1840,] 



Mammalogy of the Hlmalarjas. 



147 



quently but occasional visitors to the higher elevations and latitudes of 

 the globe ; and the Pterojms dasymallns and Pteropus pselapkon, which 

 have beeii hitherto observed only in Japan, comparatively a high latitude 

 for these animals, do not probably form an exception to the general law. 



Of the Insectivorous Clieiroptera^ a family far more abundantly and 

 extensively dispersed over the surface of the globe, Mr. Hodgson indi- 

 cates only five species as natives of Nepal. Three of these are describ- 

 ed as VespertilioneS; by the specific names of formosa^ fuliginosa, and 

 lahiata^ and two as RMnolophi, by the names of armiger and tragatus 

 respectively ; but without a more careful examination and comparison with 

 other species than Mr. Hodgson had it in his power to make, it is impos- 

 sible to say how far these Bats may be distinct from, or identical with, 

 species already described. One thing at least is certain, that the tempe- 

 rate and more elevated regions of the Himalayas must contain many 

 species of Insectivorous Clidroptera^ still unknown or undistinguished, 

 besides those enumerated by Mr. Hodgson ; it has been already observed, 

 that this section of the family is very widely and generally distributed in 

 temperate climates ; and the rich harvest which has attended the re- 

 searches of British naturalists, within the last few years, in their own 

 country, ought to stimulate our Indian brethren to a pursuit which can- 

 not fail to be rewarded by still more extensive discoveries. It would 

 be extremely interesting, for example, to procure a complete series of 

 Himalayan Bats, with the seasons, temperatures, and elevations at which 

 they were captured carefully noted down, so as to compare them with 

 analogous species of higher latitudes, and thus ascertain what law of 

 succession the different forms may follow, or within what limits they may 

 be confined in respect to temperature, in their geographical distribution 

 over the surface of the earth. Speaking of these Insectivorous Bats, Mr. 

 Hodgson observes, that " they are neither migratory nor subject to hi- 

 bernation;" two properties which in more northern cHmates would be con- 

 sidered incompatible with one another, and which even in the central 

 regions of the Himalayas require a very careful revision before they can 

 be admitted as established facts. I am not aware that these animals 

 ever migrate in any climate ; hibernation is the resource which nature 

 has provided to preserve them during the season when their natural food 

 disappears ; and it is the general opinion, that even within the tropics, 

 the Insect- feeding Bats go to sleep at certain seasons, as they do through- 

 out the winter in more northern latitudes : should the fact be otherwise, 

 it would prove a highly interesting addition to our knowledge of their 

 habits; but it is possible that Mr. Hodgson may have been led into error, 

 by the casual appearance of a few individuals during an occasional fine 



