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Show 1878.] ON A C O L L E C T I O N O F C H I R O P T E R A . 873 smaller than the third; molars acutely tubercular, with W-shaped cusps. Length (of the type specimen, an adult male), head and body 2"*3; tail 1"*9, tail free from membrane 0"*6 ; head0"*85; ear 1"*3, tragus 0"*25 ; forearm 1"*85; thumb 0"*3; third finger- metacarp. 1"*5, 1st ph. 0"*7, 2nd ph. 0"*75, 3rd ph. 0"-55; fifth finger-metacarp. 1"*5, 1st ph. 0"*5, 2nd ph. 0"*5 ; tibia 0"*7; calcaneum 0"*6 ; foot 0"*3. Certain peculiarities in the structure of this very remarkable species recall similar peculiarities in Thyroptera tricolor, and have evidently resulted from adaptation to the same purpose. Thus in these two species alone are the toes united to the base of the claws, and in them alone, among all known species of Bats (except the Phyllo-rhininee), have the toes an equal number of phalanges ; they also, in the possession of a third phalanx in the middle finger, differ from all the species of Vespertilionidae, and from those of the allied families. This species, however, differs remarkably from Thyroptera tricolor in the structure of the adhesive disks, in the presence of a well developed metacarpal bone of the second finger, in the form of the head and ears, and in dentition, and must undoubtedly be considered the type of a distinct genus of Vespertilionidae. As remarked above, the adhesive pads are evidently less perfect as clinging-organs than the corresponding parts in Thyroptera tricolor, and occupy, in this respect, an intermediate position between those of that species and of Vesperugo pachypus. It is probable that this species (in common with the few other species of Bats provided with such accessory clinging-organs) uses the adhesive pads in sustaining its hold on the smooth hard stems and leaves of palms and of other hard-wooded trees'. 12. Notes on recent Additions to the Collection of Chiroptera in the M u s e u m d'Histoire Naturelle at Paris, with Descriptions of N e w and Rare Species. By G. E. DOBSON, M.A., M.B., &c. [Received October 28, 1878.] Through the kindness of M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards I have lately been permitted to examine and describe the valuable additions to the collection of Chiroptera in the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, made by various collectors since m y last visit to Paris in 1876. The collections, from which the specimens which form the subject matter of this paper were derived, were made chiefly in the islands of N e w Guinea and New Caledonia, in Siam, in Africa and Madagascar, and in Central America. The species may therefore 1 See my 'Catalogue of tbe Chiroptera in the Collection of the British Museum,' p. 444 ; also ' Nature,' vol. xviii. p. 585. |