LONG-EARED BAT 



equally important, the shrill cry, are quite sufficient 



to identify it when one becomes familiar with these 



characteristics. The way in which Bats fold their wings 



when at rest can best be Hkened to a closed umbrella ; 



but, in addition to this, the Long-Eared species goes one 



better, so as to protect its long ears, by carefully folding 



them underneath its wings. When thus seen, the 



creature is almost unrecognisable as the form observable 



upon the wing, and it should also be pointed out that, if 



the wing-stretch was not in keeping with the elongated 



ears, the appearance of the animal while in flight would be 



ill-balanced, and its movements ill-controlled. This law 



of co-relation, as it is called, of which Cuvier, the eminent 



French naturalist, was such an ardent exponent, provides 



us with many interesting examples in the world of 



animal life. A few instances may here be given. A 



wading bird (such as the Redshank) has a long beak and 



long legs ; a Tiger has sharp claws and sharp teeth ; 



a Donkey has flat teeth and hoofs ; a Giraffe has a small 



head, borne on a long, slender neck, with a small, dappled 



body and long legs ; a bird of prey (Eagle and Owl) has 



a powerful beak and formidable talons. A story is told 



of Cuvier which adequately displays the astuteness and 



cleverness of which he was a past master. His French 



students determined to play a trick upon him, and, at the 



dead of night, they dressed up one of their number in 



the garb of a horrible monster. They placed horns upon 



his head, an Ass's skin was girt round his loins, with 



hoofs upon his feet. At a suitable moment the student 



27 



