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Chapter XI: Part 11

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1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields,' p. 82:

"His intention . . . was to take up 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, <i>Selection</i>.

1887. R. M. Praed, `Longleat of Kooralbyn,' vol. vi, p. 56:

"I've only seen three females on my selection since I took it up four years last November."

<hw>Free-selector</hw>, <i>n.</i> (abbreviated often to <i>Selector</i>), one who takes up a block of Crown land under the Land Laws and by annual payments acquires the freehold. [320 acres to Victoria, 640 in New South Wales.]

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush,' pt. i. p. 21:

"Free selectors we shall be When our journey's end we see."

1866. `Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug. 9:

"The very law which the free selector puts in force against 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 permanently wedded to the colony."

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 33:

"The condition of the free-selector--that of ownership of 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 Volume,' 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 Reformer,' c. xii. p. 116:

"No, no; I've kept free-selectors out all these years, and as long as I live here I'll do so still."

<hw>Freezer</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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."

<hw>Fresh-water Herring</hw>, <i>n.</i> In Sydney, the fish is <i>Clupea richmondia</i>, Macl. Elsewhere in Australia, and in Tasmania, it is another name for the <i>Grayling</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Fresh-water Perch</hw>, <i>n.</i> name given in Tasmania to the fish <i>Microperca tasmaniae</i>.

<hw>Friar-bird</hw>, <i>n.</i> an Australian bird, of the genus called <i>Philemon</i>, but originally named <i>Tropidorhynchus</i> (q.v.). It is a honey-eater, and is also called <i>Poor Soldier</i> and other names; see quotation, 1848. The species are--

Friar-Bird-- <i>Philemon corniculatus</i>, Lath. [Called also <i>Leather-head</i>, q.v.]

Helmeted F.-- <i>P. buceroides</i>, Swains.

Little F.-- <i>P. sordidus</i>, Gould.

Silvery-crowned F.-- <i>P. argenticeps</i>, Gould.

Yellow-throated F.- <i>P. citreogularis</i>, Gould.

Western F.-- <i>P. occidentalis</i>, Ramsay.

1798. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New South Wales,' p. 615 (Vocab.):

"Wirgan,--bird named by us the friar."

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society,' vol. xv. p. 324:

"<i>Friar</i>,--a very common bird about Paramatta, called by the natives `<i>coldong</i>:' It repeats the words `poor soldier' and `four o'clock' very distinctly."

1845. `Voyage to Port Phillip,' p. 53:

"The cheerful sedge-wren and the bald-head friar, The merry forest-pie with joyous song."

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iv. pl. 58:

"<i>Tropidorhynchus Corniculatus</i>, Vig. and Hors.

"From the fancied resemblance of its notes to those words, it has obtained from the Colonists the various names of `Poor Soldier,' `Pimlico,' `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 <i>Tropidorhynchus corniculatus</i> 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."

<hw>Frilled-Lizard</hw>, <i>n.</i> See quotation.

1875, G. Bennett, `Proceedings of Royal Society of Tasmania,' p. 56:

"Notes on the <i>Chlamydosaurus</i> or frilled-lizard of Queensland (C. Kingii.) "

<hw>Frogsmouth</hw>, <i>n.</i> an Australian bird; genus <i>Podargus</i>, commonly called <i>Mopoke</i> (q.v.). The mouth and expression of the face resemble the appearance of a frog. The species are--

Freckled Frogsmouth-- <i>Podargus phaloenoides</i>, Gould.

Marbled F.-- <i>P. marmoratus</i>, Gould.

Plumed F.-- <i>P. papuensis</i>, Quoy and Gaim.

Tawney F.-- <i>P. strigoides</i>, Lath.

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

"The term `Frogsmouth' is used in order to get rid of that very objectionable name <i>Podargus</i>, and as being allied to the other genera <i>Batrachostomus</i> and <i>Otothrix</i> of the family <i>Steatorninae</i> 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,' sometimes applied to the <i>Caprimulginae</i>, does not accord with the mode of flight of the genus <i>Podargus</i>."

<hw>Frontage</hw>, <i>n.</i> land along a river or creek, of great importance to a station. A use common in Australia, not peculiar to it.

1844. `Port Phillip Patriot,' July i8, p. 3, col. 7:

". . . has four miles frontage to the Yarra Yarra."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream,' c. iii. p. 29:

"Jack was piloted by Mr. Hawkesbury through the `frontage' and a considerable portion of the `back' regions of Gondaree."

<hw>Frost-fish</hw>, <i>n.</i> name given in Australia and New Zealand to the European <i>Scabbard-fish</i>, <i>Lepidopus caudatus</i>, White. The name is said to be derived from the circumstance that the fish is found alive on New Zealand sea-beaches on frosty nights. It is called the <i>Scabbard-fish</i> in Europe, because it is like the shining white metal sheath of a long sword. <i>Lepidopus</i> belongs to the family <i>Trichiuridae</i>, 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.

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 51:

"The frost-fish . . . the most delicately 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."

<hw>Fruit-Pigeon</hw>, <i>n.</i> The name is given to numerous pigeons of the genera <i>Ptilinopus</i> and <i>Carpophaga</i>. In Australia it is assigned to the following birds:--

Allied Fruit-Pigeon-- <i>Ptilinopus assimilis</i>, Gould.

Purple-breasted F.-P.-- <i>P. magnifica</i>, Temm.

Purple-crowned F.-P.-- <i>P. superbus</i>, Temm.

Red-crowned F.-P.-- <i>P. swainsonii</i>, Gould.

Rose-crowned F.-P.-- <i>P. ewingii</i> Gould.

White-headed F.-P.-- <i>Columba leucomela</i>, Temm.

And in New Zealand to <i>Carpophaga novae-zealandiae</i>, Gmel. (Maori name, <i>Kereru Kuku</i>, or <i>Kukupa</i>.)

<hw>Fryingpan-Brand</hw>, <i>n.</i> a large brand used by cattle-stealers to cover the owner's brand. See <i>Duffer</i> and <i>Cattle-Duffer</i>.

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 (i.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."

<hw>Fuchsia, Native</hw>, <i>n.</i> The name is applied to several native plants.

(1) In Australia and Tasmania, to various species of <i>Correa</i> (q.v.), especially to <i>Correa speciosa</i>, And., <i>N.O. Rutaceae</i>.

(2) In Queensland, to <i>Eremophila maculata</i>, F. v. M., <i>N.O</i>. <i>Myoporineae</i>.

(3) In New Zealand, to <i>Fuchsia excorticata</i>, Linn., <i>N.O. Onagrariae</i>. (Maori name, <i>Kotukutuktu</i>, q.v.). See also <i>Tooky-took</i> and <i>Konini</i>.

