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Show 1905.] OF THE GENUS RHINOLOPHUS. 139 modified, chiefly in two respects:- (1) the third metacarpal is shortened; but at the same time the fourth metacarpal has remained the longest (as in all primitive species of Rhinolophus); (2) III.2, IV.2, and V.2, that is all the distal phalanges, are lengthened. Compare the table of measurements of Rh. midas and hipposiderus on the one side, with those of minor, lepidus, and all their allies on the other (see p. 143). Tail rather long, 1| the length of the leg. Plagiopatagium inserted on the ankle-joint. Colour (somewhat faded in alcohol) probably as light as in Rh. blasii. Shull. In all species of Rhinolophus the cochleae are large, making a narrow basioccipital (compare the genus Hipposiderus); but in Rh. midas and hipposiderus the peculiarity is carried to an extreme : the cochlece are so much increased in size as to reduce the basioccipital to a linear bridge of bone ; in some individuals (of Rh. hipposiderus) the cochlea* are almost in contact. This character alone makes the skull of these two species easily distinguishable, at a glance. But in every other respect, in the shape, the size, and the teeth, the skull is so exceedingly like that of Rh. minor, that there can scarcely be any doubt as to the very close relationship of the minor and midas types. Dentition. On the minor stage:-p3 external. A very narrow interspace between p2 and p4. p2 quite in row; a small cusp, pointing inwards. Upper canine and p4 well separated. Type. 5 ad. (in alcohol). Jask, Persian Gulf. Presented by A. Butcher, Esq. Brit. Mus. no. 94.11.16.1. Remarks. The discovery of this highly interesting species seems to remove all doubt as to the close affinities of minor and hipposiderus. The sella of midas is intermediate between that of minor and hipposiderus ; it recalls that of empusa and blasii, which also are modifications of the minor-type; to the peculiarly long and cuneate lancet we have a parallel in one of the modifications of the minor-type described in this paper, viz. Rh. gracilis. The geographical habitat of midas is, too, rather intermediate between the Oriental minor and the W. Palsearctic hipposiderus. Rh. midas is, of course, readily distinguishable from Rh. hipposiderus by the shape of the sella. In the width of the brain-case, as well as in external dimensions, it is like the southern, more primitive form of hipposiderus (Rh. h. minimus). 27. R h in o l o p h u s h ip p o s id e r u s Bechst. Diagnosis. Sella cuneate; summit pointed. Forearm 34'7- 41'7 mm. Details. Breadth of sella at base never more, but generally less than half its vertical height. Colour. (1) Younger, but quite full-grown individuals; skins; Cyprus, S. Carpathians, Switzerland. Very nearly " mouse-grey" above; horse-shoe patch faintly, or not at all, indicated; base |