BATS. 



199 



FIG. 122. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

 Cheiroptera Insectivora. 



Bats form an order of mammals whose anterior limbs 

 are organized for flying. There are many species ; some 

 of the larger ones are fruit-eaters ; these are found prin- 

 cipally in India and Africa. The bats of the temperate 

 zones are usually small, and 

 feed entirely on insects, es- 

 pecially flying insects, such 

 as gnats, moths, and mosqui- 

 toes, which hide during the 

 day and appear hovering in 

 clouds in the early evening. 

 Our bats destroy immense 

 numbers of these troublesome 

 creatures, and so render us a 

 service. 



The long-eared bat is an 

 example of enormous ear- 

 development in these mam- 

 mals, whose sight, on the other 

 hand, appears very deficient. 

 By hearing, smell, and touch, 

 the last having for its organ 

 the wing membrane which 

 spreads over the hand, as well 



as the ears, face, and lips, these creatures receive im- 

 pressions that nocturnal animals could not obtain by the 

 aid of eyes. 



MEGADERMA GIGAS, sleeping. 



