200 BRANCH VERTEBRATA. 



The Big-eared Bat [P. macrotis] (ma kro'tis) measures 

 a foot in alar extent and is of a blackish color. It is 

 found in the more Central and Southern States. The 

 FIG 347 ^ e< ^ -Bat [Atalapha noveboracensis] 



(a tal'a pha no ve bo ra cen'sis) is one 

 of the most common as well as one of 

 the most beautiful of the bats. Its 

 bright red coat shaded with white will 

 always distinguish it. The Hoary Bat 



Big-eared Bat. r . , 7 7 -, 



[Atalapha cinerea\ (a tal'a pha ci ne'- 

 re a) is our largest form, measuring fourteen inches in 

 extent, and is quite rare. 



Of the genus Vespertilio (ves per tin o) we have sev- 

 eral representatives. The Little Brown Bat is the small- 

 est, measuring only nine inches in alar extent. It has 

 six molars above and six below. The Silver Black Bat 

 has long black hairs tipped with white. It has five 

 molars above and six below. The Dusky Bat, of about 

 the same size, has only four molars above and five 

 below. 



Of the exotic Bats, the Indian Fruit Bat, exhibited 

 by traveling shows, is a most familiar form. They are 

 of a large size, the body equaling that of a Guinea pig ; 

 but are without the sanguinivorous propensities often 

 attributed to them. In India they make nocturnal raids 

 on the cocoa-nut plantations and mango gardens, destroy- 

 ing large quantities of the fruit. On the approach of 

 daylight, they retire to the forests, congregate, and sus- 

 pend themselves by a single leg to the outspreading 

 branches. 



The Vampire of South America has, instead of a 

 stomach, a long pouch for the reception of its food, 

 which requires little digestion. Its teeth make a triple 



