Cœlops.[592]—This genus is known only by a single species, C. frithi, from the Bengal Sunderbans, Java, and Siam (in the roof of the great pagoda at Laos); and is distinguished, not only by the form of its nose-leaf, but also by the great length of the metacarpal of the index finger, as well as by the shortness of the calcar and interfemoral membrane and the rudimental tail.

Family Nycteridæ.

This small family, including only two genera of Bats of peculiar aspect, limited to the tropical and subtropical parts of the eastern hemisphere, is distinguished from the Rhinolophidæ by the presence of a distinct tragus to the ear, and by the premaxillæ being cartilaginous or small and separated from one another in front by a distinct space.

Megaderma.[593]—Dentition: i ⁰⁄₂, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁻¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 28 or 26. This genus, which is represented by five species, is readily recognised by the absence of upper incisors, the cylindrical narrow muzzle surmounted by an erect naked cutaneous nose-leaf, the base of which conceals the nasal orifices, by the immense connate ears with large bifid tragi, and by the great extent of the interfemoral membrane, in the base of which the very short tail is concealed. M. gigas (Fig. 307), from Central Queensland (length of forearm 4·2 inches), is not only the largest species of the genus but also of the suborder. M. lyra, common in India (forearm 2·7 inches), has been caught in the act of sucking the blood, while flying, from a small species of Vesperugo, which it afterwards devoured, so that it is probable that the Bats of this genus do not confine themselves to insect prey alone, but also feed, when they can, upon the smaller species of Bats and other small mammals.

The Oriental M. spasma and M. lyra differ from the Ethiopian M. cor and M. frons in having two upper premolars instead of one, and also in the shape of the frontals and nasals.

Nycteris.[594]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 32. This genus, of which there are seven species, differs so much from Megaderma that it may be considered the type of a separate subfamily. As in that genus, the frontal bones are deeply hollowed out and expanded laterally, the muzzle presents a similar cylindrical form, and the lower jaw also projects, but the single elevated nose-leaf is absent, and instead of it the face is marked by a deep, longitudinal, sharp-edged groove extending from the nostrils (which are on the upper surface of the muzzle, near its extremity) to the low band connecting the bases of the large ears, the sides of this depression being margined as far back as the eyes by small horizontal cutaneous appendages. All the species resemble one another closely, and are mainly distinguished by the form of the tragus and the size and relative position of the second lower premolar. With the exception of N. javanica, they are all limited to the Ethiopian region.

Family Vespertilionidæ.

Nostrils opening by simple crescentic or circular apertures at the extremity of the muzzle, not surrounded by distinct foliaceous cutaneous appendages; premaxillæ small, lateral, and separated by a wide space in front; tragus distinct. In addition to these characters, it may be observed that the skull is of moderate size, the nasal and frontal bones not being much extended laterally or vertically, nor furrowed by deep depressions. The number of incisors varies from ²⁄₃ to ¹⁄₃, rarely (in Antrozous only) ¹⁄₂, premolars ³⁄₃, or ²⁄₂, or ¹⁄₂, rarely (in Vesperugo noctivagans of North America) ²⁄₃; the upper incisors are small, separated by a wide space in the middle line, and placed in pairs or singly near the canine; the molars are well-developed, with acute W-shaped cusps.

This family, which may be regarded as occupying a central position in the suborder, includes the common simple-faced Bats of all countries, of which the well-known Pipistrelle and the Whiskered Bat (Vespertilio mystacinus) may be taken as familiar types, and its species number more than 150, or considerably more than one-third the total number of the known species of the entire order. The various genera may be conveniently grouped into the Plecotine, Vespertilionine, Miniopterine, and Thyropterine divisions.

In the Plecotine division, of which the common Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) is the type, the crown of the head is but slightly raised above the face-line, the outermost upper incisor is close to the canine, and the nostrils are margined behind by grooves on the upper surface of the muzzle, or by rudimentary nose-leaves; the ears also are generally very large and united.

Plecotus.[595]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₃, m ³⁄₃; total 36. Outer margin of ear-conch ending abruptly near the angle of the mouth, the inner margin with a more or less prominent rounded projection directed inwardly above the base; tragus very large, tapering upwards, with a lobe at the base of its outer margin, rounded, and placed half horizontally. This genus is represented by the European Long-eared Bat (P. auritus), and P. macrotis, restricted to North America. The latter is distinguished by the great size of the glandular prominences of the sides of the muzzle, which meet in the centre above and behind the nostrils. P. auritus extends over the greater part of the Palæarctic region, occurring in Ireland in the west and the Himalaya in the east.

