22 INTllODUCTION, 



ever, are confined to the brushes which stretcli along the eastern 

 coast. In tliese solitary forests they teem and hang about in 

 thousands, frequently changing their locale when their food 

 becomes scarce or has been entirely cleared off. The species I 

 more particularly allude to is the Pteropus poliucephalus. The 

 Cobourg Peninsula and other parts of the north coast are also 

 inhabited by a species which, according to Gilbert and Leichardt, 

 is very abundant. A third and very fine one frequents Fitzroy 

 Island, lying off the eastern coast. 



The extraordinary Mulussus australis is a native of Victoria, 

 and is the sole species of its genus yet discovered in Australia. 

 The Taphozoi appear to be rock-loving Bats, and the single 

 species as yet discovered is from the Peninsula of Cape York. 

 The Scotophili, of which there are several sjjccies, are found in 

 all parts of the country, from Van Dieraen's Land to the most 

 northern part of the continent. 



The restricted genus VespertiUo is more feebly represented 

 than the last-mentioned form, since only two species are known 

 to exist in the country ; these are very generally spread over the 

 southern coast. 



Of the leaf-nosed Rhinolophi I have figured three species — 

 the R. cervinus, which inhabits Cape York, the R. aurantius (a 

 very beautiful species) from North-western Australia, and the 

 R. vieyaphyllus from New South Wales. 



The Nyciophili, or Long-eared Bats, are well represented, 

 four species, at least, frequenting every part of the continent 

 from east to west, and also the island of Tasmania. 



This, I am aware, is a very im])erfeet resume of the Cheiro- 

 ptera inhabiting Australia ; could I have rendered it more com- 

 plete, I would have done so; but it must be recollected that 

 seventh-tenths of the country are yet unexplored. 



A mere glance at the globe which stands in every school- room 

 will show how greatly, the sea preponderates over the land of 

 this |)lanet. Like the land, the ocean is tenanted by many re- 

 markable animals, certain groups of which exist in one hemi- 



