Proceedings of the Essex Institution^ Salem. 57 



and seventy-eight. During the year it held thirteen evening 

 meetings for the discussion of subjects connected with the objects 

 of the Institute. These meetings commenced on the 8th Nov., 

 and continued on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. Tift 

 interest manifested in them, we are informed, gave assurance of their 

 utility. The Society possesses a liberary and museum of great 

 value and interest. During the year a Horticultural Exhibition 

 was held under its auspices. From the report of the Ornithological 

 Committee, we find that the collection is in good condition and well 

 arranged, comprising 209 mounted specimens of North American 

 Birds, containing 148 species ; 137 specimens of foreign birds, 

 12 of foreign bird's nests; 74 do. do. eggs, containing 41 species 

 determined; also 23 species contained in 72 specimens not de- 

 termined ; 50 specimens, containing 32 specimens of American 

 Bird's nests ; 200 specimens of American bird's eggs, containing 81 

 species, not including about 27 species contained in 50 specimens 

 of undetermined ones. This seems to be a favorite department- 

 Large additions have been made to it by donations during the year. 



In the Ichthyological section, we find the committee, while 

 complaining somewhat, yet reporting the large number of 263 

 specimens of American fishes, embracing 26 families, 61 genera, 

 and 80 species; of foreign fishes there in all 144 specimens, em- 

 bracing 62 species. In Mammalia the collection is certainly very 

 poor, containing only 48 specimens, exclusive of duplicates. In 

 the department of Botany there appears to be a good Herbarium 

 in excellent order, gradually expanding and increasing in value. 

 We note these things to show what can be done by a few zealous 

 students of Natural History. 



We would notice as worthy of imitation by our own Society? 

 the appointment by this Institute of curators, not only of special 

 departments, but of sections of each department ; — e. g. in the 

 Historical department there are curators in Ethnology, in M.SS., 

 and in the Fine Arts. In Natural History there are curators in 

 Botany, Mammalia, Ornithology, Ilerpetologv, Ichthyology, Com- 

 parative Anatomy,Articulata,Mollusca, and Kadiata, for Mineralogy, 

 Geology, Paleontology. This division of labour in the hands of 

 real lovers of the magnificent and beautiful works of the Creator? 

 is the true method of success and progress. 



Another feature of this Institute which we deem well worthy 

 of commendation, is that of its field meetino-s during the favour- 

 able seasons of the year. The record of one runs as follows*. 



