BATS. 237 



E.HINOLOPHI. The most northerly species of this group are the Rhinolophus ferrtjm-equinum, 

 and Rh. hipposideros, which are found in the south of England (the latter also in Ireland) and 

 extend across the whole of Middle and South Europe. The former ranges also over the whole 

 of Africa. There are many species in India and the Malayan Peninsula and Indian Archipelago. 

 The Indian district is the chief focus of this section. We do not know so many from 

 Africa, although from the number fomid by Professor Peters in Mozambique it is probable that 

 other parts of it, if as well searched, would be equally productive. One or two are now known 

 on the eastern coast of New Holland. "We have no record of species foimd in Arabia and Persia ; but 

 there is no doubt that manj^ of the species found on their borders will also be found mthin their 

 territory. The same remark applies to China. 



Phyllostojiata. These are the Vampires, or Blood-sucking Bats, so well known in story. They 

 are not, however, ;dl blood-suckers. Some, which might be supposed more especially sanguinary 

 from the admirable organisation of their lips for sucking, are wholly innocent of offence ; they 

 suck nothing worse than ripe, fleshy fruits.* The family is confined to South America, the West 

 Indian Islands, and Central America. A single species (Megaderma Californica) is fomid in 

 California ; but it is obviously a mere advanced sentinel of the main body from the south, and 

 is, moreover, closely allied to a West Indian species. None are found in the south-eastern states 

 of North America, notwithstanding that this is usually laid down in Physical Atlas Maps. Besides 

 this, another species of Bat has been found in California (Ajvtrozous pallidus)- belonging to the 

 section without nasal appendages, but with a dentition closely approaching to that of the Vampire 

 Bats, in their most constant character (four incisors in the lower jaw) as well as with enormously 

 developed ears, which is another of their characteristics, — being in both respects the onl}^ North 

 American species so endowed, and apparently indicating a transition between the leaf-bearing Bats 

 and the Gymnorhin^s; ; f a transition which has a bearing on the view entertained by some 

 naturalists that the leaf-nose is not a character of essential importance ; for some species which 

 bear it, differ from others in their general appearance and in their flight, which is a good, 

 although not easily definable character, while in these respects they correspond with species which 

 have no nasal leaf. The fact, however, of those bearing them being confined to a special pro\'ince, 

 seems to me in itself sufficient to show that the character is not of the indifferent systematic nature 

 implied in this idea. The Vampire, par excellence, is the species named Ph. spectruji ; but it is 

 no better entitled to a pre-eminence in blood-thirstiness than many other species which have similar 

 habitudes. It and they extend over the whole of tropical South America, as far south as La Plata. 

 They are not, however, found in that district. Not a single specimen of Phyllostomatous Bat was 

 found by Dr. Burmeister during his three years' sojourn there. Indeed, the whole family 

 is most poorly represented in that naked land ; there being only four species known in it, while 

 thirty-one are described from the neighbouring territory of South-cast Brazil. The absence 

 of anything on which to hang or rest themselves after the Bat fashion, is in itself sufficient reason 

 why few should be found there. 



Bats without Nasal-Leaf Appendages. (Gymnorhin.^.) (Map 69.) — The greatest part 

 of this group consists of the Vespertilionid.«, which may all be treated, geographically, as 

 one large genus. There are a very few — the Noctilionid.'e — which, like. Ajjtrozous, arc transi- 



* Bates, in " Proc. Zool. Soc." ISGO, p. 09. America," Smithsonian Institute Collection, 1S64. ji. 



t Allen, Di-. H., "Monograpli of the Bats of North 68. 



