VESPEUTIL10. 329 



nearly all tropical and temperate regions in both hemispheres, and 

 has consequently a wider distribution than any other genus of 

 Chiroptera. The species are recognized by the narrow hairy 

 muzzle, the long oval ear, the narrow elongate tragus, and the 

 numerous teeth. The members of this genus are, as a whole, 

 more susceptible to cold than those belonging to Vesper u<jo, and 

 are consequently less numerously represented in the colder parts 

 of the temperate zone. They also appear later in the spring after 

 hibernation. 



The species of Vespertilio are difficult to classify and distinguish. 

 Those with larger feet free from the wing are said to be dwellers 

 in caves, whilst the smaller-footed forms, with the wing-mem- 

 branes from the base of the toes, live mainly in trees. But no 

 definite line can be drawn in the case of either the characters or 

 the habitat. 



Synopsis of Indian, Ceylonese, and Burmese Species. 



A. Foot large, measuring from wrist to end of 



claws more than \ length of forearm. Cal- 

 caneuru extending fully f the distance from 

 ankle to tail. 



a. Wings from ankles or a little above. 



a'. Second premolar above and below mi- 

 nute, inside the tooth-row; forearm 

 about 1-6 inches V. Jiasselti, p. 330. 



V . Second premolar in the tooth-row, visible 



from outside ; forearm about 1*45. ... V. lonyipes, p. 331. 



b. Wings from side of foot immediately below 



ankle, 

 a'. Ears laid forward extend to end of nose ; 



forearm about 1-45 V. daubentoni, p. 331. 



b'. Ears extend beyond end of nose ; forearm 



about 1-45 V. megalopus, p. 332. 



B. Foot moderate, less than J the length of 



forearm. Calcaneum extending about halt- 

 way from ankle to tail, 

 o. 'Wings from side of foot, between ankle 



and base of toes. 

 a'. First upper premolar at least double 



second in height ; forearm about 2'2o V. murinus, p. 334. 

 b'. Two anterior upper premolars subequal, 



both small ; forearm about 2'2 V. dobsoni, p. 335. 



b. Wings from base of outer toe. 



'. Wing-membranes particoloured orange 



and black ; forearm about 1-9 V.formosus, p. 335. 



b'. Wing-membranes the same colour 



throughout. 

 a". No postcalcaneal lobe. 



a. Terminal half of fur on lower sur- 

 face white ; forearm about 1'35 V. nipalensns, p. 333. 

 /3. Fur of lower surface dark brown 



with ashy tips ; forearm about 1 -35 V. myttacimu, p. 336. 

 b". A postcaWneal lobe : forearm about 



1-25 . V. inuricola, p. 337. 



