58 
Fhyliv 
OSTO,UlLl/K.- 
-.MAiMiMALIA.- 
-Pteropid.?!. 
stated to be strictly true, we have no manner of doubt ; 
for the phenomena of mental aberration thus produced, 
are strictly analogous to those cerebral manifestations 
which a weak mind exhibits when allowed to be under 
the controlling power of another. This is the true 
solution of mesmei'ism, as the writer of this article can 
confidently state, from having experienced on his own 
person all the ordinary mental changes, ahsuidly termed 
ilectro-biological, sometimes voluntarily forced upon 
the mind by his own ideal associations, at other times 
superinduced by submission to a so-called mesmerist. 
It were well if these practices and their kindred super- 
stitions cotdd be eternally abandoned by the ascend- 
ancy of a strong-minded intelligence, coupled with a 
due supply of common sense ; and thus shall humanity 
rejoice in the possession of the mens sana in corpore 
sano. In some parts of Europe, even at the present 
day, vampires are believed in, and this is particularly 
the case in the island of Crete, where the spectres are 
termed Katakhanas. The Phyllostome, captured bj^ 
Mr. Darwin while it was engaged in removing blood 
from the neck of a horse, is, we believe, referable to 
this genus. 
THE AFRICAN LEAF BAT {Megaderma frons ). — 
The members of this genus were formerly classed with 
the Vespertilionidse proper, but their affinities connect 
them more closely with the present family. In many 
respects they differ from the typical Phyllostomata. 
They have no cutting teeth in the upper jaw, though 
in the lower they have the typical number. The}^ have, 
it is true, the usual four canines; but of the molars 
there are only four on either side of the upper, and 
five on either side of the lower jaw. The membra- 
nous apparatus of the nose is complicated, there being 
three distinct leaflets, “ one vertical, one horizontal, 
and one inferior of the horse-shoe form.” The ears 
are particularly striking, being ample, oval, furnished 
with a tragus, and so united over the region of the 
forehead as to impart a heart-shaped outline to the 
Head of the African Leaf Bat (Megaderma frons). 
entire physiognomy, more conspicuously, perhaps, than 
obtains in any other species (fig. 14). The Mega- 
derms are also blood-suckers, and it is probable that 
their power of suction is facilitated by the absence 
of incisive teeth in the upper jaw; indeed, the very 
bones themselves — i.e., the intermaxillaries — in which 
the incisives are normally implanted, are only repre- 
sented in this genus by a minute cartilaginous plate. 
The Megaderms are confined to the Eastern hemi- 
sphere. This species is obtained from Senegal and 
Gambia on the coast of New Guinea, West Africa. In 
the catalogue of bats contained in the British Museum 
it is marked Lavia frons. 
Family IV.— PTEROPID^.. 
The bats classed together under this common title 
are significantly distinct both in habits and structure. 
They are almost exclusively frugivorous. Their heads 
are elongated and hairy. The grinding teeth have 
flattish tuberculated crowns, with a central longitudi- 
nal groove. The ears are not furnished with a tragus. 
The fore-finger consists of three phalanges, and is 
seldom armed with a claw. The tail is frequently 
wanting, or, when present, very short ; the abrogated 
interfemoral membrane being represented by narrow 
folds connected with the inner margin of the legs. 
These bats have a wide geographical distribution over 
the Eastern hemisphere. 
THE KALONG {Pteropus edulis), Plate 5, fig. 17. — 
This is one of the best known, and at the same 
time the largest of the frugivorous bats. The body is 
about two feet long, while the expanse of the wings 
from tip to tip is sometimes fullj^ five feet. It is 
gregarious in its habits, and extremely numerous in the 
islands of Sumatra and Java ; and to those whose 
livelihood depends upon the culture of fi uit gardens, it 
proves an incorrigible enemy. The graphic account 
given by Dr. Horsfield merits special quotation, con- 
taining as it does almost all that we know of their 
destructive propensities, and the plans adopted to 
secure immunity from their attacks: — “Numerous 
individuals select a laige tree for their resort, and, 
suspending themselves with the claws of their posterior 
e.xtremities to the naked branches, often in companies 
of several hundreds, afford to a stranger a very singular 
spectacle. A species of fig, in habit resembling the 
Ficus religiosa of India, which is often found near the 
villages, affords them a very favourite retreat, and the 
extended branches of one of these are sometimes 
covered by them. They pass the greater portion of 
the day in sleep, hanging motionless ; ranged in suc- 
cession, with the head downwards, the membrane 
contracted about the body, and often in close contact, 
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 daj^ ; 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 
