36 



tertain the company with fine music, gave still farther proof of the 

 cordial hospitality of the citizens. 



After the collation the Institute assembled for their discussions in 

 the Congregational Church. Previous to the opening of the meeting 

 they were cheered with music by the band. 



The meeting was called to order by the PKESIDENT at half-past two 

 o'clock. 



The records of the last meeting were read by the Secretary. Mr. 

 ALPHEUS HYATT announced the donations to the library. Since the 

 last meeting there had been forty-four donors ; among whom deserv- 

 ing a particular notice was Mrs. GEORGE CHOATE of Salem, whose gift 

 of books and pamphlets was large and valuable. 



Mr. F. W. PUTNAM announced donations to the cabinets. 



The usual announcement of the recent correspondence was deferred 

 until the next meeting. 



The PRESIDENT, in a brief introductory address, stated that this was 

 the second Field Meeting held by the Institute at Rowley : the first was 

 held in 1862. He called attention to the antiquity of the town, saying 

 that during the period of early emigration to America, extending from 

 1620 to 1640, four thousand families, representing about twenty 

 thousand persons, came to these shores. Near the close of this period 

 in 1638 Ezekiel Rogers with sixty families arrived, and in April, 

 1639, commenced the settlement of Rowley. Among these early set- 

 tlers were many clergymen and persons of eminent learning, and 

 celebrated scholars. The early boundaries of the town included the 

 sea-coast between Ipswich and Newbury, and extended from the ocean 

 to the Merrimac river, embracing the present towns of Rowley, 

 Georgetown, Boxford, Bradford and Groveland. The streets were 

 from the first laid out so that each house might adjoin or be near to a 

 brook. They remain but little changed to the present time. 



In concluding, the President called upon Mr. F. W. PUTNAM to give 

 an account of the specimens secured by the dredging party. Mr. 

 Putnam exhibited specimens of the hydroid form of the jelly fish, and 

 remarked on the law of alternate generation. The egg of this ani- 

 mal, furnished with cilia, moves through the water until it becomes 

 attached to some stone or sea plant, when it commences a growth 

 resembling a thickly branching sea-weed. After a time the branches 

 bud, and these buds develop into minute animals, furnished with cilia 

 and tentacles by which they obtain their necessary food. Having 

 attained to a sufficient development, the Medusa buds sever their con- 

 nection with the parent growth, and assume an independent life as 

 the well known jelly fish. 



He also exhibited a large collection of hermit crabs, sticklebacks, 

 minnows, two species of star-fish, and specimens of polyzoa. 



