A MONOGRAPH OF THE BATS OF NORTH AMERICA. 141 



Geuus ATALAFHA Kalincstiue. 



Atalapha RiiG.nesqne, Precis <le8 (l(5coiiveite.s ct travaux sotniologiques, 1814,12; 

 Desmarest, Mam., 1^20, 14G; Gervais, Hist. Nat. Mam., i, 1854, 214; Peters, MB. 

 Akail. Berlin, 1870, 907; Dohaou, Cat. Cbirop. Brit. Mus., 1878— Coues & Yar- 

 row, Wheeler's Exped., Zoiil. 1875, 86. 



Scoto2)hUu8 Gray, Mag. Zo;;i. ami Bot., ii, 1838, 45)8. 



Lasmrxs Gray, List Mam. Brit. Mus., 1843; Tomes, Pror. Zool. Soc. Loudou, 1857, 

 34; Allen", Monog. N. A. Bats, 1864, 14. 



In cliaiigiu^ Lasiurus to Atalapha I liave followed the tendency of 

 all recent writers. I have never seen the original description of 

 Rafinesque, and recalling the cloud under which most of the work of 

 this eccentric naturalist rested, I thought it better to employ the name 

 of Lasiurus of Gray which, although without characterization, was 

 known to apply to a species already identified. 



By reference to the diagnosis of AtalapJia fuscata in the appendix 

 it will be seen tliat it is impossible to name by its use any species of 

 bat in North America, I assume that Rafines(xue's original characteri- 

 zation of Atalapha has satisfied such observers as Gervais, Peters, and 

 Dobson of its validity. 



The skull without marked depression between the mesencephalon 

 and themetencephalon. The labyrinth concealed at the occiput. A 

 basisphenoid fossa is present. The glenoid tends to be pedunculated. 

 The sacrum is broader below than above, with high coequal spines and 

 composed of from four to five elements. The caudal vertebrje form a 

 curved axis directed ventrad. The scapula with coracoid having a 

 long process at the free end directed backward. The spine with nodule 

 or facet-like process at the middle. The superior angle incurved and 

 bears a process which deepens the subscapular fossa. The vertebral 

 border depressed at supra-spinatus fossa and elevated at the infra- 

 spinatus fossa. The head of the huiiun'us with an oblique articular 

 surface; the internal tuberosity produced. The epitrochlea i)rolonged 

 as a short spine; it serves to deepen the trochlea, besides affording 

 attachment to a ligament and muscles. The epicondyle with a small 

 spine anteriorly. The radius with a square shaft and marked with im- 

 pressions for extensors of the carpus and thumb. The proximal ulnar 

 rudiment is anchylosed to the radius — a slender thread like shaft end- 

 ing free at the proximal third of radius; tlie distal rudiment with a 

 reverted spine. The mauus with erect thumb, not disposed to lie with 

 the second digit; the callosity rudimeiital, if present; not wider than 

 the first phalanx. The second and filth metacarpal bones stout, the 

 latter shorter than the forearm, and concave on pollical border, near the 

 head for the elongated pisiform bone. The second phalanx of the third 

 digit flexed at a right angle in repose and can not be brought to axial 

 line with the first phalanx. In repose the third digit is much longer 

 than the body and inferior extremity. The pectineal spine or the in- 

 nominate bone reaches the upper lip of the acetabuhim: the thyroid 

 foramen is oval} the internal superior spinous process of the ilium is 



