CARNARIA. 71 



Finally, the Nycticees (Rafinesque), have, along with moderate sized 

 ears and the simple muzzle of the Bats, two incisors only in the upper 

 jaw. The known species are from North America*. 



Galeopithecus, Pall. 



The Galeopitheci differ generically from the Bats by the fingers of their 

 hands being furnished with trenchant nails, which are not longer than 

 those of the feet, so that the membrane which occupies the spaces between 

 them, and which is continued as far as the tail, cannot perform any other 

 functions than those of a parachute («). The canini are denticulated and 

 short like the molars. There are two upper denticulated incisors widely 

 separated from each other ; below there are six, split into narrow strips, 

 like combs, a structure altogether peculiar to this genus. These animals 

 live on trees in the Indian Archipelago, among which they pursue insects, 

 and perhaps birds. If we can judge by the injury the teeth sustain when 

 they become old, they must use fruit also. Their cajcum is very large. 



One species only is well ascertained, the Fli/ing Lemur of Linnaeus. 

 Audeb., Galajop., pi. 1 and 2. Fur greyish red above, reddish be- 

 low; spotted and striped with various shades of grey when young. 

 From the Moluccas and Sunda islands, &c. 



All the other Carnaria have the mammai situated under the abdomen. 



FAMILY II. 



INSECTIVORA.— INSECT EATERS. 



The animals of this family, like the Cheiroptera, have grinders studded 

 with conical points, arid lead most commonly a nocturnal or subterraneous 

 life. Their principal food is Insects, and in cold climates many of them 

 pass the winter in a lethargic (6) state. Unlike the Bats, they have no 



Rafinesque, &c. ; and while on this subject, we must observe that there is no family 

 which stands more in need of revision than that of the Bats — a revision from nature 

 and not by compilation. 



* Vespertillo lasiurus, Schreb., LXIT. B. — V. novehoracensis, Penn. Quadr., pi. 31, 

 fig. 2. — Vesp. borhonicus, Geoff., Ann. Mus. VIII. pi. 46. 



^' (a) Parachute is a French word, which signifies an apparatus to prevent a fall. 

 It strictly applies to a well-known appendage of the air-balloon, which is formed 

 like an umbrella, and is employed by serial navigators in their descent from the 

 upper regions to the earth, as it is capable, by the resistance which its expansion 

 oilers to the atmosphere, of retarding the fall. — Eng. Ed. 



(^ {h) The lethargy of these hybernating animals has lately received consider- 

 alle scientific attention in this country. Dr. Marshall Hall, after various experiments 

 on Bats {FespertiUones), the Hedgehog {Erinaceus Europaus), and the Dormouse 

 {Myoxus Glis), comes to the conclusion that the winter lethargy of these animals is 

 merely a state in which the phenomena characterizing natural sleep only are pre- 



