neie European Bats. 293 



certain extent the case of the Lesser Horseshoe, in which the 

 existence of two small forms, one Mediterranean, the other 

 British, is not disputed. It seems, then, incorrect and im- 

 possible to identify British Greater Horseshoes with Spanish 

 obscurus, while, on the other hand, Andersen's exact arrange- 

 ment, of the members of this genus precludes their identifica- 

 tion with (he typical form. 



1 understand that some naturalists do not recognize the 

 validity of R. f- r q. obscurus, and on that view the case for the 

 subspecific distinction of the British Greater Horseshoe 

 becomes even stronger, and I feel compelled to give it sub- 

 specific rank. It may be known as R. ferrum-equinum 

 insulanus. 



This bat resembles R. ferrum-equinum ferrum-equinum of 

 Europe in every respect, but has smaller wings. 



The skull-measurements about equal those of R. f--cq. 

 ferrum-equinum. 



The following are the average dimensions of a series: — 



•73 a: <B 



SS £ *>, 



OC ^_ ,_ 



SW £ H ^ K pt| H k-5 S ?, O ^ 



Approximate average I 63 . 2 22 14 .7 x8 -l 32 24-5 11-2 536 01 834 354 389 334-6 



ot eleven males . . ( 



Approximate average [ 65 . g 22>1 14 . lx8 33 . 2 95.3 11-8 54-5 6-9 85-8 30-2 40-5 350 

 ot live females . . \ 



The dimensions of the type are as follows (measured from 

 alcohol) : — 



Head and body 63 mm. ; ear, greatest length, 21*5 ; nose- 

 leaf, greatest length and breadth, 14x7+ ; tail 31 j lower 

 leg 25 ; hind foot without claws 10"5 ; forearm 54 ; thumb 

 and claw 6; longest digit 83"5 ; metacarpal iii. 30; meta- 

 carpal iv. 38; metacarpal v. 40. 



Skull : greatest length 24 ; basal length in middle line 19; 

 palatal length in middle line 8 ; from posterior border of m z 

 to anteiior border of canine S"75 ; ditto in lower jaw 9'75 ; 

 greatest breadth at zygoma 12 ; posterior breadth 9 ; breadth 

 between orbits 8 ; breadth at constriction 3. 



The type is no. 7. 1. 10. 3 of the British Museum collection, 

 a male in alcohol. It was taken by Mr. T. A. Coward in the 

 caves at Cheddar, Somersetshire, in January 1907. 