Synotus.[596]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 34. This genus is distinguished from the preceding by the loss of one lower premolar and by the outer margin of the ear being carried forwards above the mouth and in front of the eye; it includes the European Barbastelle Bat (S. barbastellus) and S. darjilingensis from the Himalaya.

Otonycteris.[597]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 30. The reduction in the number of upper incisors readily characterises this genus, which appears to connect the typical representatives of the section, through Scotophilus, with the Vespertilionine division. It is represented by a single species, O. hemprichi, from North Africa and the Himalaya.

Nyctophilus.[598]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 30. This and the following genera are distinguished from all the preceding by the presence of a rudimentary nose-leaf. The present genus contains N. timoriensis of the Australian region, and N. microtis of New Guinea.

Antrozous.[599]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₂, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 28. Readily distinguished from the other members of the whole family by having but two lower incisors, and from the other species of the section by the separate ears. The single species, A. pallidus, inhabits California.

The Vespertilionine division includes some nine-tenths of all the representatives of the family. They are distinguished from the preceding section by the simple nostrils, opening by crescentic or circular apertures at the extremity of the muzzle, the generally small size of the ears, and the absence of grooves on the forehead.

Vesperugo.[600]—Dentition: i ²⁻¹⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁻¹⁄₂₋₃, m ³⁄₃; total 34, 30, or 36. This large genus comprises about one-third of the section, and is divided into groups or subgenera, according to the number of premolars and incisors; the latter varying from ²⁄₃ to ¹⁄₃ in the subgenera Scotozous and Rhogeëssa, and the premolars from ²⁄₂ to ¹⁄₂ (in the subgenus Lasionycteris ²⁄₃). The Bats of this genus are generally easily distinguished by their comparatively thickly formed bodies, flat broad heads and obtuse muzzles, short, broad, and triangular obtusely-pointed ears, obtuse and usually slightly incurved tragus, short legs, and by the presence in most species of a well-developed post-calcaral lobule. This lobule (which is supported by a cartilaginous process derived from the calcar) may act as a kind of adhesive disc in securing the animal’s grasp when climbing over smooth surfaces. Vesperugo probably contains the greatest number of individuals among the genera of Chiroptera, and, with the exception of Vespertilio, its species have also the widest geographical range, being almost cosmopolitan; and one of the species, the well-known Serotine (V. [Vesperus] serotinus) is remarkable as the only species of Bat known to inhabit both the Old and the New World; one (V. borealis) has been found close to the limits of the Arctic circle, and another (V. magellanicus) inhabits the cold and desolate shores of the Straits of Magellan, being doubtless the Bat referred to by Mr. Darwin in the Naturalist’s Voyage. The Common Pipistrelle (V. pipistrellus), ranging over the greater part of the Palæarctic region, is the best known species.

Chalinolobus.[601]—This genus agrees with Vesperugo in the dental formula, but is readily distinguished by the presence of a well-defined lobe projecting near the angle of the mouth from the lower lip, and by the unicuspidate first upper incisor. The species fall into two subgenera—Chalinolobus proper, with p ²⁄₂, represented by C. morio from New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia, and three other species from Australia; and Glauconycteris, with p ¹⁄₂, limited to Southern and Equatorial Africa, and known by C. argentatus and two other species, the Bats of this subgenus being especially remarkable for their peculiarly thin membranes, traversed by very distinct reticulations and parallel lines.

Scotophilus.[602]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 30. This genus comprises a comparatively small number of species nearly allied to Vesperugo, and some of which approach so closely to the aberrant types of the latter ranged under the subgenus Scotozous, as to render the definition of the present genus almost impossible.[603] The species are restricted to the tropical and subtropical regions of the eastern hemisphere, though widely distributed within these limits. The more typical species are distinguished especially by the single pair of unicuspidate upper incisors separated by a wide space and placed close to the canines, by the small transverse first lower premolar squeezed in between the canine and second premolar, and, generally, by their conical nearly naked muzzles and remarkably thick leathery membranes. S. kuhli is probably the commonest species of Bat in India, and appears often on the wing even before the sun has touched the horizon, especially when the white-ants are swarming, feeding eagerly upon them as they rise in the air. S. gigas, from Equatorial Africa, with the forearm measuring 3·4 inches, is by far the largest species. S. albofuscus, from the Gambia, which is readily distinguished from the other species by its white wings, is an aberrant form, in which the lower premolars are long and not crowded together, and thereby so closely resembles Vesperugo (Scotozous) dormeri as to render it almost impossible to distinguish Scotophilus and Vesperugo. The figured species is from India.

