Collier's New Encyclopedia

A complete general encyclopedia of 1921 — the world as it was understood just after the Great War, from Aachen to Zwingli, across twelve volumes and six thousand pages.

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Bat

the common name of all animals of the class mammalia which are furnished with true wings, and so are capable of really flying or propelling themselves in the air. Bats are now generally placed by naturalists in the order cheiroptera, although, like many other animals of that great order, most of them LONG-EARED BAT are by no means exclusively carnivorous.

Upward of 130 species have been described, and there is great probability that the actual number existing is very much greater. Bats walk or creep awkwardly upon the ground, one side of the body being jerked forward, and then the other; yet they run with considerable celerity. Bats commonly produce one or two young at a birth. Fossil remains of cheiroptera are occasionally found in Eocene rocks.

BATANGAS (ba-tan'gas), a province on the S. coast of Luzon Island, Philippines; also the name of the capital of the province. The city has an excellent harbor, and prior to the war between the United States and Spain was the seat of a large commerce. The province is one of the richest sugar growing districts in the Philippines. It is also notable for its large production of cocoanut oil, the larger part of which is used for domestic purposes, chiefly lamp oil and lubricating machinery. Pop. of city about 40,000. Province: area, 1,108 square miles; pop. about 275,000.

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