straight bill, with the
nostrils in the centre of the beak."
1802. D. Collins, History of English
Colony of New South Wales,' vol. ii. p.
335:
''Menura superba" [But not the
name lyre-bird.]
1834. Geo. Bennett, ' Wanderings in
New South Wales, etc.,' i. p. 277:
"The 'Native or Wood-pheasant,'
or ' Lyre bird ' of the colonists, the
* Menura superba } of naturalists, and
the * Bdleck, beleck,' and * Balaugara '
of the aboriginal tribes, is abundant
about the mountain ranges, in all parts
of the colony."
1846. G. H. Haydon, * Five Years in
Australia Felix,' p. 132:
" Numerous pheasants (Menura
superba}. These birds are the mock-
ing-birds of Australia, imitating all the
sounds that are heard in the bush in
great perfection. They are about the
size of a barn-door fowl, and are not
remarkable for any beauty either in
the shape or colour, being of a dirty
brown, approaching to black in some
parts ; their greatest attraction con-
sists in the graceful tail of the cock
bird, which assumes something the
appearance of a lyre, for which reason
some naturalists have called them
lyre-birds."
1848. J. Gould, * Birds of Australia,'
vol. iii. pi. 14 :
''Menura stiperba, Davies, Lyre-bird ;
Pheasant of the Colonists. Were I
requested to suggest an emblem for
Australia amongst its birds, I should
without the slightest hesitation select
the Menura as the most appropriate,
being strictly peculiar to Australia."
276
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[LYR
1864. J. S. Moore, ' Spring-Life Lyrics,'
p. 92 :
" Shy as the lyre-bird, hidden away,
A glittering waif in the wild."
1867. G. G. McCrae, ' Balladeadro,' p.
30:
" There the proud lyre-bird spreads
his tail,
And mocks the notes of hill and
dale
Whether the wild dog's plaintive
howl
Or cry of piping water-fowl."
1872. A. McFarland, ' Illawarra and
Manaro,' p. 54 :
" The Lyre-bird may yet be seen
more frequently heard amongst the
gullies and ravines. It has the power
of imitating every other bird, and
nearly every sound it hears in the
b us h ev en that of a cross-cut saw."
1886. J. A. Froude, ' Oceana,' p. 146 :
" Here, too, for the first time, we
saw a lyre-bird, which some one had
just shot, the body being like a ccfot's,
and about the same size, the tail long
as the tail of a bird of paradise, beau-
tifully marked in bright brown, with
the two chief feathers curved into the
shape of a Greek lyre, from which it
takes its name."
1890. ' Victorian Statutes ' Game Act,
Third Schedule :
[Close Season.] " Lyre Birds. The
whole year."
1893. ' The Age,' Aug. 7, p. vi, col. 9 :
" There are more reasons than one
why the lyre-bird should be preserved.
From a purely utilitarian point of view
it is of value, for it is insectivorous and
preys upon insects which are apt to
prefer orchard fruit to their natural
bush food. But the bird has as well a
national and sentimental value. Next
to the emu it is the most typical
Australian bird. It is peculiar to
Australia, for in no other country is it
to be seen. Comparatively speaking
it is a rara avis even in Australia
itself, for it is only to be found in the
most secluded parts of two colonies
Victoria and New South Wales. It is
the native pheasant. The aborigines
call it ' Beleck-Beleck,' and whites call it
the 'lyre-bird' from the shape of its
tail ; the ornithologists have named it
Menura. There are three species
the Victoria of this colony, and the
Alberta and superba of New South
Wales. The general plumage is glossy
brown, shaded with black and silver
grey, and the ornate tail of the male
bird is brown with black bars. They
live in the densest recesses of the fern
gullies of the Dividing Range with the
yellow-breasted robin, the satin-bird,
and the bell-bird as their neighbours.
They are the most shy of birds, and
are oftener heard than seen. Their
notes, too, are heard more frequently
than they are recognized, for they are
consummate mimics and ventrilo-
quists. They imitate to perfection the
notes of all other birds, the united
voicing of a flock of paraquetts [sic],
the barking of dogs, the sawing of
timber, and the clink of the woodman's
axe. Thus it is that the menura has
earned for itself the title of the Aus-
tralian mocking-bird. Parrots and
magpies are taught to speak ; as a
mimic the lyre-bird requires no
teacher."
1893. ' Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug.
9, p. 9, col. i :
" If the creature was lovely its beauty
was marketable and fatal and the
lyre-bird was pursued to its last re-
treats and inveigled to death, so that
its feathers might be peddled in our
streets."
MAC-MAG]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
277
M
Mackerel, n. In Australia,
Scomber antarcticus, Castln., said to
be identical with Scomber pneumato-
phoruS) De la Roche, the European
mackerel ; but rare. In New Zea-
land, Scomber australasicus, Cuv.
and Val.
Macquarie Harbour Grape, or
Macquarie Harbour Vine, n.
the Tasmanian name for Muhlen-
beckia adpressa, Meissn., N.O.
Polygonacea ; called Native Ivy in
Australia. See Ivy and Grape.
1831. Ross, ' Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 265 :
"That valuable plant called the
Macquarie harbour grape. It was so
named by Mr. Lempriere, late of the
Commissariat at that station, who first
brought it into notice as a desirable
acquisition in our gardens."
1834. Ross, * Van Diemen's Land
Annual,' p. 133 :
" Polygonum adpressum. The Mac-
quarie harbour vine, either as an insig-
nificant trailing plant, or as a magnifi-
cent climber; according to the soil and
situation, is found on the coast of
various parts of Van Diemen's Land,
and also as far inland as within about
four miles of New Norfolk. This
plant has a small but sweet fruit, formed
of the thickened divisions of the calyx
of the flower, inclosing a triangular
seed of unpleasant flavour."
Macquarie Pine, n. See Pine.
Macropus, .the scientific name
for the typical genus of Macro-
podtdce, established by Shaw in
1800. From the Greek paKpoTrovs,
long-footed. It includes the Kan-
garoo (q.v.) and Wallaby (q.v.).
M. giganteus, Zimm., is the Giant
Kangaroo, or Forester (q.v.).
Mado, n. a Sydney fish, Thera-
cuvieri, Bleek ; called also
Trumpeter- Perch. Atypus strigatus^
Giinth., is also called Mado by the
Sydney fishermen, who confound
it with the first species. The
name is probably aboriginal.
Magpie, n. a black-and-white
Crow-Shrike, present all over
Australia. He resembles the Eng-
lish Magpie in general appear-
ance, but has not the long tail of
that bird, though he shares with
him his kleptomania. He is often
called the Bush-magpie (q.v.) by
townsfolk, to distinguish him
from the tamed specimens kept
in many gardens, or in cages,
which are easily taught to talk.
The species are
Black-backed Magpie
Gymnorhinatibicen, Lath.; called
also Flute-Bird (q.v.).
Long-billed M.
G. dorsalis, Campbell.
White, or Organ M.
G. organicum^ Gould; called also
Organ-bird (q.v.).
White-backed M.
G. leuconota, Gould.
In Tasmania, the name Magpie
is also applied to the
Black Magpie
Strepera fuliginosa, Gould ; and
S. arguta^ Gould.
1859. H. Kingsley, ' Geoffry Hamlyn,'
vol. ii. p. 314 [Footnote] :
" Magpie, a large, pied crow. Of all
the birds I have ever seen, the cleverest,
the most grotesque, and the most
musical. The splendid melody of his
morning and evening song is as un-
equalled as it is indescribable."
278
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MAG-MAH
1869. B. Hoare, ' Figures of Fancy,' p.
97:
" Gay magpies chant the livelong day."
1886. T. Heney, ' Fortunate Days,' p.
47:
"The magpie swells from knoll or
silent brake
His loud sweet tune."
1887. ' Melbourne Punch,' March 31 :
" The magpie maketh mute
His mellow fluent flute,
Nor chaunteth now his leuconotic
hymn."
Magpie-Goose, n. a common
name for the Australian Goose,
Anseranusmelanoleuca, Lath.; called
also Swan-goose, and Pied-goose.
See Goose.
Magpie-Lark, n. an Australian
black-and-white bird (Grallina
picata, Lath.), resembling the
Magpie in appearance, but smaller;
called also Pee-wee, and Mudlark,
from its building its nest of mud.
