T H E B A T. 143 



l?ody, which, though tapering upwards, enlarges below. Tail nearly 

 as long as the body, taptring toward the end, covered wirh a fhort fur, 

 except the head and ears, wliich bear a fiight refemblance to the hare. 

 Probably the difierence of fize in this creature, indicates different kinds. 



THE BAT. 



HE bat fomewhat refembles a bird, in its power of fjftaining 

 itfelf in the air; though its motion is very awkward and ftrug- 

 gling — but, it brings forth its young alive, fuckles them, has teeth j and 

 its lungp, its inteftines, and its (kdeton are like thofe of quadrupeds. 



The bst, nioft comip.on in England, is about the fize of a ip.oulej or 

 nearly two inches and an half long. Its membranes, called wings, arc 

 properly an extenfion of the flcin all round the body (not the head), 

 which, in flying, is ftretched, by the four interior toes of the fore 

 feet, which are enormoully long. The firft toe is loofe, and fervcs as a 

 heel when the bat walks, or as a hook, when it would adhere to any 

 thing. The hind feet are difengag-cd from the furroundina: flcin, and di- 

 vided into five toes, fomewhat refembling thofe of a moufe. The fkin, 

 by which it flies, is of a dufky colour. The body is covered with a fnorc 

 fur, of a moufe-colour, tinged with red. Tlie eyes are very fmall ; the 

 ears like thofe of a moufe. 



It appears early in fummer, flies in thedufk of evening. Frequents the 

 fides of woods, glades^ and Ihady walks; often flvans along the furface 

 of water. Purfues gnats, mochs, and nocturnal infects ; and will not 

 refufe meat. Its flight is laborious, irregular ; and, if interrupted, it 

 cannot readily acquire a fecond elevation. Appears only in pleafanc 

 evenings ; flies in purfuit with its mouth open. At other times abides in 

 its retreat, the chink of a ruined building, or the hodow of a ztcq. Thus» 

 even in fummer, fleeps'the greateit part of its time, never venturing ouc 

 by day-light, nor in rainy weather. Its ftiortlifc is further abridged by a 

 torpid ftare, during winter. Often hangs by its hooked claws to the 

 roofs of caves, regardlefs of furroundmg dim.ps. Sucn as fcek not deep 

 retreats of uniform temperature,* often perifh by the weather becoming 

 fo mild i.i v/inter as to warm them prematurely into life, and to allure 

 them from their holes in qutft of food, when they exhauft themfelves 

 in purfuit of infects which ate not to be found. 



The 



