108 



THE BARBASTELLE. 



delicacy of their sense of smell in seeking food and avoiding foes. But even if such be the case, 

 there seems to be no apparent reason why such a privilege should be granted to one species 

 and denied to another — both animals being in the habit of seeking their nutriment and escaping 

 pursuit in a similar manner. The generic term, BMnolophus, which is applied to these bats, 

 is derived from two Greek words, the former signifying a nose, and the latter a crest. 



Another peculiarity of form which has been noticed in these animals, is the presence of two 

 prominences on the groin, which have been taken for supplementary mamms, and described 

 as such. As, however, no mammary glands exist beneath these projections, they are evidently 

 no true mammae, and probably belong only to the skin. 



The Great Horseshoe Bat seems to be less endurent of light than many of its relatives, 

 and takes up its abode in caverns so dark and gloomy that no other species of bat will bear 

 it company. This instinct of concealment induces the bat to leave its home at a later and 

 to return at an earlier hour than the other bats, and consequently it has only recently been 





THE BARBASTELLE.— Barbastdlus conununis. 



found to exist in England. The first specimen which was captured had fixed its abode in 

 rather a precarious situation, and was found in a building belonging to the Dartmouth powder 

 mills. Since that time it has been discovered in many places, but always in some dark and 

 retired situation. 



There is another similar animal found in England, called the Lesser Horseshoe Bat 

 (Ii7mwlop7ms hippos ideros). This creature was for some time thought to be the young of 

 the last mentioned animal, but is now known to be a distinct species. The name Hipposideros 

 is Greek, and in that language signifies the same as Ferrum-equinum in Latin, i.e. Horseshoe. 



The bats which we shall now examine are devoid of that strange nasal leafage which gives 

 so unique an aspect to its wearer. The Baebastelle does not seem to be very plentiful in 

 Europe, although specimens have several times been taken in various parts of it. It is a 

 singular coincidence that the first acknowledged British specimen was captured in a powder 

 mill, as was the case with the Great Horseshoe Bat. 



One of these animals which was for some weeks in the possession of Mr. Bell, was taken 

 in Kent, at the bottom of a mine seventy feet in depth. It did not seem to be so active as 

 some Long-Eared and other bats which were taken in the same locality, and preferred lying 

 on the hearth-rug to using its wings. It fed readily on meat and would drink water, but 

 never became so tame as its companions. Its captive life lasted only a few weeks, its death 

 being apparently hastened by the attacks of the other bats, one of which was detected in the 

 very act of inflicting a bite on the Barbastelle's neck. 



The color of the Barbastelle is extremely dark, so much so, indeed, that by depth of tint 

 alone it can be distinguished from almost any other bat. On the hinder quarters, a rusty 



