Molossus nasutus _Spix_, Simiarum et Vespertilionum. Braziliensium
species novæ. Nyctinomus Braziliensis.—_Geoffroy_, Annales des
Sciences Naturelles, tom. i. p. 337. pl. 22.
Of this species I find three specimens in Mr. Darwin’s collection—“It is
remarkable,” says Mr. Darwin, “for its wide geographical range. I
obtained specimens at Maldonado, on the northern bank of the Plata,
where it was exceedingly numerous in the attics of old houses, and
likewise at Valparaiso in Chile. Molina (vol. i. p. 301.) says another
species is found in Chile, of the same size and figure, but of a more
orange (_naranjado_) colour.”
Upon comparing the dimensions of several specimens of this species with
those given by Temminck in his “Monographie sur le Genre Molosse,” I
find that they vary very considerably; I shall therefore be adding some
little to the history of the species, by giving the dimensions of those
now before me, together with the sexes of the specimens measured, and
their localities. In all these specimens there is a series of pointed
tubercles along the upper margin of the ears, a character which M.
Temminck has omitted to notice. They vary slightly in the intensity of
their colouring, but among those brought from Chile I do not perceive
any agreeing with that species, or variety, mentioned by Molina as
approaching to an orange colour. All the specimens whose dimensions are
here given, are preserved in spirit. Two of them are from Maldonado
brought by Mr. Darwin; three were collected in Hayti by Mr. J. Hearne,
and one is from Chile, whence it was brought by Mr. H. Cuming.
From Chile. Hayti. Hayti.
♀ ♀ ♂
In. Lines. In. Lines. In. Lines.
Length of head and body 2 3 1 11 2 0
of tail 1 1½ 1 2 1 2
of free portion of ditto 0 6½ 0 5 0 6½
Expanse of wings 10 3 9 3 9 8
Length of antibrachium 1 7 1 6 1 6½
of ears 0 5 0 4½ 0 4¾
Width of ditto 0 7 0 6 0 6
Length from nose to eye 0 3½ 0 3 0 3¾
Hayti. Maldonado. Maldonado.
♂ ♀ ♀
In. Lines. In. Lines. In. Lines.
Length of head and body 2 0½ 2 6 2 6
of tail 1 1½ 1 1 1 2
of free portion of ditto 0 5⅓ 0 8¾ 0 8½
Expanse of wings 9 0 10 6 10 2
Length of antibrachium 1 6 1 8 1 9
of ears 0 4½ 0 5⅛ 0 5½
Width of ditto 0 6 0 7 0 7
Length from nose to eye 0 3 0 3½ 0 3½
In all the specimens examined by me, there are two incisors in the upper
jaw, and four in the lower, they would therefore, according to M.
Temminck, be adult.