( 69 ) 



DiBAMUS, Dumeril et Bibron. 



Limbs in male 2 posterior, lodged in an oblique cavity. 



Females limbless. 

 D. Nikobaricus, Fitz. Novara. Eept., p. 52. 

 Rhinophidion Nicoharicum, Fitz. 

 Typhloscincus Nicobaricus, Stein 1. c, p. 94. 



" The male is six incbes, of which the tail is 09 inches. There 

 are 24 longitudinal rows of scales round the body and 48 trans- 

 verse rows along the tail. The two extremities are on either side 

 somewhat in front of the anus, towards which they converge ; 

 they are depressed, each lying in an oblique cavity, the interme- 

 diate space of the sacral region beiag flat, triangular and pointed 

 above the anus. Each extremity is fully as long as the whole 

 head ; it is covered on the upper side by three longitudinal rows 

 of scales narrowing towards the end which is occupied by a large 

 flat nail like scale. The body of the female is somewhat stouter ; 

 it measures 5'5 inches, of which the tail is only 0'5 inches. The 

 body is again surrounded by 24 longitudinal and the tail by 34 

 transverse rows of scales. On each side,iQ front of the anus is an 

 enlarged scale, separated by three small scales from the" anal edge 

 and just in the place where the extremity in the male originates, 

 this large scale covers a small opening in which internally a 

 rather strong muscle termiuates. The muscle is most probable 

 emissible and retractile at the wiU of the animal. AH other 

 characters are common to both sexes. The upper labial is separa- 

 ted from the rostral by a distinct groove. The shields are dark 

 brown almost blackish with paler edges. Paler below. The 

 shields of the head are yellowish and there are occasionally yellow- 

 ish spots on the chin and throat or on the lower side of the tail." 

 Stoliczka J. A. S., B., 1873, Part II, p. 169. Commenting on the 

 close similarity of this species and Typhloscincus Martensii 

 Stoliczka remarks "Still if it were not Peter's distinct state- 

 ment that out of these specimens of T. Martensii, two are males 

 and one a female, both without any trace of extremities, I should 

 have considered the specific distinction of D. NikobariMS from T. 

 Martensii somewhat doubtful." 1. c. 



