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Show 1905.] OF THE GENUS RHINOLOPHUS. 83 parallel-margined. It would evidently have been much more to the point if Dobson had called these Bats Rh. borneensis, not Rh. megaphyllus. But Rh. borneensis, again, was confused with Rh. minor, which, however, not only is a distinct species, but belongs to a different group of the genus. 5. R hinolophus celebensis, sp. n. (Plate III. fig. 4 a, b.) Rhinolophus megaphyllus (non Gray), var. j3 (partim), Dobson, Cat. Chir. Brit. Mus. (1878) p. I l l (Menado). Diagnosis. Supraorbital crests meeting at a point more or less in front of the middle of the orbit. Nasal swellings narrow. Nose-leaves as in Rh. nanus and Rh. borneensis. Small: forearm 43-44*7 mm. Details. In the foregoing species {Rh. simplex, megaphyllus, tr uncat us, nanus), all of which are Australian or Austro-Malayan, the supraorbital crests join the sagittal crest at a point more or less behind the middle of the orbit. In Rh. celebensis, as in all the other species of the present group, which are all Oriental, Pakearctic, or Ethiopian, the supraorbital crests meet at a point more or less in front of the middle of the orbit. This makes a comparatively shorter postnasal depression, the supraorbital crests being the lateral borders of this depression. In this point therefore Rh. celebensis agrees with the Western forms of the group, differing from the Eastern. The mechanical reason for this modification is evidently the following: a slight increase in the size of the temporal muscle has pushed the sagittal crest more forwards; this involves a shortening of the supraorbital crests; this again a reduction in the length of the postnasal depression. The nasal swellings are narrow (4'8 mm.), as in the closely related Eastern forms {nanus, tr uncatus). In the more Western Rh. borneensis they are, at least somewhat, and as a rule considerably, broader. Compare figs. 4 and 5 on PI. III. It is worth noticing that the cranial characters of this species are, so to say, " in accordance with " its geographical habitat: Celebes is, geographically, intermediate between the Austro- Malayan and Inclo-Malayan subregions, and in its more important cranial characters Rh. celebensis points partly westwards (shortening of supraorbital crests), partly eastwards (narrow nasal swellings). The nose-leaves, ears, wings, and the general size are as in Rh. nanus and Rh. borneensis. Colour. (1) Makassar specimen ( 5 ad.; in alcohol; unfaded; teeth unworn).-General impression of upper side : brown ; the true colour is a deep brown shade of " drab " ; base of hairs a little lighter than drab ; under side drab with a tinge of " broccoli-brown." (2) Menado specimens (two skins; ad.; teeth almost unworn).- Above uniform dull " mars-brown," base of hairs but 6* |