Nycticejus.[604]—This genus, with the same dental formula as Scotophilus, is distinguished by the first lower premolar not being squeezed in between the adjoining teeth, and by the comparatively much greater size of the last upper molar. It includes only the common North American N. humeralis (crepuscularis), a small Bat scarcely larger than the Pipistrelle. It seems, however, as pointed out by Mr. O. Thomas, that the discovery of Scotophilus albofuscus renders the generic distinctness of Nycticejus no longer tenable, and that the species should be known as Scotophilus humeralis.

Atalapha.[605]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁻¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 32 or 30. The five species of this genus, which are confined to the New World, are generally characterised by the interfemoral membrane being more or less covered with hair (in the two commonest species, A. noveboracensis and A. cinerea, wholly covered), and by the peculiar form of the tragus, which is expanded above and abruptly curved inwards. These species have two upper premolars, of which the first is extremely small and quite internal to the tooth-row.

Harpyiocephalus.[606]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 34. This genus includes some eight species of small Bats distinguished by their prominent tube-like nostrils and hairy interfemoral membrane. H. suillus, from Java and neighbouring islands, is the best-known species, and another closely allied (H. hilgendorfi)has been described by Professor Peters from Japan. The remaining six species are known only from the Himalaya and Tibet. All appear to be restricted to the hill tracts of the countries in which they are found.

Vespertilio.[607]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ³⁄₃, m ³⁄₃; total 38. Next to Vesperugo, this genus includes by far the largest number of species, amounting to over forty; it has, however, rather a wider geographical distribution in both hemispheres, one species at least being recorded from the Navigators’ Islands. The species are easily recognised by the peculiar character of the upper incisors, the crowns of which diverge from each other; by the large number of premolars, of which the second upper one is always very small; and by the oval elongated ear and narrow attenuated tragus. In the British Isles this genus is represented by four species, viz. Bechstein’s Bat (V. bechsteini); the Reddish-Gray Bat (V. nattereri), of very local occurrence; Daubenton’s Bat (V. daubentoni); and the Whiskered Bat (V. mystacinus).

Cerivoula.[608]—This genus, which has the same dental formula as Vespertilio, is distinguished by the parallel upper incisors, and the comparatively large size of the second upper premolar. Some ten species have been described from the Ethiopian and Oriental regions, of which C. picta, from India and the Indo-Malayan sub-region, is the best-known, being well characterised by its brilliantly coloured orange fur and conspicuously marked membranes, which are variegated with orange and black. This genus includes the most delicately formed and most truly insectivorous, tropical, forest-haunting Bats, which appear to stand as regards the species of Vespertilio in a position similar to that occupied by Chalinolobus with respect to Vesperugo.

The Miniopterine division includes only two genera, and is characterised by the great elevation of the crown of the head above the facial line, and also by the upper incisors being separated from the canine and also in the middle line.

Natalus.[609]—This genus, while having the divisional characters mentioned above, agrees in the dental formula and its general external form with Cerivoula, from which it is distinguished by the short triangular tragus. It includes three species, restricted to South and Central America and the West Indies; the head of N. micropus being shown in Fig. 310.

Miniopterus.[610]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₃, m ³⁄₃; total 36. In addition to the difference in the number of the teeth, this genus is distinguished by the shortness of the first phalanx of the middle finger and the great length of the tail, which is wholly contained within the interfemoral membrane; it includes four species, restricted to the eastern hemisphere. Of these the best-known, M. schreibersi, is very widely distributed, being found almost everywhere throughout the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the eastern hemisphere; specimens from Germany, Madagascar, Japan, and Australia differing in no appreciable respect from one another.

