COMMON BAT. 37 



BATS. 



THIS genus seems to fill up the chasm between quadru- 

 peds and birds ; and some naturalists are unable to deter- 

 mine in which class it should be arranged. However, it 

 has every characteristic of quadrupeds, and in some re- 

 spects even approximates to the human race ; on which 

 latter account Linnaeus places it among the primates. 



COMMON BAT. 



This species is very common and well known in England ; 

 and flits about in fine summer evenings in quest of noc- 

 turnal insects, with a rapid but irregular motion. At other 

 times it continues in its retreat ; which is usually some in- 

 terstice of a ruined building, or a hollow tree. Thus, even 

 in summer, it dozes away the greater part of its time, never 

 venturing abroad by day-light or in rainy weather; and 

 when the winter approaches, it composes itself for that 

 torpid state in which it lies during the cold season. For 

 this purpose it seeks some subterranean retreat ; where it 

 generally hooks itself by the claws to some substance, 

 and remains suspended, regardless of damps and every 

 change of the atmosphere. Sometimes, however, when 

 the bat has not been careful to remove far enough from 

 the influence of the external air, the casual gleams of the 

 gun revive it prematurely; and then it is in danger of 

 starving for want of food, or of becoming the prey of 

 owls or other rapacious animals. 



This creature is about the size of the mouse. The 

 membranes, commonly called wings, are merely the four 

 interior toes of the fore-feet extended to an enormous 

 length, and connected by a thin membrane which reaches 

 also to the hind-legs, and from them to the tail. The 

 female brings forth from two to five young at a time ; and 

 suckles them like quadrupeds. 



All the species of bats found in Europe are harmless, 

 inoffensive creatures; but in tropical climates they are 

 very formidable, particularly when united in flocks. In 



