Chapter X: Part 10

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<hw>Elephant-fish</hw>, n. a fish of New Zealand, South Australian, and Tasmanian waters, Callorhynchus antarcticus, Lacep., family Chimaeridae. "It has a cartilaginous prominence of the snout, ending in a cutaneous flap" (Gunth.), 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."

<hw>Ellangowan Poison-bush</hw>, n. a Queensland name for Myoporum deserti, Cunn., N.O. Myoporinae,; called "Dogwood Poison-bush" in New South Wales. Ellangowan is on the Darling Downs in Queensland. Poisonous to sheep, but only when in fruit.

<hw>Emancipatist</hw>, and <hw>Emancipist</hw>, 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 convicts, 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 to the misapplication of the terms emancipists and absentees to two portions of the colonial felonry. An emancipist 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. `Fraser's Magazine,' vol. xlvi. p. 135:

"The convict obtained his ticket-of-leave . . . became an emancipist . . . and found transportation no punishment."

<hw>Emu</hw>, n. an Australian bird, Dromaius novae-hollandiae, Lath. There is a second species, Spotted Emu, Dromaius irroratus, Bartlett. An earlier, but now unusual, spelling is Emeu. Emeus is the scientific 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. Formerly 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.

1613. `Purchas Pilgrimmage,' pt. I. Vol v. c. xii. p. 430 (`O.E.D.'):

"The bird called Emia or Eme is admirable."

1774. Oliver Goldsmith, `Natural History,' vol. iii. p. 69, Book III. c. v. [Heading]

"The Emu."

1788. `History of New South Wales' (1818), p. 53:

"A bird of the ostrich genus, but of a species very 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, approaching 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 Linneus: 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 judgment 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. Bischof, `Van Diemen's Land,' p. 165:

"We saw an emu track down the side of a hill."

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia,' vol. i. c. ix. p.276

"The face of the emu bears a most remarkable likeness to 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. pl. I:

"Dromaius Novae Hollandiae. The Emu. New Holland Cassowary.--'Governor Phillips' Voyage, 1789.'"

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849,' p. 42:

"The emu strides with such rapidity over the plains as to render its capture very difficult even by the swiftest greyhound."

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 `Encyclopedia Britannica' (9th edit.), vol. viii. p. 173:

"Next to the ostrich the largest of existing birds, the common emeu. . .''

1881. A.C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' 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 14th day of June to the 20th 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."

<hw>Emu-Apple</hw>, n. See Apple.

<hw>Emu-Bush</hw>, n. an Australian shrub, Eremophila longifolia, F. v. M., N.O. Myoporineae.

1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 206:

"Emu-tree. A small Tasmanian tree; found on low marshy ground used for turners' work."

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 317:

"Emu-bush. Owing to emus feeding on the seeds of this and other species. Heterodendron oleaefolium, Desf."

Ibid. p. 132:

"The seeds, which are dry, are eaten by emus."

<hw>Emu-Wren</hw>, n. a bird-name. See Malurus.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 31:

"Stipituras Malachurus, Less. Emu Wren. The decomposed or loose structure of these [tail] feathers, much resembling those of the emu, has suggested the colonial name of Emu-Wren for this species, an appellation singularly 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 `Melbourne), `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 smallest scale, even to the peculiarity of two feathers growing out of the same little quill."

<hw>Eopsaltria</hw>, n. scientific name for the genus of Australian birds called Shrike-Robins (q.v.). (Grk. 'aeows, dawn, and psaltria, a female harper.)

<hw>Epacris</hw>, n. scientific name of the typical genus of the order Epacrideae, a heath-like flower of which there are twenty- five species, mostly Australian. From Greek 'epi, upon, and 'akron, top (the flowers grow in spikes at the top of the plant). In Australia they are frequently confused with and called Ericas.

<hw>Ephthianura</hw>, n. scientific name of a genus of very small Australian birds, anglicized as Ephthianure. 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 Zoological 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 'oura, tail, and Homeric imperfect 3rd person sing. 'ephthien, wasted away, from phthiow (= phthinow). [The word occurs Iliad xviii. 446.] //phthio is ONLY in Homer!! Iliad AND Odyssey GJC//

1848. J. Gould,' Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 64:

"Ephthianura Albifrons, White-fronted Ephthianura," pl. 65. "Aurifrons, Gould, Orange-fronted E.," pl. 66. "Tricolor, Gould, Tricoloured E.'"

