210 BULLETIN 57, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Number of forms. — The genus Vespertilio as now restricted con- 

 tains only two forms, murinus Linnaeus and superans Thomas. 



Characters.— Like Eptesicus, but ear much shortened and broad- 

 ened, rostrum flattened above, with a deep concavity on each side 

 between nares and lachrymal region ; nares very large and extending 

 back nearly half way to interorbital constriction, and palatal emar- 

 gination extended so far laterally that its width is distinctly greater 

 than its depth. 



Species examined. — Vespertilio murinus Linnseus and V. superans 



Thomas. 



Remarks.— With regard to the necessity for distinguishing Vesper- 

 tilio generically from Eptesicus, I agree with Mehely. The spe- 

 cies nilssoni (=" oorealis ") , however, shows none of the special 

 cranial peculiarities of Vespertilio, but is in all respects a typical 

 Eptesicus as the genera are here understood. The skull of Vesper- 

 tilio shows a strong likeness to that of Lasionycteris; and it is worthy 

 of remark that the members of the two genera further resemble each 

 other in the rather unusual '.' frosted " coloring of the back. The 

 type of Vesperugo (Marsipolcemus) albigularis Peters, which I have 

 examined in Berlin, is, as suggested by Mehely, merely a specimen of 

 Vespertilio murinus. 



Genus RHINOPTERUS Miller. 



1906. Rhinopterus Milleb, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XIX, p. 85, June 

 4, 1906. 



■ Type-species. — Glauconycteris floweri de Winton. 



Geographic distribution. — Southern Soudan. 



Number of forms. — Only the type species has been thus far dis- 

 covered. 



Characters. — Externally like a small Eptesicus, but upper surface 

 of forearm, tail, and tibia thickly sprinkled with pointed, horny ex- 

 crescences resembling those on edge of ear in some of the Molossidse, 

 but larger. Metacarpals as in Eptesicus. Skull differing from that 

 of Eptesicus in much greater relative breadth of anterior portion of 

 braincase, shorter, lower rostrum, and in the form of the upper 

 toothrows as a whole, these being more concave on inner side and more 

 convergent anteriorly. Teeth as in Eptesicus. 



Type-species. — Glauconycteris floweri (de Winton). 



Remarks. — The extraordinarily roughened surface of the forearm, 

 tail, and tibia, together with the peculiar form of the skull and of 

 the upper toothrow, distinguish this genus very sharply from its ally, 

 Eptesicus. 



