prevent the water from sinking as rapidly as it does
in other parts."

<hw>Clean-skins</hw>, or <hw>Clear-skins</hw>,
<i>n</i>. unbranded cattle or horses.

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. i. p. 206:

"These clean-skins, as they are often called, to distinguish
them from the branded cattle."

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, `Melbourne Memories,' c. xv. p. 109:

"Strangers and pilgrims, calves and clear-skins, are separated
at the same time."

1889. Rev. J. H. Zillmann, `Australian Life,' p. 82:

"`Clear-skins,' as unbranded cattle were commonly called, were
taken charge of at once."

1893. `The Argus,' April 29, p.4, col. 4:

"As they fed slowly homeward bellowing for their calves, and
lowing for their mates, the wondering clean-skins would come up
in a compact body, tearing, ripping, kicking, and moaning,
working round and round them in awkward, loblolly canter."

<hw>Clearing lease</hw>, <i>n</i>. Explained in quotation.

1846. J. L. Stokes, `Discoveries in Australia,' vol. i. c. x.
p. 321:

"[They] held a small piece of land on what is called a clearing
lease--that is to say, they were allowed to retain possession
of it for so many years for the labour of clearing the land."

<hw>Clematis</hw>, <i>n</i>. the scientific and vernacular name
of a genus of plants belonging to the
<i>N.O. Ranunculaceae</i>. The common species in Australia is
<i>C. aristata</i>, R. Br.

1834. Ross, `Van Diemen's Land Annual,' p. 124:

"The beautiful species of <i>clematis</i> called
<i>aristata</i>, which may be seen in the months of November
and December, spreading forth its milk-white blossoms over the
shrubs . . . in other places rising up to the top of the highest
gum-trees."

<hw>Clianthus</hw>, <i>n</i>. scientific name for an
Australasian genus of plants, <i>N.O. Leguminosae</i>,
containing only two species--in Australia, <i>Sturt's Desert
Pea</i> (q.v.), <i>C. dampieri</i>; and in New Zealand, the
<i>Kaka-bill</i> (q.v.), <i>C. puniceus</i>. Both species are
also called <i>Glory-Pea</i>, from Grk. <i>kleos</i>, glory,
and <i>anthos</i>, a flower.

1892. `Otago Witness,' Nov.24, `Native Trees':

"Hooker says the genus <i>Clianthus</i> consists of the
Australian and New Zealand species only, the latter is
therefore clearly indigenous. `One of the most beautiful
plants known' (Hooker). Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solandel
found it during Cook's first voyage."

<hw>Climbing-fish</hw>, <i>