218 Description of Vespertilio Auduboni. 



The new species of this little flying quadruped, which we are 

 now about to notice, belongs to a very large and respectable 

 family. In the days of Linnaeus, they all — from their appear- 

 ance at twilight — went by the family name of Vespertilio. They 

 further belong to the order Carnivora, their teeth being con- 

 structed for masticating flesh; though some — and in this they re- 

 semble ourselves — are also fond of fruit. In one important point, 

 the whole race has a common character, in their organ of flight. 

 The bones of the fingers are extremely elongated, and united by 

 a membrane, which is continued down the side of the body ; and 

 extending on the leg as far as the tarsus, also unites the legs and 

 tail. Agreeing so universally in this particular, they form a 

 very natural family, under the appropriate term. Cheiroptera, 

 constructed from two Greek words, signifying hand and ijcing. 



The vespertilio are again divided into Genera and Species, — 

 divisions which are grounded on certain peculiarities of dental 

 structure, and various developements of the brachial, digital, and 

 interfemoral appendages, with other modifications of the organs 

 of progression. These genera include species which are dis- 

 covered in every habitable part of the globe, of various magni- 

 tudes, from the size of a half grown cat, to that of a half grown 

 mouse. 



Of this numerous family only three genera, of modern authors, 

 inhabit the United States, viz. Rhinopoma, Vespertilio, and 

 Taphozous. Seven species, exclusive of the present, are all that 

 have been hitherto discovered in North America. 



The following concise notice of the species, at present known 

 to inhabit the United States, is offered by way of comparison : 



Genus. — Rhinopoma. — Superior incisors, separate from each 

 other ; nose, long, surmounted by a membrane ; tail, long, en- 

 veloped at base. 



Species 1st. R. Caroliniensis, (Geoffroy, or Vespertilio of Linneus.) 



Is recognized by its brown pelage, and long and thick tail ; it is 



two inches in length, of which the tail occupies more than one 



inch ; the inferior half of the tail, free of the interfemoral 



membrane. — Inhabits South Carolina, according to Geoffroy. 



Genus. — Vespertilio — (Linn. Cuv. Geoff.) — Dental formula, va- 

 rious ; superior incisors generally separated into pairs ; nose 

 and lower lip, simple ; wing membranes, extensive. 



