The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-03-20


There are perhaps dozen species Of
bats respectively designed to act their
part in different parts Of the world, but
they are all winged quadrupeds, vari
GUS in size, corresponding to the du-
ties they have to perform and to the eli
mates in which they are located. Of
whatever species, the bat is mammifer-
ous. It suokles it's young, OF which it
has one or two at birth, and its mouth
is provided with teeth. 1t has four
legs, but two of them resemble arms,
and il has tail extended from the ver-
tebr@. Each arm consists of two long
bones with an elbow joint. At the outer
extremity of the arm, as with human
hand, there are four fingers and a
thumb. The fingers are long thin bones
attached lengthwise to o membranous
wing, which they expand like the slen-
der whalebones of an UMBRELLAS most
beautiful and effective arrangement
The thumb projects, and is an interest.
ing member. 1t resembles a claw or
hook. By means of its two hooked
thumbs the creature can suspend itself
from branches of trees or other projec'
tlons, and is enabled to draw itself for
ward on the ground. The legs are
short, with knee-joints, and the claws of
the toes help the thumbs in 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 the wings
of birds, such as those of the swallow.
But they perfectly fulfill their purpose.
Consisting of membrane which wraps
the body like O cloak, these bat wings
are powerful in darting swiftly in a
| series of jerks and zigzags in pursuit OF
moths and other insects. Besides re-
lying on it's eyesight, the bat possesses
the advantage OF an extremely delicate
susceptibility in its thin membranous
wings which reveals the presence of any
insect it happens to touch in it's 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 il
quite erroneous. Their power of avoid
ing obstacles when flying in darkenet
places is not due to their eyes, but tc
that keen sensibility in their wings tha
has been just alluded to. The thir
leathery wings of bats are their antenps
or feelers. Darting about in all direc
tions in utter darkness, they are neve
by any chance impeded or injured b.
obstacles that happen to be in their way
Experiments have been made by stretch
ing strings acioss darkened places il
which number of them are con6red
and no string is ever disturbed in thei
flight. The e1quisitely-radiated system
of nerves in bats wing offers one o
the finest studies in animal physiology
or, we might say, in natural theology
Shall creature so ingeniously forme
be spoken of with sentiments of hostilit
or derisionp On the contrary, it shoul
excite our warmest admiration. Artist
from time immemorial have been in th
habit of depicting malevolent demon
with wings on the pattern of those of tn
bat-a piece of conventionality wholly 9
variance with what is learned from
contemplation of the actual facts in ma
ture. The bat is no more fiendish tina
the swallow or any other bird which ha
been appointed to rid the atmosphere {
superhuous and destructive insects.