48 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



N. Y., 1870-1878 ; from 1878 to his decease, a practitioner 

 in Newton, where he died May 15, 1883. An original 

 member. 



FIELD MEETINGS. These have been, perhaps, of more 

 than usual interest and well attended. During the season 

 four have been held. 



Firxt at the Middlesex Fells, Stoneham, on Saturday, 

 June 17, 1882, by invitation of the Middlesex Institute. 

 During the forenoon pleasant rambles were made in the 

 vicinity of Bear Hill, a delightful spot in the Fells, the place 

 selected for the gathering. At 2 p. M. President Dame of 

 the Middlesex Institute called the meeting to order and 

 extended a cordial welcome to the members of the Essex 

 Institute. He spoke of the work and objects of the two 

 societies and alluded to several of the historical points of 

 interest in this locality. Mr. George E. Davenport, sec- 

 retary of the Middlesex Institute, read a poem entitled 

 " Dame Nature's Greeting." The President of the Essex 

 Institute responded, thanking the members of the Middle- 

 sex society for the kind invitation to unite with them on 

 this interesting occasion. Mr. John Robinson of Salem 

 read a paper on our "native trees." Prof. Asa Gray of 

 Cambridge, by invitation from the chair, gave some remi- 

 niscences of Darwin and his teachings, and alluded to a 

 recent visit to him in England. Appropriate remarks 

 were made by Mr. John H. Sears of Salem, Rev. Joseph 

 Banvard of Neponset, Mr. Williamson of Kentucky and 

 others. Mr. Sears spoke of the plants noticed this day ; 

 Mr. Banvard, of the benefit of these meetings, and Mr. 

 Williamson, of the flora of his own state and that of 

 Massachusetts. 



Second, on Wednesday, July 12, 1882, at theDummer 

 Academy, Byfield, by invitation of the Trustees. This 



