ORDER OF CHEIROPTERA. 
527 
Genus Taphozons. — The animals belonging to this genus are 
natives of Africa and the hot parts of Asia. They are charac- 
terised by a hollow forehead and a somewhat short tail, which, 
instead of being confounded in the substance of the interfemoral 
membrane, as in the majority of the Cheiroptera, is detached and 
projects downwards. Their wings generally have a span of from 
eight to twelve inches. 
Genus Noctilios. — The Noctilios have thick cleft lips, like a 
hare-lip — a conformation which gives their physiognomy quite a 
repulsive aspect. Only two species are known, and these belong 
to Guiana, Brazil, and Peru. 
Genus Vespertilio. — This genus comprises the species more par- 
ticularly designated by the name of Bats. Nearly all of them 
have a long tail, and the interfemoral membrane very developed. 
Though generally of small size, they yet devour a large quantity 
Fig. 229. — Head of Long-eared Bat ( Plecotus auritus). 
of insects. One of them, the Pipistrella, eats upwards of seventy 
common flies at a meal. Like many of the Cheiroptera, they emit a 
musky odour that immediately betrays their presence. They are 
very numerous, and have their representatives in all parts of the 
world. 
Among the most common, we may mention the Noctilio, which 
inhabits France and nearly the whole of Europe ; the Pipistrella, 
which is also found everywhere in Europe, as well as in Africa and 
India, — the span of its wings does not exceed nine inches; the 
Long-eared Bat (Fig. 229), so named because of its enormous 
ears, — it is met with in France and other parts of Europe, though 
it is somewhat scarce ; the Vespertilio murina , which lives in 
numerous flocks in Europe and Algeria, — it is the largest of the 
Vespertilionidce , measuring eighteen inches. 
