Arrangement of the Chiroptera. 351 



The Vespertilionine Alliance. 

 (Vespertilionidse, Nycteridae, Rhinolopliidae.) 

 Analysis of Natural Affinities. 



In some specimens of Plecotus auritus the glands on the 

 sides of the muzzle, between the nostrils and the eyes, form 

 rounded prominences, rising slightly above the margins of the 

 naked crescentic depressions behind the nostrils. These pro- 

 minences in a closely allied genus [Corinorhinus) are greatly 

 developed vertically, forming high conical processes on the 

 sides of the face, which processes, bending inwards over the 

 nasal grooves, meet in the centre above and behind the nos- 

 trils, concealing the grooves beneath. In front the nasal aper- 

 tures are margined by a small horizontal cutaneous ring. In 

 Nyctophilus (which is closely connected with Plecotus and 

 Synotus) the same prominent glands of the muzzle have become 

 united in the centre above the nasal grooves (evidence of their 

 distinct origin being given by the presence of a longitudinal 

 furrow above) ; while the cutaneous marginal rings surrounding 

 the nasal apertures in Corinorhinus have become expanded 

 and also united behind, forming a small nose-leaf, which is 

 supported behind by the united glandular prominences *. 



In the much more highly differentiated nasal processes of 

 Megaderma, especially in M. spasma, the homologies of these 

 parts with the glandular prominences and rudimentary nose- 

 leaf of Nyctophilus will be readily recognized. But Megaderma 

 shows its affinities to the Rhinolophidaj in the peculiar pubic 

 appendages and in the form of the wings and ears — indeed, 

 by many zoologists has been placed in that family ; and the 

 very complicated nasal appendages of Rliinolophus are evi- 

 dently but differentiated forms of the simpler nose-leaves of 

 Nyctophilus and of Megaderma f. 



Thus the intimate connexion of the genera of the three 

 families constituting what I have called the Vespertilionine 

 alliance can be traced through Plecotus, Nyctojyhilus, and Me- 

 gaderma ; and this view of their relations is still further 



* In a similar manner most probably tbe nasal appendages in all genera 

 of Cbiroptera with nose-leaves nave been developed. 



t Nyctophilia is much more closely related to Plecotus than to Mcyaderma 

 or to Nycteris. This is shown by the skull, which, when compared with 

 that of Plecotus, presents differences which would scarcely warrant generic 

 separation if taken alone. Prof. Peters has pointed out the affinities of 

 Antrozous with Nyctophilus, the skulls and skeletons of which scarcely 

 differ. Consequently Antrozous cannot be placed among the Nycteridae, 

 though differing from all genera of Vesjertilionid.ie in possessing four 

 lower incisors only. 



