THE WHISKERED BAT 



163 



especially after having reared their young, are said to have the upper 

 side faded or rusty (Bell). 



In the skull (Fig. 8, No. 3, p. loi) the profile is saddle-shaped, or like 

 a shallow S ; the frontal region is depressed, and the narrow muzzle 

 about horizontal. The bullae are small. 



The teeth are similar to those of M. 

 daubentoiii, but the outer lower incisors are 

 not so long in section (Fig. 15). 



Individual variation runs frequently 

 towards melanism, and some specimens give 

 the general impression of being sooty black, 

 but it is not known whether this phrase is 

 due to true melanism, or is merely exhibited 

 at seasons when the brown hair-tips may 

 have worn away. C. Koch {Zool. Garten, xi., 

 1870, 369) and Fatio state that in Germany 

 and Switzerland this form, which they name 

 " var. nigricans" is an inhabitant of the 

 mountains ; the former distinguishes also 

 two other forms — a ^^ var. auremn" from 

 south Germany and the plains, and the 

 typical " var. rufofuscum!^ Probably all 

 three occur in Britain. 



Koch mentions also an albinic example, a young male ; otherwise, 

 information on the variation of this species is very deficient and 

 demands attention. 



The geographical variation is also, as yet, unknown, but Blanford 

 states that Nepalese specimens are of large size. 



Dimensions in millimetres (see page 164). 



Charbonnier and Lloyd Morgan state that newly-born bats of this 

 species have an expanse of about three inches (75 millimetres). 



Proportionate lengths: — Foot (without claws) about -48 of lower 

 leg ; fifth metacarpal about -96 of third ; lower leg about -45 of forearm 

 and about -34 of head and body. 



Skull: — Greatest length, 13-5; basal length in middle line, 10-5; 

 palatal length in middle line, 575 ; from posterior border of m^ to 

 anterior border of canine, 5 ; same in lower jaw, 5-5 ; greatest breadth 

 at zygoma, 8 ; posterior breadth, 7 ; breadth between orbits, 6 ; breadth 

 at constriction, 3-75. 



Distinguishing characters : — The Whiskered Bat is most frequently 

 confused with the Pipistrelle, a bat of similar size, from which it differs 

 in many important respects, notably its thirty-eight, not thirty-four, 

 teeth, its hairy face, longer than broad, notched ear, and lanceolate 

 tragus. The forearm, third and fifth metacarpals, and lower leg are 



Fig. 15.— Front View of In- 

 cisors AND Canines of Myotis 

 mystacimis (enlarged and dia- 

 grammatic). 