1890. `Victorian Statutes--Game Act, Third Schedule':

"Close season.--Ephthianuras. The whole year."

<hw>Escapee</hw>, n. one who has escaped. 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. e/chappe/. Escaper is the historical English form. (See Bible, 2 Kings ix. 15, margin.) //He means, of course, the so-called Authorised Version" which reads, ftn. 5: "let no escaper go, etc." Even though the Revised Version was published in 1885. GJC//

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."

<hw>Eucalyn</hw>, n. a sugar obtained, together with laevulose, by fermentation of melitose (q.v.) with yeast, or by boiling it with dilute acids.

<hw>Eucalypt</hw>, n. shortened English form of Eucalyptus used especially in the plural, Eucalypts. Eucalypti sounds pedantic.

1880. T. W. Nutt, `Palace of Industry,' p. 11:

"Stems of the soaring eucalypts that rise Four hundred friendly feet to glad the skies."

1887. J. F. Hogan, `The Irish in Australia,' p. 126:

"There is no unmixed good, it is said, on this mundane sphere, and the evil that has accompanied the extensive settlement of Gipps Land during recent years is to be found in the widespread destruction of the forests, resulting in a disturbance of the atmospheric conditions and the banishment of an ever-active agent in the preservation of health, for these eucalypts, or gum-trees, as they are generally called, possess the peculiar property of arresting fever-germs and poisonous exhalations. 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 replanting them at every seasonable opportunity."

1892. A. Sutherland, `Elementary Geography of British Colonies,' p. 270:

"Throughout the whole of Australia the prevailing trees are eucalypts, known generally as gum-trees on account of the gum which they secrete, and which may be seen standing like big translucent beads on their trunks and branches."

<hw>Eucalyptene</hw>, n. the name given by Cloez to a hydrocarbon obtained by subjecting Eucalyptol (q.v.) to dehydration by phosphorus pentoxide. The same name has also been given by other chemists to a hydrocarbon believed to occur in eucalyptus oil.

<hw>Eucalyptian</hw>, 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 inscription And hieroglyph strange."

<hw>Eucalyptic</hw>, adj. full of gumtrees.

1873. J. Brunton Stephens, `Black Gin, etc.,' p.6:

"This eucalyptic cloisterdom is anything but gay."

<hw>Eucalyptol</hw>, 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.

<hw>Eucalyptus</hw>, n. the gum tree. There are 120 species, as set forth in Baron von Mueller's `Eucalyptographia, a Descriptive Atlas of the Eucalypts of Australia.' The name was first given in scientific Latin by the French botanist L'Heritier, in his Sertum Anglicum, published in 1788. From the Greek 'eu, well, and kaluptein, to cover. See quotation, 1848. N.O. Myrtaceae. The French now say Eucalyptus; earlier they called it l'acajou de la nouvelle Hollande. The Germans call it Schoenmutze. See Gum.

1823. Sidney Smith, `Essays,' p. 440:

"A London thief, clothed in Kangaroo'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 uninteresting 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 allusion to a lid or covering over the 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."

1879. `Temple Bar,' Oct., p. 23 ('0. E. D.'):

"The sombre eucalypti . . . interspersed here and there by their dead companions."

1886. J. A. Froude, `Oceana,' p. 118:

"At intervals the bush remained untouched, but the universal eucalyptus, which I had expected to find grey and monotonous, was a Proteus it 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 roots sheer athwart a tiny watercourse."

<hw>Euro</hw>, 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."

<hw>Exclusionist</hw>, n. and adj. See quotation.

1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. ii. pp. 118-19:

". . . one subdivision of the emigrant class alluded to, is termed the exclusionist party, from their strict exclusion of the emancipists from their society."

<hw>Exileism</hw>, n. a word of same period as Exiles (q.v.).

