ally <i>Spell</i> is connected with
Ger. <i>spielen</i>, in which case the Australasian use is the
more correct. See `Skeat's Etymological Dictionary.'

1865. J. O. Tucker, `Australian Story,' c. i. p. 84:

"The only recompense was . . . to light his pipe and have
a `spell.'"

1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 84:

"Having a spell--what we should call a short holiday."

<hw>Spell</hw>, <i>v</i>. to rest.

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. ii.
p. 42:

"In order to spell the oars, we landed at a point on the east
side."

1880. G. <i>n</i>. Oakley, in `Victoria in 1880,' p. 114:

"He `spelled' upon the ground; a hollow gum
Bore up his ample back and bade him rest;
And creaked no warning when he sat upon
A war-ant's nest."

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer,' c. xxiv. p. 328:

"There's a hundred and fifty stock-horses there, spelling for
next winter's work."

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,'
Narrative, p. 48:

"We camped beside a water-pool containing plenty of fish, and
here we spelled for a day to allow some of us to go on and
photograph Chamber's Pillar."

<hw>Sphenura</hw>, <i>n</i>. scientific name for a genus
of Australian birds called the <i>Bristle-Birds</i> (q.v.).
From Grk. <i>sphaen</i>, "a wedge," and <i>'oura</i>, "a tail."
The name was given by Sir Frederick McCoy.

<hw>Spider</hw>, <i>n</i>. See <i>Katipo</i>.

<hw>Spider-Orchis</hw>, <i>n</i>. name given in Tasmania
to the Orchid <i>Caladenia pulcherrima</i>, F. v. M.

<hw>Spiloglaux</hw>, <i>n</i>. See <i>Sceloglaux</i>.

<hw>Spinach, Australian</hw>, <i>n</i>. name applied to species
of <i>Chenopodium</i>, <i>N.O. Salsolaceae</i>; called also
<i>Fat-hen</i>. The name is also applied to various wild pot
herbs.

<hw>Spinach, New Zealand</hw>, <i>n</i>. <i>Tetragonia
expansa</i>, Murr., <i>N.O. Ficoideae</i>; called also
<i>Iceplant</i>, in Tasmania. It is a trailing
<i>Fig-marigold</i>, and was discovered in New Zealand by
Captain Cook, though it is also found in Japan and South
America. Its top leaves are eaten as spinach, and Cook
introduced it to England, where it is also known as <i>Summer
Spinach</i>.

<hw>Spine-bill</hw>, <i>n</i>. an Australian "Honey-eater,"
but not now so classed. There are two species--

The Slender Spine-bill--
<i>Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris</i>, Gould; inhabiting
Australia and Tasmania, and called