Natural History in London. 371 



of activity. The eastern Cordillera, composed chiefly of transition and 

 secondary rocks, separates the same valley from the vast plains of Chiquitos 

 and Moxos. 



The eastern Cordillera, between the 1 4° and 1 7° of south latitude, pre- 

 sents an almost continued series of pics, whose summits are covered with 

 snow, and many are above 20,000 ft. in height. It is in this mountain 

 chain that the highest mountains hitherto observed in America are situated, 

 particularly Nevadas de lllimani and Sorata, which surpass even Chimbo- 

 razo, Antizana, and Cayamb^. {Humboldt.) 



WEST INDIES. 



Coral RocJcs. — In the West Indies, it is common to mistake tertiary 

 limestone above chalk, and filled with coral petrifactions, for old coral 

 beds ; but in the larger mountains of the Antilles, genuine madrepore rocks 

 occur, surrounding, to a considerable height, rocks of primary formation. 

 The common opinion of the extent of coral formations, founded on the 

 vague observations of voyagers, is generally carried much farther than the 

 facts will warrant. {Humboldt, Tableau de la Nature.) 



Art. II. Natural History in London. 



Zoological Gardens^ Jtdy 18. — The additional ground obtained by the 

 Zoological Society in the Regent's Park lies to the north of the present 

 gardens, and across the road. Retaining a part of the woody belt which 

 now exists on that (the northern) side, there is to be a gentle sweep up to 

 the gates, to admit of the ingress and egress of visitors ; while the commu- 

 nication between the two gardens will be effected by means of a sufficiently 

 spacious tunnel under the road. The whole space will be about 15 acres; 

 and thus, what may be considered the public exhibition part of the esta- 

 blishment will be much extended and improved, the sights more numerous, 

 and the habitats of the various animals better suited to their natures, as 

 well as to the convenience of those who come to view and study them. 

 This seems to be more] requisite, from the increasing popularity of this 

 lounge, to which the mature crowd to gratify their curiosity, and the young 

 are taken to inform their minds. So great, indeed, has the resort become, 

 that 2000 visitors have been calculated in one day ! Among the novelties 

 which may partially account for this, is the Brahmin bull, not white, as has 

 been stated in the newspapers, but grey, and certainly a beautiful as well as 

 interesting animal. The alligator died on July 13. ; but the beavers, the 

 seal (still living, though not very promising), two opossums, a young scarlet 

 ibis, the macaws in high feather, several species of remarkable dogs, together 

 with the usual tribes, from the lion to the monkey, and from the sea-eagle 

 to the linnet, give great animation to a spot which is in itself a delightful place 

 of recreation. Thus, while what may be called the Metropolitan Show is so 

 eminently prosperous, it may be expected that, in conjunction therewith, the 

 more useful establishment near Kingston may be made productive of real 

 benefit to the country, by improving the breed of animals, by naturalising 

 foreign and exotic specimens which will adorn England, or be valuable for 

 food and commercial purposes. There are a multitude of creatures of every 

 kind, which, if properly cultivated (and this may be done at a distance from 

 London, where they are not everlastingly disturbed in their habits), would 

 enrich our rivers, our fields, our heaths, and our woods : there are even 

 many, once indigenous, which might advantageously be introduced, from 



