-* Fauna : Mammals 



The Epomophori are peculiar to Africa, which they range 

 from Egypt to the Gambia and Natal. In these bats the head 

 is unusually large and long ; but it is so monstrous and hideous 

 in the biggest of the sub-family -the hammer-headed bat, 

 Hypsignathus as to provoke the appropriate specific term of 

 monstrosus. This animal is the creation of a nightmare 

 imagination. It might be recommended to the designers of 

 an instructive pantomime or Wagnerian opera. 1 



All the Epomophori are remarkable for their much-developed 

 fleshy, pendulous lips, usually supposed to be evolved for the 

 special purpose of absorbing the juice of succulent fruits. The 

 type of head is somewhat different from that which characterises 

 the fox-bats of Asia (Pteropus) or those of the genus 

 Roussettus which are also found in Liberia. Another feature in 

 the structure of the Epomophori is the short tail (except in 

 Hypsignathus). In many of the Fruit-eating bats an external 

 tail is practically absent or reduced to a mere rudiment ; 

 whereas in the Insect-eating bats the tail plays an important 

 part in the structure of the flying apparatus. 



A remarkable feature in the Epomophori is the air-sac 

 under the skin in the males, on each side of the neck. These 

 air-sacs communicate with the pharynx and can be distended at 

 the will of the animal. They are probably most inflated during 

 the breeding season, when the male bats are very noisy. 2 

 The bones at the base of the tongue (hyoid) and the form 

 of the larynx (voice organ) are quite peculiar in their construction, 

 and are no doubt correlated with the air-sacs in the male 

 Epomophori. 



In addition to their air-sacs, both sexes (but especially the 



1 It is called in Vai "Tuna" : Insect-eating bats are distinguished as " DereY' 



2 These bats in Liberia (as also the allied species at Zanzibar) make a loud noise 

 like the quacking ducks or the croaking frogs, in the daytime as well as at night. 



VOL. II 689 12 



