THE CAROLINA BAT , 165 



procuring a convenient cage, I first put in the Mega- 

 derma, and after observing it for some time, I placed the 

 pipistrelle with it. No sooner was the latter perceived 

 than the other fastened upon it with the ferocity of a 

 tiger, again seizing it behind the ear, and made several 

 efforts to fly off with it ; but finding it must needs stay 

 within the precincts of the cage, it soon hung by the hind 

 legs to one side of its prison, and after sucking its victim 

 till no more blood was left, commenced devouring it, 

 and soon left nothing but the head and some portions of 

 the limbs." 



The members of this small family are confined ex- 

 clusively to the warmer parts of Africa and Asia, from 

 Egypt to Celebes. They have a very conspicuous nose- 

 leaf and large ears, medially united to each other above 

 the head, and each with a large tragus within. 



The oblique-snouted family of bats is very large, 

 sixty-three species having been already described a dozen 

 years ago. It has representatives in both hemispheres. 



Seven genera (with thirteen species) are peculiar to 

 America, five are peculiar to the New World, while two 

 are common to both. 



These bats have no nose-leaves, and the faces of some 

 of them remind us of pug dogs. The tail projects freely 

 beyond the short interfemoral membrane. Many of 

 them have narrow wings, and some are very naked. 



The most curious form (Cheiromeles) from the Malay 

 region, has a very thick skin, almost naked, while its 

 great toe is very large and separated from the others. 

 A curious fold of skin on the breast and sides of the body 

 serves as a cradle for the baby. Such nursing pouches are 

 probably absolutely necessary for the preservation of the 

 young, which otherwise could scarcely maintain their hold 

 on the naked body of the mother during flight. 



It is interesting to find these pouches developed in 



