Letters were also read from J. H. Hickcox of Albany, 

 N. Y. ; D. C. Oilman of New Haven, Conn. ; Augustus 

 Townc of Boston ; J. Munsell ol Albany, N. Y. ; Pennsyl- 

 vania Historical Society ; Trustees of N. Y. State Library : 

 Maine Historical Society ; Museum of Comparative Zoology 

 at Cambridge ; Corporation of Harvard College ; American 

 Philosophical Society ; American Geographical and Statisti- 

 cal Society; M. A. Stickney ; N. W. Uazen of Andover : 

 C. B. Richardson of New York ; J. K. Wiggin of Boston ; 

 J. C. Hilgard of the Coast Survey; W. C. Binney of Ames- 

 bury ; and S. F. Haven of Worcester. 



On motion of Rev. C. C. Bearnan, the thanks of the insti- 

 tute were presented to the several donors. 



F. W. Putnam presented a paper containing a list of the 

 reptiles of the county, accompanying the same with some 

 remarks upon the distinctive characters of the several orders. 

 By the above list we learn that the whole number of species 

 is 40, viz : Salamanders, eleven ; Frogs, five ; Tree Toads, 

 three ; Toads, two ; Scaphiopus, one ; Snakes, eleven ; Tur- 

 tles, seven. 



The Chair mentioned that a gentleman interested in anti- 

 quarian lore, had authorized the Secretary to purchase on 

 his account old MSS. prior to 1700 at the rate of one dollar 

 per pound ; from 1700 to 1750, at fifty cents per pound ; 

 from 1750 to 1800 at twenty-five cents per pound ; the same 

 to be deposited in the library of the Institute. After some 

 general remarks upon the importance of the preservation 

 of old papers, and the probability that much valuable ma- 

 terial may be sold to the paper-makers on account of the 

 high price of this article in the market, the Institute ad- 

 journed. 



