252 



LETTER XL. 



" Now all isliush'd, save where the weak-eyed bat. 

 With short shrill shrieks, flits by on leathern wing " 



COI L1NS. 

 DEAR SIR, 



the last described class of animals seems to con- 

 nect the animal inhabitants of the earth -with those of 

 the seas, the tribe which I am now going to present 

 to your view appears to join, in a similar manner, the 

 former with the people of the air, so that between 

 quadrupeds, fishes, and volatiles, there is no distinct 

 interval, no chasm in the long gradation of animal 

 life. 



THE BAT 



is distinguished from every other quadruped by being 

 furnished with wings; for which reason it is, by the 

 peasants, generally ranked among volatiles, and some 

 naturalists seem doubtful in what class of animal ex- 

 istence its station ought to be assigned. However, as 

 it has all the characteristics of quadrupeds, Linneus 

 refers it to that class, to which indeed it is allied by 

 its external and internal structure, while its resem- 

 blance to the volatile race consists solely in the facul- 

 ty of flying. 



THE COMMON BAT 



is well known, and ikcjently seen in this country, 

 us well as in almost every part of Europe. It is 

 somewhat less than a mouse, and the extent of the 

 wings is seven or eight inches. These are only mem- 

 branous webs, resemolthg thin leather, and extending 

 from the fore i\:et to the rail : the hind feet have each 

 live toes armed with claws; the body is covered with 

 a very short anil soft fur; the eyes are very snm!J, 

 and the ears like those of a mouse, to which animal 

 it bears no small resemblance hi its general asr/eer, 

 but is somewhat darker in colour: it has four ctHting 

 teeth in the upper and six in the under jaw. 

 About the end of summer this creature relires to 



