52 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



horizontal edge ; 24 scales round the body. Preocular in con- 

 tact with the second and third labials ; diameter of bod}' 30 

 times in total length. 



4. Typhlops ANCHiETiE. — Snout with obtusely angular, not trenchant, 



horizontal edge ; 30 or 32 scales round the body. Preocular in 

 contact with the second labial only ; diameter of body 24 times 

 in total length ; eye not distinguishable. 



5. Typhlops bibronii. — Snout with obtusely angular, but not trenchant, 



horizontal edge ; 30 to 34 scales round the body. Preocular in 

 contact with the second labial (rarely second and third) ; diameter 

 of body 28 to 36 times in total length ; eye distinct. 



6. Typhlops delalandii. — Snout not hooked (in profile). Snout with 



sharp, trenchant, horizontal edge ; 28 to 30 scales round the 

 body ; diameter of body 35 to 50 times in total length. 



7. Typhlops mucroso. — Snout not hooked (in profile). Snout with 



sharp, trenchant, horizontal edge ; 30 to 38 scales round the body ; 

 diameter of body 25 to 35 times in total length. 



8. Typhlops dinga. — Snout with sharp, trenchant, horizontal edge. 



Snout not hooked (in profile) ; 34 to 40 scales round the body ; 

 diameter of body 42 to 46 times in total length. 



9. Typhlops schlegelii. — Snout with sharp, trenchant, horizontal edge. 



Snout not hooked (in profile) ; 40 to 44 scales round the body ; 

 diameter of body 25 to 30 times in total length. 

 10. Typhlops schinzi. — Snout hooked. Snout with sharp, trenchant, 

 horizontal edge ; 24 to 26 scales round the body ; diameter ot 

 body 45 to 57 in total length. 



TYPHLOPS. 



Ten species in South Africa. 



Typhlops verticalis. The Yellow-brown Blind Snake. Geel-bruin 



Slang. 

 Synonym — Onychocephahts verticalis. 

 Colour — uniform brownish-yellow. 

 Average length — 6 to 8 inches. 

 Distribution — Western Province of Cape Colony. 

 Typhlops fornasinii. East African Blind Snake. 

 Colour — bluish or grej'ish. Anal region yellowisli. 

 Average length — 6 to 8 inches. 

 Distribution — Delagoa Bay ; Portuguese East Africa. 



Typhlops mossambicus. Mossambique Blind Snake. 

 Synonym — Onychocephalus mossambicus. 



Colour — Dark brown ; lower surface of head and anal region yellowish. 

 Average length — 6 to 7 inches. 



Distribution — Z«luland ; Northwards to Portuguese East Africa. 

 Typhlops anchiet.-e. Anchieta's Blind Snake. 

 Colour — Pale yellow, with greyi.sh-brown blotches. 

 Average length — 6 inches. 

 Distribution — Transvaal ; Angola. 



Typhi. oi's hibkonii. Variously known as the Blind Snake; Two- 

 headed Snake ; Ground Snake ; Aard Slang ; Tweekop Slang 

 Synonym — Onychocephalus bibronii. 



