GREAT BAT. 21 



extremities as a comb, parting the hair on either side 

 from head to tail, and forming a straight line along the 

 middle of the back. The membrane of the wings was 

 cleaned by forcing the nose through the folds, and there- 

 by expanding them. Up to the 20th of June the animal 

 fed freely, and at times voraciously ; remaining during 

 the day, suspended by the posterior extremities, at the 

 top of the cage, and coming down in the evening to its 

 food: the quantity eaten sometimes exceeded half an 

 ounce, although the weight of the animal itself was 

 no more than ten drachms. On the 23rd, Mr. Daniell, 

 observing her to be very restless, was induced to 

 watch her proceedings. The uneasiness was continued 

 for upwards of an hour ; the animal remaining during 

 all this time in her usual attitude, suspended by the 

 posterior extremities. On a sudden she reversed her 

 position, and attached herself by her anterior limbs 

 to a cross wire of the cage, stretching her hind legs 

 to their utmost extent, curving the tail upwards, and 

 expanding the interfemoral membrane so as to form a 

 perfect nest-like cavity for the reception of the young. 

 In a few moments the snout of the young one made its 

 appearance, and in about five minutes the whole of its 

 head was protruded. The female then struggled consi- 

 derably until the extremities of the radii had passed ; 

 after which the young one, by means of a lateral motion 

 of its fore limbs, relieved itself. It was born on its 

 back, perfectly destitute of hair, and blind. The mother 

 then cleaned it, turning it over in its nest ; and, after- 

 wards resuming her usual position, placed the young in 

 the membrane of her wing. She next cleaned herself, 

 and wrapped up the young one so closely as to prevent 

 any observation of the process of suckling. The time 



