CARNIVORA. 55 



The CHEIROPTERA, or VESPERTILIONID^E, are divided into five 

 sub-families, each including many genera, viz. 1. Phyllostoma- 

 tina,. 2. Rhinolophina. 3. Vespertilionina. 4. Noctilionina. 

 5. Pteropina. They may also be arranged into 1st. the Frugiv- 

 erous group, and 2d. the true or Insectivorous Bats. Omnivorous 

 is, however, a term that more accurately describes the former 

 group. Their teeth are, some of them, more trenchant than fruit 

 eating habits would alone require. Cuvier says of these animals, 

 &quot;they know how to pursue birds and small quadrupeds,&quot; and it is 

 quite probable they sometimes prey on the large insects found in 

 the regions of their abode. Beside the variations in the teeth of 

 the Fruit Eating or Omnivorous, and the Insectivorous Bats, there 

 are other differences which relate to the stomach and intestines. 

 The stomach of the former is very complicated, and the intestines 

 very long, (in the Pteropus, seven times as long as the body,) 

 whereas in the latter, the stomach is very simple, having but two 

 divisions or portions, and the intestines are not more than twice 

 the length of the body. Another difference respects the tail, 

 which in the insectivorous bats is generally powerful ; in the 

 fruit eaters wanting, rudimental or comparatively inefficient. 



From what is the name of the sub-order CHEIROPTERA derived ? What do 

 these singular animals combine ? To what difficulty did this give rise ? Is 

 it now a settled question ? What particularly entitles them to a place among 

 quadrupeds ? Are any of them fruit-eaters ? How did Cuvier arrange them 

 as a whole ? Where are they found, and what climate suits them best ? 

 Where are the largest found ? What is their most distinguishing charac 

 teristic ? How do their wings compare with those of birds ? How are the 

 muscles attached? How is the cradle for the young formed? What is 

 said of the thumb, and of what use is the hooked claw ? By what do they 

 suspend themselves, in what position, and in what places ? What is said of 

 their eyes, ears, wings, &c. ? What of their exquisite sensibility, and what 

 docs it enable them to avoid ? Are they affected by cold, and how do they 

 pass the winter ? At what season do they leave their retreats ? When are 

 they most active ? Are any of them migratory ? In what do they differ 

 from all other CARNIVORA? Are bats useful? In what way? Into how 

 many sub-families are they divided? How may they also be arranged? 

 What does Cuvier say of them? What is said of their teeth, intestines, 

 &c. ? Name any further differences between the Insectivorous and Frugiv- 

 erous Bats. 



Spell, give the derivations and examples of each of these five sub-families. 



1. PHYLLOSTOMATINA, (Gr. Phidlon, a leaf, Stoma, a mouth,) named from 

 the leaf-like crest upon the nose. The Vampire, (Vampirus Spectrum,} of 

 South America, is one of this blood-sucking family, acquaintance with which 

 would divest it of half its terrors. 



2. RHINOLOPHINA, (Gr. Rhin, a nose, Lophos, a crest.) These are the 

 Horse Shoe Bats, of Java, which derive their name from the shape of the 

 leafy membrane upon the nose. The genus Nycteris, (Gr. Nucteris, a bat,) 

 inflate their bodies, and appear like small balloons. 



