PTEROPUS JAVANICUS. 
they have little resemblance to living beings, and by a person not accustomed to 
their economy, are readily mistaken for a part of the tree, or for a fruit of uncommon 
size suspended from its branches. In general these societies preserve a perfect 
silence during the day ; but if they are disturbed, or if a contention arises among 
them, they emit sharp piercing shrieks, and their awkward attempts to extricate 
themselves, when oppressed by the light of the sun, exhibit a ludicrous spectacle. 
In consequence of the sharpness of their claws, their attachment is so strong, that 
they cannot readily leave their hold, without the assistance of the expanded 
membrane ; and if suddenly killed in the natural attitude during the day, they 
continue suspended after death. It is necessary therefore to oblige them to take 
wing by alarming them, if it be desired to obtain them during the day. Soon 
after sunset they gradually quit their hold, and pursue their nocturnal flights in 
quest of food. They direct their course, by an unerring instinct, to the forests, 
villages, and plantations, occasioning incalculable mischief, attacking and devouring 
indiscriminately every kind of fruit, from the abundant and useful Cacao-nut, 
which surrounds every dwelling of the meanest peasantry, to the rare and most delicate 
productions, which are cultivated with care by Princes and Chiefs of distinction. By 
the latter, as well as by the European colonists, various methods are employed to 
protect the orchards and gardens. Delicate fruits, such as Mangos, Jambus, Lansas, 
&C as they approach to maturity, are ingeniously secured by means of a loose net or 
basket, skilfully constructed of split bamboo. Without this precaution, little 
valuable fruit would escape the ravages of the Kalong. 
There are few situations in the lower parts of Java, in which this night 
wanderer is not constantly observed; as soon as the light of the sun has retired, one 
animal is seen to follow the other at a small but irregular distance, and this succession 
continues uninterrupted till darkness obstructs the view. The flight of the Kalong 
is slow and steady, pursued in a straight line, and capable of long continuance. The 
chace of the Kalong forms occasionally an amusement to the colonists and inhabitants, 
during the moonlight nights, which in the latitude of Java are uncommonly serene. 
He is watched in liis descent to the fruit trees, and a discharge of small shot readily 
brings him to the ground. By this means I frequently obtained four or five 
individuals in the course of an hour ; and by my observations I am led to believe, 
that the varieties above described, belong to one species, as they appear all to 
live in one society, and are obtained promiscuously. I have only further to add, 
that when it is considered that the numerous Chiroptera which are found in Europe, 
have only recently been distinguished with accuracy, some indulgence may be claimed 
in the determination of a species, collected in a distant climate, without the 
means of forming an acquaintance with the late additions to this genus in different 
countries. 
