532 



MAMMALIA. 



membrane is more or less developed, according to the genera; 

 the tail varies in length, or is altogether absent, as the species 

 differ. 



The Vampires, also named Phj'llostoma, after one of the 

 principal genera, are the Bats of Central and South America, 

 They are very destructive, as much from their size and strength as 

 from their carnivorous habits. 



The travellers and naturalists who have visited these countries 



rig 2ai.— Vampires Attacking Ti-avellers. 





are unanimous in their declarations to the effect, that not content 

 with devouring insects, the Vampires fix themselves on domestic 

 animals, and even Man, to suck their blood. Oxen, Horses, 

 and Mules, are persecuted by them when care is not taken 

 to have them enclosed in stables at night. It is not necessary 

 to believe, however, what has sometimes been advanced, that such 

 wounds are dangerous enough to cause death ; these are unreason- 

 able exaggerations. But the more or less prolonged heemorrhao-e, 



