CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 3. CHEIROPTERA. 



123 



HEAD OF ROUSSETTE BAT, TIIE KALOXG SIZE OF LIFE. 



HEAD OF SPECTRE BAT — SIZE OF LIFE. (See p. 131.) 



JAVELLN BAT — SKE OF LIFE. 



ORDER 3. CHEIROPTERA. 



"We now come to one of the most remarkable 

 groups in the whole circle of animated nature — 

 the Cheiroptera. 



This order embraces the Bats, consisting of a 

 great variety of species, spread over nearly every 

 portion of the globe. In different countries they 

 have different designations — all somewhat descrip- 

 tive of their character and appearance. In Eng- 

 land, they are sometimes called Flhter-mice / in 

 France, their name is Chauve-souris, or Bald-mice ; 

 in Germany, they are called Fleder-mauser, or 

 Flt/iny-mice. They constitute the Hand-winged 

 family, denominated Vespertilio by Linnaeus — 

 a name derived from the Latin, and signifying 

 bat. Though possessed of a skeleton like that 

 of quadrupeds, their fore-paws, or hands, are de- 

 veloped into long fingers, sustaining an exceed- 

 ingly fine, thin, hairless, and semi-transparent membrane, on 

 both sides of the body, which serves them as wings. Their 

 flight is light, noiseless, and wavering, and less vigorous than 

 that of birds ; yet they turn hither and thither with great 

 facility, and are thus able to pursue and catch insects — like 

 themselves on the wing — which constitute their chief suste- 

 nance. All the family have four canine- teeth, and some of* 

 them feed on small birds and small quadrupeds. Some kill 

 and suck the blood of smaller bats ; and Mr. Blythe says that 

 in India the meoraderms may be heard on quiet evenings 

 crunching the heads and bones of frogs. Their legs, by means 



