FOURTH WEEK] February 61 



in a kind of " spread eagle " position, making the knees 

 point backward, in the same direction as the elbows. 



We must stop a moment to admire the beautiful soft fur, 

 a golden brown in colour, with part of the back nearly 

 black. The tiny inverted face is full of expression, the 

 bead-like eyes gleaming brightly from out of their furry 

 bed. The small moist nostrils are constantly wrinkling 

 and sniffling, and the large size of the alert ears show 

 how much their owner depends upon them for information. 

 If we suddenly move up closer to the wires, the bat opens 

 both wings owl-like, in a most threatening manner; but if 

 we make still more hostile motions the creature retreats 

 as hastily as it can, changing its method of progress to an 

 all-fours, sloth-like gait, the long free thumb of each hand 

 grasping wire after wire and doing most of the leverage, 

 the hind legs following passively. 



When at what he judges a safe distance he again hangs 

 pendant, bending his head back to look earnestly at us. 

 Soon the half-opened wings are closed and brought close 

 to the shoulders, and in this, the usual resting position, 

 the large claws of the thumbs rest on the breast in little 

 furrows which they have worn in the fur. 



Soon drowsiness comes on and a long elaborate yawn 

 is given, showing the many small needle-like teeth and 

 the broad red tongue, which curls outward to a surprising 

 length. Then comes the most curious process of all. 

 Drawing up one leg, the little creature deliberately wraps 

 one hand with its clinging web around the leg and under 

 the arms, and then draws the other wing straight across 

 the body, holds it there a moment, while it takes a last 



