NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN TYPHLOPIDiE — WAITE. 
59 
2. Typhlops ruppelli, Jan , 
[Plate XY., Figs. 5 and 6.] 
It may occasion some little surprise that I seek to raise to 
specific rank a species which is generally considered as identical 
with T. nigrescens , Gray. This species is common in New 
South Wales, and has a more or less conspicuous dark patch on 
each side of the body near the anus. 
In commencing an examination of the large collection of 
Australian Typhlopidce in the Museum, I made a careful study 
of T. nigrescens , and came to the conclusion that Peters was 
correct in regarding it and T. ruppelli as one and the same 
species* During further investigation, however, I have dis- 
covered examples which are so entirely distinct that I have no 
longer any doubt as to the specific position of T. ruppelli . 
When describing this species, Jan remarks! that it is especially 
characterised by a round black spot on each side of the anus. In 
no example of T. nigrescens which I have examined is the spot 
darker than the body scales, and only in extreme cases does the 
color at all approach it. Moreover the coloration is confined to 
three scales at most, and on account of the shortness of the tail 
appears very close to the extremity of the body. (Plate xv., 
fig. 5). In T. ruppelli the spot is extremely conspicuous, is 
absolutely jet black and infinitely darker than any of the body 
scales. It is of large size, occupying several scales, and owing to 
the greater relative length of tail is at some distance from the 
extremity of the body. (Plate xv., fig, 6). 
The relative length of the tail is one of the most striking 
points of difference. In T nigrescens it has about twelve scales 
and is broader than long (Jan says a quarter longer than broad), 
while in T, ruppelli there are about twenty-five scales, and the 
length is fully twice the breadth. The former species is of more 
robust form, has the posterior part of the body much thickened 
and attains larger dimensions, reaching 570 millim. ; while the 
latter is of more even diameter and smaller, none of our specimens 
exceeding 340 millim. 
The scales on the head do not differ very materially : in 
T. ruppelli the internasals approach more nearly together, and 
the portion of the rostral between them is rather more acute than in 
T . nigrescens. This is indicated in Jan’s figures,! but as pointed 
* Monatsb. d. K. Akad. d. W. Berlin, 1865, p. 262. 
f Icon. Gen. des Ophidiens, p. 14. 
X Ibid , 9 Liv., pi. i., figs. 1 and 2. 
