d
to timber, means "an outside piece taken from a log in sawing
it into boards, planks, etc." (`Webster.') In Australia, the
word is very common, and denotes a piece of timber, two or
three inches thick a coarse plank, axe-hewn, not sawn. Used
for the walls of rough houses.

1844. `Port Phillip Patriot,' July 25, p. 3 col. 5:

A substantial slab building with verandah."

1845. `Voyage to Port Phillip,' p. 52:

"His slab-built hut, with roof of bark."

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. i.
c. ix. p. 266:

"The house in which this modern Robinson Crusoe dwelt was what
is called a Slab Hut, formed of rough boards and thatched with
grass."

1861. Mrs. Meredith, `Over the Straits,' c. iv. p. 130:

"A bare, rough, barn-like edifice built of slabs."

1869. J. Townend, `Reminiscences of Australia,' p. 155:

"We passed through Studley Park, with here and there a slab
house or tent."

1874. G. Walch, `Head over Heels,' p. 81:

"The moonlight . . . poured on the hut, slabs an' roof."

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 8:

"The hut was built of logs and slabs."

[p. 73]: "The usual bush-hut of slabs and bark."

[p.144]:"The neighbours congregated in the rough hut of
unplaned slabs."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `The Miner's Right,' c. vi. p. 61:

"Slab huts of split heavy boards, Australian fashion, placed
vertically."

<hw>Slab</hw>, <i>v. tr</i>. mining term: to keep up the sides
of a shaft with timber slabs.

1871. J. J. Simpson, `Recitations,' p. 24:

"So dig away, drive away, slab and bail."

<hw>Sleepy Lizard</hw>, i.q. <i>Blue-tongued Lizard</i> (q.v.).

<hw>Slip-panel</hw>. Same as <i>Slip-rail</i> (q.v.).
See also <i>Panel</i>.

1893. `The Australasian,' Aug.12, p. 302, col. 1:

"Take him round by the water-hole and wait for me at the
slip-panels."

<hw>Slip-rail</hw>, <i>n</i>. part of a fence so fitted that it
can be removed so as to serve as a gate. Used also for the
gateway thus formed. Generally in the plural. Same as <i>Slip-
panel</i>.

1870. A. L. Gordon, `Bush Ballads From the Wreck,' p. 24:

"Down with the slip-rails; stand back."

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 43:

"He [a horse] would let down the slip-rails when shut into the
stockyard, even if they were pegged, drawing the pegs out with
his teeth."

1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 79:

"Many men rode through the sliprails and turned out their
h