1893. A. P. Martin, `Life of Lord Sherbrooke,' vol. i. p. 381:

"A gentleman who was at this time engaged in pastoral pursuits in New South Wales, and was therefore a supporter of exileism.'"

<hw>Exiles</hw>, n. euphemistic name for convicts. It did not last long.

1847, A. P. Martin, `Life of Lord Sherbrooke' (1893), vol. i. p. 378:

"The cargoes of criminals were no longer to be known as `convicts,' but (such is the virtue in a name!) as `exiles.' It was, as Earl Grey explained in his despatch of Sept 3, 1847, `a scheme of reformatory discipline.'"

1852. G. B. Earp, `Gold Colonies of Australia,' p. 100:

"The convict system ceased in New South Wales in 1839; but `exiles' as they were termed, i.e. men who had passed their probation at home, were forwarded till 1843."

<hw>Expiree</hw>, 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."

<hw>Expiree</hw>, 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' (1841-1351), 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."

<hw>Fairy Gardens</hw>, 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.'"

<hw>Fake-mucker</hw>, n. a Tasmanian name for the Dusky Robin (Petroica vittata). See Robin.

<hw>Falcon</hw>, n. English bird-name. The Australian species are--

Black Falcon--
Falco subniger, Gray.

Black-cheeked F.-- F. melanogenys, Gould.

Grey F.-- F. hypoleucus, Gould.

Little F.-- F. lunulatus, Lath.

See also Nankeen-Hawk.

<hw>Fantail</hw>, n. bird-name applied in England to a pigeon; in Australia 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, q.v.)-- R. tricolor, Vieill.

Dusky F.-- R. diemenensis, Sharpe.

Northern F.-- R. setosa, Quoy and Gaim.

Pheasant F.-- Rhipidura phasiana, De Vis.

Rufous F.-- R. rufifrons, Lath.

Western F.-- R. preissi, Cab.

White-tailed F.-- R. albicauda, North.

Wood F.-- R. dryas, Gould.

The New Zealand species are--

Black F.-- Rhipidura fuliginosa, Sparrm. (Tiwaiwaka).

Pied F.-- R. flabellifera, Gmel. (Piwakawaka).

In Tasmania, the R. diemenensis is called the Cranky Fantail, because of its antics.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Journal,' vol. ii. p. 80:

"We also observed the . . . fantailed fly-catcher (Rhipidura)."

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 69:

"The Red Fantail, ever flitting about with broadly expanded tail, and performing all manner of fantastic evolutions, in its diligent pursuit of gnats and flies, is one of the most pleasing and attractive objects in the New Zealand forest. It is very tame and familiar."

<hw>Farinaceous City</hw>, or <hw>Village</hw>, n. 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 nicknamed the Farinaceous City. A little gentle ridicule is no doubt intended to be conveyed by the word."

<hw>Fat-cake</hw>, n. ridiculous name sometimes applied to Eucalyptus leucoxylon, F. v. M., according to Maiden (`Useful Native Plants,' p. 471).

<hw>Fat-hen</hw>, n. a kind of wild spinach. In England the name is applied to various plants of thick foliage.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 40:

"The fat-hen (Atriplex) . . ."

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 120:

"Another wild vegetable brew in the sandy beds of the rivers and creeks, called `fat-hen.' It was exactly like spinach, and not only most agreeable but also an excellent anti-scorbutic, a useful property, for scurvy is not an unknown thing in the 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. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 16:

"Chenopodium murale, Linn., Australian spinach. Bentham considers this may have been introduced."

<hw>Felonry</hw>, 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, tenantry, yeomanry, gentry."

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria,' c. xv. p. 24:

"The inundation of the Australian colonies with British Felonry."

1888. Sir C. Gavan Duffy, `Contemporary Review,' vol. liii. p.14 [`Century']:

"To shut out the felonry of Great Britain and Ireland."

<hw>Ferns</hw>. 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 all 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 Zealand-- Cyathea medullaris, Sw.

Blanket F.-- Grammitis rutaefolia, R. Br.

Braid F.-- Platyzoma microphyllum, R. Br.

Caraway F.-- Athyrium umbrosum, J. Sm.

Curly F.-- Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw.

