Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1888 — The Much Villified Vampire. [ARTICLE]

The Much Villified Vampire.

New York Times. Eight live vampires were recently re cently received from Alfeld, Germany, by Herman Reiche, of Park Row. Their appearance is far less objectionable than their name, and Mr. Rische says they are harmless. They belong to the bat family, are about the size of a muskrat, with a growth of hair on their bodies similar to that of the animal mentioned and have thin, almost transparent wings of skin live a bat’s, spanning about three feet, which carry them very swiftly through the air. They live upon* fruit and small animals, and rarely attack human beings when they can obtain their natural food. They are seen abroad only in the night time; when they have been known to pierce with their sharp teeth’the exposed limbs of the natives and suck their blood. They are imported for the natural history collection.