530 



MAMMALIA. 



upon by their extraordinary dimensions, and tLe descriptions of 

 them are ridiculous exaggerations. The truth is that the Rous- 

 aettes never attack any animal, even the feeblest. They may, it 

 is true, in the absence of their ordinary aliment, eat insects, but 

 this is a rare exception ; and they are only to be dreaded by Man, 

 in consequence of the incalculable amount of damage they occa- 

 sion in gardens and plantations, as they devour every kind of 

 fruit that comes in their way, and thus become a great source of 



Fig. 230.— Flj-ing Fox [Pteroj.us rubricoUis). 



injury to the natives. Divers artifices are, therefore, resorted to 

 to prevent such destruction. For this purpose, at Java the 

 fruit-trees are covered with network or wickerwork made with 

 bamboo slips. 



There are certain species among the Pteropina which, instead 

 of retiring during day into hiding-places, as nearly all the 

 Cheiroptera do, suspend themselves, with their bodies inverted, 

 to the branches of large trees, and thus await the hour of 