The last or Thyropterine division, which likewise comprises only two genera, is characterised by the presence of an additional osseous phalanx in the middle finger and an equal number of phalanges in the toes, and also by peculiar accessory clinging organs attached to the extremities.

Thyroptera.[611]—Dentition: i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ³⁄₃, m ³⁄₃; total 38. In the single species T. tricolor of Brazil the clinging organs have the appearance of small, circular, pedunculated, hollow discs (Fig. 311), resembling in miniature the sucking cups of cuttle-fishes, and are attached to the inferior surfaces of the thumbs and soles of the feet. With these the animal is enabled to maintain its hold when creeping over smooth vertical surfaces.

Myxopoda.[612]—The second genus is likewise represented only by a single species—M. aurita of Madagascar—and is distinguished from the preceding by the characters of the teeth and the form of the ears. The whole inferior surface of the pollex supports a large sessile horse-shoe-shaped adhesive pad, with the circular margin directed forwards and notched along its edge, and a smaller pad occupies part of the sole of the foot.

Fossil Vespertilionidæ.—It is not improbable that Vesperugo is represented in the Upper Eocene of the Paris basin by V. parisiensis, which appears to be allied to V. serotina, although it has been regarded by some writers as generically distinct, under the name of Nyctitherium. Vesperugo (Nyctitherium) also occurs in the Bridger Eocene of the United States; Nyctilestes from the same deposits being an allied extinct genus. A number of European Miocene species have been referred to Vespertilio, but the term in these cases must be used in a somewhat wide sense. Vespertiliavus, of the Phosphorites of Central France, differs from Vespertilio in the proportions of its premolars.

Section Emballonurina.

Tail perforating the interfemoral membrane and appearing on its upper surface, or produced considerably beyond the truncated membrane; the middle pair of upper incisors generally large and close together.

Family Emballonuridæ.

First phalanx of the middle finger folded (in repose) on the dorsal surface of the metacarpal bone (except in Noctilio and Mystacops). Nostrils opening by simple circular or valvular apertures at the extremity of the muzzle, not surrounded or margined by foliaceous cutaneous appendages; tragus distinct.

The Emballonuridæ are generally easily distinguished by the peculiar form of the muzzle, which is obliquely truncated, the nostrils projecting more or less in front beyond the lower lip; by the first phalanx of the middle finger being folded in repose forwards on the upper surface of the metacarpal bone; by the tail, which either perforates the interfemoral membrane or is produced far beyond it; and by the upper incisors, which are generally a single pair separated from the canine and also in the middle line. The family is cosmopolitan like the Vespertilionidæ, but rarely extends north or south of the thirtieth parallel of latitude.

Subfamily Emballonurinæ.—Tail slender, perforating the interfemoral membrane, and appearing upon its upper surface, or terminating in it; legs long, fibula very slender; upper incisors weak.

In the Furipterine division the tail terminates in the interfemoral membrane; the crown of the head is greatly elevated above the face-line; the thumb and first phalanx of the middle finger are very short; and the dentition is i ²⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₃, m ³⁄₃; total 38.

Represented by two genera, Furipterus[613] and Amorphochilus,[614] each including one species of peculiar aspect; the latter distinguished from the former by the widely separated nostrils and the great extension backwards of the bony palate. Habitat South America.

In the typical or Emballonurine division part of the tail is included in the basal half of the interfemoral membrane, the remaining part passing through and appearing upon its upper surface; the crown of the head is slightly elevated; the pollex and first phalanx of the middle finger are moderately long; and the number of the premolars is always ²⁄₂.

Emballonura.[615]—Incisors ²⁄₃. Extremity of the muzzle more or less produced beyond the lower lip, forehead flat. Contains some five species, inhabiting islands from Madagascar through the Malay Archipelago to the Navigators’ Islands.

Coleüra.[616]—Incisors ¹⁄₃. Extremity of the muzzle broad, forehead concave. Has two species from East Africa and the Seychelles Islands.

Rhynchonycteris.[617]—This genus is distinguished from Coleüra by the much-produced extremity of the muzzle. The single species, R. naso, from Central and South America, is very common in the vicinity of streams throughout the tropical parts of these countries; it is usually found during the day resting on the vertical faces of rocks, or on the trunks of trees growing over the water, and, owing to the peculiar grayish colour of the fur covering the body and growing in small tufts from the antebrachial membrane, so as to counterfeit the weathered surfaces of rocks and the bark of trees, easily escapes notice. As the shades of evening approach it appears early on the wing, flying close to the surface of the water, and seizing the minute insects that hover over it.

