XXX 



ing; one each, from Mr. C. W. Tuttle, on Cometery 

 Astronomy ; Mr. Cleveland Abbe, on Astronomical Instru- 

 ments ; Capt. N. E. Atwood, on the Habits of our Native 

 Fishes ; Prof. Benjamin Pierce, on Cosmogony ; Mr. Al- 

 pheus Hyatt, on the Mollusca ; Mr. C. M. Tracy, on Ber- 

 ries ; President Hill, on the Geometrical Curve ; and Mr. 

 A. E. Verrill, on Corals and Coral Reefs. 



The publication of the Proceedings and Historical Col- 

 lections has been continued during the year. Of the 

 former, the first quarterly number of the fourth volume, 

 under its new form, is ready for distribution to subscri- 

 bers. The Historical Collections have now reached to 

 number one of volume six. 



The annual Horticultural Exhibition took place on the 

 23d ; 24th and 25th of September, but owing to the great 

 scarcity of fruit, of all kinds, the tables were not loaded as 

 in former years, though many fine specimens were con- 

 tributed, particularly of grapes, which included not only 

 those varieties grown in the hot-house, but many chi 

 seedlings raised by the industry and care of Edwar( 

 Rogers, of Salem. The show of vegetables was unusually 

 good and in great variety. Heretofore very little atten- 

 tion has been devoted in our exhibitions, to this class of 

 horticultural products. 



To the Library valuable additions have been made, 

 during the year, consisting of 1603 volumes and pamphlets, 

 received from one hundred and nineteen individuals and 

 thirty-two societies, editors of journals, and the various 

 departments of the State and General Government. The 

 most valuable of the donations were, one from George 

 A. Ward, consisting of 160 volumes in the various depart- 

 ments of History, and general reading : and another from 

 the retiring Vice President of the Institute, James Upton, 

 comprising 51 valuable volumes, principally relating to 

 horticultural subjects. 



