70 



The Ful/lications consisting of the Bulletin, Historical Col- 

 lections, and the closing volume of the Proceedings, have been 

 issued from time to time during the year. The publication of vol- 

 ume six of tlie Proceedings has been delayed, owing to unavoidable 

 causes, but it is believed that it will be completed during the present 

 year, and that in future the Bulletin and Historical Collections, form- 

 ing the cui'rent publications of the Institute, will be issued with regu- 

 larity. By a recent vote the Bulletin, which is issued in monthly 

 parts, is furnished free to all members who have paid the assessments 

 for the current year. 



Meetings. — Twenty-three have been held duiung the year. Five of 

 of them were field meetings, held respectively at Wakefield, Wenham 

 Middleton (Paper Mills), Rockport, and Lynn. The remaining eigh- 

 teen, were, with few exceptions, evening meetings, at which were 

 presented papers of value relating either to history, natural history, 

 or horticulture. 



Lectures. — A course of seven lectures has just closed. Fiist L,ec- 

 ture by W. T. Brigiiam, Esci., of Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 9, on 

 "The volcanoes of the Hawaiian Islands." Long residence on these 

 islands and frequent visits to the several craters aflbrded ample op- 

 portunities to glean a vast amount of information. Second, Tuesday, 

 Feb. 15, by Dr. A. C. Hamlin, of Bangor, Me., on "American Gems," 

 illustrated by colored diagrams and an extensive series of the gems 

 set as a necklace, tiara, brooch and ear-dops. Most of the gems 

 prized by the ancients and moderns, are found in North America, and 

 a large number within the limits of the United States — these were 

 described — as emerald, beryl, turquoise, opals, diamonds, sapphires, 

 tourmalines, etc. Precious stones are confined to no latitude but are 

 found from the equator to the snows of Siberia and the glaciers of the 

 Alps, though they are the brightest under the tropical sun. Third, 

 by R. S. Rantoul, of the Institute, Tuesday, March 1, "on the vari- 

 ous modes of travelling before the introduction of railroads." He 

 gave an historical sketch of the Eastern Stage Company, and other 

 lines of stages in this vicinity that were established for the accommo- 

 dation of the public ; also brief notices of those most interested in 

 these diflerent companies, and protrayed in graphic language the 

 scenes and incidents of stage life. Fourth, Tuesday, March 15, by E. S. 

 Morse, of the Institute, " how animals grow," was described in a 

 lucid manner and finely illustrated by drawings on the blackboard. 

 Fifth, Tuesday, March 29, A. Hyatt, of the Institute, gave an ac- 

 count of the difierent theories with regard to the origin of life and the 

 origin of species ; dittering in his own views to a greater or less extent 

 from all previous authors, he brought forth facts to show the deficien- 

 ces of the received opinions. Sixth, Tuesday, April 12, Capt. Henry 



