Zooloyy.} NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Ileptilia. 



the generic name Anilios), there can he no douht that he is 

 unaccountably in error in stating that there are no upper labial 

 shields in the family Typhlopsidce, as the four are clearly present 

 in all our specimens, as described by Prof. Jan. 



The "Blackish Worm-Snake" is not uncommon in the northern 

 warmer parts of the colony in localities having a loose, friable, or 

 sandy soil, in which it burrows to a considerable depth with extra- 

 ordinary ease and quickness. The specimen figured is from 

 Murchison, presented by Mr. H. J. E. Brisbane ; but two still 

 larger ones sent to me alive by Mr. J. P. Watt, from Taripta, I 

 have kept alive for some time in large glass jars half filled with 

 sandy soil at bottom, into which, when brought to the surface, they 

 burrow so rapidly that the whole body is out of sight in an instant 

 — the head being first raised, then arched and forced down with 

 such strength that the glossy smooth body is quickly buried to 

 the greatest depth. These specimens were dug out of an ant-hill 

 in which they dwelt in the midst of the abundant insect food suited 

 to them. It is almost impossible to hold them, they struggle with 

 such strength, and are so smooth and slippery. The tongue is 

 very long, narrow, flat, largely forked at the end, and of a dull red 

 color, being darted out frequently to a length of an inch or so, as 

 in ordinary Snakes. These Worm- Snakes are perfectly harmless, 

 although, like the SIoav- Worms and their allies in other countries, 

 they are popularly supposed to be very poisonous. They do not 

 attempt to bite when handled ; and as the mouth is so very small and 

 incapable of dilatation, and the few very small teeth are solid, and 

 there are no poison glands, there could be no harm to man if they did. 



It has not been figured of the colors of life hefore. 



Explanation of Figures. 

 Plate 103. — Fig. 1, large specimen, natural size, partly embedded in sand at middle, ami 

 showing the position assumed by the anterior end and head when about to plunge into the sand 

 to bury itself. Fig. la, upper view of head, three times the natural size, to show form of 

 cephalic plates, with relative sizes of rostral, inter-nasal, frontal, and occipital plates in midline, 

 and the extension of the nasal sulcus on the nasal plates, also showing the covering over of the 

 eye by the preocular and ocular plates, and slightly by the outer angle of the fronto-nasal plate. 

 Fig. lb, side view of head, magnified three diameters, showing upper labial, uasal. preocular, 

 and ocular plates, and eye and nostril and nasal slit in due relation. Fig. lc, under view of head, 

 showing narrowed end of rostral plate touching the mouth, and the relation of the labial plates 

 to the others. Fig. Id, side view of tail, twice natural size, showing posterior thorn and eye-like 

 spot. Fig. le, ditto, from under-side, to show anal plates. Fig. 1/, scales of back, four times the 

 natural size, to show markings of color through the overlapping scales. 



Frederick McCoy. 

 [10] 



