112 BRITISH MAMMALS 



jaw is extremely minute. The ears are still more pointed, and 

 the outer margin is deeply notched and almost separated from the 

 large antitragus, which is really a fold of the outer margin of 

 the conch. The nose leaf is proportionately smaller than in the 

 greater horseshoe bat. The first, or " horseshoe," portion is 

 less closely applied to the upper lip than in Rhinolophus ferrum- 

 equinum, and its lower edge is slightly crimped. The erect 

 process between the nostrils is proportionately shorter, and is 

 much less cupped at the base. The posterior 

 portion which grows over the forehead is shaped 

 like the head of a lance, and is of greater relative 

 size than in the preceding species. The muzzle 

 is a little less swollen than in the greater horse- 

 shoe bat, and the colour of the fur a little 

 yellower below, and rather more brownish-gray 

 Nose Leaf OF Lesser than reddish-gray above. 

 Horseshoe Bat -pj^g Lesser Horseshoe Bat is eq ually clever in 



derus) (twice natural its ability to maintain itself on the wing in the 

 ^'^^*' most cramped and intricate quarters without 



coming into contact with obstacles. It will enter quite small 

 crevices on its flight and emerge again, and apparently never 

 touch any place with the wings. When pausing before any 

 object which it wishes to inspect it keeps up a vibratory 

 motion of the wings like a humming-bird. It is quite well able 

 to use its eyes (though these are very small, and almost hidden 

 In the nasal cartilage), but in all its flights and researches it 

 seems to trust to the sensitiveness of the nose organ, of the 

 ears, and of the wing membrane to guide its movements. The 

 distribution of this bat is nearly as extensive as (but not quite 

 identical with) that of the bigger form. It is found pretty widely 

 over the southern half of England. It is also met with in 

 Western Ireland. No specimens have yet been sent from the 

 north of England and Ireland, from Wales, or from Scotland. 

 Outside these islands it extends over Central Europe as far north 

 as the Baltic and the more northern regions of Russia. It is 

 found, no doubt, over the greater part of Temperate Asia, and has 



