SERPENTES. 97 



SERPENTES. 



Typhlops lineatus Schlegbl. 



ScHLEQEL, Abbild. Ampbib., 1S39, dec. 2, p. 39, pi. 32, fig. 32-34. Boulenger, Cat. snakes Brit, 

 mus., 1893, 1, p. 15. 



Type locality: — Java; collection of Reinwardt, Leyden museum. 



Color: — head and lower parts dull yellow; back with fine zigzag Hnes of 

 very dark brown from 12 to 15 in number. These lines do not follow the rows 

 of scales, but run between them. This gives the lines a wavy appearance. There 

 is commonly a light yellow or yellowish band around the body in the region near 

 the vent. 



The early history of this species is of interest, and I must thank Dr. Stejneger 

 for help in verifying and transcribing some references to books not available here. 



1827. Boie Isis, p. 563. 



"a. lineatus Reinw. welche dem septemstriatus Schneid. sehr nahe steht. 



Vaterland Java." A nomen nudum though a type locality is referred to. 



1830. Wagler, Nat. syst. Amphib., p. 196. 



"Acontias lineatus Reinw." Another nomen nudum. 



1831. Gray, Griffith's anim. kingdom, p. 77. 



"Lined Typhlops. Typhlops lineatus Acontias, Reinw." (sic). Again 



a nomen nudum. 



Schlegel {he. cit., 1839, p. 39) writes, after a brief but recognizable descrip- 

 tion, "Die Abbildung, welche Herr Reinwardt, als er diese Ai-t entdeckte, nach 

 dem Le'ben machen liess, ist der Folge." This figure, however, is incorrect both 

 as to the contour of the cephalic scales and the number of scales around the body. 

 Giinther (Reptiles Brit. Ind., 1864, p. 171) notes that this figure is incorrect. 

 He counts 405 transverse series of scales on the body and 8 around the tail. 

 Dumeril and Bibron (Erpet. gen., 1837, 4, p. 259) count 430 transverse series. 

 Schlegel likewise counted 430 series on the body and 8 on the tail ; also 23 rows 

 of scales. Giinther {loc. cit., p. 171) and Boulenger {loc. cit., p. 15) both agree 

 that there are twenty-two rows around the body. This is also the condition 

 in the specimens under examination. The species was well figured by Jan (Icon, 

 gen., 1860, p. 7; 1.1, pi. 5 and 6, fig. 9) ; he speaks of it thus, "Typhlops lineatus 

 Reinw. Java. Musee de Leyde." 



This form is known from Penang Island and other localities in the lower 

 part of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. I should add that it was not 

 taken by Messrs. Annandale and Robinson during their explorations of Perak 



