OF frATS IN GENERA.!,. 3 3 



series of experiments,, first instituted by the learned 

 and justly celebrated Spallanzani, it was discovered 

 that Bats, when perfectly blinded, and in that state 

 set at liberty, could, notwithstanding, conduct their 

 flight through subterraneous passages without strik- 

 ing against the walls; that they turned exactly as 

 the most complicated windings required ; and that 

 they even avoided, with great exactness, cords, 

 branches of trees, and other obstacles which had 

 been purposely placed in their way. 



This accuracy of motion could not be obtained 

 by sight, (in the eyes being imperfectly covered,) 

 for, in one series of experiments, the organs of 

 sight were entirely destroyed. It could not arise 

 from hearing; for the ears of several individuals had 

 been completely stopped. Nor could it at all be 

 owing to the smell; for, in others, the aperture of 

 the nostrils was closed. Spallanzani, by whom all 

 these experiments were made, concluded, therefore, 

 that Bats possessed an additional or sixth sense, of 

 the nature of which, he says, mankind cannot possi- 

 bly form any idea*. 



When, however, the nature of the organs of 

 touch, in these animals, is considered, it will pro- 

 bably be found to explain all the phenomena that 

 have been mentioned. The bones of the fingers, as I 



* The experiments were made on the Long-eared, the Noctule, 

 and the Horse-shoe Bats. They are published in a " Memoire 

 sur quelques especes de Chauve-Souris," &c, c. par TAbbe 

 Spallanzani, 



D 2 have 



