28 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



Order V.— CHIROPTERA.— This order comprises the Bats, 

 which are distinguislied by their adaptabiHty for flight. The fore 

 limbs and fingers are enormously elongated ; and a membrane, 

 which is a continuation of tiie skin of the body, stretched over them 

 forms the wings. The hind limbs are short, but have large 

 hooked claws by which the animals hang, head downwards, in 

 the trees when at rest. The Bats are mostly crepuscular in their 

 habits, tliat is they sleep by day and come out to search for food 

 in the twiliglit, and many of them hybernate. They are found in 

 all parts of the world. There are two suborders — the Insect- 

 eating, and the Fruit-eating. 



The INSECT-EATING BATS are very common, and typical 

 species of foreign genera are : — 



The Great Bat — {Me<jaderma) of Asia and Africa. 

 The Large Bat — [Vesperwjo noctula) of England. 

 The White 'QdX—{Diclidurus albus) of South America. 

 The Vampire — {Vampyrus) of America. 

 The Blood- Sucking Bat— (^esmorfws) of America. 



A number of specimens will be seen also in the Australian 

 collection. 



The FRUIT-EATING BATS, known in Australia as Flying 

 Foxes, attain a great size. The largest of these Bats {Pterojous) 

 lias often four or five feet expanse of wing, while the smallest 

 {Macrofflossus minimus) is about the size of a large mouse. 

 Typical specimens shewn are : — 



Pteropus poliocephalUS of Australia. 



Pteropus jubatus of the Phillipine Islands. 



Pteropus ^randis of the Solomon Islands. 



Pteropus alboscapulatUS of the Duke of York Islands. 



Macroglossus minimus of New Guinea and Australia. 



Harpyia macrocephalus, var. of New Guinea and New 

 liritain. 



Order VI.— RODENTIA.— Thisisone of the largest orders 

 among the Mammalia both in the numbersof its genera and species, 

 although the animals themselves composing it are usually of small 

 size. It includes the Piats, Mice, Rabbits, Squirrels, &c. These 



