32 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



escaped. In the tree there was a recess sufficiently 

 large to contain the animal ; but all around, the wood 

 was perfectly sound, solid, and free from any fissure 

 through which the atmospheric air could reach the 

 animal. 



A man engaged in splitting timber near Kelsall, in 

 the beginning of December 1826, discovered in the 

 centre of a large pear-tree a living bat of a bright 

 scarlet colour, which he foolishly .suffered to escape, 

 from fear, being fully persuaded (with the character- 

 istic superstition of the inhabitants of that part of 

 Cheshire) that it was 4 a being not of this world.' 

 The tree presented a small cavity in the centre, where 

 the bat was enclosed, but was perfectly sound and solid 

 on each side. The scarlet colour of each of these 

 prisoners seems at present to be inexplicable, and makes 

 these statements still more marvellous. 



Professor Bell, in his admirable work on British 

 Quadrupeds, speaks of a long-eared bat which fed 

 from the hand ; and if an insect were held between the 

 lips, it would settle on its master's cheek, and take the 

 fly from his mouth with great quietness. So accustomed 

 was it to this, that it would seek his lips when he made 

 a buzzing noise. It folded its beautiful ears under its 

 arm when it went to sleep, and also during hibernation. 

 Its cry was acute and shrill, becoming more clear and 

 piercing when disturbed. It is most frequently seen in 

 towns and villages. This instance of taming to a cer- 

 tain extent might perhaps be more frequently repeated, 

 if bats were objects of more general interest. 



