ii

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OF

COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,

AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. jFountictr fij prfbate suliscrfption, fn 1861.

The

gift of Vfu. (^ d^--jC iJrn^LbMuJju

No. ^^^f.

BULLETIN

OF THE

ESSEX INSTITUTE,

VOLUME XI.

1879.

SALEM, MASS.

PRINTED AT THE SALEM PRESS

1880.

CONTENTS.

Page. A Catalojsrne of the Fishes of Essex County, including the Fauna

of Massachusetts Bay and the contiguous deep waters; by G.

Brown Goode and T. H. Bean, 1

Regular Meeting, Monday, January 6, 1879, . . . .89

Ornithological Explorations of the Lesser Antilles; by Frederick

A. Ober, 39

A List of the Birds of the Hudson Highlands, with annotations;

by Edgar A. Mearns {continued), 43

The Solar Eclipse of 1878; a lecture before the Institute, by

Winslovv Upton, 53

Notes on the native and extensively introduced woody Plants of

Essex County, Massachusetts; by John Robinson, ... 72

Meeting, Tuesday, January 21, 1879, 107

Meeting, Monday, February 3, 1879, 107

Meeting, Friday, February 28, 1879 107

A Paper upon the Old Merchants of Salem; by Nath'l Silsbee,

Notice of, 107

The Enharmonic- Key-board of Prof. Henry Ward Poole ; by Theo- dore M. Osborne, 109

Meeting, Monday, April 7, 1879, 123

Meeting, Thursday, April 24, 1879, 123

Meeting, Monday, May 5, 1879, 123

Annual Meeting, Monday, May 19, 1819, 124

Retros|iect ot tlie Year, 124 ; members, 124; meetinprs, 126; lectures and conceits, 127; excnrsions. 129; musenm. 129; hoiticultural exliibiton, lao; landing of John Endicott, l:!l ; publications, 181; library, 132; financial. 140; election ol" officers, 142.

Meeting, Monday, June 1, 1879, 143

Field Meeting at South Ptabody, Friday, June 20, 1879, . . 143 Remarks by the President. Uev. Georg:e F. Wright of Andover, James 11. Emerton, Rev. (J. C. Carpenter, and otiiers.

Field Meeting at Andover, Friday, June 27, 1879, . . . 145

The excursion. 14.5. Remarks of Hev. George F. Wright, Pi of. W. H. >>'iles; a chapter of tlie lorthcoming history of Andover. bv Miss Siirah L. Bailey, read by Rev. F. H. Johnson, 14(). Remarks by Mr. Goldsmith of Andover, J. M. Emerton, Rev. Selah Merrill, Rev. E. S. Atwood and G. W. W. Dove.

(iii)

{V CONTENTS.

Regular Meeting, Monday, July 7, 1879, 149

Memoir of Mr. James Upton, by Rev. R. C. Mills, read. Notice of, 149. Remarks by Dr. G. A. Perkins and Mr. James Kimball, 150.

Field Meeting, Thursday, July 31, 1879, at Danvers, . . . 150 Excursion, 150. Remarks by the President, 151 ; Andrew Nichols, 152; Dr. Calvin S. May. Rev. L. M. Livermore, J. H. Einerton, Dr. George A. Perkins, Rev. \V. E. C. Wright, and Rev. F. Israel.

A List of the Birds of the Hudson Highlands, with annotations ;

by Edgar A. Mearns (continued), 154

Catalogue of books published by Essex Institute, . . . 168

Field Meeting at Bay View, Gloucester, Wednesday, August 27,

1879, 173

Excursion, 173; Cape Ann Granite Co., 175; remarks of Col. French, 177: Dr. Thomas Conaiit, 178; James Davis, 178; James H. Eiuerton, 179; Charles D. Drake, 179; A. Hyatt, 179; N. A. Hortou and others, 180.

Meeting, Monday, September 15, 1879, ....

James Samuelson, lecture on Darwinism, notice of, 181. Meeting, Thursday, September 18, 1879, ....

James Samuelson, lecture on the Classification of Animals, notice of, 182.

Meeting, Monday, October 6, 1879,

Meeting, Monday, October 20, 1879,

William H. Tappan, lecture on Gold and Silver Mines and Mining, notice of, 184.

Meeting, Monday, November 3, 1879,

Meeting, Monday, November 17, 1879

James H. Emerton, lecture an the Animals at the Bottom of Salem Harbor, notice of, 185.

Meeting, Monday, December 1, 1879, .....

Meeting, Monday, December 15, 1879,

W. S. Nevius, lecture, An Account of a Visit to Pon-^ieii, notice of, 187 A List of the Birds of the Hudson Highlands, with annotations by Edgar A. Meariis {continued), ^ ^ . , .

181 182

184 184

185 185

187 187

189

BULLET I N

OF THE

ESSEX: in^rsTiTTJTE.

Vol. 11. Salem, Jan., Feb., Mar., 1879. Nos. 1, 2, 3.

• •

A Catalogue of the Fishes of Essex Count]/, Massachu- setts, i7iduding the fauna of Massachusetts Bay and the contiguous deep waters.

By G. Brown Goode and Tarleton H. Bean.

PREFATORY NOTE.

The following catalogue has been prepared at the request of the officers of the Ess x Institute as an aid to the arrangement and study of the Institute collection^ of local species. It is believed to be com- plete to the date of publication, and, through the courtesy of Prof. Baird, includes the latest additions made to the fauna by the U. S. Fish Commission in its explorations from the summer stations at Gloucester (1878), Salem and Halifax (1877), Portland (1873), and Eastport (1872).

The field is by no means an untrodden one, having been well trav- ersed during the half-century past by Wheatland, Storer, Agassiz, and Putnam. The improved methods of deep sea research and the zeal of the Gloucester fishermen have, however, been instrumental in add- ing many new species to the list. Too much cannot be said in com- mendation of the captains and crews of the ofi'-shore fishing fleet, who have talien an active part in the scientific exploration of the fishing banks, and who have brought in during the past eight months several thousand natural history specimens in alcohol, besides making impor-

iThe scientific collections of the Essex Institute are deposited in the museum of the Peabody Academy of Science.

ESSEX INST. BULLETIN. XI 1

tant physical observations, aud recording many valuable observations on the methods employed in the fisheries.

The latest list of the fishes of Massachusetts Bay is the one in Storer's "History of the Fishes of Massachusetts," published in 1867. In that work 134 species were enumerated, with a nominal list of 21 others in an appendix: of the 155 species mentioned, only 111 are marine or brackish-water species known to occur north of Cape Cod; 99 of these are recognized as valid species in this catalogue, and it is but justice to Dr. Slorer's accurate workmanship to say that only two or three of those rejected are among the 134 which were described and illustrated by him in the body of his book, viz. : Murcenoides ingens, Murcenoides macrocephalus and Petromijzon nigricans. Several of his species have, however, been identified with well known European forms ; and the laws of priority have made necessary changes in the nomenclature of several others.

We enumerate below 183 species, of which 163 inhabit salt or brack- ish water, 20 fresh water. Of the marine species, 104 have actually been recorded from Essex County, Massachusetts, or from localities within ten miles of its shores, the aggregate for Essex County, includ- ing the fresh water species, being 124: the number of marine species from within the limits of Massachusetts Bay, that is, inside of a fine from Cape Cod to Cape Ann, is 133 ; while 29 are from the deeper ofi"- shore waters in the vicinity of Georges, Le Have, Browns and Sable Island Banks. Out of the number recorded from Massachusetts Bay, 83 may be regarded as resident, or regularly to be expected ; 46 others are known only as stragglers, and for knowledge of most of these science is indebted to the vigilant ouUook kept by Capt. N. E Atwood from his station on the tip end of Cape Cod. At the end of the paper are given tabular lists showing the faunal relations of the species which are enumerated in the catalogue. Smithsonian Institution, March 1, 1879.

C AT ALOGMJE.

Class PISCJES.

Sub- class TEIiEOSXEI,

Order PEDICULATI. •

Family LOPHIID^.

1. Lophius piscatorius Linn. Goose-fish. LopMus america- nus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 101, pi. xviii, fig. 2. A common resident of the deep waters, often coming to the shores. The museum

of the Essex Institute has a specimen, about four inches in length, taken on the banks of Newfoundland, in 1856, by L. J. Johnson. This is probably the most northern recorded occurrence of the species in the western Atlantic, excej)t an uncontirmed statement by Pennant of its appearance in Hudson's Bay.

Order PLE C TO GN ATHI .

Sub-order GYMNODONTES. Family ORTHAGORISCID^.

2. Mola rotunda Cuv. Sun-fish. Orthagoriscus mola Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 226, pi. xxxiv, fig. 2. Frequently seen on warm summer days, floating on its side at the surface. An individual four feet in length, was taken off Gloucester, July 31, 1860. The Essex Institute has a specimen, stuffed, taken in Salem harbor in the summer of 1863.

Family TETRODONTID^.

3. Cirrisomus turgidus {Mitch.) Jordan & Gilbert. Swell- fish. Tetrodon turgidus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 223, pi. xxxiii, fig. 5. The museum of the Essex Institute has a specimen from Salem harbor, probably that recorded by Wheatland (Jour. Essex Co. Nat. Hist. Soc, 1852, p. 124) as having been taken in 1848. The species has also been found at Provincetown by Capt. N. E. Atwood.

Sub-order SCLEBODEBMA. Family BALISTID^.

4. Balistes capriscus Linn. Dusky File-fish. Balistes full- ginosus DeKay, Zool. N. Y. Fish., 1842, p. 339, pi. Ivii, fig. 188. This species has several times been taken at Newport, R. I., and Wood's Hole, Mass. In the Colonial Museum at Halifax is a specimen said to have been taken on the coast of Nova Scotia. The species should be looked for in Massachusetts Bay.

5. Alutera Schoepfii {Walb.) Goods & Bean. Orange File- fish. Monacanthus aurantiacus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 9, pi. xxxiv, fig. 3. Ceratacanthus aurantiacus Gill. Alutera cuspi- cauda DeKay. Aluteres cuspicauda Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 233, pi. XXXV, fig. 2. Seldom seen north of Cape Cod. A single indi- vidual was taken at Forest River Lead Works, Salem, Aug. 9, 1845, and is now in the museum of the Essex Institute. A. cuspicauda is the young of this species.

6. Monacanthus setifer Bennett. Bennett's File-fish. Mona canthus massachusettensis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 231, pi xxiv, fig. 4. Monacanthus signifer Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p 232, pi. XXXV, fig. 1. Occasionally seen in summer in protected bays Storer records specimens from Hingham, Lynn, Nahant, and Boston

Order LOPHOBRANCHII .

Sub-order SYNGNATHI. Family HIPPOCAMPID^.

7. Hippocampus antiquorum Leach. Sea Horse. ? Hippo- campus hudsonius Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 222, pi. xxxiii, fig. 4. Hippocampus antiquorum Goode, Bull. U. S. National Museum, i, p. 45, 1878. A single individual was obtained on George's Banks in 1873, by a Portland mackerel schooner. This, or some nearly allied species, has been seen in Massachusetts Bay.

Family SYNGNATHID^.

8. SiphonostomaPeckianuni (/Scorer) G^i7Z. Syngnathus Pecki- anus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 218 (in part). Siphonostoma Feckiana Gill, MSS. A specimen was taken in South Mill Pond, Salem, in 1855 (Essex Institute collection).

9. Siphonostoraa fuscum (Storer) Jordan & Gilbert. Syngna- thus Peckianus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 218 (in part), pi. xxxiii, fig. 3. Specimens were seined by the U. S. Fish Commission, near Beverly bridge, August, 1877.

Order HEMIBR ANCHII. Family CENTRISCIDiE.

10. Centriscus scolopax Linii. Snipe Fish. Centriscus scolo- pax Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 279. A single individual of this European species was taken at Provincetown, in 1857, by Capt. N. E. Atwood.

Family FISTULARIID^.

11. Fistularia serrata Cuv. Tobacco-pipe Fish. Fistularia serrata Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 140, pi. xxv, fig. 1. A speci- men of this species, taken at Rockport, Mass., Sept., 1865, is in the collection of the Essex Institute.

Family GASTEROSTEIDJE.

12. Gasterosteus aculeatus Liiin. Two-spined Stickle-back.

Gasterosteus hiaculeatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 40, pi. viii, figs. 2, 3; Putnam, Proc. Essex Institute, i, 1855, p. 148. A resident species associated with those which follow.

13. Gasterosteus aculeatus, sub-species, trachurus. Gaste- rosteus Wheatlandi Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., v, 1867, p. 4; and in Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 278. Specimens of this form taken at Nahant, April 15, 1859, by R. H. Wheatland, M. D., are distinguished by (1) absence of scales on the posterior part of the body, there being six or eight on the anterior part, in front of the second dorsal spine ; (2) the uncarinated tail; (*) its small size; and (4) its "short and deep" appearance. None of these characters are of specific value in this genus, the range of individual variation in form and squamation being very wide.

14. Gasterosteus pungitius Linn. Many-spined Stickleback. Gasterosteus DeKayi Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1855, p. 148; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 43, pi. viii, fig. 5. Pygosteus occidentalis Brevoort, in Gill's Catalogue of the Fishes of the Eastern Coast of North America, 1861, p. 16. A resident species, associated with the preceding and following species, but less abundant. The Essex Institute Museum has specimens two and a half inches long from Salem Mill Pond collected by F. W. Putnam.

15. Apeltes quadracus {Mitchill) Brevoort. Fouu-spined Stic- kleback. Gasterosteus quadracus Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., 1855, p. 148; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 41, pi. viii, fig. 4. A resident species frequenting grassy bays and brackish water near the mouths of streams. Many specimens from Salem and vicinity in the museum of the Essex Institute.

Order TE LEO C EPH ALT.

Sub-order HETEROSOMATA. Family SOLEID^.

16. Solea vulgaris Linn. English Sole. Solea vulgaris Giin- ther. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, iv, 1862, p. 463. Two individuals of this species were set free in Massachusetts Bay in 1877, by the U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries.

17. Achirus lineatus Cuv. American Sole. Achirus mollis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 206, pi. xxxii, fig. 1. Storer records the capture of two specimens of this species in 1847, in Charles River, near Boston, and of a single specimen in 1860, at Nahant, which

appears to be its northern limit. Captain Atwood found it abundant at Provincetown, in 1856.

Family PLEURONECTID^.

18. Pleuronectes glaber (Storer) Gill. Smooth Flounder, Fool-fish, Christmas Fish. Platessa glabra Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 199, pi. xxxi, fig. 1. Euchalarodus Putnami Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1864; Putnam, in Storer's Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 279. Specimens from Salem Harbor, Nov. 15, 1872, are in the Museum of the Peabody Acad, of Science, as well as several others collected by Mr. Walker, bet^vveen 1868 and 1874. The Fish Commis- sion obtained young specimens of about two and a half inches, at Beverly bridge, in August, 1877. Others in the collection of the Essex Institute were taken in Salem Harbor, Nov. 15, 1872, measuring from three to four inches. The species appears in Salem Harbor in abundance in late December and early January, coming u.p into shallow water to spawn. Dr. Bean has demonstrated the fact, that Euchalarodus Putnami Gill, is the male of this species. In every par- ticular except in dentition this species exactly corresponds with Pleu- ronecter passer and P. flesus of Europe.

19. Pseudopleiironectes americanus (Walb.) Gill. thxT- nsH. Platessa plana Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 195, pi. xxx, fig. 2. A very common resident species, occurring in winter and summer on muddy bottoms in shoal water.

20. Limanda ferruginea (^Storer) Goode & Bean. Rusty Floun- der. Platessa ferruginea Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 198, pi. xxx, fig. 4. Platessa rostrata H. R. Storer, Boston Journ. Nat. Hist. V, 1, 1857, p. 268, pi. viii, fig. 2. A common resident species inhab- iting the deep waters of the bay in summer, and approaching the shores in winter. H. R. Storer's species from Labrador is not distinct from this.

21. Glyptocephalus cynoglossus (Linn.) Gill. Craig Floun- der. Glyptocephalus cynoglossus Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phil., 1873, p. 361. Glyptocephalus acadianus Gill, 1. c. A common resident species inhabiting the deepest part of the bay, but never discovered until 1877, when the U. S. Fish Commission found them in great abundance ofi' Salem.

22. Lophopsetta maculata (Mitch.) Gill. Spotted Sand Flounder. Pleuronectes maculatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 204, pi. xxxi, fig. 4. The Essex Institute museum has a specimen from Salem Harbor, by S. L. Walker, in July, 1870, and several spec- imens were obtained by the U. S. Fish Commission in 1878, in Glouces- ter Harbor, and at Milk Island. Storer knew it only from Province-

town, where it was observed by Capt. Atwood and himself. The species ranges north to Bucksport, Me.

23. Hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabricms) Gill. Sand Dab, Arctic Flounder. Flatessa dentatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 197, pi. XXX, fig. 3. Hippoglossoides limandoides Goode & Bean, Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, xvii, 1876, p. 39. A common species in the deep waters of the bay, approaching the shores in winter.

24. Pseudorhombus dentatus (Linnceus) Gilnther. Common Flounder. Flatessa oblonga Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 201, pi. xxxi, fig. 2. Storer states that this species occurs as far up the Cape as Wellfleet.

25. Pseudorhombus oblongus {Mitdiill) Gilnther. Four- spotted Flounder, Flatessa quadrocellata Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 203, pi. xxxi, fig. 3. A single individual was tal^en at the month of Salem Harbor, by the U. S. Fish Commission.

26. Hippoglossus vulgaris Fleming. Halibut. Hippoglossus vulgaris Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 192, pi. xxx, fig. 1. Once very abundant in Massachusetts Bay, but now found chiefly at a depth of 100-250 fathoms in the slopes of the outer banks where they are sought by about thirty Gloucester fishing schooners. Individuals are occasionally taken near the shore. In 1875, one weighing about 200 pounds was caught by a dory fisherman off' Half-way Rock, Salem Harbor, and one still larger in Gloucester Harbor in August, 1878.

27. Platysomatichthys hippoglossoides {Walh.) Goode & Bean. Turbot. Eeinhardtius hippoglossoides Gill, Cat. Fish. E. Coast, N. America, 1861, p. 50; name of genus only. Flatysomatichthys pin- giiis Bleeker, Verslagen en Mededelinger der Koninklijke Akademie van Wetenschappen, Amsterdam, xiii, 1862, p. 426. Hippoglossus grcen- landicus Gilnther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, p. 404. An arctic species, frequently brought in by the halibut schooners. Its range extends as far south as the gully between Le Have & Brown's Banks and George's Banks.

Sub-order JVGULABES. Family MACRURID^.

28. Macrurus Fabricii Sundeval. "Grenadier," "Rat-tail." Macrurus rupestris Gilnther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, p. 390. An arctic deep-sea species which ranges as far south as George's Banks and is caught in great quantities on the trawl lines of the fisher- men.

29. Macrurus Bairdii Goode & Bean. Baird's Grenadier. Macrurus Bairdii Goode & Bean, Amer. Jour. Sci. and Arts, xiv, 1877, pp. 471-473. A deep-sea species found in the deep waters of Massa-

chusetts Bay and the Gulf of Maine ; discovered by the U. S. Fish Commission in 1877.

Family GADID^.

30. Gadus morrhua Linnaeus, Cod-fish. 3Iorrhua americanus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 165, pi. xxvii, fig. 4. Very abun- dant in the deeper waters off the coast of New England, and coming up the shoals and near the shores to spawn from November, about Cape Ann, to Februrary, on George's Banks.

31. Pollachius carbonarius {Linn.) Bon. Pollock. Merlan- gus purpureus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 180, pi. xxvii, fig. 3. An extremely abundant resident species which, but for foolish preju- dice, would constitute an important food resource.

32. Microgadus tomcodus (IFa/fe.) Gill. Tom-cod, Frost- fish. Morrhua pruinosa Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 179, pi. xxvii, fig. 5. A resident species, entering brackish water; common about the wharves and bridges in summer, and taken with nets and hooks in winter in company with the smelt.

33. Melanogrammus segleflnus {Linn.) Gill. Haddock. Mor- rhua ceglefinus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 177, pi. xxviii, fig. 1. A common resident species.

34. Phycis tenuis {Mitch.) DeKay. Hake. Phycis americanus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 187, pi. xxix, fig. 3. A common resident species.

35. Phycis chuss (ira?6.) Gill. Phycis Jilamentosus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 189, pi. xxix, fig. 4. Less abundant than the preceding, from which it it distinguished only by the greater size of its scales.

36. Phycis Chesteri Goode & Bean. Long-finned Hake. Phy- cis Chesteri Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., i, 1878, p. 256. A graceful species discovered in 1878, by the U. S. Fish Commission in the deep waters of the bay ; only a few specimens have been seen.

37. Phycis regius {Walh.) Jord. & Gilb. Spotted Hake. Phycis regalis Giiuther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, p. 354. Urophycis regius Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. This species has been observed at Halifax, N. S., and from southern New England. It may therefore claim a place in the fauna of Massachusetts Bay.

38. Haloporphyrus viola Goode & Bean. Blue Hake. Ealo- porphyrus viola Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., i, 1878, p. 257. A species inhabiting the outer slopes of the off-shore banks, at a depth of 200 fathoms or more, and frequently taken by the fishermen on their trawl lines.

39. Ones (Rhinonemus) cimbrius {Linn.) Goode & Bean,

9

Gadiis cimhrius Linn., Syst. Nat. Onos cimhrhis Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. National Mus., 1878, p. 348. Motella caudacuta Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 183, pi. xxix, fig. 1. A resident of the deep waters of the bay where it occurs in considerable abundance. The young fish swim at the surface and have been wrongfully identified with the Mackerel Midge, Ciliata argentata, which is, at best, a doubt- ful species, and perhaps the young of a species of Onos.

40. Brosmius brosme {Midler) White. Cusk. Brosmius fla- vescens Storer (not Lesueur;, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 190, pi. xxix, fig. 2. Brosmius hrosme Giinther, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, p. 369. Brosmius flavescens of Lesuer was apparently founded upon a deformed specimen. A common resident of the inshore fishing grounds, where it occurs in great abundance, lurking among the stones, but is soon caught up by the fishermen after the discovery of a new bank.

Family MERLUCIID^.

41. Merlucius bilinearis {Mitch.) Gill. Whiting. Silver Hake. Merlucius albidus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 185, pi. xxviii, fig. 2. A frequent visitor to the shores, probably a resident of the middle depths. Young were frequently trawled in deep water by the U. S. Fish Commission. This species may easily be distinguished from M. vulgaris of Europe by the greater number of rays in the first dorsal (X-XI in 31. vulgaris, XII-XIII in M. bilinearis), and by the larger size of the scales (L. lat. about 150 in M. vulgaris, 100-110 in M. bilinearis). ■<

Family LYCODID^.

42. Lycodes Verrillii (?oo(7e tt- J5e«n. Verrill's Lycodes. Lyco- des Verrillii Goode & Bean, Amer. Jour. Sci. and Arts, xvi, 1877, p. 474. A common resident of the deep water of the bay, first discovered in 1877, by the U. S. Fish Commission, in the Gulf of Maine, attains the length of seven inches or more.

43. Lycodes Vahlii Beinhardt. Vahi.'s Lycodes. Lycodes Vahlii Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, p. 319. This species hitherto known only from Greenland, was taken by Capt. Z. Hawkins and the crew of the schooner "Gwendolen," of Gloucester, at a depth of 300 to 400 fathoms, in Lat. 42° 43' N, and between Long. 62° 20', and 63° 20' W.

44. Lycodes paxillus Goode & Bean. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., ii, 1879. A single specimen was obtained by Captain Collins in the gully between Le Have and Sable Island Banks.

45. Zoarces anguillaris (Pec^.) /Scorer. Mutton-fish. Zoarces

10

anguillaris Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 97, pi. xvii, fig. 4. A common resident of deep water, frequently approaching the shore. In the young a large black blotch, almost equal in diameter to the eye, is found on the anterior part of the dorsal flu. This disappears with age, sometimes before, sometimes after the fish has attained the length of nine inches. No traces of this can be seen on the young of the European Z. viviparus, so far as observed by us.

Sub-order ACANTHOPTERI. Family CKYPTACANTHID^.

46. Cryptacanthodes maculatus Storer. Wry-mouth. Cryp- tacanthodes maculatus Storer, Report, 1839, p. 28, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 34, pi. viii, fig. 6. Cryptacanthodes inornatus Gill. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1863, p. 332. (Albino variety.) The following speci- mens of this unusual species are known to us : (1) seven mentioned in Storer's work, one from Nahant, one from Dorchester, one from Provincetown, one from a beach in Nova Scotia, and three from Mas- sachusetts Bay ; (2) one collected at Provincetown in 1867, by Captain Atwood, and preserved by the Boston Society of Natural History; (3) seven collected by the U. S. Fish Commission on the coast of Massachusetts. Several specimens of this species have been taken on the shores of Essex County, and of the four known individuals of the albino form, described by Gill as C. inornatus, one was obtained at Marblehead and one at Swampscott.

Family STICH^ID^.

47. Eumesogrammus subbifurcatus (Storer) Gill. Fholis subbifurcatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 92. Storer records the capture of a specimen at Nahant, in 1838. It has been taken by the U. S. Fish Commission at Grand Manan and Halifax, and by Prof. Verrill off" Anticosti.

48. Eumesogrammus unimaculatus {Beinhardt) Goode & Bean. Stichceus unimaculatus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iii, 1861 p. 283. A single specimen from the vicinity of Anticosti was sent to the National Museum for identification by Mr. Whiteaves.

49. Leptoblennius serpentinus (Storer) Gill. Eel-blenny. Blennius serpentinus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 91, pi. xvii, fig. 1. (Represents the dorsal as divided, which was accidental.) A com- mon resident of the deep waters of the bay; a favorite food of the Cod and Halibut.

50. Leptoclinus aeuleatus (Beinh.) Gill. Stichceus aculeatus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iii, 1861, p. 282. The U. S. Fish Com-

11

mission obtained several specimens of this arctic species, previously known only from Greenland, in Massachusetts Bay, at depths of forty to ninety fathoms.

Family XIPHIDIONTID^.

51. Mursenoides gunnellus {Linn.) Goode & Bean. Kock-eel. Gunnellus mucronatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 18G7, p. 94, pi. xvii, fig. 2. Common among the rocks near the line of the tide. The Es- sex Institute has several specimens, the largest six inches long, from Naugus Head, July, 18G2. 31. ingens H. R. Storer, and M. macroceph- alus Girard, are not distinct from this species.

Family ANARRHICHADIDiE.

52. Anarrhichas lupus Linnceus. Wolf-fisii, Cat-fish. Anar- rhichas vomerinns Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 99, pi. xviii, fig. 1. Frequent in the deep waters and approaching the shore, particularly in winter.

53. Anarrhichas minor Olafsen. Spotted Cat-fish, Leopard- fish. Anarrhichas minor Streenstrup, Vidensk. Meddel. Naturh. Fo- ren. Kjobenhavn, 187G. This well marked species occurs both along the shores and in the deep water. The Fish Commission has speci- mens from off the mouth of Gloucester Harbor and from Eastport, Maine.

54. Anarrhichas latifrons Streenstrup & Hallg. Blue Cat- fish. Anarrhichas latifrons Streenstrup, op. cit. Lycichthys latifrons Gill, in Baird's Annual Record of Science and Industry for 1876. A resident of the deep waters in 200 to 400 fathoms on the off-shore banks. Many specimens have been received from the halibut schoon- ers.

Family BATRACHID^.

55. Batrachus tau Linnceus. Toad-fish, Batrachus tau Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 105, pi. xix, figs. 1 and 2. In the collec- tion of the Boston Society of Natural History is a specimen. No. 494, labelled "Massachusetts Bay." The Fish Commission has collected no specimens north of Cape Cod.

Family CYCLOPTERIDiE.

56. Cyclopterus lumpus Linnaeus. Lump-fish. Lumpus anglo- rum Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 208, pi. xxxii, fig. 2. Frequently taken in winter ; the young are often seen swimming at the surface in summer. A northern fish.

12

57. Eumicrotremus spinosus (Fabricius) Gill. Spiny Lump- fish. Lumpus spinosits Storer, Syn. Fish. N. A., 1846, p. 230. Cy- clopterus spinosus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iii, 1861, p. 157. Dis- covered by tlie U. S. Fish Commission in the deep water of Massa- chusetts Bay. Previously known only from Greenland.

Family LIPARIDID^.

58. Liparis vulgaris Fleming. Striped Lump-sucker. Liparis vulgaris Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iii, 1861, p. 169; Putnam, Proc. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1874, p. 335. A resident of rocky bot- toms among the roots of the kelp (Laminaria saccharina). Mr. J. H. Sears was the first to discover this species in the vicinity of Salem, or indeed in New England, collecting several specimens among the kelp near Baker's Island, in six feet of water.

59. Liparis Montagui Donovan. Dark Lump-sucker. Liparis Sp. allied to L. arctica Putnam, in Storer's Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 280. Liparis Montagui Putnam, Proc. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1874, p. 335. With the preceding species, but less frequent. Putnam, in his papers quoted above, refers to specimens collected by Mr. Alexan- der and himself at Salem and Nahant.

60. Liparis ranula Goode & Bean. Proc. U. S. National Mus., ii, 1879. A single specimen was trawled by the U. S. Fish Commission off Chebucto Head, N. S., at a depth of fifty-two fathoms.

Family TRIGLID^.

61. Prionotus evolans {Linn.) Gill. Striped Sea-robin. Prio- notus lineatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 16, pi. v, fig. 4. This species is included with a query in a notice of several fishes of rare occurrence, by Dr. Henry Wheatland, in the Journal of the Essex Co. Natural History Society, 1852, p. 124. Its occurrence north of Cape Cod is still unconfirmed.

62. Prionotus carolinus {Linn.) Cuv. & Val. Web-fingered Sea-robin. Prionotus pahnipes Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 18, pi. V, fig. 1. Storer records the capture of this species at Green Island and Phillips' Point, Lynn. Specimens from Salem are in the museum of the Essex Institute. We have examined the supposed type of P. pilatus Storer, in the museum of the Boston Society of Natural History. It appears to be identical with P. punctatus, but the origin of the specimen is somewhat doubtful.

Family AGONIDiE.

63. Aspidophoroides monopterygius Block., Storer. Green-

13

LANDER. Aspidophoroides monopterygius Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1855, p. 148; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 32, pi. viii, fig. 1. An arctic species, occurring in great abundance in the deeper parts of the bay, and even as far south as Watch Hill, R. I. Storer had speci- mens from the stomachs of haddock, taken in Massachusetts Bay.

Family COTTID^.

64. Cottus oetodecimspinosTis Mitchill. Sculpin, Toad-fish. Acanthocottus virginianus Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1855, p. 148; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 28, pi. iv, fig. 2. A common resi- dent species.

65. Cottus scorpius Linn. Norway Sculpin. Cottus scorpius Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, p. 158. In an unpublished memoir Dr. Bean has demonstrated the occurrence of this species in Maine.

66. Cottus scorpius L. subsp. grcEnlandicus. "Daddy Scul- PIN," "Grubby," Greknland Sculpin. Acanthocottus variabilis Put- nam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1855, p. 148; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 26, pi iv, fig. 1. A very common resident of the bays, particularly in winter.

67. Cottus seneus (Mitchill) Cuv. & Val. Pigmy Sculpix, "Grubby." Cottus ceneus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc, N. Y., 1815, p. 381 ; DeKay, Zool. N. Y., Fishes, 1842, p. 52. (Not figure.) A common resident of shallow water. The Essex Institute has a speci- men collected at Gloucester, May, 1859, by G H. Price, labelled " C. Groenlandicus young," also from Salem, 1859, collected by Caleb Cooke.

68. Uranidea gracilis (Heckel) Gill. River Bull-head. Cot- tus gracilis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 24, pi. iv, fig. 3. This species occurs in the streams of eastern New England, and doubtless in Essex County, though we have no record of its capture within its limits.

69. Centridermichthys uncinatus {Beinh.) Giinther. Hook- eared Sculpix. Centridermichthys uncinatus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, 1860, p. 172. A species very abundant in the deepest parts of the bay.

70. Triglops Pingelii Beinh. Mailed Sculpix. Triglops Pin- gelii Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, 1860, p. 173. Triglops pleura- stictus Cope. Occasionally taken in company with the preceding. An arctic species.

Family HEMITRIPTERID^.

71. Hemitripterus americanus CGmel.) Storer. Sea-raven. Hemitripterus acadianus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 35, pi. vii, fig. 4. Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1855, p. 148. Common in deep

14

water approaching the shores. Putnam records it from deep water in Salera Harbor.

Family SCORP^NID^.

72. Sebastes marinus (Linnaeus) Lutken. Red-fish, "Snapper." iSebastes norvegicus Putnam, Proc. Essex, lust,, i, 1855, p. 148; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 38, pi. vii, fig. 1. Common in summer in the deeper parts of the bay, where it appears to breed. Approaches the shore in winter. Putnam records it from Salem Harbor. Certain Scandinavian naturalists recognize two North Atlantic species in this genus, S. marinus (or norvegicus) and 8. viviparus. Those which have come to our notice correspond most nearly with the former. The lat- ter appears to be a dwarf form inhabiting some of the fiords of Nor- way, and is considered by Collett and others to be a geographical race.

