Scotland.—­The full-sized head is known to be possessed by the inhabitants; their measurement ranging between 7-3/4 and 7-7/8 even to 8 inches; this extreme size, however, is rare.—­Literary Gazette.

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The Naturalist

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

The laying-out of the tract of ground on the northern verge of the Regent’s Park, and divided from the present garden of the Zoological Society, has at length been commenced, and is proceeding with great activity.  We described this as part of the gardens in our illustrated account of them in No. 330 of the MIRROR, and we now congratulate the Society on their increased funds which have enabled them to begin this very important portion of their original design.

For the purposes of these alterations, the belt of trees and shrubs which formed so complete and natural a barrier between the road and canal, will be removed; but when the buildings, &c. are completed, trees and shrubs are to be replanted close to the road.  In addition to huts, cages, &c. for the reception of living animals, it is said that a building will be erected in the new garden for the whole or part of the Society’s Museum, now deposited in Bruton Street.  This is very desirable, as the Establishment will then combine similar advantages to those of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, where the Museum is in the grounds.  The addition of a botanical garden would then complete the scheme, and it is reasonable to hope that some of the useless ground in the park may be applied to this very serviceable as well as ornamental purpose.

The communication between the present Zoological exhibition, and the additions in preparation, will be by a vaulted passage beneath the road.  This subterranean passage will be useful for the abode of such portions of varied creation as love the shade, as bats, owls, &c.

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THE GIRAFFE.

The King’s Giraffe died on Sunday week, at the Menagerie at Sandpit-gate, near Windsor.  It was nearly four years and a half old, and arrived in England in August, 1827, as a present from the Pacha of Egypt to his Majesty.

About the same time another Giraffe arrived at Marseilles, being also a present from the Pacha to the King of France.  This and the deceased animal were females, and were taken very young by some Arabs, who fed them with milk.  The Governor of Sennaar, a large town of Nubia, obtained them from the Arabs, and forwarded them to the Pacha of Egypt.  This ruler determined on presenting them to the Kings of England and France; and as there was some difference in size, the Consuls of each nation drew lots for them.  The shortest and weakest fell to the lot of England.  The Giraffe destined for our Sovereign was conveyed to Malta, under the charge of two Arabs; and was from thence forwarded to London, in the Penelope merchant vessel, and arrived on the 11th of August.  The animal was conveyed to Windsor two days after, in a spacious caravan.  The following were its dimensions, as measured shortly after its arrival at Windsor: