The Kalong Bat. 83 



to cause a free flow of blood, which the Vampyre sucks 

 until it can suck no longer. Cattle are generally bitten 

 in the ear. Although there seems to be some exaggera- 

 tion in many of the accounts given by travellers of the 

 ferocity and sanguinary disposition of the Vampyre, 

 there would appear to be little doubt that the loss of 

 blood caused by its bite may occasionally prove fatal, the 

 sucking being continued, as Captain Stedman says, until 

 the sufferer sleeps " from time into eternity " 



THE KALONG BAT. (Pteropus edulis.) 



THIS Bat, which is also called the Flying Fox, is a native 

 of the Indian Islands. It is a large species, measuring 

 nearly two feet in length, whilst its large leathery 

 wings, resembling those seen in tho popular representa- 

 tions of flying demons, extend from tip to tip about five 

 feet. During the day the Kalongs indulge in sleep, for 

 which purpose they prefer an attitude which to our 

 notions would seem very uncomfortable ; they suspend 

 themselves by their hind feet to the branches of trees, 

 and thus hang with their heads downwards. They asso- 

 ciate in large numbers, and when seen sleeping in the 

 position above described, they look so little like animals 

 that Dr. Horsfield tells us they " are readily mistaken 



