8 JOURNAL, NATliFxAL HIST. SOCIETY OF SIAM. Vol. I. 



Subordpr OPtllDIA. 

 Fami !y 'I'y ;'ri \jw\ dae. 

 These .sjiipl] worm-like sn/ikes lead an almost entirely subterranean 

 existence, and are theivfore not often met with by the casual observer. 

 '1 hey IVed largely on worms. la general aspect many of the species 

 bear a close resemblance to each other and cannot be identifie-l with- 

 out a close and defaileil examination. There are no ventral shields as 

 with the majority of snakes and the body is covered with smooth 

 scales of uniform size. The tail is blunt, extremely short and it is 

 often difficult at a glance to distinguish it from the head. The eyes 

 are very small and covered by shields. Three species have so far been 

 found here. 



1. Typhloi^s hraminus. 



Siamese. <] f)W ( ngu din ), the term being applied indiscri- 

 nnnate'v f*-' niai)\' tif tlu- earth snakes. 



Not very common in Bangkok althougli it is by far the 

 commoneftt and most widely distributed of all the burrowing snakes in 

 Southern Asia. Possibh^ the inundations to which we are annually 

 subject and which often last a considerable time, prevent this species 

 from becoming more prevalent. Found in the earth of gardens, or 

 in hiding beneath logs of wood or among heaps of old leaves. By 

 the Siamese it is considered highly poisonous, but apart from its 

 lacking poison glands, the mouth is so extremely small that it can 

 hardly be capable of biting even in self defence. J have iiever yet, 

 known one attempt to do so. Length 175 mm. ( 7 inches ). 



Colour and markings. Black or dark bro^\•ll above, lighter 

 beneath, snout, anal region and end of tail usually whitish. 



Habitat. Southern Asia and the islands of the Indian Archi- 

 pelago. Also South Africa and Mexico. 



2. Tyjohlops schneideri. 

 Habitat. Siam. 



3. Typhlops albice-jos. Both these species are extremely rare. 

 They are recorded in Flower's list, but have not been met with since 

 in Siam, although the latter has been found in tlie Lariit Hills, 

 Perak. 



Habitat. Siam and Malay J^eninsula. 



