21 



selves into a watch and stopping its motion: — of the httle 

 black ant found in dwelling houses — of the Termites or 

 white ants, which destroy all kinds of wooden structures 

 and furniture — and of the Drivers^ a large black ant, 

 so called from the fact of its driving before it every Uving 

 creature. 



An article of commerce prepared for the Chinese market, 

 and called Beche de wer, was shown. There are several 

 varieties of Beche de mer, all belong to the Holothuria, a 

 sort of marine slug or soft sea-urchin. The mode of pre- 

 paring this animal, and the early history of the trade, were 

 alluded to. Some remarks on its structure and habits 

 were added. 



Several valuable papers, relating to the times of witch- 

 craft in Salem, were presented by the President. Extracts 

 were read from them and remarks offered on the subject. 



May 12, 1852. 



Annual Meeting. Rev. John Lewis Russell, Vice Presi- 

 dent, in the chair. 



Record of last Annual Meeting, and List of Donations, 

 since last monthly meeting, were read. The following 

 additions during the year may be specified : 



To the Historical Department. Portrait of Ichabod 

 Tucker, Esq., from Mrs. N. D. Cole. Indian relics from 

 Billerica, Andover, North Salem, Mass., Moultonboro', 

 N. H., and from the Tobique Narrows, N. B. Relics from 

 Thebes, such as Mummy cloths. Sacred Ibis, Papyrus, 

 &c., — a very interesting collection, made and presented 

 by Pickering Dodge. 



To the Department of Natural History. Skulls of Wild 

 Boar, Bears and Tigers, from Charles Huffnagle, U. S. 

 Consul at Calcutta. Skins of several species of birds from 

 Rio Grande, by George Harrington. Specimens of Lime 

 formations, of the blind-fish {Amblyopsis spelamsl Dekay) 

 from Mammoth Cave, Ky., by N. Silsbee. Shells, minerals 

 and fosils from W. A. Haines, of New York, J. H. H. 

 Gregory, Marblehead, and from B. L. C. Wailes, of 

 Washington, Miss. 



