THE HORSESHOE BAT. II9 



creatures, and therefore the reason which was given for the reversed position of the 

 bats will not apply to the birds. 



On the nose of the Vampire Bat may be observed a curious membrane of a leaf-like 

 shape. This strange and not prepossessing appendage to the animal is found in some 

 of the bats which inhabit our own country. Among the British bats which possess the 

 leaf-decorated nose, the GREAT HORSESHOE BAT is the most conspicuous. Only the 

 head of this animal is given in the engraving, as in its 

 wings and body it differs but very little from other British 

 bats. 



The membrane which gives to this creature the title of 

 Horseshoe Bat, is extremely large in proportion to the 

 size of the animal, though not so large as in some of the 

 foreign bats. It is double in form, that portion which is 

 in front resembling a horseshoe in shape, and curving 

 from the lips upwards, so as to embrace the nostrils. 

 The second leafy membrane is placed on the forehead, 

 and is sharply pointed. 



The ears of this bat are large, pointed, and marked 



HPAD OP HOI?^PSHflP RAT 



with a succession of ridges, which extend from the Rhiaoiophus Ferrum-eguiaum.' 

 margins nearly half-way across the ears. The " tragus," 



or inner ear, is wanting in this bat, but its office seems to be fulfilled by a large 

 rounded lobe at the base of the ear. 



The color of the fur is gray with a slight tinge of red above, while on the under por- 

 tions of the animal the ruddy tint vanishes, and the hair is of a very pale gray. The 

 membrane is of a dusky hue. The bat is not a very large one, the length of the head 

 and body being only two inches and a half, while that of the extended wings is about 

 thirteen inches. The ears are half an inch in breadth, when measured at their widest 

 part, and are about three-quarters of an inch in length. 



What may be the object of the wonderful nasal appendage seems to be is quite 

 unknown. The most obvious idea, that it is given to the animals for the purpose 

 of increasing the delicacy of their sense of smell in seeking food and avoiding foes. 

 But even if such be the case, there seems to be no apparent reason why such a privi- 

 lege should be granted to one species and denied to another both animals being in 

 the habit of seeking their nutriment and escaping pursuit in a similar manner. The 

 generic term, Rhinolophus, which is applied to these bats, is derived from two Greek 

 words, the former signifying a nose, and the latter a crest. 



Another peculiarity of form which has been noticed in these animals, is the presence 

 of two prominences on the groin, which have been taken for supplementary mammae, 

 and described as such. As, however, no mammary glands exist beneath these 

 projections, they are evidently no true mammae, and probably belong only to the 

 skin. 



The Great Horseshoe Bat seems to be less endurent of light than any of its British 

 relatives, and takes up its abode in caverns so dark and gloomy that no other species 

 of bat will bear it company. This instinct of concealment induces the bat to leave its 

 home at a later and to return at an earlier hour than the other bats, and consequently 

 it has only recently been found to exist in England. The first specimen which was 

 captured had fixed its abode in rather a precarious situation, and was found in a build- 

 ing belonging to the Dartmouth powder mills. Since that time it has been discovered in 

 many places, but always in some-dark and retired situation. 



There is another similar animal found in England, called the Lesser Horseshoe Bat 

 {Rhinolophus Hopposideros). This creature was for some time thought to be the 

 young of the last mentioned animal, but is now known to be a distinct species. The 

 name Hipposideros is Greek, and in that language signifies the same as Ferrum-equinum 

 in Latin, /'. e. Horseshoe. 



The bats which we shall now examine are devoid of that strange nasal leafage which 

 gives so unique an aspect to its wearer. The BARBASTELLE does not seem to be very 



