122 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 
logical formation of the locality and of Essex County in 
general, the rocks along Parker river showing the oldest 
geological formations of the county, while the sands and 
marshes of Plum Island show the latest ; Mr. Sears also 
spoke of the glacial period as connected with this locality. 
George D. Phippen was next called upon and he gave 
some interestino; information about the formation and de- 
velopment of the common fruits. 
J. J. H. Gregory of Marblehead said he was an "old 
timer" at the Field Meetings and was astonished at the new 
ideas advanced by the j^ounger men now in the field, and 
said that he was inclined to go back to his books for new 
instalments of knowledge. He believed that he was one 
of the first to examine the shell heaps of this vicinity. He 
complimented jNlr. Sears for the work he had done in Es- 
sex County, and hoped he would publish his results. He 
also believed that the Norsemen were the discoverers of 
this continent centuries before the English came here, and 
gave some reasons for his belief. 
Mr. L. L. Dame of Medford, a member of the Mid- 
dlesex Institute, was requested to say a few words. He 
said "Middlesex takes oft' its hat to Essex." Essex he con- 
sidered the pioneer in historical matters. 
His remarks were ui)on the trees on the island in early 
times. Most of the islands were thickly wooded, and he 
deplored the extensive cutting away of the trees not only 
on the islands but in ditt'erent parts of the country. He 
a[)proved of the establishment of public parks and spoke 
particularly of Middlesex Fells. Hoped that the islands 
of our bay could be planted with trees. 
Mr. Gregory asked Mr. Sears to state what trees grew 
on House Island oft" Manchester shore, the only island in 
this vicinity which is covered with a healthy growth of 
wood. 
