1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xxxv. p. 308:
"Making as much noise as if you'd hired the bell-man for a roll-up?"
<hw>Roly-poly Grass</hw>, or <i>Roley-poley</i>, <i>n</i>. name given to <i>Panicum macractinium</i>, Benth., <i>N.O. Gramineae</i>; and also to <i>Salsola Kali</i>, Linn., <i>N.O. Salsolaceae</i>. See <i>Grass</i>.
1859. D. Bunce, `Travels with Dr. Leichhardt in Australia,' pp. 167-8:
"Very common to these plains, was a large-growing <i>salsolaceous</i> plant, belonging to the <i>Chenopodeaceae</i>, of Jussieu. These weeds grow in the form of a large ball. . . . No sooner were a few of these balls (or, as we were in the habit of calling them, `rolly-poleys') taken up with the current of air, than the mules began to kick and buck. . . ."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia,' vol. ii. p. 468:
"A salsolaceous plant growing in the form of a ball several feet high. In the dry season it withers, and is easily broken off and rolled about by the winds, whence it is called roley-poly by the settlers."
1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 100:
"Roly-Poly Grass. This species produces immense dry and spreading panicles; it is perennial, and seeds in November and December. It is a somewhat straggling species, growing in detached tufts, on sand-hills and sandy soil, and much relished by stock."
1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,' Narrative, p. 13: