IGUANA.
Zib, ARAB. Manawak, Manuwak,MAL.
Iguana or Inguana, ERG. Ghoda-sala, . . SANSK. Lizard, „ Talla-goya, . . SINGH. Ghorepore, HIND., DUB. Udurnu,. . . . TAM. Biyawak, Bewak, MALAY. Udumbu, . . TEL.
Iguana is the popular name for species of reptiles of the genus Varanus, family Varanidme, order Sauria, of the section of scaled reptiles. Baron Cuvier classed them under his Iguaniens ; others have arranged them under the Agamidm. Varanus fiavescens, Gray, inhabits Bengal ; V. dracaena, Linn., Bengal and Agra, and also V. nebulosus, Duni. et Bib.
Varanus Duraerilii attains a length of 7 feet ; it frequents the neighbourhood of houses, to rob hen roosts.
The Basilisk of the Eastern Archipelago is the Basaliscus Amboiensis, Daudin, one of the Iguanidm. Messrs. Dumeril and Bibron, in their Erpetologie (1837), treat of these reptiles under the name of Lizards, Iguaniens, or Sauriens Eunotes. In the catalogue of the specimens of lizards in the British Museum, the Iguanidm with the Agamidm constitute the tribe Strobilosaura.
The Iguana of India, generally found about old walls and ruinous buildings, is about two feet long ; tail long, round, and tapering ; back, tail, and throat are serrated ; and its whole surface is covered with shining scales. The flesh is eaten by the Mahornedans of India, and in the West Indies it is salted and barrelled for exportation. In India the body of the dried Iguana is made into an electuary, with a certain portion of ghi, and used as a strengthening medicine in consump tive complaints. An animal oil is obtained from it. The Iguana of the Europeans of Ceylon, the Talla-goya of the Singhalese, is the Monitor bracaana, Linn. It is 4 to 5 feet long. The Singhalese and Tamil races of Ceylon believe the tongue of the Iguana to be a specific for consumption, if plucked from the living animal and swallowed whole. Ti yoiant's Ceylon; Faulkner ; Eng. Cyc.