144 



In opening the meeting the Presidext spoke of former 

 meetings held in this place, of Ship Rock, of the geologi- 

 cal features of the vicinity, of the various persons, who, 

 in times past had devoted much time to the study of the 

 natural history of Peabody, alluded to the plan suggested 

 by Mr. Wilson Fla^g, of appropriating a tract of land 

 about Bartholomew's Pond for a public park, the charac- 

 teristic features of the place being admirably adapted for 

 this purpose, contiguous to the cities of Salem and Lynn 

 and the town of Peabody. 



Rev. George F. Wright, of Andover, said that he had 

 been always interested in the famous boulder. Ship Rock, 

 and had been with the party who had visited it this day. 

 He gave a very clear and interesting statement of the 

 geological character of the region, and explained the 

 action of ice and water during the glacial period, showing 

 why Ship Rock had probably lodged in its present posi- 

 tion, and stating other theories in regard to the ice 

 period. 



Mr. James H. Emerton spoke of the flowers and 

 plants that had been gathered during the morning's 

 ramble, and the subject was continued by Dr. George 

 A. Perkins, of Salem. 



Rev. C. C. Carpenter, of South Peabody, remarked 

 on the historical and genealogical character of this neigh- 

 borhood, speaking of the old families, the old houses, and 

 the peculiarities of the people. Mr. Carpenter brought 

 to the meeting some very interesting books and historical 

 documents for the inspection of those present. Among 

 them was a large quarto volume in Latin, entitled "Trac- 

 tatus Morales de virtutibus," by William, Archbishop of 



