CHIROPTERA 



643 



frugivorous Ptcropodidce, the vertebrae, from the third cervical back- 

 wards, are devoid of neural spines. From the first dorsal to the 

 last lumbar vertebra the spinal column forms a single curve back- 

 wards, which is most pronounced in the lumbar region. The centra 

 of the vertebras are but slightly movable upon each other, and in 

 old individuals appear to become partially ankylosed together. 

 The caudal vertebrae are simple cylindrical bones without processes; 

 their number and length being extremely variable even in closely 

 allied species ; and the anterior caudals are generally united to the 



Fia. 297. Skeleton and flying -membranes of the Noctule Bat (Vesperugo noctula). x J. 

 c, Clavicle; h, humerus ; r, radius; u, ulna (rudimentary) ; d', pollex; d-, <P, d\ &, other 

 digits of the manus supporting torn, the wing-membrane ; in, m, metacarpal bones ; ph*, first 

 phalanx ; ph z , second phalanx ; ph$, third phalanx ; am, antebrauhial membrane ; /, femur ; 

 t, tibia ; fb, fibula (rudimentary) ; c, calcar supporting im, the interfemoral membrane ; pel, post- 

 calcaneal lobe. 



ischial tuberosities. The relative development of the caudal 

 vertebras is, indeed, intimately correlated to the habits of the 

 animals ; the long tail in the insectivorous forms supporting and 

 controlling the position of the large interfemoral membrane, which 

 appears not only to aid their rapid motions when in pursuit of their 

 prey by acting as a rudder, but also to assist in the capture and 

 retention of the larger insects. In the frugivorous types, on the 

 other hand, this is not required, and the tail is accordingly rudi- 

 mentary or absent. In all Bats the presternum has a prominent 

 keel for the attachment of the great pectoral muscles. In most 



