Transactiuns of the Linnean Society. 257 



notice of continental writers; and he finds in the description given by them 

 of the Vesp. Pipistrellus, Geoff., so little variation from our Common 

 Bat that he is induced to regard them as identical. Under that name and 

 with the synonyms of that species in the continental authours, Mr. Jenyns 

 accordingly describes our Bat, furnishing the requisite details of measure- 

 ments, dentition, form, fur, and colour, with considerable minuteness 

 and precision. The dimensions somewhat exceed those given by Dau- 

 benton for the Pipistrelle, which might probably have been obtained 

 from young individuals ; but accord generally with those furnished by 

 GeofFroy. In Mr. Jenyns' view of the subject the Vesp. murinus is con- 

 sequently to be excluded from the British Fauna ; its place in which should 

 be occupied by the Vesp. Pipistrellus, already introduced into it on the 

 authority of a specimen procured from Scotland by Dr. Leach, which 

 exhibits nothing like a specific distinction from the Common Bat of 

 Pennant. 



In some remarks on the habits of Bats appended to his paper, Mr. Jenyns 

 states his belief that each species has its peculiar place of concealment. 

 The Noctule, for instance, retreats into hollow trees; the roofs of houses 

 are uniformly resorted to by the Long-eared Bat, Plccotus auritus, 

 Geoff.; and the Common Bat is found in retirement in crevices of de- 

 cayed brickwork, the cracks of old gatevi^ays and door frames, or behind 

 gutters or pipes. In these situations the latter collect, sometimes in pro- 

 digious quantities, for concealment in the day-time, and for shelter during 

 their winter slumbers. Complete torpidity does not take place until the 

 temperature is very much reduced, (probably below the freezing point) ; 

 but when it has supervened, a high temperature is required to awaken 

 the animal from its sleep. In November and December this species has 

 been seen actively flying when the thermometer has marked 38o ; and has 

 not been again met with on the wing till March, although the temperature 

 has risen in the mean time considerably above 50". The Noctule seeks 

 its winter retreat at an earlier period than the Common Bat. 



The leading facts embodied in the next paper which we have to men- 

 tion, have been already given in the present volume of this Journal. 

 It is " On a new species of Wild Swan taken in England, and hitherto 

 " confounded with the Hooper; by W. Yarrell, Esq." To our pre- 

 vious notice it is only necessary to add, that the distinctions between the 



Vol. V. R 



