CARNARIA. 
73 
The Nyctophilets {Nyctophilus, Leach) — 
Are, according to Temminck, somewhat intermediate to the Rhinolphines and the next genus of 
Nycterins ; approaching the former in the character of their incisors and canines, and the latter in 
that of their molars : the ears are large and pointed ; the tragus lanceolate ; nasal follicles distinct ; 
the tail moderately long, and enveloped in the membrane. 
Nyct. Geoffroyi, Leach, is the only known species, from some part of Oceanica. It appears to be allied to the 
true Bats {Vespertilio), and was included in Barbastellus, Gray, as originally constituted.] 
The Nycterins (Nycferis, Cuv. and Geof.) — 
Have the forehead furrowed by a longitudinal groove, w^hicli is even marked upon the cranium, 
bordered by a fold of the skin, which partially covers it ; nostrils simple ; four incisors without inter- 
vals above, and six below ; ears large and 
Fig. 16. — Head of Nycteris javanicus. 
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. 
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 eflected ; 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, chest, and abdomen, 
which, by a repetition of the process, can be puiFed out like a balloon : the intent remains to be explained.] 
The Rhinopomes {Rhinopoma, 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 is very slender] extends 
far beyond the interfemoral membrane. 
[A few species occur on both continents, one of which is figured in the great French work on Egypt, under the 
name Taphien filets 
The Taphiens {Taphozous, 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 above, very often none, and four trilobate incisors 
below ; their ears are 
widely separated, and [the 
tip of] their tail free above 
the membrane. The males 
have a transverse cavity 
under the throat. A little 
prolongation of the mem- 
brane of their wings forms 
a sort of pouch near the 
carpus.* 
One species was discover- 
ed in the catacombs of 
Egypt by M. GeolFroy [and 
it is probable that the others 
are peculiar to the old con- 
tinent, though one {Vesp. Fig. 17.— Mormoops Blainviim. 
marsupialU, Muller) is said to be American. T. rufus, Harlan (Wils. Am. Orn., vol. vi. pi. 50) is most likely a 
* Hence the name Saccopteryx, applied to this genus by Illigcr. 
