﻿BATS IN EELATIOIST TO GUANO AND IISTSECTS 



tails, short, wide ears pointing forward over the eyes like a hat rim, 

 and short velvety fur. (Figs. 1 and 2.) Individually these bats are 

 cleanly animals, but they have the extremely strong musky odor 

 peculiar to the group. This permeates the air of every cave or 

 house which they occupy in any numbers. In some houses where 

 they are present in large numbers it becomes almost unbearably 

 strong, and its offensiveness is increased by the added pungent odor 



Fig, 2.- 



-MoxicaD free-tailed bal {Tiuldiiilu mcncanu), naiural size (see also 

 li;,'ure 1) 



of ammonia from their excieiiKMit. In many houses where bats are 

 found .'imong tlie tiles of the roofs of porches and in crevices over 

 the lintels of doorways and similar places, the odor i:)ervading the 

 premises often advertises tlicii' presence to anyone a[)proaching. 



In the numerous reports on bat guanos and Uieir- chemical com- 

 ponents and value as fertilizer, samj^ies have been listed from 

 the caves of Africa, India, China, South America, the West Indies, 



