384 Professor MacGillivray on the Mammalia of the 



marine predaceous quadrupeds are of rare occurrence with us. But 

 our terrestrial mammalia appear to be as numerous as in any other 

 district of equal extent in Scotland ; and some species rare in other 

 parts are common with us. It seems inexpedient, however, to 

 enter into geographical details, which may with more effect be in- 

 troduced on occasion. I shall, therefore, proceed to give an account 

 of the mammalia which I have met with, taking leave here to state 

 that all the descriptions are from objects found in the district ; and 

 that, though my observations are not so complete as one might wish, 

 they may prove interesting to those who have not themselves made 

 a more extended examination, as well as to naturalists in general, 

 to whom our district is not quite so well known, in a zoological point 

 of view, as it deserves to be. 



The Mammalia of Aberdeenshire, and the two neighbouring 

 counties, belong to the orders of the Bimana, Chiroptera, Insecti- 

 vora, Carnivora, Rodentia, Buminantia, and Getacea. Of the first 

 of these orders, it seems inexpedient to say anything ; for although 

 the people of the district have many good qualities, physical and 

 intellectual, they have also some defects, and an account of either 

 would necessarily be viewed with less good-will than would prove 

 agreeable. 



ORDER CHIROPTERA. 



Of the Chiroptera, characterised by having the anterior limbs much 

 extended, and connected with the posterior by a bare expansion of the 

 skin, so as to render them organs of flying, together with pectoral 

 maramsDj we have only three species, belonging to two genera of the 

 family of Vespertilionina. 



Fam. Vespertilionista. — Molar teeth with acute tubercles ; anterior 

 digit elongated, the first only being short and free, and having a claw, 

 the rest connected by a broad membrane, which extends along the sides 

 to the hind feet, and from them to the tail. 



Gen. Plecotus. — Head roundish, forehead flat, with a bare longitu- 

 dinal line ; wings and ears very thin, the latter very larg-e and elon- 

 gated. 



1. Plecotus miritus. — Common Long-eared Bat. 



Ears more than twice the length of the head, oblong, rounded, their 

 inner margin and longitudinal rib ciliate ; tragus about a third of the 

 length of the ear, lanceolate^ rather obtuse ; fur brownish-grey above, 

 pale grey beneath. 



This Bat has been found in the roof of Old Machar Cathedral, 

 whence Mr Thomas Smith took several specimens, in the summer 

 of 1841, five of which I sawj and of which one was given to me by 

 hinii Another specimen was obtained there in the summer of 

 1844 ; and I have seen or heai*d of a few more that were procured 

 in different parts of Aberdeenshire* 



Gen. Vespertilio.— liead oblong, forehead convex, muzzle rounded ; 

 wings and ears thin, the latter moderate, subovate. 



