ng close together in
front. The genus is restricted to the tropical and subtropical regions
of the New World. _M. obscurus_, a small species common in tropical
America, inhabits the hollow trunks of palms and other trees and the
roofs of houses. The males and females live apart (as is the case in
most if not all bats). In West Africa the mastiff-bats are represented
by _Eomops_, with one species; while _Nyctinomops_ includes a number
of tropical American species more nearly related to the next genus, in
which some of them (fig. 22) were formerly included. The widely spread
_Nyctinomus_, with _i._ 1/3 or 1/2, _p._ 2/2 or 1/2, and the upper
incisors separate in front, includes numerous species inhabiting the
tropical and subtropical parts of both hemispheres. The lips of the
bats of this genus are even more expansible than in _Molossus_, in
many of the species (fig. 22) showing vertical wrinkles. _N.
toeniotis_ (or _cestonii_), one of the largest species, alone extends
into Europe, as far north as Switzerland. _N. johorensis_, from the
Malay Peninsula, is remarkable for the extraordinary form of its ears.
_N. brasiliensis_ is common in tropical America, and extends as far
north as California.

Myzopoda and Mystacops.

[Illustration: FIG. 23.--Thumb and leg and foot of New Zealand bat
(_Mystacops tuberculatus_), enlarged. (From Dobson.)]

Here may be conveniently noticed two very rare and aberrant bats,
_Myzopoda_ (or _Myxopoda_) _aurita_ of Madagascar, and _Mystacops_ (or
_Mystacina_) _tuberculatas_ of New Zealand, the latter of which is
believed to be well-nigh, if not entirely, exterminated. Their
systematic position and affinities are somewhat uncertain; but in the
opinion of O. Thomas[2] the former should typify a separate family,
_Myzopodidae_, in which the latter may also find a place. From all
other bats _Myzopoda_ is distinguished by the presence of a peculiar
mushroom-shaped organ at the base of the large ear, and by the union
of the tragus with the latter, on the inner base of which it forms a
small projection. There are three phalanges in the middle finger; and
the whole inferior surface of the thumb supports a large sessile
horseshoe-shaped adhesive pad, with the circular margin directed
forwards and notched along its edge, while a smaller pad occupies part
of the sole of the hind-foot. Mr Thomas regards this bat as related on
the