Deer's-tongue F.-- Acrostichum conforme, Sw.

Ear F.-- Pteris falcata, R. Br.

Elk's-horn F.-- Platycerium alcicorne, Desv.

Fan F.-- Gleichenia flabellata, R. Br.

Golden Swamp F.-- Acrostichum aureum, Linn.

Grass-leaved F. (q.v.)-- Vittaria elongata, Sw.

*Hare's-foot F.-- F. Davallia pyxidata, Cav.

Jersey F.-- Grammitis leptophylla, Sw.

*Lady F.-- Aspidium aculeatum, Sw.

*Maiden-hair F.-- Adiantum, spp.

Meadow-rue Water F.-- Ceratoptoris thalictroides, Brong.

Parasol F.-- Gleichenia circinata, Sw.

Pickled-cabbage F.-- Lomaria capensis, Willd.

Potato F. (q.v.)-- Marattia fraxinea, Sm.

Prickly F. (q.v.)-- Alsophila australis, R. Br.

Prickly-tree Fern-- Alsophila leichhardtiana, F. v. M.

Ribbon F.-- Ophioglossum pendulum, Linn.

Shiny F.-- Polypodium aspidoides, Bail.

Snake's-tongue F.-- Lygodium, spp.

The following are not in Baileys List:

Parsley F.-- Cheilanthes tenuifolia, Sw. (Name Parsley applied to a different Fern elsewhere.)

Sword F.-- Grammitis australis, R. Br.

Umbrella F., Tasmanian name for Fan F. (q.v.).

Other ferns not in this list appear elsewhere. See also Ferntree. ____ * Elsewhere the name is applied to a different species. ----

<hw>Fern-bird</hw>, n. a New Zealand bird of the genus Sphenoecus. Also called Grass-bird, and New Zealand Pipit. There are three species--

The Fern-bird-- Sphenoecus punctatus, Gray.

Chatham Island F.-b.-- S. rufescens, Buller.

Fulvous F.-b.-- S. fulvus, Gray.

1885. `Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,' vol. xviii. p. 125:

"The peculiar chirp of the fern bird is 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."

<hw>Fern-tree</hw>, 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 cunninghami, J. Hook.; Alsophila excelsa, R. Br.;

the last named, however, not occurring in Tasmania or Victoria.

1836. Ross, `Hobart Town Almanack,' p. 164:

"We entered a beautiful fern-tree grove, that also 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 degrees), and I measured one trunk no less than six feet in circumference. An arborescent fern was found by Forster in New Zealand in 46 degrees, 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 Tasmanian Aborigines] mingled the core or pith of the fern trees, Cibotium Bollardieri 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.)"

1870. S. H. Wintle, `Fragments of Fern Fronds,' p. 39:

"Where the feet of the mountains are bathed by cool fountains, The green, drooping fern trees are seen."

1878. William Sharp, `Australian Ballads,' `Canterbury Poets' (Scott, 1888), pp. 180-81:

"The feathery fern-trees make a screen, Where through the sun-glare cannot pass-- Fern, gum, and lofty sassafras."

"Under a feathery fern-tree bough A huge iguana lies alow."

1884. R. L. A. Davies, `Poems and Literary Remains,' p. 83:

"There were mossy fern-trees near me, With their graceful feathered fronds, Which they slowly waved above me, Like hoar magicians' wands."

1893. A.R. Wallace, `Australasia,' vol. i. p. 53:

"Here are graceful palms rising to 70 or even 100 feet; 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."

<hw>Fern-tree Gully</hw>. See Fern-tree and Gully.

<hw>Fever-bark</hw>, n. another name for Bitter-bark (q.v.).

<hw>Fibrous Grass</hw>, n. a Tasmanian grass (see Grass), Stipa semiibarbata, R. Br., N.O. Gramineae.

1862. W. Archer, `Products of Tasmania,' p. 41:

"Fibrous grass (Stipa semibarbata, Br.). After the seed has ripened the upper part of the stem breaks up into fibre, which curls loosely and hangs down waving in the wind."

<hw>Fiddle-back</hw>, n. name given in Australia to the beetle, Schizorrhina australasiae.

