THE TYPHLOPS. 60 



In the ACONTIAS or JAVELIN SNAKE the limbs are absent externally, and the upper 

 eyelid is rudimentary. The body of this reptile is elongated and "cylindrical, not unlike 

 that of the common blindworm of England. The name Acontias is derived from a Greek 

 *vord signifying a javelin, and has been given to this creature on account of the shape of 

 the head, which bears some resemblance to the point of a spear. Some writers think that 

 the name is given in allusion to its quick movements when seizing its prey. As in shape, 

 so in habits it resembles the blindworm, and like that reptile is very common in the fields 

 and under hedges. It is a South African reptile, and is found abundantly at the Cape of 

 Good Hope. 



In its colouring this is a very handsome little creature, being sometimes called the Painted 

 Acontias (by the French writers La Peintade), in allusion to the variegated tints with which 

 it is bedecked. Like many other reptiles, especially those which are lightly coloured, it 

 is susceptible of much variation. Generally, however, it is rich chestnut-brown above, 

 profusely dotted with bright yellow, the spots being arranged in series of varying number, 

 one specimen having eight rows of spots, while another has only six. The scales are 

 smooth, the teeth are conical and rather blunt, the eyes are very small, and the tail is short 

 and rather rounded at the tip. 



ANOTHER curious family of reptiles possesses only two limbs at the most, the front 

 pair being always, and the hinder pair sometimes, wanting. There is a curious cup-like 

 shield on the chin, the body and tail are cylindrical, and both eyes and ears are apparently 

 absent, but may be found hidden under the skin, where the greater part, if not the whole, 

 of their functions must be in abeyance. In consequence of this remarkable privation they 

 are classed together under the very appropriate name of Typhlinidse, a term derived from 

 the Greek, and which signifies blindness. 



In the typical species, the TYPHLINE, or BLIND ACONTIAS (Typhline Cuvieri), as it 

 is sometimes, but rather erroneously, called, the limbs are entirely absent, and the 

 creature looks about as helpless a being as can well be imagined, having no apparent 

 legs, feet, eyes nor ears. The Typhline inhabits Southern Africa, and is found at the 

 Cape of Good Hope. In its colouring it is rather variable, being generally of a 

 brownish hue with spots of purple upon the hinder part of the scales of the back, 

 and sometimes of a yellowish tint with violet spots. 



THERE are so many reptiles scattered over the world, and they are divided by modern 

 systematic zoologists into so many families, that it is only possible to give a short 

 description of one or two examples of each family, while to supply illustrations would be 

 wholly impracticable without nearly doubling the amount of space that can be allotted 

 to them. 



The next family in the catalogue of the British Museum is called by the name of 

 Typhlopsida?, or Blind Eeptiles, a title which has been given to them because their eyes 

 are either very small or altogether wanting externally. In all these animals the head is 

 broad, rather flattened, and has a large erect plate near the muzzle. The mouth is small, 

 semilunar in shape, and placed under the muzzle in a manner somewhat resembling that 

 of the sharks. The tail is cylindrical, and has a large shield or plate at the tip, sometimes 

 conical and sometimes spine-shaped. 



In the TYPHLOPS, the typical species, the head is nearly covered by a single, very large 

 shield, which is rather bent downwards in front. The tail is very short and tapers suddenly, 

 and the scales of the body are small and uniform. It inhabits India, where it is not 

 uncommon, though, in consequence of its earth-loving habits, it is not very often seen 

 except by those who know its localities, and search purposely for the hidden reptile. It 

 moves over the ground with some rapidity, and burrows easily, penetrating to a depth of 

 three or four feet during the rainy season. At other times it is mostly content with the 

 shelter of large stones and similar places of refuge. 



Owing to the small size and the rather remarkable position of the mouth, the Typhlops 

 is unable to act on the offensive, and when captured, although it attempts to glide through 

 the fingers, does not even offer to bite. It is wonderfully tenacious of life, and according 



