PROSIMIZA, 
783 
SuB-ORDER MEGACHIROPTERA. 
SUB-ORDER MICROCHIROPTERA. 
| Frugivorous bats, usually large. 
The molars have smooth crowns, 
with a longitudinal groove, 
The thumb is clawed, and generally 
also the second digit. 
| The tail, if present, is below, not 
) bound up with the interfemoral 
membrane. 
The pyloric part of the stomach is 
in most cases much elongated. 
Found in warm and tropical parts 
of the eastern hemisphere. 
Examples. — 
The ‘‘ flying-foxes’’ or fox-bats 
(Pteropus), large, tailless bats, 
distributed from Madagascar 
to India, Ceylon, Malaya, 
S. Japan, Australia, Poly- 
nesia, The largest species 
(P. edulis) measures 5 ft. 
across its spread wings. Den- 
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2133 
tition, —=. 
isverycommon. Xantharpyia 
egyptiaca inhabits the Pyra- 
mids. 
In India, Cynopterus marginatus 
Usually insectivorous bats, small 
in size. 
The molars have cusped crowns, 
with transverse grooves. 
In the hand the thumb only is 
clawed, 
The tail, if present, is bound up 
with the interfemoral membrane, 
or lies along its upper surface. 
Except in one family, the stomach 
is simple. 
Found in the tropical and temper- 
ate regions of both hemispheres. 
Examples,— 
The horseshoe-bats (Aznolo- 
phus); the common pipistrelle 
(Vesperugo pipistrellus); the 
genus Vespertilio, with four 
British species; Vampyrus 
spectrum, a large Brazilian 
form, which seems to have been 
erroneously credited with 
blood-sucking habits; the 
common vampire (Desmodus 
rufus), an American bat—a 
formidable blood-sucker. 
Order Prosim1i& (Syz. LEMUROIDEA, Lemurs) 
These monkey-like animals are sometimes ranked with 
monkeys as a sub-order of Primates ; but there seems more 
warrant for placing them in a separate order. They agree 
with monkeys in many respects, ¢.g. in having pollex and 
hallux opposable, flattened digits, pectoral mammee (except 
in Chiromys), and a ‘Simian fissure” in the brain. They 
differ from monkeys (Anthropoidea) in the following 
points: The cranial cavity is usually elongated, and the 
face more fox-like than monkey-like ; the orbit opens freely 
into the temporal fossa (except in Zarsius); the lachrymal 
foramen lies in front of the orbit; the first pair of upper 
incisors is separated in the middle line (except in Zarszus) ; 
the second digit of the foot always bears a pointed claw, 
but the others usually have flat nails; the cerebral hemi- 
