534 



ZOOLOGY 



SECT. 





Skeleton of the 

 Chiroptera (Fig. 

 1186). The cervical 

 region of the vertebral 

 column is character- 

 ised by the absence of 

 any distinct neural 

 spines, and the same 

 holds good to a less 

 extent of the trunk- 

 vertebras ; the trans- 

 verse processes of the 

 lumbar region are also 

 rudimentary. The tail 

 varies in development : 

 when it is elongated 

 the component verte- 

 brae are long, cylin- 

 drical centra without 

 ^ processes. Sagittal 

 !, and occipital crests are 

 1 developed in the skull 

 ~ of some species. The 

 ~x facial region is rather 

 elongated, especially in 

 - the Megachiroptera 

 (Fig. 1187). Post- 

 'S orbital processes of the 

 frontal are present or 

 g absent : the zygoma is 

 long and slender : the 



QJ 



3o malar is small and ap- 

 J; plied to the outer sur- 

 % face of the zygoma. 

 e The long and narrow 

 ^ nasals are in some 

 cases united ; the pre- 

 maxillae are small. The 

 mandible has an angu- 

 lar process in the 

 Microchiroptera, not in 

 the Megachiroptera. 

 The segments of the 

 sternum are sometimes 

 distinct, sometimes 

 united ; the prester- 

 num has a mesial keel 



