THE MONK BAT. 
293 
and consequently the mastiff-like physiognomy is 
less conspicuous ; the orifice of the gular gland is 
larger. The species is the Molossus fumarius of Spix, 
hut this designation is not very felicitous, as the 
general hue is not at all smoky-brown, but a deep 
umber, rather lighter on the under side. The ears and 
all the membranes, as well as the face, are black, the 
last-named tinged with purple, as are the muscles of 
the limbs. It is remarkable that the volar mem- 
branes on both their surfaces have their basal part 
covered with the common brown fur as far as a line 
reaching from the elbow to the middle of the thigh ; 
rather narrower, however, above than below. 
This little species differs from the Chestnut Mastiff 
Bat, formerly described, in its manners too. The speci- 
men which first came into my possession was more 
active on the ground than any that I had seen. On 
the least touch it ran, or rather crawled, about with 
such agility, that it was not easy to seize it; and 
that forward, by means of the wing-thumbs, or back- 
ward by means of the hinder feet. It would also 
strive to jump out of the hand, or would leap off the 
table ; but in falling, it never opened the wings. I 
did not see it attempt to fly. 
It differed from other Bats, also, in being silent ; 
all the time I had it, though it was much handled and 
incommoded in various ways, it never uttered the 
slightest click, nor any sound at all. It was fierce, 
attempting to bite, but could not pierce the callous 
skin of the end of my thumb, though it drew blood 
from one of my fingers. 
^ It was at Mount Edgecumbe that this Bat was 
