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

"A bottomless water-hole, about 300 feet wide, exists at
Maryvale homestead, Gipps Land."

1878. Mrs. H. Jones, `Broad Outlines of Long Years in Australia,' p. 97:

"`That will be another water-hole.' `What an ugly word . . . why don't you call them pools or ponds?' `I can't tell you why they bear such a name, but we never call them anything else, and if you begin to talk of pools or ponds you'll get well laughed at.'"

1896. `The Argus,' March 30, p. 6, col. 9:

[The murderer] has not since been heard of. Dams and waterholes have been dragged . . . but without result."

<hw>Water-Lily</hw>. See <i>Lily</i>.

<hw>Water-Mole</hw>, i.q. <i>Platypus</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Water-Myrtle</hw>, an Australian tree, <i>Tristania neriifolia</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Myrtaceae</i>.

<hw>Water-Tree</hw>, <i>n</i>. a tree from which water is obtained by tapping the roots, <i>Hakea leucoptera</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Proteaceae</i>; called also <i>Needle-bush</i>. The quotation describes the process, but does not name the tree.

1839. T. L. Mitchell, `Three Expeditions,' p. 199: