mimosa

n.

a scientific name applied to upwardsof two hundred trees of various genera in the Old World. Thegenus Mimosa, under which the Australian trees called Wattles were originally classed, formerly included theAcacias. These now constitute a separate genus. Acaciais the scientific name for the Wattle; though even nowan old colonist will call the Wattles «Mimosa.»

1793. J. E. Smith, `Specimen of Botany of New Holland,'p. 52:

«This shrub is now not uncommon in our greenhouses, having beenraised in plenty from seeds brought from Port Jackson. Itgenerally bears its fragrant flowers late in the autumn, andmight then at first sight be sooner taken for a Myrtusthan a Mimosa.»

1802. Jas. Flemming, `Journal of Explorations of CharlesGrimes,' in `Historical Records of Port Phillip' (ed. 1879,J. J. Shillinglaw), p. 25:

«Timber; gum, Banksia, oak, and mimosa of sorts, but not largeexcept the gum.»

1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 202:

«Gum-arabic, which exudes from the mimosa shrubs.»

1844. `Port Phillip Patriot,' July 18, p. 4, col. 2:

«`Cashmere' shawls do not grow on the mimosa trees.»

1845. J. O. Balfour, `Sketch of New South Wales,' p. 38:

«The mimosa is a very graceful tree; the foliage is of a lightgreen colour. . . . The yellow flowers with which the mimosa isdecked throw out a perfume sweeter than the laburnum; and thegum . . . is said not to be dissimilar to gum-arabic.»

1845. R. Howitt, `Australia,' p. 175:

«But, Yarra, thou art lovelier now,

With clouds of bloom on every bough;

A gladsome sight it is to see,

In blossom thy mimosa tree.

Like golden-moonlight doth it seem,

The moonlight of a heavenly dream;

A sunset lustre, chaste and cold,

A pearly splendour blent with gold.»

« To the River Yarra.»

1848. W. Westgarth, `Australia Felix,' p. 255:

«The other exports of Australia Felix consist chiefly oftallow, cured beef and mutton, wheat, mimosa-bark, andgumwood.»

1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales,' p. 34:

«The mimosa – – although it sadly chokes the country – – when inflower, fills the air with fragrance. Its bark is much usedfor tanning purposes; and the gum that exudes from the stem isof some value as an export, and is used by the blacks as food.»

1870. F. S. Wilson, `Australian Songs,' p. 29:

«I have sat, and watched the landscape, latticed by the golden curls,

Showering, like mimosa-blooms, in scented streams about my breast.»