290 TRESPASSERS UPON THE AIR. 



contrary, resort to the most open and unprotected 

 spots, such as the highest branches of trees. To these 

 they hang themselves, bat-fashion, with their heads 

 downwards, and their wings wrapped round their 

 bodies. 



Whether the bats can or cannot swim, as can most 

 of the mammalia, has long been a disputed point 

 among naturalists, and one which the nocturnal habits 

 of the animals render extremely difficult of determina- 

 tion. It is known, however, that one of these fru 

 givorous bats does possess the power of swimming ; 

 and we may therefore infer that other species may be 

 equally able to cope with the water. Nearly in the 

 centre of Plate V. may be seen two Kalongs, repre- 

 sented as hanging from the branch of a tree, and 

 just above there is another, which is about to 

 settle. 



On account of their large size they are very con- 

 spicuous, and look very much like great bunches of 

 fruit growing from the boughs. I have a photograph 

 of an Indian fig-tree, the upper branches of which are 

 thronged with Kalong bats. They hang in regular 

 rows, and the resemblance which I have just men- 

 tioned is so strong, that every one to whom I have 

 shown the photograph has, as a matter of course, 

 taken them for large fruits. 



Mr. Bennett, in his " Whaling Voyage/' mentions 

 that if they are disturbed by striking the trunk of the 

 tree, they spread their wings, and fly off to some other 

 place of refuge. One peculiarity in their flight is the 

 regularity with which it is accomplished, the bats flying 

 in long lines, and not singly or in a shapeless group. 



