of the Vespertilionidce. 243 



Subfam. 3. Vespertihonina. 



The grinding teeth acutely tubercular ; the wings large, broad, 

 the index finger of only one joint. The head long, hairy; lips 

 simple ; tongue short ; tail long. 



Genera. Vespertilio of Linnceus, Plecotus of Geoffroy^ Thy- 

 roptera of Spix, and the new genus Barbastellus. 



Thpjroptera is exceedingly curious, as the thumb of the wing 

 is provided with a cap-shaped appendage, which is doubtless 

 used for the purpose of attaching the animals by the pressure of 

 the atmosphere to polished surfaces, in a similar manner to flies, 

 &c. &c. although Spix does not take any notice of the subject. 



The genus Barbastellus {Vespertilio Barbastellus Linn.) is 

 characterized by its teeth, and by a lozenge-shaped bald place on 

 its forehead, surrounded by a membranous edge. It appears to 

 unite tlie Plecoti with the former subfamily. 



Subfam. 4. Noctilionina. 



The grinding teeth actually tubercular ; the wings long, narrow ; 

 the index finger of two joints; the head short, blunt; lips very 

 large ; tail encurved. The female often furnished with lateral 

 nursing pouches formed by the wings. 



Genera. Noctilio of Linnceus. Molossus, Nyctinomus, Thy- 

 opterus, and perhaps Stenoderma of Geoffroy ; Scotophylus, 

 Celano, and Aello of Dr. Leach; Cheiromeles of Dr. Horsjieldj 

 and Proboscidea of Spix^ belong to this subfamily. 



Subfam. 5. Pteropina. 



The grinding teeth bluntly tubercular, the wings conical ; (in- 

 terfemoral membrane and tail mostly wanting). The index finger 

 with three bony joints, clawed ; the head long, hairy : the 

 females sometimes furnished with nursing pouches. 



The Genera Pteropus and Cephaiotes of Geoffroy^ and Cynopte- 

 rus and Macroglossus of F. Cuvier, are referable to this subfamily. 



Macroglossus has an affinity by its tongue and habits to Glosso- 

 phaga of the former groups, and Cynopterus is allied to those genera 

 of the Phyllostomina, which have only operculated nostrils. Thus 

 the Bats appear to assume a circular disposition, similar to that 

 pointed out by Mr. Vigors in Birds, and Mr. MacLeay in lusects. 



Q 2 



