1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 92:
"Gas admirably fitted for domestic purposes had been extracted from the shrub called the `blackboy.' I regret to state that the gas . . . is not . . . at present known in the colony."
1886. R. Henty, `Australiana,' p. 15:
"The common grass-tree or `blackboy,' so called from its long dark stem and dark seed head (when dry)."
1896. `The Australasian,' Feb. 15, p. 313 (with an Illustration):
"The Blackboy trees are a species of grass-tree or <i>Xanthorrhoea</i>, exuding a gummy substance used by the blacks for fastening glass and quartz-barbs to their spears. Many years ago, when coal was scarce in Western Australia, an enterprising firm . . . erected a gas-making plant, and successfully lit their premises with gas made from the Blackboy."
1896. Modern:
A story is told of a young lady saying to a naval officer:— "I was this morning watching your ship coming into harbour, and so intently that I rode over a young blackboy." The officer was shocked at her callousness in expressing no contrition.
<hw>Black-Bream</hw>, <i>n</i>. an Australian fish, <i>Chrysophrys australis</i>, Gunth., family <i>Sparidae</i>, or Sea-Breams; called in Tasmania <i>Silver-Bream</i>, the fish there called <i>Black-Bream</i> being another of the <i>Sparidae</i>, <i>Girella tricuspidata</i>, Cuv. and Val. See <i>Tarwhine</i> and <i>Black-fish</i>.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,' p. 42: