54 CARNIVORA. 



the quadrupeds. Some of them are fruit eaters ; but as a whole, 

 we arrange them as Cuvier has done, with carnivorous animals. 

 They are found both in the Eastern and Western Continents, and 

 also in Australia. A climate tolerably temperate seems best, 

 suited to these animals ; but they are largest in warm countries. 

 Their most distinguishing character consists of a fold of the skin, 

 which rising at the neck, extends over the lengthened limbs, as, 

 the silk over the whalebone of a parasol or umbrella, and gives 

 them a winged appearance. Those genera which have the 

 bones of the hand so developed as to spread a sufficient extent 

 of this membranous skin, have power to perform all the evolu- 

 tions which are required for flight. The hand-wings present 

 a much greater extent of surface than those of birds, and the 

 strong muscles attached as in the birds, to the sternum or breast 

 bone, assist them to fly with great rapidity, and turn with aston- 

 ishing swiftness. A lengthened bone proceeding from the heel, 

 assists the tail in expanding that part of the membranous skin 

 which is between the thighs, and where the tail is absent, per- 

 forms that office alone ; and thus gives the power of governing 

 the direction of the flight, like the spread tail of a bird. By the 

 extension of the upward curving of the tail and the hind feet, the 

 interfemoral (between the thighs) part forms a hollow cradle into 

 which the new born young is received. The thumb is free, short 

 and armed with a strong hooked claw, by which they crawl along 

 on the ground. The feeble hind feet have five toes, armed with 

 sharp edged, curved and pointed claws, by which these animals 

 suspend themselves, head downwards, in hollow trees, caves, or 

 deserted buildings, where they are found during the day, going 

 forth only at night. Their eyes are extremely small, but the ex- 

 ternal ears are often large, and with the wings, form an extensive 

 surface endued with the most singular and exquisite sensibility, and 

 enabling them, even when their eyes are sealed up, or removed, to 

 pursue their rapid and wheeling flight, avoiding every obstacle, 

 not even hitting threads stretched in various directions across 

 their way, and passing through the narrowest passages without 

 touching the sides. All are exquisitely susceptible of cold, and 

 pass the winter in a state of lethargy, retiring to old ruins, cav- 

 erns, or hollow trees, where they continue suspended by their 

 claws until the genial spring warms them into activity. They 

 are most active in the calm evenings of summer. Some of them 

 are supposed lo be migratory in their habits. In the Cheiroptera 

 the teats are pectoral ; in all the rest of the Carnivora, they are 

 ventral. They perform a very useful part in the economy of 

 nature in the destruction of insects. 



