Marvels of the Universe 



433 



THE LONG-EARED 

 BAT 



BY JOHX J. WARD, F.E.S. 



In the whole history' of life on 

 the earth probably no animal 

 has possessed proportionate^ 

 larger ears than those of the 

 Long-eared Bat, which is one 

 of the most grotesque of 

 animals. It is only occasion- 

 aU\" seen in flight during daj"- 

 light. Then it becomes a most 

 curious object indeed, for 

 during flight it is quite unlike 

 any other creature of the air. 

 Its huge ears are erected and 

 lowered continually in a most 

 extraordinary" manner, and 

 being almost as long as its 

 body, they give it a very 

 striking effect when seen 

 against the light. In the 

 natural order of things, hovv'- 

 ever, this Bat does not fly 

 until ver\- late at night. This 

 habit, I think, throws some 

 light on the purpose of its 

 huge ears. 



I am inclined to think that 

 it hunts by sound, and that 

 its ears serve as huge ear- 

 trumpets, by means of which 

 it can detect the faintest 

 sound-vibrations, even those of the flight of gnats and other small insects on which it preys. 



While holding this species of Bat in my hand I have heard it screech with terror, and its voice 

 is a ven,' razor's-edge of sound ; so shrill is it that it is almost inaudible to the human ear. Yet 

 with that voice it calls its mate from afar. Probably, too, its late habits in the silent night adapt 

 it the better to detect such delicate sounds. Thus, when it rests it folds up its ears that it may 

 n'A hear. 



P/iolo 6;/] [7;'. Sle/i, F r,.S. 



INDIAN STICK INSECT. 



In form and colour ihis Stick" is much like a small branch of a bush. It is 

 one of the wingless species, and is here shown not quite the natural size. 1 he 

 remarkable eggs, shown on the next page, almost invariably produce female insects. 



THE BOMBARDIER BEETLE 



Amoxg the methods adopted by insects for the purpose of discouraging enemies who would make 

 a meal of them, is the production of objectionable odours and fluids. Thus, large numbers of the 

 great Bug family evolve the disgusting odour that reaches its highest development in the 

 repulsive Bed-bug. The pretty beetles known as Lady-birds, if molested, e.xude from their joints 

 a yellow, oily fluid that is objectionable to birds, and advertise the fact by their red and black coats. 



