OCR Text |
Show 1894.] MR. A. THOMSON'S REPORT O N T H E INSECT-HOUSE. 133 It proves to bs new, and I propose to call it STENODERMA MONTSERRATENSE, sp. n. Most nearly allied to S. nichollsi, Thos.l, with which it agrees in the characters which separate that from S. rufum, Geoffr., but distinguished by its decidedly larger size, stouter build, and by the proportions of the canines and premolars, both above and below, which are broader horizontally and less elongate vertically. The inner upper incisors are as distinctly bicuspidate as in S. achrado-philum, Gosse. Molars -|, their proportions much as in S. nichollsi; the last upper transversely oval, proportionally rather larger than in the allied species ; their area in cross section nearly equal to that of the inner upper incisors. Palatal emargination long and narrow. External characters as usual, except that the fur on the upper surface of the arms, wing-membranes, and legs is thicker and more extended, and also that, as compared with S. nichollsi, the colour is more of a slaty than a brownish grey. No facial streaks or white shoulder-marks. Dimensions of the type, an adult male in spirit:-Head and body 69 m m . ; ear from notch 16-5; forearm 5P5 ( = 2*03 in.) ; lower leg 23 ; knee to most distant point of hind claws 35*5. Skull: basal length 18*2; greatest length 23*6; zygomatic breadth 16 ; interorbital breadth 7'1; palate, breadth outside m^ 10*5, inside m ^ 4'4 ; basion to front of palatal notch 1 3 2 ; front of canine to back of m ^ 7*4, ditto below 7*4. Hob. Montserrat, West Indies. This Bat is said to hang all day under the branches of trees, and not to take refuge in holes and crannies as most species do. February 20, 1894. Prof. G. B. HOWES, F.Z.S., in the Chair. Mr. Arthur Thomson, the Society's Head Keeper, exhibited a series of Insects reared in the Insect-house in the Society's Gardens during the past year, and read the following Beport on the subject:- Report on the Insect-house for 1893. Examples of the following species of Insects have been exhibited in the Insect-house duriug the past season:- Silk-producing Bombyces and their Allies. Indian. Attacus atlas. Anthercea myliita. • cynthia. Actias selene. pernyi. I Ann. Mag. N. H. (6) vii. p. 529 (1891). |