24 CHIROPTERA. 
straight, or curved outwards; the muzzle is considerably produced, and the crown of 
the head raised, the cranium being vaulted above the level of the facial bones. 
The genus Vespertilio is nearly as cosmopolitan as Vesperugo, though its range does 
not extend quite so far towards the extreme north; and the species, which are all 
more or less slight and delicate in general structure, are very numerous. The four 
which have been recorded as members of our fauna may be thus distinguished :— 
1. V. nitidus. Far as long as the head; muzzle slender, pointed; thumb shorter 
than the foot, which is small; tail wholly included in the membrane. Fore- 
arm 1"-20. Fur reddish-brown above, reddish-grey below. 
2. V. nigricans. Far shorter than the head; muzzle obtuse; thumb as long as 
the foot. Forearm 1"-30. Fur sooty rust-colour. 3 
3. V. albescens. Ear when laid forward not reaching to the end of the muzzle. 
Forearm 1-75. Fur grizzled blackish-brown above, belly greyish-white. 
4, V. lucifugus. Ear when laid forward reaching to the end of the muzzle. 
Forearm 1":40. Fur olive-brown, greyish below. 
1. Vespertilio nitidus. 
Vespertilio nitidus, H. Allen, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1862, p. 247 (descr. orig.)'; Mon. Bats N. Am. 
p. 60°; Dobson, Cat. Chir. Brit. Mus. p. 318, t. xix. fig. 7°. 
Hab. Nortn America (west of Rocky Mountains*).—Mexico, San Juan (Mus. Brit.)?. 
This species, as observed by its describer, is closely allied to the Whiskered Bat of 
Europe and Asia, V. mystacinus, Leisler, from which it differs in its much smaller 
thumb, shorter tail, and longer calcaneum, as well as in colour. The range of Vesper- 
tilio nitidus appears to be confined to the Pacific slopes of the North-American conti- 
nent, from Washington Territory southwards. It has been obtained in Arizona, 
California, New Mexico, and Texas?; and there is a Mexican specimen in the British 
Museum which is labelled as being from “San Juan ;” but, as there are several places 
of that name, the southward range of the species remains uncertain. 
2. Vespertilio nigricans. 
Vespertilio nigricans, Max. zu Wied, Schinz’s ‘Thierreich, i. p. 179 (1821, descr. orig.)'; Beitr. 
Nat. Bras. ii. p. 266°; Dobson, Cat. Chir. Brit. Mus. p. 319, t. xix. fig. 9°. 
Vespertilio parvulus, Temminck, Mon. de Mamm. ii. p. 246 (1835-41, descr. orig.)*. 
Hab. Muxico, City of Mexico (Boucard, Mus. Berol.); Guarrmata, Duefias (Salvin, 
Mus. Brit.2; et Mus. Berol.).—Cotompiat ; Ecuapor®; West Inpies?; Braz 14, 
This Bat was first found in Brazil, and was described both by Prince Wied 1 
and by Temminck‘; but their nominal species have been reunited by Mr. Dobson 
