38 CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



lias been attributed to the great extent and uncommon deli 

 cacy of the membrane constituting the wings, and of that 

 lining the ear, which have been supposed to render the animal 

 capable of judging, from the impressions made upon it by the 

 air, of the relative distances and positions of external objects. 



Bats retire upon the approach of cold weather in the autumn, 

 and pass the winter in a dormant state. They frequently 

 suspend themselves together in large clusters, that by their 

 warmth they may reciprocally assist each other in resisting the 

 effects of the cold. During this period, the powers of life 

 seem to be almost extinct, the temperature of the animal is 

 much lowered, and he becomes lean and exhausted ; so that 

 he awakens in the spring in a state of great weakness and 

 emaciation, although in the autumn he may have been very fat. 



Beside the common bat, with the appearance of which all 

 are familiar, there are many others, differing a good deal in 

 size and disposition, which inhabit other countries. Among 

 them is the Vampyre bat, which is from five inches to a foot 

 in length, and has membranous wings extending from four to 

 six feet. It inhabits Africa and Asia, but is found most abun- 

 dantly in the East Indian islands. It is very gregarious, and 

 is found in immense flocks. Five hundred have been counted 

 hanging on a single tree. It does not confine itself to animal 

 food, but subsists also upon fruits and vegetables, and is the 

 cause of great injury to the produce of the countries it in- 

 habits. It has been supposed to suck the blood of persons 

 lying asleep, by making an orifice in some exposed vein, which 

 it does so easily as not to awaken the sleeper, to the sound- 

 ness of whose slumbers it contributes by fanning him gently 

 with its wings. Hence this animal has received the name 

 Vampyre, and is thought to have given origin to the ancient 

 fable of the Harpies. It is said to be excellent food. 



The Spectre bat is a species very similar in its habits to the 

 one just described. It is a smaller animal, not exceeding 

 seven inches in the length of its body, and two feet in the 

 extent of the membrane of its wings. It is an inhabitant of 

 South America and New Holland, and exists in immense 

 numbers. It has the same propensity for drawing blood as 

 the Vampyre, and is said to cause great injury and destruc- 

 tion among cattle by this means. In New Holland, twenty 

 thousand have been computed to be seen within the compass 

 of a mile. It is of a mild disposition, and is easily tamed and 

 domesticated. ...1. ... 



2. The second tribe of this order includes a number of 



