442 
MAMMALIA. 
We shall now state the principal species of the genus, beginning 
with those of Europe. 
In the first place, we have the Black Bat, and Brown, or 
Norway, Bat. 
The Black Bat (Fig. 178) is about eight inches long, the tail 
not included. It is originally from Asia Minor, and is ceasing to 
be an inhabitant of Europe, for it is gradually retiring before the 
Brown Bat, the largest, the most malicious, and the most vora- i 
cious of all the family, and which wages a war of extermination 
upon the Black Bat. Thus it is that in England the Black Bat 
has become excessively rare. Fr. Cuvier, in opposition to general 
Fig. 179. — Brown, or Norway Bat (Mus decumanus) . 
belief, states that these two varieties of Bats live together on the 
best of terms wherever there is plenty of food. 
The Brown Bat (Fig. 179) did not exist in Europe until the 
middle of the eighteenth century, and appears to have been 
brought in ships from India. Some Brown Bats attain eleven 
inches in length, and are able to defend themselves against a 
Cat. They have taken the place of the Black Bat in almost 
all our large cities. 
The Wood-Mouse makes its abode in woods ; during the winter, 
it takes refuge in corn-ricks, and sometimes it even frequents 
dwellings. Its length varies from four to five inches. 
The Common Mouse is slightly larger than the Field-Mouse ; 
