139 



starved saxifrages {Sa.vifra^a Virginieiisls^ over ^vllich the 

 waters of the melting snow trickle, and thus bathed in icy 

 coldness, it renders itself conspicuous by its numbers, and 

 forms a thick sod or carpet of exquisite loveliness. Unfortu- 

 nately its precise locality, specified above, seems, thus far 

 known, to be its only habitat in our region ; and attempts to 

 transplant it elsewhere, or to fi.nd it in other parts of this 

 vicinity have failed. It is hoped that it will be permitted to 

 occupy its site for many years to come ; and thus to mark one 

 of the many interesting discoveries of our late President of 

 the Essex County Natural History Society, the lamented and 

 beloved Dr. Andrbw^ Nichols. 



The Secretary announced to the meeting that the proprietors 

 of the Salem Athengeum, at a meeting held April 4, 1857, 

 had acceded to the proposals as amended by the Institute, as 

 follows : — 



The Proprietors of the Salem Athengeum agree — 



1st. To allow the Essex Institute to use the rooms on the 

 lower floor o£ Plummer Hall, for any purposes consistent 

 with the terms of Miss Plummer's will. 



2d. To allow the Essex Institute, after the Athengeum has 

 been accommodated, sufficient space for their library on the 

 second floor ^ together with such privileges in all the rooms on 

 the same floor, as may be necessary for the care, delivery and 

 consulting of their books. 



3d. To allow members of the Essex Institute, who have paid 

 all their dues to that body, to consult the books of the Athe- 

 naeum Library : — 



Provided^ That the Essex Institute, at a legal meeting 

 called for the special purpose of considering this subject, shall 

 agree, — 



1st. To pay to the Athengeum, annually, the sum of three 

 hundred dollars. 



2d. To allow the Proprietors of the Athengeum to consult 

 the books of the Institute Library. 



3d. To pay one half the expense of warming the building 

 and keeping its approaches unobstructed. ■ 



