and Spruces, and, as the Institute hal also recently received several photo- 

 graphs of the " Big trees " of California, Sequoia (jigantea Torrey, as well 

 as specimens of their cones, leaves, bark and wood he gave an account of 

 the forest trees of the Rocky Mountain region, especially of the Spruces, 

 Pines and Redwoods of which specimens were on the table; exhibiting a 

 number of plates, taken from the several volumes of the Pacific. R. R. Sur- 

 vey, which illustrated these trees. He also called attention to the important 

 work which had been done by the Government to advance science, as shown 

 by the valuable volumes of the Pacific R. R. and the Mexican Boundary 

 Surveys. 



The thanks of the Institute were voted to Mr. Hall for his valuable do- 

 nation. 



Donations to the Library ard Museum were announced. 



Ex-Governor John A. Andrew, of Boston, was elected a Correspond- 

 ing member. Rev. James O. Scripture, of Salem, was elected a Resident 

 member. 



MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1866. Regular Meeting. 

 Vice President GOODELL in the Chair. 



F. W. Putnam was chosen Secretary pro tern. 



Letters were read from* Prof. G. C. Swallow, Columbia, Mo.; F. F. 

 Hodgman, Littleton, N. H. ; Franklin B. Hough, Lib Albany Institute; 

 Prof. Theo. Gill, Smithsonian Institution ; Prof G. H. Cook, Rutger's Col- 

 lege ; Prof. S. Tenney, Vassar College; Prof. W. E. A. Aikin, University 

 of Maryland ; Joseph E. Chase, Holyoke, Mass. ; Hiram A. Cutting, Lu- 

 nenburgh, Vt. ; Vincent Barnard, Kennett Square, Pa. ; N. S. Shaler, Mu- 

 seum Comp. Zoology ; E. Steiger, New York ; Samuel G. Drake, Boston, 

 Mass. ; Wm. J. Beal, Union Springs, N. Y. ; Prof. D. S. Sheldon, Griswold 

 College; A. L. Babcock, Sherborn, Mass.; N. Vickary, Lynn, Mass.; C. 

 M. Tracy, Lynn, Mass. ; Henry A. Smith, Salem ; A. G. Browne, Savan- 

 nah, Ga. ; Desmond Fitz Gerold, Providence, R. I. ; J. Wingate Thornton 

 Boston, Mass. ; Hon. John A. Andrew, Boston, Mass. 



The Secretary read, by title, a communication from Dr. A. S. Packard 

 Jr., entitled " Descriptions of the Larva, and Notes on the Habits of some spe- 

 cies of Hi/menoptera, with fynres." Referred to the Publication Committee. 



R. S. Rantoul read a communication giving the history of the Seal of 

 the City of Salem. He also presented, in the name of George Peabody, 

 Esq., the original design of the City Seal, drawn by Mr. Peabody, and also 

 the first impression of the seal in wax, taken by the engraver. 



The thanks of the Institute were voted to Mr. Peabody for his valuable 

 donation, and Mr. Rantoul's communication was referred to the Committee 

 on publication. 



Rev. G. D. Wildes made a few remarks on the relation of seals to his 

 tory, and a general discussion followed on the use of the word " Salem," on 

 the City seal, instead of " Solyma," as given in the design by Mr. Peabody 



Mr. Goodell read a communication by M. A. Stickney, entitled " Alma- 

 nacs and their authors." Referred to the Publication Committee. 



