OF SELBORNE. 93 



of bat which I call vespertilio altivolans, from it's manner of 

 feeding high in the air : I procured one of them, and found 

 it to be a male ; and made no doubt, as they accompanied to- 

 gether, that the other was a female : but, happening in an 

 evening or two to procure the other likewise, I was somewhat 

 disappointed, when it appeared to be also of the same sex. 

 This circumstance, and the great scarcity of this sort, at least in 

 these parts, occasions some suspicions in my mind whether it 

 is really a species, or whether it may not be the male part of 

 the more known species, one of which may supply many fe- 

 males ; as is known to be the case in sheep, and some other 

 quadrupeds. But this doubt can only be cleared by a farther 

 examination, and some attention to the sex, of more specimens : 

 all that I know at present is, that my two were amply fur- 

 nished with the parts of generation much resembling those of 

 a boar. 



In the extent of their wings they measured fourteen inches 

 and an half : and four inches and an half from the nose to the 

 tip of the tail : their heads were large, their nostrils bilobated, 

 their shoulders broad and muscular ; and their whole bodies 

 fleshy and plump. Nothing could be more sleek and soft 

 than their fur, which was of a bright chestnut colour ; their 

 maws were full of food, but so macerated that the quality 

 could not be distinguished ; their livers, kidnies, and hearts, 

 were large, and their bowels covered with fat. They weighed 

 each, when entire, full one ounce and one drachm. Within 

 the ear there was somewhat of a peculiar structure that I did 

 not understand perfectly ; but refer it to the observation of the 

 curious anatomist. These creatures sent forth a very rancid 

 and offensive smell. 



LETTEK XXXVII. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, 1771. 



DEAR SIR, 

 ON the twelfth of July I had a fair opportunity of contemplating 