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:

"<i>E. maculata</i>. 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:

"<i>E. maculata</i>. . . . Called `Native Fuchsia' in parts of Queensland."

1892. `Otago Witness,' Nov. 24, `Native 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."

<hw>Full up of</hw>, <i>adj</i>. (slang), sick and tired of. "Full on," and "full of," are other forms.

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xxiii. p. 213:

"She was `full up' of the Oxley, which was a rowdy, disagreeable goldfield as ever she was on."

<hw>Furze, Native</hw>, <i>n.</i> a shrub, <i>Hakea ulcina</i>, R. Br. See <i>Hakea</i>.

<hw>Futtah</hw>, <i>n.</i> a settlers' corruption of the Maori word <i>Whata</i> (q.v.).

1895. W.S. Roberts, `Southland in 1856,'p. 28:

"These stores were called by the Europeans <i>futters</i>,--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 traditions of its <i>fauna</i> 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 always 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 anything 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 destructible by the rodents in question."

G

<hw>Galah</hw>, <i>n.</i> a bird.(The accent is now placed on the second syllable.) Aboriginal name for the <i>Cacatua roseicapilla</i>, Vieill., the <i>Rose-breasted Cockatoo</i>. See <i>Cockatoo</i>. With the first syllable compare last syllable of <i>Budgerigar</i> (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."

<hw>Gallows</hw>, <i>n.</i> Explained in quotation. 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."

<hw>Gang-gang</hw>, or <hw>Gan-gan</hw>, <i>n.</i> the aboriginal word for the bird <i>Callocephalon galeatum</i>, Lath., so called from its note; a kind of cockatoo, grey with a red head, called also <i>Gang-gang Cockatoo</i>. See <i>Cockatoo</i>.

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. pl. 14:

"<i>Callocephalon Galeatum</i>, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Colonists of New South Wales."

<hw>Gannet</hw>, <i>n.</i> the English name for the <i>Solan Goose</i> and its tribe. The Australian species are--

The Gannet-- <i>Sula serrator</i>, Banks.

Brown G. (called also <i>Booby</i>)-- <i>S. leucogastra</i>, Bodd.

Masked G.-- <i>S. cyanops</i>, Sunder.

Red-legged G.-- <i>S. piscator</i>, Linn.

The species in New Zealand is <i>Dysporus serrator</i>, Grey; Maori name, <i>Takapu</i>.

<hw>Garfish</hw>, <i>n.</i> In England the name is applied to any fish of the family <i>Belonidae</i>. The name was originally used for the common European <i>Belone vulgaris</i>. In Melbourne the Garfish is a true one, <i>Belone ferox</i>, Gunth., called in Sydney "Long Tom." In Sydney, Tasmania, and New Zealand it is <i>Hemirhamphus intermedius</i>, Cantor.; and in New South Wales, generally, it is the river-fish <i>H. regularis</i>, Gunth., family <i>Sombresocidae</i>. Some say that the name was originally "Guard-fish," and it is still sometimes so spelt. But the word is derived from x<i>Gar</i>, in Anglo-Saxon, which meant spear, dart, javelin, and the allusion is to the long spear-like projection of the fish's jaws. Called by the Sydney fishermen <i>Ballahoo</i>, and in Auckland the <i>Piper</i> (q.v.).

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' 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 I9, p. 81, col.1:

"Common fish, such as trout, ruffies, mullet, garfish."

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,' p. 83:

"Of the garfishes we have four species known to be found on our coasts. One, <i>Hemirhamphus regularis</i>, is the favourite breakfast fish of the citizens of Sydney. <i>H. melanochir</i>, or `river garfish,' is a still better fish, but has become very scarce. <i>H. argentcus</i>, the common Brisbane species . . . and <i>H. commersoni</i>."

<hw>Gastrolobium</hw>, <i>n.</i> scientific name of a genus of Australian shrubs, <i>N.O. Leguminosae</i>, commonly known as <i>Poison Bushes</i> (q.v.). The species are--

<i>Gastrolobium bilobum</i>, R. Br. <i>G. callistachys</i>, Meissn. <i>G. calycium</i>, Benth. <i>G. obovatum</i>, Benth. <i>G. oxylobioides</i>, Benth. <i>G. spinosum</i>, Benth. <i>G. trilobum</i>, Benth.

All of which are confined to Western Australia. The species <i>Gastrolobium grandiflorum</i>, F. v. M. (also called <i>Wall-flower</i>), is the only species found out of Western Australia, and extends across Central Australia to Queensland. All the species have pretty yellow and purple flowers. The name is from the Greek <i>gastaer, gastros</i>, the belly, and <i>lobion</i>, dim. of <i>lobos</i>, "the capsule or pod of leguminous plants." (`L. & S.')

<hw>Geebung</hw>, or <hw>Geebong</hw>, <i>n.</i> aboriginal name for the fruit of various species of the tree <i>Persoonia</i>, and also for the tree itself, <i>N.O. Proteaceae</i>.

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 Expedition, p. 478:

"We gathered and ate a great quantity of gibong (the ripe fruit of Persoonia falcata)."

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes,' c. vi,. 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. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms,' p. 255:

"You won't turn a five-corner into a quince, or a geebung into an orange."

1889. J. M. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 584:

"A `geebung' (the name given to the fruits of <i>Persoonias</i>, and hence to the trees themselves)."

<hw>Gerygone</hw>, <i>n.</i> scientific and vernacular name of a genus of small warblers of Australia and New Zealand; the new name for them is <i>Fly-eater</i> (q.v.). In New Zealand they are called <i>Bush-warblers</i>, <i>Grey-warblers</i>, etc., and they also go there by their Maori name of <i>Riro-riro</i>. For the species, see <i>Fly-eater</i> and <i>Warbler</i>. The name is from the Greek <i>gerugonae</i>, "born of sound," a word used by Theocritus.

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

"[The habits and habitats of the genus] <i>Gerygone</i> suggested the term Fly-<i>eater</i>, as distinguished from Fly-<i>catcher</i>, 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>Ghilgai</hw>, <i>n.</i> an aboriginal word used by white men in the neighbourhood of Bourke, New South Wales, to denote a saucer-shaped depression in the ground which forms a natural reservoir for rainwater. <i>Ghilgais</i> vary from 20 to 100 yards in diameter, and are from five to ten feet deep. They differ from <i>Claypans</i> (q.v.), in being more regular in outline and deeper towards the centre, whereas <i>Claypans</i> are generally flat-bottomed. Their formation is probably due to subsidence.

<hw>Giant-Lily</hw>, <i>n.</i> See under <i>Lily</i>.

<hw>Giant-Nettle</hw>, i.q. <i>Nettle-tree</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Gibber</hw>, <i>n.</i> an aboriginal word for a stone. Used both of loose stones and of rocks. The <i>G</i> is hard.

