The fox monkey or flying lemur (_Galeopithecus volans_) diffuses a
rank disagreeable odour, yet the flesh is eaten by the natives of the
islands of the Indian Archipelago.
The Dutch, when in the island of Mauritius are said to have been fond
of the flesh of bats, preferring it to the finest game, but I have
never heard the opinion corroborated there by others. The Indians of
Malabar and other parts of the East Indies, are said to eat the flesh
of bats.
The flesh of most bats is eaten in the Eastern Archipelago, and by
some esteemed, being compared to that of hare or partridge in flavour.
The flesh of the largest and most common, the black-bellied roussette
(_Pteropus edulis_, Geoff.), has a musky odour, but is esteemed by the
natives. They catch them in bags at the end of a pole.
Fancy a great frightful animal like a weasel, with wings two feet in
length, being served up at table. Still they must be palatable, since
one species has thus been named by naturalists, ‘the eatable’ bat.
The flesh is stated to be white, delicate, and remarkably tender,
and is regarded by the inhabitants of Timor as a dainty. The body is
ten inches long, covered with close and shining black hair, and the
extended wings are about four feet.