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

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849,' p. 37:

"The kangaroo-rat is twice the size of a large English water-rat, and of the same colour, measuring nearly two feet in length."

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes' (edition 1853), p. 157:

"Two or three of the smallest kind, called the kangaroo-rat— about the size of a hare, and affording pretty good coursing."

1860. Fison and Howitt, `Kamilaroi and Kurnai,' p. 195:

"One of the skin aprons . . . made from the skin of a kangaroo-rat."

1879. C. W. Schurmann, `Native Tribes of Australia—Port Lincoln Tribe,' p. 214:

"The natives use this weapon [the <i>Waddy</i>] principally for throwing at kangaroo-rats or other small animals."

1890. A. H. S. Lucas, `Handbook of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 63:

"The Victorian Kangaroo rat is <i>Bettongia cuniculus</i>."