1888. CasselPs ' Picturesque Australasia,'
vol. ii. p. 235 :
"The little magpie-lark. . . . His
more elegant and graceful figure re-
mains in modest silence by the hedge-
row in the outskirts."
Magpie-Perch, n. a West Aus-
tralian, Victorian, and Tasmanian
fish, Chilodactylus gibbosus, Rich-
ards. ; not a true Perch, but of
family Cirrhitidcz.
Magra, n. aboriginal name for
the sling or pouch in which the
gins carry their children on their
backs.
1845. R. Howitt, < Australia,' p. 185 :
" Other lesser brats were in magras,
gipsy-like, at their mothers' backs."
[On p. 195, Mr. Howitt uses the form
" mogra."]
Mahoe, n. Maori name for the
New Zealand Whitewood-tree,
Melicytus ramiflorus, Forst., N. O.
Violariece.
1855. Rev - R - Taylor, 'Telkaa Maui,'
p. 447 :
"
to the height of about fifty feet, and has
a fine thin spiral leaf."
1863. Thomas Moser, 'Mahoe Leaves':
[Title of a volume of articles about
the Maoris.]
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 130 :
"Mahoe, hinahina. A small tree
twenty to thirty feet high ; trunk often
angular and seven feet in girth. The
word is soft and not in use. . . . Leaves
greedily eaten by cattle."
Mahogany, n. The name, with
varying epithets, is applied to
several Australian trees, chiefly
Eucalypts, on account of the red-
ness or hardness of their timber,
and its applicability to purposes
similar to that of the true Ma-
hogany. The following enumer-
ation is compiled from Maiden's
* Useful Native Plants '
Mahogany, Tristaniaconferta^. Br.,
N.O. Myrtacetzj called also White
Box, Red Box, Brush Box, Bastard
Box, Brisbane Box. This bark is
occasionally used for tanning.
Bastard Mahogany, or Gippsland
Mahogany, or Swamp Mahogany,
Eucalyptus botryoides, Smith, N.O.
MyrtacecB. The Blue Gum of New
South Wales coast districts. Bastard
Mahogany of Gippsland and New South
Wales ; called also Swamp Mahogany
in Victoria and New South Wales. It
also bears the names of Bastard Jarrah,
and occasionally Woolly Butt. Sydney
workmen often give it the name Ban-
galay, by which it was formerly known
by the aboriginals of Port Jackson.
It is one of four colonial timbers
recommended by the Victorian Car-
riage Timber Board for use in the
construction of railway carriages.
Specimens from Gippsland (Gippsland
Mahogany) are spoken of as " a timber
of good colour, as strong as Blue Gum."
Mahogany, or Bastard Mahogany,
Eucalyptus marginata, Smith, N.O.
Myrtacece. Universally known as
Jarrah. In Western Australia it also
bears the name of Mahogany, or Bas-
tard Mahogany.
Forest or Red Mahogany, Eucalyptus
MAI-MAj]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
279
resinifera^ Smith, N. 0. Myrtacece;
called also Jimmy Low (q.v.).
Forest Mahogany, Eucalyptus mi-
crocorys, F. v. M., N. O. Myrtacece.
In Queensland it is known as Pepper-
mint, the foliage being remarkably rich
in volatile oil. But its almost universal
name is Tallow Wood (q.v.). North of
Port Jackson it bears the name of
Turpentine Tree (q.v.), and Forest
Mahogany.
Tom Russell's Mahogany, Lysicarpus
ternifoliuS) F. v. M., N.O. Myrtacece.
Swamp Mahogany, or White Ma-
hogany, Eucalyptus robusta, Smith,
N.O. Myrtacece, B. Fl. This tree
is known as White, or Swamp Mahog-
any, from the fact that it gener-
ally grows in swampy ground. It is
also called Brown Gum. This timber
is much valued for shingles, wheel-
wrights' work, ship-building, and build-
ing purposes generally. As a timber
for fuel, and where no great strength
is required, it is excellent, especially
when we consider its adaptability to
stagnant, swampy, or marshy places.
1846. J, L. Stokes, * Discoveries in Aus-
tralia,' vol. ii. c. iv. p. 132 :
" Mahogany, Jarrail, Eucalyptus,
grows on white sandy land."
Ibid. vol. ii. c. iv. p. 231 :
" Part of our road lay through a
thick mahogany scrub."
Mai, or Matai, n. a New Zea-
land tree, now called Podocarpus
spicata.
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
p. 440 :
"Matai, mai (Dacryditim mat), a
tree with a fine thick top, and leaf
much resembling that of the yew. The
wood is of a slightly reddish colour,
close-grained, but brittle, and peculiarly
fragrant when burnt. . . . Highly
prized for fuel, and also much used for
furniture, as it works up easily and
comes next to the totara for durability."
1876. W. N. Blair, 'Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. ix. art. x.
P- 157:
" I have in this paper adhered to
the popular name of black-pine for this
timber, but the native name matai is
always used in the north."
Maiden's Blush, n. name given
to the Australian tree Echinocarpus
australis, Benth., N.O. Tiliacecz ;
and sometimes applied to Euro-
schinus falcatuS) Hook., N.O. Ana~
cardiacece. The timber is of a
delicate rosy colour when cut.
The fruit is called Hedgehog-fruit
(q.v.). In Tasmania, the name is
applied to Convolvulus erubescens^
Sims., order Convolvulacecz.
Maire, n. a Maori name applied
to three kinds of trees ; viz. (i)
Santalum cunninghamii, Hook., a
sandal-wood ; (2) Olea of various
species (formerly Fusanus] ; (3)
Eugenia maire^ A. Cunn., native
box-wood, but now usually con-
fined to N.O. Santalacece.
1835. W. Yate, ' Some Account of New
Zealand,' p. 41 :
" Mairi a tree of the Podocarpus
species."
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' pp. 132-33 :
" Maire a small tree ten to fifteen
feet high, six to eight inches in dia-
meter ; wood hard, close-grained,
heavy, used by Maoris in the manu-
facture of war implements. Has been
used as a substitute for box by wood-
engravers. Black maire, N.O. Jas-
minecE j also Maire-rau-nui, Olea
Cunninghamii. Hook., fil., Black M.,
forty to fifty feet high, three to four
feet in diameter, timber close-grained,
heavy, and very durable."
Major Buller, n. name given to
one of the fruits of the Geebong
tribe. See Geebong.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison- Woods, ' Fish
of New South Wales,' p. 82:
" The Sergeant Baker in all proba-
bility got its local appellation in the
early history of the colony (New South
Wales), as it was called after a sergeant
of that name in one of the first detach-
ments of a regiment; so were also two
fruits of the Geebong tribe (Persoonia} ;
one was called Major Buller, and the
other Major Groce, and this latter
again further corrupted into Major
Grocer."
Major Groce, or Major Grocer,
280
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MAJ-MAL.
name given to one of the fruits of
the Geebung tribe. See Geebung,
and quotation under Major Buller.
Major Mitchell, n. vernacular
name of a species of Cockatoo,
Cacatua leadbeateri, Vig. It was
called after the explorer, Major
(afterwards Sir Thomas) Mitchell,
who was Surveyor-General of
New South Wales. The cry of
the bird was fancifully supposed
to resemble his name. See Lead-
beater.
Make a light, expressive
pigeon-English. An aboriginal's
phrase for to look for, to find.
"You been make a light yarra-
man this morning ? " i. e. Have
you found or seen the horses this
morning ?
1859. H. Kingsley, 'Geoffrey Hamlyn,'
vol. ii.'p. 185 [Footnote]:
"'Make a light,' in blackfellow's
gibberish, means simply ' See.' "
Mako, n. originally Makomako.
Maori name for a New Zealand
tree, Aristotelia racemosa, Hook.,
N.O. TiliacecE, often but incor-
rectly called Mokomoko.
1883. T. Hector, ' Handbook of New
Zealand/ p. 130:
" Mako, a small handsome tree, six
to twenty feet high, quick-growing,
with large racemes of reddish nodding
flowers. Wood very light and white
in colour."
Mako 2 , n. Maori name for the
Tiger -Shark. See Shark. The
teeth of the Mako are used for
ornaments by the Maoris.
Mallee, n. and adj. an ab-
original word. Any one of several
scrubby species of Eucalyptus in
the desert parts of South Aus-
tralia and Victoria, especially
Eucalyptus dumosa, Cunn., and E.
oleosa, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtacece.
They are also called Mallee Gums.
Accent on the first syllable. The
word is much used as an adjective
to denote the district in which
the shrub grows, the "Mallee
District" and this in late times
is generally shortened into The
Mallee. Compare "The Lakes"
for the Lake-district of Cumber-
land. It then becomes used as
an epithet of Railways, Boards,
Farmers, or any matters con-
nected with that district.
1848. W. Westgarth, ' Australia Felix,'
P- 73:
" The natives of the Wimmera pre-
pare a luscious drink from the laap, a
sweet exudation from the leaf of the
mallee (Eucalyptus dumosa)."
1854. E. Stone Parker, ' Aborigines of
Australia,' p. 25 :
" The immense thickets of Eucalyp-
tus dumosa, commonly designated the
'Malle' scrub."
1857. W. Howitt, < Tallangetta,' vol.
ii. p. 2 :
" This mallee scrub, as it is called,
consists of a dense wood of a dwarf
species of gum-tree, Eucalyptus du-
mosa. This tree, not more than a
dozen feet in height, stretches its
horizontal and rigid branches around
it so as to form with its congeners a
close, compact mass."
1865. W. Howitt, ' Discovery in Aus-
tralia,' vol. i. p. 214 (Oxley's Expedition
in 1817) :
"The country, in dead flats, was over-
spread with what is now called mallee
scrub, that is, the dwarf spreading
eucalyptus, to which Mr. Cunningham
gave the specific name of dumosa, a
most pestilent scrub to travel through,,
the openings betwixt the trees being
equally infested with the detestable
malle-grass."
1883. ' The Mallee Pastoral Leases Act,
1883,' 47 Viet. No. 766, 3 :
" The lands not alienated from the
Crown and situated in the North-
Western district of Victoria within the
boundaries set forth in the First
Schedule hereto, comprising in al
some ten millions of acres wholly or
partially covered with the mallee plant,
and known as the Mallee Country,
shall be divided into blocks as herein-
after provided."
MAL-MAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
281
1890. 'The Argus/ June 13, p. 6, col. 2:
" Mallee Selections at Horsham. A
special Mallee Board, consisting of Mr.
Hayes, head of the Mallee branch of
the Lands Department, and Mr.
Porter."
1893. ' The Argus,' April 24, p. 7, col. .$:
"In the Mallee country there is
abundance of work, cutting down
mallee, picking up dead wood, rabbit
destruction, etc."
1893. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia/
vol. i. p. 46:
"One of the most common terms
used by explorers is 'Mallee' scrub,
so called from its being composed of
dwarf species of Eucalyptus, called
* Mallee ; by the natives. The species
that forms the ' mallee ' scrub of South
Australia is the Eucalyptus dumosa,
and it is probable that allied species
receive the same name in other parts
of the country."
1897. ' The Argus/ March 2, p. 7, col. I :
"The late Baron von Mueller was
firmly convinced that it would pay
well in this colony, and especially in
the mallee, to manufacture potash."
Mallee-bird, n. an Australian
bird, Leipoa ocellata, Gould. Ab-
original name, the Lowan (q.v.) ;
see Turkey.
Mallee-fowl, n. Same as Mallee-
bird(q.v.).
Mallee-hen, n. Same as Mallee-
bird (q.v.).
1890. ' Victorian Statutes Game Act,
Third Schedule':
[Close Season.] " Mallee-hen, from
ist day of August to the 2oth day of
December next following in each year."
1895. 'The Australasian/ Oct. 5, p.
652, col. i :
"... the economy of the lowan or
mallee-hen. ... It does not incubate
its eggs after the manner of other
birds, but deposits them in a large
mound of sand . . . Shy and timid.
. . . Inhabits dry arid scrubs. In
shape and size resembles a greyish
mottled domestic turkey, but is smaller,
more compact and stouter in the legs."
Mallee-scrub, . the " scrub,"
or thicket, formed by the Mallee
(q.v.).
1893. A. R. Wallace, 'Australasia/
vol. i. p. 22:
"The flat and, rarely, hilly plains . . .
are covered chiefly with thickets and
' scrub ' of social plants, generally with
hard and prickly leaves. This ' scrub/
which is quite a feature of the Aus-
tralian interior, is chiefly formed of a
bushy Eucalyptus, which grows some-
what like our osiers to a height of
8 or 10 feet, and often so densely
covers the ground as to be quite im-
penetrable. This is the ' Mallee scrub '
of the explorers ; while the still more
dreaded ' Mulga scrub J consists of
species of prickly acacia, which tear
the clothes and wound the flesh of the
traveller." > '.
Malurus, n. the scientific name
for a genus of Australian warblers.
Name reduced from Malacurus,
from the Grk. ^aXa/co's, soft, and
ou/oa, a tail. The type-species is
Malurus cyaneus of Australia, the
Superb Warbler or Blue-Wren.
See Superb Warbler, Wren, and
Emu- Wren. All the Maluri, of
which there are fifteen or sixteen
species, are popularly known as
Superb Warblers, but are more
correctly called Wrens.
1896. F. G. Aflalo, ' Natural History of
Australia/ p. 136 :
" The Wrens and Warblers chiefly
Maluri, with the allied Amytis and
Stipiturus are purely Australian.
They are feeble on the wing but swift
of foot."
Mana, n. a Maori word for
power, influence, right, authority,
prestige. See chapter on Mana,,
in 'Old New Zealand' (1863),,
by Judge Maning.
1843. E. Dieffenbach, ' Travels in New-
Zealand/ vol. i. p. 371 :
" Mana command, authority,
power."
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, 'Te Ika a Maui/
p. 279 :
"The natives feel that with the
land their ' mana/ or power, has gone
-282
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MAN
likewise ; few therefore can now be
induced to part with land."
1863. F. E. Maning (Pakeha Maori),
* Old New Zealand,' Intro, p. xiii :
"The Maoris of my tribe used to
come and ask me which had the
greatest ' mana J (i. e. fortune, prestige,
power, strength), the Protestant God
or the Romanist one."
1873. ' Appendix to Journal of House
of Representatives,' G. I, B. p. 8 :
" The Government should be asked
to recognize his mana over that terri-
tory."
1881. J. L. Campbell, ' Poenamo,' p.
166:
" We should be glad to shelter our-
selves under the mana the protection
of good old Kanini."
1892. ' Otago Witness,' Dec 22, p. 7,
col. i :
" A man of great lineage whose per-
sonal mana was undisputed."
1896. 'New Zealand Herald/ P'eb. 14
[Leading Article] :
"The word 'mana,' power, or in-
fluence, may be said to be classical,
as there were learned discussions
about its precise meaning in the early
dispatches and State papers. It may
be said that misunderstanding about
what mana meant caused the war at
Taranaki."
Mangaroo, n. aboriginal name
for a small flying phalanger with
exquisitely fine fur.
1881. A. C. Grant, ' Bush Life in
Queensland,' vol. ii. p. 217:
" Descending from the branches of
an ironbark tree beside him, a beauti-
ful little mangaroo floated downwards
on out-stretched wings to the foot of
a sapling at a little distance away, and
nimbly ascending it was followed by
his mate."
Mangi, or Mangeao, n. Maori
name for a New Zealand tree,
Litsea calicaris^ Benth. and Hook. f.
1873. ' Catalogue of Vienna Exhibition' :
" Mangi remarkably tough and
compact, used for ship-blocks and
similar purposes."
Mango, n. Maori name for the
Dog-fish (q.v.), a species of shark.
Mangrove, n. The name is
applied to trees belonging to
different natural orders, common
in all tropical regions and chiefly
littoral. Species of these, Rhizo-
phorea mucronata. Lamb, and Am-
cennia officinalis, Linn., are com-
mon in Australia ; the latter is
also found in New Zealand.
Bruguiera rheedii, of the N. O.
Rhizophorece, is called in Australia
Red Mangrove ', and the same
vernacular name is applied to
Heritiera littoralis, Dryand., N.O.
Sterculiacecz, the Sundri of India
and the Looking-glass Tree of
English gardeners.
The name Milky Mangrove is
given, in Australia, to Excaecaria
agallocha. Linn., N.O. Euphor-
biacece, which further goes by the
names of River Poisonous Tree and
Blind-y our- Eyes names alluding
to the poisonous juice of the stem.
The name River Mangrove is
applied to SEgiceras ma/us, Gaertn.,
N. O. Myrsinece, which is not en-
demic in Australia.
In Tasmania, Native Mangrove
is another name for the Boobialla
(q.v.).
Mangrove-Myrtle, n. name
applied by Leichhardt to the
Indian tree Barringtonia acutan-
gula, Gagrtn. (Stravadtum rubrum
De C.), N.O. Myrtacea.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 289:
"As its foliage and the manner of
the growth resemble the mangrove,
we called it the mangrove-myrtle."
Manna, n. the dried juice, of
sweet taste, obtained from in-
cisions in the bark of various
trees-. The Australian manna is
obtained from certain Eucalypts,
especially E. viminalis^ Labill.
It differs chemically from the
better known product of the
MAN]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
283
Manna- Ash (Fraxinus ornus]. See
Lerp.
1835. Ross, 'Hobart Town Almanack,'
p. 99:
" Several of the species yield an ex-
udation in the spring and summer
months, which coagulates and drops
from the leaves to the ground in small
irregular shaped snow white particles,
often as large as an almond [?]. They
are sweet and very pleasant to the
taste, and are greedily devoured by
the birds, ants, and other animals, and
used to be carefully picked up and
eaten by the aborigines. This is a
sort of Manna."
1878. R. Brough Smyth, 'The Ab-
origines of Victoria/ vol. i. p. 211 :
"Two varieties of a substance called
manna are among the natural products
. . one kind . . being secreted by
the leaves and slender twigs of the
E. viniinalis from punctures or injuries
done to these parts of the tree. . . .
It consists principally of a kind of
grape sugar and about 5 % of the sub-
stance called mannite. Another variety
of manna is the secretion of the pupa
of an insect of the Psylla family and
obtains the name of lerp among the
aborigines. At certain seasons of the
year it is very abundant on the leaves
of E. dumosa, or mallee scrub . . ."
1878. W. W. Spicer, 'Handbook of
Plants of Tasmania/ p. viii :
" The Hemipters, of which the aphids,
or plant-lice, are a familiar example,
are furnished with stiff beaks, with
which they pierce the bark and leaves
of various plants for the purpose of
extracting the juices. It is to the
punctures of this and some other insects
of the same Order, that the sweet white
manna is due, which occurs in large
quantities during the summer months
on many of the gum-trees."
Manna-Grass. See Grass.
Manna-Gum. See Manna and
Gum.
Manoao, n. Maori name for a
New Zealand tree, Yellow-pine,
Dacrydium colensoi. Hook., N.O.
Conifers.
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand/ p. 192 :
" The wood of the manoao is of a
light-brown colour."
Manucode, n. The word is in
English use for the bird-of-para-
dise. It is Malay (inanuk-dewata
= bird of the gods). The species
in Australia is Manucodia gouldii,
Grey. See also Rifle-bird.
Manuka, n. the Maori name
for Tea-tree (q.v.). Properly, the
accent is on the first syllable with
broad a. Vulgarly, the accent is
placed on the second syllable.
There are two species in New
Zealand, white and red ; the first,
a low bush called Scrub-Manuka,
L. scoparium^ R. and G. Forst.,
the Tea-tree used by Captain
Cook's sailors ; the second, a tree
Leptospermum ericoides, A. Richard.
1840. J. S. Polack, ' Manners and
Customs of the New Zealanclers/ p. 258 :
" This wood, called by the southern
tribes manuka, is remarkably hard
and durable, and throughout the
country is an especial favourite with
the natives, who make their spears,
paddles, fishing rods, etc., of this
useful timber."
1842. W. R. Wade, 'Journey in
Northern Island of New Zealand/ p. 75 :
" The Manuka, or, as it is called in
the northern part of the island,
Kahikatoa (leptospermum scoparium},
is a mysterious plant, known in Van
Diemen's Land as the tea tree."
1843. E. Dieffenbach, ' Travels in New
Zealand/ vol. i. p. 28:
" The manuka supplies the place of
the tea-shrub."
1845. E. J. Wakefield, ' Adventures in
New Zealand/ vol. i. p. 270 :
" [The house] was protected from the
weather by a wooden railing rilled in
with branches of the manuka. This
is a shrub very abundant in some
parts. The plant resembles the tea-
plant in leaves and flower, and is often
used green by the whalers and traders
for the same purpose."
1851. Mrs. Wilson, 'New Zealand/
p. 46:
" It is generally made of manuka a
28 4
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MAO
very hard, dark, close-grained and
heavy wood."
1867. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand,' p. 121 :
" The manuka, a sort of scrub, has
a pretty blossom like a diminutive
Michaelmas daisy, white petals and a
brown centre, with a very aromatic
odour ; and this little flower is suc-
ceeded by a berry with the same strong
smell and taste of spice. The shep-
herds sometimes make an infusion of
these when they are very hard up for
tea ; but it must be like drinking a
decoction of cloves."
1871. C. L. Money, ' Knocking about
in New Zealand,' p. 70 :
" Chiefly covered with fern and tea-
tree (manuka) scrub."
1872. A. Domett, ' Ranolf,' p. 149:
" Then to a copse of manuka retreat,
Where they could safely, secretly
commune."
[Domett has the following note " 'A
large shrub or small tree ; leaves used
as tea in Tasmania and Australia,
where the plant is equally abundant'
(Hooker). In the poem it is called
indiscriminately manuka, broom,
broom-like myrtle, or leptosperm. The
settlers often call it * tea-broom.' "]
1875. Wood and Lapham, ' Waiting for
the Mail,' p. 23 :
" A tremendous fire of broadleaf and
manuka roared in the chimney."
1889. Cassell's 'Picturesque Austral-
asia,' vol. iv. p. 123 :
" Manuka is a shrub which is ram-
pant throughout New Zealand. If it
were less common it would be thought
more beautiful. In summer it is
covered with white blossom : and there
are few more charming sights than a
plain of flourishing manuka."
Maomao, n. Maori name for a
New Zealand sea-fish, Ditrema
violacea.
1886. R. A. Sherrin, ' Fishes of New
Zealand,' p. 67 :
"The delicious little maomao may
be caught at the Riverina Rocks in
immense quantities."
Maori, n. (pronounced so as to
rhyme with Dowry]. (i) The
name used to designate them-
selves by the Polynesian race
occupying 1 New Zealand when it
was discovered by the white man,
and which still survives. They
are not aboriginal as is commonly
supposed, but migrated into New
Zealand about 500 years ago from
Hawaii, the tradition still sur-
viving of the two great canoes
(Arawa and Tainui) in which the
pioneers arrived. They are com-
monly spoken of as the Natives
of New Zealand.
(2) The language of the Maori
race.
(3) adj. Applied to anything
pertaining to the Maoris or their
language. See Pakeha.
There is a discussion on the
word in the ' Journal of Polyne-
sian Society,' vol. i. no. 3, vol. ii.
no. i, and vol. iii. no. i. Bishop
Williams (4th ed.) says that the
word means, "of the normal or
usual kind." The Pakehas were
not men to whom the natives were
accustomed. So Maori was used
as opposed to the Europeans, the
white-skins. Kuri Maori was a
name used for a dog after the
arrival of other quadrupeds called
also kuri. Wai maori was fresh-
water, ordinary as opposed to
sea-water. Another explanation
is that the word meant " indi-
genoils," and that there are
kindred words with that meaning
in other Polynesian languages.
First, "indigenous," or "of the
native race," and then with a
secondary meaning, "ours."
(See 'Tregear's Maori Com-
parative Dictionary,' s.v.)
The form of the plural varies.
The form Maoris is considered the
more correct, but the form Maories
is frequently used by good writers.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 194 :
" The Maori language is essentially
MAO]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
285
a poor one, and possesses in particular
but few words which express abstract
ideas."
1859. A. S. Thomson, ' Story of New
Zealand,' vol. i. c. iii. p. 51 :
" No light is thrown on the origin of
the New Zealanders from the name
Maori which they call themselves.
This word, rendered by linguists
' native,' is used in contradistinction to
pakeha, or stranger."
1864. Crosbie Ward, ' Canterbury
Rhymes,' ' The Runaways' (2nd edition), p.
79:
" One morn they fought, the fight was
hot,
Although the day was show'ry ;
And many a gallant soldier then
Was bid Memento Maori."
1891. Jessie Mackay, ' The Sitter on
the Rail, and other Poems,' p. 61 :
" Like the night, the fated Maori
Fights the coming day ;
Fights and falls as doth the kauri
Hewn by axe away."
(4) Name given in New South
Wales to the fish, Cost's . lineolatus,
one of the Labridce, or Wrasses.
Maori-Cabbage, n. the wild
cabbage of New Zealand, Bras-
sica spp., N.O. Crurifercz, said to
be descended from the cabbages
planted by Captain Cook.
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, ' Te Ika a Maui,'
p. 206.
" Every recollection of Cook is
interesting .... But the chief record
of his having been on the island is the
cabbage and turnip which he sowed in
various places : these have spread and
become quite naturalized, growing
everywhere in the greatest abundance,
and affording an inexhaustible supply
of excellent vegetables."
1863. S. Butler, ' First Year in Canter-
bury Settlement/ p. 131 :
" The only plant good to eat is
Maori cabbage, and that is swede
turnip gone wild, from seed left by
Captain Cook."
1880. W. Colenso, 'Transactions of
New Zealand Institute,' vol. xiii. art. i.
p. 31 ['On the Vegetable Food of the
Ancient New Zealanders '] :
" The leaves of several smaller plants
were also used as vegetables ; but the
use of these in modern times, or during
the last forty or fifty years, was com-
monly superseded by that of the ex-
tremely useful and favourite plant
the Maori cabbage, Brassica oleracea,
introduced by Cook (nani of the
Maoris at the north, and rearea at the
south), of which they carefully sowed
the seeds."
Maori-chief, n. name given to a
New Zealand Flathead-fish, Noto-
thenia maoriensis, or coriiceps. The
name arises from marks on the
fish like tattooing. It is a very
dark, almost black fisb.
1877. P. Thomson, ' Transactions of the
New Zealand Institute,' vol. x. art. xliv.
P- 330 :
" Some odd fishes now and then turn
up in the market, such as the Maori-
chief, cat-fish, etc."
1878. Ibid. vol. xi. art. Hi. p. 381 :
"That very dark-skinned fish, the
Maori-chief, Notothenia Maoriensis of
Dr. Haast, is not uncommon, but is
rarely seen more than one at a time."
1896. 'The Australasian,' Aug. 28, p.
407, col. 5 :
" Resemblances are strange things.
At first it would seem improbable that
a fish could be like a man, but in
Dunedin a fish was shown to me called
Maori Chief, and with the exercise of
a little imagination it was not difficult
to perceive the likeness. Nay, some
years ago, at a fishmonger's in Mel-
bourne, a fish used to be labelled with
the name of a prominent Victorian
politician now no more. There is
reason, however, to believe that art
was called in to complete the likeness."
Maori-head, n. a swamp tus-
sock, so called from a fancied
resemblance to the head of a
Maori. (Compare Black-boy.) It
is not a grass, but a sedge
(car ex).
1882. T. H. Potts, < Out in the Open,'
p. 169 :
"A boggy creek that oozed slug-
gishly through rich black soil, amongst
tall raupo, maori-heads, and huge flax-
bushes."
286
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MAO-MAP
1892. W. McHutcheson, ' Camp Life in
Fiordland,' p. 34 :
" Amid the ooze and slime rose a
rank growth of ' Maori heads.' "
Maori-hen, n. Same as Weka
(q.v.)-
Maoriland, n. a modern name
for New Zealand. It is hardly
earlier than 1884. If the word, or
anything like it, such as Maoria,
was used earlier, it meant "the
Maori parts of New Zealand. " It
is now used for the whole.
1873. J. H. St. John [Title]:
" Pakeha Rambles through Maori
Lands."
1874. J. C. Johnstone [Title] :
" Maoria : a sketch of the Manners
and Customs of the Aboriginal In-
habitants of New Zealand."
1884. Kerry Nicholls [Title] :
"The King Country, or Explor-
ations in New Zealand. A Narrative of
600 Miles of Travel through Maori-
land."
1884. [Title] :
" Maoriland : an Illustrated Hand-
book to New Zealand."
1886. Annie R. Butler [Title] :
" Glimpses of Maori Land."
1890. T. Bracken [Title] :
" Musings in Maori Land."
1896. 'The Argus,' July 22, p. 4, col. 8:
"Always something new from Maori-
land ! Our New Zealand friends are
kindly obliging us with vivid illustra-
tions of how far demagogues in office
will actually go."
Maorilander, n. modern name
for a white man born in New
Zealand.
1896. 'Melbourne Punch,' April 9, p.
233, col. 2 :
" Norman is a pushing young Maori-
lander who apparently has the Britisher
by the right ear."
Maori, White, New Zealand
miners' name for a stone. See
quotation.
1883. ' A Citizen,' ' Illustrated Guide to
Dunedin,' p. 169:
"Tungstate of lime occurs plenti-
fully in the Wakatipu district, where
from its weight and colour it is called
White Maori by the miners."
Mapau, ?i. a Maori name for
several New Zealand trees ; called
also Mapou, and frequently cor-
rupted by settlers into Maple, by
the law of Hobson-Jobson. The
name is applied to the following
The Mapau
My r sine urvillei, De C., N.O.
Myrsinecz ; sometimes called
Red Mapau.
Black M.
Pittosporum tenuifolium, Banks
and Sol., N.O. Pittosporea ;
Maori name, Tawhiri.
White M.
Carpodetus serratus, Forst., N.O.
Saxifrages;
Pittosporum eugenoides, A. Cunn.;
Maori name, Tarata (q.v.) ;
called also the Hedge-laurel
(q.v.), Lemon-wood, and New
Zealand Oak. See Oak.
The first of these trees (Myrsine
urvillei} is, according to Colenso,
the only tree to which the Maoris
themselves give the name Mapau.
The others are only so called by
the settlers.
1868. ' Transactions of the New Zealand
Institute,' vol. i., 'Essay on Botany of
Otago,'p. 37:
"White Mapau, or Piripiri-whata
(Carpodetus serratus], an ornamental
shrub-tree, with mottled-green leaves,
and large cymose panicles of white
flowers .... Red Mapau (Myrsine
Urvillei), a small tree common at
Dunedin. Wood dark red, very
astringent, used as fence stuff."
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 132 :
" Tawiri, white-mapau, white-birch
(of Auckland). A small tree, ten to
thirty feet high ; trunk unusually
slender ; branches spreading in a fan-
shaped manner, which makes it of
very ornamental appearance ; flower
white, profusely produced. The wood
is soft and tough. n
MAP-MAR]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
287
1889. T. Kirk, ' Forest Flora of New
Zealand, ' p. 75 :
" By the settlers it is frequently
called 'black mapou' on account of
the colour of the bark. . . . With still
less excuse it is sometimes called
'black maple,' an obvious corruption
of the preceding."
Maple, n. In New Zealand, a
common settlers' corruption for
any tree called Mapau (q.v.) ; in
Australia, applied to Villaresia
moorei, F. v. M., N.O. Olaanea,
called also the Scrub Silky Oak.
See Oak.
Maray, n. New South Wales
name for the fish Clupea sagax,
Jenyns, family Clupeidce or Her-
rings^ almost identical with the
English pilchard. The word
Maray is thought to be an ab-
original name. Bloaters are
made of this fish at Picton in
New Zealand, according to the
Report of the Royal Commission
on Fisheries of New South Wales,
1880. But Agonostoma forsteri, a
Sea-Mullet, is also when dried
called the Picton Herring (q.v).
See Herring and Aua.
Marble-fish, n. name given to
the Tupong (q.v.) in Geelong.
Marble-wood, n. name applied
to a whitish-coloured mottled
timber, Olea paniculata, R. Br.,
N. O. Jasminece ; called also Native
Olive and Ironwood.
