M. C. COOKE ON THE HAIRS OF INDIAN BATS. 39 



The hairs are large and nearly smooth on the surface. The 

 ciiticular plates or scales are closely appressed, so that they bear 

 some resemblance to those of human hair. There is a distinct 

 medulla. In P. Edwardsii there is a slight appearance of longitudi- 

 nal striation, but this may not belong to the scales, which are larger 

 than in Pteropus edulis, and they appear to encircle the shaft, or at 

 least I could trace no longitudinal partitions. When mounted in 

 balsam the medulla is distinct on account of the enclosed air, and 

 very small for the diameter of the hair. 



More recently I have examined the hair of Pteropus poliocephalus 

 from New Holland, and find a great similarity in structure to the 

 hair of the Indian Pteropi. These constitute the first group of 

 nearly smooth hairs. 



Closely allied to the Pteropi is a genus hitherto unknown in 

 Continental India, but which occurs in Malayan countries and in 

 Siam. This is Xantharpi/ia, the hair of which I have had no oppor- 

 tunity of examining. 



The " Dogbat " of Java, Macroglossus minimus, belongs to the 

 same family, and though not found in Continental India, it occurs 

 in the Tenasserim provinces as well as Malayan countries. 



Microscopically these hairs have an affinity with those of 

 Cynopterus and Megaderma, to be noticed presently, rather than 

 with the Pteropi. 



The scales appear to be cylindrical, slightly expanding upwards, 

 and entire at their margins. In balsam the medulla is distinct and 

 large, and the outline of the hair distinctly serrated. The form of 

 the scales becomes obliterated by their transparency in balsam. 



A singular genus of Indian bats also have their place in this 

 family, and are characterised, amongst other features, by the 

 absence of distinct tails. The genus Cynoptems is believed by 

 many to have only one representative in India, Ceylon, Burmah, 

 Malaya, and the Nicobar Islands. The name applied by Mr. Blyth 

 to this species is Cynopterus marginatus. Dr. Horsfield recognised 

 three species, which he called respectively Cynopterus titthcecheilus, 

 Cynopterus marginatus, and Cynopterus Horsfieldii. The two 

 former of these Dr. Gray unites, and adds a third, under the name 

 of Cynopteims ajrnis. The hair of the last I have not seen. 

 Authentic specimens of the three supposed species of Dr. Horsfield 

 I have examined, and find as great differences between two of them 

 as between some species in other genera. However, little reliance 



