son, J. A. Allen of Springfield and L Trouvelot of 

 Medford, relating to the publications and the " Naturalist's 

 Directory' 7 ; from J. E. Oliver of Lynn, N. B. Shurtleff of 

 Boston, A. W. Dodge of Hamilton and C. F. Hartt of Cam- 

 bridge, on business matters ; from J. T. Rothrock of 

 Cambridge transmitting a paper for publication in the 

 Proceedings. 



The reports of the Secretary, Treasurer, Cabinet Keeper 

 and Curators were read and accepted. 



The Secretary stated that the Society was never in a 

 more flourishing condition than at present. The receipts 

 from the assessments of resident members had been great- 

 er than in any preceding year, which was also the case 

 in regard to the sales of publications. During the year 

 thirty-seven resident, and twelve corresponding members 

 have been elected. Six members have died, leaving the 

 number of resident members three hundred and sixty-one. 

 Biographical notices of the deceased members will be 

 printed in the June number of the Historical Collections. 

 The Secretary alluded in particular to the late venerable 

 botanist, Dr. George Osgood of South Danvers, who had 

 always taken an active part in the Field Meetings of the 

 Institute, and who was extensively known as one of the 

 Linnaean school of botanists. 



Five field meetings were held during the past summer, 

 in Swampscott, Amesbury, Salem, Newburyport, and Rock- 

 port, which were all fully attended, and acknowledged suc- 

 cessful in the attainment of their objects. Throughout the 

 winter months meetings were held at the Society's rooms 

 on Monday evenings, alternating with lectures on Zoology 

 from Mr. F. W. Putnam. 



A course of twelve lectures was given under the aus- 

 pices of the Institute, at Lyceum Hall during the last win- 

 ter, as follows : two from Prof. C. T. Jackson, on Min- 



