42 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



little that can be depended on. It is generally be- 

 lieved that the power attributed to them (Pteropus 

 Vulgaris, Vampirus Spectrum, &c.) of sucking the 

 blood of the larger animals, has been grossly exag- 

 gerated, though it is probably not altogether fabu- 

 lous. It seems, however, that though generally fru- 

 givorous, they occasionally prey on insects and small 

 birds. 



The Kalong, (Pteropus* Javanicus,) has a body as 

 large as a small cat, and its wings expand five feet. 

 It is abundant in Java, where it is gregarious. Mul- 

 titudes of them, selecting a large tree, hang sus- 

 pended during the day by the hind claws, present- 

 ing a singular spectacle, appearing like appendages 

 to the tree, or strange fruit. If disturbed from re- 

 pose during day, they make awkward attempts to 

 escape, uttering piercing shrieks ; as the claws being 

 exceedingly sharp, they cannot readily disengage 

 themselves without preparation. They do great mis- 

 chief by trooping down upon the orchards and gar- 

 dens, devouring all the fruit. In serene nights, it 

 is a favourite amusement to pursue them, for they 

 are easily watched to the fruit-trees, and then shot 

 down. The flesh is esteemed by the natives. 



Of the timid little insectivorous Bats, forming the 

 genera Vespertilio,Rhinolophus,-\ &c., our own coun- 

 try possesses nearly twenty species. Associated with 

 the balmy sweetness of the summer evening, flitting 

 around us in our pleasant twilight walks, through 

 shady lanes, or over the broad river, they possess 



* n<rov, pteron, a wing, and vov; , pous^ a foot. 



)* Vesper, the evening, 'P/v, rliin^ the nose, and Xe<poj, lophos^ a crest. 



