Guana, and Guano
popular corruptions for Iguana, the large Lace-lizard (q.v.), Varanus varius, Shaw. In New Zealand, the word Guano is applied to the lizard-like reptile Sphenodonpunctatum. See Tuatara. In Tasmania, the name isgiven to Taliqua schincoides, White, and throughoutAustralia any lizard of a large size is popularly called a Guana, or in the bush, more commonly, a Goanna.See also Lace-lizard.
1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' c. viii.p. 285:
«Among other reptiles were found . . . some brown guanoes.»
1830. R. Dawson, `Present state of Australia,' p. 118:
«At length an animal called a guana (a very large species oflizard) jumped out of the grass, and with amazing rapidity ran,as they always do when disturbed, up a high tree.»
1864. J. Ropers, `New Rush,' p. 6:
«The shy guana climbs a tree in fear.»
1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon,' p. 99:
«A goanna startled him, and he set to and kicked the front ofthe buggy in.»
1896. H. Lawson, `When the World was Wide,' p. 139:
«And the sinister `gohanna,' and the lizard, and the snake.»