15 



Samuel Todd of Topsfield, invited attention to the gravel 

 pits in the vicinity. The general formation in this place is 

 sandy, but in the midst of it appear three knolls of gravel, 

 evidently originating somewhere else, and probably brought 

 from the far north by drift currents. Dr. Kane tells us of 

 red gravel covering the polar ice for miles, and it would 

 seem that such agencies are even yet at work breaking 

 down the solid rocks and scattering the debris southward. 



The Chair pursued the subject in some remarks, regret- 

 ting the absence of our Geological member, B. F. Mudge, of 

 Lynn, lately removed to the "West. 



C. M. Tracy of Lynn, summed up the results of the bo- 

 tanical rambles of the day, having found the following,, 

 among many more common plants : 



Bulbous Arethusa, (^Arethusa bulbosa.') 



Purple Avens, (^Geum rivale.^ 



Painted Cup. ( Castilleia coccinea.'} 



The two first from a meadow north of the village, and the 

 last from one about half a mile to the east. It makes a gor- 

 geous appearance there, coloring the herbage, as it were, for 

 many square rods. This is a peculiar variety having the 

 bracts a deep orange color, instead of the fine scarlet com- 

 monly seen. If this plant could be cultivated, it would be 

 a choice thing for the garden, but it is thought to be para- 

 sitic by the roots, like the Gentians, which would render its 

 growth impossible, except in spots of its own choosing. 



Mr. Osgood Parley exhibited and presented to the Cabi- 

 net one of the interesting concretions taken from the stom- 

 ach of the Ox. It consisted, evidently, of hair licked from 

 the animal's coat and swallowed, after which, by the motion 

 of the stomach, it became " felted" and hardened together 

 into a solid ball. 



