ANIMAL KINGDOM. 115 



weeping monkey ; contrary to the howling species, it can be ren- 

 dered remarkably tame, and becomes domesticated in a few days. 



Cheiroptera. Bats may be said literally to swarm in Trinidad, 

 both in town and country ; sometimes an immense number of 

 them take their lodgings in the hollow of some large tree, from 

 which they are seen issuing by hundreds to venture on depredatory 

 excursions. Many live on fruits, and some others by sucking the 

 blood, not only of animals but of man ; they are so numerous in 

 some parts, that instances of persons having been bitten several 

 times in the same night are not rare. Although they cut out a 

 portion of the skin in their bite, no pain is occasioned ; the only 

 protection against their attacks is light. The loss of blood from 

 numerous or repeated bitings is, at times, so great, that large ani- 

 mals, such as oxen, become immediately enfeebled, and may die 

 within two or three weeks ; this, however, happens only at inter- 

 vals of several years, when great loss in live-stock is occasioned to 

 proprietors of estates. They attack, also, swine, and even fowls. 

 These vampires are from the two genera Nodilion and Pliyllostoma. 

 Oarnivora Digitigrada. Tiger-cat or Ocelot (Felis Pardalis). 

 This is one of the most beautiful of the feline tribe ; when full- 

 grown, it is nearly four times as large as the domestic cat. One 

 was killed in the ward of Guanape weighing thirty-three pounds. 

 The ocelot preys upon all sorts of small animals, is particularly 

 fond of poultry, and, in one night, may destroy a dozen or more. 

 It climbs the highest trees, but, when hunted down, or hard 

 pressed by dogs, it backs against the trunk of some tree, and 

 keeps its enemies at bay with its powerful paws. 



Gato-Melao, or Wood-dog Fa'ira (Mustela barbara). This 

 animal is not common, .and its habits are imperfectly known. 

 Like the ocelot, it can ascend the loftiest trees, invariably descend- 

 ing head downwards : it lives upon honey, birds'-eggs, &c., and 

 makes terrible havoc amongst fowls ; when attacked by dogs, it 

 defends itself fiercely. 



Mdrsupialia. Opossum, or Manicou (Didelphis). The 

 Opossum is very common here, and feeds upon fruits, birds, 

 and carcases; it is also a great destroyer of poultry, creeps 

 into the roosts at night, and ventures even into towns on its 

 depredations. The Manicou is generally very fat, and its flesh 

 tender, but is not prized as food, except by the lower classes, 

 by whom it is considered rather a delicacy. 



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