BATS. 



27 



of Chrysochloris, some of them remarkable for the iridescence of 

 their fur, which can be preserved by placing the animal in spirit, 

 but entirely fades when it is dried and stuffed. 



Order IV. CHIROPTERA. 



(Case 27.) 



The Chiroptera *, or Bats, form one of the most sharply defined [Case 27.] 

 of all the Orders of Mammalia, being characterized by the modifica- 

 tion of the fore limbs into true wings, which have the power of flap- 

 ping and propelling the animal through the air. The structure of 

 a Bat's wing is of a very simple character. It consists of a frame- 

 work formed by the bones of the arm and the enormously elon- 

 gated fingers, between which the flying membrane (a continuation 

 of the skin of the body) is expanded, being attached behind to 

 the front of the hind leg. In most species there is also an addi- 

 tional membrane spread between the hind legs, in which the tail is 

 included. The thumb alone is free and assists in locomotion 

 during the awkward attempts of the animal to walk on all fours. 

 The hind limbs, which in other mammals have the function of 

 propelling the body forwards, are almost entirely relieved of 

 that office, being singularly weak and feeble, and of but little use 

 to the animal except while asleep or resting, when it hooks 

 the sharp claws, with which the hind toes are furnished, on to 

 some support, and remains suspended with the head downwards 

 until again ready to fly. 



The Chiroptera are divided into two distinct Suborders the 

 Frugivorous and Insectivorous Bats, of which the first, as a rule, 

 are of large size, with flattened teeth, suited for munching fruit, 

 and with claws both on their first and second fingers ; the latter 

 are of smaller size, with sharp-pointed teeth, suitable for crushing 

 insects, and with claws on their thumbs only. 



Of the fruit-eating Bats, the most worthy of mention are the 

 large brightly-coloured Flying Foxes, of which certain species, 

 for example the Philippine Fruit-Bat (Pteropus jubatus), reach to 



* Greek, cheir, a hand, and pteron, a wing. 



