NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 559 
partment of the Gulf, I introduced the roots of this plant into the supply 
table of the Confederate States Army, qs an indigenous succedaneum for 
their operation, and I can say that in increased doses it answered every 
purpose." 
ACCLIMATIZATION OF PALM Trees. — In addition to the date-palm and 
the Chamarops, which have long been naturalized on the European shores 
of the Mediterranean, M. Naudin has succeeded very well with several 
other kinds at Collioure, in the Pyrenees, notwithstanding the exception- 
ally unfavorable character of the winter of 1869-70. The severe cold of 
the last week o cember, when the thermometer descended to — 4?, 
and in some caine even to— 6 was fatal to only one species. 
The epee iade iti w of snow Which took place in January, last- 
ing for forty-four hours without intermission, was expected to destroy 
the young Ru AES dE After, however, they had been entirely cov- 
ered up with snow for nine or ten days, so that the boughs were com- 
pletely flattened, when the thaw came they almost immediately recovered 
their former position, even the green color of the leaves not being in- 
jured. 'The same fall of snow caused a fearful amount of destruction 
among the olives and cork-oaks. — Quarterly Journal of Science. 
ZOOLOGY. 
LONDON ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. The — number of animals in the 
Zoological Society's Gardens, usually somewhat exceeds 2000. On the 
first of January last, it was 2,031, Misc of 598 mammals, 1245 birds, 
and 170 reptiles and batrachians, besides the fishes in the aquarium which 
do not appear to be included in the annual census. Constant additions 
are made to the series, not only by purchase, but also by gifts of corres- 
pondents in every part of the world, and by exchange with the continen- 
tal establishments. — Nature 
Tur NESTING OF THE Fish Hawk. — Mr. Samuels in his ** Birds of New 
situated about twenty miles east of Portland, I know of at least fifteen 
nests of the fish hawk within one square mile. I think Imight safely call 
the number twenty, but as I am writing I can only distinctly remember 
three miles, and I can find more places like it.” These nests that Ispeak 
of were all on two small islands. These islands I — exclusively, but 
Isee no reason why there should not be nests onthe rest also. On 
of these islands the great blue heron and the night ei breed together 
