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BATS. 
Sucker-Footed Our notice of the Typical Bats may conclude with genera, 
Bats - each represented only by a single species, which are peculiar in 
having sucking organs on the thumbs or hind feet. One of these species is 
the tricolor bat (Thyroptera tricolor ) of Brazil, and the other the golden bat 
(Myxopoda aurita) of Madagascar. Both have thirty-eight teeth, as in the genus 
Vespertilio. In the former the suckers are in the form of round discs on the 
lower surfaces of the thumbs and the soles of the feet; while in the latter the 
sucker on the thumb is horseshoe-like, and those 
on the feet are smaller. Both these bats are 
further remarkable for possessing three joints in 
the third or middle finger of the wing, in which 
respect they resemble the second family of the 
Free-Tailed Bats. 
By the aid of their suctorial discs these bats 
are enabled to climb smooth polished surfaces, after 
the manner of cuttle-fishes; but a good and satis¬ 
factory account of their habits is still a desideratum. 
The occurrence of the two forms of sucker-footed 
bats in such widely remote regions as Madagascar 
and Brazil is one out of many instances indicating an intimate connection between 
the faunas of South Africa and South America. 
HEAD OF TALL-CROWNED BAT (3 times 
nat. size). (From Dobson, Proc . 
Zool . Soc ., 1880.) 
The Free-Tailed The bats remaining for notice are arranged in two families, and 
insectivorous differ so markedly from those described that they may be regarded as 
B ats. forming a separate branch derived from the same stock as that from 
which the Typical Bats have originated. From the circumstance that in many 
of these bats a greater or smaller portion of the tail is completely detached from 
the membrane between the hind legs, the whole group may be conveniently referred 
to as the Free-Tailed Bats: and to them we devote a special chapter. 
skeleton of bat {Vespertilio), in creeping posture. 
