142 



his opinion that the rocks in this region belonged to the "Lanren- 

 tian System," in which the Eozoon is found, and that Eozoou might be 

 found in this region. He also visited the "Devil's Den," but was not 

 successful in finding any specimens of Eozoon. On the 5th of Novem- 

 ber, Mr. Bicknell visited, in company with Mr. Osgood of Newbury- 

 port, the "Devil's Den," and also a quarry about half a mile from it. 

 In the last mentioned place he succeeded in finding portions of the 

 rock which gave good promise of the Eozoon. On returning to Salem 

 witli the specimens, and etching them with acids, he determined 

 them to contain the Eozoon ; plainly shoMing the characteristic tube 

 system, but not in so good a state of preservation as the Canadian 

 specimens which he had seen. The Newbury specimens contain large 

 quantities of asbestus and sulphuret of iron, and the shell layers 

 of the Eozoon appear to have been largely replaced by asbestus. In 

 the earlier specimens of serpentine examined by Mr. Bicknell, al- 

 though no positive evidence was shown by microscopical examina- 

 tion as compared with the Canadian specimens, yet the similarity of 

 appearance by polarized liglit, determined him to visit the locality 

 in person as he felt satisfied that it would be found there. 



Mr. Hyatt remarked that this discovery had now a significance 

 Avhich was of the utmost importance to the progress of geology in 

 this county. The rocks of this countj' had been hypothetically re- 

 ferred to the lowest known series of Laurentian strata, but this is 

 the first instance in which any positive evidence has been produced 

 of their actual age. 



The recent visit of Dr. T. Sterry Hunt has awakened a new interest 

 in our local geology, and from his late paper at the last meeting of 

 the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and his 

 proposed visit here next spring, we may hope for the most important 

 results. 



Hon. W. D. NoRTiiEND gave an interesting account of some old 

 papers belonging to the late Maj. Gen. Titcomb of Newburyport, 

 and presented the same to the Institute. These papers gave consid- 

 erable information on the life and character of Gen. Titcomb, especi- 

 ally in regard to the various offices which he held both of a military 

 and civil character. 



On motion of Hon. J. G. Waters it was 



Voted, That the thanks of the Institute be presented to Mr. North- 

 end for liis valuable contribution, and that he be requested to prepare 

 a memoir of Gen, Titcomb for publication in the Historical Collec- 

 tions. 



Mr. W. P. Upiiam expressed the hope that Mr. Northend would 

 comply with the request, and made some remarks upon the import- 