Saccopteryx.[618]—Incisors ¹⁄₃. Antebrachial membrane with a pouch opening on its upper surface. This genus contains six species from Central and South America. In the adult males a valvular longitudinal opening is found on the upper surface of the membrane, varying in position in different species. This opening leads into a small pouch (in some species large enough to hold a pea), the interior of which is lined with a glandular membrane secreting an unctuous substance of a reddish colour with a strong ammoniacal odour. The presence of this sac only in males indicates that it is a secondary sexual character analogous to the shoulder-pouches of Epomophorus and the frontal sacs of Hipposiderus. It is quite rudimentary in the females.

Taphozous.[619]—Incisors ¹⁄₂; upper pair deciduous. This genus, represented by some ten species, inhabiting the tropical and subtropical parts of all the eastern hemisphere except Polynesia, forms the second group of this division, distinguished by the cartilaginous premaxillaries, deciduous upper incisors, and the presence of only two lower incisors. Most of the species have a peculiar glandular sac (Fig. 313) placed between the angles of the lower jaw. This is a sexual character, for, while always more developed in males than in females, in some species, although distinct in the male, it is quite absent in the female. An open gular sac is wanting in both sexes in T. melanopogon, but about its usual position the openings of small pores may be seen, the secretion exuding from which probably causes the hairs to grow very long, forming the black beard found in many male specimens of this species.

In the Diclidurine division there is but a single genus, represented by two species.

Diclidurus.[620]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₃, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 32. Both species are from the Neotropical region, the typical D. albus ranging as far north as Central America. This Bat resembles the species of Taphozous in the form of the head and ears, but, besides other characters, differs from all other Bats in possessing a peculiar pouch, opening on the centre of the inferior surface of the interfemoral membrane; the extremity of the tail enters this, and perforates its fundus.

The Noctilionine division is likewise represented only by a single genus, with two species. This genus connects the present with the following family, possessing characters common to both, but also so many remarkable special peculiarities as almost to warrant the formation of a separate family for its reception.

Noctilio.[621]—Dentition: i ²⁄₁, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 28. The two species N. leporinus and N. albiventer inhabit Central and South America. The typical N. leporinus is a Bat of very curious aspect, with strangely folded lips, erect cutaneous processes on the chin, and enormous feet and claws. The first upper incisors are close together, and so large as to conceal the small outer ones, while in the lower jaw there is one pair of small incisors. This apparent resemblance to a Rodent actually led Linnæus to remove this species from the Bats and place it in the Rodents. This Bat is remarkable for feeding on fish—a circumstance which has only recently been fully authenticated.

The remaining genus of this subfamily is regarded as representing another division, which may be known as the Rhinopomatine division.

Rhinopoma.[622]—This genus, represented by the single species R. microphyllum, might also be elevated to the rank of a family, for it is difficult to determine its exact affinities, a kind of cross relationship attaching it to the Nycteridæ on the one hand and to this family, in which it is here placed provisionally, on the other. This species, distinguished from all other Microchiroptera as well by the presence of two phalanges in the index finger as by its remarkably long and slender tail projecting far beyond the narrow interfemoral membrane, inhabits the subterranean tombs in Egypt and deserted buildings generally from North-East Africa to Burma.

Subfamily Molossinæ.—Tail thick, produced far beyond the posterior margin of the interfemoral membrane (except in Mystacops); legs short and strong, with well-developed fibula; upper incisors strong. This subfamily includes all the species of Emballonuridæ with short and strong legs and broad feet (whereof the first toe, and in most species the fifth also, is much thicker than the others, and furnished with long curved hairs), well-developed callosities at the base of the thumbs, and a single pair of large upper incisors occupying the centre of the space between the canines. In all the species the feet are free from the wing-membrane, which folds up perfectly under the forearm and legs; the interfemoral membrane is retractile, being movable backwards and forwards along the tail, and this power of varying its superficial extent must confer upon these Bats great dexterity in quickly changing the direction of their flight, as when obliged to double in pursuing their swift insect prey, which their extremely expansible lips evidently enable them to secure with ease. Like the preceding subfamily, the genera may be arranged in divisions, of which there are two.

