792 



NESOKYCXERIB WOODFOROI. 



meinbraues iuserted uear end of third or fourth metatarsal ; wing- 

 structure as in Meloniicttris, except for a distinct lengthening of 

 the third, fourth, and tit'th digits, the indices of which are, 

 respectively, 2071, 1666, and 1496, against 2036, 1566, and 1452 

 in Mdonycteris (compare table below, showing in upper row wing- 

 indices of Nesonycttris, calculated from three specimens, in lower 

 row those of Melonyderis ; it will be observed that the greater 

 length of the digits of Nesonycteris is due chiefly to a lengthening 

 of all metacarpals and of both phalanges of fourth digit). Inter- 

 femoral as in Melonyderis. Distribution of fur and colour of 

 membranes, forearm and digits (in single species) unmodified 

 Melonycterine ; colour of fur differing only in the pale tinge of 

 the head and underparts, and the absence of white " epaulettes." 



1000 

 1000 



PoUex 



C.U. 



419 

 397 



2nd digit. 



ph. 



£43 

 510 



132 108 

 1251 138 



3rd digit. 



I ph. 



760 I 566 

 743 i 655 



4th digit. 



1st 2nd 



ph. I ph. 



r45 I 755 : 458 i 453 

 738, 717 I 432; 417 



dth digit. 



798 

 765 



ph. 



340 358 

 322 365 



Affinities. — JS'esonycten's is the Solomon Islands representative 

 of Melonyr.teris. Its claim to stand as a genus distinct from 

 Melonyderis rests solely on the loss of the inner pair of lower 

 incisors and the claw of the second digit. In nearly all other 

 characters (skull, dentition, tongue, palate-ridges, and external 

 appearance, except colour of face and underparts) the two genera 

 are strikingly similar to each other. 



1. Nesonycteris woodfordi, Thos. 



Kesonycteris woodfordi, Thomas, Ann. ^- Mag. N. H. (5) xix. 

 p. 147 (1 Feb. 1887: Shortlaud ; Fauro) ; 'id., P. Z. S. 1887, 

 p. 324, text-figs. 1, 2 (skull), pi. xxvi. (animal) (1 Aug. 1887: 

 same specimens) ; id., P. Z. S. 1888, p. 476 (1889 : Guadalcanar) ; 

 Floiver 8,- Lydekher, Mcnnm. p. 655 (1891) ; Lydekker, It Nat. 

 Hist. i. p. i!61 (1893-94); Trouessart, Cat. Mamm. i. p. 90, 

 u. 490 (1897); Matschie, Megachir. p. 91 (1899); Beddard, 

 Mamm. p. o2(3 (1902) ; Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl. p. 06, 

 n. 569 (1904) ; MilUr, Fam. Sf Gen. Bats, p. 74 (1907). 



Fur. — Dense and cottony, as in MeJonycteris melanoiis. Leugtii, 

 bnck 5 (general mass of hair) and 8 mm. (longest hairs), breast 

 '6 and 7. Basai fourth of forearm thinly clothed above, uppcrside 

 of tibia and adjoining membranes on either side more thickly so. 



Colour. — Type ( c? ad. skin, Shoitland I.) : General colour of 

 back warm russet (or russet cinnamon); individual hairs wood- 



In Mdonycteris with claw. 



