5. OTONYCTERIS. 181 brane is covered thinly as far as a line drawn from the middle of the humerus to the knee-joint ; beneath, to the same extent, but more densely; the interfemoral membrane is naked on both surfaces, except about the root of the tail.
Above dark brown; beneath similar, with paler extremities. Dentition similar to that of Pl. auritus ; the outer upper incisors are comparatively shorter; the first and second lower premolars very small, slender, and acutcly pointed.
Length (of an adult ? preserved in spirit), head and body 2", tail 1'"8, head 0-75, ear 1-35 x 0'-85, tragus 0’-6 x 0'"17, forearm 1-7, thumb 0-35, third finger 2"-7, fourth finger 2-3, fifth finger 2'-2, tibia 0'"75, caleaneum 0'°75, foot 0'°45.
Hab, North America (Vancouver's Island, Utah, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, S. Carolina, Florida).
Pl. townsendi is said by Allen to differ from Pl. macrotis in being larger, in the face being broader and more elongate, and in the greater development of the glandular eminences on the sides of the muzzle. These differences appear to me to be due to age, Pl. townsendi representing the perfectly adult condition of the species, in which the glands of the muzzle are more developed. I find that the size of the glandular eminences varies considerably in different specimens even from the same locality.
This species agrees with Pl. auritus in dentition and in general form, the chief differences being the great development of the glandular eminences on the sides of the muzzle (Plate XI. fig. 8) and the less prominent lobe on the inner margin of the ear above its base; and these characters have been used by Allen as distinguishing marks of his genus Corinorhinus. But in some specimens of Pl. auritus the glands on the sides of the muzzle form rounded prominences rising slightly above the margins of the naked crescentic depressions behind the nostrils. It is easy to conceive these prominences becoming so large as to bend over and conceal the grooves, and this is what we find in Pl. macrotis. I cannot therefore consider this species as the type of a genus distinct from Plecotus. a 2 ad., al, Vancouver’s Island. Purchased.
5. OTONYCTERIS.
Otonycteris, Peters, MB. Akad. Berl. 1859, p. 222. Crown of the head scarcely raised above the face-line; nostrils opening at the extremity of the muzzle by crescentic apertures continuous with small grooves on the upper surface of the muzzle, much less defined than in Plecotus; ears very large, separate; tragus as in Plecotus. = na ee Dentition. Inc. a CG. [p> pm. soe M- 5s.
Teeth like those of Nyctophilus. Skull very flat, slanting equally from the occipital crest to the extremity of the nasals.
182 VESPERTILIONID.Z.
1. Otonycteris hemprichii.
Otonycteris hemprichii, Peters, MB. Akad. Berl. 1859, p. 222. Ears very large, much longer than the head, oval, rounded off above; lower third of the inner margin of the ear-conch strongly convex, but not forming a projection as in Plecotus auritus ; upper two thirds slightly convex, outer margin straight in upper third, then strongly convex, emarginate opposite the base of the tragus, terminating near the angle of the mouth; tragus very similar to that of Plecotus auritus.
Wings from the base of the toes; calcaneum without a distinct postcalcaneal lobe; tail long, of eight vertebree, half the last osseous vertebra free; the fourth and fifth fingers terminating in T-shaped cartilaginous processes.
Fur rather long and dense, scarcely extending upon any part of the membranes or extremities, and leaving the muzzle in front of the eyes nearly naked; above pale sepia, the basal two thirds of the hairs very pale buff, almost white; beneath pale buff or dirty white throughout; ears and membranes pale brown.
Upper incisors unicuspidate, close to the canines, each with a prominent external basal process; the single upper premolar large, close to the canine, last upper molar consisting of a narrow transverse plate; the lower incisors are peculiar, each tooth is flattened laterally, so that its long diameter in cross section is at right angles to the semicircular line in which the teeth are placed between the canines ; first lower premolar scarcely half the size of the second, which exceeds the canine in cross section at its base, and nearly equals it in vertical extent.
Length (of an adult 9), head and body about 3”, tail 2-3, head 1'"1, ear 1'45, tragus 0'"6, forearm 2'-6, thumb 0'"5; third finger— metacarp. 2-4, Ist ph. 0-9, 2nd ph. 1:2; fourth finger—metacarp. 2'°3, Ist ph. 0-65, 2nd ph. 0-6; fifth finger—metacarp. 2'°3, 1st ph. 0"°6, 2nd ph. 0'°45; tibia 1"+1, foot 0"°5.
Hab. N.E. Africa; N.W. Himalayas (Gilgit, 5000 feet). Otonycteris hemprichii resembles Plecotus awritus very closely in general external structure. The proportional lengths of the bones of the extremities, the form of the ear-conch and tragus, and the structure and mode of attachment of the volar membranes are very similar in both species, which differ, however, very considerably in the shape of the skull, in dentition, and in the shape and extent of the grooves behind the nasal apertures.
The only specimens of this species yet obtained are the type in the Berlin Museum from the collections of MM. Hemprich and Ehrenberg, made in Africa, and a well-preserved skin of an adult female in this Museum, which was brought by Captain J. Biddulph from Gilgit. From the latter specimen (which Prof. Peters has very kindly compared with the type) the above description has been taken.
a ad. sk. Gilgit. Captain J. Biddulph [P.].
6, VESPERUGO. 183 6. VESPERUGO.
Vesperugo, Keys. § Blas. Wiegm. Archiv, 1889, p. 812; Fauna Deutschl. p. 49 (1857).
Muzzle generally very broad and obtuse, the glandular prominences between the eyes and the nostrils well developed, increasing the width of the face; crown of the head flat, or very slightly raised above the face-line; nostrils opening sublaterally by simple crescentic apertures on the front surface of the naked extremity of the muzzle; ears separate, generally much shorter than the head, broad and triangular, the outer margin extending forwards beyond the base of the tragus, the internal basal lobe rounded ; tragus generally short and obtuse, the outer margin more or less convex, the inner margin straight or concave. Tail less than the length of the head and body; the calceaneum generally supports on its posterior margin a small rounded cutaneous lobe (the postcaleaneal lobe), which, in this genus and in the closely allied genus Chalinolobus, reaches its greatest development; feet short and broad; membranes thin. Dentition. Inc. 7, in the subgenera Scotozous and Rhogeéssa ; pm. — or a or (in the subgenus Lusionycteris only) 3-3 Upper incisors in pairs separated by a wide interval; the outer upper incisors on each side parallel, and close to the longer inner one, often minute, rarely absent; first upper premolar minute or absent; first lower premolar in the tooth-row, not crushed in between the adjoining teeth; its summit directed slightly outwards. The Bats of this genus are generally easily distinguished by their comparatively thickly formed bodies, by their flat broad heads and obtuse muzzles, the thickness of which is increased in front by the rounded glandular elevations, by their short, broad, and triangular, obtusely pointed ears, by their obtuse and usually slightly incurved tragus, by their short legs, and by the presence in most species of a well developed postcalcaneal lobule (seo Plate XIII. fig. 1). This lobule (which is supported by a cartilaginous process derived from the calcaneum) probably acts as a kind of adhesive disk in securing the animal’s grasp when climbing over smooth surfaces. Some of the species, however, in their external form closely resemble those of other genera, while others, although corresponding with the typical forms of the genus in general external structure, yet differ in the number of their teeth. Thus V. (Vesperus) velatus resembles Plecotus auritus so very closely in the form. of the earconch and tragus that it has been made the type of a genus Histiotus by Gervais; and V. annectens agrees so remarkably in general form withthe species of Vespertilio that it can only be distinguished by its dental characters ; while V. (Rhogeéssa) parvulus and V. (Scotozous) dormeri correspond rather with the genera Nyeticejus and Scotophilus in dentition, although they evidently belong in their aggregate characters to this genus. This genus probably contains the greatest number of individuals «
184 VESPERTILIONID&.
among the genera of Chiroptera. The common Bats of all countries, especially of those lying within the temperate and subtropical regions of the northern hemisphere, generally belong to it. The characters of the species often vary considerably within certain bounds; and specimens of the same species, even from the same locality, occasionally present differences which lead to their being regarded as examples of distinct species. The colour of the fur is generally dark brown or black, the extremities of the hairs of a paler colour on the upper surface and ashy or whitish beneath.
Range. Generally distributed throughout all regions of the earth, but more common in the temperate and subtropical regions of the eastern hemisphere. The species of this genus have also the most northerly range, and one, Vesperugo borealis, has been found close to the limits of the Arctic Circle. Synopsis of Subgenera.
