huon-pine

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

n.


a large Tasmanian evergreen tree, Dacrydium franklinii, Hook, N.O. Coniferae. Thetimber is prized in cabinet-work, being repellent to insects,durable, and fairly easy to work; certain pieces arebeautifully marked, and resemble bird's-eye maple. The Huon isa river in the south of Tasmania, called after a Frenchofficer. See Pine.

1800. J. J. Labillardiere, `Voyage a la Recherche de laPerouse,' tom. i., Introd. p. xi:

«Ces deux flutes recurent des noms analogues au but del'entreprise. Celle que montoit le general, Dentrecasteaux,fut nommee la Recherche, et l'autre, commandee par le major devaisseau, Huon Kermadec, recut le nom de l'Esperance. . . .Bruny Dentrecasteaux [fut le] commandant de l'expedition, [et]Labillardiere [fut le] naturaliste.»

[Of these gentlemen of France and their voyage the names Bruni Island, D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Recherche Bay, Port Esperance, Kermandie [sic] River, Huon Island, Huon River, perpetuate the memory in Southern Tasmania, and the Kermadec Islands in the Southern Ocean.]

1820. C. Jeffreys, R.N., `Geographical and DescriptiveDelineations of the Island of Van Diemen's Land,' p. 28:

«On the banks of these newly discovered rivers, and theharbour, grows the Huon Pine (so called from the riverof that name, where it was first found).»

1829. `The Tasmanian Almanack,' p. 87:

«1816. Huon pine and coal discovered at Port Davey andMacquarie Harbour.»

1832. J. Bischoff, `Van Diemen's Land,' Vol. ii. p. 23:

«Huon-pine is by far the most beautiful wood found in theisland.»

1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes,' (edition 1855) p. 515:

«Knots of the beautiful Huon pine, finer than bird's-eye maplefor ornamental furniture.»

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discoveryand Exploration of Australia,' vol. i. p. 71:

«The river was named the Huon, and has since become celebratedfor the production which yields the pretty cabinet-wood knownas Huon pine.»

1890. Lyth, `Golden South,' c. xii. p. 102:

«The huon-pine is of immense height and girth.»

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

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