hardwood

n.

The name is applied to manyAustralian timbers something like teak, but especially to Backhousia bancroftii, F. v. M. and Bailey,N.O. Myrtaceae. In Tasmania, it means any gum-timber( Eucalyptus). It is in constant and universal use forbuilding and fencing in Australia.

1888. Candish, `Whispering Voices,' p. 108:

«Sitting on a block of hardwood . . . is the gray-hairedforest feller.»

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. iii. p. 24:

«It was a hammer-like piece of hardwood above a plate of tin.»

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `Sydney-side Saxon,' p. 93:

«A hardwood slab-door weighs a goodish deal, as any one mayfind out that has to hump it a hundred yards.»

Hardyhead, n. name given in Sydney to the fish Atherina pinguis, Lacep., family Atherinidae.