Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

<hw>Tiger-Cat</hw>, <i>n</i>. special name applied to the <i>Common</i> and <i>Spotted-tailed Native Cat</i>. See under <i>Cat</i>.

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' c. ii. p. 52:

"The skins of the . . . opossum, tiger-cat, and platypus . . . are exported."

1852. Ronald C. Gunn, `Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land,' vol. ii. p. 11:

"<i>Dasyurus maculatus</i>, Shaw. . . . The <i>Spotted Martin</i>, Phillip's `Voy. to Botany Bay, p. 276. Martin Cat,' pl. 46. `Tiger Cat' of the Colonists of Tasmania, to which island it is confined. It is distinguished from <i>D. viverrinus</i>, the `Native Cat' of the Colonists, by its superior size and more robust form; also from the tail being spotted as well as the body."

1891. `Guide to the Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

"After the opossums comes a specimen of the tiger-cat (<i>Dasyurus maculatus</i>); this animal, which is so destructive to poultry, is well known throughout the country in Victoria."

<hw>Tiger, Tasmanian</hw>. See <i>Thylacine</i> and <i>Tasmanian Tiger</i>.

<hw>Tiger-Snake</hw>, <i>n</i>. See under <i>Snake</i>.

<hw>Tihore</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori name for a species of New Zealand flax. Name used specially in the North Island for the best variety of <i>Phormium</i> (q.v.).