ORDER OE CHEIROPTERA. 
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twilight. Then is the time chosen for their destruction, they 
being hunted not only because of their depredations, but also 
for their flesh. As a precaution, before firing at them, it is 
necessary to make them take wing ; for if this be not done, 
they remain hanging to the branches, even after being shot, 
so strong is their power of prehension. 
Although the Pteropus, like other Bats, is essentially noc- 
turnal in its habits, yet it is not rare to see it on the 
wing in broad daylight. Doctor Poster, in his voyage with 
Captain Cook, in 1772, observed numbers of them in the Friendly 
Islands. He said that they skimmed along the surface of the 
water with the greatest ease ; and he even asserted that he saw 
one swim. Elsewhere they frequently enough resort to water, 
with the double object of washing themselves and getting rid of 
the parasitic insects that torment them. 
The Pteropina exhale a strong, disagreeable musky odour. 
They utter acute cries when squabbling among each other for 
places to perch on, or when their perch is disarranged. When 
wounded, and about to be captured, they bite severely. 
The attempt has sometimes been made to bring Pteropii to 
Europe, by feeding them with bananas, and other fruits, during 
the voyage, and adding to this vegetable diet raw meat. On 
board ship they kept awake all night, and appeared to be 
tormented by the desire to get out of their cage. It has been 
remarked that they are capable of attachment to those who 
look after them. 
Naturalists have divided the Pteropina into a certain number 
of genera, which, however, we will not stay to examine. Among 
the numerous species we will only mention the Edible Boussette, 
Edwards’ Boussette, the Common Boussette, and the Bed-necked 
Boussette. A longer enumeration would be fastidious. 
Family of Vampires. — The Vampires are chiefly characterised 
by two nasal leaves, one in the form of a horse-shoe, situated above 
the upper lip ; the other disposed in the shape of a lance, and 
placed above the first. They have the mouth widely cleft, the 
tongue studded with horny papillae, and in each jaw a pair of 
strong canine teeth, which project beyond the lips. They are of 
medium size, their hair is short and lustrous, and their interfemoral 
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