NYCTOPHILUS^NYCTERIS. 
37 
be surprised at M. Temminck’s decision. “ This description is so su- 
perficial, and the specific characters so loosely established, that it is im- 
possible to admit this animal into the catalogue of the Rhinolophi.” 
ISIAGlNARir SPECIES, 
1. R. Vui.tJARis (llorsfield’s .Java) is regarded by M. Temminckas no- 
thing more than the female of the R. insignis — (See sp. 3.) 
2. R. Deformis of Horsfield, having been described from a very imper- 
fect specimen, should he altogether removed from the catalogue. 
GENUS XV. NYCTOPHILUS.— SOUTH-SEA BATS. 
Syn. Nyctopiihos Leach, Linn. Trans. XIII. 78. — Gray, Mag. Zool. and 
Bot. 11. 496. 
Nvctophilf.. — Temm. Mon. Mam. X, p. 46.— De Blainv* Ann. de 
Scien, Nat. 2d. Serie, IX. 360. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
The Dental Formula ’|’±g;-J^J=l|=26. 
The Ears very large, united over the forehead, the tragus lanceolate. 
The Tail not forked. 
The Membranes not so developed as in Nycteris. 
Inhabit the Islands in the Southern Ocean. 
The upper incisors in this genus are long, conical, and pointed ; and, 
by their position, wliich is near the canines, and their conical and cu- 
rious curved form, they have somewhat the appearance of a second pair 
of canines: the inferior ones are somewhat crowded, ill arranged, broad, 
and tri-lobed. The canines arc so free that they do not interfere with the 
development of the incisors, as in the Bull-Dog Bats, (Dysopes.) All 
the molars- are tuhercular, the lower ones being most conical. This 
dental apparatus, so far as the incisors and canines are concerned, allies 
this genus to the Rhinolophi, whilst the molars, by their number and 
shape, associate it with Nycteris. Hence it is intermediate between 
these genera. It moreover agrees with the latter in the extraordinary 
development of the ears, (which are united in front,) as well as in the 
lanceolate operculum, and nasal follicles. The tail is not terminated by a 
forked cartilage, and the cutaneous system is less developed, thus ap- 
proximating them to the true Bats. 
This genus as yet consists but of one species ; but the link is well 
characterized among the Nose-leaf Bats. 
1. NYCTOPHILUS GEOFFROYII GEOFFROY’S SOUTH-SEA 
BAT. 
Syn. Nyctophile Geopfroy — Temm. Mon. Mam. II. 47. 
Icon. Temm. Mon. Mam. II. pi. 34. 
SPECIFIC characters. 
The Hair black at the root, brown at the point above, grey beneath. 
The Ears very large, .and joined in front by a transverse band. 
The Tail not forked at the extremity. 
Inhabits the South Sea Islands. 
The ears of this species are very large, long, rounded at the point, and 
united in front by a large transversal fold; the internal border extending 
even to the commissure of the lips. The operculum, half the length of 
the ear, is broad at its base, and terminated by a rounded leaf. The 
muzzle is pointed. There are two small transversal leaflets upon the 
nose ; the posterior one is most elevated, contracted in the centre; the 
other is ruclimentary, and in a line parallel to the orifices of the nostrils. 
The tail is longer than the body, and is not forked at the point. The 
total length is nearly tlirce inches, and the extreme hrcadtli nearly ninq. 
The hair is bi-coloured: above it is black at the root, and deep brown 
towards the point; beneath the base is black, and the tip pale ash-colour. 
There are hairs upon the membranes, where they join the sides, and upon 
the upper part of tlie sides of the interfemoral. 
The UppebTncisors very small, continuous, and bi-lobed ; The Lower 
tri-lobed or bi-lobed. 
The Nostrils simple, the cartilage forming a moveable operculum. 
The Chanprin marked by a deep longitudinal furrow. 
The Interfemoral Membrane longer and wider than the body. 
The Tail long and bifurcated at the tip. 
A Pouch at each side of the mouth, communicating with large mem- 
branous sacs. 
Inhabit the African Continent, and perhaps Java. 
The chanfrin in this Genus is hollowed out by a longitudinal 
fossa, which is indicated on the cranium, and bounded by a cutane- 
ous fold, which partly covers it. The nostrils are simple. There are 
four incisors above, [generally] without any interval between them, 
and six below ; the ears are large, [often] not united, and the tail is 
included in the interfemoral membrane. Daubenton has described 
one under the name of Campagnol volant, and M. Geoffrey has dis- 
covered others in Egypt. 
