The Manitowoc Pilot

VAMPIRE BATS OF BRAZIL.

Probably no part of Brazil is more afflicted than a portion of the province of Bahia with the scourge of vampires. Whole herds of cattle are sometimes destroyed by this venomous bat. It was long a matter of conjecture how the animal accomplished this insidious and deadly work, but scientific men have now decided that the tongue, which is capable of considerable extension, is furnished at its extremity with a number of papillae, which are so arranged as to form an organ of suction, the lips having also tubercles symmetrically arranged. Fastening themselves upon cattle, these dreadful animals can draw the blood from their victims. The wound, made probably from the small needle-like teeth, is a fine round hole, the bleeding of which is very difficult to stop.

It is said that the wings of this deadly bat fly around during the operation of wounding and drawing the blood with great velocity, thus fanning the victim and lulling while the terrible work is in progress. Some of these creatures measure two feet between the tips of their wings, and they are often found in great numbers in deserted dwellings in the outskirts of the city. The negroes and Indians especially dread them, and there are numerous superstitions among the natives regarding them.