The Molossine division is characterised by the production of the tail beyond the posterior margin of the interfemoral membrane; it includes three genera.

Chiromeles.[623]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₁, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 26. Hallux much larger than the other toes and separable from them, ears separate. This genus is represented by a single species, C. torquatus, of large size (forearm 3·1 inches) and peculiar aspect, inhabiting the Indo-Malayan sub-region. This Bat is nearly naked, a collar only of thinly spread hairs half surrounding the neck; and is further remarkable for its enormous throat-sac and curious nursing-pouches. The former consists of a great semicircular fold of skin forming a deep pouch round the neck beneath, and concealing the orifices of large subcutaneous pectoral glands, which discharge an oily fluid of insufferably offensive smell. The nursing-pouch is formed on each side by an extension of a fold of skin from the side of the body to the inferior surfaces of the humerus and femur. In the anterior part of this pouch the mammæ are placed.

Molossus.[624]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₁₋₂, c ¹⁄₁, p ¹⁻²⁄₁, m ³⁄₃; total 24 or 28. Upper incisors close together in the middle line. There are some ten species, restricted to the tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. The woodcut of the head of M. glaucinus (Fig. 315) exhibits the general physiognomy of the Bats of this genus. M. obscurus, a small species, is very common in tropical America. It inhabits the hollow trunks of palms and other trees, and also the roofs of houses. The males and females live apart (as, indeed, appears to be the case in most, if not in all, species of Bats). In the hollow trunk of a palm two colonies were discovered, one consisting of from 150 to 200 individuals, exclusively males, while the other was composed almost entirely of females.

Nyctinomus.[625]—Dentition: i ¹⁄₃₋₂, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁻¹⁄₂, m ³⁄₃; total 32 or 28. Upper incisors separated in the middle line. The genus contains about twenty-five species, inhabiting the tropical and subtropical parts of both hemispheres. The lips of the Bats of this genus are even more expansible than in Molossus, in many of the species (as in the woodcut of the head of N. macrotis, Fig. 316) showing vertical wrinkles. N. tæniotis, one of the largest species, alone extends into Europe, and has been taken as far north as Switzerland. N. johorensis, from the Malay Peninsula, is remarkable from the extraordinary form of its ears. N. brasiliensis is nearly as common as Molossus obscurus in tropical America, and extends farther north (California) and south than that species.

In the Mystacopine division the tail perforates the interfemoral membrane and appears upon the upper surface.

Mystacops.[626]—This genus includes only M. tuberculatus of New Zealand, where, together with Chalinolobus tumorio, it represents the whole indigenous mammalian fauna of the islands. There are three distinct phalanges in the middle finger; the greater part of the wing-membrane is exceedingly thin, but a narrow portion along the forearm, the sides of the body, and the legs is remarkably thick and leathery; beneath this thickened portion the wings are folded. With the wings thus encased, this species is the most quadrupedal of Bats. Other peculiarities of structure are found in the remarkable form of the claws of the thumbs and toes, which have each a small talon projecting from its concave surface near the base, also in the sole of the foot and inferior surface of the leg, as shown in Fig. 317. The plantar surface, including the toes, is covered with soft and very lax integument deeply wrinkled, and each toe is marked by a central longitudinal groove with short grooves at right angles to it. The lax wrinkled integument is continued along the inferior flattened surface of the ankle and leg. These peculiarities appear to be related to climbing habits in the species.

Fossil Emballonuridæ.—In the cavern-deposits of Madras remains of the existing Taphozous saccolæmus are not uncommon; while in the corresponding beds of Brazil bones of a Molossus, probably referable to M. temmincki, now inhabiting the same region, are met with. It has been suggested that remains from the Upper Eocene Phosphorites of Central France may indicate the existence of the genus Taphozous at that early epoch.

Family Phyllostomatidæ.

Middle finger with three well-developed bony phalanges; first phalanx of the middle finger short; nostrils in the front part of the cutaneous nasal appendages, or opening by simple apertures at the extremity of the muzzle; chin with warts or erect cutaneous ridges; premaxillæ well developed, united in front.

