NATURE'S REALM. 
ing so much in external appearance. The sea 
sunfish is not provided with an apparatus 
which can be used as an inflating machine. 
: M. G. 
COQUINA ROCK. 
This peculiar conglomerate is almost entirely 
composed of shells. In many instances the 
shells are in a nearly perfect condition, but 
generally the conglomeration is a mass of dis- 
integrated substance ; sand, gravel and crushed 
shells, held together by Nature’s cement of the 
long ago, and which is not now manufactured. 
In many parts of Florida this rock is to be 
found plentifully about the coast and, to an ex- 
tent, inland. The buildings of the early settle- 
ments were composed of coquina, and about 
St. Augustine many still remain as evidence ot 
Spanish enterprise. Old Fort Marion, which 
was begun as early as 1568, is a massive struc- 
ture, made entirely of this rock. 
At Eau Gallie, on Indian River, a condition 
exists which has not as yet been satisfactorily 
explained. The bottom near the shore is ot 
coquina rock and for a long distance perfora- 
tions may be seen beneath the surface of the 
water, and at times the water forms in little 
eddies over these minature wells. They vary 
in diameter from six to eighteen inches and ex- 
tend down to quite a distance. 
Much speculation has resulted from the find- 
ing of these singular shafts, but the most 
reasonable theory is, that they are places left 
vacant by decomposed palmettos which were 
once growing on dry ground. The land sunk 
and was finally encroached upon by the sea; in 
due time the sand, gravel and disintegrated 
shell substance was borne in by the action of 
the waves filling the space between the trees, 
and to a depth differing in various localities. 
It is well known that the cabbage palmetto is 
very serviceable used as a pile, being employed 
almost universally for that purpose in Florida, 
as it will withstand salt water action for a long 
time. 
After a certain time Nature completed the 
work of solidification by means of her cement, 
and at last the decomposed trunks were en- 
tirely removed by the action of the waves, thus 
157 
giving the singular appearance of these cylin- 
drical spaces. 
That this theory is correct seems more prob- 
able from the fact that, in some sections, evi- 
dently formed by the action of Nature, the 
same holes are observed above the water line 
as are seen beneath the surface. The coast of 
the State has had several upheavals and sub- 
sidances and some scientists have demonstrated 
as many as five. G. 
How SNAKES SWALLOW FISH. 
In answer to Morris Gibbs, in the American 
Angler of March 14th, I would say that I have 
observed water snakes swallow fishes when in 
a wild state and when in confinement, and 
never saw one taken down other than head 
first. The reptile will generally seize the fish 
near the middle, crosswise, and after holding 
it until it ceases struggling, turn it and swallow 
it by throwing first one side of the upper jaw 
forward, getting a hold with its teeth, then 
bringing that side back while the other side is 
thrown forward and a hold secured by that 
side, and so on. I conclude that the upper jaw 
is articulated in the centre in the species which 
I observed, but I neglected to make an exami- 
nation to settle the matter. : Fess 
Cats AFFECTED BY FEEDING ON SCALLOPS. 
Will you kindly inform me whether there is any truth in the 
assertion that a cat’s ears are affected by a diet of scallops ? 
On Long Island, and in other localities where scallops are 
plentiful, the cats belonging to persons engaged in fishing are 
all affected by a peculiar skin disease almost invariably affect- 
ing the ears. The affection is called cat leprosy by many, as 
it results in the withering and ultimate entire wasting away of 
the,ears. Please inform us as to the nature of this feline dis- 
order, and if it comes from eating scallops. & 
We are compelled to refer this query to our 
Long Island naturalists. An affirmative an- 
swer would probably be correct in a general 
way, as the health of all animals are affected, 
more or less, by their diet, and in this special 
case disease may be developed. 


So many inquiries have come to us relative to the Hamp- 
shire Hills, prompted, no doubt, by Mr. Hallock’s paper in our 
March number, that we depart from our usual practice and 
refer the parties editorially to the advertisement of ‘‘ Summer 
Homes” in that section, on advertismg page III, of this issue, 
