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iw the midst of winter as to warm them prenlaturely 
into life,, and to allure them from their holes in 
quest of food, when nature has not provided a 
supply. These, therefore, have seldom strength 
to return ; but having exhausted themselves in a 
vain pursuit after insects which are not to be 
found, are destroyed by the owl, or any other 
animal that follows such petty prey. 
The bat couples and brings forth in summer, 1 
generally from two to five at a time : of this Dr. 
(goldsmith is certain 1 , that lie has found five young 
ones in a hole together ; but whether they were 
the issue of one parent he cannot tell. The fe- 
male has but two nipples, and those forward on 
the breast, as in the human kind. 
The common bat is a harmless, inoffensive crea- 
ture. It is true that it now and then steals into 
a larder, and, like a mouse, commits its petty thefts 
upon the fattest parts of the bacon. But this 
happens seldom ; the general tenor of its industry 
is employed in pursuing insects that are much 
more noxious to m than itself can possibly be ; 
while its evening flight, and its unsteady wabbling 
motion, amuse the imagination, and add one figure 
more to the pleasing group of animated nature. 
Peruvian bat. 
This species has a head like a pug-dog ; large/ 
straight, pointed ears, projecting forwards ; two 
canine teeth, and two small cutting teeth between 
them, in each jaw. The tail is inclosed in the 
membrane that joins the hind-tegs ; and supported 
by two cartilaginous ligaments, which are involved 
in the membrane. The colour of its fur is of an 
iron grey ; its body is equal to that of a middle- 
sized rat : the extent of its wings is two feet five 
inches; 
YQL, I, 
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