281 



«rality to the public. For his part he was always ready to 

 promote the cause of Science by giving the freest access to 

 his collections. 



Kev. G. W. Skinner of Gloucester exhibited a number of 

 beautiful crystals some of them closely resembling diamonds, 

 and explained the wonderful process of the formation of the 

 crystals of oxide of silicon — how granite was decomposed by 

 great and continuous heat — and how the crystallic force in 

 nature was ever active. His remarks were very interesting 

 and attentively listened to, and the audience were thankful 

 with him that we could now investigate these mysteries of 

 nature without being denounced as heretics or hanged for 

 witchcraft. 



Brief remarks were made by Messrs. William R. Deane, 

 of Brookline, and William B. Trask, of Dorchester, the 

 latter a descendant of Captain William Trask, one of the ear- 

 ly planters of Salem. 



Mr. David Pulsifer, the distinguished antiquarian, of 

 Boston, formerly of Salem, made some very earnest remarks, 

 and referred to recent purchases of the original Solemn 

 League and Covenant signed by the Covenanters of Scotland 

 in 1638, and of some rare folio volumes of the Bible, printed 

 in 1469 — which had been secured at high prices to be pre- 

 served in this country. He spoke with enthusiasm of the la-> 

 bors of the members of the Institute, and of the richness of 

 the old county of Essex in materials of historical interest 

 and value. 



At this point the roll of thunder and indications of a 

 heavy shower became so threatening as to cause a speedy ad- 

 journment, much to the regret of the audience, as there were 

 many other speakers present who would have delighted and 

 instructed the listeners. In addition to members of the la- 



ESSBX INST. PROCEED. VOL. iii. 36. 



