CARNARIA. 



73 



Fig. 16. — He.ad of Nycleris javanicu 



The Nyctophilets {Nyctophilus, Leach) — 

 Are, according to Temminck, somewhat intermediate to the Rhinolphines and the next genns of 

 Nycterins ; approaching the former in the character of their incisors and canines, and the latter in 

 that of their molars : the ears are large and pointed ; the tragus lanceolate ; nasal folhcles distinct ; 

 the tail moderately long, and enveloped in the membrane. 



Nyct. Geoffroyi, Leach, is the only known species, from some part of Oceanica. It appears to be allied to tiie 

 true Bats {Vespertilio), and was included in Barbastellus, Gray, as originally constituted.] 



The Nycterins {Nycteris, Cuv. and Geof.) — 

 Have the forehead furrowed by a longitudinal groove, which is even marked upon the cranium, 

 bordered by a fold of the skin, which partially covers it ; nostrils sim])le ; four incisors without inter- 

 vals above, and six below ; ears large and 

 separated ; the tail involved in the inter- 

 femoral membrane [and terminated by a 

 bifid cartilage (fig. 16, 2).] They are 

 African species [for the most part, but one 



inhabits Java. 



Tliese animals are remarkable for a power of 

 inflating the skin, which is only attached to 

 the body in some few places, by an open cel- 

 lular connexion. There is a small aperture at 

 the bottom of each cheek-pouch, by which this 

 is efl'ected ; and the nostrils are so formed as 

 to close when at rest, and to open only at will. 

 By respiring with the mouth closed, the air 

 passes through these apertures along the 

 frontal groove to the upper part of ihe neck, and thence under the skin of the back, chest, and abdomen, 

 which, by a repetition of the process, can be puffed out like a balloon : the intent remains to be explained.] 



The Rhinopomes {Rhinojioma, Geof.) — 

 Have the frontal depression less marked ; the nostrils at the end of the muzzle, with a little lamina 

 above, forming a kind of snout ; the ears are joined ; and the tail [which is very slender] extends 

 far beyond the interfemoral membrane. 



[A few species occur on both continents, one of which is figured in the great French work on Egypt, under the 

 name Taphien filet.'] 



The Taphiens {Taphozous, Geof.) — 

 Have also a small rounded indenture on the forehead; but their nostrils have no raised lamina: the 

 head is pyramidal, and there are only two incisors above, very often none, and four tiilobate incisors 

 below ; their ears are 

 widely separated, and [the 

 tipof ] their tail free above 

 the membrane. The males 

 have a transverse cavity 

 under the throat. A little 

 prolongation of the mem- 

 brane of their wings forms 

 a sort of pouch near the 

 carpus.* 



One species was discover- 

 ed in the catacombs of 

 Earypt by M. Geoffroy [and 

 It is probable that the others 

 are peculiar to the old con- 

 tinent, though one ( Vesp. ^'^- T-Mormoops Blainviim. 



marsupialis, Muller) is said to be American. 3'. rii/us, Harlan (Wils. Am. Orn., vol. vi. pi. 50j is most likely 



* Hence the name Sactupleryi, apgilied to lliis ijenus by Uligcr. 



