and its closest Allies. 505 



Third metacarpal longer tlian fourth, and this latter always 

 considerably longer than fiftli ■^, Second phalanx of third 

 digit, with very sliglit variation, equal to the first phalanx f. 

 Distill phalanges of fourth and fifth digits much shorter 

 than the proximal phalanges +. Compare the wing-indices on 

 p. 507. 



Three supplementary leaflets on each side, external to the 

 horseshoe ; sometimes [lankadiva, d. vicarius) Avith a slight 

 trace of a fourth, rarely with some reduction in the size of 

 the third (dinops, d. oceanitis). Posterior leaf, with very 

 rare individual exceptions, distinctly broader than the horse- 

 shoe. Its upper border forming an arc of a circle, rarely 

 {lankadica), by a stronger development of the median pro- 

 jection, distinctly trilobate. Three vertical ridges on the 

 front face of the posterior leaf ; the lateral ridges sometimes 

 tending towards reduction {d. vicarius), sometimes completely 

 wanting [Masoni, nicobarensis) . No frontal pore. 



They are all bats of considerable size, the forearm varying 

 from 66 {nicobarensis) to 965 mm. {dinops). The sexes do 

 not difler appreciably in size, nor is there any other secondary 

 sexual diffeiences. 



Interrelations. — H. diadema is the least modified of the 

 species : the facial portion of the skull is not excessively 

 broadened, the teeth not very large, the ears moderate. 



We have no means of deciding where this type of bat has 

 originated, and how it has spread over the large area now 

 occupied. But it is not unreasonable to suppose that the 

 Philippine race, with its comparatively slender face, comes 

 rather near to the ancestral species ; and if it is true that 

 these same islands are also inhabited by a markedly smaller 

 form, we might with more confidence regard the Philippines 

 as having, not improbably, been situated within the centre of 

 dispersal. The equally slender face and rather small teeth 

 in the extreme eastern form, c?. oceanitis from the Solomon 

 Islands, may, very likely, be due to slight degeneration of 

 the type, if tliey are not indications that in this remote and 

 isolated place some of the primitive characters of the type 

 have been more faithfully preserved. But the only safe 

 conclusion to be drawn from our examination of these bats 



* Compare the genus Rhinolophus -. third metacarpal ahvavs the 

 shortest; in the more primitive species the fourth, in the more hia-hlj- 

 developed the iii'th, the longest. 



t In primiti\e lihinulophi always lengthened, in more differentiated 

 species much lengthened. 



X In lihinolniiJnii longer lliau, or much lonaer than, ihe proximal 

 phalanges. 



