144 TYPHLOPIDiE 



ern Australia. One species occurs in South-Eastern 

 Europe. About 120 species are known. 



Genus TYPHLOPS, Schneider 



Head with large shields ; nostril in a single or 

 divided nasal. Tail extremely short. 



1. Typhlops vermicularis, Merrem 

 The Greek Blind-Snake 



Form. — Slender, worm-like, the greatest diameter 

 of the body 40 to 52 times in the total length. Tail 



Fig. 14 (after Sordelli) 



about as long as broad, ending in a short spine. 

 Snout depressed, rounded, strongly projecting. Eyes 

 distinguishable, appearing as a small black spot 

 surrounded by an unpigmented circle; nostrils 

 lateral. 



Head-Shields. — Rostral about one-third, or a little 

 less than one-third, the width of the head, extend- 

 ing on its upper surface nearly to the le. .1 of the 



