135 



Forster's drawing had been made, whilst the description, indicating 

 the number of incisors, and other peculiarities, pointed unequivocally 

 to the same conclusion. 



As the above-mentioned zoologists have certainly been the first 

 describers of two distinct animals, the names imposed by them will of 

 course be retained ; but it is much to be regretted that their specific 

 names are similar ; and the more so, as the one most recently given 

 was clearly intended as a reference to the earlier known species. 



The following description has been taken from the specimen in the 

 College of Surgeons, and also from the specimens in the British 

 Museum. With the advantages of specimens in spirit and in skin, 

 it is probable that the description will be found tolerably correct, 

 both as regards the form of the face, ears, &c, and the quality 

 and colour of the fur. 



Fam. Vespertilionjna. 



1. Scotophilus tuberculatus, Forster, Descript. Anim. p. 63. 

 1772-74, Icon. ined. in Brit. Mus. t. 1. (PI. LIII.) 



In form and proportions somewhat resembling the Pipistrelle of 

 Europe; in size resembling Vesp. Nattered; in colour very nearly 

 similar to the Scotophilus Gouldii of Australia. 



The muzzle is rather broad and obtuse, and moderately hairy. 

 The nostrils are tumid, and of an oval form, with their inner margins 

 more prominent than their outer, giving them a sublateral opening ; 

 they are distant from each other about two lines. The forehead is 

 rather flat. The lower lip is broad, with the extreme edge naked, 

 and rather thickly clothed with short hair on the chin, which be- 

 comes very thick on the throat. Immediately within the symjihysis 

 menti is a small but distinct wart. 



The ears are rather small, oval- triangular, with a pretty uniform 

 outline, and with a kind of plait or crease on the basal front of the 

 inner margin, giving that part of the ear a slightly projecting lobe, 

 not however of sufficient magnitude to interfere materially with its 

 general uniformity of outline. The outer margin is not hollowed 

 out, but maintains a pretty regular curve, and has its basal portion 

 brought forward, in the form of a narrow rudiment of membrane, on 

 to the cheek, where it ends immediately under the eye. 



The tragus is short, rather broad, and of nearly uniform breadth, 

 with the end round. It has, as in all the other species of this re- 

 stricted group, an inward curvature. 



The wing-membranes spring from the base of the toes, and the 

 latter occupy about half the length of the entire foot. The os calcis 

 extends one-third of the distance from the foot to the tip of the tail, 

 which has its extreme tip free. 



The face is furnished with some tufts and lines of bristly hair. 

 Immediately in front of the eye may be noticed a tuft, consisting of 

 a few hairs, and on the gland of the upper lip is a similar one. 

 From behind the nostril proceeds a narrow band of fine bristly hairs, 



