CHEIIiOMELES TORQUATUS. 
agrees apparently with that of Nyctinomus jEgyptiacus. The tail, along one half 
of its length, is enveloped by the interfemoral membrane ; the remaining portion is 
cylindrical, somewhat compressed, obtuse, and marked throughout its whole length 
with annular folds closely disposed and continued from the interfemoral membrane. 
A few straggling bristles are scattered over its base. 
The exterior character of Cheiromeles is peculiar in various points. The back 
is nearly naked ; an almost imperceptible down, of a brown colour, extending uni- 
formly over it. The skin, which by reason of the vacancy occasioned by the 
cavities under the thorax and in the flanks, is contracted into wrinkles, is marked 
throughout with very minute dots, which, when closely examined, exhibit the 
appearance of shagreen. These dots also extend to the shoulders, and along the 
arm to the thumb, and over the interfemoral membrane ; but, in the latter, they 
are partially concealed by a very delicate down, of a dark brown colour, which not 
only covers the membrane, but also extends, in a defined line, nearly half an inch in 
breadth, along the bones of the arm to the thumb* The shortness of the fur, 
affording an appearance of nakedness to the general surface, is characteristic of 
Cheiromeles. The longest hair on our animal is observed in a collar, or ruff, about 
the neck, from which the specific name is derived. This ruff, nearly half an inch 
in breadth, is irregularly defined. In its posterior portion the hair is soft and uni- 
form in length ; anteriorly it is unequal, silky, and delicate ; and the hairs, meeting 
from the opposite side, and crossing each other, form a projecting brush in a middle. 
The breast and abdomen are covered with a very short, delicate, silky fur, of a dark 
brown, somewhat rufous colour, which is closely applied to the skin. A line of 
longer hairs, variegated with several tufts, marks the region of the pubes, and 
conceals the genitals. Short bristly hairs are scattered over the interfemoral mem- 
brane, extending to the root of the taiL All these hairs have a dark brown colour, 
with a rufous, somewhat resplendent tint, when exposed to the light. In the mem- 
brane of the wings, the back, head, ears, rostrum, feet, and tail, the colour is 
sooty black, with occasional modifications of tawny. The nails are transparent, and 
of a yellowish brown colour. The series of bristles along the exterior margin of the 
thumb is tawny. The membrane of the wings is marked with numerous parallel 
transverse veins. Several long, lax bristles are irregularly scattered over the face 
and lips. 
I have endeavoured to detail with accuracy all the external characters of Chei- 
romeles : those which belong to it exclusively have been enumerated in the descrip- 
