ORDER III. CHEIROPTERA. 39 



In this section of tlic family of Glioles, or Goblins, twcnty-onc species 

 have been discovered, all of wliich are edible ; several of tiie species arc 

 said to be well flavored, and entirely destitute of that musky odor which 

 makes most of tliem so disagreeable to the ta.ste of a European. 



The Kiodote Goblin Bat (^Pteropus roxli-utui^) belongs to the second 

 division of this family, and is the smallest, not often measuring a foot in 

 spread wing. It is of a light red color, tinted with yellow above, light 

 russet beneath ; its grinders are remarkably diminutive. It is called the 

 Dog Bat of Java, and subsists chieHy on the fruit of the clove, which is 

 produced abundantly in the gardens of eTava and Timor. 



Gexl'S XocTiLiO — Ilair-lippcd Bats. Two species of this group are 

 known, peculiar to South America, one of which, — the Peruvian Bat, — 

 is a very curious animal. 



Genus Vampyiius (Vespcrti/io, Linn.). — The Vampire Bats belong to 

 the family of Ulphalangiii Isliophord , or Two-jointed Leaf-nosed Bats. 

 They are extraordinary animals, of which remarkable stories are related. 



The Yanipire Bat has the head long and narrow ; the muzzle lengthened ; 

 the ears middle-sized, separate ; the nose with two peculiar appendages, 

 one horizontal, in the form of a horseshoe, the other erect, like the blade of 

 a javelin : it has twenty-four teeth. This bat is distinguislicd for its blood- 

 sucking propensities. To one of the species, .Spliix applied the name 

 SnnfjulsiKjri CnuleUlssiiHd, — a very cruel blood-sucker. They do not 

 seem inclined to attack large animals, and never man, only while he is 

 sleeping, when they inflict a small wound in tlie great toe, without awaken- 

 ing him, and suck the blood in such a way, that when the bat withdraws, 

 the wound remains open, and still continues to bleed. This sanguivorous 

 propensity was long doubted, but is now proved beyond a doubt. The 

 traveller, Watcrton, often witnessed its sanguinary deeds. In his work, 

 entitled "Wanderings in South America," the following incident is re- 

 corded : — 



"I went to the liiver Panmaron, with a Scotch gcntlcm-an, by the name 

 of Tasbet. We hung our hannnocks in the thatched loft of a planter's 

 house. Next morning I heard this gentleman muttering in his hammock, 

 and now and then letting fall an imprecation or two, just about the time he 

 ought to have been saying his morning prayers. ' What is the matter, 

 sh-V said I, softly; 'is anything amiss ? ' ' What's the matter!' answered 

 he, surlily, 'why, the vampires have been sucking me to death.' As soon 

 as there was light enough, I went to his hannnock, and saw it nuich stained 

 with blood. 'There,' said he, thrusting his foot out of the hammock, 'see 

 how these infernal imps have been drawing my life's blood.' On examining 

 his foot, I found the vampire had tapped his great toe. There was a wound 



