38 



Mr. Phippen introduced Mr. ALBERT C. PERKINS of Lawrence, -who, 

 he hoped, would speak for the botanical department. 



Mr. Perkins described his visit to Prospect Hill, and exhibited sev- 

 eral plants which he had there, and on the way thither, collected, 

 among which were the Azalea or Swamp apple, Pyrola rotundifolia, 

 Lysimachia striata, Orchis, Lobelia, the high and low Blueberry, etc. 

 He was much impressed with the extensive prospect from this emi- 

 nence, which partook of the character of a mountain view, revealing 

 the village below, and a picturesque section of surrounding country, 

 which included the hills of Boxford, Topsfleld, and Hamilton, and 

 Plum Island and part of Essex. The results of the researches in nat- 

 ural history, he said, were now within the reach of all, and the com- 

 munities visited were much indebted to the young men, the speakers 

 to-day, for the aid they were rendering in the study of natural his- 

 tory. He commended the work of the Institute and spoke of the 

 "American Naturalist" as a publication of great value. 



Mr. GEOKGE D. PHIPPEN followed with farther remarks on the 

 plants gathered. He prefaced his description by declaring that the 

 naturalist felt that he had a certain right in every locality, because of 

 the various natural objects which excite his interest and require his 

 examination. The Institute had come to Rowley with that feeling, 

 and acted accordingly. Taking up the plants upon the table he com- 

 mented on the Alisma plantago ; Thalirum cornuti; Asclepias cornuti, 

 the fibrous inner bark of which had been tested and prepared for the 

 manufacture of thread and cloth; Hypericum perfoliatum, Spiraea, 

 Geum, Pyrola, etc. He closed with some remarks upon the general 

 plan of structure and distinctive characteristics of plants. 



Mr. A. C. GOODELL, jr., of Salem, speaking for the Historical De- 

 partment, said that the Institute greatly enjoyed a visit to such an 

 old historical locality as Rowley. Its ancient burial ground was a 

 place of great interest. Having quoted from Thomas Gray the lines : 



" Beneath those Bugged Elms, that yew trees shade 



Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, 

 Each in his narrowed cell forever laid 

 The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 



The speaker said that our forefathers could hardly be called rude. 

 They were largely men of culture and distinction, having among them 

 many ancient divines and scholars. He mentioned that the remains 

 of Ezekiel Rogers were interred in the Rowley cemetery and eulo- 

 gized his character. 



He read a paper prepared by Mr. MATTHEW A. STICKNEY, of Salem, 

 concerning the descendants of WILLIAM STICKNEY, one of the first 

 settlers of Rowley, who died in 1664. 