Family LABRID^.

73. Tautoga onitis {Linnczus) Gilnther. Tautog. Tautoga americana Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 110, pi. xx, fig. 2. Abun- dant in many localities, near rocky ledges and points.

74. Tautogolabrus adspersus {Walb.) Gill. Gunner, Perch. Ctenolahrus ceruleus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 108, pi. xx, fig. 1. Common everywhere in shallow water and in harbors. Called ♦'Nipper" at Salem.

Family XIPHIID^.

75. Xiphias gladius Linnceus. Sword-fish. Xiphias gladius Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 71, pi. xiii, fig. 2. Abundant along the coast in summer, occasionally coming near the shores.

Family TRICHIURID^.

76. Trichiurus lepturus Linn. Scabbard Fish. Trichiurus lepturus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 69, pi. xii, fig. 1. Storer records the capture of this species at Wellfleet, in the summer of 1845. A specimen labelled "Salem Harbor," is in the museum of the Essex Institute. We are unable to learn the date of its capture.

Family SCOMBRID^.

77. Scomber scombrus Linn. Mackerel. Scomber vernalis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 54, pi. xi, fig. 2; Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., 1856, i, p. 201. Visit the coast of New England yearly in enormous schools, appearing in Massachusetts Bay in May, where,

15

after spawning, tliey remain until October or November, are occasionally taken in the winter.

78. Scomber DeKayi Store7'. Chub-mackerel, " Thimble-eye." Scomber DeKayi Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 52, pi. xi, fig. 1. This species was once very abundant, especially from 1814 to 1825, but appears now to have become extinct in our waters. Specimens are much desired by naturalists. It is probably identical with one of the European species, perhaps S. pneximatophorus.

79. Sardapelamys (Linu.) Otfy. Bonito. Pelamyssarda ^ior^r, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 63, pi. xi, fig. 5. A summer visitor about Cape Cod, appearing in great schools in company with the Blue-fish.

80. Orcynus thynnus '{Linn.) Goode. Horse Mackerel. Thynnus secundidorsalis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. Qo, pi. xii, fig. 4. The Horse Mackerel, barracouta, or albicore is of late years a common summer visitor. In 1878 Capt. Henry Webb killed thirty- seven monsters of this species at his weir on Milk Island. A specimen, now preserved in the Essex Institute, was stranded on the flats of North River, Salem, Aug. 23, 1846. Its length was nine feet, six inches. Another specimen, weighing 775 pounds, stranded on the beach at Beverly, July 29, 1877.

81. Orcymis alliteratus (i?a/.) Gill. Little Tunny. Thynnus thunnina GUnther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, 1860, p. 364. This species has lately made its appearance on our coast in summer. We are not aware that any have yet been taken in Massachusetts Bay, but they are certain to be found at no distant period.

82. Orcynus pelamys (Linn.) Pop?/. Oceanic Bonito. Thynmis pelamys Giiuther, Cat. Fi;<h. Brit. Mus., ii, 1860, p. 364. Orcynus pelamys Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. National Museum, 1878, p. 24. A single individual of this European species was obtained at Province- town in 1800, by Mr. J. H. Blake, and many have since been found to visit the Vineyard Sound.

83. Orcynus alatunga {Linn.) Gill. Long-finned Tunny. Thynnus alalonga Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, 1860. p. 366. A specimen was obtained by Capt. William Thompson, of the schooner "Magic," of Gloucester, in the summer of 1878, on Bauquereau, on a trawl, at a depth of 300 fathoms.

84. Orcynus argentivittatus {Cuv. & Val.) Goode. Frosted Bonito. Thynnus argentivittatus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, p. 366. Three or four specimens of a large Orcynus, received from the New England coast, are provisionally referred to this species.

85. Cybium maculatum Cuv. Spanish Mackerel. Cybium maculatiim Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 68, pi. xiii, fig. 1. Storer records the capture of an individual of this species at Lynn, July 24, 1841, and states that specimens were obtained at Province-

16

town in August, 1817, and by Captain Atwood. at Monhegan Island in Maine.

Family CARANGID^.

86. Carangus hippos (Linn.) Gill. Crkvall^. Caranx defen- sor DeKay, Zool. of N. Y. Fishes, 1835, p. 120, pi. xxiv, fig. 72. Wheatland, Journ. Essex Co. Nat. Hist. Soc:, 1852, p. 124. A spec- imen about eighteen inches in length was taken at Lynn Beach by Joseph True and its stuffed skin is preserved by the Essex Institute. This is the only instance of its occurrence north of Cape Cod.

87. Paratractuspisquetus (Cwy. and FaZ.) ^i"^^- Jack, Yellow Crevall6. ? Caranx chrysos Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 75, pi. xiv, fig. 3. This species, cited by Storer, 1. c, as C. chrysos, is, un- doubtedly, P. pisquetus, judging from the forty-eight plates in the lat- eral line. He had seen a single individual from one of the bridges between Boston and Charlestown. Capt. Atwood found Storer's C. chj-ysos occasionally at Provincetown. A single individual was taken in a net off Gloucester, Sept. 18, 1878.

88. Argyriosna Yom.er (Linn.) Ciiv. & Val. Dollar-fish. Ar- gyriosus unimaculatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 78, pi. xiv, fig. 2. The Peabody Academy has specimens collected by A. F. Gray at Danvers, Aug. 26, 1876, and in North River, Salem, 1876, by J. W. Kingsley. The Fish Commission obtained several specimens from Magnolia and Gloucester, in 1878, and the species has since been obtained at Halifax, N. S., by Mr. J. Matthew Jones.

89. Seriola zonata {Mltchill) Cuv. arid Val. Banded Rudder- fish. Seriola zonata Storer, Hist Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 79, pi. xv, fig. 5. Halatractus zonatus Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1862, p. 442. Storer records two specimens taken in the harbor of Wellfleet, one in August, 1844, and one in November, 1849. Capt. Atwood, in 1856, records its occasional occurrence at Provincetown. In the museum of the Essex Institute are two specimens, one from Beverly, taken by Samuel Porter, May 16, 1866; another from North River, Salem, taken by S. F. Goldthwaite.

Family STROMATEID^.

90. Palinurichthys pereiformis (Mitch.) Gill. Rudder-fish.

Palinurus pereiformis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 74, pi. xiii, fig. 3. The Rudder-fish may usually be found in summer under float- ing spars at sea. The Essex Institute has a specimen from Salem, Aug. 6, 1855.