Mark, a good, Australian slang.
1845. R. Howitt, < Australia,' p. 233 :
"I wondered often what was the
meaning of this, amongst many other
peculiar colonial phrases, ' Is the man
a good mark?' I heard it casually
from the lips of apparently respectable
settlers, as they rode on the highway,
' Such and such a one is a good mark,"
simply a person who pays his men
their wages, without delays or draw-
backs ; a man to whom you may sell
anything safely ; for there are in the
colony people who are regularly sum-
moned before the magistrates by every
servant they employ for wages. They
seem to like to do everything publicly,
legally, and so become notoriously not
' good marks.' "
[So also "bad mark," in the
opposite sense.]
Mariner, n. name given in Tas-
mania to a marine univalve mol-
lusc, either Elenchus badius, or E.
bellulus. Wood.
The Mariner is called by the
Tasmanian Fishery Commis-
sioners the " Pearly Necklace
Shell " ; when deprived of its
epidermis by acid or other means,
it has a blue or green pearly
lustre.
The shells are made into neck-
laces, of which the aboriginal
name is given as Merrina, and the
name of the shell is a corruption
of this word, by the law of
Hobson-Jobson. Compare War~
rener.
1878. c Catalogue of the Objects of
Ethnotypical Art in the National Gallery '
(Melbourne), p. 52 :
"Necklace, consisting of 565 shells
(Elenchus Belhdus) strung on thin,
well-made twine. The native name of
a cluster of these shells was, according
to one writer, Merrina"
Marsh, n. a Tasmanian name
for a meadow. See quotation.
1852. Mrs. Meredith, ' My Home in
Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 163 :
"Perhaps my use of the common
colonial term 'marsh' may be mis-
understood at home, as I remember
that I myself associated it at first with
the idea of a swamp ; but a ' marsh '
here is what would in England be
called a meadow, with this difference,
that in our marshes, until partially
drained, a growth of tea-trees (Lepto
spermuni) and rushes in some measure
encumbers them ; but, after a short
time, these die off, and are trampled
down, and a thick sward of verdant
grass covers the whole extent : such is.
our 'marsh,'"'
288
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MAR
Marsupial, adj. See the Noun.
Marsupial, n. an animal in
which the female has an abdom-
inal pouch in which the young,
born in a very immature state,
are carried. (Lat. Marsupium
a pouch.) At the present day
Marsupials are only found in
America and the Australian re-
gion, the greater number being
confined to the latter. See quo-
tation 1894, Lydekker.
1848. W. Westgarth, ' Australia Felix,'
p. 129 :
"The marsupial type exhibits the
economy of nature under novel and
very interesting arrangements. . . .
Australia is the great head-quarters of
the marsupial tribe."
1860. G. Bennett, 'Gatherings of a Natur-
alist,' p. 5 :
"I believe it was Charles Lamb
who said, the peculiarity of the small
fore-feet of the Kangaroo seemed to be
for picking pockets ; but he forgot to
mention the singularity characterizing
the animal kingdom of Australia, that
they have pockets to be picked, being
mostly marsupial. We have often
amused ourselves by throwing sugar
or bread into the pouch of the Kan-
garoo, and seen with what delight the
animal has picked its own pocket, and
devoured the contents, searching its
bag, like a Highlander his sporran, for
more." [See Kangaroo, quotation
1833-]
1885. H. Finch-Hatton, * Advance Aus-
tralia,' p. 106 :
"An Act known as the Marsupial
Act was accordingly passed to encour-
age their destruction, a reward of so
much a scalp being offered by the
Government. . . . Some of the squat-
ters have gone to a vast expense in
fencing-in their runs with marsupial
fencing, but it never pays."
1890. C. Lumholtz, ' Among Cannibals,'
p. 29:
" One of the sheep-owners told me
that in the course of eighteen months
he had killed 64,000 of these animals
(marsupials), especially wallabies (Ma-
cropus dorsalis] and kangaroo-rats
(Lagorchestes conspicillatus\ and also
many thousands of the larger kangaroo
(Macropus giganteus)"
1893. ' Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug.
5, p. 9, col. I :
" In South Australia the Legislature
has had to appoint a close season for
kangaroos, else would extinction of the
larger marsupials be at hand. We
should have been forced to such action
also, if the American market for kan-
garoo-hides had continued as brisk as
formerly."
1894. R - Lydekker, ' Marsupialia,' p. I :
" The great island-continent of Aus-
tralia, together with the South-eastern
Austro- Malay an islands, is especially
characterized by being the home of
the great majority of that group of
lowly mammals commonly designated
marsupials, or pouched-mammals. In-
deed, with the exception of the still
more remarkable monotremes [q.v.],
or egg-laying mammals, nearly the
whole of the mammalian fauna of Aus-
tralia consists of these marsupials, the
only other indigenous mammals being
certain rodents and bats, together with
the native dog, or dingo, which may
or may not have been introduced by
man."
1896. F. G. Aflalo, ' Natural History of
Australia,' p. 30 :
" The presence of a predominating
marsupial order in Australia has, be-
sides practically establishing the long
isolation of that continent from the
rest of the globe, also given rise to a
number of ingenious theories profess-
ing to account for its survival in this
last stronghold."
Marsupial Mole, . the only spe-
cies of the genus Notoryctes (q.v.),
N. typhlops [from the Greek VO'TOS,
* south ' (literally * south wind '),
and pvyxos, a * snout '] ; first de-
scribed by Dr. Stirling of Adelaide
(in the ' Transactions of the Royal
Society of South Australia,' 1891,
p. 154). Aboriginal name, Ur-
quamata. It burrows with such
extraordinary rapidity in the
desert-sands'of Central Australia,
to which it is confined, that,
according to Mr. Lydekker, it
MAR-MEG]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
289
may be said to swim in the sand
as a porpoise does in the water.
Marsupial 'Wolf, n. See Thy-
lacine and Tasmanian Tiger.
Martin, n. a bird common in
England. The species in Austra-
lia are Tree, Petrochelidon nigri-
cans, Vieill. ; Fairy, Lagenoplastes
ariel, Gould ; called also Bottle-
Swallow (q.v.).
1896. F. G. Aflalo, ' Natural History of
Australia,' p. 128 :
". . . the elegant little Fairy Martins
{Lagenoplastes ariel\ which construct
a remarkable mud nest in shape not
unlike a retort."
Mary, n. used in Queensland
of the aborigines, as equivalent to
girl or woman. " A black Mary."
Compare "Benjamin" used for
husband.
Matai, often abridged to Mai,
n. Maori name for a New Zealand
tree, Podocarpus spicata, R. Br.,
N. O. Coniferce. Black-pine of
Otago.
1883. J. Hector, 'Handbook of New
Zealand,' p. 124 :
" Mr. Buchanan has described a log
of matai that he found had been ex-
posed for at least 200 years in a dense
damp bush .in North-East Valley,
Dunedin, as proved by its being en-
folded by the roots of three large trees
of Griselinia littoralis. n
Matagory, . a prickly shrub
of New Zealand, Discaria toumatou,
Raoul. ; also called Wild Irishman
(q.v.). The Maori name is Tuma*
takuruy of which Matagory, with
various spellings, is a corruption,
much used by rabbiters and
swagmen. The termination gory
evidently arises by the law of
Hobson-Jobson from the fact that
the spikes draw blood.
I 859- J- T. Thomson, in 'Otago
Gazette,' Sept. 22, p. 264:
" Much over-run with the scrub
called ' tomata-guru.' }:
Alex. Garvie, ibid. p. 280 :
" Much of it is encumbered with
matakura scrub."
1892. W. McHutcheson, ' Camp Life in
Fiordland,' p. 8:
" Trudging moodily along in Indian
file through the matagouri scrub and
tussock."
1896. 'Otago Witness,' 7th May, p. 48:
" The tea generally tastes of birch
or Matagouri."
Match-box Bean, n. another
name for the ripe hard seed of the
Queensland Bean, Entada scandens,
Benth., N.O. Leguminoscz. A tall
climbing plant. The seeds are
used for match-boxes. See under
Bean.
Matipo, n. another Maori name
for the New Zealand trees called
Mapau (q.v.).
