From the middle of May following, for a few weeks, 

 (hey were opened to the public of this city and vicinity. 

 Donations of value, in every department of study, 

 were received. It was about this time that horticul- 

 ture and floriculture, the junior and accompanying 

 arts of natural scientific knowledge, were permitted to 

 lend their aid. Fifteen weekly exhibitions of what- 

 ever was rare and beautiful from the gardens of the 

 citizens, were held, during the rest of the season. 

 Public curiosity and regard seemed aw r akened in our 

 favor. On the opening of the next year, arrangements 

 were made for the continuance of such floral displays. 

 By the kindness of our floricultural friends, our flower 

 stands were rendered highly attractive and splendidly 

 conspicuous. Amid the various representatives of 

 the kingdoms of Nature, were the choice productions 

 of human ingenuity co-operating with her in their 

 mutual employments. The gorgeous Dahlia, the ever 

 charming, lovely Rose, the rich and variegated Tulip, 

 and other prominent individuals of the Liliaceous 

 family, were blended in unison with the simpler, yet 

 elegant flower of our native fields. The splendid 

 Magnolias of China vied with the fragrant and grace- 

 ful co-species* of our own neighborhood. The deli- 

 cious productions of Pomona, were contrasted with 

 the more mild and humble offerings of Tellus and 

 Ceres. 



The commencement of the present year finds us in 

 the spacious and commodious halls, which we now 

 occupy, furnished with elegant and useful cabinets 



* The most northern limits of the only species of the White Bay or Small 

 Magnolia (M. Glauca) found in New England, are the swamps of Cape Ann. 



