CHIROPTERA 



64: 



frugivorous Pteropodidai, the vertebrae, from the third cervical back- 

 wards, are devoid of neural spines. From the first dorsal to the 

 last lumbar vertebra the spinal column forms a single curve back- 

 wards, which is most pronounced in the lumbar region. The ceni ra 

 of the vertebra 1 are but slightly movable upon each other, and in 

 old individuals appear to become partially ankylosed together. 

 The caudal vertebra' are simple cylindrical bones without processes; 

 their number and length being extremely variable even in closely 

 allied species; and the anterior caudals are generally united to the 



Fig. --'7. — Skeleton and flying -membranes of the Noctule Bat (Vcsperugo noctula). x J. 

 c, Clavicle ; h, humerus ; r, radius ; u, ulna (rudimentary) ; fll, pollex ; </'-, d'i, iH, rf5, other 

 digits of the manus supporting wm, the wing-membrane; m, m, metacarpal bones; jjTi 1 , first 

 phalanx ; ph°, second phalanx ; plfi, third phalanx ; am, antebrachial membrane ; /, femur ; 

 t, tibia ; fb, fibula (rudimentary) ; c, calcar supporting im, the interfemoral membrane; pel, post- 

 calcaneal lobe. 



ischial tuberosities. The relative development of the caudal 

 vertebra? is, indeed, intimately correlated to the habits of the 

 animals ; the long tail in the insectivorous forms supporting and 

 controlling the position of the large interfemoral membrane, which 

 appears not only to aid their rapid motions when in pursuit of their 

 prey by acting as a rudder, but also to assist in the capture and 

 retention of the larger insects. In the frugivorous types, on the 

 other hand, this is not required, and the tail is accordingly rudi- 

 mentary or absent. In all Bats the presternum has a prominent 

 keel for the attachment of the great pectoral muscles. In most 



