13^ 
VERTEBRATA. 
THE GREAT HORSE-SHOE BAT. 
perate climates go to sleep on the approach of winter, and hibernate till the warm season recalls 
them to activity. 
Genus TAPHOZOTJS : Tcqohozous. — Of this, the only well-established species are the T. per- 
foratus and T. longimanus, both confined to the Eastern Continent. 
Genus SACCOPTERYX : Saccojoteryx. — This includes only the S. lepturus^ found in Guiana. 
Genus DICLIDURTJS, Diclidurus, resembles the preceding. 
Genus NOCTILIO : Noctilio. — These bats are of middle size, and are found in Central and South 
America. The Hare-lipped Bat, N. leporinus, and JV. lineatus, are the only established species. 
Genus YESPERTILIO : Vesjjertilio. — The species of this genus, though small, are very numerous. 
They are voracious, and devour an immense quantity of insects. A hundred flies and a dozen beetles 
are not more than the usual evening meal of one of the smallest kinds. They usually take their 
game on the wing ; but sometimes they alight on the ground, where they walk very well, picking 
up grubs and caterpillars. They live in societies, gathering into dark places, such as crevices in 
walls, holes in trees, excavations in rocks, and dark and sheltered places in the eaves of houses 
and public buildings ; they also inhabit chimneys where no fire is made. In the old stone edi- 
fices of Europe they often congregate by thousands. Their cry is sharp and feeble, and they are 
distinguished by a disagreeable musky smell. In captivity they become tame, and devour raw 
meat with avidity. 
The Oello Cuvieri, Vespertilio alecio, and Emhallonura. monticola^ are all of Eastern countries ; 
the Mystacina tuherculata is of New Zealand. The V. nigrita, found in Western Africa, is a large 
species, having a body six inches long, and a spread of wing of eighteen inches. It Avas called the 
Flting Marmot by Daubenton. The V. lemogaster is of Kordofan, where it lives in the holes of 
the immense baobab-trees ; the Nycticeus viridis, found in Mozambique, is of a green color ; the 
V. Borhonicus is found both in the isles of Bourbon and Maurice ; the V. Belangeri is of India ; 
the V. Teniminckn, of Java ; the V. noctulma^ of Bengal. 
The V. nigricans is common in Italy ; the V. discolor, in Austria. The V. serotinus is one of 
the largest of the European species. It dwells alone or in pairs in the forests, and in the country 
in the vicinity of water, finding shelter in the holes of trees. It does not issue forth till the dark- 
ness of night is complete. The V. Barhastellus and V. noctula are European species : the latter 
flies in small bands, and is noted for its disagreeable odor. The Pipistrella, V. pipistrellus, is a 
