philander

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

n.


an old scientific name, nowabandoned, for certain species of the Kangaroo family. Theword was taken from the name of the explorer, Philander deBruyn. See quotation.

1894. R. Lydekker, `Marsupialia,' p. 36:

«Aru Island Wallaby. Macropus brunnii, Cuvier (1817). Didelphys brunnii, Schreber (1778). . . Distribution. – – Aru and Kei Islands. This species has an especial interestas being the first member of the Kangaroo-family known toEuropeans, specimens having been seen in the year 1711 by[Philander de] Bruyn living in the gardens of the DutchGovernor of Batavia. They were originally describedunder the name of Philander or Filander.»

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