a sort of
substitute by living on the native bear (<i>Phascolarctus
cinereus</i>), which was plentiful even in the forests."

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 214:

"Look, high up in the branches of that tall tree is a native
bear! It sits motionless. It has something the appearance of
a solemn old man. How funny his great ears and Roman nose
look! He sits on the branch as if it was a chair, holding with
hand-like claws the surrounding twigs."

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 9:

"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.

Gmelina leichhardtii, F. v. M., <i>N.O. Verbenaceae</i>.

<i>Monotoca elliptica</i>, R. Br., <i>N.O. Epacri