LXI 



they have saved Newburyporfc to the cause of science. 

 While laboring with his hammer at the ledge he had been 

 cheered by the presence of some of them, and encouraged 

 to open more fully the wealth of that spot. There 

 were beautiful specimens of serpentine, as well as asbestos, 

 or amianthus of a fine description. He exhibited an 

 elegant vase made from the serpentine by Mr. Osgood, of 

 Newburyport, and pronounced it equal to anything of the 

 kind to be seen elsewhere. 



Dr. H. C. Perkins, of Newburyport, said that every boy 

 in the place had at some time been to the " Devil's 

 Den," which few here know as a serpentine quarry. 

 It was opened for lime exclusively and worked for 

 some time. It furnished besides serpentine and asbestos, 

 some very good steatite and dolomite. The celebrated 

 Jacob Perkins, once of Newburyport, made paper from 

 this asbestos and printed some bank-notes on it which 

 were incombustible and served td surprise his friends. 



Rev. Artemas D. Mussey, of Newburyport, expressed 

 his deep satisfaction in the meeting and its purposes. 

 He could not doubt its effect on those who attended, 

 especially on the young ; and he hoped a branch society, 

 or something like it might be formed and sustained in this 

 place. 



Rev. J. S. Spalding, of Newburyport, had fortunately 

 met the party at the " Den'" and highly enjoyed the 

 enthusiastic activity of those who composed it. If all the 

 members of the Institute were equally engaged and suc- 

 cessful, the best results must follow. There are young- 

 men in Newburyport engaged in science and natural his- 

 tory. They have made fine collections of birds' eggs 

 including many rare kinds and if directed and encouraged 

 by some systematic society, they would do much for 

 themselves and the cause of knowledge. 



