Botany. 201 



upon dissection, contained a large herring sprat, recently swallowed, as appeared 

 from the slight decomposition that had taken place — P. J. S. 



Woodcock breeding in Scotland — Within late years it has been remarked that 

 woodcocks remain and breed more frequently in Scotland, and in greater num- 

 bers than they used to do. We are informed by a gentleman who rents a shoot- 

 ing district in the north-west of Aberdeenshire, that this season there are seve- 

 ral pairs breeding upon the property, though they were not known to do so a 

 few years ago, and the same is the case in other districts, as in Strathmore, &c. 

 What reason is to be assigned for this change in their habits ? is it to be attri- 

 buted to a change in our seasons, or are we to look for it in the great increase 

 of woods or plantations so general over all the island, affording these birds ad- 

 ditional and secure retreats, as well as an abundant and constant supply of food. 

 —P. J. S. 



Ammoccetes branchialis and Gasterosteus semiarmatus. Dr R. Parnell has 

 taken specimens of both these fish in the Tweed near Berwick : the most 

 northern habitat for them in Britain, which has been ascertained — G. J. 



Raniceps trifurcatus — I picked up a specimen on the sands near Tynemouth, 

 Northumberland, where it had been left by the tide. The fish was still alive, 

 though, judging by the distance the sea had ebbed, it must have been out of its 

 element for two hours — Albany Hancock, May 26, 1836 — G. J. 



Neritina fluviatilis, Paludina achatina, vivipara, and impura, — have lately 

 been found in considerable numbers on the shores of the Forth, at St Davids in 

 Fifeshire. As far as I am aware they have not hitherto been found in Scot- 

 land, and their occurrence in such a suspicious locality renders it probable that 

 they were conveyed there in ballast, from which source the flora of the same 

 neighbourhood has been enriched with several plants not indigenous to Britain. 

 — E. Forbes. 



Helix Scarburgensis — This, the prettiest of all our native Helices, is found in 

 one or two spots in the dean at Twizel-house, Northumberland. I have also 

 found it, though very seldom, in Berwickshire — G. J. 



BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 



Alga Britannicce — Sir W. J. Hooker is preparing a " Manual of the British 

 Marine Alga," and will be thankful to receive specimens of new or rare spe- 

 cies from any part of our coasts, as well as information respecting unpublished 

 localities of the scarce kinds. The descriptions will be written entirely in En- 

 glish, and all unnecessary technical terms will be avoided Comp. to Bot. Mag. 



for June 1836. 



Erica Mackaiana, Babington — Many-branched cross-leaved heath. " Leaves 

 four in a whorl, ovate, ciliated, smooth ; flowers capitate, pedicelled ; sepals 

 ovate, ciliated ; smooth ; pedicels villous and downy ; corolla oblongo-ovate ; 

 anthers awned, included ; style exserted." — Bab. MSS. 



On the declivity of a hill by the road side within three miles of Roundstone, 

 Cunnamara, Mr W. M'Calla. Fl. July, Aug. Specimens of this presumed new 



