CHEIROMELES TORQUATUS. 



agrees apparently with that of Nyctinomus Ji^gyptiaciis. The tail, along one half 

 of its length, is enveloped by the interfemoral membrane ; the remaining portion is 

 cylindrical, somewhat compressed, obtuse, and marked throughout its whole length 

 with annular folds closely disposed and continued from the interfemoral membrane. 

 A few straggling bristles are scattered over its base. 



The exterior character of Cheiromeles is peculiar in various points. The back 

 is nearly naked ; an almost imperceptible down, of a brown colour, extending uni- 

 formly over it. The skin, which by reason of the vacancy occasioned by the 

 cavities under the thorax and in the flanks, is contracted into wrinkles, is marked 

 throughout with very minute dots, which, when closely examined, exhibit the 

 appearance of shagreen. These dots also extend to the shoulders, and along the 

 arm to the thumb, and over the interfemoral membrane ; but, in the latter, they 

 are partially concealed by a very delicate down, of a dark' brown colour, which not 

 only covers the membrane, but also extends, in a defined line, nearly half an inch in 

 breadth, along the bones of the arm to the thumb. The shortness of the fur, 

 affording an appearance of nakedness to the general surface, is characteristic of 

 Cheiromeles. The longest hair on our animal is observed in a collar, or ruff, about 

 the neck, from which the specific name is derived. This ruff, nearly half an inch 

 in breadth, is irregularly defined. In its posterior portion the hair is soft and uni- 

 form in length ; anteriorly it is unequal, silky, and delicate ; and the hairs, meeting 

 from the opposite side, and crossing each other, form a projecting brush in a middle. 

 The breast and abdomen are covered with a very short, delicate, silky fur, of a dark 

 brown, somewhat rufous colour, which is closely applied to the skin, A line of 

 longer hairs, variegated with several tufts, marks the region of the pubes, and 

 conceals the genitals. Short bristly hairs are scattered over the interfemoral mem- 

 brane, extending to the root of the tail. All these hairs have a dark brown colour, 

 with a rufous, somewhat resplendent tint, when exposed to the light. In the mem- 

 brane of the wings, the back, head, ears, rostrum, feet, and tail, the colour is 

 sooty black, with occasional modifications of tawny. The nails are transparent, and 

 of a yellowish brown colour. The series of bristles along the exterior margin of the 

 thumb is tawny. The membrane of the wings is marked with numerous parallel 

 transverse veins. Several long, lax bristles are irregularly scattered over the face 

 and lips. 



I have endeavoured to detail with accuracy all the external characters of Chei- 

 romeles : those which belong to it exclusively have been enumerated in the descrip- 