91. Poronotus triacanthus (Peck) Gill. Butter-fish. Bhom- bus triacanthus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1857, pi. xv, fig. 4. This

17

species is not unusual in summer, occurring even as far north as Halifax, N. S. Specimens from Annapolis, N. S., and from Salem Harbor, are in the Essex Institute collection. At Provincetown, according to Capt. Atwood, it is very common, and is known as the *' Sheepshead." Storer had it from Boston.

Family ZENIDJE.

92. Zenopsis oceUatus (Storer) Gill. Dory. Zeus ocellatus Storer, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vi, 1858, p. 385; Putnam in Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 279. Zenopsis ocellatus Gill., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Fhila., vi, p. 888. A single individual was obtained at Provincetown, by Capt. N. E. Atwood, which is preserved in the col- lection of the Boston Society of Natural History— the only specimen of the species. For 92a see p. 31.

Family SCI^NID^.

93. Cynoscion regalis (Block.) Gill. Squeteague, Weak-fish. Otolithus regalis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1857, p. 44, pi. ix, fig. 1. This species rarely passes to the north of Cape Cod, but, in 1878, three individuals were taken in the weir at Milk Island, Cape Ann.

94. Pogonias cromis (Linn.) Cuvier. Drum. Pogonias chromis GUnther, Cat. Fishes E. Coast, N. A., ii, 1860, p. 270. One or two individuals of this southern species have been observed at Province- town.

95. Menticirrusnebulosus (xVzYc/i.) G'iZZ. King-fish. Umhrina nebulosa Putnam, Proc. Essex lust., i, 1856, p. 201 ; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 46, pi. ix, fig. 4. Storer records four specimens, one from a lobster pot at Boston Lighthouse, taken previous to 1833 ; one from Lynn, 1840 ; and two from Provincetown, July, 1846 and Nov., 1847, in mackerel nets. The Salem Collection includes two specimens : one, eight inches loug, taken off Marblehead Light, Oct. 15, 1872, by J. P. Haskell ; another, six and one-half inches long, taken at Spite Bridge, Danvers, Oct. 28, 1874. No others are recorded from north of Cape Cod.

Family SPARID^.

96. Stenotomus argyrops (Linn.) Gill. Scuppaug, Scup. Pagrus argyrops Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1856, p. 201; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 49, pi. x, fig. 3. This species, formerly, rarely passed the boundary of Cape Cod; in 1878, however, thirty- seven were taken at the Milk Island, Weirs, and they appear to be in- creasing in abundance.

ESSEX INST. BULLETIN. XI 2

18

This species does not appear to be indigenous north of Cape Cod. Storer gives the following account of its introduction: "Mr. James Newcomb, fishmonger, in the Boston market, informs me that, in the year 1831 or 1832, a smack-load of Scapaugs arrived in Boston Harbor. A portion of them were purchased by subscription among the fishermen in the market, and thrown into the harbor. The next season two specimens were caught from our wharves; in the summer of 1835, one individual was taken at Nahant, and was considered a very strange fish, no specimen having been known to have been seen there before ; in 1836, still another was captured at Nahant. As no specimen had ever been taken so far north before, and as the few taken would lead to the inference that those which had been transplanted from Buzzard's Bay had not bred in the cold waters of this portion of Massachusetts Bay, we are led to believe that the individuals taken immediately around Boston, were of the number originally brought from the south. In the year 1834 or 1835, Capt. Wm. Downes, of Holmes' Hole, car- ried a smack-load of this species from Vineyard Sound and threw them overboard in Plymouth Harbor." Op. cit., p. 51. Storer, writ- ing in 1867, says, that "within a few years small numbers have ap- peared north of Cape Cod and are yearly captured at Wellfleet and Sandwich."

Judging from the rare occurrence of the species thus introduced, it can hardly be considered to have become naturalized; the few which have been taken were doubtless summer stragglers. In the Boston Society's Museum is a specimen taken at Swampscott, June 29, 1860, by J. Phillips. In the Salem Museum is another taken in Salem harbor, July 23, 1860, by C. A. Putnam. Scup become abun- dant on the south side of Cape Cod, from the fifth to the twelfth of May, which would allow ample time for the appearance of a part of the school off the eastern coast of Massachusetts, as early as the dates recorded.

Mr. Hinckley, Pres. of Phila., Wilm. & Bait. R. R., informs us that in the winter of 1833 he found a dead scuppaug on the Cohasset shore ; this was its first occurrence in that locality, and none of the fishermen knew it.

In 1856, Capt. Atwood recorded the Scup as very rare at Province- town.

Family CENTRARCHID^.

97. Lepiopomus auritus (Linn.) Eaf. Red-tailed Bream.

Pomotis appendix Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 14, pi. iii, fig. 4. This species occurs in Wenham pond and other bodies of fresh water in Essex County.

98. Eupomotis aureus (Walb.) Gill & Jordan. "Pumpkin

19

Seed." Pond-fish. Pomotis vulgaris Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 12, pi. iii, fig. 1. This species abounds in the fresh water ponds.

99. Enneacanthus obesus (Baird) Gill. Spotted Sun-fish Enneacanthus obesus Jordan, Man. Vertebrates, N. America, 1877, p 245. We notice in the collection of the Essex Institute several speci mens of this little species from Wenham lake, Danvers and Beverly

100. Micropterus pallidus (i?«/.) Gill & Jordan. Black Bass. Huro nigricans DeKay, Zool. of New York Fishes, p. 15, pi. Ixix The Black Bass has been introduced from northern New York into numerous ponds throughout the thickly settled portions of New Eng- land. The allied species, Micropterus achigan, the Small-mouthed Black Bass, has also been placed in the waters of Massachusetts, and is probably found in Essex County.

Family SEREANID^.

101. Centropristris atrarius {Linn.) Bon. Black Sea-bass. Centropristcs varius Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., 1855, p. U-i; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 18G7, p. 10, pi. ii, fig. 4. Four individuals are re- corded from north of Cape Cod; one from Nahant, July 1, 1846, Sto- rer; one from Salem harbor. May 22, 1855, Putnam; one from Bev- erly bar, June 20, 1860; and one from Salem, 1866, Wheatland; the latter two in the museum of the Essex Institute.

Family PERCID^.

102. Perca fluviatilis Zr. Pond Perch. Perca flavescejis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 4, pi. ii, fig. 1. Abundant everywhere in ponds and streams.

Family ETHEOSTOMATID^.

103. Boloeosoma Olmstedi {Storer) Ag. Stoker's Darter. Etheostoma Olmstedi Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 30, pi. iv, fig. 1. Probably occurs in the small streams of the country.

104. Boleichthys fusiformis {Girard) Jordan. Red-sided Darter. Boleichthys fusiformis Jordan, Manual Vertebrates, N. A., 1876, p. 228. This species was described from Charles river. The Essex Institute has specimens from a small brook of Melrose pond, collected May 12, 1860 ; from Wenham lake and Newhall's crossing.