The Genus Nycteris, instituted by M. Geoffrey, is distinguished by the 
following characters. The upper jaw has four incisors, which are bi- 
lobed, very small, and generally contiguous, then a canine, and four mo- 
lars on each side ; the six lower incisors, are tri-lobed, and, in other par- 
ticulars, agree with those of the upper jaw : the whole of the incisors are 
but little worn, owing to the points not meeting or fitting at all accu- 
rately. The intermaxillary bone is moveable, and always following the 
motions of the lip, makes tlie upper jaw appear shorter than the lower. 
The chanfrin is occupied with a longitudinal and wide groove, formed 
internally by means of laminae rising from tlie frontal bone, and uniting at 
the top; the outer edges being formed by a fold of skin, well clad with 
fine hair. The nostrils are situate at the lower part of this fossa, having 
their orifice habitually closed with a tubercle, like the bead of a nail, and 
which is, in fact, the cartilage of the nostrils. The oars are large, generally 
longer than the head, and extending far in front, and sometimes even 
meeting; there is an operculum or tragus which is not very large. Their 
integuments are more developed than those of the true Bats : the inter, 
femoral membrane being both broader and longer tlian their bodies ; their 
wings also are very ample, but more in breatith than extreme length. 
The index finger is composed of the metacarpal bone alone, and the 
others have only two phalanges proceeding from their metacarpals. The 
tail is composed of seven prolonged vertebrae, and in some of the species 
the last of them is distinctly bifurcated. 
In addition to those very distinct generic characters, M. Geoffrey de- 
scribes another very temaikable one, wliich is not only peculiar to this 
genus of Bats, but is not to be found in any other of the Mammalia. We 
shall describe this singular structure on M. Geoffroy’s authority ; at 
the same time, it would be satisfactory if bis observations were con- 
firmed. According to that ingenious Naturalist, the Nycteri are pos- 
sessed of certain vesicles, wliich, like Birds, they have the power of 
filling, and which, of course, greatly diminishes their specific gravity. He 
informs us that their skin does not adhere to the parts underneath with 
its usual closeness, and that the cellular tissue by which it is attached is 
so loose and extensile that the air can be readily introduced, and easily 
retained ; the only obstacles it encounters being certain bands of aponeu- 
rosis which occur on the sides ; complete obstructions occurring only 
around the various apertures of the body. This great sac communicates 
with the mouth, by two considerable openings, one on each side, like the 
chcek-pouclies of certain monkeys, and by means of these canals tne 
animal has the power, at will, of filling and emptying these vesicles, there 
being conspicuous sphincters round tlie foramina, and also large valves situ- 
ate upon the back and neck. The quantity of air that these animals can 
thus introduce is such that, like the fish of the genus Tetrodon, they can 
assume a shape nearly spherical, and thus become not unlike balloons 
supplied with great wings, a bead, and feet. 
Tliese animals inhabit the warm regions of the Old World, and fre- 
quent dark and fulsome caverns. 
GENUS xvr. NYCTERIS.— CHEEK-POUCHED BATS. 
Syn, Les Nyctkres. — Cuv. Reg. Anim. I. 119. — Gcoif. Ann. Mus. XX. 
1 1. — Hesni. Mam. 
NYcrmus, (Naclitflicger.) — Illig. Prodr. 119. — Fisch. Syn. Mam.— 
Gray, Mag. Zool. and Bot. II. 494. 
Vespertilio, (in part) — Linn. Gmel. I. — Sclireb. Saiigth. 
1. NYCTERIS HISPIDA BEARDED CHEEK-POUCHED BAT. 
Syn. Nycteris Daubenxonh. — Geoff. Ann. Mus. XX. 19. — Desm. Mam. 
No. 191. 
Vespertilio iiisriiins Linn. Gmel. 
Bearded Bat Penn. Quadr. II. 313. 
Icon. CampagnOI. volant. — Daubent Mem. de I’Acad. 1759, pi. 33, fig. 7. 
Autre Chauve-soubis Buff. T. X. pi. 20, fig. 1, 2 ; copied in Sebreb. 
pi. 56. 
generic characters. 
The Dental Formula 
»|2-f-C-f( F-|-3)M_]4_ 
l3-i-C-j-(2 F-j-3)M i8~ 
SPECIFIC characters. 
The Hair rcddisli-brown above, and whitish beneath. 
The Ears large, oblong; The Nose-Leaf very small. 
K 
voL. ir. 
