28 ANECD01ES OF ANIMALS. 



of increasing their always acute senses of smell and 

 hearing. The ears are frequently of an enormous size, 

 and are joined together at the back of the head; be- 

 sides which they have leaf or lance-shaped appendages 

 in front. A membrane of various forms is also often 

 attached to the nose, in one species the shape of a 

 horse-shoe. The bodies are always covered with hair, 

 but the wings consist of a leathery membrane. An- 

 other singularity in one genus is the extremity of the 

 spine being converted into two jointed, horny pieces, 

 covered with skin, so as to form a box of two valves, 

 each having an independent motion. The large bats of 

 the East Indies measure five feet from the tip of ono 

 wing to that of the other, and they emit a musky odour. 

 The skin of the Nycteris Geoffroyi is very loose upon 

 the body ; and the animal draws air through openings 

 in the cheek pouches, head, and back, and swells itself 

 into a little balloon ; the openings being closed at plea- 

 sure by means of valves. The bite of all is extremely 

 sharp ; and we seldom hear of an instance of one being 

 tamed. They try to shelter themselves from chilly 

 winds, and frequent sheltered spots abounding in 

 masonry, rocks, trees, and small streams. 



About the Yampire or blood-sucker there are dif- 

 ferent opinions. That of the East is said to be quite 

 harmless ; but it is asserted that the South American 

 species love to attach themselves to all cattle, especially 

 to horses with long manes, because they can cling to 

 the hair while they suck the veins, and keep their victim 

 quiet by flapping their wings over its head ; they also 

 fasten themselves upon the tail, for the first reason, and 

 a great loss of blood frequently ensues. Fowls are often 

 killed by them as they roost upon their perches ; for so 



