a neio Genus of Bats from West Africa. 211 



genus Nyctinomus, which it resembles in general external 

 cliaracters and in the presence of the small upper premolar ; 

 but the absence of /j, the peculiar position of the single pair 

 of minute lower incisors, and the unusual shape and 

 arrangement of the upper and lower canines are more than 

 sufficient reasons for considering the genera as quite distinct. 

 As regards the genus Choerephon tiie same differences hold 

 good, with the additional character of the median anterior 

 palatal emargination present in Xiphonycteris. 



In tlie possession of only a single pair of lower incisors, 

 and in having the lower canines in contact with one another, 

 this genus in some ways resembles the Soutli-American 

 genus Alolossops; but the two genera, on account of numerous 

 important differences, cannot be looked upon as close allies. 



Xiphoiiycteris spurrelli, sp. n. 



General appearance and size much as in the smaller species 

 of Nyctinomas. Ears roughly triatigular in shape, with 

 rounded corners ; tragus and antitragus apparently normal. 

 Feet comparatively small; toes hairy, the hairs extending 

 along the margin of the interfemoral membrane for about 

 10 mm. Wings small, forearm only 27 mm. long ; wing- 

 membrane very narrow. Hair on back short, a few longer 

 hairs near base of tail. General colour of back rusty red, 

 hairs rather lighter at base than at tips. Under surface of 

 body buffy white, the hairs becoming brownish on the Hanks 

 and sides of neck. Tail, as described above, with terminal 

 half free. Interfemoral membrane naked on upper surface, 

 below thinly clad with very minute white hairs. 



Skull with rather narrow brain-case, markedly so in the 

 occipital region. Supraoccipital crest well developed, ex- 

 tending back some distance beyond the exoccipital region. 

 Sagittal crest but little developed. Zygoma fairly strong, 

 expanded posteriorly. Anteorbital foramen large. Lachrymal 

 ridge faintly indicated. Anterior palatal emargination about 

 as large as base of upper incisor, extending well behind 

 the roots of incisors. Palate slightly arched laterally, nearly 

 flat antero-posteriorly ; pterygoids almost parallel, slightly 

 divergent behind; basisplienoid pits moderately developed. 

 Auditory buUse small and rather flat. 



Teeth as described above. 



Dimensions of the type (measured in flesh) : — 



Head and body 56 ram. ; tail 24 ; hind foot 8 ; ear 13 ; 

 forearm 27. 



Skull: greatest length 17 ; basilar length 12*2; condylo- 

 basilar length 14; greatest zygomatic breadth ]0; inter- 



14* 



