106 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



themselves with the claws of their posterior extremities to 

 the naked branches, often in companies of several hundreds, 

 afford to a stranger a very singular spectacle. A species of 

 ficus, in habit resembling the ficus religiosa of India, which 

 is often found near the villages of the natives, 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 

 succession, with the head downwards, the membrane con- 

 tracted about the body, 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 pre- 

 fect 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 them- 

 selves, 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 ex- 

 panded 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 culti- 

 vated with care by princes and chiefs of distinction. By the 



