EMBALLONTJEIB^. 353 



Family EMBALLONURID^E. 



Brachyura et Molossi, Peters, MB. Akad. Beii. 1865, p. 267. 

 Noctillonidae et Vespertilionidse (in part), Gray, Ann. Sr 3Iaq. Nat. 



^wi. 1866, xvii. p. 89. y r J, J, 



Emballonuridfe, Dohson, Ann. 8f Mag. Nat. Hist. 1875, xvi. p. 347 ; 



Monogr. Asiat. Chiropt. p. 164 (1876). 



Bats with nostrils opening by simple or valvular apertures at the 

 projecting extremity of the muzzle, not surrounded or margined by 

 distinct cutaneous foliaceous appendages * ; with generally large, 

 often united ears, arising by their inner margins from the sides of 

 the forehead, with short, occasionally minute tragi, usually ex- 

 panded above, with two phalanges in the middle finger, of which 

 the first is folded (in repose) forwards on the upper surface of the 

 metacarpal bonef; with the tail partially free, either perforating 

 the interfemoral membrane and appearing upon its upper surface, 

 or produced far beyond its posterior margin. 



The number of the teeth varies so much that no general dental 

 formula can be given. The upper incisors are, in most genera, 

 large, are separated from the canines and also in front, and have 

 their extremities directed slightly forwards and inwards ; molars 

 well developed, with very distinct W- shaped cusps. 



The Emhallonuridce are generaEy easily distinguished by the 

 peculiar form of the muzzle, which is obliquely truncated, the nos- 

 trils projecting more or less in front beyond the lower lip J ; by the 

 manner in which the first phalanx of the middle finger is folded (in 

 repose) ; by the tail, which either perforates the interfemoral mem- 

 brane or is produced far beyond it ; and by the upper incisors, 

 which are generally a single pair separated from the canines and 

 also in front. 



Distribution. Generally distributed throughout the tropical and 

 subtropical regions of both hemispheres ; rarely extending north 

 or south of the thirtieth parallels of latitude. 



Subfam. I. EMBALLONURIN^. 



TaU slender, perforating the interfemoral membrane and appear- 

 ing upon its upper surface, or terminating in it; legs long, fibulae 

 very slander ; upper incisors weak. 



* The nostrils open on the front surface of a fleshy prominence resembling 

 a small nose leaf in Bkinopoma. 



t Except in Noctilio and in Mystacina. In the latter genus, represented by 

 a single species only, the first phalanx of the middle finger is folded forwards 

 on the inferior surface of the metacarpal bone. 



\ Except in Taphozons and in DicUduru^. 



