. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. Fig. 16.—Head of Nyctcris javanicus. The Nyctophilets {Nyctophilus, Leach)— Are, according to Temminck, somewhat intermediate to the Rhinolphines and the next genua of Nycterins ; approaching the former in the character of their incisors and canines, and the latter in that of their molars : the ears are large and pointed ; the tragus lanceolate ; nasal follicles distinct ; the tail moderately long, and enveloped in the membrane. Nyct. Geoffroyi, Leach, is the only known species, from some part of Oceanica. It appears
. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. Fig. 16.—Head of Nyctcris javanicus. The Nyctophilets {Nyctophilus, Leach)— Are, according to Temminck, somewhat intermediate to the Rhinolphines and the next genua of Nycterins ; approaching the former in the character of their incisors and canines, and the latter in that of their molars : the ears are large and pointed ; the tragus lanceolate ; nasal follicles distinct ; the tail moderately long, and enveloped in the membrane. Nyct. Geoffroyi, Leach, is the only known species, from some part of Oceanica. It appears to be allied to the true Bats (Vespertilio), and was included in Barbastellus, Gray, as originally constituted.] The Nycterins (Nycteris, Cuv. and Geof.) — Have the forehead furrowed by a longitudinal groove, which is even marked upon the cranium, bordered by a fold of the skin, which partially covers it ; nostrils simple ; four incisors without inter- vals above, and six below ; ears large and separated ; the tail involved in the inter- femoral membrane [and terminated by a bifid cartilage (fig. 16, 2).] They ai. African species [for the most part, but oik inhabits Java. These animals are remarkable for a power of inflating the skin, which is only attached to the body in some few places, by an open cel- lular connexion. There is a small aperture at the bottom of each cheek-pouch, by which this is effected ; and the nostrils are so formed as to close when at rest, and to open only at will. By respiring with the mouth closed, the air passes through these apertures along the frontal groove to the upper part of the neck, and thence under the skin of the back, chest, and abdomen, which, by a repetition of the process, can be puffed out like a balloon : the intent remains to be explained.] The Rhinopomes {Rhinopoma, Geof.)— Have the frontal depression less marked ; the nostrils at the end of the muzzle, with a little lamina above, forming a kind of snout; the ears are joined
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, bookpublishe, booksubjectanimals
