Charles Plumier's (1646–1704) Vespertilio maximus ex insula Sancti Vincentii: a previously unpublished description and drawings of the Greater Bulldog Bat, Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758)

A previously unpublished description and drawings of the Greater Bulldog Bat, Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758), made by French Minim friar Charles Plumier (1646–1704) during the first (1687–1688) of three voyages of exploration to the West Indies, are described and reproduced. The earliest known depiction of this taxon, Plumier's account is compared with later descriptions, especially those of Dutch apothecary Albertus Seba (1665–1736) and Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778). Evidence is also presented to emphasize the originality and scientific accuracy of Plumier's account.