16 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



head-downwards from the claws of the hind feet in dark and 

 sequestered situations, although they are also capable of hang- 

 ing in an upright position suspended by the claws of the 

 thumbs. In the winter, the whole of the British species 

 hibernate, generally in the former posture, although they 

 occasionally venture out on warm evenings. 



Since Bats are essentially animals characteristic of the 

 warmer regions of the globe (where the great group of Fruit- 

 Bats is alone represented), it is not surprising to find the 

 number of British species comparatively small. As a matter 

 of fact, there are fifteen species of Bats reputed to occur in the 

 British Islands, but several of these are of rare occurrence, 

 while of two, only single examples (which in one case may 

 have been accidentally imported) have been taken within 

 our limits. Only twelve species can therefore be regarded as 

 in any sense thoroughly British. Out of the whole fifteen, 

 thirteen belong to the large and widely-distributed Family 

 Vespertilionida, while the remaining two are referable to the 

 Rhinolophida. 



As regards their reproduction, Bats are slow-breeding ani 

 mals, the female producing, at most, two young at a birth. 

 These are carried about by their parent, tightly clinging to the 

 fur of the body, and protected during the periods of quiescence 

 by the enfolded wings, until they are able to fly about by them- 

 selves in search of their own nutriment. 



Since Bats are, on the whole, less interesting than many 

 other British Mammals, our notices of the various species will 

 be comparatively brief. 



THE LEAF-NOSED BATS. FAMILY 

 RHINOLOPHID^). 



The Bats of this family derive both their scientific and 

 popular names from the presence on the muzzle of a number 

 of leaf-like processes of skin around the nostrils, which form 