‘ 2-2 A. Incisors aaa a. Outer upper incisors well developed, or if small, yet distinct; no bone in the penis.
a'. Lower premolars 2—2.
a. Upper premolars 1—1 ........ 1. VESPERUS, p. 184. 6”. Upper premolars 2—2 ........ 2. VESPERUGO, p. 209. b’. Lower premolars 83—3 .......... 3. LasIoNnyCTERIS, p. 238. bd. Outer upper incisors very small, scarcely raised above the gum, occasionally posterior to the tooth-row; penis with a distinct bone.
ce". Premolars = Saauers eve nieer Ral eter 4, HESPEROPTENDS, p. 239. B. Incisors .
ad", Premolars = Le ee Me ea 5. RHOGEESSA, p. 246. e”, Premolars am Slasierensnrmapeemens 6. Scorozous, p. 243. Ine. amd the outer incisors generally much shorter than the inner ones, and : : 1—1 wna plane anterior to them; pm. x=, the upper premolar large, close to the canine: postcalcaneal lobe narrow: wings from the base of the toes ; the last, or the two last caudal vertebre generally free. Hab. Eastern and western hemispheres. Subgen. VESPERUS. Synopsis of the Species.
A. Thumbs and soles of the feet simple, without adhesive cushions.
a. Ears longer than the head, auditory bulle ossee very large.
a’, Tragus long, attenuated upwards and inclined outwards, reaching its greatest width below the middle of
6. vESPERUGO. 185 its outer margin, inner margin convex *.
a”. Ears very much longer than the head, united across the forehead by a distinct band.
a". Kars triangular ; inner margin of the ear-conch very convex in the lower third.
a. Ears more than one third longer than the head, united by a deep band; the last two caudal vertebra: free; forenvim 2 eis ecko tte. 1. V. velatus, p. 188. b . Ears oval; inner margin of the ear-conch moderately convex throughout.
8. Ears nearly double the length of the head, united by a deep band; the last and the antepenultimate caudal vertebree free; forearm 1'"8 .. 2. V. macrotus, p. 189. y. Ears about one third longer than the head, united by a low band ; tail and forearm as in the preceding species.. 3. V. montanus, p. 189. bd”, Ears scarcely longer than the head, not united.
ON Seed uses tores aft tva ig: dope USOC .. 4, V. magellanicus, p. 190. b. Ears shorter than the head; auditory bulle osse@ moderate. b'. Tragus moderately long, reaching its greatest width slightly above the base of its inner margin; postcalcaneal lobe very narrow or absent. 6". Inner upper incisors with a small external cusp or projection near their extremities, disappearing as the teeth become worn. b'’. Outer upper incisors minute, close to and slightly in front of the inner incisors; one or more caudal vertebra quite free from the interfemoral membrane.
a. The ears laid forwards extend more than midway between the eyes and the end of the muzzle ; last two caudal vertebra free; forearm 2'"25 5. V. serotinus, p. 191. 8. The ears laid forwards extend slightly beyond the eyes; last caudal vertebra free ; forearm 2'"15............ 6. V. andersont, p. 195. y. The ears laid forwards extend almost as far as the end of * Genus Histiotus, Gervais.
186 VESPERTILIONID, the muzzle; the last caudal vertebra and half the anteenultimate vertebra free; Polen An tect as.Gsosionee ce". Outer upper incisors minute, close to and quite external to the inner incisors; half the last caudal vertebra free. ce’, Muzzle broad and flattened in front, nostrils opening by oblique slits.
6. Ears much shorter than the head; forearm 1/°35.... d', Muzzle as in V. serotinus; ears much shorter than the head.
e. Smaller; forearm1"15 .. ¢. Larger; forearm 1"-4-1'"6. ce". Inner upper incisors unicuspidate. a’. Outer upper incisors as in V. minutus.
7. The ears laid forwards extend slightly beyond the eyes; last caudal vertebra free ; fovea Oy ews aeoh acess e’. Outer upper. incisors as in V. serotinus.
6. The ears laid forwards extend more than midway between the eyes and the extremity of the muzzle, which projects far beyond the lower lip; fur white beneath ; forearm. W406i cee scion ec’. Tragus rather short, reaching its greatest width about the middle of its inner margin, not curved inwards, inner margin straight ; postcalcaneal lobe distinct. d', Inner upper incisor on each side with a distinct external second cusp at or near its extremity. d'". Outer upper incisors very short, unicuspidate; tail almost wholly included in the interfemoral membrane; ears much shorter than the head. «. Wing-membranes and fur beneath pure white; forearm1'"15 x. Wing-membranes and fur brown; forearm 1"2........ e'". Outer upper incisor on each side nearly as long as the outer cusp of the inner incisor; lower incisors in the direction of the jaws; ears much shorter than the head. 7. V. hilarw, p. 196. 8. V. platyrhinus, p. 196. 9. V. minutus, p. 197. 10. V. capensis, p. 108. ll. V. megalurus, p. 199. 12. V. nasutus, p. 200. 13. V. tenuipinnis, p. 200. 14. V, pumilus, p. 201.
