THE TYPHLOPS. 69 



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 

 word 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 coloring 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 colored, it is susceptible of much variation. Generally, however, it is rich chest- 

 nut-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 tale 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 

 Typhlinidae, a term derived from the Greek, and which signifies blindness. 



In the typical species, the TYPHLINE, or BLIND ACONTIAS (Typhilne Curieri), 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 coloring 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 

 Typhlopsidae, or Blind Reptiles, 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 some- 

 what 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 TVPHLOPS, 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 ot 

 refuge. 



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

 lops 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 



