CARNARIA. 



The Nyctophilets {Nyciophilus, Leacli) — 

 Are, according to Temminck, somewliat iutermediate to the Rhinolphines and the next genng of 

 Nycterins ; approaching the former in the character of theu- incisors and canines, and the latter in 

 that of their molars : the cars are large and pointed ; the tragus lanceolate ; nasal foUiclcs distinct ; 

 the tail moderately long, and enveloped in the memhranc. 



Nifct. Geoffroyi, Leach, is the only known species, from some part of Oceanica. It appears to be allied to (lie 

 true Bats (Vespertilw)^ and was included in Barbastellu^, Gray, as ori;^inally constituted.] 



The Nycterins {Nijcteris, Cuv. and Geof ) — ■ 

 Have the forehead furrowed by a longitudinal groove, which is even marked upon the cranium, 

 bordered by a fold of the skin, which ]iartially c«)\ers it ; nostrils simple; foui' incisors witliout inter- 

 vals above, and six below^ ; ears large and 

 separated ; the tail involved in the inter- 

 femoral membrane [and terminated by a 

 bifid cartilage (fig. 16, 2).] They are 

 African species [for the most part, but one 

 inhabits Java. 



3 



•mi 



»» 





Fig. 16.— Hend of Nye 



s Javanicua. 



These animals are remarkable for a power of 

 inflating the skin, which is only attached to 

 the body in some few places, by an open cel- 

 lular connexion. There is a small aperture at 

 the bottom of each cheek-pouch, by which this 

 is effected ; and the nostrils are so formed as 

 to close when at rest, and to open only at will. 

 By respiring with the mouth closed, the air 

 passes through these apertures along the 

 frontal groove to the upper part of the neck, and thence under the skin of the back, cheat, and abdomen, 

 which, by a repetition of the process, can be puffed out like a balloon : the intent remains to be explained.] 



The Rhinopomes (Ji/ihwpoma, Geof.) — 

 Have the frontal depression less marked ; the nostrils at the end of the muzzle, with a little lamina 

 above, forming a kind of snout ; the ears are joined ; and the tail [which ia very slenrler] extends 

 far beyond the interfemoral membrane. 



[A few species occur on both continents, one of which is figm-ed in the great French work on Egji:)t, under the 

 name Taphien filet.'] 



The Taphiens {Taphozoits, Geof.) — 

 Have also a small rounded indenture on the forehead; but their nostrils have no raised lamina: the 

 head is pyramidal, and there are only two incisors aljove, very often none, and four tiiiobate incisors 

 below ; their ears are 



■widely separated, and [the ^7~^~\ t^'T^^l^x 



tipof] their tailfree above ^ '' ■" ' ''' ''^ '" 



the membrane. The males 

 have a transverse cavit}' 

 under the throat. A little 

 prolongation of the mem- 

 brane of their viings forms 

 a sort of pouch near the 

 carpus.* 



One species was discover- 

 ed in the catacombs of 

 Egypt by M. Geoffroy [and 

 It is probable that the others 

 axe pecahar to the old con- 

 tinent, though one (Vesp. i F>^, 17.-Mormoop. Dlainviim. 



marsupial is, Muller) is sa id to be American. T. rufiis, Harlan (Wils. Am. Orn., vol. vi. pi. 50) is most likelv '^ 



* Hence the name Saccoptrri/.r, appliL'd lo tliis ijeDiis hy Tlligcr. 



