CHEIROPTERA. 127 



Genus PHYLLOSTOMA, Geoff. Javelin Bats, with 

 the head and muzzle short, thick, and broad. Dent, 

 form, incis. f , can. {-{, mol. J = J J = 32. The 

 normal number of their incisors is four in each jaw, 

 but some of these in the lower are often dislodged 

 by the growth of the canines : the leaf-like mem- 

 brane is turned up across the nose ; the operculum 

 of the ear appears like a small dentated leaf; the 

 tongue very extensile, terminally papillated, and 

 used in the same manner as the Yampyres. They 

 belong exclusively to America, and have the faculty 

 of running on the ground with more facility than 

 other bats. Their wings are large, and the interfe- 

 moral membrane unites the two thighs ; some are 

 without tails ; where these occur they are short, and 

 pierce the membrane either above or below* These 

 distinctions form the groups ; 



A, Tailless Javelin Bats ; and B, Tailed Javelin 

 Bats. 



P. perspedllatum,) Geoff. Spectailed Javelin 

 Bat. About five inches long ; dark brown, lighter 

 beneath, and a white band from the nose to the ear. 

 It is the Grand fer de lance of Buffon, and common 

 to northern South America, and the great West 

 India Islands, where it is said to destroy great 

 quantities of fruit ; but neither this, nor P. Jamai- 

 cense, are considered in Jamaica either as bleeders 

 or robbers, so far as personal observation or report 

 could inform us. 



There are enumerated ten other species, and se- 

 veral that are doubtful ; and Dr. Leach indicated, in 



