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

Tree,
<i>Petrochelidon nigricans</i>, Vieill.;

Fairy, <i>Lagenoplastes ariel</i>, Gould; called also <i>Bottle-Swallow</i> (q.v.).

1896. F. G. Aflalo, `Natural History of Australia,' p. 128:

". . . the elegant little Fairy Martins (<i>Lagenoplastes ariel</i>), which construct a remarkable mud nest in shape not unlike a retort."

<hw>Mary</hw>, <i>n</i>. used in Queensland of the aborigines, as equivalent to girl or woman. "A black Mary." Compare "<i>Benjamin</i>," used for husband.

<hw>Matagory</hw>, <i>n</i>. a prickly shrub of New Zealand, <i>Discaria toumatou</i>, Raoul.; also called <i>Wild Irishman</i> (q.v.). The Maori name is <i>Tumatahuru</i>, of which <i>Matagory</i>, with various spellings, is a corruption, much used by rabbiters and swagmen. The termination <i>gory</i> evidently arises by the law of Hobson-Jobson from the fact that the spikes draw blood.

1859. J. T. Thomson, in `Otago Gazette,' Sept. 22, p. 264:

"Much over-run with the scrub called `tomata-guru.'"

Alex. Garvie, ibid. p. 280:

"Much of it is encumbered with matakura scrub."