NOCTULE, OR GREAT BAT. Ill 



three the next night. According to the observations 

 of authors, it comes abroad earlier in the evening 

 than any other species, so that the name Noctule 

 is peculiarly inapplicable, has a remarkably high 

 and rapid flight, emits a sharp and harsh cry when 

 on wing, and inhabits churches, buildings of various 

 kinds, and sometimes hollow trees. It is later in 

 leaving its winter retreat than our other species, not 

 appearing until the end of April, and withdraws 

 early in autumn. In summer it flies in bands of 

 about a dozen individuals, and is seldom met with 

 single. Like many other species, it emits an offen- 

 sive odour, which comes from the sebaceous glands 

 near the commissure of its lips. 



The head is large, broadly ovate, and flattened ; 

 the muzzle short and broad; the nose slightly 

 emarginate, the nostrils oblong, lateral, with a 

 thickened margin, and a slit behind; the mouth 

 wide ; the eyes very small, and situated close to the 

 base of the ears ; which are placed wide apart, and 

 present an irregular oval form, their inner margin 

 angularly lobate near the base, the outer archeij, 

 repand, and extending to the base of the lower jaw ; 

 the tragus less than a third of the length of the ear, 

 arcuate, narrow at the base, with a broad rounded 

 tip. The tail is longer than the cubitus, and pro- 

 trudes about a line beyond the membrane, which 

 has about fifteen transverse folds. There are fou 

 incisors above, six below, two canine teeth in each 

 jaw, and five grinders on each side above and below. 



The fur is of moderate length, close, and soft; 



