1S2 



THE POPULAR EDUCATOR. 



the two kinds which appear to warrant naturalists in keeping 

 them separate as two species. 



The other British bats are seldom seen, therefore we need 

 not describe them here, but we may, in conclusion, say a few 

 words respecting the blood-sucking proclivity for which certain 

 foreign bats are noted. The Desmodus (Desmodii* nifus) which 

 lives" in the warmer parts of South America, from Chili to 

 Guiana, is one of these blood-suckers. It is about four inches 

 in length, and fifteen to sixteen across the expanded wings. 

 The fur varies in colour from ashy-brown to brown. It appears 

 to have teeth specially adapted for cutting away the surface of 

 the skin, so that a great number of vessels may be cut through, 

 which then yield up a quantity of blood to the sucking Desmo- 

 dont. Its stomach is also peculiarly constructed, for instead 

 of being small, round, and compact, as in insectivorous bats, it 



is long and tubular. The portion of the stomach on one side 

 of the gullet appears like a continuation of the intestine, as 

 there is no constriction separating the two, and on the otiier 

 side it is enormously developed, forming an elongated and 

 convoluted reservoir for the blood abstracted from other 

 animals. It will be noted therefore that the Desmodus and 

 other bats of the same genus are specially fitted up for 

 this blood- sucking business, and a great plague they prove 

 to the horses and cattle in their neighbourhood, which, after 

 having been troubled with a nocturnal visit, are generally 

 covered with blood in the morning. With regard to their 

 biting people, they appear, like the flea, to exhibit a marked 

 preference for certain individuals, some persons being very 

 much annoyed by them, and others being scarcely ever mo- 

 lested. 



LESSONS IN MUSIC. XVI. 



EXEECISES ON FAH AND LAH. 



EXERCISE 27. FULL MANY A SHAFT. KEY G. 



(A Bound for Three Voices.) 



M. 6G. 



EXERCISE 28. THE IRISH AIR. KEY F. M. C6. 

 Words by the ftsv. Charles Wolfe. Tune, IRISH. 



