CHEIROMELES TORQUATUS. 



of Illiger, a smaller sac is observed, but in a different situation. It is placed about 

 the middle of the forearm, and has no connexion with the axilla. It here appears 

 to be of less importance in the economy of the animal. In the Pteropus palliatus, 

 and in the genus Cephalotes, it consists not merely in a cavity in the axilla and the 

 neighbouring parts, but the membrane, being detached entirely from the parietes of 

 the thorax and abdomen, rises from the middle of the back, where the skin forms 

 a ridge of two or three millimetres in height : from this it is spread, as a mantle, 

 over the animal. This organization, M. Geoffroy remarks, renders the animal spe- 

 cifically lighter, and assists its flight ; and, by supplying a deep and extensive pouch, 

 it affords to the young, while they continue at the breast, a convenient covering, 

 and a retreat in which they find the security and the temperature which they require. 

 The pouch in Cheiromeles torquatus, although less extensive, answers the same 

 purposes. It has been attempted in the illustrations which are given on the Plate 

 exhibiting a front view of the Cheiromeles torquatus, to shew the disposition and 

 extent of this singular pouch ; but a more distinct view, as well as a more satisfactory 

 description, are still to be supplied by the examination of the living animal, or by 

 specimens preserved in spirits, in which aU the parts remain in their natural state, 

 and not deranged by the process of preparation. The breasts, or mammse, are situated 

 at the sides, a little below the axillee; they are covered before by the membrane which 

 bounds the pouch. The subject procured by Dr. Finlayson, from which this descrip- 

 tion was prepared, is a female. 



The bones of the arm are of great length. The thumb is of moderate size, robust, 

 and armed with a strong claw. In the index only one phalanx is distinctly observed ; 

 the middle finger consists of four, and the fourth and fifth fingers have individually 

 three phalanges. The two first phalanges of the middle and of the fourth finger are 

 of great length, and contribute, in a great degree, to the extent of the anterior 

 extremities. The extreme phalanges are very slender and delicate. The posterior 

 extremities are uncommonly robust. The thighs are enveloped in the interfemoral 

 membrane ; the legs are short, and covered with numerous folds of this membrane. 

 The foot constitutes the chief distinguishing character of our animal. Its peculiar 

 structure is perhaps most precisely expressed in the technical language of Illiger, as 

 applied in the essential character : scelidum podaria manus sunt. This hand consists 

 of four fingers, which have the same disposition and structure as in other animals 

 of this family, and of a distinct thumb, essentially agreeing with this member in 

 many Quadrumana, and in several animals of the Rodentia and Marsupialia. It 

 is a complete antagonist to the fingers, enables the animal to take hold of objects. 



