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upon it for use against, the Indians, metal ordnance being 

 too heavy and cumbersome for the purpose. Heavy can- 

 non were introduced into Salem as early as 1667. In 

 1699 the new fort on the heights of the Neck, the present 

 site of Fort Lee, was commenced, and there has always 

 been an earth-work at that place since that time. There 

 were at other times block houses on the Neck, two being 

 placed upon the upper end. The embrasure and outlines 

 of an old earthwork at Hospital Point are still visible. 

 At one time during the revolutionary period there was a 

 considerable settlement on the Neck, known as Water- 

 town. Mention is made, in the early annals, of a fishing 

 village here, and a street called Fish street, which was 

 quite prominent at one time. There is also a tradition of 

 an old "Blue Anchor" tavern as being located on the 

 Neck. Mr. Phippen suggested the erection of guide 

 boards for the convenience of strangers in ascertaining 

 the location of interesting historical points, so numerous 

 in Salem and its vicinity. 



Dr. GEORGE A. PERKINS spoke of a battery formerly 

 situated where Mr. H. W. Peabody's house now stands. 

 An iron ball dug from this locality was presented by Mr. 

 Peabody to the Institute. 



After explaining briefly the methods of collecting and 

 observing marine animals, Mr. EMERTON described the 

 development of the common starfish, the young of which 

 were at that time found daily in the surface nets. The 

 eggs of the sta'rfish are laid on the bottom, where they 

 soon grow into worm-like animals without any sign of 

 radiation about them. They swim at the surface of the 

 sea, especially on calm evenings, till they become quarter 

 of an inch in length, with long processes from their sides, 



