TO 
THE TYPHLOPS. 
worm, and like that reptile is very common in the fields and nnder hedges. It is a South 
African reptile, and is found abundantly at the Cape of Good Hope. 
In its coloring this is a very handsome little creature, being sometimes called the Painted 
Acontias (by the French writers La Peintade ), in allusion to the variegated tints with which 
it is bedecked. Like many other reptiles, especially those which are lightly colored, it is sus- 
ceptible of much variation. Generally, however, it is rich chestnut-brown above, profusely 
dotted with bright yellow, the spots being arranged in series of varying number, one specimen 
having eight rows of spots, while another has only six. The scales are smooth, the teeth are 
conical and rather blunt, the eyes are very small, and the tail is short and rather rounded at 
the tip. 
Another curious family of reptiles possesses only two limbs at the most, the front pair 
being always, and the hinder pair sometimes, wanting. There is a curious, cup-like shield on 
the chin, the body and tail are cylindrical, and both eyes and ears are apparently absent, but 
may be found hidden under the skin, where the greater part, if not the whole, of their func- 
tions must be in abeyance. In consequence of this remarkable privation, they are classed 
together under the very appropriate name of Typhlinidse, a term derived from the Greek, and 
which signifies blindness. 
In the typical species, the Typhline, or Blind Acontias as it is sometimes, but rather 
erroneously called, the limbs are entirely absent, and the creature looks about as helpless a 
being as can well be imagined, having no apparent legs, feet, eyes nor ears. The Typhline 
inhabits Southern Africa, and is found at the Cape of Good Hope. In its coloring it is rather 
variable, being generally of a brownish hue, with spots of purple upon the binder part of the 
scales of the back, and sometimes of a yellowish tint, with violet spots. 
There are so many reptiles scattered over the world, and they are divided by modem 
systematic zoologists into so many families, that it is only possible to give a short description 
of one or two examples of each family, while to supply illustrations would be wholly imprac- 
ticable without nearly doubling the amount of space that can be allotted to them. 
The next family is called by the name of Typhlopsidm, or Blind Reptiles, a title which 
has been given to them because their eyes are either very small, or altogether wanting exter- 
nally. In all these animals the head is broad, rather flattened, and has a large, erect plate 
near the muzzle. The mouth is small, semilunar in shape, and placed under the muzzle in a 
manner somewhat resembling that of the sharks. The tail is cylindrical, and has a large shield 
or plate at the tip, sometimes conical and sometimes spine-shaped. 
In the Typhlops, the typical species, the head is nearly covered by a single, very large 
shield, which is rather bent downwards in front. The tail is very short and tapers suddenly, 
and the scales of the body are small and uniform. It inhabits India, where it is not uncommon, 
though, in consequence of its earth-loving habits, it is not very often seen except by those who 
know its localities, and search purposely for the hidden reptile. It moves over the ground 
with some rapidity, and burrows easily, penetrating to a depth of three or four feet during the 
rainy season. At other times it is mostly content with the shelter of large stones and similar 
places of refuge. 
Owing to the small size and the rather remarkable position of the mouth, the Typhlops is 
unable to act on the offensive, and when captured, although it attempts to glide through the 
fingers, does not even offer to bite. It is wonderfully tenacious of life, and according to Dr. 
Russell, will live for some time even when immersed in spirits of wine. The general color of 
the Typhlops is yellowish-white. 
This family contains also the Clawed Snake (OnychopMs ) — so called because the bony 
shield on the muzzle is erect, keeled, and bent over into a claw-like shape — and the Silver 
Snakes ( Argyrophis ), a small group of reptiles, deriving their popular name from the silvery 
lustre of their scales. 
