INSECTIVORA. 53 



They should be divided into two principal tribes. The first has three ossified 

 phalanges in the middle finger of the wing, but the remainder, including the 

 index itself, consists of but two. 



The tribe of true bats is now divided into numerous subgenera, such as 

 Molossus,Noctilio, Vampirus, &c. &c., distinguished by the absence or presence 

 of a tail, the fact of its being free above the membrane or involved in it, the 

 presence of a membrane on the nose, number of incisors, &c. &c. 



GALEOPITHECUS, Pallas. 



The Galiopitheci differ generally from the Vesper tilios, 

 in the fingers, all armed with trenchant nails, which 

 are not longer than the toes, so that the membrane 

 which occupies their intervals, and extends to the 

 sides of the tail, can only act as a parachute. The canini are denticulated and 

 short like the molars. There are two upper denticular incisors widely separated 

 from each other, below there are six, split into narrow strips like a comb ; a 

 structure altogether peculiar to this genus. The animals belonging to it are 

 found in the Indian Archipelago, on the trees, among which they pursue 

 Insects, and perhaps Birds. If we can judge by the injury the teeth sustain 

 from age, they use fruit also. 



One species only is well ascertained, the Flying Lemur, Fur greyish, red 

 above, reddish below ; spotted with stripes and various shades of grey when 

 young. From the Molucca islands, Straits of Sunda, &c. 



FAMILY II. 



INSECTIVORA. 



The animals of this family, like the Cheiroptera, 

 have grinders studded with conical points, and 

 lead a nocturnal or subterraneous life. Their 

 principal food is Insects, and in cold climates 

 many of them pass the winter in a torpid state. 

 Unlike the Bats, they have no lateral membranes, 

 although they always have clavicles. Their feet 

 are short, and their motions feeble. In walking they all place the whole sole of 

 the foot on the ground. They differ from each other by the relative position 

 and proportions of their incisors and canini. The engraving represents the 

 skeleton and stomach of a species of this family. 



Some have long incisors in front, followed by other 

 incisors and canini, all even shorter than the molars, a, 

 kind of dentition of which the Tarsiers, among the Quad- 

 rumana, have already given us an example, and which 

 somewhat approximate these animals to the Rodentia. Others have large 

 separated canini, between which are placed small incisors ; the most usual 