<hw>Fiddler</hw>, n. a New South Wales and Victorian name for a species of Ray, Trygonorhina fasciata, Mull. and Heule, family Rhinobatidae.

<hw>Fig-bird</hw>, n. a bird-name. Sphecotheres maxillaris, Lath.; Yellow bellied, S. flaviventris, Gould. S. maxillaris is also called Mulberry-bird (q.v.).

<hw>Fig-eater</hw>, n. a bird, i.q. Grape-eater (q.v.).

<hw>Fig-tree</hw>, n. The name is applied in Australia to the following species:--

Blue Fig-- Elaeocarpus grandis, F. v. M., N.O. Tiliaceae.

Clustered F.-- Ficus glomerata, Willd., N.O. Urticaceae.

Moreton Bay F.-- P. macrophylla, Desf., N.O. Urticaciae //sic. check//.

Prickly F.-- Elaeocarpus holopetalus, F. v. M., N.O. Tiliaceae.

Purple F., or White F., or Rough-leaved F., or Flooded F. [Clarence River]-- Ficus scabra, G. Forst., N.O. Urticaciae.

Ribbed F.-- F. pleurocarpa, F. v. M., N.O. Urticaciae.

Rusty F., or Narrow-leaved F. [or Port Jackson]-- F. rubiginosa, Desf., N.O. Urticaciae; called also Native Banyan.

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p.119:

"And I forget how lone we sit beneath this old fig-tree."

1870. F. S. Wilson, `Australian Songs,' p. 115:

"The fig-tree casts a pleasant shade On the straggling ferns below."

1882. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 537:

"Moreton Bay fig. This noble-looking tree has a wood which is 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 street and gardens, especially in Sydney and Adelaide. The fig is not edible.]

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right, c. 44, p. 380:

"The . . . venerable church with its alleys of araucaria and Moreton Bay fig-trees."

<hw>File-fish</hw>, n. name given in New Zealand to the fish Monacanthus rudis, Richards, family Sclerodermi; 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. Balistes 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 numerously represented in Australasia.

<hw>Finch</hw>, 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.-- Taeniopygia castanotis, Gould.

Crimson F.-- Neochmia phaeton, Homb. and Jacq.

Fire-tailed F.-- Zonaeginthus bellus, Lath.

Gouldian F.-- Poephila gouldiae, Gould.

Long-tailed F.-- P. acuticauda, Gould.

Masked F.-- P. personata, Gould.

Painted F.-- Emblema picta, Gould.

Plum-head F.-- Aidemosyne modesta, Gould.

Red-browed F.-- AEgintha temporalis, Lath.

Red-eared F.-- Zonaeginthus oculatus, Quoy and Gaim.

Red-tailed F.-- Bathilda ruficauda, Gould.

Scarlet-headed F.-- Poephila mirabilis, Homb. and Jacq.

Spotted-sided F.-- Staganopleura guttata, Shaw.

White-Breasted F.-- Munia pectoralis, Gould.

White-eared F.-- Poephila leucotis, Gould.

Yellow-rumped F.-- Munia flaviprymna, Gould.

<hw>Fire-stick</hw>, n. name given to the lighted stick which the Australian natives frequently carry about, when moving from camp to camp, so as to be able to light a fire always without the necessity 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 emblematic of the camp-fire in certain ceremonies.

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."

1896. F. J. Gillen, `Horne 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.'"

<hw>Firetail</hw>, n. name applied in Victoria to the bird AEgintha temporalis, Lath.; and in Tasmania to Zonaeginthus (Estrelda) bellus, Lath. In New South Wales, AE. temporalis is known as the Red-head.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iii. pl. 78:

"Estrelda Bella, Fire-tailed finch. Fire-tail, Colonists of Van Diemen's Land."

<hw>Fire-tree</hw>, n. a tree of New Zealand; another name for Pohutukawa (q.v.). For Queensland Fire-tree, see Tulip-tree.

<hw>Fireweed</hw>, n. a name given to several weeds, such as Senecio lautus, Sol., N.O. Compositae; so called because they spring up in great luxuriance where the forest has been burned off.

<hw>Fish-hawk</hw>, n. English name applied to Pandion leucocephalus, Gould; called also the Osprey.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. i. pl. 6:

"Pandion Leucocephalus, Gould, White-headed osprey. Little fish hawk, Colonists of New South Wales. Fish-hawk, Colonists of Swan River.''

<hw>Fist</hw>, v. to use the hands. The word is not unknown in English in the sense of to grip. (Shakspeare, `Cor.' IV. v. 124)

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 366:

"`Fist it,' a colonial expression, which may convey to 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 peculiar simplicity."

<hw>Five-corners</hw>, n. name given to the fruit of an Australian tree and to the tree itself, Syphelia triflora, Andr., N.O. Epacrideae. There are many species of Styphelia (q.v.), the fruit of several being edible.

1889. J. H. Maiden,' Useful Native Plants,' p. 61:

"Five-corners. These fruits have a sweetish pulp with a 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."

<hw>Flame-tree</hw>, 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. Sterculiaceae.

(2) A tree of Western Australia, with brilliant orange-coloured flowers, Nuytsia floribunda, N.O. Loranthaceae; 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."

<hw>Flannel Flower</hw>, n. an Australian flower, Actinotus helianthi, Labill., N.O. Compositae. It ranges from Gippsland to Southern 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'--a rather unpoetical designation, 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 by the name of Australian Edelweiss."

<hw>Flathead</hw>, n. name given to several Australian marine fishes, Platycephalus fuscus, Cuv. and Val., and other species of Platycephalus, family Cottidae. The Red Flathead is P. bassensis, Cuv.and Val., and the Rock F. is P. laevigatus, Cuv.and Val. See also Tupong and Maori-chief.

1793. Governor Hunter, `Voyage,' p. 410 (Aboriginal Vocabulary):

"Paddewah, a fish called a flathead."

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' c. ii. p. 32:

"The market of Hobart Town is supplied with small rock cod, flatheads, and a fish called the perch."

<hw>Flat Pea</hw>, n. a genus of Australian flowering plants, Platylobium, N.O. Leguminosae.

1793. `Transactions of Linnaean Society,' vol. ii. p. 350:

"Its name I have deduced from platus, broad, and lobos, 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.']

<hw>Flax, Native</hw>, n. The European flax is Linum usitatissimum, N.O. Liniae. There is a species in Australia, Linum marginale, Cunn., N.O. Linaceae, called Native Flax. In New Zealand, the Phormium is called Native Flax. See next word.

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 626:

"`Native flax.' Although a smaller plant than the true flax, this plant yields fibre of excellent quality. It is used by the blacks for making fishing-nets and cordage."

<hw>Flax, New Zealand</hw>, n. Phormium tenax, N.O. Liliaceae. 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,' or literally, `tying stuff.' The operation of scraping is called `kayo,' the fibre when prepared, `muka.'" [Mr. Tregear says that Wakefield's statements are mistaken.]

1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 23:

"His robe of glossy flax which loosely flows."

1861. C. C. Bowen, `Poems,' p. 57:

"And flax and fern and tutu grew In wild luxuriance round."

1870. T. H. Braiui, `New Homes,' c. viii. p. 375:

"The native flax (Phormium tenax) is found in all 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, undyed."

1893. `Murray's Handbook to New Zealand,' p. 29:

"The so-called native flax (phormium tenax)."

<hw>Flax-blade</hw>, n. the leaf of the New Zealand Flax (q.v.).

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' i. 5, p. 11:

"With flax-blades binding to a tree The Maid who strove her limbs to free."

<hw>Flax-bush</hw>, 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."

<hw>Flax-flower</hw>, 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."

<hw>Flax-leaf</hw>, 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.

<hw>Flax-lily</hw>, n. (1) An Australian fibre plant, Dianella laevis, var. aspera, R. Br., N.O. Liliaceae. (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."

<hw>Flindosa</hw>, and <hw>Flindosy</hw>, n. two trees called Beech (q.v.).

<hw>Flintwood</hw>, 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."

<hw>Flounder</hw>, n. The Flounders in Australia are--

In Sydney, Pseudorhombus russelli, Gray; in Melbourne, Rhombosolea victoriae, Castln.; in New Zealand and Tasmania, R. monopus, Gunth. Maori name, Patiki; family Pleuronectidae. They are all excellent eating.

