58 



PhTLLOSTOMIDjE.- 



-MAMMALIA.- 



-Pteropid^. 



stated to be strictly true, we have no manner of doubt ; 

 for the phenomena of mental aberration thus produced, 

 are strictly analogous to those cerebral manifestations 

 which a weak mind exhibits when allowed to be under 

 the controlling power of another. This is the true 

 solution of mesmerism, as the writer of this article can 

 confidently state, from having experienced on his own 

 person all the ordinary mental changes, absurdly termed 

 electro-biological, sometimes voluntarily forced upon 

 the mind by his own ideal associations, at other times 

 superinduced by submission to a so-called mesmerist. 

 It were well if .these practices and their kindred super- 

 stitions could be eternally abandoned by the ascend- 

 ancy of a strong-minded intelligence, coupled with a 

 due supply of common sense ; and thus shall humanity 

 rejoice in the possession of the mens sana in corpore 

 sano. In some parts of Europe, even at the present 

 day, vampires are believed in, and this is particularly 

 the case in the island of Crete, where the spectres are 

 termed Katakbanas. The Phj'llostome, captured by 

 Mr. Darwin while it was engaged in removing blood 

 from the neck of a horse, is, we believe, referable to 

 this genus. 



THE ATEICAN LEAF BAT {Mcgaderma frons). — 

 The members of this genus were formerly classed with 

 the Vespertilionidje proper, but their affinities connect 

 them more closely with the present family. In many 

 respects they differ from the typical Phyllostomata. 

 They have no cutting teeth in the upper jaw, though 

 in the lower they have the typical number. They have, 

 it is true, the usual four canines ; but of the molars 

 there are only four on either side of the upper, and 

 five on either side of the lower jaw. The membra- 

 nous apparatus of the nose is complicated, there being 

 three distinct leaflets, " one vertical, one horizontal, 

 and one inferior of the horse-shoe form." The ears 

 are particularly striking, being ample, oval, furnished 

 with a tragus, and so united over the region of the 

 forehiiad as to impart a heart-shaped outline to the 



Fig. 14. 



Head of the African Leaf Bat (Megaderma frons). 



entire physiognomy, more conspicuously, perhaps, than 

 obtains in any other species (fig. 14). The Mega- 

 derms are also blood-suckers, and it is probable that 

 their power of suction is facilitated by the absence 

 of incisive teeth in the upper jaw; indeed, the very 



bones themselves — i.e., the intermaxillaries — in which 

 the incisives are normally implanted, are only repre- 

 sented in this genus by a minute cartilaginous plate. 

 The Megaderms are confined to the Eastern hemi- 

 sphere. This species is obtained from Senegal and 

 Gambia on the coast of New Guinea, West Africa. In 

 the catalogue of bats contained in the British Museum 

 it is marked Lavia frons. 



Family IV.— PTEROPID^. 



The bats classed together under this common title 

 are significantly distinct both in habits and structure. 

 They are almost exclusively frugivorous. Their heads 

 are elongated and hairy. The grinding teeth have 

 flattish tuberculated crowns, with a central longitudi- 

 nal groove. The ears are not furnished with a tragus. 

 Tlie fore-finger consists of three phalanges, and is 

 seldom armed with a claw. The tail is frequently 

 wanting, or, when present, very short ; the abrogated 

 interfemoral membrane being represented by narrow 

 folds connected with the inner margin of the legs. 

 These bats have a wide geographical distribution over 

 the Eastern hemisphere. 



THE KALONG [Pteropus edvlis), Plate 5, fig. 17.— 

 This is one of the best known, and at the same 

 time the largest of the frugivorous bats. The body is 

 about two feet long, while the expanse of the wings 

 from tip to tip is sometimes fully five feet. It is 

 gregarious in its habits, and extremely numerous in the 

 islands of Sumatra and Java : and to those whose 

 livelihood depends upon the culture of fruit gardens, it 

 proves an incorrigible enemy. The graphic account 

 given by Dr. Horsfield merits special quotation, con- 

 taining as it does almost all that we know of their 

 destructive propensities, and the plans adopted to 

 secure immunity from their attacks: — "Numerous 

 individuals select a large tree for their resort, and, 

 suspending themselves with the claws of their posterior 

 extremities to the naked branches, often in companies 

 of several hundreds, afl'ord to a stranger a very singular 

 spectacle. A species of fig, in habit resembling the 

 Fictis rdigiosa of India, which is often found near the 

 villages, affords them a very favourite retreat, and the 

 extended branches of one of these are sometimes 

 covered by them. They pass the greater portion of 

 the day in sleep, hanging motionless ; ranged in suc- 

 cession, with the bead downwards, the membrane 

 contracted about the liody, and often in close contact, 

 they have little resemblance to living beings ; and, by 

 a person not accustomed to their economy, are readily 

 mistaken for a part of the tree, or for a fruit of 

 uncommon size suspended from its branches. In 

 general, these societies preserve a perfect silence during 

 the day ; but if they are disturbed, or if a contention 

 arises among them, they emit sharp piercing shrieks ; 

 and their awkward attempts to extricate themselves 

 when oppressed by the light of the sun, exhibit a 

 ludicrous spectacle. In consequence of the sharpness 

 of their claws, their attachment is so strong that they 

 cannot readily leave their hold without the assistance 

 of the CApauded membrane ; and if suddenly killed in 

 the natural attitude during the day, they continue 



