234 rxERorus xatalis. 



broader ; vertical groove on front face of upper cauines in most 

 specimens quite obliterated, occasionally tracealtle on close exami- 

 nation ; p, coinparativel)' larger, in" and m^ reduced, p'-m^ and 

 p^-ra^ comparatively shorter, owing to a reduction of the posterior 

 portion of the teeth ; iiosterior basal ledges of p" and p., distinct, 

 though much shortened, in all other cheek-teeth scarcely developed. 

 — All cheek-teeth, particularly the molars, in adult specimens 

 covered with a dark brown or blackish coat of tartaric acid (some- 

 times so thicl; as to nearly obliterate the structure of the teeth). 



Far. — Much longer than in Ft. modkillanii, dense, soft ; directed 

 posteriorly on back, but not adpressed, spreading on mantle and 

 rump. Longest liairs of back and mantle 25 mm., of belly 24 mm. 

 Distribution of fur as in Ft. modiglianii, but hairs on upper surface 

 of proximal third of forearm slightly more conspicuous, and fur on 

 lateral interfemoral extending backward along inner side of tibia 

 to end of proximal third or half of the limb. 



Colour. — Twelve skins, adult males and females (Feb., Aug., Sept., 

 Oct.), teeth in different stages of wear: — General impression, imi- 

 form blackish seal-brown above and beneath. Underparts (fore- 

 neck, breast, belly, flanks) in some specimens precisely similar in 

 tinge to back, in others distinctly paler, a dark shade of vandyck- 

 brown approaching seal-brown. Mantle generally not differing 

 from back and head, but in some specimens the tippet is indicated 

 by a distinct russet or pale cinnamon wash of the hairs on the sides 

 of the neck (above the neck -glands), and in some of these specimens 

 this same tinge extends to tlie base of the fur of the whole of the 

 mantle, while in others the paler tinge is confined to the sides of 

 the mantle, the hairs in the central portion of the mantle being 

 dark-coloured from tip to base. Eump generally not differing 

 from back, sometimes faintly tinged with vandyck-brown. Fur 

 everywhere very thinly sprinkled with greyish-white or greyish- 

 buffy hairs, particularly on the underside of the bod)-. 



There is no appreciable sexual difference in colour. Three 

 females (skins, teeth unworn or much worn ; Oct., Nov., one 

 undated) have no trace of a tippet ; of nine adult males, five 

 (skins, teeth unworn ; Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct.) have an indication 

 of a tippet as described above, while four (same age ; Aug., Oct., 

 Xov.) are similar to the females. 



A half-grown young male (skin) is similar in colour to the 

 adults, and with no trace of pale colour in the mantle. 



Measurements. On pp. 235, 236. 



Specimens examined. The British Museum series. 

 '_ Range. Christmas Island, S. of Java. 

 ', Type in collection. 



Habits. — This species (Dr. Andrews writes, 1900, 1. s. c.) is very 

 common all over Christmas Island, hundreds of individuals being 

 sometimes seen together. Near the settlement it causes consider- 

 able destruction of fruit (papaias, bananas), but when the wild 

 fruits, particularly those of the "Saoh"' {Sidero.vi/loii) and the 

 " Gatet" (Inocarpus) are ripe, comparatively few of these bats visit 

 the gardens, while great numbers may be seen in the forest. They 



