BATS. 



199 



FIG. 122. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

 Cheiroptera Insectivora. 



Bats form an order of mammals whose anterior limbs 

 are organized for flying. There are many species ; some 

 of the larger ones are fruit-eaters ; these are found prin- 

 cipally in India and Africa. The bats of the temperate 

 zones are usually small, and 

 feed entirely on insects, es- 

 pecially flying insects, such 

 as gnats, moths, and mosqui- 

 toes, which hide during the 

 day and appear hovering in 

 clouds in the early evening. 

 Our bats destroy immense 

 numbers of these troublesome 

 creatures, and so render us a 

 service. 



The long-eared bat is an 

 example of enormous ear- 

 development in these mam- 

 mals, whose sight, on the other 

 hand, appears very deficient. 

 By hearing, smell, and touch, 

 the last having for its organ 

 the wing membrane which 

 spreads % over the hand, as well 



as the ears, face, and lips, these creatures receive im- 

 pressions that nocturnal animals could not obtain by the 

 aid of eyes. 



MEG ADEEM A GIG AS, sleeping. 



