Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-04-17
About Bats.

There are perhaps O dozen species OF
bats respectively designed to act their
part in different parts of the world. but
they are all winged quadrupeds, var.
GUS in size, corresponding to the du-
ties they have to perform and to the oli-
mates in which they are located. or
whatever species, tho bat is mammifer-
ous. 1t suckles its young, of which it
has one or two ut n birth. and it's mouth
is provided with teeth. It has four
legs. but two of them resemble arms,
and it has tail extended from the ver-
tebrs. Each arm consists of two long
bones with an elbow joint. at the outer
extremity of the arm, as with human
hand, there nre four fingers and n
thumb. The fingers are long thin bones
attached lengthwise TO a membranous
wing, which they expand like the slen-
der whalebones OF an umbrella--a most
beautiful and effective arrangement.
The thumb projects, and is an interest.
ing member. 1t resembles n claw or
hook. BY means of its two hooked
thumbs the creature can suspend itself
from branches OF trees or other projec.
tions, and is enabled to draw itself for
ward on tho ground. The legs are
short, with knee joints, and the claws OF
the toes help the thumbs i'll the matter
of suspension. Arms, legs, and tail are
all united with the membrane OF the
wings, and materially aid in propulsion
through the air. Everything in the
general structure of the animal is sub
sidiary TO the function of flying. The
wings, however. are inferior to tho wings
of birds, such as those of the swallow.
But they perfectly fulfill their purpose.
Consisting OF n membrane which wraps
the body like cloak, these bat wings
are powerful in darting swiftly in a
series OF jerks aud zigzags in pursuit Of
moths and other insects. Besides re-
lying on its eyesight, the bat possesses
the advantage OF an extremely delicate
susceptibility in it's thin membranous
wings which reveals the presence Of any
insect it happens to touch in its flight.
Had the wings been of feathers like
those of birds, this important quality OF
detecting insects by the slightest touch
would have been lost.
Numerous fanciful notions are enter
tanned regarding bats. They are said to
be able to see in the dark, and that they
are bloody and vengeful in their nature.
As concerns seeing in the dark, that is
quite erroneous. Their power OF avoid
ing obstacles when flying in darkcned
places is not due to their eyes, but 10
that keen sensibility in their wings that
has been Just alluded to. The thin
leathery wings Of bats are their antenn ~
or feelers. Darling about in oil direc
tions in utter darkness, they are never
by any chance impeded or injured by
obstacles that happen 10 be in their way.
Experiments have been made by stretch
ing strings acIoss darkened places in
which q number OF them are conflred
and no string is ever disturbed in their
fight. The exquisitely radiated system
of nerves in bats wing offers one OF
the finest studies in animal physiology,
or, we might say, in natural theology.
Shall creature so ingeniously formed
be spoken Of with sentiments of hostility
or derision7 ? On the contrary, ii should
excite our warmest admiration. Artists
from time immemorial have been in tho
habit Of depicting malevoleut demons
with wings on the pattern of those of the
bat-n piece OF conventionality wholly at
variance with what is learned from n
contemplation of the actual facts in na-
ture. The bat is no more fendish than
the swallow or any other bird which has
been appointed TO rid the atmosphere Of
a,,rxnrHs,nr,u nnI