38 DIVISION I. VE1!TEBK.\L ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



and Jaj)an. One of the most cxtraonliuary of tliis group is tlic Pterojntf! 

 ahillfi, known as the Kalong, or Edihlc Ghole. These remarkable ani- 

 mals inlialiit the Indian Arehij)ehigo, where, during the day, they are seen 

 in great numbers lianging from the trees. They are very destructive ; and 

 to preserve fruit from tlicir depredations it must be protected by some Ivind 

 of co\ering. Tlieir Hesli is much esteemed l)y tlie natives, who, conse- 

 quently, hunt and capture them in bags attaclied to tlie end of a long pole. 

 They are capable of uttering a prolonged and loud cry, which has Ijecn 

 likened to that of the goose. The flesh of the common Giiolc {P. ctd- 

 <j(iri.'<) is said to be very tender, sweet, and palatable. 



On account of their large size, sailors call tliem Flying Dogs. Tiic fol- 

 lowing grapliic description of them is taken from " ^leyer's Voyage" : — 



" Having collected a large number of plants, we left the Island of Talim, 

 to proceed to tlie little islands of Panician and Labujo, situated at a short 

 distanc(> fi'oin Taiini, one of the Pliilippinc Islands. The weather, nican- 

 wliile, changed, and the rain iell in torrents; and by the time we reached 

 tiie Island of Panician, which was covered with most luxuriant vegetation, 

 it was inipossililc to effect a landing anywhere. We had observed, at a dis- 

 tance, large pear-shaped bodies, which we at first took for birds' or ants' 

 nests, suspended from tlie lofty trees that overhung the shores of this little 

 island. Tlie people on shore called to us to fire into the trees, as these 

 sup])osed birds' nests were nothing less tlian the gigantic bats, known by 

 tiie name of the Flying Dogs. AVe accoi-dingly fired several shots at these 

 tliick masses, and tiie horrilile creatni'cs rose, with much exertion and 

 friiihtt'ul cries, into the air, several of them falling down dead, and others 

 remaining suspended from the branches. The large hooks with which their 

 wings and feet are furnished enable them to cling firmly. They generally 

 douiilc themselves up in a ])ear-sliaj)ed form, and, laying hold of the 

 branches with their hooks, their whole body is thus wrapped up in their 

 wings, ^^'e rowed round the island, and, after repeated shots, brought the 

 whole multitude that inhabits the woods into confusion. Such of the bats 

 as had ln'cn shot at and fell into the water, dived as soon as we attempted 

 to take them up, and thus we obtained only those which were shot dead 

 upon the spot. After the whole ilock had risen again into the air they 

 filled the neighborhood witli their hideous cries, and, returning, tliey Hew to 

 the adjacent Island of Labujo. The vermilion eyes of this animal, its large 

 and hideous form, together with its I'rightful scream, render it one of the 

 most disgusting creatures on the face of the earth. We shot several which 

 measured four feet from tip to tip of the extended wings. They live entire- 

 ly on fruits, and, as they ti'avel in such immense numbei's, they cause con- 

 siderable damage to the farmers." 



