Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/506

 48 Măggorong, s. The name given to a pig.

Mahr-rok, s.—Yesterday.

Majerăk, s.—The small Hottentot fig. (Mountain dialect.) The fruit is eaten by the natives.

Mala—A species of mouse.

Malaj, v.—Pres. part., Malajin; past tense, Malajăga; to grow.

Malaga, s.—Ironstone. This rock is said to possess a large quantity of magnetic iron ore. The strata of the Darling hills consist very greatly of it, overlying the granite; and its appearance would lead anyone to conclude that little or no nourishment was to be derived from the soil in which it abounded; yet it bears some of the finest timber in the settlement, colonially called the mahogany trees. Much of this stone is also supposed to contain a large proportion of iron of a very pure quality. Some experimental trials which have been made on a small scale to extract the metal have been attended by the most satisfactory results.

Malga, s.—A species of spear-wood found in the hills.

Malgar, s.—Thunder.

Mălgărak—(K.G.S.) To cure an enchantment.

Maliji, s.—A shadow.

Mallaluk, a.—Unsuccessful in killing game.

Mallat, s.—A species of eucalyptus found only eastward of the hills.

Mallo, s.—Shade. To the north the word is applied to Europeans.

Măllowaur, s.—Acanthosaurus gibbosus (Preiss). The horned thorny lizard. A very singular animal, found in the York district. It is marked something like a tiger, with dark bands on a tawny ground. The colours are particularly brilliant when the creature is in good health, though it seems to possess a chameleon power of altering the shade of these colours, according to the light it is in. In appearance it is one of the most formidable, though, in reality, one of the most harmless and innocent of animals. The head, back, and tail are covered with regularly arranged small protuberances, each surmounted with a horn or spike: yet it may be handled with the most perfect impunity, nor does it seem to have any means of attack or defence. Its eyes, though bright, are peculiarly diminutive, its mouth small, and its motions very awkward. It is colonially called the devil, from its peculiar appearance when placed erect on its hind legs.

Măl-yar, s.—The ignited portion of a piece of burning wood.

Mal-ya, s.—The brain.

Mal-yangwin, part.—(Northern dialect.) Singing.

Mal-yarăk, s.—Mid-day.

Mal-yi, s.—A swan. There is no other sort than the black swan in the colony.

Malyn, a.—In the habit of; accustomed to.

Mammal, s.—A son. The sons soon emancipate themselves from the control of the father, and at a very early age beat their mother