Transactions of the Linnean Society. 257 
notice of continental writers; and he finds in the description given by them 
of the Vesp. Pipistrellus, Geoff., so little variation from our Common 
Bat that he is induced to regard them as identical. Under that name and 
with the synonyms of that species in the continental authours, Mr. Jenyns 
accordingly describes our Bat, furnishing the requisite details of measure- 
ments, dentition, form, fur, and colour, with considerable minuteness 
and precision. The dimensions somewhat exceed those given by Dau- 
benton for the Pipistrelle, which might probably have been obtained 
from young individuals; but accord generally with those furnished by 
Geoffroy. In Mr. Jenyns’ view of the subject the Vesp. murinus is con- 
sequently to be excluded from the British Fauna ; its place in which should 
be occupied by the Vesp. Pipistrellus, already introduced into it on the 
authority of a specimen procured from Scotland by Dr. Leach, which 
exhibits nothing like a specific distinction from the Common Bat of 
Pennant. 
In some remarks on the habits of Bats appended to his paper, Mr. Jenyns 
states his belief that each species has its peculiar place of concealment. 
The Noctule, for instance, retreats into hollow trees; the roofs of houses 
are uniformly resorted to by the Long-eared Bat, Plecotus auritus, 
Geoff.; and the Common Bat is found in retirement in crevices of de- 
cayed brickwork, the cracks of old gateways and door frames, or behind 
gutters or pipes. In these situations the latter collect, sometimes in pro- 
digious quantities, for concealment in the day-time, and for shelter during 
their winter slumbers. Complete torpidity does not take place until the 
temperature is very much reduced, (probably below the freezing point) ; 
but when it has supervened, a high temperature is required to awaken 
the animal from its sleep. In November and December this species has 
been seen actively flying when the thermometer has marked 380 ; and has 
not been again met with on the wing till March, although the temperature 
has risen in the mean time considerably above 50°. The Noctule seeks 
its winter retreat at an earlier period than the Common Bat. 
The leading facts embodied in the next paper which we have to men- 
tion, have been already given in the present volume of this Journal. 
It is “ On a new species of Wild Swan taken in England, and hitherto 
* confounded with the Hooper: by W. Yarrell, Esq.’? ‘To our pre- 
vious notice it is only necessary to add, that the distinctions between the 
Von. V. R 
