Austral English Part 225

Some varieties are very rich in salt. RhaG.o.dia parabolica, R. Br., for instance, according to Mr. Stephenson, who accompanied Sir T. Mitch.e.l.l in one of his expeditions, yields as much as two ounces of salt by boiling two pounds of leaves.

1870. T. H. Braim, `New Homes,' c. ii. p. 89:

"This inland salt-bush country suits the settler's purpose well."

1889. Ca.s.sell's `Picturesque Australasia,' vol. iv. p. 144:

"The ground is covered with the sage-coloured salt-bush all the year round, but in the winter it blooms with flowers."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Squatter's Dream,' c. xxi. p. 262:

"How glorious it will be to see them pitching into that lovely salt-bush by the lake."

1892. E. W. Hornung, `Under Two Skies,' p. 11:

"The surrounding miles of salt-bush plains and low monotonous scrub oppressed her when she wandered abroad. There was not one picturesque patch on the whole dreary run."

1896. A. B. Paterson, `Man from Snowy River,' p. 92:

"Over the miles of the salt-bush plain-- The s.h.i.+ning plain that is said to be The dried-up bed of an inland sea.

For those that love it and understand, The salt-bush plain is a wonderland."

Samson-fish, n. name given in Sydney to Seriola hippos, Gunth., family Carangidae; and in Melbourne to the young of Arripis salar, Richards., family Percidae. See Salmon.

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

p. 60:

"The samson-fish (Senola hippos, Gunth.) is occasionally caught. The great strength of these fishes is remarkable, and which probably is the cause that gave it the name of Samson-fish, as sailors or s.h.i.+pwrights give to the name of a strong post resting on the keelson of a s.h.i.+p, and supporting the upper beam, and bearing all the weight of the deck cargo near the hold, Samson-post."

Sandalwood, n. The name is given to many Australian trees from the strong scent of their timber.

They are --

Of the N.O. Santalaceae--

Exocarpos latifolia, R. Br.; called Scrub-Sandalwood.

Fusa.n.u.s spicatus, R. Br.; called Fragrant Sandalwood.

Santalum lanceolatum, R. Br.

S. obtusifodum, R. Br.

Santalum persicarium, F. v. M.; called Native Sandalwood.

Of the N.O. Myoporinae--

Eremophila mitch.e.l.li, Benth.; called also Rosewood and b.a.s.t.a.r.d-Sandalwood.

E. sturtii, R. Br.; called curiously the Scentless Sandalwood.

Myoporum platycarpum, R. Br.; called also Dogwood (q.v.).

Of the N.O. Apocyneae--

Alyxia buxifolia, R. Br.; called Native Sandalwood in Tasmania.

Sandfly-bush, n. Australian name for the indigenous tree Zieria smithii, Andr., N.O. Rutaceae. Called also Turmeric, and in Tasmania, Stinkwood.

Sand-Lark, n. name given in Australia to the Red-capped Dottrel, Charadrius ruficapilla, Temm.

1867. W. Richardson, `Tasmanian Poems,' pref. p. xi:

"The nimble sand-lark learns his pretty note."

Sandpiper, n. About twenty species of this familiar sea-bird exist. It belongs especially to the Northern Hemisphere, but it performs such extensive migrations that in the northern winter it is dispersed all over the world.

(`Century.') The species observed in Australia are--

Bartram's Sandpiper-- Tringa bartrami.

Common S.-- Act.i.tis hypoleucos, Linn.

Great S.-- Tringa cra.s.sirostris, Temm. and Schleg.

Grey-rumped S.-- T. brevisses.

Sandplover, n. a bird of New Zealand.

According to Professor Parker, only two genera of this common bird are to be found in New Zealand. There is no bird bearing the name in Australia. See Plover and Wry-billed Plover.

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

p. 116:

"But two genera of the group [Wading Birds] are found only in New Zealand, the Sandplover and the curious Wry-billed Plover."

Sand-stay, n. a characteristic name for the Coast Tea-Tree, Leptospermum laevigatum, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtaceae. See Tea-Tree.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 642:

"Sandstay. Coast Tea-Tree. This shrub is the most effectual of all for arresting the progress of driftsand in a warm climate. It is most easily raised by simply scattering in autumn the seeds on the sand, and covering them loosely with boughs, or, better still, by spreading lopped-off branches of the shrub itself, bearing ripe seed, on the sand. (Mueller.)"

Sandy, n. a Tasmanian fish, Uphritis urvillii, Cuv. and Val, family Trachinidae; also called the Fresh-water Flathead. See Flathead.

Sandy-blight, n. a kind of ophthalmia common in Australia, in which the eye feels as if full of sand. Called also shortly, Blight.

Shakspeare has sand-blind (M. of V. II. ii. 31); Launcelot says--