288 



BATS. 



Sucker-Footed Our notice of the Typical Bats may conclude with genera, each 



Bats. represented only by a single species, which are peculiar in having 

 sucking organs on the thumbs or hind feet. One of these species is the tricolor 

 bat (Thyropt&ra tricolor) of Brazil, and the other the golden bat (Myxopoda aurita) 

 of Madagascar. Both have thirty-eight teeth, as in the genus Vespertilio. In the 

 former the suckers on the extreme toes are in the form of round discs on the 

 lower surfaces of the thumbs and the soles of the feet; while in the latter the 



sucker on the thumb is horseshoe-like, and those 

 on the feet are smaller. Both these bats are 

 further remarkable for possessing three joints in 

 the third or middle finger of the wins:, in which 



o o " 



respect they resemble the second family of the 

 Free-Tailed Bats. 



By the aid of their suctorial discs these bats 

 are enabled to climb smooth polished surfaces, after 

 the manner of cuttle-fishes ; but a good and satis- 

 HEAD OP TALL-CROWNED BAT (3 times actory account o f their habits is still a desideratum. 



nat. size). (From Dobsou, Proc. J 



ZooL SQC., 1880.) The occurrence of the two forms of sucker-footed 



bats in such widely remote regions as Madagascar 



and Brazil is one out of many instances indicating an intimate connection between 

 the faunas of South Africa and South America. 



The Free-Tailed The bats remaining for notice are arranged in two families, and 



insectivorous differ so markedly from those described that they may be regarded as 



Bats. forming a separate branch derived from the same stock as that from 



which the Typical Bats have originated. From the circumstance that in many 



of these bats a greater or smaller portion of the tail is completely detached from 



the membrane between the hind legs, the whole group may be conveniently referred 



to as the Free-Tailed Bats : and to them we devote a special chapter. 



SKELETON OF BAT (Vespertllw}, IN CREEPING POSTURE. 



