ORDER CARNASSIER. 117 



for instance, in the Roussettes and Cephalotes, where the 

 integumentary distinctions are comparatively trivial. 



The bats which have the nose surrounded by membranes, 

 are divided into three sub-genera, the Rhinolphi, the Phyl- 

 lostomata, and the Megadermes. 



The Rhinolphi have the nasal leaf exceedingly compli- 

 cated, the tail long, the intermaxillary bone small, and pro- 

 vided with two teeth only, and (a remarkable character 

 which they share with the Roussettes and Cephalotes) the 

 ears simple and without any extra-devlopement of the 

 tragus. They are the only insectivorous bats which are 

 without this appendage. Some naturalists are of opinion 

 that there is no such thing as any certain distinctions of 

 genus, and that frequently nothing more is wanting than 

 one or two species to bind by an indissoluble link, groups, 

 between which the largest intervals have been supposed to 

 exist. The genera of the bats are, however, by no means 

 favourable to this opinion. In truth, it is remarkable that 

 in every part of the globe where these animals are found, 

 however distant from each other, their organization accu- 

 rately corresponds with that of some one of the families 

 already known to us. 



This limitation of genera, the consideration of the Rhi- 

 nolphi alone will suffice to illustrate. As a sub-genus it is 

 most strictly circumscribed, and its species are distinguished 

 with unusual accuracy. 



The number of the mammae is one of the most remark- 

 able characteristics of this sub-genus. Beside the two pec- 

 toral in common with the other bats, the Rhinolphi have 

 two others situated close to each other above the os pubis. 

 This is a singular anomaly and holds throughout all the 

 species. 



In consequence of the disposition of the ear above alluded 

 to, the Rhinolphi betake themselves to the most profound 

 excavations, and bury themselves to a considerable extent 



