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 body 30 

 times in total length. 



4. Typhlops ANCHiETyE.^ — 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. 

 g. 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 of 

 body 45 to 57 in total length. 



TYPHLOPS. 



Ten Species in South Africa. 



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



Slang. 

 Synonym — Onychocephalus verticalis. 

 Colour — uniform brownish-yellow. 

 Average length — 6 to 8 inches. 

 Distribution — Western Province of Cape Colony. 



2. Typhlops fornasinii. East African Blind Snake. 

 Colour — bluish or greyish. Anal region yellowish. 

 Average length — 6 to 8 inches. 



Distribution- — -Delagoa Bay ; Portuguese East Africa. 



3. 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 — Zululand ; Northwards to Portuguese East Africa. 



4. Typhlops anchiet;e. Anchieta's Blind Snake. 

 Colour — Pale yellow, with greyish-brown blotches. 

 Average length — 6 inches. 



Distribution — Transvaal ; Angola. 



5. Typhlops bibronii. Variously known as the Blind Snake; Two- 



headed Snake ; Ground Snake ; Aard Slang : Tweekop Slang. 

 Synonym — Onychocephalus bibronii. 



