Austral English Part 247

1872. Hutton and Hector, `Fishes of New Zealand,' p. 121:

"It has been recently discovered by the writer of the animated article in the `Field' on Fishing in New Zealand [London, Nov.

25, 1871], that `stingareeing' can be made to afford sport of a most exciting kind."

Stinging-tree, n. a Queensland name for the Giant Nettle, or Nettle-tree (q.v.)

1890. A. J. Vogan, `The Black Police,' p. 209:

"The stinging-tree, ... the most terrible of all vegetable growths. This horrible guardian of the Queensland jungle stands from five to fifteen feet in height, and has a general appearance somewhat similar to that of a small mulberry-tree.

Their peculiarly soft and inviting aspect is caused by an almost invisible coating of microscopic cillia, and it is to these that the dangerous characteristics of the plant are due.

The unhappy wanderer in these wilds, who allows any part of his body to come in contact with those beautiful, inviting tongues of green, soon finds them veritable tongues of fire, and it will be weeks, perhaps months, ere the scorching agony occasioned by their sting is entirely eradicated."

Sting-moth, n. an Australian moth, Doratifera vulnerans. The larva has at each end of the body four tubercles bearing stinging hairs. (`Standard.')

Stinkwood, n. The name is given to various woods in different parts of the world, from their unpleasant smell. In Tasmania, it is applied to the timber of Zieria smithii, Andr., N.O. Rutaceae.

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' p. 175:

"The timber in this district I found to be princ.i.p.ally myrtle, sa.s.safras, and stinkwood."

Stint, n. English bird-name. The Australian species are--

Curlew Stint-- Tringa subarquata, Gmel.

Little S.-- T. ruficollis.

Sharp-tailed S.-- T. ac.u.minata, Horsf.

St.i.tch-bird, n. a bird of New Zealand.

See quotation.

1885. Hugh Martin, `Transactions of New Zealand Inst.i.tute,'

vol. xviii. art. xxii. p. 112:

"Pogonornis cincta (Hihi, Matahiore, st.i.tch-bird), North Island."

[From a list of New Zealand birds that ought to be protected.]

1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 101:

"Pogonornis cincta, Gray. [A full description.]"

1889. Prof. Parker, `Catalogue of New Zealand Exhibition,'

p. 119:

"St.i.tch-bird (Pogonornis cincta), formerly abundant in the North Island, but now extinct on the main-land, and found only in some of the outlying islets. The rarest and one of the most beautiful of native Pa.s.serines."

Stock, n. The word has many meanings. In the one from which the Australian compounds are made, it denotes horses, cattle, or sheep, the farmer's stock in trade. Of course, this use is not peculiar to Australia, but it is unusually common there.

1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' c. ix.

p. 320:

"The cattle suffered much, and some of both the public and private stock perished."

Stock-agent, n. more usually in the form Stock and Station-agent. The circ.u.mstances of Australian life make this a common profession.

Stock-holder, n. a grazier; owner of large herds of cattle, or flocks of sheep.

1820. Lieut. Chas. Jeffreys, `Delineations of Van Dieman's Land' [sic], p. 25:

"Near this is the residence of D. Rose, Esq., formerly an officer of the 73rd regiment, and now a large land and stockholder."

1824. E. Curr, `Account of Van Diemen's Land,' p. 83:

"The most negligent stock-holders now carefully house their wool, and many take the trouble to wash their sheep."

Stock-horse, n. horse accustomed to go after cattle used in mustering and cutting-out (q.v.).

1874. W. H. L. Ranken, `Dominion of Australia,' c. vi. p. 122:

"The Australian stock-horse is a wonderful animal... . He has a wonderful const.i.tution, splendid feet, great endurance, and very good temper."

1890. `The Argus,' June 14, p.4, col. 1:

"A twenty-year-old stock-horse."

Stock-hut, n. the hut of a stock-man.

1833. C. Sturt, `Southern Australia,' vol. ii. c. ii. p. 21:

"We crossed the Underaliga creek a little below the stock-hut."

Stock-keep, v. a quaint compound verb.

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer,' c. x. p. 96 (1890):

"`What can you do, young man?' `Well, most things ...

fence, split, milk, drive bullocks, stock-keep, plough."

Stock-keeper, n. equivalent to a shepherd, or herdsman.

1821. Governor Macquarie, `Government Notice,' June 30, 1821, in E. Curr's `Van Diemen's Land' (1824), p. 154:

"To yard the flocks at night ... for the purpose of keeping the stock-keepers in check, and sufficient shepherds should be kept to ensure constant attention to the flock."

1828. Governor Arthur in J. Bischoff's `Van Diemen's Land,'

1832, p. 185:

"Every kind of injury committed against the defenceless natives by the stock-keepers."