LXXXV 



H. Dall, of Chicago, 111.; B. O. Peirce, of Beverly; R. Kenuicott, Sect'y, Chi- 

 cago Acad. Nat. Science ; Dr. J. Bernard Gilpin, of Halifax, N. S.; W. A. 

 Smith, of Worcester; N. Paine, of Worcester, on general business. 



F. W. Putnam read a communication from D. M. Balch, 

 " On Native Grapes.' 7 In this paper Mr. Balch gives the 

 results of his analyses of the following varieties of grapes 

 grown in this vicinity, viz : the Delaware, Hartford Pro- 

 lific, Concord, Adirondac. Allen's Hybrid, Union Village, 

 Clinton, Alvey (Hagar), Franklin, Rogers' Hybrids Nos. 1, 

 3, 4, 9, 15, 19,. 22, 30, 33, and 41. 



From these analyses, native grapes would seem to be 

 divided into three classes : 1st, those in which the propor- 

 tion of acid and sugar are well balanced, as the Delaware, 

 Rogers' Nos. 4 and 15, Allen's Hybrid, etc.; these should 

 make good wine. 2d, those in which the acid is deficient, 

 as in the Adirondac, Hartford, <fec. 3d, those in which 

 the great excess of acid overpowers all else, and renders 

 the fruit nearly uneatable ; such are the Clinton, Franklin, 

 &c. The paper also contained several important practical 

 remarks upon the culture of the grape in our climate. On 

 motion of Mr. Putnam the communication was referred 

 to the Publication Committee. 



Mr. Putnam stated that, since the last meeting, he had 

 ascertained that Mr. Samuels, in his report on the Mammals 

 of Mass., mentioned that the White-footed, or Deer Mouse, 

 Hesperomys leucopus, builds its nest in bushes, and he 

 therefore presumes that the nest presented at the last 

 meeting by E. J. Porter, was that of this species of mouse. 

 In reply to a question from the chair, Mr. Putnam gave 

 a brief account of the winter nests of the Musk Rats. 



Charles Davis, in behalf of the committee appointed at 

 a previous meeting, submitted a report containing the rec- 

 ommendation of the Selectmen of Beverly, that the Fort 

 which the Government proposed to erect in Beverly, be 

 called Fort Hale, in memory of Col. Robert Hale, formerly 

 Beorerlj, hich was adopted. 



