ORDER OF CHEIROPTERA. 
525 
The majority of the Cheiroptera have their molar teeth studded 
with conical points. The Roussettes, however, have molars with 
a flat crown, but they feed upon fruits. There are also some of 
the Cheiroptera, such as the Yampires, which fasten upon animals, 
even Man, to suck blood. 
As soon as the sun has descended below the horizon the 
Cheiroptera issue from their lurking places to wander abroad in 
search of food. They are then seen to pursue and catch, on the 
wing, such Insects as abound during twilight. Who has not 
observed, after a fine summer’s day, the wheeling, tremulous 
course of the Bat in quest of its prey ? Who has not remarked 
its erratic, yet graceful flight P The part this creature plays in 
nature, with regard to the poetry of night, is so familiar, that it 
would seem as if something were wanting in its sombre harmony 
did the Bat not pass and repass at regular intervals. 
Bats usually have only one offspring at a time. As soon as 
brought forth, the mother carefully cleans it, envelops it in her 
wings as in a cradle, and holds it pressed against her breast to 
receive its first nourishment. After some days, the youngster can 
hang by the claws of its hind feet to the fur of the mother, and it 
is not rare to see her flying about with this strange burthen. 
When, exceptionally, the progeny are double, then the winged 
nurse carries both in her aerial voyages. 
It has been remarked by close observers that these animals are 
particularly cleanly, and spend much time in dressing their fur. 
Generally the Cheiroptera, when in captivity, die in a short 
time. Some, however, have lived in imprisonment, and even 
become familiar with the people whom the relations of every 
day have taught them to recognise. Dr. Franklin says that 
he has seen, in several farms in England, Bats which were 
perfectly tame. These little creatures lived in the same room 
with the farmer’s family. If any one, holding an Insect between 
his lips, imitated the buzzing of a fly, they perched upon his 
shoulder, sought for the insect around his mouth, and even seized 
it from between his lips. 
In the East, there are few inhabited houses in which Bats do 
not reside. In summer, many are seen hanging to the arches of 
the cellars in Bagdad, and living on good terms with the natives, 
who are in the habit of shutting themselves up in such places to 
