They are known at Sydney, N. S. W. as the "Norfolk Is- 

 land Pine," from Avhich isle, they were introduced into Sydney. 



They first attracted my attention on a few low, sandy islets 

 on the coast of New Caledonia, ten degrees east of New 

 Holland, between latitude 20* South of Tropic of Capricorn 

 and 5* N.N.W. of Norfolk Island. 



This species is there truly the King of the Conifers, rising 

 into a beautiful cone to the height of one hundred and twenty 

 feet above its sandy bed, and drinking in the mellow air of the 

 ocean ! As often as I ran my eye along that reef-bound 

 coast, it always would rest with pleasure upon one of these 

 trees, so strangely contrasting with the tropical growth around 

 them. Some of thirty feet height, that I saw at Sydney, seemed 

 to want the surf-cooled breezes to perfect them." 



As an item of Horticultural information, pleasantly connected 

 with our Salem history and with its gardens, the notice of these 

 beautiful and majestic trees cannot be without interest to the 

 Institute. It should serve to incite a similar laudable zeal to 

 naturalize in favorable climates the useful and ornamental, even 

 if the undertaking might cost a considerable care. 



Saturday, June 21, 1856. 



Field Meeting at Topsfield. An exploration of the 

 ponds, streams and woods, such as the extreme heat of the 

 weather would permit, having been made by several members 

 in the forenoon, a session was held at 3 o'clock in the Hall of 

 the Academy, several other members having joined the morn- 

 ing's party for the afternoon's object; the Rev. John L. 

 Russell, Vice President, occupying the chair. 



Records of preceeding meeting read. 



Donations since the annual meeting, from the following 

 persons, were announced : 



To the Cabinets. H. F. Shepard, C. Cook, C. J. Lee, F. 

 W. Putnam, J. S. Ives, Mrs. T. E. Payson, Charles F. Wil- 

 liams, J. F. Webb, jr., A. Page of South Danvers, F. 

 Winsor, C. R. Waters, A. Brooks, E. S. Thayer, R. H. Wheat- 



