THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 379 



depressed. The eyes are indistinct, and the nostril directed some- 

 what downwards. The tail is very short and ends in a small spine 

 directed downwards and backwards. The scales are perfectly smooth 

 and polished. The diameter of the snake is about one-thirty-fifth 

 to one-fifty -fifth the total length. 



Identification. — It shows with Umbricki (Annandale) the peculiari- 

 ty that the suture below the nostril passes to the prseocular shield 

 and not to the 2nd labial, as in all the other species. It differs 

 from Umbricki in being smaller, and by its relatively stouter habit. 



Dimensions. — Grows to about 6 or 7 inches. 



Colour. — Three colour varieties have been described. 



Variety (a) typicus is brown or blackish-brown above, rather 

 lighter beneath. The snout, anal region, and end of tail whitish. 

 This is much the commonest variety. 



Variety (b) arenicola (Annandale). — In this each scale on the 

 back is faintly tinged with buff, those on the head being faintly 

 vermiculated with the same hue. In life it appeared of a pale 

 flesh colour. The belly is white. Dr. Annandale met with this in 

 S. India. 



I have also met with specimens of a pale grey colour like a new 

 slate pencil. The eyes were invisible. This colour may be a 

 passing phase due to approaching desquamation. The specimens 

 were from Assam. 



Habits. — The Common Blind Snake is not often seen by Euro- 

 peans or if seen is not recognised as a snake, its size and general 

 appearance allowing it to pass for an earthworm. It spends most 

 of its life beneath the surface soil, through which it burrows nimbly, 

 and is often brought to light by the mali's hoe, or the ryot's plough. 

 It is likely to be met with by the amateur gardener in and 

 about his pots, in the heap of leat mould, or in the soil freshly 

 turned over by the trowel. It not infrequently secretes itself 

 beneath stones or debris. After heavy rains it is not infrequently 

 seen on the ground by those who can recognise it, after being- 

 swamped out of its subterranean burrows. On such occasions it is 

 met with singly, but it has been occasionally discovered in large 

 colonies inhabiting rotten wood. 



It is an active little creature, making vigorous attempts to escape 

 if dislodged from its hiding place. When handled it shows its 

 resentment by vehement struggles, and is most difficult to hold 

 owing to the high polish of its scales. When its struggles have 

 quieted down it presses the little spine with which its tail is 

 endowed, into the hand, anchoring itself as it were and from the 

 purchase so derived wriggles about restlessly in all directions, 

 pushing its nose about, and insinuating itself forcibly between the 

 clefts of one's fingers. It is able to move backwards and forwards, 

 but though it wriggles about with much muscular effort 1 have 



