Austral English Part 135

1836. C. Darwin, `Naturalist's Voyage,' c. xix. p. 321:

"The greyhounds pursued a kangaroo-rat into a hollow tree, out of which we dragged it; it is an animal as large as a rabbit, but with the figure of a kangaroo."

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849,' p. 37:

"The kangaroo-rat is twice the size of a large English water-rat, and of the same colour, measuring nearly two feet in length."

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1853), p. 157:

"Two or three of the smallest kind, called the kangaroo-rat-- about the size of a hare, and affording pretty good coursing."

1860. Fison and Howitt, `Kamilaroi and Kurnai,' p. 195:

"One of the skin ap.r.o.ns ... made from the skin of a kangaroo-rat."

1879. C. W. Schurmann, `Native Tribes of Australia--Port Lincoln Tribe,' p. 214:

"The natives use this weapon [the Waddy] princ.i.p.ally for throwing at kangaroo-rats or other small animals."

1890. A. H. S. Lucas, `Handbook of the Australasian a.s.sociation for the Advancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 63:

"The Victorian Kangaroo rat is Bettongia cuniculus."

1894. R.Lydekker, `Marsupialia,' p. 63:

"The rat-kangaroos, often incorrectly spoken of as kangaroo-rats."

Kangaroo-skin, n. either the leather for the tanned hide, or the complete fur for rugs and wraps.

1806. `History of New South Wales' (1818), p. 258:

"The fitness of the kangaroo-skin for upper leathers will no doubt obtain preference over most of the imported leather, as it is in general lighter and equally durable."

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 106:

"I used always to strip and preserve the pelt, for it makes good and pretty door-mats, and is most useful for pouches, leggings, light-whips, or any purpose where you require something strong and yet neater than green hide. I have seen saddles covered with it, and kangaroo-skin boots are very lasting and good."

Kangaroo-tail Soup, n. soup made from the kangaroo-tail.

1820. W. C. Wentworth, `Description of New South Wales,'

p. 58:

"The tail of the forest kangaroo in particular makes a soup which, both in richness and flavour, is far superior to any ox-tail soup ever tasted."

1865. Lady Barker, writing from Melbourne, `Station Life in New Zealand,' p. 14:

"The soups comprised kangaroo-tail--a clear soup not unlike ox-tail, but with a flavour of game."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. x.x.xv. p. 312:

"Kangaroo-tail and ox-tail soup disputed pre-eminence."

Kangaroo-Thorn, n. an indigenous hedge-plant, Acacia armata, R. Br., N.O. Leguminosae; called also Kangaroo Acacia.

Kapai, adj. Maori word for good, used by the English in the North Island of New Zealand; e.g. "That is a kapai pipe." "I have a kapai gun."

1896. `New Zealand Herald,' Feb. 14 (Leading Article):

"The Maori word which pa.s.sed most familiarly into the speech of Europeans was `kapai,' `this is good.'"

Kapu, n. Maori word for a stone adze. The Maori word means the hollow of the hand. The adze is so called from its curved shape. (Williams, `Maori Dict.')

1889. `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition,' p. 140:

"Kapu,, or adze."

Karaka, n. Maori name for a tree, Corynocarpus laevigata, Forst. N.O. anacardiaceae; also called Cow-tree (q.v.), forty feet high, with orange- coloured berries, two to three inches long.

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.

p. 226:

"Two or three canoes were hauled up under some karaka trees, which formed a pleasant grove in a sort of recess from the beach."

Ibid. vol. i. p. 233:

"The karaka-tree much resembles the laurel in its growth and foliage. It bears bright orange-coloured berries about the size and shape of damsons, growing in bunches. The fruit is sickly and dry; but the kernel forms an important article of native food."

1859. A. S. Thomson, `Story of New Zealand,' p. 157:

"The karaka fruit is about the size of an acorn. The pulp is eaten raw; the kernel is cooked in the oven for ten days, and then steeped for several weeks in a running stream before it is fit for use. Karaka berries for winter use are dried in the sun. The kernel is poisonous uncooked."

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 108:

"The thick karakas' varnished green."

1881. J. L. Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 102:

"The karaka with its brilliantly polished green leaves and golden yellow fruit."

1883. F. S. Renwick, `Betrayed,' p. 35:

"Bring the heavy karaka leaf, Gather flowers of richest hue."

1892. `Otago Witness,' Nov. 10. (Native Trees):

"Corynocarpus laevigata (generally known by the name of karaka). The fruit is poisonous, and many deaths of children occur through eating it. Mr. Anderson, a surgeon who accompanied Captain Cook, mentions this tree and its fruit, and says the sailors ate it, but does not say anything about it being poisonous. The poison is in the hard inner part, and it may be that they only ate the outer pulp."

Karamu, n. Maori name for several species of the New Zealand trees of the genus Coprosma, N.O. Rubiaceae. Some of the species are called Tree-karamu, and others Bush-karamu; to the latter (C. lucida, Kirk) the name Coffee-plant, or Coffee-bush, is also applied.