THE LONG-EARED BAT. 45 



It was a pleasing sight to observe with what ease 

 and neatness the animals now began to smooth 

 their hair, and scratch themselves. In these ope- 

 rations, both the fore and hind legs are employed. 

 The animals hang by one hind-leg very securely, 

 whilst the other three legs are actively occupied; 

 and when these have gone through their operation, 

 the detached hind leg takes its hold, and releases 

 the former to complete the business. 



These Bats, like the rest of their tribe, walk some- 

 what awkwardly ; but they move much faster on 

 their legs than any one would give them credit for 

 being able to do, incumbered as they seem to be by 

 their wings. 



With respect to the use of the inner valves, or 

 secondary ears, of the present species, they are 

 evidently given to the animals for the purpose of 

 keeping out noxious insects, and preventing any 

 other extraneous matter from entering their head 

 during sleep, and particularly during their long 

 winter's repose. The opening of the ear is very 

 wide, and is situated betwixt the valve and the 

 great outer ear. When these Bats prepare them- 

 selves for sleep, they fold down the ex'ternal ears 

 directly across the openings, and secure them in 

 this position (close to the sides of their body) by 

 their fore-legs, which they always rest carefully 

 over them. By this means, the openings are so 

 perfectly closed, that nothing injurious can pos- 

 sibly penetrate them. The inner valves continue 



still 



