A SPINY-HAIRED RAT FIRES THE FLASH 
a surplus of specimens lay at his feet, 
while the rest took wing and in bewilder- 
ment circled about the lantern. 
Our next effort was directed toward 
getting specimens of the larger bats, 
which hung from the highest domes, and 
could only be obtained by throwing mis- 
siles at them (see page 185). While 
picking up some loose pieces of rock 
for this purpose, we were startled by a 
quick flash and the reverberating report 
of a heavy rifle discharged by the guide 
in another misdirected effort to aid us. 
A few mangled and useless bodies fell, 
and then a black stream circled noise- 
lessly overhead, creating a perceptible 
current of air as they passed continu- 
ously back and forth through the con- 
necting caverns. Finally they attached 
themselves to the roof and a sufficient 
number were obtained for our purpose, 
and then a series of flashlight pictures 
were taken, several of which are shown 
on pages 184 and 185. 
Upon the large detached rocks were 
dozens of big black beetles, either noc- 
turnal in their habits or accustomed to 
feed on the vermin or excrement of the 
bats. A careful examination of these 
caves indicated that they did not belong 
to the group formerly discovered by vis- 
iting Americans, and as they contain a 
vast deposit of bat guano and are near 
water transportation this supply may be- 
come of considerable value as a fertilizer. 
EYES THAT SHINE AT NIGHT 
One of the most’ effective means in 
night hunting is the use of a lantern that 
will cause the eyes of wild animals to 
shine. 
But what has appeared strange is the 
lack of any general understanding of 
this interesting phenomenon. In ancient 
and modern writings, scientific and other- 
wise, the glowing eyes of animals at 
night have been a matter of frequent 
comment, and often as not inaccurate or 
176 
