400 



common now. The Skip Jack ( Temnodon saltatory was 

 one of these new-comers. He wished that the meet- 

 ing might have the benefit of a few words from Wilson 

 FlaggEsq., now present, who could speak to questions that 

 would interest all. 



Mr. Flagg however declined speaking though further in- 

 vited in some complimentary remarks by the chair. 



R. H. Wheatland of Salem, followed out the considera- 

 tions of Mr. Fowler as to new fishes on our coast, and pro- 

 ceeded to discuss, in part, the causes of such a phenomenon. 

 He also urged the more general collection of our fishes and 

 reptiles, stating that he had to day met with very good suc- 

 cess in this department, but a vast work remained to be 

 done before we could become well acquainted with all our 

 own natural productions. 



George D. Phippen of Salem, after speaking of several 

 plants noticed during the day's excursion, adverted to the 

 Dodder (Cuscuta Gronovii) as an object of artificial cultiva- 

 tion. He had given much attention to this plant, and with 

 every success. The ripe seed is easy to obtain, and, being 

 planted in pots of soft earth, soon germinates, throwing up 

 the shoot to the height of an inch or two, perfectly un- 

 branched and leafless. It closely resembles a bit of raw silk, 

 or that other "silk" from an ear of green corn. If no other 

 plant is near on which it can fasten its extremity, it soon 

 withers and dies ; but if it finds such a resting place, it at- 

 taches itself at once, lengthening and branching rapidly, soon 

 acquiring its characteristic orange color, and in due time, 

 its close branches of pretty white floAvers. By thus proceeding, 

 training it on some succulent, juicy plant, like a Fuschsia or 

 Geranium for example, he had raised specimens of very large 

 and luxuriant proportions, with a wreath of flowers and 

 golden branches that was very attractive. It was a plant 



