338 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1889. 



In all the Pteropidse examined the terminal digits are throughout 

 of a simple character. No flexible segments are appended to the 

 osseous ones. 



Harpyia major. (Dried skin.) 



The intercostal lines confined to one line at the lower part. The 

 line apparently divides at the knee. The intercosto-humeral simple, 

 passes downward as usual on the line from the elbow. The internal- 

 cutaneous with a very short horizontal trend, soon becoming oblique 

 and passing thence to the region of the terminal phalanx of the fifth 

 digit gives one inferior vertical branch,and one superior oblique. 



The fourth interspace with the pre- and postdigitals appearing at 

 the metacarpophalangeal joints. The third interspace with pre- 

 digital appearing from the first phalanx of the fourth finger nearly 

 at its middle and with the postdigital from the third metacarpo- 

 phalangeal joint. Owing to the relative shortness of the meta- 

 carpals these nerves seem to be unusually long. 



Remarks : It may be expected that variations in the arrange- 

 ments of the wing-markings will be occasionally found. Thus in one 

 specimen of Saccopteryx leptura two predigital nerves were found in 

 the fourth interspace on both sides. The additional nerve evidently 

 arose from the main nerve and pursued its course parallel to the 

 fifth metacarpal bone and so close to it as not to appear through the 

 skin-expanse. Each of the large terminal branches in this way arose 

 separately from the side of the bone. In the same specimen the pre- 

 digital and the postdigital of the third interspace were united by a 

 conspicuous transverse line in the fold of flexion between the pha- 

 langes of the third and the fourth digits. 



In Vespertilio subulatus, the predigital and the postdigital of 

 the fourth interspace were seen extending parallel to the metacarpals 

 some distance before being deflected on the membrane. In other 

 examples they appeared from a loop-like disposition of lines in- 

 stead of extending directly from the bone. From among numbers of 

 specimens from one locality one of these dispositions prevailed, 

 while examples from a separate locality the other. In one speci- 

 men an additional predigital was seen on the left side. 



On the whole they may be said to constitute a wider range of 

 variation than in Vesper us fuse us. I have had opportunities of ex- 

 amining large numbers of both forms. 



