CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 3. CHEIROPTERA. 



133 







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NYCTERIS THEBAICA. 



hair, looking like a sharp, jointed bone, which gives them a very curious appearance. The species 

 are R. microphallus, found in Egypt, and the R. Hardwichii. 



Genus NYCTERIS : JVycteris. — In this genus both the tail and the intcrfemoral membrane are 

 greatly developed, the ears are large but separate, and the nasal appendages are concealed. These 

 bats have the skin of the body very loose, forming a sac, which communicates with the mouth by 

 a small opening in each cheek : through these apertures the animal is able to puff out the body 

 into the form of a ball ; but the object of this arrangement is not known. The species are confined 

 to Africa, except that they are found in Java. They are the N. hispida, of Senegal, A 7 ". Thebaica, 

 of Egypt and Sennaar, and A 7 ". Javanica. 



Genus RIIINOLOPHE : Rhinolophus. — This is rather a numerous genus, scattered over Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa ; but none of them have been found in America. They are generally small, 

 the largest having but fifteen inches of expanse of wing. The following are the principal species : 

 R. nobilis ; R. d ia.de ma ; R. insignis ; R. speoris ; R. bicolor ; R. tridens ; R. tricusjndatus ; 

 R.luetus ; R.curyotis ; R. trifoliatus ; R. aifinis ; R. minor ; R.pusillus.; R. clivosus ; R.uni- 

 haMatus, this being the Great Horse-shoe Bat ; R. bihastatus ; and R. Commersonii. 



Genus NYCTOPHYLUS : Nyctophylus.—Oi this there is lit a single species, N. Geoffroyi, 

 found in Australia. It is very small, and has two large ears, with a rudimental tail. 



YESPERTILIONIDiE. 



We now come to a very numerous family of bats, including those with which we are familiar 

 in our own country. Their generic name is derived from the Latin vespertilio, a bat. They are 

 less formidable in appearance and habits than the roussettes, vampires, and others, which excite a 

 species of disgust, if not of horror. They are destitute of the leaf-lik.e appendage on the nose, 

 which imparts such an aspect of ferocity. They are, in fact, small, harmless creatures, sleeping all 

 the day in ruined walls, in caverns, and in the hollows of trees, and going forth at night to feast 

 on insects, whereby they destroy many that are injurious to man. Those which live in tern- 



