168 Mr. Montagu's Account of some Species of Bah. 



vonshire, commonly known by the appellation of Kents-hole, 

 and where both species are usually observed in considerable 

 abundance clinging to the vaulted roof of the interior apart- 

 ments. This vast cavern was explored with a view to obtain 

 whatever species of Vespertilio might inhabit it, and with ex- 

 pectation of procuring specimens of V. Barbastellus, and 

 possibly some new species, having been informed the cave 

 abounded in number and variety. Strange, however, as it may 

 appear, not a single instance occurred of any other species 

 becoming an inhabitant of this dark and frightful region. 



It should therefore appear that these two Bats are as con- 

 genial in their animal temperature, as they are similar in habit; 

 and that in constitution they essentially differ from all the other 

 British species. 



It is well known that all places impervious to light, and desti- 

 tute of a free circulation of air, can neither be suddenly heated 

 nor suddenly cooled by the changes of atmospheric tempera- 

 ture, and that the vicissitudes of such a climate are extremely 

 small : thus these species from instinct seek those dark and 

 dreary abodes, and wholly retire from the face of day, their 

 feelings being repugnant to the benign influence of the solar 

 rays, which vivifies and reanimates all nature besides. 



The r. Noctula, murium, auritus, and probably Barbastellus, 

 whose constitutions appear more robust, do not retire into total 

 darkness, nor wholly remove from the vicissitudes of the sur- 

 rounding atmosphere ; but, being formed by nature to bear a 

 greater degree of either heat or cold, content themselves with 

 such a hybernaculum as is sufficient to protect them equally 

 from the extremes of one or the other. Thus we find these in 

 the fissures of old buildings, in towers, under the eaves of houses 

 and churches, and in the hollows of trees, and not unfrequently 



congregated ; 



