Mr. R. F. Tomes on species of Bats inhabiting New Zealand. 389 



lished in 1843, placed in the family Noctilionina, with the new 

 generic appellation Mystacina, the old specific name tuberculata 

 being retained. 



Having some time since had occasion to examine some species of 

 Bats in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, Prof. Quekett 

 showed me one which had been recently received from New Zealand. 

 It was not until I had been assured that it came directly from that 

 country, in a bottle with a collection of New Zealand insects, that I 

 could be persuaded that no mistake as to locality had been made. 

 The forms presented by this example were so entirely unlike those 

 of the only New Zealand species with which I was acquainted, that 

 it was with considerable surprise I beheld a bat having pretty much 

 the same forms and proportions as the common little English Pipi- 

 strelle. 



Shortly afterwards an opportunity occurred of inspecting the fine 

 collection of Cheiroptera in the Leyden Museum, which contains 

 three examples of this supposed new species, but without any specific 

 name. Finally, I detected other examples in the British Museum, 

 amounting in number to five. 



Being then satisfied of the existence of two species of Bats in New 

 Zealand, I was anxious to pursue the subject further, and to deter- 

 mine, if possible, to which of these Forster had given the name of 

 V. tuberculatus. The kindness of Dr. Gray speedily placed in my 

 hands all the necessary materials. There could be no hesitation ; 

 the supposed new species was undoubtedly the one from which 

 Forster' s drawing had been made, whilst the description, indicating 

 the number of incisors, and other peculiarities, pointed unequivocally 

 to the same conclusion. 



As the above-mentioned zoologists have certainly been the first 

 describers of two distinct animals, the names imposed by them will of 

 course be retained ; but it is much to be regretted that their specific 

 names are similar ; and the more so, as the one most recently given 

 was clearly intended as a reference to the earlier known species. 



The following description has been taken from the specimen in the 

 College of Surgeons, and also from the specimens in the British 

 Museum. With the advantages of specimens in spirit and in skin, 

 it is probable that the description will be found tolerably correct, 

 both as regards the form of the face, ears, &c., and the quality 

 and colour of the fur. 



Fam. Vespertilionina. 



1. ScoTOPHiLus TUBERCULATUS, Forster,Descript. Anim. p. 63, 

 1772-74, Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus. t. 1. 



In form and proportions somewhat resembling the Pipistrelle of 

 Europe; in size resembling Vesp. Nattereri y in colour very nearly 

 similar to the Scotophilus Gouldii of Australia. 



The muzzle is rather broad and obtuse, and moderately hairy. 

 The nostrils are tumid, and of an oval form, with their inner margins 

 more prominent than their outer, giving them a sublateral opening ; 



