n.
the colonists' name for ananimal called by the aborigines Koala, Koolah, Kool-la, andCarbora ( Phascolarctus cinereus). It is a tree-climbingmarsupial, about two feet in length, like a small bear in itsheavy build. Its food is the young leaves of the Eucalyptus,and it is said that the Native Bear cannot be taken to Englandbecause it would die on board ship, owing to there being nofresh gum leaves. The writers are incorrect who call theanimal a sloth.
1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. i.p. 317
«Our coola (sloth or native bear) is about the size of anordinary poodle dog, with shaggy, dirty-coloured fur, no tail,and claws and feet like a bear, of which it forms a tolerableminiature. It climbs trees readily and feeds upon theirleaves.»
1846. G. H. Haydon, `Five Years in Australia Felix,' p. 57:
«The bear (phascolomys) of the colonists is in reality aspecies of sloth, and partakes of all the characteristics ofthat animal; it is of the marsupial order, and is found chieflyin the neighbourhood of thickly timbered high land; its fleshis used by the aborigines for food, but is tough andunpalatable; its usual weight is from eight to twelve pounds.» [Note: Phascolomys is the name of the Wombat, not theBear.]
1854. G. H. Hayden, `The Australian Emigrant,' p. 126:
«The luckless carbora fell crashing through thebranches.» [Footnote] «The native name of an animal of thesloth species, but incorrectly called by the colonists a bear.»
1855. W. Blandowski, `Transactions of Philosophical Society ofVictoria,' vol. i. p. 68:
«The koala or karbor ( Phascolarctus cinereus) frequentsvery high trees, and sits in places where it is most shelteredby the branches. . . . Its fur is of the same colour as thebark . . . like the cat has the power of contracting andexpanding the pupil of the eye . . . . Its skin is remarkablythick . . . dense woolly fur . . . . The natives aver that thekoala never drinks water.»
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discovery andExploration of Australia,' vol. i. p. 448:
«They were soon entirely out of provisions, but found a sort ofsubstitute by living on the native bear ( Phascolarctuscinereus), 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 nativebear! It sits motionless. It has something the appearance ofa solemn old man. How funny his great ears and Roman noselook! He sits on the branch as if it was a chair, holding withhand-like claws the surrounding twigs.»
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 9:
«We learned that a koala or native bear ( Phascolarctuscinereus) was sitting on a tree near the but of ashepherd . . . not a dangerous animal. It is called `nativebear,' but is in no wise related to the bear family. It is aninnocent and peaceful marsupial, which is active only at night,and sluggishly climbs the trees, eating leaves and sleepingduring the whole day. As soon as the young has left the pouch,the mother carries it with her on her back. The Australianbear is found in considerable numbers throughout the easternpart of the continent, even within the tropical circle.»