34 -A nccdotal Natural History. 



central ridge, or keel, like that of birds, for the better 

 attachment of the powerful muscles which work the 

 wings. The rest of the skeleton is of the very slightest 

 description, in order that no unnecessary weight shall 

 hamper the movements. 



The feet are very small in proportion to the rest of 

 the body, and are furnished with long curved claws, 

 which are of assistance in walking, but are chiefly 

 used in assuming the extraordinary position of rest, 

 when the bat hangs head downwards, from some con- 

 venient ledge or beam, merely hooking itself on 

 by means of the claws. In this strange and, one 

 would think, extremely uncomfortable attitude the 

 bat always rests, and passes the winter in a torpid 

 condition. 



It was remarked many years ago, that the bat pos- 

 sessed a most wonderful power of avoiding any ob- 

 stacles that presented themselves in its path, and that 

 itcould pass among the branches of trees, even where 

 the twigs were thickest, without coming in contact with 

 them. In order to ascertain whether this was always 

 the case, a number of strings were stretched in a 

 darkened place, and several bats let loose among 

 them ; yet it was found that the animals avoided 

 them with the greatest ease. Thinking that this power 

 might be the result of an unusually keen eyesight, one 

 investigator, named Spallanzani, in a very cruel experi- 

 ment, put out the eyes of a bat, and again let it fly, 

 but was surprised to see that the creature avoided 

 the objects exactly as before. It was then thought 

 for many years that the bat possessed a sixth sense 

 unknown to man, and it was not until comparatively 

 lately that the true secret was discovered. 



A careful examination of the membranes of the 

 wings and ears showed that they were intersected by 

 exceedingly delicate nerves, and it was found that 



