Part I 

 GENERAL HABITS 



CHAPTER I 

 WILD ANIMALS 



INSECTIVOROUS AND HARMLESS 



CHEIROPTERA, or Bats, an order of mammiferous quadrupeds, 

 characterized by having the tegumentary membrane extended 

 over the bones of the extremities in such a manner as to consti- 

 tute wings capable of sustaining and conveying them through the 

 air, hence the name of cheiroptera, or hand-winged. The order 

 is divided into two sub-orders Frugivora and Insectivora, the for- 

 mer insecti-frugiverous, and the latter purely insectivorous. All 

 have exceedingly sharp-cutting and acutely tuberculated teeth, 

 and the whole race is nocturnal. They vary in size from that of 

 the smallest common mouse up to that of the gigantic ternate bat, 

 whose body is as large as that of a squirrel. The smaller species 

 are abundantly distributed over the globe ; the larger seem to be 

 confined to warm and hot regions, where they exist in great 

 numbers and are very destructive to the fruits. The purely insecti- 

 vorous species render great service to mankind by the destruction 

 of vast numbers of insects, which they pursue with great eager- 

 ness in the morning and evening twilight. During the daytime 

 they remain suspended by their hocked hinder claws in the lofts 

 of barns and other buildings, in hollow or thickly-leaved trees, etc. 

 As winter approaches, in cold climates, they seek shelter in caverns, 

 vaults, ruined and deserted buildings, and similar retreats, where 

 they cling together in large clusters, and remain in a torpid con- 

 dition until the returning spring recalls them to active exertions. 

 In warm climates, where a constant succession of insects occurs, 

 the same species of bat, which in a cold regie n would become 

 torpid, continue in activity throughout the year. Bats generally 

 bring forth two young, and suckle them until old enough to purvey 

 for themselves. While suckling, they remain closely attached 

 to the mother's teats, which are two, situated upon the chest. 

 The parent shows a great degree of attachment for her offspring, 



B.N. I B 



