32 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



1 inch ; tragus small, thin, and pointed. Longish snout. Rare : chiefly found 

 in woods ; hides only in hollow trees. 



8. The Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus). Body just over i| inch. 

 Identified by its distinct " moustache." Fur black with chestnut tips. Hides 

 in crevices in walls and roofs ; frequently observed over water. Fairly gen- 

 erally distributed, but not found in Scotland. 



9. Barbastelle Bat (Barbastella barbastellus). The ears in this species are 

 so closely set that the inner edges are united at the base ; the face appears to 

 be enclosed in a band of ear-cartilage. Triangular-shaped tragus. Short, 

 bare muzzle. A curious notch along the nose ; two other grooves below the 

 nostrils. Length of body, about 2 inches. Colour, deep black ; grey tips to 

 the hair. Hibernates at the first approach of winter not in trees, but in 

 caverns and earth-crevices. Not gregarious. Not common ; chiefly met 

 with in the South-east and Midlands. Unknown in Ireland and Scotland. 



10. The Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus). Distinguished by its very 

 long ears. Tragus leaf-shaped, and small in proportion to the ear. This species 

 can droop its ears, so as to bring them over the chest. Length of body, under 



2 inches. Colour, pale reddish brown, shading to grey. Frequents caverns, 

 trees, and buildings. 



The ears of this bat are extraordinarily sensitive, and from actual experi- 

 ments have been found almost to take the place of sight when meeting with 

 any solid obstacle in flight. 



This bat frequently remains out all night far longer than other species ; 

 it also possesses a very thin, piercing voice. Is easily tamed in captivity. 

 Its distribution is general. 



11. The Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum). Length, 

 2\ inches. Possesses a " nose leaf," the portion above the lip being shaped 

 like a horseshoe. This curious formation, being very sensitive, serves to enable 

 the bat to fly without colliding against obstacles, and yet without using its 

 very Insignificant eyes. The ears are large and broad, without a tragus. This 

 bat lives largely on cockchafers ; it flies high, frequently round trees. It 

 hides in old buildings and caves. Chiefly found in the South and West of 

 England. Unknown in Ireland and Scotland. 



12. The Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) is a smaller species 

 than the above, but its general characteristics are the same. Its distribution 

 is chiefly in the South of England, but it has also been found in the .West of 

 Ireland. 



Order: CARNIVORA ("Flesh-eaters"). 



Modern carnivorous animals are divided into two classes : Fissipedia 

 (" Separate-toed "), among which come Dogs, Cats, Weasels, etc. ; and Pinni- 

 pedia (" Web-footed "), such as the Seals and Walruses. 



