11 



on vegetables and fruits of every kind. This is the 

 Bat to which Linnaeus applied the title of Vampyre, 

 on the supposition of its being the species of which 

 go many extraordinary accounts have been given re- 

 lative to its power of sucking the blood of men and 

 cattle. 



In the autumn of 1810 I had, for a short time, a 

 living one of a large size, from the East Indies, and 

 contrary to what has been asserted of it by writers, 

 found it a most inoftensive, harmless, entertaining 

 creature ; it refused animal food, but fed plentifully 

 on succulent fruits, preferring figs and pears, and 

 licked the hand that presented them, seeming de- 

 lighted v.'ith the caresses of the persons who fed it, 

 playing with them in the manner of a young kitten ; 

 it was fond of white wine, of which it took near half 

 a glass at a time, lapping it like a cat. This had a 

 very evident etfect on its spirits, as it then became 

 extremely frolicsome and diverting, but never once 

 attempted to bite. It slept suspended, with its head 

 downwards, wrapping its satin-like wings round its 

 body in the form of a mantle. I several times per- 

 mitted it to enclose the end of my little finger in its 

 mouth, for the purpose of observing if it would 

 attempt to draw blood, but not the slightest indica- 

 tion of such intention appeared, and I have strong 

 reason to doubt the stories related so greatly to its 

 disadvantage. 



Madagascar Bat, with the wings closed. 



The Long-eared Bat (Vespertilio Auritus). 



This is one of the most common English Bats, and 

 may be frequently seen, during the summer even- 

 ings, pursuing the various insects on which it feeds. 



In the same Case is a White variety of this animal. 