1834. L. E. Threlkeld, `Australian Grammar,' p. x. [In a list of `barbarisms']:

"Gibber, a stone."

[<i>Pace</i> 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 Recollections 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 fireside of any house he might be near, or under the `gibbers' (overhanging rocks) of the river. . . ."

1890. A .J. Vogan, `Black Police,' p. 338:

"He struck right on top of them gibbers (stones)."

1894. Baldwin Spencer, in `The Argus,' Sept. 1, p. 4, col. 2:

"At first and for more than a hundred miles [from Oodnadatta northwards], 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 belonging to the desert sandstone formation."

<hw>Gibber-gunyah</hw>, <i>n.</i> an aboriginal cave-dwelling. See <i>Gibber</i> and <i>Gunyah</i>, also <i>Rock-shelter</i>.

1852. `Settlers and Convicts; or, Recollections 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 overhanging rocks."

1863. Rev. R. W. Vanderkiste, `Lost, but not for Ever,' p. 210:

"Our home is the gibber-gunyah,
Where hill joins hill on high,
Where the turrama and berrambo
Like sleeping serpents lie."

1891. R. Etheridge, jun., `Records of the Australian Museum,' vol. i. no. viii. p. 171:

"Notes on Rock Shelters or Gibba-gunyahs at Deewhy Lagoon."

<hw>Giddea</hw>, <hw>Gidya</hw>, or <hw>Gidgee</hw>, <i>adj</i>. aboriginal word of New South Wales and Queensland for--

(1) a species of <i>Acacia, A. homalophylla</i>, Cunn. The original meaning is probably <i>small</i>, cf. <i>gidju</i>, Warrego, Queensland, and <i>kutyo</i>, 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:

"<i>Gid-jee</i>. 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. 51:

"Gidya scrubs."

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 357:

"<i>A. homalophylla</i>. A `Spearwood.' Called `Myall' in Victoria. . . . Aboriginal names are . . . Gidya, Gidia, or Gidgee (with other spellings in New 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 Reformer,' c. xvii. p. 211:

"I sat . . . watching the shadows of the gydya trees lengthen, ah! so slowly."

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 37:

"Kind of scrub, called by the colonists gydya-scrub, which manifests itself even at a distance by a very characteristic, but not agreeable odour, being especially pungent after rain."

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Home Expedition in Central Australia,' Narrative, p. 22:

"We camped beside a water-pool on the Adminga Creek, which is bordered for the main part by a belt of the stinking acacia, or giddea (<i>A. homalophylla</i>). When the branches are freshly cut it well deserves the former name, as they have a most objectionable smell."

<hw>Gill-bird</hw>, <i>n.</i> an occasional name for the <i>Wattle-bird</i> (q.v.).

1896. `Menu' for October 15:

"Gill-bird on Toast."

<hw>Gin</hw>, <i>n.</i> a native word for an aboriginal woman, and used, though rarely, even for a female kangaroo. See quotation 1833. The form <i>gun</i> (see quotation 1865) looks as if it had been altered to meet <i>gunae</i>, and of course generate is not derived from <i>gunae</i>, though it may be a distant relative. In `Collins's Vocabulary' occurs "din, a woman." If such a phonetic spelling as <i>djin</i> had been adopted, as it well might have been, to express the native sound, where would the <i>gunae</i> 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., `Excursions in New South Wales,' p. 254:

"The flying gin (gin is the native word for woman or female) is a boomall, and will leave behind every description of dog."

1834. L. E. Threlkeld, `Australian Grammar,' p. x:

"As a barbarism [sc. not used on the Hunter], jin--a wife."

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales,' p. 8:

"A gin (the aboriginal for a married woman)."

1846. C. P. Hodgson, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 367:

"Gin, the term applied to the native female blacks; not from any attachment to the spirit of that name, but from some (to me) unknown derivation."

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia,' vol. I. c. iv. p. 74:

"Though very anxious to . . . carry off one of their `gins,' or wives . . . he yet evidently holds these north men in 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 <i>gune</i>, mulier, evidently!"

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush,' pt. 2, p. 46:

"The females would be comely looking gins, Were not their limbs so much like rolling-pins."

1865. S. Bennett, `Australian Discovery,' p. 250:

"Gin or gun, a woman. Greek <i>gunae</i> and derivative words in English, such as generate, generation, and the like."

1872. C. H. Eden, `MY Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 118:

"The gins are captives of their bow and spear, and are 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 sacrificed."

<hw>Ginger, Native</hw>, <i>n.</i> an Australian tree, <i>Alpinia caerulea</i>, Benth., <i>N.O. Scitamineae</i>. 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 (<i>Alpinia caerulea</i>)."

<hw>Give Best</hw>, <i>v</i>. Australian slang, meaning to acknowledge superiority, or to give up trying at anything.

1883. Keighley, `Who are You?' p. 87:

"But then--the fact had better be confessed, I went to work and gave the schooling best."

1887. J. Farrell, `How he Died,' p. 80:

"Charley gave life best and died of grief."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xviii. p. 174:

"It's not like an Englishman to jack up and give these fellows best."

<hw>Globe-fish</hw>, <i>n.</i> name given to the fish <i>Tetrodon hamiltoni</i>, Richards., family <i>Gymnodontes</i>. The <i>Spiny Globe-fish</i> is <i>Diodon</i>. These are also called <i>Toad-fish</i> (q.v.), and <i>Porcupine-fish</i> (q.v.). The name is applied to other fish elsewhere.

<hw>Glory Flower</hw>, or <hw>Glory Pea</hw>, i.q. <i>Clianthus</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Glory Pea</hw>, i.q. <i>Clianthus</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Glucking-bird</hw>, <i>n.</i> a bird so named by Leichhardt, but not identified. Probably the <i>Boobook</i> (q.v.), and see its quotation 1827; see also under <i>Mopoke</i> quotation, <i>Owl</i>, 1846.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 23:

"The musical note of an unknown bird, sounding like `gluck gluck' frequently repeated, and ending in a shake . . . are heard from the neighbourhood of the scrub."

Ibid. p. 29:

"The glucking bird--by which name, in consequence of its note, the bird may be distinguished--was heard through the night."

Ibid. p. 47:

"The glucking-bird and the barking owl were heard throughout the moonlight 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 corroborated my supposition, that the bird lived on the seeds of that tree."

<hw>Glue-pot</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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 Melbourne], whose authority on missionary subjects will not be disputed, assures us that no one can possibly understand 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."

<hw>Goai</hw>, <i>n.</i> common name in southern island of New Zealand for <i>Kowhai</i> (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 <i>K</i> to <i>G</i> also took place in the name Otago, formerly spelt Otakou.

1860. John Blair, `New Zealand for Me,':

"The land of the <i>goai</i> tree, mapu, and pine, The stately <i>totara</i>, and blooming wild vine."

