40 VESPERTILION1D&. 



and affords an evident support. This is particularly con- 

 spicuous when the Bat is traversing the wires of a cage, 

 in which situation the fact was first observed. 



It has been generally said that Bats bring forth two 

 young ones at a time. Pliny says, " geminos infantes 

 secum deportat." The observations of Mr. Daniell and 

 others, however, both on the Noctule and the Pipistrelle, 

 would show that this is not a general rule. Four females 

 of the former received in May 183 4-, and five of the latter 

 in July 1833, the only specimens sent to him, excepting 

 one male Noctule, had each of them a single foetus, 

 and the examination not merely of British species, but 

 of a great number of foreign ones, has convinced us that 

 when more than one young one is produced, it must be 

 regarded as an exception to the general rule. 



The gentleman just mentioned kept the Pipistrelles 

 for some time, feeding them principally on flies, though 

 they will also readily take small pieces of raw beef. " On 

 the approach of a fly within the range of the Bat's 

 wings, it was struck down by their action, the animal 

 itself falling at the same moment with all its membranes 

 expanded, and cowering over the prostrate fly, with its 

 head thrust under to secure its prey. When the head was 

 again drawn forth, the membrane was closed, and the fly 

 was observed to be almost invariably taken by the head." 



The fondness of the Common Bat for flesh, to which 

 allusion has just been made, leads it not unfrequently to 

 find its way into our larders, where it has been found 

 clinging to a joint of meat, in the act of making a hearty 

 meal from it. It is probable that other species commit 

 similar depredations, as it is not difficult to keep most of 

 them in confinement by feeding them exclusively on raw 

 meat. 



The Pipistrelle is the least of the British species, and, 