6. VESPERUGO. 187 r. Half the last caudal vertebra free; forearm 1°25 ...... 15. V. grandidiert, p. 202. p. The last two caudal vertebra free; forearm 1""G........ 16. V. propinguus, p. 208. f'". Outer upper incisors on each side longer than the outer cusp of the inner incisor; lower incisors at right angles to the direction of the jaws ; ears much shorter than the head.
v. The last two caudal vertebrae free; forearm 1'"5........ 17. V. borealis, p. 208. d'. Tragus rather short, erpanded above, reaching its greatest width slightly above the middle of its inner margin, not curved inwards, inner margin straight; postcalcaneal lobe distinct.
e’. Inner upper incisor on each side with a distinct external second cusp.
g'". Outer upper incisor on each side nearly as long as the outer cusp of the inner incisor. g'. Ears shorter than the head, the last osseous caudal vertebra quite free.
&. Fur yellowish white on the upper surface; forearm1'-6 18, V. discolor, p. 204. h'’, Outer upper incisors minute. h*, Ears very nearly as long as the head; the last rudimentary caudal vertebra alone free.
o. Ears oval; fur deep black ; forearm 17 .......--- 19. V. atratus, p. 206. e'. Tragus short, expanded above and curved inwards.
f". Inner upper incisor on each side with a distinct external second cusp at or near its extremity. 2”. Outer upper incisor on each side very short, unicuspidate, scarcely exceeding the cingulum of the inner incisor in vertical extent.
a. Outer margin of the ear-conch terminating near the angle of the mouth; fur brown above and beneath; forearm TG cca tarste thant a were 20. V. pachyotis, p. 206. p. Outer margin of the ear-conch terminating beneath the lower jaw ; chin and throat pure white ; forearm 166 . 21. V. albigularis, p. 207.
188 VESPERTILIONID%, B. Base of the thumbs and soles of the feet with broad adhesive cushions.
o. Crown of the head remarkably flattened ; ears shorter than the head; tragus as in V.
minutus; forearm 1'"1.,.... 22. V. pachypus, p. 208. 1. Vesperugo velatus.
Plecotus velatus, Is. Geoffr. Ann. Sci. Nat. 1824, p. 446; Guérin, Mag. Zool. pl. ii. (1882); Wagner, Suppl. Schreb. Sdugeth. v. p. 717 (1855).
Vespertilio velatus, Temminck, Monogr, Mammal. ii. p. 240 (1835-41). Histiotus velatus, Gervais, Expéd. du Comte de Castelnau, Zoologie, p. 77 (1855); Peters, MB. Akad. Berl. 1875, p. 787. Ears very large, triangular, united at their bases posteriorly, as in Plecotus; base of the inner margin of the ear-conch straight, rounded at junction with the ascending portion, forming a broadly rounded slightly projecting lobe, which almost touches the corresponding part of the opposite ear, ascending inner margin straight or faintly convex, tip of the ear rounded, upper one fourth of the outer margin slightly concave, remaining portion slightly convex ; tragus as in Plecotus auritus, subacutely pointed and inclined outwards, inner margin regularly and slightly convex, upper half of the outer margin concave, lower half convex, a distinct rounded lobule at the base; nostrils simple, rather close together at the extremity of the muzzle; face bluntly conical; crown of the head not raised above the faceline; thumb short, with a strongly curved claw.
Wings from the base of the toes; postcalcaneal lobe small, shallow ; last two caudal vertebre free.
Fur, above and beneath, dark brown, the extremities of the hairs slightly paler beneath.
Teeth very similar to those of Vesperugo (Vesperus) serotinus. The inner upper incisor on each side long and slightly notched near the extremity, the outer incisor very short and close to the base of the inner incisor ; lower incisors trifid, placed at right angles to the direction of the jaws; the single upper premolar close to the canine; first lower premolar in the tooth-row, nearly three fourths the size of the second premolar.
Length, head and body 2”-4, tail 24, head 08, ear 12, tragus 0'-55, forearm 2”, thumb 0:4; third finger—metacarp. 1-75, Ist ph. 0'°65, 2nd ph. 1"; fourth finger—metacarp. 1'"7, 1st ph. 0-55, 2nd ph. 0-5; fifth finger—metacarp. 1'°7, Ist ph. 05. 2nd ph. 0-4; tibia 0'8, foot 0'°45.
(The above measurements have been taken from an adult female specimen preserved in the Berlin Museum; the type in the Paris Museum is slightly smaller, and has a forearm 1"'8 long.) Hab. Brazil.