254 



GRIFFIN. 



although several recent changes in generic and "family names have been 

 followed. As a matter of course, Boulenger has also largely been drawn 

 upon for the structure of the key. The author will be glad to com- 

 municate with any residents of the Philippines who are interested in 

 making collections of reptiles and frogs. Snakes are easily preserved in 

 either alcohol (strong) or 10 per cent formalin, if a number of slits are 

 made in the abdomen. If the abdomen is not thoroughly opened the 

 inner tissues decompose before the preserving fluid can penetrate the 

 skin. Lizards require a single abdominal incision. 



Fig. 1.^ — Head of Dendrelaphis ccurulcatus Griffin : ch, chin shield ; f, frontal ; ilj inferior 

 labial : fn^internasal : lb, superior labial ; lo, loreal ; vi, mental or symphysial : 

 n, nasal ; par, parietal ; pf, prsefrontal ; j^o, prieocular ; pto, postocular ; r^ 

 rpstral ; so, supraocular ; ta. anterior temporal ; tp, posterior temporal ; v, 

 ventral. (Drawing by T. Espinosa. ) 



Family TYPHLOPID^. 



Small worm-like snakes living under fallen grass, or leaves, or burrowing in 

 the ground. Incapable of harm. Head not distinct from body; eyes reduced to 

 vestiges which are covered by shields; no teeth in the lower jaw or on the 

 palate; no enlarged ventral scales; tail very short, and pointed, color generally 



dark brown ; Genus Typhlops. 



a\ Snout rounded; nostrils lateral. 



6\ Praeoeular in contact with second'and third labials. 



(?. The nasal cleft (i. e. the fissure dividing the nasal shield) proceeding from 



the prsEoeular Typhlops braminus (Daudin). 



Manila {Gray, A. Dumeril) ■ Daraga (Peters); Paracale {Peters); 

 southern Mindanao {J. G. Fischer) ; Negros {Boulenger) ; Manila, 

 Malabon, Mindoro, Samar (Bureau of Science collection). A most 

 widely distributed snake, occurring in all southern Asia, the Malay 

 Archipelago, the Ladrones, Madagascar, East and South Africa. 

 c^The nasal cleft proceeding from the second labial.. Typhlops jagori Peters. 

 Mount Isarog, Luzon (Peters). Not known from any other locality. 



