CLASS MAMMALS: OEDEB CHEIROPTERA. 



89 



ward that part of the membrane expanded between the hind 

 legs and tail, to serve as a skim-net. Its flight is uncertain 

 and awkward, as ever and anon it dives downward, making 

 complete somersaults in its efEort to take the "catch" from 

 the net. There are over 30 genera and 300 species — 20 at 

 least being indigenous to North America. The families of 

 the order are as follows : 



I 



nOMPLBX ; : 



PROLONGED ' 

 TAIL ; i 



SHORT, THICK ' 

 TAIL ; '' 



{ TAILLESS; 



Fork-finger 

 two- jointed. 



Fork-finger 

 omk-joihted. 



foke-finger 

 one-jointed. 



fobe-fincer 

 two-jointed. 



without thigh 



UEMBRANE. 



Phyllostomidae. — 'J'he Vampire 

 instead of a stomach, a long pouch 



Fig. m. 



PhyllostomidBB, Vampire. 



Rhinolophidae, Sarse-shoe Bat. 



YeBpertilionidaB, Common Bat, 



Noctilionidse, Mare^ipped Bat. 



Pteropodidffi, Wivg-foottd Bat. 



of South America has, 

 for the reception of its 



PhyUosKmm spectrum., Vampire. J. 



food, which requires little digestion. Its teeth make a triple 

 puncture, through which it sucks the blood of its victim till 

 gorged. The bite, however, is rarely serious.* 



Rhinolophidae.— The Horse-shoe Bats have large nose- 

 appendages, consisting of skin curiously folded, perhaps as 

 an extra organ of touch. The P^lff Bat diminishes its spe- 



* Most exaggerated stories liave been reportea by travelers, as that the Vampire, 

 winging its silent flight in the darkness, poises itself over the exposed toe of an 

 incantions sleeper, and painlessly extracts his life-blood, all the while by gentle fan- 

 ning inducing a deeper stamber, until Its victim expires. 