1863. S. Butler, `First Year in Canterbury Settlement,' p. 104:

"I remember nothing but a rather curiously shaped gowai-tree."

<hw>Goanna</hw>, <hw>Guana</hw>, and <hw>Guano</hw>, <i>n.</i> popular corruptions for <i>Iguana</i>, the large Lace-lizard (q.v.), <i>Varanus varius</i>, Shaw. In New Zealand, the word <i>Guano</i> is applied to the lizard-like reptile <i>Sphenodon punctatum</i>. See <i>Tuatara</i>. In Tasmania, the name is given to <i>Taliqua schincoides</i>, White, and throughout Australia any lizard of a large size is popularly called a <i>Guana</i>, or in the bush, more commonly, a <i>Goanna</i>. See also <i>Lace-lizard</i>.

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. Ropers, `New Rush,' p. 6:

"The shy guana climbs a tree in fear."

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon,' p. 99:

"A goanna startled him, and he set to and kicked the front of the buggy in."

1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide,' p. 139:

"And the sinister `gohanna,' and the lizard, and the snake."

<hw>Go-ashore</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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 <i>Kohua</i> (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 Experiences,' p. 124:

"A large go-ashore, or three-legged pot, of the size and shape of the cauldron 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."

<hw>Goborro</hw>, <i>n.</i> aboriginal name for <i>Eucalyptus microtheca</i>, F. v. M. See <i>Dwarf-box</i>, under <i>Box</i>.

<hw>Goburra</hw>, and <hw>Gogobera</hw>, <i>n.</i> variants of <i>Kookaburra</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Goditcha</hw>. See <i>Kurdaitcha</i>.

<hw>Godwit</hw>, <i>n.</i> the English name for birds of the genus <i>Limosa</i>. The Australian species are--

Black-tailed G.,-- <i>Limosa melanuroides</i>, Gould;

Barred-rumped G.,-- <i>L. uropygialis</i>, Gould.

<hw>Gogobera</hw>, and <hw>Goburra</hw>, <i>n.</i> variants of <i>Kookaburra</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Gold</hw>-. The following words and phrases compounded with "gold" are Australian in use, though probably some are used elsewhere.

<hw>Gold-bearing</hw>, <i>verbal adj</i>. auriferous.

1890. `Goldfields of Victoria,' p. 13:

"A new line of gold-bearing quartz."

<hw>Gold-digging</hw>, <i>verbal n.</i> mining or digging for gold.

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Gold. fields,' p. 36:

"There were over forty miners thus playing at gold-digging in Hiscock's Gully."

<hw>Gold-digger</hw>, <i>n.</i>

1852. J. Bonwick [Title]:

"Notes of a Gold-digger."

<hw>Gold-fever</hw>, <i>n.</i> the desire to obtain gold by digging. The word is more especially applied to the period between 1851 and 1857, the early Australian discovery of gold. The term had been previously applied in a similar way to the Californian excitement in 1848-49. Called also <i>Yellow fever</i>.

1888. A. J. Barbour, `Clara,' c. ix. p. 13:

"The gold fever coursed through every vein."

<hw>Gold-field</hw>, <i>n.</i> district where mining for gold is carried on.

1858. T. McCombie, `History of Victoria, c. xv. p. 215:

"All were anxious to get away for the gold fields."

1880. G. Sutherland, [Title] `Tales of Goldfields,' p. 19:

"Edward Hargreaves, the discoverer of the Australian goldfields . . . received L15,000 as his reward."

<hw>Gold-founded</hw>, <i>part. adj</i>. founded as the result of the discovery of gold.

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. ix. p. 91:

"I rode up the narrow street, serpentine in construction, as in all gold-founded townships."

<hw>Gold-hunter</hw>, <i>n.</i> searcher after gold.

1852. G. S. Rutter [Title]:

"Hints to Gold-hunters."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. v. p. 48:

"I was not as one of the reckless gold-hunters with which the camp was thronged."

<hw>Gold-mining</hw>, <i>verbal n.</i>

1852. J. A.Phillips [Title]:

"Gold-mining; a Scientific Guide for Australian Emigrants."

1880. G. Sutherland, `Tales of Goldfields,' p. 23:

"He had already had quite enough of gold-mining."

<hw>Gold-seeking</hw>, <i>adj</i>.

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xv. p. 150:

"The great gold-seeking multitude had swelled . . . to the population of a province."

<hw>Golden Bell-Frog</hw>, <i>n.</i> name applied to a large gold and green frog, <i>Hyla aurea</i>, Less., which, unlike the great majority of the family <i>Hylidae</i> 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, pl. 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."

<hw>Golden-chain</hw>, <i>n.</i> another name for the <i>Laburnum</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Golden-eye</hw>, <i>n.</i> the bird <i>Certhia lunulatu</i>, Shaw; now called <i>Melithreptus lunulatus</i>, Shaw, and classed as <i>White-naped Honey-eater</i> (q.v.).

1827. Vigors and Horsfield, `Transactions of Linnaean Society,' vol. xv. p. 315:

"`This bird,' Mr. Caley says, `is called Golden-eye by the settlers. I shot it at Iron Cove, seven miles from Sydney, on the Paramatta road.'"

<hw>Golden-Perch</hw>, <i>n.</i> a fresh-water fish of Australia, <i>Ctenolates ambiguus</i>, Richards., family <i>Percidae</i>, and <i>C. christyi</i>, Castln.; also called the <i>Yellow-belly</i>. <i>C. ambiguus</i> is common in the rivers and lagoons of the Murray system.

<hw>Golden-Rosemary</hw>, <i>n.</i> See <i>Rosemary</i>.

<hw>Golden-Wattle</hw>, <i>n.</i> See <i>Wattle</i>.

1896. `The Argus,' July 20, p. 5, col. 8:

"Many persons who had been lured into gathering armfuls of early wattle had cause to regret their devotion to the Australian national bloom, for the golden wattle blossoms produced unpleasant associations in the minds of the wearers of the green, and there were blows and curses in plenty. In political botany the wattle and blackthorn cannot grow side by side."

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

"The last two weeks have been alive with signs and tokens, saying `Spring is coming, Spring is here.' And though 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."

<hw>Goodenia</hw>, <i>n.</i> the scientific and popular name of a genus of Australian plants, closely resembling the <i>Gentians</i>; there are many species. The name was given by Sir James Smith, president of the Linnaean Society, in 1793. See quotation.

1793. `Transactions of the Linn.can Society,' vol. ii. p. 346:

"I [Smith] have given to this . . . genus the name of Goodenia, in honour of . . . Rev. Dr. <i>Goodenough</i>, treasurer of this Society, of whose botanical merits . . . example of Tournefort, who formed Gundelia from Gundelscheimer."

