244 



Resolved, that the librarian or temporarily acting libra- 

 rian of the Essex Institnte ascertain what volumes and. files 

 are taken out ; and that he notifv the holders of them to 

 return the same immediately. 



Several curious and interesting specimens of Alga3 brought 

 from Zanziljar and presented to the herbarium by Henry F. 

 Shepard were alluded to by the Chair ; mention being made of 

 Zonaria pavonia, Turl)inaria decurrens, and of a lime en- 

 crusted species, the CafeneUa opuiitia. These specimens 

 were casually thrown among some marine zoological speci- 

 mens but Avere of much value, and in the case of the second 

 mentioned, was of consideralilc rarity. In collecting foreign 

 specimens in one department, it were well to bear in mind 

 that those of another, would not 1)0 amiss. Oftentimes the 

 microscopist is rewarded by careful search among the sand 

 and calcareous dust of sponges from abroad, and the bota- 

 nist finds beautiful mosses and lichens among the packing 

 of shells and minerals, especially if collected inland, and 

 away from civilized life. The agency of many plants in 

 depositing strata of lime, silica c*cc., was illustrated by famil- 

 iar instances, an agency so seemingly trivial when viewed in 

 some confined and narrow way, but grand and overwhelm- 

 ing when the mighty results seen in geological characteristics 

 were apprehended. 



Suggestions of a horticultural bearing were made by 

 Robert Manning ; of these the grafting the pear upon the 

 quince for a stock : also the extent and limits of grafting in 

 general : the practice of intermediate grafting and its most 

 promising means of success. He considered it important to 

 secure a good size to the first graft before a second was set 

 upon it. The mode of using the quince for a stock was 

 considered in its merits : and the probable reason why some 

 kind of pears will readily unite with it, while others will not : 

 and hence the need of the intermediate process. By some 

 experiments by Mr. Henry F. King with the microscope, 

 Mr. Manning had been assured by inspection and measure- 



