188-1.] MR. W. LECHE ON CHIROPTERA FROM AUSTRALIA, 53 



Taph. affinis. Dobs., thus these three forms could be regarded as 

 direct descendants of the same type, which through geographical 

 separation have perhaps gained a certain permanence. The geo- 

 graphical range of the three above-named forms seems only partly 

 coincident. Taph. affinis, var. insUjnis, is the most easterly, Taph. 

 saccolcEmus the most westerly, and between them comes the Taph. 

 affinis, having been up to this time only found in Labuan and 

 Sumatra, 



5. MiNIOPTERUS SCHREIBERSI, Natt., Var. BLEPOTIS. 



The three specimens examined by me correspond most closely 

 with the description given by Tomes (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, pp. 121- 

 123) of his M. blepotis. 



Through the below-stated characteristics the animal in question 

 differs slightly from the other forms of Miniopterus. (1) Inter- 

 femoral membrane nearly naked, only at its base on the dorsal 

 side thinly covered with hairs. (2) The nose longer than in Euro- 

 pean specimens of M. schreibersi. (3) Above the base of the outer 

 margin of tragus is a little round, triangular projection. (4) Length 

 of the first upper premolar constitutes half in the form now described, 

 in the European M. schreibersi less than half of the length of the 

 second premolar. 



Measurements (female). 



luillim. 



Length, head and body 74 



„ head . 17 



„ tail 54 • 



„ forearm 45 



tibia 19 



From the above it is evident that the specimens in question differ 

 from the European M. schreiber&i, partly through the smaller size, 

 partly through the characteristics above cited (2, 3, 4). Through 

 the [jeculiarities mentioned under 3, they, on the other hand, 

 approach N. tristis. The only difference between M. australis and 

 the specimens indicated is described under 1 ; according to Uobson 

 (/. c. p. 348), in M. australis half the interfemoral membrane is 

 ciuthed. 



From the above it ought thus with certainty to be deduced, that 

 M. schreibersi and M. australis are united through intermediate 

 forms, which (provided one can judge from Tonies's description, 

 without having seen his original specimens) most nearly correspond 

 with M. blepotis. Tomes. But as Dobson has joined the latter with 

 M. schreibersi, so consequently -TLf. aitsfralis ought not to be separated 

 from M. schreibersi, but to be regarded as a form of this s2Decies 

 remarkable for its extended geographical diffusion and its consequent 

 polymorpiiism. 



As has already been shown, an approach is indicated, through the 

 appearance of a rudimentary lobulus of tragus, between the specimens 



