xiv RIVERSIDE LETTERS 109 



their long slender finger-bones, and I suppose 

 that the partial closing, or extra expansion, 

 of one of these sections would cause the 

 animal to turn very suddenly. This is my 

 theory, but as they fly so irregularly and 

 rapidly it is quite impossible to ascertain 

 accurately how they manage. I once picked 

 up a little bat which had a slit in the delicate 

 web of a section of one of its wings, it 

 could hardly fly at all in consequence of this 

 damage ; I put it in as secure a place as I 

 could find, thinking that perhaps with rest 

 the rent might be repaired, but I am 

 afraid that the creature perished after all. 



On a wet day I often sit-in the little room 

 over the boathouse, and watch the effect of 

 the rain on the surface of the river. Pro- 

 vided that the wind is moderate in force, just 

 enough to ruffle the water, the rain and wind 

 together give the surface the look of dull gray 

 frosted' silver. But I dare say you may have 

 noticed that there are, in different places, 

 certain perfectly smooth shiny parts inter- 



