PTEROPUS ROSTRATUS. 



slightly curved, with a very small distension at the base. The grinders are very 

 narrow : the two anterior teeth having an elevated point, which is obliquely trun- 

 cated, while the posterior teeth are low, with an even surface, much worn by 

 trituration. In the lower jaw the front teeth have the same form and disposition as 

 in the upper. The canine teeth are equally long, slender, and curved. The first 

 orinder is very minute, and placed in contact with the canine tooth ; after a consi- 

 derable vacancy, follows the second grinder, which is elevated, and obliquely trun- 

 cated above ; the third has a similar form, but is less projecting ; the fourth, fifth, 

 and sixth are greatly compressed, and resemble the third, fourth, and fifth in the 

 upper jaw. There is a small difference in the disposition of the grinders in the 

 upper and in the lower jaw : in the former the series is perfectly regular ; in the 

 latter a slight contraction takes place near the canine tooth, posterior to which the 

 series has a more evident lateral tendency. * 



The eyes, as in other species of Pteropus, are large and prominent ; the pupil 

 is circular, and the iris dark. The ears consist of a simple auricle, which is oblong, 

 rounded, and half an inch in length. The body, both above and underneath, the 

 arms, the neck, head, and face are covered with exquisitely fine, short, silky hairs, 

 very soft to the touch, of a brown colour, with a tint of Isabella yellow, inchning 

 to gray. In some of the specimens the under parts have a fighter grayish hue. On 

 the anterior part of the back, on the breasts, and on the extremity of the body near 

 the vent, the hairs are longer, and dehcately woolly; they gradually decrease in 

 length from the forehead to the nose, and toAvards the hands and legs. As the 

 colour is more intense at the extremity of the separate hairs, different shades of 

 brown and yellowish gray are exliibited, according to the accidental undulations 

 which exist on the surface. 



The Pteropus rostratus, or Lowo-assu of the Javanese, is far less abundant 

 than the Pteropus javanicus, or Kalong; but it still exists in sufficient numbers to 

 commit serious injury among the plantations and fruit-trees. Like other species of 

 Pteropus, it feeds on fruits of every description, but particularly infests the various 

 species of Eugenia or Jambu, which are cultivated in gardens. During the day 

 it remains suspended under branches of trees, or it retires under roofs of old 

 houses and sheds. At night it saUies forth, fike other species of Pteropus. 



