THE LONG-TONGUED FRUIT-BATS 



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curved papillae, and likewise by their exceedingly narrow molar teeth, which scarcely 

 project above the level of the gums. All of these bats have long and sharply-pointed 

 faces. With the exception of one West African species, the long-tongued fruit-bats 

 are confined to the Indian, Malayan, and Australian regions, extending from India 

 itself to New Guinea and the Solomon islands, and they are found on the continent 



RED-NECKED FRUIT-BAT. 



of Australia. They are of relatively -small size as compared with the fox-bats. 

 The use of the long tongues of these bats is unknown, but since they can be 

 protruded some distance in advance of the muzzle, it may be that they are employed 

 to lick out the contents of soft fruits while still hanging on the trees ; this being 

 confirmed by the small size of the molar teeth, which can be of but little service 

 for mastication. 



