BATS 



also, when the tail is curved upwards, forming 

 a sort of pouch, but of the use of this pouch 

 more presently. 



' Flitter-mouse ' is hardly a better name than 

 ' leathery-bat,' because, as I have already said, 

 bats have nothing whatever to do with mice ; 

 they are not, as some people think, mice with 

 wings, but all the same they are mammals. 

 By mammals is meant creatures which suckle 

 their young. If you can find or catch a bat 

 you wiU see it is not a bit like a mouse, even its 

 soft deUcate grey or brown fur is longer and 

 more silky ; but it is in the shape of its skull 

 and teeth that the greatest differences lie. 

 In the front of the mouth of a mouse or rat 

 you will see two pairs of sharp-edged cutting 

 teeth, or incisors, between which and the molars 

 or grinding teeth there is a considerable gap. 

 In the bat's tiny mouth will be seen pointed 

 teeth arranged evenly all roimd, totally different 

 from the peculiar cutting teeth of the Rodents, 

 as mice, rats, and rabbits are called. 



So bats are just bats, and have nothing to do 

 with anything else. Very quaint, curious, and 

 wonderful little creatures they are too, besides 

 which they do a great deal of good, for they 

 live entirely upon insects, eating great numbers, 



8 



