148 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



for the purpose of dragging forward the posterior part of 

 the body with more effect ; and, at other times, it remained 

 extended and unemployed. The repose of this animal 

 consisted in suspending by the hind-feet, with the head 

 downwards, and a vertical superficies seemed indispen- 

 sably requisite for this position. When it wished thus to 

 suspend itself, it would stop at a convenient place, fix its 

 thumbs where the nails of its hinder-feet should be hooked, 

 and for this purpose, the slightest inequality was sufficient ; 

 then, fastening itself strongly, it would detach one of its 

 thumbs, and revolving its body, would carry the foot of the 

 same side to the spot which the thumb had just occupied. 

 The nails being once properly fixed, it would let go its 

 other thumb, which movement, by leaving the body to its 

 natural weight, carried the head downwards, and brought 

 the second foot alongside of the first, where it became 

 hooked in its turn. 



When this bat was desirous of flying, being on a hori- 

 zontal surface, it would spring perpendicularly to the plane 

 on which it rested, and suddenly extend its wings, which 

 sustained it, and left it sufficient time to make some mo- 

 tions to enable it to rise. If it was suspended, it would 

 quit its hold, fall, unfurl its wings, and fly. 



This Barbastelle thus passed eight days, going from one 

 place, where it was suspended, to another, to suspend itself 

 afresh. It was especially during the night that it quitted 

 its retreat and repose. It remained, during this time, with- 

 out taking any nourishment, though meat cut into very 

 small pieces had been put into the case where it was shut 

 up. At last, however, in full day-light, it fell upon the 

 meat, which it entirely devoured. When a piece was too 

 large, it would fix it to the ground with its wrist, and cut it 

 with its cheek-teeth ; but if these teeth got engaged in the 

 meat, or any morsel attached to them, it would not use its 

 feef to get rid of the embarrassment, but would seek for 