1876. P. Thomson, `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,' vol. ix. art. lxvii., p. 487:

"Patiki (flounder). Flounders are in the market all the year."

<hw>Flower-pecker</hw>, n. bird-name used elsewhere, but in Australia assigned to Dicaeum hirundinaceum, Lath.

<hw>Flowering Rush</hw>, n. name given to the rush or reed, Xyris operculata, Lab., N.O. Xyrideae.

<hw>Flute-bird</hw>, 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."

<hw>Fly-catcher</hw>, n. bird-name used elsewhere. The Australian species are--

Black-faced Flycatcher-- Monarcha melanopsis, Vieill.

Blue F.-- Myiagra concinna, Gould.

Broad-billed F.-- M. latirostris, Gould.

Brown F. [called also Jacky Winter (q.v.)] Micraeca fascinans, Lath.

Leaden F.-- Myiagra rubecula, Lath.

Lemon-breasted F.-- Micraeca flavigaster, Gould.

Lesser Brown F.-- M. assimilis, Gould.

Little F.-- Seisura nana, Gould.

Pale F.-- Micraeca pallida.

Pearly F.-- Monarcha canescens, Salvad.

Pied Fly-catcher-- Arses kaupi, Gould.

Restless F.-- Seisura inquieta, Lath. [called also Razor- grinder, q.v., and Dishwasher, q.v.]

Satin F.-- Myiagra nitida, Gould [called Satin-robin, q.v., in Tasmania]

Shining F.-- Piezorhynchus nitidus, Gould.

Spectacled F.-- P. gouldi, Gray.

White-bellied F.-- P. albiventris, Gould.

White-eared F.-- P. leucotis, Gould.

Yellow-breasted F.-- Machaerhynchus flaviventer, Gould.

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 161:

"We this day caught a yellow-eared fly-catcher (see annexed plate). This bird is a native of New Holland." [Description follows.]

Fly-eater, n. the new vernacular name for the Australian birds of the genus Gerygone (q.v.), and see Warbler. The species are--

Black-throated Fly-eater-- Gerygone personata, Gould.

Brown F.-- G. fusca, Gould.

Buff-breasted F.-- G. laevigaster, Gould.

Green-backed F.-- G. chloronota, Gould.

Large-billed F.-- G. magnirostris, Gould.

Southern F.-- G. culicivora, Gould.

White-throated F.-- G. albogularis, Gould.

Yellow-breasted F.-- G. flavida, Ramsay.

1895. W. O. Legge, `Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science `(Brisbane), p. 447:

"[The habits and habitats of the genus as] applied to Gerygone suggested the term Fly-eater, as distinguished 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."

<hw>Flyer</hw>, n. a swift kangaroo.

1866. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches,' 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."

<hw>Flying-Fox</hw>, n. a gigantic Australian 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. 507:

"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 excellent 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."

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. Heywood, `Vacation Tour at the Antipodes,' p. 102:

"The shrill twitter of the flying fox, or vampire bat, in the bush around us."

1871. Gerard Krefft, `Mammals of Australia':

"The food on which the `Foxes' principally live when garden fruit is not in season, consists of honey-bearing 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. 20:

"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 dreadful. The camp extends for a length of three miles. There must be millions upon millions of them."

<hw>Flying-Mouse</hw>, n. See Opossum-mouse and Flying-Phalanger.

<hw>Flying-Phalanger</hw>, 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 Flying-Squirrel, Flying-Mouse, etc. There are three genera--

Acrobates (q.v.), called the Flying-Mouse, and Opossum-Mouse (q.v.).

Petauroides commonly called the Taguan, or Taguan Flying-Squirrel.

Petaurus (q.v.), commonly called the Flying Squirrel.

The species are--

Lesser F.-Ph.-- Petaurus breviceps.

Papuan Pigmy F.-Ph.-- Acrobates pulchellus (confined to Northern Dutch New Guinea).

Pigmy F.-Ph.-- A. pygmaeuss.

