Austral English Part 83

"There are flame-trees showing in spring vivid patches of crimson."

Flannel Flower, 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."

Flathead, 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. ba.s.sensis, 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."

Flat Pea, 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.']

Flax, Native, 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 fis.h.i.+ng-nets and cordage."

Flax, New Zealand, 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 sc.r.a.ping 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)."

Flax-blade, 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."

Flax-bush, n. the bush of the New Zealand Flax.

1854. W. Golder, `Pigeons' Parliament,' Intro. p. v:

"I had ... to pa.s.s 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."

Flax-flower, 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."

Flax-leaf, 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.