68 Zoological Society. 



only one who has seen the ripe fruit, which proves to be a black 

 juicy berry, resembling in appearance and flavour that of Vaccinium 

 Myrtillus. This remarkable character, together with the valvate 

 aestivation of its calyx, Mr. Don considers as amply sufficient to 

 entitle the plant to be regarded as the type of a new genus, for which 

 he proposes the name of Chymocarpus, with the following essential 

 character : 



Chymocarpus. Calycis astivatio valvata. 

 Petala 2. Pericarpium baccatum ! 



The author avails himself of the opportunity of entering into de- 

 tails on the natural affinities of the Tropceolecp, which he is disposed to 

 place near to the Capparidecc, and he points out the many characters 

 which distinguish them from the Geraniacece, with which they have 

 usually been associated. On comparing them with Hippocastanece, 

 the author remarks, many striking analogies present themselves; but 

 although the latter family is chiefly distinguished from Tropceolece 

 by its arborescent habit, opposite leaves, and terminal inflorescence, 

 he is not inclined to admit that there exists any intimate affinity 

 between them. 



Read likewise the conclusion of Dr. Nees von Esenbeck's paper 

 on East Indian Solanece. 



This paper is entirely descriptive, and its chief object is to give 

 an account of the Solanece comprised in Dr. Wallich's collections. 

 The species, with the exception of Anisodus luridus, are referrible 

 to old and well-known genera, and principally consist of 22 of So- 

 larium, 6 of Phy sails, and 5 of Datura. The characters and syno- 

 nyms appear to be drawn up with much care, and display the research 

 and skill of the learned author. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Proceedings of the Committee of Science and Correspondence. 



July 24. — A Letter was read, addressed by Sir F. Mackenzie to 

 the Secretary of the Society, and dated July 16 : it related to the 

 breeding of some Woodcocks, Scolopax rusticola, Linn., at Conan 

 on the eastern coast of Ross-shire, the estate of that gentleman. 



For several years past, two or three of these birds have occasion- 

 ally been seen in the woods, and about five years since a couple 

 were shot just before St. Swithin's-day : these were, however, old 

 birds, and from their being covered with fat, it was evident that they 

 had not nestled. The keeper, in fact, had never been able to find 

 one of their nests or to see a young bird, until the present season. 

 In two small woods near his house he this year discovered four 

 Woodcocks nests, one having four, and the others three eggs each, 

 all of which were hatched and ran. The young birds he repeatedly 

 saw before they took wing; and now five or six couple may every 

 evening, towards dusk, be observed flying about the lodge as they 

 pass to their feeding grounds. The old birds give notice of their 

 approach by a sharp cry oftwit-txvii twit, repeated as rapidly as pos- 

 sible, and heard at three or four hundred yards distance ; while 



