TYPHLOPS 145 



eyes. Nasal incompletely divided, the cleft pro- 

 ceeding from the second labial. Preocular present, 

 about as broad as the ocular, in contact with the 

 second and third labials. Upper head-scales feebly 

 enlarged and subequal. Four upper labials. 



Scales. — Equal, 22 or 24 round the body. 



Coloration. — Brown or yellowish-brown above, 

 yellowish beneath. 



Total Length. — 10 inches. A specimen from Cyprus 

 is reported to measure 14 inches. 



Distribution. — This species has long been known 

 from Greece, the Ionian Islands, and the Grecian 

 Archipelago. It is on record from the Eli-Deren 

 Pass, in Bulgaria. A specimen stated to come from 

 Constantinople is preserved in the British Museum. 

 The range further extends over a considerable part of 

 South-Western Asia, viz., Asia Minor, Syria, Cyprus, 

 Transcaucasia, Persia, Turkestan, and Afghanistan. 



Habits. — Pretty alert in its movements, this little 

 snake has considerable constricting powers, and coils 

 itself fast round the fingers when handled. It lives 

 much after the manner of earth-worms, and if dug 

 out of loam or sand a specimen must be instantly 

 grasped, as it draws back with extraordinary quick- 

 ness. Its food probably consists mainly of earth- 

 worms and small insects. Some exotic species of 

 the genus are known to feed on termites, and are often 

 dug out of their nests. 



Reproduction. — No observations have been made 

 10 



