ust before
Christmas. For the purpose of hibernation the Bats retire to their
usual resting-places, but frequently, instead of suspending themselves
by their hind feet, as when sleeping, pack themselves away in small
parties in holes and crevices, an arrangement which probably furnishes
a better protection against the inclemency of the season.

It is probably in the dormitory that the birth of the young bats takes
place--at least, so far as we know, the process is affected in a
manner which must preclude active exertions on the part of the mother
for some little time. The best account of the operation with which we
are acquainted is that given fifty years ago by Mr. George Daniell, in
a paper read before the Zooelogical Society, in which he described the
habits of some Noctules kept by him in captivity. Four out of five
died, and the survivor, a female, was observed on 23d June to become
very restless, and to continue so for about an hour, although still
suspended by the hind limbs in the attitude of repose. "Suddenly," to
use Mr. Daniell's words, "she reversed her position, and attached
herself by her anterior limbs to a cross wire of the cage, stretching
her hind limbs to their utmost extent, curving the tail upwards, and
expanding the interfemoral membrane, so as to form a perfect nestlike
cavity for the reception of the young ... which was born on its back,
perfectly destitute of hair, and blind. The mother then cleaned it,
turning it over in its nest; and afterwards, resuming her usual
position, placed the young in the membrane of her wing. She next
cleaned herself, and wrapped up the young one so closely as to prevent
any observation of the process of suckling. At the time of birth the
young was larger than a new-born mouse, and its hind legs and claws
were remarkably strong and serviceable, enabling it not only to cling
to its dam, but also to the deal sides of the cage. On the 24th the
animal took her food in the morning, and appeared very careful of her
young, shifting it from side to side to suckle it, and folding it in
the membranes of the tail and wings." Unfortunately, these
interesting observations were cut short by the death of the mother,
and the young animal, which was with some difficulty removed from the
nipple, survived only eight days, during which it was fed with milk
from a sponge, and made but little progress, its eyes being still
unopened, and its body almost hairless.

There can be no doubt t