1905.] OF THE GENUS RHINOLOPHUS. 139 



modified, chiefly in two respects: — (1) the third metacarpal is 

 shortened ; but at the same time the fourth metaca.rpal has 

 remained the longest (as in all piimitive species of Rhinolojjhus) ; 

 (2) III.", IV.", and Y.", that is all the distal phalanges, are 

 lengthened. Compare the table of measurements of Rh. midas 

 and hip2)osiderus on the one side, with those of minor, lejndus, 

 and all their allies on the other (see p. 143). 



Tail rather long, 1| the length of the leg. Plagiopatagium 

 inserted on the ankle-joint. 



Colour (somewhat faded in alcohol) probably as light as in 

 Bh. hlasii. 



Skull. In all species of Rhinolojyhibs the cochleae are large, 

 making a narrow basioccipital (compare the genus Hipposiderihs) ; 

 but in Rh. midas and hipposiderifjS the peculiarity is carried 

 to an extreme : the cochlem are so much increased in size as to 

 reduce the basioccijntal to a linear bridge of bone ; in some 

 individuals (of Rh. hipposiderus) the cochleae are almost in 

 contact. This character alone makes the skull of these two 

 species easily distinguishable, at a glance. But in eveiy other 

 respect, in the shape, the size, and the teeth, the skull is so 

 exceedingly like that of Rh. minor, that there can scarcely be any 

 doubt as to the very close relationship of the minor and midas 

 types. 



Dentition. On the minor stage : — p.^ external. A very narrow 

 interspace between p^ and p^. p^ quite in row ; a small cusp, 

 pointing inwards. Upper canine and p"* well separated. 



Ti/pe. 2 ^cl- (ii^ alcohol). Jask, Persian Gulf. Presented by 

 A. Butcher, Esq. Brit. Mus. no. 94.11.16.1. 



Remarks. The discovery of this highly interesting species seems to 

 remove all doubt as to the close affinities of minor and hipjjosiderus. 

 The sella of m^idas is intermediate between that of minor and 

 hipposiderus ; it recalls that of empusa and hlasii, which also 

 are modifications of the minor-type ; to the peculiarly long and 

 cuneate lancet we have a parallel in one of the modifica,tions 

 of the minor-type described in this paper, viz. Rh. gracilis. 

 The geographical habitat of midas is, too, rather intei'mediate 

 between the Oriental minor and the W. Paltearctic hipposiderus. 



Rh. inidas is, of course, readily distinguishable from Rh. 

 hipposiderus by the shape of the sella. In the width of the 

 brain-case, as well as in external dimensions, it is like the 

 southern, more primitive form of hipposideriis {Rh. h. m^inimus). 



27. Rhinolophus hipposiderus Bechst. 



Diagnosis. Sella cuneate ; summit pointed. Forearm 34'7- 

 41*7 mm. 



Details. Breadth of sella at base never more, but generally less 

 than half its vertical height. 



Colour. (1) Younger, but quite full-grown individuals; skins; 

 Cyprus, S. Carpathians, Switzerland. Yery nearly "mouse-grey" 

 above ; horse-shoe patch faintly, or not at all, indicated ; base 



