25^ Natural Historij in Londoii. 



altitude of 30 ft. above the neighbouring land, and more than forty yards 

 wide. Its elevation above the lake is about 160 ft., and its distance from 

 the water, to which it descends by a gentle slope, is between six and ten 

 miles, but at one place is not more than one. There is every reason to be- 

 lieve that this remarkable ridge was the ancient boundary of the lake. 

 {Bigbyy in Phil. Mag., N. S. v. 6.) 



SOUTH AMERICA. 



Changes in Animals. — All domestic mammiferous animals introduced into 

 America have become more numerous than the indigenous animals. The 

 hog multiplies very rapidly, and assumes much of the character of the wild 

 boar. Cows did not at first thrive, but, in St. Domingo, only twenty-seven 

 years after its discovery, 4000 in a herd was not uncommon, and some herds 

 of 8000 are mentioned. In 1587, this island exported 35,444 hides, and 

 New Grenada 64,350. Cows never thrive nor multiply where salt is want- 

 ing either in the plants or the water. They give less milk in America, and 

 do not give milk at all if the calves be taken from them. Among horses 

 the colts have all the amble, as those in Europe have the trot : this is pro- 

 bably a hereditary effect. Bright chestnut is the prevailing colour among 

 the wild horses. The lambs which are not from vierinos, but the tana 

 basta and burda of the Spaniards, at first are covered with wool, and when 

 this is timely shorn, it grows again ; if the proper time is allowed to elapse, 

 the wool falls off, and is succeeded by short, shining, close hair, like that of 

 the goat in the same climate. Every animal, it would appear, like man, 

 requires time to accustom itself to climate, (ili". Roulin, in Le Globe.) • 



Bees' Nests. — In the woods of Brazil is frequently found hanging from 

 the branches the nest of a species of bee, formed of clay, and about 2 ft. 

 in diameter. {Bulletin des Scieiices.) It is more probable that these nests 

 belong to some species of wasp, many of which construct hanging nests. 

 One sort of these is very common in the northern parts of Britain, though 

 it is not often found south of Yorkshire. — J, R. 



Art. II. Natural History in London. 



The Zoological Society. — -The Report of Council read at the Anniversary 

 Meeting, April 29. has just been published. By this it appears that the 

 Society " is incorporated, and has become a chartered body under the name 

 of the * The' Zoological Society of London.* " The date of the charter is 

 March 7. 1829. The Council had held one meeting since, and a code of 

 by-laws are in preparation. The Society are to hold meetings on the 

 first Thursday of every month, in their house in Bruton Street. By the 

 statement of accounts printed in this report, the finances seem to be 

 flourishing. 



In the Museum in Bruton Street various improvements have taken 

 place. " Additional cases have been erected, wherever space could be 

 obtained, for the exhibition of the different collections ; and two persons 

 have been in constant employment in preparing and setting up the more 

 interesting specimens. An assistant has also lately been added, for the 

 arrangement of the shells, insects, and the other smaller subjects of the 

 collection ; and much care has been bestowed upon the various depart- 

 ments of comparative anatomy. An instructive as well as an attractive 

 series in every branch of zoology, but more particularly in the groups of 

 mammalia, birds, and insects, has thus been arranged for inspection. A ca- 

 talogue of the more important objects in the Museum has been published; 



