"We learned that a koala or native bear (<i>Phascolarctus cinereus</i>) was sitting on a tree near the but of a shepherd . . . not a dangerous animal. It is called `native bear,' but is in no wise related to the bear family. It is an innocent and peaceful marsupial, which is active only at night, and sluggishly climbs the trees, eating leaves and sleeping during the whole day. As soon as the young has left the pouch, the mother carries it with her on her back. The Australian bear is found in considerable numbers throughout the eastern part of the continent, even within the tropical circle."
<hw>Bearded Lizard</hw>, <i>n</i>. See <i>Jew Lizard</i>.
<hw>Beardie</hw>, or <hw>Beardy</hw>, <i>n</i>. a fish. In Scotland the name is applied to the Bearded Loach, <i>Nemachilus barbatus</i>, of Europe; in New South Wales the name is given to the fish <i>Lotella marginata</i>, Macl., of the family <i>Gadidae</i>, or Cod-fishes, which is also called <i>Ling</i> (q.v.).
<hw>Beaver-rat</hw>, <i>n</i>. an aquatic rodent, something like the English water-rat, genus <i>Hydromys</i>.
1864. `Proceedings of the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land' [paper by Morton Allport], p. 62:
"Common to both fresh and brackish water is the yellow bellied beaver-rat or musk-rat (<i>Hydromys chrysogaster</i>)."
<hw>Beech</hw>, <i>n</i>. There is only one true Beech in Australia, <i>Fagus cunninghamii</i>, Hook, <i>N.O. Cupuliferae</i>; but the name is applied to many other kinds of Australian trees, viz.—
(1) Simply to
<i>Cryptocarya glaucescens</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Laurineae</i>, called also Black Sassafras, White Laurel, She Beech, and Black Beech.
<i>Flindersia australis</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Meliaceae</i>, called also Flindosa Ash, Crow's Ash, and Rasp-pod, and invariably Myrtle to Tasmania.