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

Three species of <i>Hare-Wallabies</i> (genus <i>Lagorchestes</i>, q.v.), confined to Australia, are the Spectacled Hare-Wallaby, <i>Lagorchestes conspiculatus</i>, Gould; Common H. W., <i>L. leporoides</i>, Gould; Rufous H. W., <i>L. hirsutus</i>, Gould.

One species, called the <i>Banded-Wallaby</i> (genus, <i>Lagostrophus</i>, q.v.), confined to Western Australia, is <i>L. fasciatus</i>, Peron and Less.

For etymology, see <i>Wallaroo</i>.

1798. D. Collins, `Account of English Colony in New South Wales,' p. 614 [Vocabulary]:

"Wal-li-bah—a black kangaroo."

1830. R. Dawson' `Present State of Australia,' p. 111:

"In the long coarse grass with which these flats are always covered, a species of small kangaroo is usually found, which the natives call the `wallaby.' Their colour is darker than that of the forest kangaroo, approaching almost to that of a fox, and they seat themselves in the grass like a hare or a rabbit."

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' c. ii. p. 28:

"The wallabee is not very common."

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. i. c. ix. p. 267: