RHINOLOPHUS LARVATUS. 



of Java. The genus Rhinolophus is one of the most remarkable among the family 

 of Vespertilionidee. The individuals which compose it, are distinguished, even on a 

 superficial view, by ears of excessive size, broad at the base, erect and acuminate, 

 and by a greatly complicated nasal membrane. But the most striking character, 

 which belongs to it exclusively, is the presence of two papiUary tubercles, situated 

 on the OS pubis, and exhibiting the external appearance of two breasts. This cha- 

 racter, as far as my inquiries extend, is first distinctly noticed by Bechstein. The 

 female, he remarks, has, to appearance, four teats, two on the breast, and two on the 

 region of the pubes ; the latter he always found relaxed, as if the young had drawn 

 milk from them by sucking, as well as from the others. Mr. Geofifroy notices this 

 character, with the following remark : " besides the two pectoral breasts, which are 

 the only organs for the secretion of miUc in the other VespertilionidEe, the Rhinolophi 

 have two others, situated near each other, above the os pubis." He recommends this 

 character to the attention of naturalists, and it doubtless deserves more careful inves- 

 tigation. M. Desmarest, in his character of Rhinolophus, describes two pectoral 

 ' mammse, and two warts, situated on the pubes (deux vermes pubiennes), having the 

 appearance of breasts, but being destitute of lactiferous glands. M. Kuhl's observa- 

 tions on this subject shew, that during the first year, these lower teats are altogether 

 wanting, that they are minute in the female of two years, and that only in the third 

 year they acquire their full size. It appears to Mr. K. that, although connected with 

 the propagation of the species, they are not breasts, as he never discovered lactiferous 

 glands near them. They are connected with the cavity of the pelvis. 



The ears of the Rhinolophi resemble those of the Pteropi, in the simplicity of 

 their structure. They consist of a large membranaceous lobe, very broad at the base, 

 tapering towards the extremity, but without that enlargement of the tragus, which 

 constitutes the oreiUon in the other insectivorous Vespertilionidas, and which affords 

 them the power of rendering themselves deaf at pleasure. This organ is subject, 

 however, to several variations of form, which will be described in enumerating the 

 characters which have been employed in the specific distinctions. 



With the simplicity of the ears, the complicated structure of the nose forms a 

 striking contrast ; this exists as well in those parts which are concealed by the in- 

 ■ teguments, as in those which are exposed to view. The external entrance to the 

 olfactory organs consists of several membranes, variously disposed and folded, so as 

 to constitute a funnel, the object of which is, to direct the olfactory particles to the 

 nasal chambers, which occupy an extensive cavity in the anterior part of the skuU. 

 The lowest exterior portion of the membranaceous apparatus consists of the apertures 



