56 
VeSPERTILIONID/E.- 
-MAJIilALIA.- 
Rhinoi.ophid.e. 
hencath the stars, leaving our spoil half-eaten and 
corrupt! ” Such in brief are the sentiments conveyed 
by the poet Virgil, who usually speaks of our cheirop- 
terous friends as so many “ dreadful and filthy birds” 
{dirce ohscenaque volucres ) ; in one place, however, 
a character is introduced in the form of an ill-starred 
prophetess, who advocates their cause, callin, 
“ innocent harpies (insontes harpyias).” 
In conclusion we may remark, that dur- 
ing the state of repose, the long-eared bat 
is generally found in old buildings and 
under the roofs of houses, and when on 
the wing it emits a sharp shrill cry. If 
placed on the ground, it moves forward 
by a peculiar jerking action from side to 
side, at the same time keeping the head 
well raised. In the published catalogue 
of Mammalia preserved in the British 
Museum, this species is denominated Ple- 
cotus communis. 
THE SWIFT-FLYING THICK-LIPPED BAT {Mohs 
sus velox), Plate 5, fig. 19. This species lives 
Brazilian continent, and certain of the adjoining West 
Indian islands. In common with several others of the 
cheiropterous group inhabiting the north-east coast of 
South America, it is usually known as the Bull-dog 
Bat, but this latter term is now better understood 
to apply exclusively to that particular species of 
the so called bull dog-bats, which is indicated in 
the catalogue of Mammalia preserved in the British 
Museum under the title of Noctilio Americanus — a bat 
also obtained from the coast of Brazil. The genus 
Molossus is marked by the presence of large ears and 
a short head, which is abrupt and swollen at the 
muzzle. The tail is long, and projects beyond the 
square-shaped intercrural membrane. The teeth are 
twenty-eight in number, that is, four incisors, four 
canines, and five molars on either side of the upper 
and lower jaws. 
Family II.— RHINOLOPIIIDJ^. 
The group of bats associated under this head, though 
correctl 3 ' separated into a distinct family, do not, in 
their habits at least, depart very materially from the 
insectivorous Vespertilionidse already described. Their 
distinguishing characteristic consists in the possession 
of a membranous appendage, which in some species 
is remarkably complicated. In those instances where 
this membrane is double, the form of the anterior 
division is more or less heart-shaped, the posterior 
division having the aspect of an erect lanceolate leaf 
with the apex directed towards the forehead. The 
ears are invariably large, separated from one another, 
and destitute of that usually narrow process called the 
tragus. Occupying the situation of this latter struc- 
ture, however, we frequently find a lobed and projec- 
ing membrane developed from the base of the external 
margin of the auricle. 
THE GREATER HORSE-SHOE BAT {Rhiholophus 
Ferrum-equinum ). — The family characters above given 
sufficiently explain the general form of the integu- 
mentary appendage which constitutes so conspicuous a 
feature in this and other members of the horse-shoe 
bats, and imjiarts to them a strikingly hideous aspect 
(figs. 11 and 13). The greater horse-shoe bat is about 
The Greater Horse-shoe Bat (Rhinoloplms ferrum-equinum). 
two-and-a-half inches long, exclusive of the tail. The 
head is elongated and swollen towards the muzzle; 
the anterior leaf-like appendage embraces the nostrils, 
and has the remarkable horse-shoe shape from whence 
the English name is derived. Between this and the 
posterior lanceolated appendage, there is a cup-shaped 
cavity surmounted by a sort of overlapping crest. 
With respect to the use of these complicated struc- 
tures, various suggestions have been offered; but on, 
the whole, as we have already hinted, thej'' are rathe^ 
to be regarded as extensions of the smelling surface, 
with the view of accumulating odorous particles, than 
as subserving any other office. In concealment this 
bat is only found in the very darkest and most gloomy 
recesses, where the light of day can gain no access, 
and where a noiseless solitude reigns supreme. Na- 
tural caverns among rocks, or subterranean chambers 
artificially hewn out in quarries now long ago forsaken, 
are its loved retreats. From these situations it issues 
forth to seek its twilight repast on maychafers and 
their insect associates. 
THE LESSER HORSE-SHOE BAT {Rhinoloplms hip- 
posideros ). — Both this and the foregoing are European 
species and found in England, though neither of them 
can be said to be very common. At one time the 
present species was supposed to be only a variety of 
the greater horse-shoe bat ; but naturalists no longer 
entertain any doubts as to their respective distinctness 
from one another. One of the principal marks bj^ 
which this form is distinguished, consists in the pre- 
sence of an additional filiform nasal appendage placed 
immediately in front of the ordinary lancet-shaped 
process which occupies the frontal region. On account 
of this structure, the eminent zoologist Geoftroy nained 
the species R/nnoloqihus hihastatus, while to the greater 
horse-shoe bat he applied the specific title of Rhino- 
lophus unihastatus. In other structural particulars, 
and in their habits, the two kinds bear a very close 
resemblance. 
