1891.] [Morris. 



censis. The thigh is shorter than the leg, while both are smaller than is 

 the species named. The foot is shorter, while the tail is slightly longer. 



Atalapha is the most aberrant of any of the genera of the Vesperti- 

 lionidae, as this family is at present defined. It presents features in com- 

 mon with the Emballonuridse, the Molossi and the Phyllostoinidse. These 

 remarks are appropriate at this place, since in A. teliotis the general plan 

 of the ear is as in Emballonuridse ; the shape of the wing, especially as to 

 the strength of the first metacarpal bone, the shortness of the fifth tnetacar- 

 pal bone as compared to others of its series, the rigidity of the phalanges of 

 the fifth digit, the arrangement of the lines in the fourth interdigital space, 

 the flexibility of the lips, the great height of the internal tuberosity and 

 of the length of the epicondyle of the humerus, the reverted distal ulnar 

 rudiment, the posterior deviation of the coracoid process, the presence of 

 a distinct lateral lobe to the cerebellum, the number of the upper incisors 

 (being restricted to two), and the general shape of the wing are as in 

 Molossi ; while the complete tympanic bone (forming a ring at the upper 

 margin), the pisiform bone being palmad and articulating with the fifth 

 metacarpal bone, the palmad distinctness of the metacarpal bones, the 

 shapes and relative proportions of the ectoturbinals, the presence of 

 numerous vertical raised muscle-bands on the endopatagium, the angle 

 of the lower jaw not being deflected, but remaining in axial line with 

 that of the horizontal ramus, the genus resemble the true Phyllostomidse. 



Notes on Hebrew Phonetics. By J. Cheston Morris, A.M., M.D. 

 (Read before the American Philosophical Society, March 6, 1891.} 



It might seem extremely rash for one whose acquaintance with Hebrew 

 scarcely extends to a knowledge of its letters to offer any observations 

 upon them in the presence of those who have made an exhaustive study 

 of the subject ; yet I do so, as thinking that one who occupies " the room 

 of the unlearned," and is looking at the matter from a distance rather 

 than from the dust-obscured atmosphere of the conflict of opinions, may 

 offer some hints which may prove of value, even though they may not be 

 wholly new. 



In commencing the study of Hebrew characters, one is struck with two 

 facts : 1. That there is said to be no character representing a pure vowel 

 sound. This, I believe, is not the case with any other known alphabet. 

 2. That a change was made during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, 

 substituting the present square characters for the more ancient form. 

 Let us inquire, first, why this was probably done. At this time the sacred 

 records were subjected to inspection of their conquerors, containing, as 

 they certainly did, many things which would be more or less offensive to 

 them, and calculated to cast ridic.ile if not bring persecution upon the ex- 



