Austral English Part 16

(2) With various epithets the name is also used as follows--

Evergreen Beech--

f.a.gus cunninghamii, Hook, N.O. Cupuliferae, called also Myrtle and Negro-head Beech.

Flindosy B.--

Flindersia schottiana, F. v. M., N.O. Meliaceae, called also Ash and Stave-wood.

Indian B.--

Pongamia glabra, Vent., N.O. Leguminosae, B. Fl.

Mountain B.--

Lomatia longifolia, R. Br., N.O. Proteaceae.

Native B.--

Callicoma serratifolia, Andr., N.O. Saxifragiae, "one of the trees called by the early colonists `Black Wattle,'

from the fancied resemblance of the flowers to those of some of the wattles." (Maiden, p. 389.)

Negro-head B., i.q. Evergreen B. (q.v. supra).

Queensland B.--

Gmelina leichhardtii , F. v. M., N.O. Verbenaceae, a tall valuable timber-tree.

Red B.--

Tarrietia trifoliata, F. v. M., N.O. Sterculiaceae.

She B.--

Cryptocazya obovata, R. Br., H.0. Laurineae, B. Fl., called also b.a.s.t.a.r.d Sycamore.

White B.--

Elaeocarpus kirtoni, F. v. M., N.O. Tiliaceae, called also Mountain Ash.

(3) In New Zealand, there are six species of true beeches, which according to Kirk are as follows--

Blair's B.--

f.a.gus blairii, T. Kirk.

Entire-leaved B.--

F. solandri, Hook. f.

Mountain B.--

F. cliffortioides, Hook. f.

Pointed-leaved B.--

F. apiculata, Colenso.

Silver B.--

F. Menziesii, Hook. f.

Tooth-leaved B.--

F. fusca, Hook. f.

All these, however, are commonly called Birches.

See also the words Ash, Myrtle, Sa.s.safras.

Bee-eater, n. a bird-name. The European Bee-eater is Merops apiaster; the Australian species is Merops ornatus, Lath. The bird was called "M. phrygius, the Embroidered Merops," by Shaw.

1793. G. Shaw, `Zoology [and Botany] of New Holland,' p. 14:

"Specific character.--Black Merops varied with yellow. The bird figured in its natural size on the present plate is a species of Merops or Bee-eater; a tribe which appears to be peculiarly prevalent in the extensive regions of Australia, since more birds of this genus have been discovered than of any other, except the very numerous one of Psittacus."

[The birds, however, have been since this date further differentiated, and are now all cla.s.sed in other genera, except the present species.]

1790. J. White, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 144:

"The wattled bee-eater, of which a plate is annexed, fell in our way during the course of the day... . Under the eye, on each side, is a kind of wattle of an orange colour...

This bird seems to be peculiar to New Holland."

Ibid. p. 190:

"We this day shot a k.n.o.b-fronted bee-eater (see plate annexed).

This is about the size of a black-bird." [Description follows.]

Beef-wood, n. the timber of various Australian trees, especially of the genus Casuarina, and some of the Banksias; often used as a synonym of She-oak (q.v.).

The name is taken from the redness of the wood.

1826. J. Atkinson, `Agriculture and Grazing in New South Wales,'

p. 31:

"The wood is well known in England by the names of Botany Bay wood, or beef wood.The grain is very peculiar, but the wood is thought very little of in the colony; it makes good s.h.i.+ngles, splits, in the colonial phrase, from heart to bark ..."

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia,' vol. i. c. i. p. 22: