534 



ZOOLOGY 



SECT. 



Skeleton of the 

 Chiroptera (Fig. 

 1186). The cervical 

 region of the vertebral 

 column is character- 

 ised by the absence of 

 any distinct neural 

 spines, and the same 

 holds good to a less 

 extent of the trunk- 

 vertebraB ; the trans- 

 verse processes of the 

 lumbar region are also 

 rudimentary. The tail 

 varies in development : 

 when it is elongated 

 the component verte- 

 brae are long, cylin- 

 drical centra without 

 processes. Sagittal 

 and occipital crests are 

 developed in the skull 

 of some species. The 

 facial region is rather 

 elongated, especially in 

 the Megachiroptera 

 (Fig. 1187). Post- 

 orbital processes of the 

 frontal are present or 

 absent : the zygoma is 

 long and slender : the 

 malar is small and ap- 

 plied to the outer sur- 

 face of the zygoma. 

 The long and narrow 

 nasals are in some 

 cases united ; the pre- 

 maxillse are small. The 

 mandible has an angu- 

 lar process in the 

 Microchiroptera, not in 

 the Megachiroptera. 

 The segments of the 

 sternum are sometimes 

 distinct, sometimes 

 united ; the prester- 

 num has a mesial keel 



