ORDER CARNASSIER. 93 



any change or modification. The functions, delegated else- 

 where to the anterior extremities, are in the bats concen- 

 trated in the hinder ones, where alone any genuine toes are 

 found. In the others, as we have observed, but one remains, 

 the other four being- nothing but solid stalks fitted to extend 

 or fold up the membrane. 



Such are the resources of the bat for terraqueous locomo- 

 tion. On a superficial consideration they would appear not 

 easily manageable for such a purpose, yet the animal can 

 draw some advantage from them in case of necessity. The 

 wings, when furled, are converted into fore-feet. The bat 

 then becomes a quadruped, and moves itself along with a 

 tolerable degree of velocity. But there is much pain, effort, 

 and diversity of action necessary for this operation. At first 

 we behold the bat push forward the end of its wing and 

 cling to the soil, by burying in it the nail of its thumb : then 

 from this " point d'appui" it draws its hinder limbs under 

 the belly, rises from this squat position, and makes a kind 

 of tumble which propels its body forward. But as it fixes 

 itself to the ground only by the thumb of one wing, its mo- 

 tions are necessarily performed in a diagonal line, and it is 

 thrown by the leap it makes on that side on which it was 

 fixed. For the next step it employs the thumb of the oppo- 

 site wing, and tumbling forward in an opposite direction, 

 it proceeds by these alternate deviations on its destined 

 course. This exercise is not a little fatiguing, and the bat 

 seldom employs it except in the perfect security of its ca- 

 vern, or when a series of accidents have occasioned it to 

 fall on a horizontal plane. When a bat finds itself in this 

 predicament, it endeavours to escape from it as soon as 

 possible. For in such a situation it cannot rise from the 

 ground and resume its flight. Its wings have too much ex- 

 tent, and the efforts which it makes to rise, only causes 

 them to dash against the ground, and procure it a new fall. 

 But if it can gain an elevated place, a tree, or even a hillock.. 