[Dr. Goodenough became Bishop of Carlisle; he was the grandfather of Commodore Goodenough.]

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 188:

"A species of <i>Goodenia</i> 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."

<hw>Goodletite</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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."

<hw>Goondie</hw>, <i>n.</i> a native hut. <i>Gundai</i> = a shelter in the Wiradhuri dialect. It is the same word as <i>Gunyah</i> (q.v.).

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer,' c. xvii. p. 204:

"There were a dozen `goondies' to be visited, and the inmates started to their work."

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

Cape Barren Goose-- <i>Cereopsis novae-hollandiae</i>, Lath. [Gould (`Birds of Australia,' vol. vii. pl. 1) calls it the Cereopsis Goose, or Cape Barren Goose of the Colonists.]

Maned G. (or Wood-duck, q.v.)-- <i>Branta jubata</i>, Lath.

Pied G.-- <i>Anseranus melanoleuca</i>, 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]."

<hw>Goose-teal</hw>, <i>n.</i> the English name for a very small goose of the genus <i>Nettapus</i>. The Australian species are--

Green,-- <i> Nettapus pulchellus</i>, Gould;

White-quilled,-- <i>N. albipennis</i>, Gould.

<hw>Gooseberry-tree</hw>, Little, <i>n.</i> name given to the Australian tree <i>Buchanania mangoides</i>, F. v. M., <i>N.O. Anacardiaceae</i>.

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition, p. 479:

"My companions had, for several days past, gathered the unripe fruits of <i>Coniogeton arborescens</i>, R. Br., which, when boiled, imparted an agreeable acidity to the water. . . . When ripe, they became sweet and pulpy, like gooseberries. . . . This resemblance induced us to call the tree `the little gooseberry-tree.' "

<hw>Gordon Lily</hw>, <i>n.</i> See under <i>Lily</i>.

<hw>Gouty-stem</hw>, <i>n.</i> the Australian <i>Baobab-tree</i> (q.v.), <i>Adansonia gregori</i>, F. v. M. According to Maiden (p. 60), <i>Sterculia rupestris</i>, Benth., is also called Gouty-stem, on account of the extraordinary shape of the trunk. Other names of this tree are the <i>Sour-gourd</i>, and the <i>Cream-of-tartar</i> tree.

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia,' vol. II. c. iii. p. 115:

"The gouty-stem tree . . . bears a very fragrant white flower, not unlike the jasmine."

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia,' vol. i. p. 2S9 [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 <i>Adansonia digitata</i>. A species is found in Africa. In Australia it occurs only on the north coast."

<hw>Government</hw>, <i>n.</i> a not unusual contraction of "Government service," used by contractors and working men.

<hw>Government men</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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 convicts."

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania,' vol. ii. p. 127:

"Government men, as assigned servants were called."

<hw>Government stroke</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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 shillings 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 government stroke is that light and easy mode of labour--perhaps that semblance of labour--which no other master will endure, though government is forced to put up with it."

1893. `Otago Witness,' December 2r, p. 9, col. 1:

"The government stroke is good enough for this kind of job."

1897. `The Argus,' Feb. 22, p. 4, col. 9:

"Like the poor the unemployed are always with us, but they have a penchant for public works in Melbourne, with a good daily pay and the `Government stroke' combined."

<hw>Grab-all</hw>, <i>n.</i> 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 2 1/4 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 trumpeter will get in than any other fish."

1883. Ibid. p. xvii:

"Between sunrise and sunset, nets, known as `graballs,' may be used."

<hw>Grammatophore</hw>, <i>n.</i> scientific name for "an Australian agamoid lizard, genus <i>Grammatophora</i>." (`Standard.')

<hw>Grape, Gippsland</hw>, <i>n.</i> called also <i>Native Grape</i>. An Australian fruit tree, <i>Vitis hypoglauca</i>, F. v. M., <i>N.O. Viniferae</i>; called Gippsland Grape in Victoria.

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.)"

<hw>Grape, Macquarie Harbour</hw>, or <hw>Macquarie Harbour Vine</hw> (q.v.), <i>n</i>. name given to the climbing shrub <i>Muehlenbeckia adpressra</i>, Meissn. <i>N.O. Polygonaceae</i>. Called <i>Native Ivy</i> in Australia. See under <i>Ivy</i>.

<hw>Grape-eater</hw>, <i>n.</i> a bird, called formerly <i>Fig-eater</i>, now known as the <i>Green-backed White-eye</i> (q.v.), <i>Zosterops gouldi</i>, Bp.

1848. J. Gould, `Birds of Australia,' vol. iv. pl. 82:

"<i>Zosterops chloronotus</i>, Gould, Green-backed Z.; Grape and Fig-eater, Colonists of Swan River."

<hw>Grass</hw>, <i>n.</i> In Australia, as elsewhere, the name <i>Grass</i> is sometimes given to plants which are not of the natural order <i>Gramineae</i>, yet everywhere it is chiefly to this natural order that the name is applied. A fair proportion of the true <i>Grasses</i> 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-tropical 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, <i>Barnyard</i>- or <i>Cock-spur Grass</i> (<i>Panicum crus-galli</i>, Linn.); in others they receive new Australian names, as <i>Ditch Millet</i> (<i>Paspalum scrobitulatum</i>, 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 <i>Kangaroo Grass</i> (<i>Anhistiria ciliata</i>, Linn.), which was "long known before Australia became colonized, in South Asia and all Africa" (von Muller), but not by the name of the <i>Kangaroo</i>.

Beyond these considerations, the settlers of Australia, whose wealth depends chiefly on its pastoral occupation, have introduced many of the best Old-World pasture grasses (chiefly of the genera <i>Poa</i> and <i>Festuca</i>), and many thousands of acres are said to be "laid down with English grass." Some of these are now so wide-spread in their acclimatization, that the botanists are at variance as to whether they are indigenous to Australia or not; the <i>Couch Grass</i>, for instance (<i>Cynodon dactylon</i>, Pers.), or <i>Indian Doub Grass</i>, is generally considered to be an introduced grass, yet Maiden regards it as indigenous.

There remain, "from the vast assemblage of our grasses, even some hundred indigenous to Australia" (von Muller), and a like number indigenous to New Zealand, the greater proportion of which are endemic. Many of these, accurately named in Latin and described by the botanists, have not yet found their vernacular equivalents; for the bushman and the settler do not draw fine botanical distinctions. Maiden has classified and fully described 158 species as "Forage Plants," of 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 of them unnamed in English, and many of them common also to Australia and Tasmania. These two descriptive works, with the assistance 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 <i>Grasses</i> of the <i>N.O. Gramineae</i>. Some of them of very special Australian character 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 comparison 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 <i>Grass</i> present in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand are--

1. Alpine Rice Grass-- <i>Ehrharta colensoi</i>, Cook. (N.Z.)

2. Alpine Whorl G.-- <i>Catabrosa antarctica</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

3. Bamboo G.-- <i>Glyceria ramigera</i>, F. v. M. (A.) Called also <i>Cane Grass</i>. <i>Stipa verticillata</i>, Nees.(A.)

