321 



oviparous or yiviparous, the querist inclining to the latter, 

 and a common belief among fishermen, the Chairman en- 

 deavored to show how the analogy between the higher and 

 lower plants, might elucidate the mode by which the eggs of 

 fishes could be produced in the appropriate membrane and 

 yet escape the ordinary observation. By this illustration, he 

 showed how intimate was the connection between different 

 branches of Natural History, and how a general plan seemed 

 clearly to pervade every part of organic life. 



The anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Ply- 

 mouth occurring yesterday, David Roberts, Esq., occupied 

 the rest of the evening in some remarks respecting the early 

 history of the Pilgrim Church. This paper will appear in 

 some future number of the Historical Collections of the In- 

 stitute, perhaps in a modified form. 



Some brief but pleasant conversation on the commence- 

 ment of the Institute in its parentage through the Essex 

 County Natural History Society, whose twenty-fifth an- 

 niversary occurs about this time, and some allusions to names 

 cherished and respected, both here and abroad, connected 

 with it, concluded the evening's meeting. 



Tlmrsday^ January 13, 1859. 



Evening meeting. The third evening meeting of the 

 season was held at the rooms of the Institute, Vice President 

 John L. Russell, in the chair. 



Records of the preceding meeting were read, and the do- 

 nations announced from the following persons, viz : 



To the Library — from Edward Pousland ; Smithsonian 

 Institute ; Directors of the Public Library at Newburyport ; 

 John H. Hickcox of Albany, N. Y. ; Trustees of the New 



ESSEX INST. PROCEED. VOL. ii. 41. 



