PTEROPUS JAVANICUS. 



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 expanded 

 membrane; and if suddenly killed in the natural attitude during the day, they 

 continue suspended after death. It is necessary therefore to oblige them to take 

 wing by alarming them, if it be desired to obtain them during the day. Soon 

 after sunset they gradually quit their hold, and pursue their nocturnal flights in 

 quest of food. They direct their course, by an unerring instinct, to the forests, 

 villages, and plantations, occasioning incalculable mischief, attacking and devouring 

 indiscriminately every kind of fruit, from the abundant and useful Cacao-nut, 

 which surrounds every dwelling of the meanest peasantry, to the rare and most delicate 

 productions, which are cultivated with care by Princes and Chiefs of distinction. By 

 the latter, as well as by the European colonists, various methods are employed to 

 protect the orchards and gardens. Delicate fruits, such as Mangos, Jambus, Lansas, 

 &c., as they approach to maturity, are ingeniously secured by means of a loose net or 

 basket, skilfully constructed of split bamboo. Without this precaution, little 

 valuable fruit would escape the ravages of the Kalong. 



There are few situations in the lower parts of Java, in which this night 

 wanderer is not constantly observed; as soon as the light of the sun has retired, one 

 animal is seen to follow the other at a small but irregular distance, and this succession 

 continues uninterrupted till darkness obstructs the view. The flight of the Kalong 

 is slow and steady, pursued in a straight line, and capable of long continuance. The 

 cliace of the Kalong forms occasionally an amusement to the colonists and inhabitants, 

 during the moonUght nights, which in the latitude of Java are vmcommonly serene. 

 He is watched in his descent to the fruit trees, and a discharge of small shot readily 

 brings him to the ground. By this means I frequently obtained four or five 

 individuals in the course of an hour ; and by my observations I am led to believe, 

 that the varieties above described, belong to one species, as they appear all to 

 hve in one society, and are obtained promiscuously. I have only further to add, 

 that when it is considered that the nv\merous Chiroptera which are found in Europe, 

 have only recently been distinguished with accuracy, some indulgence may be claimed 

 in the determination of a species, collected in a distant climate, without the 

 means of forming an acquaintance with the late additions to this genus in different 

 countries. 



