ERYX 147 



arboreal, aquatic, and burrowing forms, is a compara- 

 tively small one as regards the number of species, 

 viz., about sixty, of which one-third pertain to the 

 Pythoninae, which inhabit tropical and South Africa, 

 Southern Asia, Papuasia, Australia, and Mexico. 



Genus ERYX, Daudin 



Anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth longer 

 than the posterior. Head small, not distinct from 

 neck, covered with small scales ; a large rostral 

 shield. Eye very small, with vertical pupil. Body 

 cylindrical ; scales small ; ventral shields narrow. 

 Tail very short ; subcaudal shields mostly single. 



The range of this genus, embracing eight species, 

 extends from South-Eastern Europe and Africa north 

 of the equator to Central Asia and India. 



2. Eryx jaculus, Linnaeus 

 The Javelin Sand-Boa 



Form. — Stout. Head small, not distinct from 

 neck ; snout projecting beyond the mouth ; eye 

 directed upwards and outwards ; a feeble mental 

 groove. Tail, ending very obtusely, one-tenth to 

 one-sixteenth of the total length. Anal spurs more 

 or less developed, often absent in the female. 



Head-Shields. — Rostral very large and broad, with 

 angular horizontal edge, followed by a pair of inter- 

 nasals and a second row of two or three small shields, 



