56 



parasite, as it did not attach its root to tlie living parts of other plants, 

 bnt merely located itself near their decayed roots and leaves. He also 

 thought that this singular plant should be taken from the great order 

 of Heaths (Ericaceae), and be considered, perhaps, an order by itself. 



Mr. r. W. Putnam, called attention to the various zoological spec- 

 imens that had been collected, and explained the development of sev- 

 eral kinds of Insects, and mentioned the species of Fishes and Reptiles 

 found in the vicinity. 



Dr. B. G. Wilder, of Boston, gave an interesting account of the 

 manner in which spiders construct their webs, and gave the results of 

 his experiments on the silk producing spider, Nephila plumipes, found 

 on the Islands of South Carolina. . 



Hon. Allen W. Dodge, of Hamilton, oftereda few general remarks, 

 called forth by the last speaker, and alluded to the subject of selecting 

 the proper kind of shade trees for particular situations ; the various 

 improvements in the town of Hamilton ; the manufacture of Peat, etc. 



Hon. Samuel P. Benson, of AVinthrop, Me., spoke in a humorous 

 and instructive manner illustrative of the necessity of acquiring knowl- 

 edge, and bid the Institute " God speed " in awakening a stronger taste 

 for scientiiic attainments. 



The chair spoke of the recent fire in Portland, regretting the great 

 loss of property, more especially that which cannot be replaced, as 

 records, collections, old relics and memorials. The following resolu- 

 tion was then oife^-ed by Mr. J. A. Goldthwaite, and unanimously 

 adopted. 



Besolved : — That the Essex Institute, learn, with deep regret, the 

 great loss which the Portland Society of Natural History have 

 sustained by the destruction of their building and collections during 

 the great fire at Portland, on Wednesday, the 4th inst. 



Voted : — That the Institute consider it their duty to extend a help- 

 ing hand to their sister society in this great bereavement, and direct 

 the Curators to offer to them a suite of the duplicates in the Library 

 and Collections of the Institute whenever they may be prepared to re- 

 ceive contributions. 



Mr. E. iST. Walton offered the following resolution, which was 

 adopted. 



Besolved : — That the thanks of the Institute be presented to the 

 Asbury Grove Camp Meeting Association, through Messrs. Almy, 

 Magee, Noyes, Richardson and Waite, for their kindness in allowing 

 us to hold a meeting in this grove to day; to Messrs. James W. Patch 

 and Joseph F. Dodge for their attentions ; to Messrs. James Bartlett, 

 of Wenham, and Joseph Conant and Charles Tuck, of Hamilton, for 

 their services as guides ; and to other friends who have contributed to 

 render the meeting so attractive and interesting. 



The following persons were elected Resident Members : — Nathan 

 P. Meldrum, of Beverly ; James Bartlett, of Wenham ; Warren Ordway, 



