clay-pan

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


name given, especially in the dryinterior of Australia, to a slight depression of the groundvarying in size from a few yards to a mile in length, where thedeposit of fine silt prevents the water from sinking into theground as rapidly as it does elsewhere.

1875. John Forrest, `Explorations in Australia,' p. 260:

«We travelled down the road for about thirty-three miles overstony plains; many clay-pans with water but no feed.»

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in Central Australia,'Narrative, vol. i. p. 17:

«One of the most striking features of the central area andespecially amongst the loamy plains and sandhills, is thenumber of clay-pans. These are shallow depressions, with nooutlet, varying in length from a few yards to half a mile,where the surface is covered with a thin clayey material, whichseems to prevent the water from sinking as rapidly as it doesin other parts.»

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

← claim   ×   clear-skins →

Related Words