4. Barcoo G. (of Queensland)-- <i>Anthistiria membranacea</i>, Lindl. (A.) Called also <i>Landsborough Grass</i>.

5. Barnyard G.-- <i>Panicum crus-galli</i>, Linn. (A., not endemic.) Called also <i>Cockspur Grass</i>.

6. Bayonet G.--
<i>Aciphylla colensoi</i>.(N.Z.)
Called also <i>Spear-Grass</i> (see 112), and
<i>Spaniard</i> (q.v.).

7. Bent G.--Alpine-- <i>Agrostis muellerii</i>, Benth. (A., N.Z., not endemic.) <i>Deyeuxia setifolia</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

8. Bent G.--Australian-- <i>Deyeuxia scabra</i>, Benth. (A., T., N.Z.)

9. Bent G.--Billardiere's-- <i>D. billardierii</i>, R. Br. (A., T., N.Z.)

10. Bent G.--Brown-- <i>Agrostis carina</i>, Linn. (N.Z.)

11. Bent G.--Campbell Island-- <i>A. antarctica</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

12. Bent G.--Dwarf Mountain-- <i>A. subululata</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

13. Bent G.--Oat-like-- <i>Deyeuxia avenoides</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

14. Bent G.--Pilose-- <i>D. pilosa</i>, Rich. (N.Z.)

15. Bent G.--Slender-- <i>Agrostis scabra</i>, Willd. (A., T., N.Z.)

16. Bent G.--Spiked-- <i>Deyeuxia quadriseta</i>, R. Br. (A., T., N.Z.) Called also <i>Reed Grass</i>.

17. Bent G.--Toothea-- <i>D. forsteri</i>, Kunth. (A., T., N.Z.)

18. Bent G.--Young's-- <i>D. youngii</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

19. Blady G.-- <i>Ipperata arundinacea</i>, Cyr. (A.)

20. Blue G.-- <i>Andropogon annulatus</i>, Forst. (A.) <i>A. pertusus</i>, Willd. (A.) <i>A. sericeus</i>, R. Br. (A.)

21. Brome G.--Seaside.-- <i>8romus arenarius</i>, Labill. (A., N.Z.) Called also <i>Wild Oats</i>.

22. Canary G.-- <i>Phalaris canariensis</i>. (A.)

23. Cane G.-- (i.q. <i>Bamboo Grass</i>. See 3.)

24. Chilian G.-- (i.q. <i>Rat--tailed Grass</i>. See 97.)

25. Cockspur G.-- (i.q. <i>Barnyard Grass</i>. See 5.)

26. Couch G.-- <i>Cynodon dactylon</i>, Pers. (A., not endemic.) Called also <i>Indian Doub Grass</i>.

27. Couch G.--Native-- <i>Distichlys maritima</i>, Raffinesque. (A.)

28. Couch G.--Water-- <i>(i.q</i>. Seaside Millet. See 50.)

29. Feather G.-- <i>(Several species</i> of Stipa. See 101.)

30. Fescue G.--Hard-- <i>Festuca duriuscula</i>, Linn. (Australasia, not endemic.)

31. Fescue G.--Poa-like-- <i>F. scoparia</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

32. Fescue G.--Sandhill-- <i>F. littoralis</i>, R. Br., var. <i>triticoides</i>, Benth. (A., T., N.Z.)

33. Fescue G.--Sheeps'-- <i>F. ovina</i>, Linn. (A., T.)

34. Finger G.--Cocksfoot--
<i>Panicum sanguinale</i>, Linn. (A., not endemic.)
Called also <i>Hairy Finger Grass</i>, and <i>Reddish Panic
Grass</i>.

35. Finger G.--Egyptian-- <i>Eleusine aegyptica</i>, Pers. (A., not endemic.)

36. Finger G.--Hairy-- <i>(i.q</i> .Cocksfoot Finger Grass. See 33.)

37. Foxtail G.-- <i>(i.q</i>. Knee jointed Foxtazl Grass. See 42.)

38. Hair G.--Crested-- <i>Koeleria cristata</i>, Pers. (A., T., N.Z.)

39. Hair G.--Turfy-- <i>Deschampia caespitosa</i>, Beavo. (N.Z., not endemic.)

40. Holy G.-- <i>Hierochloe alpina</i>, Roem. & Schult. (Australasia, not endemic.)

41. Indian Doub G.-- (i.q. <i>Couch Grass</i>. See 26.)

42. Kangaroo G. (A., T., not endemic)-- <i>Andropogon refractus</i>, R. Br. <i>Anthistiria avenacea</i>, F. v. M. (Called also <i>Oat Grass</i>.) <i>A. ciliata</i>, Linn. (Common K.G.) <i>A. frondosa</i>, R. Br. (Broad-leaved K.G.)

43. Knee-jointed Fox-tail G.-- <i>Alopecurus geniculatus</i>, Linn. (Australasia, not endemic.)

44. Landsborough G.-- (i.q. Barcoo Grass. See 4.)

45. Love G.--Australian-- <i>Eragrostis brownii</i>, Nees. (A.)

46. Manna G.-- <i>Glyceria fluitans</i>, R. Br. (A.,T.)

47. Millet--Australian-- <i>Panicum decompositum</i>, R. Br. (A., not endemic.) Called also <i>Umbrella Grass</i>.

48. Millet--Ditch-- <i>Paspalum scrobitulatum</i>, F. v. M. (A., N.Z., not endemic.) The <i>Koda Millet</i> of India.

49. Millet--Equal-glumed-- <i>Isachne australis</i>, R. Br. (A., N.Z., not endemic.)

50. Millet-Seaside-- <i>Paspalum distichum</i>, Burmann. (A., N.Z., not endemic.) Called also <i>Silt Grass</i>, and <i>Water Couch Grass</i>.

51. Mitchell G.-- <i>Astrebla elymoides</i>, F. v. M. (A., <i>True Mitchell Grass</i>.) <i>A. pectinata</i>, F. v. M. (A.) <i>A. tritzcoides</i>, F. v. M. (A.)

