466 The Outline of Science 



Vampires 



The large bats, sometimes called "flying foxes," ranging 

 from Madagascar to Queensland, are all fruit-eaters. The small 

 bats are typically insect-eaters, but some are carnivorous, a few 

 take fruit, and a few are blood-suckers. In the Vampire (Des- 

 modus fusus) , which feeds on blood, the gullet is so narrow that 

 nothing but fluid could pass down. In his Edge of the Jungle 

 (1921) Mr. William Beebe gives a graphic description of the 

 vampires of British Guiana. They entered the bungalow at 

 night and flew about, fanning the faces of the inmates, but for 

 a time never touching. Eventually one would settle down on an 

 exposed foot or arm, and creep on it, pushing with the feet and 

 pulling with the thumbs, after the usual bat fashion, but so gently 

 that the only sensation was a slight tickling and tingling. All this 

 was preparatory to a small bite which would not awaken a sleeper. 



British bats are all insectivorous. They congregate in con- 

 siderable numbers in trees, caves, roofs, and holes in towers; 

 but the sexes usually live apart. While typically nocturnal, they 

 are occasionally seen in daylight; and, similarly, while they 

 typically hibernate in winter, they are often seen if there is a 

 spell of mild weather at that season. 



8 



Mammals of Deserts and Steppes 



The essential quality of dwellers in the desert is a capacity 

 for rapid movements to find herbage in a new area, to get out 

 of a dry and parched land, and to flee from enemies where there 

 is no possibility of concealment. Thus it is profitable to have 

 long legs, a strong heart, good wind, and keen senses. The fleet 

 Antelope may serve as a type, and there is a touch of perfection 

 in the elusive Jerboa. Its long jumps must be disconcerting to 

 an enemy, and the tuft of strong hair on the foot keeps this 

 attractive biped from sinking into the loose sand, when it alights 

 from its flying jump. Another feature, well illustrated by the 