The members of this family are readily distinguished by the third phalanx in the middle finger, associated either with distinct cutaneous nasal appendages, or with well-developed first upper incisors, or with both. Unlike the Rhinolophidæ, their eyes are generally large; and the tragus is well developed, maintaining almost the same form throughout the species, however much the other parts of the body may vary. The fur is of a dull colour, and the face and back (in the Stenodermatine division especially) are often marked with white streaks, as in the Pteropodidæ, of which these Bats take the place in the western hemisphere. A few species, probably all those with the tail and interfemoral membrane well developed, feed principally on insects, while the greater number of the species of the Vampirine and Glossophagine divisions appear to live on a mixed diet of insects and fruits; and the Desmodontine division, of which two species only are known, are true blood-suckers, and have their teeth and intestinal tract specially modified in accordance with their habits. The family is restricted to the tropical and subtropical parts of Central and South America.

Subfamily Chilonycteriinæ.—Nostrils opening by simple apertures at the extremity of the muzzle in front, not margined by a distinct nose-leaf; chin with expanded leaf-like appendages. It includes two genera.

Chilonycteris.[627]—Dentition: i ²⁄₂, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₃, m ³⁄₃; total 34. The crown of the head is moderately elevated above the facial line, and the basicranial axis is almost in the same plane as the facial. There are about half a dozen species.

Mormops.[628]—The two species of this genus are distinguished from Chilonycteris by the great elevation of the crown of the head above the line of the face, as well as by the basicranial plane being nearly at right angles to the facial. Both species are noticeable for their peculiar physiognomy, as is shown in the accompanying woodcut (Fig. 318).

Subfamily Phyllostomatinæ.—Nostrils opening on the upper surface of the muzzle, the nasal apertures more or less surrounded or margined by well-developed cutaneous appendages, forming a distinct nose-leaf; chin with warts. The numerous genera, most of which can only be mentioned here by name, may be arranged under four divisions.

In the first or Vampirine division the muzzle is long and narrow in front; the distance between the eyes is generally less than, rarely equal to, that from the eye to the extremity of the muzzle; the nose-leaf is well developed, horse-shoe shaped in front, and lanceolate behind; interfemoral membrane well developed; tail generally distinct, rarely absent; inner margin of the lips not fringed. The dentition is: i ²⁄₂₋₁, c ¹⁄₁, p ²⁄₂₋₃, m ³⁄₃; total 32. The cusps of the upper molars are usually well developed, and arranged in a W. Nearly all the species of this division appear to be insectivorous, so that the name applied to them must not be considered as having any relation to their habits. Vampyrus spectrum, a large Bat inhabiting Brazil, of forbidding aspect, which was long considered by naturalists to be sanguivorous in its habits, and named accordingly by Geoffroy, has been shown by the observations of modern travellers to be mainly frugivorous, and is considered by the inhabitants of the countries in which it is found to be perfectly harmless. It is the largest Bat in America, the length of the forearm being 4·2 inches. Otopterus waterhousei appears to prey occasionally on small species of Bats, like Megaderma lyra of the eastern hemisphere, which it resembles in many respects.

Lonchorhina,[629] Otopterus,[630] and Dolichophyllum.[631]—These three genera are characterised by the tail continuing to the hinder margin of the interfemoral membrane. Lonchorhina is represented by the single species L. aurita, in which the nose-leaf is much elongated, and the ear-conch and tragus are unusually large.

Vampyrus,[632] etc.—In all the remaining genera of this division the tail perforates the interfemoral membrane, so as to appear upon its upper surface. These genera are Vampyrus, Lophostoma, Micronycteris,[633] Trachyops, Phylloderma, Phyllostoma, Anthorhina,[634] Mimon, Hemiderma[635] and Rhinophylla; all, with the exception of the last, being distinguished from one another chiefly by the form of the skull and the presence or absence of the second lower premolar. Trachyops, Phylloderma, and the three last-named genera are each represented by a single species. Phyllostoma hastatum, in which the forearm has a length of 3·2 inches, and next in point of size to Vampyrus spectrum, is a well-known species in South America; P. elongatum (Fig. 319) differs in its smaller size and much larger nose-leaf. Hemiderma brevicauda is a small species, which forms a connecting link between this and the next division. Rhinophylla pumilio, the smallest known species of the family, is further distinguished by the narrowness of its molars, which do not form W-shaped cusps, and by the very small size of the last upper molar; characters connecting it with the Stenodermatine division.