SPHJiKlAS. 



iuli 



subterete incisors of other Cynopteriue hats. Cuuiues above and 

 below slanted considerably outward (see figure of front view of 

 skull), cingulum narrow, without secondary cusp; a deep vertical 

 e;roove on antero-mcdial surface of upper canines extending nearly 

 from base to tip of crown. Premolars and molars unmoditied in 

 structure, but narrower than usual, p*, ra', p^ and m^ nearly twice 

 as long as broad. 



Falate-rulges unknown. 



External characters. — Odontoid papillte on inner side of lips few 

 and small (as in Rotisettu^ and Megachiroptera in general), very 

 different from the numerous, large, and crowded papillae of other 

 Cynopterine bats. Ears similar in size and shape to those of 

 Cynnpterus, somewhat narrox^ly rounded off above, with posterior 

 margin slightly concave below tip (anterior margin narrowly edged 

 with white in single species known, as in Cyiiopterus); antitragal 

 lobe small, triangular. Tail entirely absent. Interfemoral reduced 

 to a narrow rim along femur and upper half of tibia ; calcar absent. 

 Membranes inserted on first toe, as in Cynoptervs, but further 

 backward, on distal half of first phalanx ; vertical fascia? of mcso- 

 ])atagium (thojc crossing internal cutaneous line) about ten, rather 

 fewer and more widely spaced than in Cyuopterus. Third and 

 fourth digits distinctly longer than in Cynopterns (in upper row of 

 subjoined table wing-indices of Sphceruis., from type, a slightlv 

 immature specimen ; in lower row those oi Cynopterus). Fur long 

 and dense, with hind limb thickly clothed above to claws. 



Affinities. — This genus stands in many respects perfectly isolated 

 among the Cynopterine Fruit -bats. It must use its incisors in a 

 way different from that of its relatives, as clearly shown by their 

 remarkably proclivous position and peculiarly modified shape ; 

 probably as consequences of the modified use, direction, and form 

 of the incisors, the premaxilla; also are proclivous, and the rostrum 

 somewhat lengthened and very low anteriorly [in the forward slant 

 of the premaxillre and incisors, the outward slant of the canines, 

 and the general form of the facial portion of the skull Sphtrrias 

 rather strongly recalls the Macroglossine genus Syconycteris]. On 

 the other hand, the premolars and molars are evidently less ener- 

 getically used, hence conspicuously narrower than usual, and, in 

 consequence of this, the temporal muscle weak, the temporal fossa 

 narrow, the postorbital processes very small, the zygomata thin 

 and nearlv horizontal, the sagittal crest undeveloped, the corcnoid 



2t 



