40§ Loufe of the Bat* 
As the Bat is extremely fwift in its Flights 
and Returns, it was requifite the Vermin 
living on it fhould have fome* extraordi¬ 
nary Power of preventing its being thrown 
off; and accordingly this little Infeff is not 
only provided with larger Tufts or Balls than 
ufual at the Extremities of its Feet, but has 
alfo another very remarkable and uncom- 
non Means of preferving its Situation : for 
on any fudden Emergency, inftead of walk¬ 
ing on its eight Legs, as it ufually does, it 
can, in an Infant, turn four, fix, or all of 
them occafionaily, fo far backwards as to 
catch hold of any Thing, and walk on them 
with its Back as eafily as with its Belly down¬ 
wards ; and I often obferved it with four Legs 
in their right Pofition, and the other four 
created over its Back, and ready to lay hold, 
as at G. Hereby it is enabled to fhift its 
Torture inftantly, yet rtill maintain its Ground 
notwithstanding the fwiftert: Motions, as I 
had the Pleafure of experiencing in feveral 
Attempts to jerk it off from a Quill, from 
my Finger, and from other Things it fixed 
itfelf upon, which all my Endeavours could 
mot effect* 
CHAP, 
