Mr. R. F. Tomes on some new Vesper tilionidse. 341 



On the whole of the upper parts the fur is of a reddish-brown 

 colour, uniform in tint from its root to the tip. On the under parts it 

 is pure white, tinged with rufous on the humeral region and on the chin. 

 This species appears to differ from the last in having the ear much 

 more hollowed out externally, in being somewhat larger, and in 

 having the under parts pure white. 



// /// 



Length of the head and body 2 



of the tail, about 1 2 



of the head 9 



of the ears 3|* 



of the fore-arm 1 5^ 



of the longest finger 2 6^ 



of the fourth finger 1 10 



of the tibia 8| 



of the foot and claws 3 



Expanse of wings, following the phalange. .10 6 



Hab. River Napo, near Quito, where it was collected by Mr. Bates. 



In addition to the generic characters given by the authors already 

 quoted, the very peculiar form of the claws of the hinder feet may be 

 mentioned. These are rather long, have a small degree of curvature, 

 are very slender, and not compressed laterally as in other Bats. 

 Their under surface is rather deeply hollowed out ; in this respect 

 they bear considerable resemblance to the claws of some Rasorial 

 birds, such as the genus TetraOy but they are relatively more slender. 

 From their form they could scarcely be used as organs of suspension, 

 and it is not improbable that the conspicuous discs attached to the 

 thumbs and feet may answer the same purpose that claws are known 

 to do in the ordinary Bats. 



The elevated form of the cranium deserves special attention, as 

 indicating an affinity in this particular with the genera Furipterus 

 and Natalus. 



The peculiarity of having the wing-membranes extended to the 

 claws is not restricted to this genus, as I have observed it in the 

 Vesp. suillus of M. Temminck. This species has been considered 

 by Dr. Gray to be sufficiently dissimilar from other examples of the 

 genus VespertiliOy to merit generic distinction, under the name of 

 Murina. Another species from Ceram {Vesp. vulpinuSy Temm., Mus. 

 Ley.) possesses the same singular mode of attachment of the mem- 

 branes. Not having carefully examined either of these, I am unable 

 to offer any positive opinion respecting their affinity with the genera 

 above described. It appears probable, however, that other characters 

 would be discovered common to Hyonycterls and Murina, if a close 

 examination were instituted. 



* In taking the measure of the ear, it is my custom to consider it as a simple 

 projection, and to measure along the line of greatest convexity of the hinder sur- 

 face. This imaginary line will proceed from that part of the base nearest the 

 crown, to the tip of the ear. A line along its anterior or posterior margin would 

 be rather an indication of form than of absolute length, and should therefore be 

 given additionally if the form of the ear seems to require it. 