1866. Lady Barker, 'Station Life in
New Zealand' (ed. 1886), p. 94:
" The varieties of matapo, a beautiful
shrub, each leaf a study, with its delicate
tracery of black veins on a yellow-
green ground."
1879. J. B. Armstrong, ' Transactions of
the New Zealand Institute,' vol. xxi.
art. xlix. p. 329:
" The tipau, or matipo (pittosporum
tenuifolium), makes the* best orna-
mental hedge I know of."
1879. ' Tourist,' ' New Zealand Country
Journal,' vol. iii. p. 93 :
"An undergrowth of beautiful
shrubs, conspicuous amongst these
were the Pittosporum or Matipo,
which are, however, local in their
distribution, unlike the veronicas,
which abound everywhere."
Meadow Bice-grass, n. See
Grass.
Mealy-back, n. a local name
for the Locust (q.v.).
Medicine-tree, i.q. Horse-radish
Tree (q.v.).
Megapode, n. scientific name
for a genus of Australian birds
with large feet the Mound-birds
(q.v.). From Greek //,eyas, large,
and TTOVS, TroSos, a foot. They are
also called Scrub-fowls.
u
290
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MEL-MER
Melitose, n. the name given
by Berthelot to the sugar obtained
from the manna of Eucalyptus
mannifera. Chemically identical
with the raffinose extracted from
molasses and the gossypose ex-
tracted from cotton-seeds.
1894. <T h e Australasian,' April 28, p.
732, col. I :
[Statement as to origin of melitose
by the Baron von Mueller.] " Sir
Frederick M'Coy has traced the pro-
duction of mellitose also to a smaller
cicade."
Melon, n. Besides its botani-
cal use, the word is applied in
Australia to a small kangaroo,
the Paddy-melon (q.v.).
Melon-hole, n. a kind of honey-
combing of the surface in the in-
terior plains, dangerous to horse-
men, ascribed to the work of the
Paddy-melon. Seeprecedingword,
and compare the English Rabbit-
hole. The name is often given
to any similar series of holes, such
as are sometimes produced by the
growing of certain plants.
1847. L. Leichhardt, ' Overland Expe-
dition,' p. 9 :
" The soil of the Bricklow scrub is a
stiff clay, washed out by the rains into
shallow holes, well known by the
squatters under the name of melon-
holes."
Ibid. p. 77 :
" A stiff, wiry, leafless, polyganace-
ous plant grows in the shallow de-
pressions of the surface of the ground,
which are significantly termed by the
squatters 'Melon-holes, 3 and abound
in the open Box-tree flats."
1881. A. C. Grant, 'Bush Life in
Queensland,' p. 220 :
"The plain is full of deep melon-
holes, and the ground is rotten and
undermined with rats."
Menindie Clover, n. See
Clover.
Menura, n. the scientific name
of the genus of the Lyre-bird (q.v. ),
so called from the crescent-shaped
form of the spots on the tail ; the
tail itself is shaped like a lyre.
(Grk. /Arji/, moon, crescent, and
ovpa, tail.) The name was given
by General Davies in 1800.
1800. T. Davies, 'Description of
Menura superba,' in ' Transactions of the
Linnaean Society' (1802), vol. vi. p. 208:
" The general colour of the under
sides of these two [tail] feathers is of a
pearly hue, elegantly marked on the
inner web with bright rufous-coloured
crescent-shaped spots, which, from
the extraordinary construction of the
parts, appear wonderfully transparent. J>
Mere, or Meri, n. (pronounced
merry), a Maori war-club ; a casse-
tte, or a war-axe, from a foot to
eighteen inches in length, and
made of any suitable hard ma-
terial stone, hard wood, whale-
bone. To many people out of
New Zealand the word is only
known as the name of a little
trinket of greenstone (q.v.) made
in imitation of the New Zealand
weapon in miniature, mounted in
gold or silver, and used as a
brooch, locket, ear-ring, or other
article of jewelry.
1830. J. D. Lang, 'Poems' (edition
1873), p. 116:
" Beneath his shaggy flaxen mat
The dreadful marree hangs con-
cealed."
1851. Mrs. Wilson, 'New Zealand,' p.
48:
" The old man has broken my head
with his meri."
1859. A. S. Thomson, 'Story of New
Zealand,' p. 140 :
" Of these the greenstone meri was
the most esteemed. It weighs six
pounds, is thirteen inches long, and in
shape resembles a soda-water bottle
flattened. In its handle is a hole for
a loop of flax, which is twisted round
the wrist. Meris are carried occasion-
ally in the girdle, like Malay knives.
In conflicts the left hand grasped the
enemy's hair, and one blow from the
meri on the head produced death."
MER-MIA]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
291
1887. J. Bonwick, 'Romance of Wool
Trade/ p. 229 :
" A land of musket and meri-armed
warriors, unprovided with a meat sup-
ply, even of kangaroo."
1889. Jessie Mackay, ' The Spirit of the
Rangatira/ p. 16:
" He 'brandished his greenstone mere
high,
And shouted a Maori battle-cry."
1890. Rolf Boldre wood, 'Miner's Right,'
c. iii. p. 33 :
* No, no, my peg ; I thrust it in
with this meri,' yells Maori Jack, bran-
dishing his war-club."
Merinoes, Pure, n. a term often
used, especially in New South
Wales, for the 'very first families,'
as the pure merino is the most
valuable sheep.
1827. P. Cunningham, 'Two Years in
New South Wales/ vol. i. p. 116:
" Next we have the legitimates . . .
such as have legal reasons for visiting
this colony ; and the illegitimates, or
such as are free from that stigma.
The pure merinos are a variety of the
latter species, who pride themselves
on being of the purest blood in the
colony."
Mersey Jolly-tail, n. See Jolly-
tail
i
Message-stick, n. The aborigi-
nals sometimes carve little blocks
of wood with various marks to
convey messages. These are
called by the whites, message-sticks.
Messmate, n. name given to
one of the Gum-trees, Eucalyptus
amygdalina, Labill., and often to
other species of Eucalypts, espe-
cially E. obliqua, L'Herit. For
origin of this curious name, see
quotation, 1889.
1889. J- H. Maiden, 'Useful Native
Plants/ p. 429 :
" It is also known by the name of
'Messmate,' because it is allied to,
or associated with, Stringy-bark.
This is probably the tallest tree on
the globe, individuals having been
measured up to 400 ft., 410 ft., and in
one case 420 ft., with the length of the
stem up to the first branch 295 ft.
The height of a tree at Mt. Baw Baw
(Victoria) is quoted at 471 ft."
1890. 'The Argus/ June 7, p. 13,00!. 4 :
" Away to the north-east a wooded
range of mountains rolls along the sky-
line, ragged rents showing here and
there where the dead messmates and
white gums rise like gaunt skeletons
from the dusky brown-green mass into
which distance tones the bracken and
the underwood."
Mia-mia, n. an aboriginal hut.
The word is aboriginal, and has
been spelt variously. Mia-mia is
the most approved spelling, mi-mi
the most approved pronunciation.
See Humpy.
1845. R. Howitt, Australia/ p. 103 :
" There she stood in a perfect state
of nudity, a little way from the road,
by her miam, smiling, or rather
grimacing."
1852. Letter from Mrs. Perry, given in
Canon Goodman's ' Church in Victoria
during Episcopate of Bishop Perry/ p. 167 :
"We came upon the largest (de-
serted) native encampment we had
ever seen. One of the mia-mias (you
know what that is by this time the a
is not sounded) was as large as an
ordinary sized circular summer-house,
and actually had rude seats all round,
which is quite unusual. It had no
roof; they never have, being mere
break- weathers, not so high as a man's
shoulder."
1855. W. Howitt, 'Two Years in Vic-
toria/ vol. i. p. 366 :
" They constructed a mimi, or bower
of boughs on the other, leaving port-
holes amongst the boughs towards the
road."
1858. T. McCombie, 'History of Vic-
toria/ c. vii. p. 96 :
" Their thoughts wandered to their
hunting-grounds and mia-mias on the
Murray."