52. Mouse G.-- (i.q.) <i>Longhaired Plume Grass</i>. See 72.)

53. Mulga G.-- <i>Danthonia racemosa</i>, R. Br. (A.) <i>Neurachnea Mitchelliana</i>, Nees. (A.)

54. New Zealand Wind G.-- <i>Apera arundinacea</i>, Palisot. (N.Z., not endemic.)

55. Oat G.-- <i>Anthistiria avenacea</i>, F. v. M. (Called also <i>Kangaroo Grass</i>. See 41.)

56. Oat G.--Alpine-- <i>Danthonia semi</i>-annularis, R. Br., var. <i>alpina</i>. (N.Z.)

57. Oat G.--Buchanan's-- <i>D. buchanii</i>; Hook. f. (N.Z.)

58. Oat G.--Few-flowered-- <i>D. pauciflora</i>, R. Br. (A., T., N.Z.)

59. Oat G.--Hard-- <i>D. pilosa</i>, R. Br., var. stricta. (N.Z.)

60. Oat G.--Naked-- <i>D. nuda</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

61. Oat G.--New Zealand-- <i>D. semi</i>-annularis, R. Br. (A., T., N.Z.)

62. Oat G.--Purple-awned-- <i>D. pilosa</i>, R. Br. (A., T., N.Z.)

63. Oat G.--Racemed-- <i>D. pilosa</i>, R. Br., var. racemosa. (N.Z.)

64. Oat G.--Shining-- <i>Trisetum antarcticum</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

65. Oat G.--Sheep-- <i>Danthonia semi</i>-annularis, R. Br., var. gracilis.(N.Z.)

66. Oat G.--Spiked-- <i>Trisetum subspicatum</i>, Beauv. (Australasia, not endemic.)

67. Oat G.--Thompson's Naked-- <i>Danthonia thomsonii</i> (new species).

68. Oat G.--Wiry-leaved-- <i>D. raoulii</i>, Steud, var. Australis, Buchanan. (N.Z.)

69. Oat G.--Young's-- <i> Trisetum youngii</I>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

<i>70. Panic</i> G.--Reddish-- (i.q. <i>Cocksfoot Finger-Grass</i>. See 34.)

71. Panic G.--Slender-- <i>Oplismenus salarius</i>, var. Roem. and Schult. (A., N.Z., not endemic.)

72. Paper G.--Native--
<i>Poa caespitosa</i>, Forst. (A., T., N.Z.)
Called also <i>Wiry Grass</i>, <i>Weeping Polly</i>,
and <i>Tussock Poa Grass</i>; and, in New Zealand,
<i>Snow Grass</i>.

73. Plume G.--Long-haired-- <i>Dichelachne crinita</i>, Hook. f. (A., T., N.Z.)

74. Plume G.--Short-haired-- <i>D. sciurea</i>, Hook. f. (A., T., N.Z.)

75. Poa G.--Auckland Island-- <i>Poa foliosa</i>, Hook. f., var. <i>a</i>. (N.Z.)

76. Poa G.--Brown-flowered-- <i>P. lindsayi</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

77. Poa G.--Brown Mountain <i>P. mackayi</i> (new species). (N.Z.)

78. Poa G.--Colenso's-- <i>P. colensoi</i>, Hook. f.(N.Z.) 79.

79. Poa G.--Common Field-- <i>P. anceps</i>, Forst., var. <i>b</i>, foliosa, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

80. Pea G.--Dense-flowered <i>P. anceps</i>, Forst., var. <i>d, densiflora</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

81. Poa G.--Dwarf-- <i>P. pigmaea</i> (new species). (N.Z.)

82. Pea G.--Hard short-stemmed-- <i>P. anceps</i>, Forst., var. <i>c, brevicalmis</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

83. Poa G.--Kirk's-- <i>P. kirkii</i> (new species). (N.Z.)

84. Poa G.--Large-flowered-- <i>P. foliosa</i>, Hook. f., var. <i>B</i>. (N.Z.)

85. Poa G.--Little-- <i>P. exigua</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

86. Poa G.--Minute-- <i>P, foliosa</i>, Hook. f., var. <i>C</i>. (N.Z.)

87. Poa G.--Minute Creeping-- <i>P. pusilla</i>, Berggren. (N.Z.)

88. Pea G.--Nodding Plumed-- <i>P. anceps</i>, Forst., var. <i>A, elata</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

89. Poa G.--One-flowered-- <i>P. unifora</i> (new species). (N.Z.)

90. Poa G.--Short-glumed-- <i>P. breviglumus</i>, Hook. f.(N.Z.)

91. Poa G.--Slender-- <i>P. anceps</i>, Forst., var. <i>E, debilis</i>, Kirk, Ms. (N.Z.)

92. Poa G.--Small Tussock-- <i>P. intemedia</i> (new species). (N.Z.)

93. Poa G.--Tussock-- <i>P. caespitosa</i>, Forst. (A., T., N.Z. See 71.)

94. Poa G.--Weak-stemmed-- <i>Eragrostis imbebecilla</i>, Benth. (A., N.Z.)

95. Poa G.--White-flowered-- <i>Poa sclerophylla</i>, Berggren. (N.Z.)

96. Porcupine G. (q.v.)-- <i>Triodia (various</i> species).

97. Rat-tailed G.-- <i>Sporobulus indicus</i>, R. Br. (A., N.Z., not endemic.) Called also <i>Chilian Grass</i>. <i>Ischaeum laxum</i>, R. Br. (A.)

98. Reed G.-- <i>Pragmites communis</i>, Trin. (N.Z. See 16.)

99. Rice G.-- <i>Leersia hexandria</i>, Swartz. (A.)

100. Rice G.--Bush-- <i>Microtaena avenacea</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

101. Rice G.--Knot-jointed-- <i>M. polynoda</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

102. Rice G.--Meadow-- <i>M. stipoides</i>, R. Br. (A.,T., N.Z.) Called also <i>Weeping Grass</i>.

103. Roly-Poly G.-- <i>Panicum macractinum</i>, Benth. (A.)

104. Rough-bearded G.-- <i>Echinopogon ovatus</i>, Palisot. (A., T., N.Z.)

105. Sacred G.--
<i>Hierochloe redolens</i>, R. Br. (Australasia, not endemic.)
Called also <i>Scented Grass</i>, and <i>Sweet-scented</i>
Grass.

106. Scented G.-- <i>Chrysopogon parviforus</i>, Benth. (A.) See also 105.

107. Seaside Brome G.-- <i>(i.q</i>. Brome Grass. See 21.)

108. Silt G.-- <i>(i.q</i>. Seaside Millet. See 50.)

109. Seaside Glumeless G.-- <i>Gymnostychum gracile</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

110. Snow G. (q.v.)-- <i>(i.q</i>. Paper Grass. See 72.) (N.Z.)

111. Spear G. (q.v.)-- <i>Aciphylla colensoi</i>. (N.Z.) Called also <i>Spaniard</i> (q.v.). <i>Heteropogon contortus</i>, Roem. and Shult. (N.Z.), and all species of <i>Stipa</i> (A., T.).

