Bats. 4 1 



smell. The same apparatus is found in the Vampire 

 Bats, and is there developed to even a greater extent. 



In other parts of the world, and especially in 

 tropical climates, are found many other species of 

 bat, some of them reaching the tremendous; dimen- 

 sions of nearly five feet in stretch of wing. This is 

 the case in the well-known Kalong of Java (Pteropus 

 rubricollis}, which is often known as the Flying Fox, 

 or Roussette. This, instead of feeding upon animal 

 food, finds its subsistence in fruit, and is often the 

 cause of terrible damage to the agriculturist. In 

 some districts, indeed, where the bat is more than 

 usually abundant, it is even necessary to envelope the 

 whole of the fruit in a bamboo network, in order to 

 secure it for human consumption. By way of a 

 counterbalancing advantage, however, the flesh of the 

 Kalong is eaten in many places, and is even con- 

 sidered a great delicacy. 



A curious point about the Kalongs is, that they do 

 not trouble themselves to find a dark and retired 

 spot in which to pass the daytime, but hang in large 

 clusters from the boughs of various trees, especially 

 those of the fig tribe, where they are hardly recog- 

 nisable as bats, resembling clusters of fruit more than 

 anything else. 



Perhaps the most widely known and famous of the 

 bat tribe is the Vampire Bat ( Vainpyrus spectrum} of 

 South America. It is by no means one of the 

 largest of the family, its total length being six or 

 seven inches only, while the spread of wings is not 

 more than a couple of feet. 



The blood-sucking propensities of this animal are 

 well known, men and animals alike suffering from 

 its attacks. 



Settling upon its victim when plunged in slumber, 

 it perforates with its sharp teeth any exposed portion 