1861. T. McCombie, 'Australian
Sketches/ p. 15 :
[Notice varied spelling in the same
author.] " Many of the diggers re-
sided under branches of trees made
into small ' miams ' or ' wigwams.' "
2Q2
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MIC-MIL
1871. C. L. Money, ' Knocking About
in New Zealand,' p. 42 :
" The next day I began building a
little 'mi-mi, 3 to serve as a resting-
place for the night in going back at
any time for supplies."
1883. E. M. Curr, 'Recollections of
Squatting in Victoria ' ( 1 84 1 1 85 1 ), p. 1 48 :
" Of the mia-mias, some were stand-
ing ; others had, wholly or in part,
been thrown down by their late occu-
pants."
1888. D. Macdonald, 'Gum Boughs,'
p. 32:
" A few branches thrown up against
the prevailing wind, in rude imitation
of the native mia-mia."
1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, ' Australian
Life,' p. ill:
"[The blacks] would compel [the
missionaries] to carry their burdens
while travelling, or build their mia-
mias when halting to camp for the
night ; in fact, all sorts of menial
offices had to be discharged by the
missionaries for these noble black men
while away on the wilds ! " [Footnote]:
" Small huts, made of bark and leafy
boughs, built so as to protect them
against the side from which the wind
blew."
Micky, n. young wild bull.
" Said to have originated in
Gippsland, Victoria. Probably
from the association of bulls with
Mickeys, or Irishmen." (Barere
and Leland.)
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, ' Colonial Re-
former,' c. xviii. p. 217 :
"The wary and still more danger-
ously sudden 'Micky, 3 a two-year-old
bull."
Micky 2 , n. In New Zealand, a
corruption of Mingi (q.v.).
Midwinter, n. The seasons
being reversed in Australia,
Christmas occurs in the middle
of summer. The English word
Midsummer has thus dropped out
of use, and "Christmas," or
Christmas-time, is its Australian
substitute, whilst Midwinter is
the word used to denote the Aus-
tralian winter-time " of late June
and early July. See Christmas.
Mignonette, Native, n. a Tas-
manian flower, Stackhousia linarice-
folia, Cunn., N. O. Stackhousecz.
Mihanere, n. a convert to
Christianity ; a Maori variant of
the English word Missionary.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, 'Adventures in
New Zealand,' vol. ii. pp. n, 12 :
" The mihanere natives, as a body,
were distinctly inferior in point of
moral character to the natives, who
remained with their ancient customs
unchanged. ... A very common
answer from a con verted native, accused
of theft, was, ' How can that be ? I am a
mihanere. 3 . . . They were all mi-
hanere, or converts. 33
Milk-bush, n. a tall Queens-
land shrub, Wrightia saligna, F.
v. M., N.O. Apocynetz ; it is said
to be most valuable as a fodder-
bush.
Milk-fish, n. The name, in Aus-
tralia, is given to a marine animal
belonging to the class Holothu-
rioidea. The Holothurians are
called Sea-cucumbers, or Sea-slugs.
The Trepang, or beche-de-mer, eaten
by the Chinese, belongs to them.
Called also Tit-fish (q.v.).
1880. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, ' Pro-
ceedings of the Linnsean Society of New
South Wales,' vol. v. pt. ii. p. 128 :
" Another species [of Trepang\ is
the 'milk fish' or 'cotton fish/ so
called from its power of emitting a
white viscid fluid from its skin, which
clings to an object like shreds of
cotton."
Milk-plant, n. i.q. Caustic
Creeper (q.v.).
Milk-tree, n. a New Zealand
tree, Epicarpurus microphyllus,
Raoul.
1873. ' Catalogue of Vienna Exhibition ' :
"Milk-tree ... a tall slender tree
exuding a milky sap : wood white and
very brittle."
Milk-wood, n. a Northern
MIL-MIM]
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
293
Territory name for Melaleuca leuca-
dendron, Linn. ; called also Paper-
bark-tree (q-v.).
Miller, n. a local name for the
Cicada. See Locust (quotation,
1896).
Millet, n. The name is given
to several Australian grasses.
The Koda Millet of India, Paspa-
lum scroMculatum, Linn., is called
in Australia Ditch Millet ; Seaside
Millet is the name given to Paspa-
lum distichum, Linn., both of the
N. O. Graminecz. But the principal
species is called Australian Millet,
Native Millet, and Umbrella Grass ;
it is Panicum decomposition, R. Br.,
N. O. Graminece. ; it is not endemic
in Australia.
1896. * The Australasian,' March 14, p.
488, col. 5 :
" One of the very best of the grasses
found in the hot regions of Central
Australia is the Australian millet,
Panicum decompositum. . It is ex-
tremely hardy and stands the hot dry
summers of the north very well ; it is
nutritious, and cattle and sheep are
fond of it. It seeds freely, was used
by the aborigines for making a sort of
cake, and was the only grain stored by
them. This grass thrives in poor soil,
and starts into rapid growth with the
first autumn rains."
Mimosa, n. a scientific name
applied to upwards of two hundred
trees of various genera in the Old
World. The genus Mimosa, under
which the Australian trees called
Wattles were originally classed,
formerly included the Acacias.
These now constitute a separate
genus. Acacia is the scientific
name for the Wattle ; though even
now an old colonist will call the
Wattles "Mimosa."
1793. J. E. Smith, ' Specimen of Botany
of New Holland,' p. 52 :
" This shrub is now not uncommon
in our greenhouses, having been raised
in plenty from seeds brought from Port
Jackson. It generally bears its fra-
grant flowers late in the autumn, and
might then at first sight be sooner
taken for a Myrtus than a Mimosa?
1802. Jas. Flemming, 'Journal of Ex-
plorations of Charles Grimes, 'in 'Historical
Records of Port Phillip ' (ed. 1879, J. J.
Shillinglaw), p. 25 :
" Timber ; gum, Banksia, oak, and
mimosa of sorts, but not large except
the gum."
1830. R. Dawson, ' Present State of
Australia,' p. 202 :
" Gum-arabic, which exudes from
the mimosa shrubs."
1844. 'Port Phillip Patriot,' July 18,
p. 4, col. 2 :
" ' Cashmere ' shawls do not grow on
the mimosa trees."
1845. J. O. Balfour, 'Sketch of New
South Wales,' p. 38 :
" The mimosa is a very graceful
tree ; the foliage is of a light green
colour. . . . The yellow flowers with
which the mimosa is decked throw out
a perfume sweeter than the laburnum ;
and the gum ... is said not to be
dissimilar to gum-arabic."
1845. R. Howitt, 'Australia,' p. 175 :
" But, Yarra, thou art lovelier now,
With clouds of bloom on every
bough ;
A gladsome sight it is to see,
In blossom thy mimosa tree.
Like golden-moonlight doth it seem,
The moonlight of a heavenly dream ;
A sunset lustre, chaste and cold,
A pearly splendour blent with gold."
" To the River Yarra."
1848. W. Westgarth, 'Australia Felix,'
P- 255 :
"The other exports of Australia
Felix consist chiefly of tallow, cured
beef and mutton, wheat, mimosa-bark,
and gumwood."
1849. J. P. Townsend, 'Rambles in
New South Wales,' p. 34 :
"The mimosa although it sadly
chokes the country when in flower,
fills the air with fragrance. Its bark is
much used for tanning purposes ; and
the gum that exudes from the stem is
of some value as an export, and is used
by the blacks as food."
294
AUSTRALASIAN DICTIONARY
[MIN
1870. F. S. Wilson, ' Australian Songs,'
p. 29:
" I have sat, and watched the land-
scape, latticed by the golden curls,
Showering, like mimosa-blooms, in
scented streams about my breast."
Minah, n. (also Myna, Mina,
and Minah-bird, and the charac-
teristic Australian change of
Miner). From Hindustani maina, a
starling. The word is originally
applied in India to various birds
of the Starling kind, especially to
Graculus religiosa, a talking star-
ling or grackle. One of these
Indian grackles, Acridotheres
tristis, was acclimatised in Mel-
bourne, and is now common to
the house-tops of most Aus-
tralian towns. He is not Aus-
tralian, but is the bird generally
referred to as the Minah, or Minah-
bird. There are Minahs native to
Australia, of which the species
are
Bell-Minah
Manorhina melanophrys, Lath.
Bush-M.
Myzantha garrula, Lath.
Dusky-M. 
