CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 3. CHEIROPTERA. 
133 
NYCTEEIS THEBAICA. 
hair, looting like a sharp, jointed bone, which gives thcra a very curious appearance. The species 
arc R. microphyllu}^, found in Egypt, and the R. HarchvicMi. 
Genus NYCTERIS : Nycteris. — In this genus both the tail and the interferaoral membrane are 
greatly developed, the ears are large but separate, and the nasal appendages are concealed. These 
bats have the slcin of the body very loose, forming a sac, which communicates with the mouth by 
a small opening in each cheek : through these apertures the animal is able to puff out the body 
into the form of a ball ; but the object of this arrangement is not known. The species are confined 
to Africa, except that they are found iu Java. They are the N. hispida, of Senegal, iV. Thehaica^ 
of Egypt and Sennaar, and N. Javanica, 
Genus RTIINOLOPHE : Rhinoloph.us. — This is rather a numerous genus, scattered over Europe, 
Asia, and Africa; but none of them have been found in America. They are generally small, 
the largest having but fifteen inches of expanse of wing. The folloAving are the principal species ; 
R. nohilis ; R. diadem,a ; R. insignis ; R. speoris ; R. hicolor ; R. ti'idens ; R. tricusjndatus ; 
R. luctus • R. euryotis ; R. trifoliatus ; R. ajfinis ; R. minor ; R. pusillus ; R. clivosus ; R. ^ini- 
hastatus, this being the Great Horse-shoe Bat ; R. bikastatus ; and R. Commersonii. 
Genus NYCTOPHYLUS : Nyctophylus. — Of this there is I at a single species, N. Geoffroyi, 
found in Australia. It is very small, and has two large ears, with a rudimental tail. 
VESPEETILTONID^. 
We now come to a very numerous family of bats, including those with which we are familiar 
in our own country. Their generic name is derived from the Latin vespertilio, a hat. They are 
less formidable in appearance and habits than the roussettes, vampires, and others, which excite a 
species of disgust, if not of horror. They are destitute of the leaf-like appendage on the nose, 
which imparts such an aspect of ferocity. They are, in fact, small, harmless creatures, sleeping all 
the day in ruined walls, in caverns, and in the hollows of trees, and going forth at night to feast 
on insects, whereby they destroy many that are injurious to man. Those which live in tern- 
I 
