104 
THE VAMPIRE BAT. 
Passing onwards from the arms to the hands, the finger-bones are strangely dispropor- 
tioned to the remainder of the body, the middle finger being considerably longer than the 
aead and body together. The thumb is very much shorter than any of the fingers, and fur- 
nished with a sharp and curved claw. By means of this claw, the Bat is enabled to proceed 
along a level surface, and to attach itself to any object that may be convenient. In some of 
the Bats the thumb is much longer than that which is here figured. 
The bones of the breast and the neighboring parts are also formed in a peculiar manner, 
being intended to support the broad surface of the wing-membrane, and to enable it to beat 
the air with sufficient force. The collar-bones are long, considerably arched, and strongly 
VAMPIRE BAT . — Phyllostoma spectrum. 
jointed to the breast-bone and the shoulder-blades. In the insect-eating Bats, these bones are 
more developed than in the fruit-eaters ; probably because the former need a better apparatus 
for the capture of their quick- winged prey than the latter for seeking their vegetable food. 
Some species of Bat present a collar-bone which is half the length of the elongated upper arm. 
The Vampibe Bat is a native of Southern America, and is spread over a large extent of 
country. It is not a very large animal, the length of its body and tail being only six inches, 
or perhaps seven in large specimens, and the spread of wing two feet, or rather more. The 
color of the Vampire’s fur is a mouse tint, with a shade of brown. 
Many tales have been told of the Vampire Bat, and its fearful attacks upon sleeping 
men, — tales which, although founded on fact, were so sadly exaggerated as to cause a reaction 
in the opposite direction. It was reported to come silently by night, and to search for the 
exposed toes of a sound sleeper, — its instinct telling it whether the intended victim were 
thoroughly buried in sleep. Poising itself above the feet of its prey, and fanning them with 
its extended wings, it produced a cool atmosphere, which, in those hot climates, aided in 
soothing the slumberer into a still deeper repose. The Bat then applied its needle-pointed 
