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Show 258 MESSRS. O. THOMAS AND H. SCHWANN ON [Apr. 18, combined length of the large upper premolar and two molais is 3'4 mm. . Secondly, the name V. minutus Temminck (1835-41) is antedated by Montagu * (1808) for a Lesser Horseshoe Bat, and is therefore untenable for any member of the present group. Next, Vesperugo subtilis Sundevall, placed by D ob son (with a query) in the synonymy of " V. minutus," is really a Pipistrellus, as we have found by the examination of the skull of the type, most kindly lent to us by Dr. Einar Lonnberg. It is, however, not P. nanus, as might have been expected, but a species with incisors and premolars as in P. kuhlii, to which, although much smaller, it would seem to be allied. Although degenerated by chemicals, the large upper premolar and first two molars may be measured as 2-4 mm., and the lower tooth-row (exclusive of incisors) as 4-0 mm. The species does not appear to have been rediscovered since Wahlberg's time. Next, Vesperugo smithii Wagner, based on Vespertilio minutus Smith, of the ‘ Illustrations' (1848), placed by Dobson under V. capensis, must be a different Bat altogether, as it is said to have a forearm no less than 42 mm. in length. Lastly, the Madagascar specimens referred by Dobson (and Peters, whose writing is on some of them) to " Vesperugo minutus" represent, as might have been expected, a species conspicuously different from its Cape ally. It may be called YESPERTILIO MATROKAf, Sp. n. Size about as in V. capensis, though the skull is shorter. General colour above uniform rich brown, the type matching " vandyke-brown " of Ridgway, widely different from the greyish brown of V. capensis. Underside between 11 raw umber " and " mummy-brown," rather lighter on the lower abdomen. Ears rather smaller than in V. capensis and antitragal notch deeper. Other external characters apparently as in that species. Skull shorter, more rounded, and with a less flattened brain-case than in V. capensis. Molars rounded, not so broad transversely. Canines smaller and slenderer, the difference especially marked in the lower jaw. Anterior lower premolar only about half the transverse diameter of the posterior one. Dimensions of the type Forearm 33'5 111111. ; third finger 57. [Head and body (of a spirit-specimen with forearm 32 111111.) 43‘5 ; head 15-5; tail 29'5; ear 11-3; tragus on inner edge 4 ; lower leg and foot (c. u.) 19.] Skull-greatest length 13'5; basal length in middle line 10; mastoid breadth 7'7 ; combined length of large upper premolar and two molars 3-2 ; front of lower canine to back of m, 5. Rab. Madagascar. Type from Ambositra, Betsileo. Altitude about 1100 m. * Trans. Linn. Soc. ix. p. 163. f Malagasy for " dark brown." |