THE TERN ATE BAT. 



Generic Characters. 

 The fore feet furnifhed with long, extended toes, connected by broad, 

 thin membranes, that reach to the hind legs. 



Synonims. 



VeSPERTILIO VAMPYRUS. V. ECAUDATUS NASO SIMPLICI, 

 MEMBRANA INTER FEMORA DIVISA, Linn. Syjl. Nat. 40. 



Vespertilio ingens, Cluf. exot. g4. 



Canis volans ternatanus orientalis, Seb. i. 57. 



La Roussette, de Buffon, x. 55. 



Vampyre Bat, Shaw. 



THIS large fpecies of Bat is a formidable animal, meafuring from four 

 to five or fix feet from one tip of the wing to the other, with a body of 

 about a foot in length. Its general colour is a deep reddiih brown, brighter 

 on the upper part of the neck and moulders, and like wife on the under fide 

 of the body. It has a fharp, black nofe; four cutting teeth above and below, 

 and large and ftrong canine teeth; a pointed tongue, terminated with (harp 

 prickles; large, naked ears; and no tail. The fingle claw on its wings is 

 large and flrong; the talons on its feet ftrong, crooked, and flattened 

 fideways. Its flying membrane is divided below quite to the rump. 



This fpecies is found in Guinea, Madagafcar, and all the illands in the 

 Indian Ocean, as well as that from which it takes its name. It is not 

 gregarious, though many often refort to the fame tree in queft of food. 



