426 



INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



experiments of Spallanzani, it was proved that Bats deprived 

 of sight could fly without striking against walls or other 

 objects, and were even able to avoid coming into contact with 

 threads placed across the apartments in various directions. 

 Many tribes of Bats have curious leaf-like appendages upon 

 the nose {Fig. 336), and these are supposed to be organs of 



a sense of smell not less sus- 

 ceptible. The presence or 

 absence of this leaf-like organ, 

 and its various modifications, 

 supply naturalists with a good 

 external character for distribu- 

 ting these animals into different 

 groups. In the true Bats which 

 are common in these countries 

 these foliated appendages are 

 altogether wanting. 



Only three species of Bats 

 have as yet been recorded as 

 natives of Ireland;* while 

 eighteen are known in the 

 sister country. In tropical countries the number is much 

 more considerable, some species living upon insects, and 

 some on fruits. There are in all 219 species. 



The teeth of the Vampire Bat are exhibited in the annexed 

 figure {Fig 337) ; and with such weapons it is easy to imagine 



Fig. 336. — Head of Vajipire. 



Fig. 337. — Skoll and Teeth of the Vampire Bat.I 



how they can inflict a wound and suck the blood. But their 

 powers seem to have been much exaggerated. Mr. Darwin says, 

 in speaking of the Vampire Bat of South America, which bites 

 the horses on their withers — " The injury is generally not so 



* Thompson's Report. A fourth is said to have been since obtained. 

 t Fig. 337. — a, profile of the head j b, front view of incisor and canine teeth. 



