1873.] Dobson — On Marina and Harpyioccphalus. 109 



The mandibles in both species have a striking generic resemblance in 

 the elevation of the coronoid process above the condyle. In H. harpia the 

 eoronoid process is probably more developed than in any other species of 

 bat, and its outer surface is deeply hollowed out for the insertion of muscles. 

 Its shape is very similar to that of the common Dog, but proportionately to 

 the length of the jaw it is much more developed. Corresponding to this 

 great development of the coronoid process of the mandible, the teeth are 

 very stout and thickly coated with enamel ; the cusps of the molar are short 

 and blunt and the canines much thickened, the small incisors even present- 

 ing the same peculiarity. 



In M. cyclotis, the coronoid process is considerably elevated above the 

 condyle, and its external surface is deeply hollowed, but its general form is 

 triangular, not rounded as in the forxuer species. The molars are stout and 

 their cusps not so acute as in other species of Yeapertilionidce, resembling 

 most those of H. harpia. 



The peculiar form of the teeth of S. harpia is evidently connected with 

 the nature of the food of the animal. The stout bluntly pointed teeth, well 

 coated with enamel, are admirably adapted to crush the hard cases of 

 coleoptera, especially of the larger kinds which a bat of the size of this spe- 

 cies might be expected to capture. In the stomach of one examined by me 

 the crushed cases of some species of these insects were found in abundance. 



As we become better acquainted with the habits of these animals, it 

 will probably be found that the food of this species is restricted to certain 

 species of coleoptera possessing extremely hard cases which would effectually 

 resist the feebler though more acutely pointed teeth of other bats inhabit- 

 ing the same localities. 



The form of the teeth, the great development of the coronoid process 

 and shortness of the mandible, are all evidently subservient to the same ob- 

 ject, and have become modified simultaneously to suit the food of the animal. 

 The teeth of the Asiatic and African Elephants differ much more re- 

 markably than do the teeth of some species of bats belonging to very dis- 

 tinct families, and yet few zoologists venture to place them in different 

 genera. 



Professor Flower has well remarked that there is " too much impor- 

 tance attached to the characters of the teeth, their modifications depending 

 on adaptation mainly, and not essentially indicative of affinity."* 



The conjoined genera, united under the common name Marina, con- 

 tain five species, enumerated above, of which M. harpia and M. suillus are 

 most widely separated. These form a very natural group, readily distin- 

 guished from all other genera of Vespertilionidce by the peculiarly shaped 

 projecting nostrils taken in connection with the dental formulas. 

 * Proc. Zool. Sue. Loud. 1869, p. 5. 



