M. C. COOKE ON THE HAIRS OF INDIAN BATS. 41 



of the bail- of bats. (2.) The vampire bats, inchiding Macroglossus 

 or the dog-bat, which is said to belong to the frugiverous bats ; 

 the bob-tailed bats, of the genus Cynopterus, which are also believed 

 to be fruit eaters, and the genus Megadenna of the vampires. All 

 these have much in common in the character of their hair. In all, 

 the medulla is distinct and large, the scales are somewhat close 

 together, and all exhibit a similar appearance when mounted in 

 balsam. One might almost venture to affirm that, if any of these 

 hairs were mixed with those of any other group to which I shall 

 direct your attention, that it would be quite possible to indicate 

 every hair that was so mixed, if the whole were immersed in dis- 

 tilled water or spirits 



The third group includes three genera of what may be termed 

 pseudo-vampires. They are the horse-shoe bats, of which we have 

 representatives in Great Britain. The two genera of Rhinolophus 

 and Hipposideros are so nearly allied, that some zoologists regard 

 the one as a sub-genus of the other ; and this is singularly borne 

 out by an examination of the hairs, for not only is it exceedingly 

 difficult to indicate any character whereby the hair of one species 

 can be recognised from that of another, but it is also impossible to 

 indicate any character whereby those of Rhinolophus can be known 

 from those of Hipposideros. The third genus (Nycteris) offers a 

 little modification of character. 



The fourth group of hairs is of most interest to the microscopist, 

 as it includes those having the margin of the scales serrated, 

 notched, or toothed. As far as Indian bats are concerned, it 

 includes the genera Rhinopoma, Taphozoiis, and Nyctinomus. I 

 rather think that the genius JIolossus, which is not represented in 

 India, and which has very peculiar hairs in some of its species, 

 must be placed here, as also the hairs which are mounted and sold 

 as the hair of the Indian bat and the hair of Australian bat. Mr. 

 Richter tells me that an Australian Molossus has most character- 

 istic and beautiful hairs. Whatever the unknown hairs may be, I 

 doubt not that the animal has a close affinity with Rhinopoma or 

 Taj)hozous. 



The genus Rhinopoma has one single representative in India and 

 one in Africa, whereas Tapjhozous is represented in India by two 

 species. 



Rhinopoma Hardwickii, of all species of Indian bats, des^erves 

 most the appellation of long-tailed bat. Mr. Janson says, he should 



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