292 NTCTERID^. 



Family NYCTERIOE. 



A distinct nose-leaf around the nostrils, which are situated on 

 the upper surface of the muzzle. Ears large, united at the base ; 

 tragus well developed. Middle finger with two phalanges, of which 

 the first is extended in repose, in a line with the metacarpal bone ; 

 index finger with or without a phalanx besides the metacarpal ; 

 tibia long, fibula rudimentary or absent. Premaxillary bones 

 cartilaginous or small ; upper incisors small or absent ; molars well 

 developed. 



The nasal appendages are much less complicated than in the 

 Rhinolophidce, but are well developed in the Indian forms belonging 

 to the present family. 



The Nycteridce inhabit the Ethiopian, Oriental, and Australian 

 regions. Two subfamilies, each containing a single genus, are 

 recognized by Dobson, but only one of these occurs within Indian 

 limits. 



Genus MEGADERMA, Geoffr. (1810). 



Muzzle long ; nostrils in a depression near the extremity, sur- 

 rounded by a naked expansion or nose-leaf, which extends to the 

 end of the muzzle anteriorly and for some distance posteriorly 

 between the eyes ; the nostrils are covered and concealed by a 

 second smaller flat leaf, resting upon the other ; the lower lip, when 

 viewed from above, is seen to project beyond the upper. Ears 

 large, joined at the base; tragus long, bifid. No external tail. 

 Wings ample; interfemoral membrane large, concave behind. 

 Index finger with a single short bony phalanx besides the meta- 

 carpal bone ; tibia very long ; calcaneum distinct. A pair of pubic 

 teat-like appendages as in the Rhinolophidas. 



Dentition : i. , c. J^J, pm. fff, m - S botn Indian species. 



The upper canine has a pointed internal basal cusp, directed 



Fig. 69. Skull of Megaderma lyra. (Dobson, Mon. As. Chir.) 



obliquely inwards, and resembling an incisor, also a large posterior 

 cusp. The first upper premolar is exceedingly minute, and situated 



