42 DIVISION I. VEKTKliRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



There arc several speeies, all of wliicji sliniild he classed with the Lemurs, 

 to «l]ii'li triljc they show a closer affinity than they do to the Uats. 



Tlie species the most widely distributed over the eastern portions of the 

 United States is the 



Biiowx,* oil CAnoLiNA Bat — Vcspcr/i/io C'aroUncni^is. 



Tills is the species ^vc most often see flitting aliout the streets and over 

 the houses of the cities, and about the forests and fields of the countrv. 

 Several specimens that I at one time kept as pets, furnished much interest- 

 ing information regarding their habits. 



During the daytime tlicy i-emain perfectly still, their little eyes shut, 

 their wings folded, hanging by the claws of the hind feet. 



If they were disturbed during the day, they opened their mouths, hris- 

 tling with tine teeth, and emitted a chattering, melancholy shriek. If a ily 

 or otlicr insect, or small piece of meat were put in their muuth, they almost 

 invariably swallowed it after masticating it a little. If much disturlied 

 thev left theii' perch, and, after flying about the room for a few moments, 

 again alighted on another convenient resting-place. It will lie rememljcred 

 that the vision of tlicsc animals is, in daylight, very defective ; they are 

 essentially nocturnal in their habits ; but when flying alxiut the room, though 

 there were many objects hanging from the walls, and chairs and tables, 

 and other furniture were in the room, imt fince have I known a bat to strike 

 against them, or against the w:ills or ceiling. Tiiey were guided entirely 

 liy their exquisite sense of hearing, and that of touch in the membranes of 

 their wings. 



AVlien twilight eommenccd, my pets were all activity, and through the 

 n-reater iiart of the niijht seemed liusily cniraLred in catcjiimr the Hies that 

 were on the ceiling and walls of the room. H a lamp were ligjited, they 

 generally, after a i\'\v moments of nervous flight, reoccupied their perches, 

 but if all were still, they soon resumed their insect hunt. 



Notwithstanding I have had quite a number of these animals at different 

 times, and kept them sometimes through a jicriod of fi\e or six weeks, 1 

 have never been able to detect any considerable amount of intelligence in 

 them. After a while they liecame accustomed to being handled, and would 

 lie passively in tjie hand. I think that they were able to recognize me from 

 a stranger, as they seemed less uneasy when handled by myself; but as for 

 affection, they seemed entirely destitute of it. Other animals, when fed and 

 cared for, will in time recognize and seem pleased at the company of their 



* Tliis intorfsfinti ilos<riptioii of tlio Cm-nfiiin r.rif is t'roiii tlii.' pun of Edward A. I:^amla■l^, 

 Escx-, jiutliur of •■ (Jrnitliolo:-:y of Mass;ichusctts." 



