Artist/Maker John Woodhouse Audubon (1812 - 1862)

Bat

ca. 1841

Watercolor, black ink, and graphite on sketchbook paper

Overall: 7 5/8 x 13 1/8 in. ( 19.4 x 33.3 cm )

Z.3309

DescriptionA view of the front of a large-eared bat who's identity created confusion for Audubon. It is identified by several Latin inscriptions that have been crossed out and added to repeatedly. Audubon seems to have settled on a sub-species of the Vespertilio or Plecotis family.

InscribedInscribed at lower right in brown ink: "Plecotus / Molussus[crossed out] macrotis Le Conte / carolinenis Geoff -- crossed out] / vespertilio mousgic[?] Desm. Moun / Nycticaea cynocephala Le Conte[crossed out] / Plecotis Lecontii Cooper / Molussus cynocephalus Cooper[crossed out]"

ClassificationsDRAWINGS