1.—Typhlopidæ; or Blind Snakes.

Typhlops. Schneid.

Typhlops rüpelli. Jan.

The Blind Snake.

Scales in 22 rows. Rostral large and broad above, narrowing below; Preoculars much larger at the base than at the tip, third upper labial in contact with the ocular and preocular. Anterior scales smaller than the posterior ones. Tail short, cylindrical, page 36 very obtuse, three times the length of its diameter, and ending in a small spine.

The color of this harmless little reptile is brownish grey above, and yellowish below; each scale of the back being bordered with yellowish white, the markings becoming obsolete towards the tail; the form is cylindrical, enlarging towards the tail.

Of all our harmless snakes, the present species is the least offensive; it lives under ground, and is frequently found in Ants' nests, upon the larvæ of which it principally exists; its total length does not exceed 18 inches. I believe that the present species has a very wide range, and that it will be found to inhabit the greater part of the Australian Continent; specimens from the Murray River, from South Australia, and from Queensland are in the collection of the Australian Museum.