THE BAT. 



The body of the common Bat is about two inches and a half long; 

 covered with ihort, foft fur, of a moufe-colour, tinged with red. Its eyes are 

 very fmall. Each of its jaws is furnilhed with cutting teeth; and its ears 

 are fimilar to thofe of a Moufe. Its wings, or membranes, are of a dulky 

 colour, and extremely thin: they reach from the fore feet to the tail; and, 

 when extended, meafure nine inches. Its hind feet are divided into five toes, 

 pointed with claws. 



The Bat makes its firft appearance at the commencement of fummer, 

 when it frequents the fides of glades and rylvan walks, in the dufk of the 

 evening, and frequently Ikims along the furface of the water, in quell of 

 gnats and other infecls, that conftitute the chief part of its food. Towards 

 the end of its favourite feafon it retires into caverns, hollow trees, or 

 dilapidated buildings, where it either fufpends itfelf by its hind feet, or 

 covers itfelf with its wings, and finks into a kind of lethargy, which continues 

 till the loud florms of winter have fubfided, and cheerful fpring has announced 

 the approach of her gay fuccefibr. 



The female Bat produces two young ones at a time, which fhe nourifhes 

 with her milk, and carries with her in her aerial excurfions. 



Thefe animals inhabit almoft every part of Europe, and are univerfally 

 known in England. Some varieties are alfo found in Guinea, Jamaica, 

 America, and the Molucca Ifles. 



