PTEBOPUS. MAMMALIA. 65 



G. TernatensiSj Geotf.^Desm/ Fur of a gray red, deeper above than 

 below ; tail slightly spotted. Smaller than the preceding. Isle of 

 Ternate Seba, i. t. 58, fig. 2, 3. 



FAMILY II. VESPERTILIONES. 



Fingers of the hands excessively elongated, and supporting very 

 fine membranes, with the thumb alone separate, but not op- 

 posable. 



This family have their fore-arms and their fingers excessively lengthened, forming 

 with the membrane by which they are connected wings similar to those of birds. 

 Bats fly very high and very quick. Their pectoral muscles have a thickness pro- 

 portioned to the movements they are intended to execute, and the sternum has a 

 ridge for their attachment, as in birds. The thumb is short, and armed with a 

 crooked nail, by which these animals suspend themselves and climb. The hind 

 feet are feeble, divided into five unequal toes, all furnished with nails. Their in 

 testines have no coecum. Their eyes are excessively small, but their ears are often 

 very large, and form witli their wings a large membranous surface, almost naked, 

 and so sensible, that bats are able to direct their flight, probably by the different 

 impressions of the air, even after their eyes have been extracted. Bats are noctur- 

 nal animals, which in our climate are torpid in winter. They suspend themselves 

 during the day in dark or obscure places. They bring forth usually two young, 

 which they hold fast to their breast. 



1 st Division. Molar teeth without sharp points. 

 Gen. 25.PTEEOPUS, Briss. Cuv. Geoff. Desm. Vespertitio,lAi\. 



Incisors f, canines -}, molars f- = 34. Molars with the 

 crown truncated obliquely, and marked with a longitudinal 

 furrow ; head long and conical ; ears short, simple, without 

 auricles ; no crest or nasal appendage ; tail short or none ; 

 interfemoral membrane sloped off. An additional phalange 

 and nail on the index finger of the wings ; tongue papillous. 



This genus is distinguished by their long and conical head, their slender and 

 pointed muzzle, their small and simple ears, and by the smallness of the interfemo- 

 ral membrane. They have little or no tail, and the posterior extremities are simply 

 bordered, but not united. They are the only bats which have the second and third 

 finger of the hand provided with a nail, and with the phalanx belonging to it, and 

 the only ones which are deprived of the second external ear. Their tongue is rough 

 and papillous, and their teeth resemble those of apes. 



* Without a tail 



P. Javanicus, Desm. Leschenault. The Javanese Bat. Neck above 

 of a smoky red ; remainder of the fur black ; white hairs mixed 

 with the black hairs of the back. 



The Pteropus Javanicus is the largest of the genus, in adult subjects the spread of 

 the wings being fully five feet, and the length of the body one. It is extremely 

 abundant in the lower parts of Java, and lives in society. Numerous individuals 

 select a large tree for their resort, and, suspending themselves with the claw of their 

 posterior extremities to the naked branches, afford a very singular spectacle. They 

 pass the greater part of the day in sleep, hanging motionless. Soon after sunset 

 they gradually quit their hold, and direct their course to the forests, villages, and 

 plantations, devouring indiscriminately every kind of fruit not protected from their 

 incursions. 



P. edulis, Geoff. Desm. The Eatable Bat. Entirely blackish ; back 



VOL, I. E 



