"These trees, called blackboys by the colonists, from the resemblance they bear in the distance to natives."
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 Xanthorrhoea, 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.
See Tarwhine and Black-fish.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,' p. 42:
"Chrysophrys comprises the tarwhine and black-bream of the Sydney fishermen... . We have two species in Australia... . The black-bream, C. australis, Gunth., and the tarwhine, C. sarba, Forsk... .
The Australian bream is as common on the south as on the east coast. It affords excellent sport to anglers in Victoria."
1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 49:
"The range ... having with the exception of the Blackbutt all the trees ... of Moreton Bay."
1863. M. K. Beveridge, `Gatherings among Gum-trees,' p. 86:
"'Tis there the `blackbut' rears its head."
1894. `Melbourne Museum Catalogue, Economic Woods,' p. 30:
"A tree of considerable size... The bark smooth and falling off in flakes upward, and on the branches."
1897. `The Age,' Feb. 22, p. 5, col. 3:
"Mr. Richards stated that the New South Wales black butt and tallow wood were the most durable and noiseless woods for street-paving, as well as the best from a sanitary point of view."
1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discovery in Australia,' i. 4, 74:
"The native Miago ... appeared delighted that these `black fellows,' as he calls them, have no throwing sticks."
1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 9:
"The well-known tracks of blackfellows are everywhere visible."
1871. Dingo, `Australian Rhymes,' p. 14:
"Wurragaroo loved Wangaraday In a blackfellow's own peculiar way."
1853. C. St. Julian and E. K. Silvester, `Productions, Industry, and Resources of New South Wales,' p. 115:
"There is a species of whale called by those engaged in the south sea fishing the Black-fish or Black-whale, but known to the naturalist as the Southern Rorqual, which the whalemen usually avoid."
1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 100
"Nothing is better eating than a properly cooked black-fish.
The English trout are annihilating them, however."
Therapon niger, Castln., family Percidae.
A different fish from those to which the name is applied elsewhere. See Perch.
1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,'
p. 33:
"The genus Serranus comprises most of the fishes known as `rock cod.'... One only is sufficiently useful as an article of food to merit notice, and that is the `black rock cod' (Serranus damelii, Guenther), without exception the very best of all our fishes."
1859. Rev. J. D. Mereweather, `Diary of a Working Clergyman in Australia,' p. 81:
"Feb. 21 ... Dreadful details are reaching us of the great bush fires which took place at Port Phillip on the 6th of this month ... . Already it would seem that the appellation of `Black Thursday' has been given to the 6th February, 1851, for it was on that day that the fires raged with the greatest fury."
1889. Rev. J. H. Zillman, `Australian Life,' p. 39: