HO ON BATS, 



nion seems to have been confirmed by succeeding natu* 

 ralists as far as treading in the path of so great a physiolo- 

 gist may be considered as a proof of the fact. It must, 

 however, be acknowledged, that we should do well, if, at 

 the same time we admire the wisdom and consummate skill 

 of others, we were to recollect, that circumstances do not 

 always concur to throw all the light upon a subject that 

 might be desired, and that the wisest and most skilful phi- 

 losopher is not proof against mortal fallibility. 



Those who are in the habit of searching minutely into 

 the secrets of nature well know how necessary it is to be 

 cautious in admitting of general rules. 



That the appearance of two pectoral tents in the bat 



genus, without any others contiguous, should lead to a 



conviction, that they were the only papilla: such animals 



possessed, may easily be conceived ; but chance frequently 



de\elops what the most scrutinizing eye has sought for iu 



vain. 



butthelpss While I was searching for some curious insects, which 



horse-shoe bat were observed to move with unusual celerity amongst the 

 has two abdo- . J • ° 



imrwil papilla, fur of these bats*, the pectoral papillae of one of the 



v. minutus were very conspicuous by the spaee round them 

 being bare, as if the animal had recently suckled its 

 young; and to my utter astonishment, on turning the fur 

 over in every direction, I discovered two other teats very- 

 near together, situate on the lowest part of the abdo- 

 men, close to the pubis. It may readily be imagined, that 

 so unexpected a discovery scarcely admitted the senses to 

 determine the validity of ocular demonstration : the aid, 

 however, of glasses left no doubt of the fact, and a scien- 

 Whether this titic friend confirmed my opinion. At the moment of this 

 of the C genus er discovery I had embowelied all the specimens of v.ferrum- 

 or peculiar to cquinum, and consequently cannot determine whether they 

 a species, not similarly formed or not ; nor have I since procured a 



yet ascer- J \ L 



rained. female bat of any other species to examine, so that it yet re- 



mains to be ascertained, whether this structure is peculiar to 

 one or more species, or that the two abdominal papillae are 

 really essential to the generic character of these animals, 



* Cderipes vespertilionis, a newly discovered insect. 



but 



