blood-sucker

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

n.


popular name for certainspecies of Lizards belonging to the genus Amphibolurus(Grammatophora). Especially applied to A. muricata,Shaw.

1852. Mrs. Meredith, `My Home in Tasmania,' vol. ii. p. 37:

«Another description of lizard is here vulgarly called the`bloodsucker.' «

1890. F. McCoy, `Prodromus of the Natural History of Victoria,'Dec. 12, pl. cxi.:

«Why the popular name of `Bloodsucker' should be so universallygiven to this harmless creature by the Colonists (except on thelocus a non lucendo principle) I cannot conceive.»

1890. A. H. S. Lucas, `Handbook of the Australasian Associationfor the Advancement of Science,' Melbourne, p. 70:

«Two species of `blood sucker' so absurdly designated.»

Related Words