devil, tasmanian

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

n.


an animal, Sarcophilusursinus, Harris. Formerly, but erroneously, referred tothe genus Dasyurus (q.v.), which includes the NativeCat (see under Cat): described in the quotations.

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' vol. ii. p. 29:

«The devil, or as naturalists term it, Dasyurus ursinus,is very properly named.»

1853. J. West, `History of Tasmania,' vol. i. p. 323:

«The devil ( Dasyurus ursinus, Geoff.), about the size ofa bull terrier, is an exceedingly fierce and disgusting-lookinganimal, of a black colour, usually having one white band acrossthe chest, and another across the back, near the tail. It is aperfect glutton, and most indiscriminate in its feeding.»

1862. F. J. Jobson, `Australia,' c. vii. p. 186:

« Dasyurus ursinus – – a carnivorous marsupial. Colonistsin Tasmania, where only it exists . . . called it the `devil,'from the havoc it made among their sheep and poultry.»

1891. `Guide to Zoological Gardens, Melbourne':

«In the next division is a pair of Tasmanian devils( Dasyurus ursinus); these unprepossessing-looking brutesare hated by every one in Tasmania, their habitat, owing totheir destructiveness amongst poultry, and even sheep. Theyare black in colour, having only a white band across the chest,and possess great strength in proportion to their size.»

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

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