258 



the vcstiy, or the town hall. These meetings, if properly 

 conducted, can Ijc rendered of great benefit in diffusing a 

 taste for tlie study of nature in our rural towns ; inducing 

 those who arc constantly surrounded with these glorious 

 works, in their daily routine of duties to become co-laborers 

 in the investigation of the Natural History of this county. 

 Much can be accomplished by securing the services and as- 

 sistance of these persons. A social feeling is also engen- 

 dered, which should he more generally cultivated among the 

 residents of our several towns and villages. 



Eight evening meetings have been held at the rooms of the 

 Institute during the winter and early spring — the first, was 

 introductory; the second, filth, sixth, seventh, were princi- 

 pally devoted to Historical sul)jects ; — the third, to those of 

 Natural History; and the fourth and eighth, to those of a 

 Horticultural character ; also (piarterly meetings and ordi- 

 nary ones, occasionally on Wednesday's at noon, for the elec- 

 tion of mem])ers, and otlier incidental business matters. 



The following additions during the year may be speci- 

 fied :— 



To THE Department of Natural History. Mcumnals 

 and Birch. Charles F. Williams — Musk Deer, from Java. 

 Henry F. Shepard — Living specimen of Cynocephalus sp. 

 Baboon, from East coast of Africa. S. Jillson — a collection 

 of mounted specimens of Mammals and Birds, comprising 

 twenty-five species. Mrs. G. R. Mason — Fringilla Canarien- 

 sis. William S. Putnam — Albino specimen of Turdus iiii- 

 gratorius. George Osgood, of Danvers — Whidali Bird, Vidua 

 sp. John Burclistead, of Hamilton — White headed Eagle, 

 shot at the Essex Ponds. R. S. Rogers — Parroquct, from 

 Sydney, N. S. W. Joseph Osgood — Nest of the Taylor 

 Bird, from Elephanta. B. Grover — Ardea hcrodias. 



Reptiles and Fishes. N. C. Robbins — a collection of 

 Reptiles and Pishes, from Florida. Joseph True — Sala- 

 mandra vcncnosa. George A. Perkins — several species of 



