20 SOUTH AFEICAN MAMMALS 



The tail is long and attached in the membrane, with only 

 the tip projecting. 



This is a large family of insectivorous bats, containing 

 some half-score South African species, for a complete 

 account of which the reader must refer to the recent 

 papers of Mr. Knud Anderson and other mammalogists. 



The Serotine Bats {Vespertilio) and the Long-winged 

 Bats (Miniopterus) are perhaps the best known of the 

 genera. Several of the species were obtained by us in 

 the caves of the Pretoria district. 



The best known species are (a) the Cape Serotine 

 Bat (Vespertilio capensis), which has the tail enclosed in 

 the membrane, the ears of medium size and placed wide 

 apart. Colour light brown. Width, with outstretched 

 wrings, 8| inches. 



(b) The Long-winged Bat {Miniopterus natalensis) 

 resembles the preceding species, but is considerably 

 larger. Ears short and broader than the head. Width, 

 with outstretched wings, about one foot. 



Family EMBALLONURID^. 



The nostrils are simple, and situated at the end of the 

 muzzle, which is truncated. Ears large and generally 

 united. Tail partly free. There are two genera in 

 South Africa, Taphozous and Nyctinomus. 



Of the latter there are several common species, of 

 which perhaps the most abundant is the Long-tailed Bat 

 {Nyctinomus cegyptiacus) ; it has a thick tail, free from 

 the membrane for an inch or so. The ears are broad 

 and large, while the upper lip is wrinkled. Colour 

 brown. Length 2^ inches. The Brown Wrinkle-lipped 

 Bat was also obtained by us in the caves at Hennops 

 Eiver, Pretoria district. Peter's Wrinkle-lipped Bat 

 (N. limbatiis) is dark brown above, with the throat and 

 abdomen white. Length of head and body, 2^ inches. 



