102 BRITISH MAMMALS 



Myotis emarginatus. The Notch-eared Bat 



This is of very doubtful existence as a British species. It is 

 a valid species, allied to Myotis bechsteini, and was first described 

 by Geoffroy in France in the early part of the nineteenth century 

 from specimens taken at Abbeville and at Dover. 

 But the Dover specimen was subsequently shown 

 to be Myotis {Vesper tilio) my st acinus, a bat with 

 which M. emarginatus is constantly confounded. 

 Other reputed British examples of M. emargi- 

 natus have turned out to be M. dasycneme and 

 M. daubentoni. But inasmuch as M. emarginatus 

 is fairly common in Northern France and 

 EAR OF NOTCH-EARED Bclgium (clsewhcre in Middle and Southern 

 Bat Europe and Western Asia), it is most likely 



Twice natural size. to provc a visitant to Southcm England. It is 

 a small bat, head and body scarcely more than 

 i;| in. long, tail nearly if in. in addition. The ears are strongly 

 notched on the outer margin. Colour of fur is reddish-brown 

 above and pale brown below. Skin of ears and wings reddish- 

 brown. 



Genus: BARBASTELLA 



The two species of bat of this genus differ markedly from 

 those already described, in that the ears, instead of being set 

 somewhat widely apart, have their inner margins so approximated 

 that they are actually united at their bases. The outer margin 

 of the ear is carried forward in front of the eyes, and terminates 

 near the upper lip, so that the whole of the face is very nearly 

 enclosed in a circular band of ear cartilage. The inner margin of 

 the ear is very convex and rolled backward. The membrane of 

 both ears unites at their base. The tragus is nearly triangular 

 in shape, with a curved, sharp tip. The eyes are small, and are 

 situated close to the termination of the outer margin of the ear. 

 The muzzle is very short, and is naked. The naked, grooved 

 hollow along the nose is certainly peculiar, and suggests a 



