20 



most part lying near, being not swept off by the drift, 

 although we see some of them deposited on the greenstone 

 lying towards the sonth. This stone, he said, had also a 

 peculiar grit, suitable for mill stones: its detritus forms the 

 vast plain between South Danvers and Lynnfield — and 

 atfords a natural filter for the water which is used by the 

 aqueduct in Salem. The tract he considered as worthy 

 some especial attention of Geologists. 



Dr. H. Wheatland exhibited specimens of the sea cocoa 

 {Lodoicea Sechellarum) recently presented by Messrs W. 

 H. Jelly and Samuel K,. Masury. From its being, when 

 first known, found floating at sea, it used to be considered 

 a marine production ; but more accurate investigation has 

 shown it to be the fruit of a species of palm, 



Mr. Geo. D. Phippen stated that he had recently obtain- 

 ed some old MSS. written 150 years ago. Some of these 

 related to some of the worthies, whose portraits adorned 

 the walls — others to the early commerce of the city. 

 Upon further examination, it might be found that some 

 were worthy of perpetuity in a more desirable form. This 

 information was very acceptable to the Historical Depart- 

 ment. Doubtless much matter of such a nature could be 

 secured from future destruction, if inquiry were made 

 among long forgotten and neglected piles lying in garrets ; 

 and if rescued from such contingences, would become 

 objects of great value to the archives of our Historical 

 department. 



April 21, 1852. 



Evening Meeting. Hon, D. A. White, President, in the 



chair. 



Dr. Geo. A. Perkins gave an interesting account of 

 several species of ants, whose habits he had learned from 

 personal observation, in tropical Africa. These insects are 

 very numerous there, and it is with the greatest difliculty 

 that sugar or other sweets can be kept from them — of all 

 sizes, from those so small as to require a microscope to see 

 them, to others of an inch in length : the smaller penetra- 

 ting the interstices of cotton cloth, or insinuating theni- 



