202 



lar loose fragments of great size and in various .positions. 

 Of these, the large flat one resting npon four rounded sup- 

 ports and known as Chariot Rock, attracted much attention. 

 B. F. Mudge, Esq., who was familiar with these striking -pe- 

 culiarities in the scenery of this region, gave some explana- 

 tion of the probable manner bj which they came to be thus 

 balanced and supported. The abundance of lichen growth 

 upon them all, afforded the ladies excellent opportunity to 

 select beautiful specimens, among which was to be seen the 

 Cetraria Islandica or veritable Iceland Moss of the shops. 

 This valuable article was detected by Dr. Nichols so long- 

 ago as 1814, as common about our sterile pastures ; it has 

 been seen to l>c more abundant in some places than in oth- 

 ers in Essex County, probably owing to some peculiarity of 

 soil. Employed as a mild and demulcent alleviation of in- 

 flammation of the th.roat, it is found to be as valuable as the 

 veritable European form, which " is brought so far and costs 

 so much ; " the intense bitter which needs to be washed 

 away from the foreign article being almost wholly deficient 

 in ours. 



On return of the several parties, the company were gener- 

 ously entertained by Mr. Page and his family ; and at three 

 o'clock, P. M., a formal meeting was held in one of the rooms 

 of the building, at which it w^as estimated that there were 

 present seventy-five persons, including ladies and gentlemen 

 from Danvers, South Danvers, Lynn and Salem. The com- 

 pany was welcomed by the Vice President, John L. Russell 

 on taking the chair, after which were announced the follow- 

 ing donations received since the last annual meeting in May 

 13th instant, viz : 



To the Library — from William Henshaw, Boston ; Hick- 

 ling, Swan & Brewer, Boston ; T. Davis, M. C; J. F. Wor- 

 cester ; S. M. Worcester ; Wm. Archer, Jr.; Wm. B. Brown ; 

 J. P. Felt; John S. Brown, of Ashby ; B. W. Stone ; Wm. 

 H. Prince ; E. M. Snow of Providence, R. I. 