Squirrel F.-Ph.-- Petaurus sciureus.

Taguan F.-Ph.-- Petauroides volans.

Yellow-bellied F.-Ph.-- P. australis.

<hw>Flying-Squirrel</hw>, n. popular name for a Flying-Phalanger, Petaurus sciureus, Shaw, a marsupial 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. p. 253:

"In the year 1845 I drew the attention of the Tasmanian Society to the interesting fact that the Petaurus sciureus, 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 schireus were imported 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 (Petaurus 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."

<hw>Fly-Orchis</hw>, n. name applied in Tasmania to the orchid, Prasophyllum patens, R. Br.

<hw>Forest</hw>, n. See quotation.

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia,' vol i. p. 71 [Footnote]:

"A `forest' means in New South Wales an open wood with grass. The common `bush' or `scrubb' consists of trees and saplings, where little grass is to be found."

[It is questionable whether this fine distinction still exists.]

<hw>Forester</hw>, n. the largest Kangaroo, 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 Expedition,' p. 423:

"I called this river the `Red Kangaroo 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 gigantes)--tame, for they have been so hunted and destroyed that there are very few left in Tasmania, and those are in private preserves, or very remote out-of-the-way places, and rarely seen. . . . The aborigines 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 150 or 200 pounds."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xix. p. 181:

"The dogs . . . made for them as if they had been a brace of stray foresters from the adjacent ranges."

<hw>Forest-Oak</hw>, n. See Oak.

Forget-me-not, n. The species of this familiar flower is Myosotis australis, R. Br., N.O. Asperifoliae.

<hw>Fortescue</hw>, or <hw>40-skewer</hw>, n. a fish of New South Wales, Pentaroge marmorata, Cuv. and Val., family Scorpaenidae; 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, 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 `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."

<hw>Forty-legs</hw>, n. name given to a millipede, Cermatia smithii.

<hw>Forty-spot</hw>, n. name for a bird, a Pardalote (q.v.). Pardalote itself means spotted "like the pard." See also Diamond-bird.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. ii. pl. 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?"

<hw>Fossick</hw>, 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 Experiences 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 abandoned claims or in waste-heaps.

1865. F. H. Nixon, `Peter Perfume,' p. 59:

"They'll find it not quite so `welly good' As their fossicking freak at the Buckland."

1873. A.Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,' c. xix. p. 286:

"Here we found about a dozen Chinamen `fossicking' after gold amidst the dirt of the river, which had already been washed by the first gold-seekers."

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields,' 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 diggings 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 bottoms 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 generally, even by stealing.

1861. T. McCombie, `Australian Sketches,' 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 anything, to rummage.

1870. S. Lemaitre, `Songs of Goldfields,' p. 14:

"He ran from the flat with an awful shout Without waiting to fossick the coffin lid out."

1890. `The Argus,' Aug. 2, p. 4, col. 3:

"Half the time was spent in fossicking for sticks."

1891. `The Argus,' Dec. 19, p. 4, col. 2:

"I was . . . a boy fossicking for birds' nests in the gullies."

1893. `The Australasian,' Jan. 14:

"The dog was fossicking about."

<hw>Fossicker</hw>, 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 Sketches,' p. 87:

"I can at once recognize the experienced `fossickers,' who know well how to go to work with every chance in their favour."

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush,' pt. ii. p. 32:

"Steady old fossickers often get more Than the first who open'd the ground."

1869. R. Brough Smyth, `Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 612:

"A fossicker is to the miner as is the gleaner to the reaper; he picks the crevices and pockets of the rocks."

1891. `The Australasian,' Nov. 21, p. 1015:

"We had heard that, on this same field, years after its 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."

<hw>Four-o'clock</hw>, n. another name for the Friar-bird (q.v.).

<hw>Free-select</hw>, 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."

<hw>Free-selection</hw>, n. (1) The process 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 became attracted by a bright green allotment, 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 intention of resting satisfied with the choice. The description and area of land chosen were called out, and he was requested t0 move further over and pay his money. `Pay?' queried the fuddled but startled bona fide, `I got no money (hic), 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 shillings 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.'"

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Austral EnglishChapter X: Part 10

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