CHAPTER III.

SUB-ORDER II.--MICROCHIROPTERA, OR INSECTIVOROUS BATS.

HORSESHOE BATS AND MEGADERMS.

INSECTIVOROUS BATS--Mr. Dobson’s Objection to the Name--Characteristics--Nasal Appendages--THE VESPERTILIONINE AND EMBALLONURINE ALLIANCES--The Fur in the two Alliances--THE HORSESHOE BATS--General Characteristics--Distribution--Diet--Carnivorous Propensities--GREATER HORSESHOE BAT--General Appearance--“Nose Leaves”--Habitat--THE LESSER HORSESHOE BAT--Habitat--THE MOURNING HORSESHOE BAT--THE AUSTRALIAN HORSESHOE BAT--THE ORANGE BAT--PHYLLORHINÆ--THE DIADEM BAT--Character of their “Nose Leaves”--Captain Hutton’s Account of their Habits--THE PERSIAN TRIDENT BAT--THE MEGADERMS--THE LYRE BAT--Characteristics--Called Vampire by Europeans in India--Mr. Blyth’s Account of a Megaderm’s Blood-thirstiness--THE CORDATE LEAF BAT--THE AFRICAN MEGADERM--THE DESERT BAT 279