NORTHERN ZOOLOGY,
P A R T Ï.
MAMMALIA.
[1.] 1 . V e s p e r t il io P r u in o s u s . (Say.) Hoary Bat.
Genus. Vespertilio. Linn. Sub-geniis. Vespertilio, Geoffroy.
V. Pruinosus, Say. Long’s Exped., vol. i. p. 167- American edition, (vol. i. p. 331, Engl, ed.)
Harlan. Fauna Amer. p. 21.
Hoary Bat. Godman. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 68, and fig. t. No. 3.
This species of Bat was first noticed by Mr. Nuttall, at Council Bluffs, on the
Missouri; and Mr. Say, in Long’s Expedition, describes an individual captured
in the same neighbourhood. Dr. Godman states, that it has been taken near
Philadelphia. The specimen I have described below was caught at Cumberland-
house on the Saskatchewan, in latitude 54°, and presented to me by Mr. Isbister,
resident clerk at that post. This individual is larger than Mr. Say’s, but there
seems to be no other difference. Godman’s figure does not represent the tail
forming a small obtuse point to the interfemoral membrane, such as it exists in
my specimen. After a minute examination, I could find no traces of more than
two incisors in the upper jaw. Mr. Say found the same number; but it is possible,
that some cutting-teeth may have dropped out in both specimens. The
number of teeth would bring this species of Bat into the genus Nycticeius of
Rafinesque; but the whole habit of, the animal shews that it is properly classed
in Geoffroy’s genus Vespertilio, a subdivision of the great Linneeau genus,
DESCRIPTION.
Dental formula, incisors f, canines J-Ei, grinders ^ = 34.
The superior incisors are conical and sharp pointed, separated from each other by a wide
naked space, and closely adjoining to the canine tooth on their respective sides. They are
B