"The bear (phascolomys) of the colonists is in reality a species of sloth, and partakes of all the characteristics of that animal; it is of the marsupial order, and is found chiefly in the neighbourhood of thickly timbered high land; its flesh is used by the aborigines for food, but is tough and unpalatable; its usual weight is from eight to twelve pounds." [Note: <i>Phascolomys</i> is the name of the Wombat, not the Bear.]
1854. G. H. Hayden, `The Australian Emigrant,' p. 126:
"The luckless <i>carbora</i> fell crashing through the branches." [Footnote] "The native name of an animal of the sloth species, but incorrectly called by the colonists a bear."
1855. W. Blandowski, `Transactions of Philosophical Society of Victoria,' vol. i. p. 68:
"The koala or karbor (<i>Phascolarctus cinereus</i>) frequents very high trees, and sits in places where it is most sheltered by the branches. . . . Its fur is of the same colour as the bark . . . like the cat has the power of contracting and expanding the pupil of the eye . . . . Its skin is remarkably thick . . . dense woolly fur . . . . The natives aver that the koala never drinks water."
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia,' vol. i. p. 448:
"They were soon entirely out of provisions, but found a sort of substitute by living on the native bear (<i>Phascolarctus cinereus</i>), which was plentiful even in the forests."
1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 214:
"Look, high up in the branches of that tall tree is a native bear! It sits motionless. It has something the appearance of a solemn old man. How funny his great ears and Roman nose look! He sits on the branch as if it was a chair, holding with hand-like claws the surrounding twigs."
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 9: