314 NATURAL HISTORY. 



up in the form of a sharp horn, or cock's comb, and 

 adds greatly to the deformity of its face. 



There is no doubt, therefore, but that the species 

 of the spectre is different from those of the roussette 

 and the rougette : it is an animal not less mischievous 

 than it is deformed: it is the pest of man, the torment 

 and the destruction of animals. In confirmation of 

 this truth, a more authentic testimony cannot be pro- 

 duced than that of M. de la Condamine. "The bats," 

 gays he, " which suck the blood of horses, of mules, 

 and even of men, when they^do not guard against it by 

 sleeping under the shelter of a pavilion, are a scourge 

 common to most of the hot countries of America. 

 Of these are some of a monstrous size. At Borja, 

 and several other places, they have entirely destroyed 

 the large cattle which the missionaries had brought 

 thither, and which had begun to multiply." 



The roussette and rougette are larger, stronger, and 

 perhaps even more mischievous than the vampyre ; but 

 it is by open force, and in the day as well as in the 

 night, that they commit hostilities. Fowls and small 

 animals are the objects of their destructive fury: they 

 attack men too, and bite their faces most cruelly; but 

 no traveller has accused them of surprizing men and 

 animals while asleep, and of taking such opportunities 

 to suck their blood. 



All these bats are carnivorous, and most voracious 

 animals. In a dearth of flesh or fish, they feed on ve- 

 getables and fruits of every kind. As they are fond of 

 the juice of the palm-tree, so it is easy to take them 

 by placing in the neighbourhood of their retreat a few 

 vessels filled with palm-tree water, or any other fer- 

 mented liquor : they fasten to, and suspend themselves 

 from trees with their claws : they are usually seen in 



