QUADRUPEDS. 301 



black, and measuring several feet in extent, and the tail is 

 wanting. This apparently fonnidable animal was supposed 

 to perform its deadly operations by inserting its sharp- 

 pointed tongue into the vein of a sleeping person, and in so 

 delicate and peculiar a manner as to occasion no pain. 

 The sleep of the victim was not even disturbed, and the bat, 

 by the fanning motion of its wings, produced a delicious 

 coolness around, which rendered repose the deeper, till the 

 Buiierer awoke in eternity. 



Whatever may be the case as regards the propensities 

 of some of the South American species, of whose blood- 

 sucking disposition Humboldt does not seem to doubt, it 

 appears to be the opinion of naturalists that the vampyre- 

 bat of Linnaeus is a frugivorous animal, of perfectly inno- 

 cuous habits. According to Edwards, it is a native of 

 Madagascar. 



Among fhe smaller insectivorous quadrupeds, several 

 kinds of shrew mice {Sorex) inhabit different quarters of 

 Africa. The Cape shrew {S. Capensis) dwells in caverns, 

 and occurs at the Cape of Good Hope. 



The chrysoclore, or Cape mole, is remarkable for the 

 brilliant metallic colours which adorn its fur. Its size is 

 rather less than that of the common mole of Europe, and 

 there is a resemblance to that species in its general form. 

 The fore feet have only three claws, of which the exterior 

 is the largest : the hind feet are furnished with five weaker 

 claws. Its true country is the Cape of Good Hope, though 

 naturalists have been led into error regarding its locality by 

 a false indication in the Thesaurus of Seba, by whom Siberia 

 is assigned as its native region. 



The tcnrec {Sctigcr of Cuvier), an animal formerly 

 classed with the hedgehogs, inhabits the island of Mada- 

 gascar, and may be mentioned as the only known instance 

 of a hibernating species indigenous to a warm climate. It 

 burrows in the ground, and remains torpid for about three 

 months in the year. It usually lies concealed during the 

 day, and ventures abroad after sunset in search of fruits 

 and herbs. Its body is generally very fat, and is eaten by 

 the natives of Madagascar. There are several species of 

 the genus, all confined to that island, where, from their 

 grunting voices, they are called ground-hogs. One of these 

 Cc 



