Xl PLASTIC CHARACTERS. 



In Ptcralo^ex (related to Pleropus) they arise almost from the 

 spinal line, or at any rate so close together that the interspace is 

 scarcely appreciable. Finally, in two mutually entirely unrelated 

 genera, Dobsonia {llousettus section) and Notopteris (Macroglossince) 

 the naked membranes are perfectlj' continuous across the back and 

 connected with the integument of the dorsum only along the spinal 

 line. 



Posteriorly the membranes may be inserted on any toe, from the 

 first to the fifth. The variations, within the primary sections, are 

 these : — 



On first toe. — Itouseftns section : Eidolon, lioKsettus (pt.), Boneia, 

 and Dobsonia (pt.), that is, in all genera except Pteropus and 

 its closest relatives, and Harpyionycleris ; but in llousettus 

 and Dobsonia the insertion varies between the first and 

 second toe, and in Boneia the insertion is sometimes rather 

 between the first and second toe than on the first. 

 Epomophoms section : only in two genera, Scotonyderis and 

 Casinycteris (in all other genera on second toe). Cynopterus 

 "■ section : in Cynopterus, Ptenochirus, Meycerops, Balionycteris, 



PentJiefoi; and Spihcerias (in the other genera on second toe). 

 Macroylossince : in Eonycteris either on first or second toe, 

 or between. 



On second toe. — Rousettus section : in Pteropus, Acerodon, Plera- 

 lope.v (sometimes on first), Styloeteniam, and Harpy ionycter is 

 (perhaps rather between first and second); on Rousettus ?i,x\A 

 Dobsonia compare remarks under first toe. Epomophorus 

 section : all genera, except Scotonycteris and tkisinycteris. 

 Cynopterus section : Myonycteris, Dyacopterus, Chirona.v (?), 

 Thoopierus, and Nyctimene ; in the latter the insertion varies 

 between the second and third toe. 3IacroyJossince: Eonycteris 

 (often on first), MegaloyJossus (sometimes on third), Noto- 

 pteris (sometimes between first and second). 



On third toe. — Rousettus section : none. Epomophorus section : 

 none. Cynopterus section : sometimes Nyctimene (see under 

 second toe). JIacroylossime : MegaloyJossus (on second or 

 third), Macroglossus (on third or fourth), Melonyctcris (third 

 or fourth), and Nesonycteris (third or fourth). 



On fourth toe. — Only \n sovae Macroglossince : Macroglossus {Wnrdi 

 or fourth), Syconycteris (fourth or fifth, rarely between 

 '■ third and fourth), Melonycteris (third or fourth), and 



Nesonycteris (third or fourth). 



On fifth toe. — In the Macrogiossino genus Syconycteris (fourth or 

 fifth). 



n 



The membranes are marked with well-defined yellow spots in 

 Balionycteris and Nyctimene (both of the Cynopterus section) ; 

 more or less obscure spots are detectable in a few other genera, 

 e.g. Eonycteris. The wings are said to be "bright orange" in life 

 in Casinycteris {Epiomophorus section). 



