XVI VAMPYRUS 531 



Furiu, Amorphoehib(s, Rhynchonycteris, Saccopteryx, Cormura, 

 iiiid Dididurws are other Neotropical genera of the same family. 



The genus Taphozoiis^ has a tail which perforates the inter- 

 femoral membrane, appearing on its upper surface ; it is capable 

 of being withdrawn. The premaxillaries are cartilaginous. The 

 dentition is I ^ C -^- I'm ^ M |-. The upper incisors often disappear. 

 Many species of the genus have a gular sac, opening anteriorly 

 between the jaws. This is laetter developed in the males. The 

 genus ranges from Africa through Asia to New Guinea and 

 Australia. There are some twelve species. 



The genus irolossiis ~ has short legs and well-developed fibulae. 

 The tail is thick and fleshy, and is prolonged far beyond the margin 

 of the interfemoral membrane. The ears are united together 

 above the nose ; the tragus is minute. The dentition is I -]- or -|^ C ^ 

 Pm -^- or I M |. This genus, which is confined to the tropical and 

 subtropical portions of America, has long and narrow wings. The 

 Bats can thus fly rapidly, twist about with ease, and capture 

 strongly-flying insects. There are a large number of species. 



Xydinomus is an allied genus, and also has many species. 

 These range through both hemispheres. The chief differences from 

 Molossus are that the premaxillary bones are separate in front or 

 united by cartilage, and that the incisors may he three in the 

 lower jaw. 



Fam. 5. Phyllostomatidae. — The Bats of this family are ex- 

 tremely numerous and almost entirely confined to South America. 

 None of them occur outside the New World. There are some 

 thirty-five genera. The members of the family are to be distin- 

 guished by the presence of the nose leaf, by the well-developed 

 premaxillae, and by the possession of three phalanges by the 

 middle finger. They are large, and the tragus of the ear is well 

 developed. 



Vampyrus of South America contains the large species V. spec- 

 trum, which, mainly on account as it seems of its " forbidding 

 aspect," was supposed to be a bloodsucker. This genus has two 

 incisors on each side of the upper jaw. 



The genus Glossophaga represents another type of structure in 

 this family. The tongue is long and extensile, and is much attenu- 

 ated towards the tip, where it is covered with strong and recurved 

 papillae. This structure was at one time thought to indicate a 



1 Dobson, Froc. Zool. Boc. 1875, p. 546. = Ih'id. 1876, p. 701. 



