1879.] DR. DOBSON ON CHIROPTERA FROM ZANZIBAR. 715 



attacked by another set of ants, and hurry off to protect their nest. 

 By repeatedly applying the same matter to a nest, the ants at last 

 become so annoyed that they emigrate, carrying their females and 

 eggs to a distance and forming a new colony. 



This plan is not generally known, even here in the State of An- 

 tioquia ; and I have thought that our colonists might profitably be 

 made acquainted with it. By its use we may ward off an unex- 

 pected attack by the invader until an opportunity offers of exter- 

 minating the brood ; and when this cannot be done, it may constitute 

 the only means of defence for crops. 



The vegetable matter spoken of is naturally an excellent manure, 

 as I have observed in the case of rose-bushes which I have protected 

 by its use. 



Should you consider the above observations to be useful, I trust 

 that you will be so good as to make them known to the Society. 



I am, Sir, 



Your obedieut servant, 

 Robert B. White. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Notes on some Species of Chiroptera from Zanzibar, with. 

 Descriptions of new and rare Species. By G-. E. 

 Dobson, M.A. 



[Received October 6, 1879.] 



To the kindness of Dr. Robb, H.M. Indian Army, I owe the 

 material which has furnished the following notes. Seven species are 

 represented in the collections; and all the specimens are well preserved 

 in alcohol. 



1. Epomophortjs minor, n. sp. 



With the exception of Ep. pusillus, this is the smallest species of 

 Epomophorus yet discovered. In the form of the palate-ridges it 

 certainly very closely resembles E. macrocephalus, the ridges being 

 similarly shaped, the fifth ridge ] having, in most specimens, the 

 same peculiar lozenge-shaped depression in the centre, hitherto con- 

 sidered by me to be characteristic of that species. The head, 

 however, is of very different proportions, being comparatively much 

 smaller ; and there is less difference between the males and females 

 in the length of the muzzle ; the width of the palate is also greater 

 in proportion to its length. 



Tail rudimentary, but distinct, about quarter of an inch iu 

 length. 



Fur greyish-brown, with a slightly yellowish tinge both above 

 and beneath ; paler beneath, but no white patch on the abdomen of 



1 See Catal. Ohiropt. Brit. Mus. 1878, pi. ii. fig. 2. 



