214 



tioii,aii historical picture of the geological changes that have 

 heretofore passed upon these hills and valleys around us. 

 Considering the unpromising aspect of granitic and sienitie 

 rocks, we might be led to suppose that a soil formed from 

 them would be sterile ; but here the soil has precisely this 

 origin, and its richness is a constant correction of such pre- 

 conceived errors. 



Rev. Joseph B. Felt of Salem read a short historical es- 

 say on the early times of the town of Hamilton, when it 

 existed as part of old Ipswich. Among the peculiarities of 

 the place he adverted to a line of families among the inhabi- 

 tants who, from some singular quality of constitution, are 

 and have been known as " bleeders." These persons bleed 

 profusely, and dangerously, even, from the least scratch ; 

 and some remarkable facts as to the hereditary descent of 

 this affliction, help to invest the case with much of deep and 

 painful interest. (Printed in Historical Collections of the 

 Institute, vol. iv. page 225.) 



Mr. Gregory inquired what was the meaning of " Naum- 

 keag," the Indian name of Salem. • 



Mr. Pelt said he believed Cotton Mather had defined it 

 as " peace." 



Mr. Gregory thought it merely meant " good fishing 

 place," and was applied to many places along the shore. 



Mr. Felt doubted this, and thought this last was rather 

 the interpretation of " Agawam," once the name of Ips- 

 wich and several other places. 



C. M. Tracy of Lynn, had been one of those who made 

 the delightful excursion up from West Beach, under the ex- 

 cellent guidance of Mr. E. Knowlton. The vicinity of the 

 ponds, where traversed by the West Beach Road, is remarka- 



