446 PHYLLOSTOMID^. 



tail and interfemoral membrane well developed, feed principally on 

 insects, while the greater number of species of the groups Vmnpyri 

 and Olossophagce appear to live on a mixed diet of insects and fruits, 

 and those of the group Stenodennata whoUy on fruits ; the Desmo- 

 dontes, of which two species only are known, are truly sanguivorous, 

 and have their teeth and intestinal tract specially modified in accord- 

 ance with their habits (see further remarks on habits and internal 

 structure under heads of groups and genera). 



From the large development of the antebrachial membrane it may 

 be inferred that the species of this family are unfitted for walking on 

 a horizontal surface ; and this is quite in accordance with the observa- 

 tions of those who have noted their habits (see remarks on the habits 

 of Macrofns ivaterhoiisii), which are therefore, in this respect, in di- 

 rect contrast with those of the Molossince. The insectivorous species 

 capture their prey on the wing, while the frugivorous hang sus- 

 pended from a branch of the tree on the fruit of which they may be 

 feeding, this position allowing free motion to the arms and thumbs, 

 which the animal uses for holding its food to its mouth. 



In the Demnodontes alone, which cling by their extremities to the 

 body of the animal whose blood they may be sucking, the ante- 

 brachial membrane is narrow, and scarcely developed along the 

 forearm. 



Range. The Neotropical Region. Apparently limited to the forest- 

 clad districts of the tropical and subtropical parts of this region, and 

 probably not extending much further south than the thirtieth parallel 

 of latitude. 



The genera of Phyllostomidce fall naturally into two subfamilies, 

 according as the nostrils open at the extremity or on the upper sur- 

 face of the muzzle, the species of the first division being aU insecti- 

 vorous, while those of the second subsist generally on a mixed diet. 

 These subfamilies are again divisible into groups of allied genera 

 according to the form of the skuU and teeth. 



Synopsis of Subfamilies and Groups. 



I. Nostrils opening by simple apertures 



at the extremity of the muzzle in 

 front, not margined by a distinct 

 nose-leaf; chin with expanded 



leaf-like appendages . .' Subfamily LOBOSTOMIN^. 



Group MORMOPES, p. 447. 



II. Nostrils opening on the upper sur- 



face of the muzzle, the nasal aper- 

 tures more or less svurounded or 

 margined by well-developed cu- 

 taneous appendages, forming a di- 

 stinct nose-leaf ; chin with warts. Subfamily PHYLLOSTOMIN^. 

 a. Molars well developed ; upper in- 

 cisors 4. 

 a'. Muzzle long and narrow; outer 



side of true molars with W- 



shaped cusps. 