112. Spider G.-- <i>Panicum divaricatissimum</i>, R. Br. (A.)

113. Spinifex G. (q.v.)-- <i>Spinifex hirsutus</i>, Labill. (A., T., N.Z., not endemic.) Called also <i>Spiny Rolling Grass</i>.

114. Star G.--Blue-- <i>Chloris ventricosa</i>, R. Br. (A.)

115. Star G.--Dog's Tooth-- <i>C. divaricata</i>, R. Br. (A.)

116. Star G.--Lesser-- <i>C. acicularis</i>, Lindl. (A.)

117. Sugar G.-- <i>Pollinia fulva</i>, Benth.(A.)

118. Summer G.-- (i.q. <i>Hairy-Finger Grass</i>. See 36.)

119. Sweet G.-- <i>Glyceria stricta</i>, Hook. f. (A., T., N.Z.)

120. Sweet-scented G.-- (i.q. <i>Sacred Grass</i>. See 105.)

121. Traveller's G. (<i>N.O. Aroideae</i>).-- (i.q. <i>Settlers' Twine</i>, q.v.)

122. Tussock G.-- (See 93 and 72.)

123. Tussock G.-- Broad-leaved Oat-- <i>Danthonia flavescens</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

124. Tussock G.--Erect Plumed-- <i>Arundo fulvida</i>, Buchanan. (N.Z.) Maori name, <i>Tot-toi</i> (q.v.).

125. Tussock G.--Narrow-leaved Oat-- <i>Danthonia raoulii</i>, Steud. (N.Z.)

126. Tussock G.--Plumed-- <i>Arundo conspicua</i>, A. Cunn. (N.Z.) Maori name, <i>Toi-toi</i> (q.v.).

127. Tussock G.--Small-flowered Oat-- <i>Danthonia cunninghamii</i>, Hook. f. (N.Z.)

128. Petrie's Stipa G.-- <i>Stipa petriei</i> (new species). See 101. /?111?/ (N.Z.)

129. Umbrella G.-- (i.q. <i>Australian Millet</i>. See 47.)

130. Wallaby G.-- <i>Danthonia penicileata</i>, F. v. M. (A., N.Z.)

131. Weeping G.-- (i.q. <i>Meadow Rice</i> Grass. See 102.)

132. Weeping Polly G.-- (i.q. <i>Paper Grass</i>. See 72.)

133. Wheat G.--Blue-- <i>Agropyrum scabrum</i>, Beauv. (A., T., N.Z.)

134. Wheat G.--Short-awned-- <i>Triticum multiflorum</i>, Banks and Sol. (N.Z.)

135. White-topped G.-- <i>Danthonia longifolia</i>, R. Br. (A.)

136. Windmill G.-- <i>Chloris truncata</i>, R. Br. (A.)

137. Wire G.--
<i>Ehrharta juncea</i>, Sprengel; a rush-like grass of hilly
country. (A., T., N.Z.)
<i>Cynodon dactylum</i>, Pers.; so called from its knotted,
creeping, wiry roots, so difficult to eradicate in gardens
and other cultivated land. (Not endemic.) See 26.

138. Wiry G.--. (i.q. <i>Paper Grass</i>. See 72.)

139. Wiry Dichelachne G.-- <i>Stipa teretefolia</i>, Steud. (A., T., N.Z.)

140. Woolly-headed G.-- <i>Andropogon bombycinus</i>, R. Br. (A.)

141. Vandyke G.-- <i>Panicum flavidum</i>, Retz. (A.)

<hw>Grass-bird</hw>, <i>n.</i> In New Zealand, <i>Sphenoeacus //sic. otherwhere Sphenaeacus GJC// punctatus</i>, Gray, the same as <i>Fern-bird</i> (q.v.); in Australia, <i>Megalurus (Sphenaeacus) gramineus</i>, Gould.

<hw>Grass-leaved Fern</hw>, <i>n. Vittaria elongata</i>, Swartz, <i>N.O. Filices</i>.

1883. F. M. Bailey, `Synopsis of Queensland 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 frequently seen fringing the stems of the trees in the scrubs of tropical Queensland, in which situation the fronds are usually very long."

<hw>Grass-Parrakeet</hw>, <i>n.</i> a bird of the genus <i>Euphema</i>. The Australian species are--

Blue-winged Parrakeet <i>Euphema aurantia</i>, Gould.

Bourke's P.-- <i>E. bourkii</i>, Gould.

Grass-P.-- <i>E. elegans</i>, Gould.

Orange-bellied P.-- <i>E. chrysogastra</i>, Lath.

Orange-throated P.-- <i>E. splendida</i>, Gould.

Red-shouldered P.-- <i>E. pulchella</i>, Shaw.

Warbling Grass-P.--
Gould's name for <i>Budgerigar</i> (q.v.).

See also <i>Rock-Parrakeet (Euphema petrophila</i>, Gould), which is sometimes classed as a <i>Grass-Parrakeet</i>.

<hw>Grass-tree</hw>, <i>n.</i> (2) The name applied to trees of the genus <i>Xanthorrhoea, N.O. Liliaceae</i>, of which thirteen species are known in Australia. See also <i>Richea</i>.

(2) In New Zealand <i>Pseudopanax crassifolium</i>, Seemann, <i>N.O. Araleaceae</i>. When young, this is the same as <i>Umbrella-tree</i>, so called from its appearance like the ribs of an umbrella. When older, it grows more straight and is called <i>Lancewood</i> (q.v.).

(3) In Tasmania, besides two species of <i>Xanthorrhoea</i> the <i>Grass-tree</i> of the mainland, the <i>Richea dracophylla</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Epacrideae</i>, found on Mount Wellington, near Hobart, is also known by that name, whilst the <i>Richea pandanifolia</i>, Hook., found in the South-west forests, is called the <i>Giant Grass-tree</i>. Both these are peculiar to the island.

(4) An obsolete name for <i>Cordyline australis</i>, Hook., <i>N.O. Liliaceae</i>, now more usually called <i>Cabbage- tree</i> (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.":

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia,' Vol II. c. iii. p. 54:

"The grass-tree is not found westward of the mountains."

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions,' vol. ii. p. 303:

"We approached a range of barren hills of clay slate, on which grew the grass-tree (<i>Xanthorhoea</i>) and stunted eucalypti."

1862. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p. 74:

"The shimmering sunlight fell and kissed The grass-tree's golden sheaves."

1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' p. 132:

"Here and there, in moist places, arises isolated the `grass-tree' or `cabbage-tree' (Ti of the natives; <i>Cordyline Australis</i>)."

1874. Garnet Walch, `Head over Heels,' p. 80:

"The grass-trees in front, blame my eyes, Seemed like plumes on the top of a hearse."

1877. F. v. Mueller, `Botanic Teachings,' p. 119:

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Austral EnglishChapter XI: Part 11

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