Family LABRACID^.

105. Roccus lineatus {Schn.) Gill. Striped Bass. Labrax lin- eatus Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., i, 1855, p. 144. Storer, Hist. Fish.

20

Mass., 1867, p. 6, pi. i, fig. 4. This species is a common resident, pen- etrating far up the larger rivers.

106. Morone americana ((rmeZ.) (ti7Z. White Perch. Lahrax rufus Putnam, Proc. Essex Inst., 1, 1855, p. 144; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 9, pi. i, fig. 1. Common in brackish water, at the mouths of rivers, and in ponds to which the sea has access, sometimes becoming land-locked.

The Essex lusitute has specimens from Floating Bridge pond, Sa- lem, and from Flax pond, Lynn.

Family POMATOMID^.

107. Pomatomus saltatrix {_Linn.) Gill. Blue-fish. Temno- don saUator Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 81, pi. xv, fig. 1. The Blue-fish is an abundant summer resident, appearing in May or June, and departing in October. For a full account of their periods of ab- sence from the coast, and abundance, see Professor Baird's essay on the subject, in his first report as Commissioner of Fisheries.

Family PRIACANTHIDiE.

108. Pseudopriacantlms altus Gill. Big Eye. Priacanthus alius Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1863, p. 332 ; Putnam in Storer's Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 278. A specimen of this species was taken at Marblehead beach, Sept. 3, 1859, by Miss Mary Nichols, of Salem, and is preserved in the museum of the Essex Institute.

Family AMMODYTID^.

109. Ammodytes americanus DeKay. Sand-eel, Lant. Am- modytes americanus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 216, pi. xxxiii, fig. 2. A common species, especially abundant about Cape Cod, bur- rowing in the sand shoals. A favorite food of the cod and other pre- daceous species.

110. Ammodytes dubius BMt. This species is inserted on the authority of Dr. Giinther, who identified with it specimens from Bos- ton, Mass.

Family ECHENEID^.

111. Echeneis naucrateoides {Zuieiv.) Gill. White-talled Remora, "Sucker." Echends albicauda Wheatland, Proc. Essex Co. Nat. Hist. Soc, 1852, p. 124; Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 210, pi. xxxii, fig. 3. Wheatland refers to a specimen taken at Collins' cove, Aug., 1850. Another was taken at the mouth of the Merrimac river, June, 1870, Putnam.

21

112. Remoropsis brachyptera (Lowe) Gill. Swokd-fish Sucker. Echeneis quatuordecemlaminatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 212, pi. xxxii, fig. 4. A parasite of the sword-fish (Xiphias gladius) and not iinfrequently accompanying that species into Massa- chusetts Bay. We have seen specimens from Newfoundland.

113. Remora jaeobsea Lowe (Gill). A specimen labelled ''Eche- neis remora," taken in Salem harbor, is in the museum of the Essex Institute. It should be examined carefully before this species is per- manently placed on the Massachusetts Bay list, though it is quite pos- sible that an individual may have found its way to Salem, clinging to the bottom of some vessel from a southern port.

Family ATHERINID^.

114. Chirostoma notatum (Mitch.) Gill. Silversides, Sand- smelt. Atherina notata Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 87, pi. xvi, fig. 1. Abundant in summer, in large schools in the shallow bays, where they breed freely.

Family MUGILID^.

115. Mugil brasiliensis Agassiz. Striped Mullet. 3Iugil line- atiis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 39, pi. xvi, fig. 4. Storer re- cords the capture of a single individual at Provincetown in November, 1851.

Sub-order SYNENTOGNATHL Family BELONID^.

116. Belone longirostris (Mitch.) Gill. Belone truncata Sto- rer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 18G7, p. 136, pi. xxiv, fig. 3. Occasionally as- cending rivers far above tide water.

Family SCOMBRESOCID^.

117. Scombresox saurus (Walh.) Flem. "Bill-fish," Skip- jack. Scomberesox storeri Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 137, pi. xxiv, fig. 4. Schools of this remarkable species are occasionally seen in the autumn. The Essex Institute has specimens collected in Mas- sachusetts Bay, Oct., 1855, by C. F. Bobbins, and J. Chad wick. Capt. Hurlbert has seen them as far north as Monhegan Island, Maine. Putnam has recorded the occurrence of Hemirhamphus sp. in Danvers Mill Pond.

Sub-order HAPLOML Family CYPRINODONTIDiE.

118. Hydrargyra majalis (Walh.) Val. Banded Mummichog, "Bass Fry," "Yellow Tail." Hydrargyra Jlavula Storer, Hist. Fish.

22

Mass., 1867, p. 131, pi. xxiii, fig. 5, male; fig. 6, female. Common in brackish water. The Essex Institute has specimens one-fourth to one-third of an inch in length, collected in South Mill Pond, June 19, 1859, by R. H. Wheatland.

119. Fundulus pisculentus {Mitch.) Cuv. & Val.. Minnow, MuMMiCHOG, "Cobbler." Fundulus pisculentus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 128, pi. xxiii, fig. 3, male; fig, 4, female. Common everywhere in brackish water.

120. Fundulus nigrofasciatus (Zes.) Cuv. & Val. Ficndulus nigrofasciatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 129, pi. xxiii, fig. 1. Storer records this species from fresh ponds, Cambridge. It has not been studied by us.

121. Fundulus multifasciatus {Les.) Cuv. & Val. Barred Min- now. Fundulus multifasciatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 130, pi. xxiii, fig. 2. Storer speaks of having specimens from Con- cord and Lowell. A specimen from "Wenham lake in the museum of the Essex Institute agrees with his description. The species has not been studied by us.

Family ESOCID^.

122. Esox reticulatus Les. Pickerel, "Federation Pike." Fsox reticulatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 133, pi. xxiv, fig. 2. Common everywhere in ponds and large streams.

123. Esox americanus Gmelin. Brook Pickerel. Esox orna- tus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 135, pi. xxiv, fig. 2. Not un- common in the brooks and ponds. The Essex Institute has specimens from Wenham lake.

Sub-order ISOSPONDYLI. Family CHAULIODONTID^.

124. Chauliodus Sloanei Schneider. Chauliodus. Chauliodus Sloanei Giiuther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., p. 392. A specimen of this spe- cies was taken from the stomach of a cod-fish on George's banks by a Gloucester fisherman and presented to the Essex Institute, June 3, 1874, by Procter Brothers, of Gloucester.

Family SCOPELID^.

125. Scopelus gemmifer Goode & Bean. Scopelus gemmifer Goode & Bean, MS.

126. Scopelus speculiger Goode & Bean. Scopelus speculiger Goode & Bean, MS. Specimens of the two undescribed species named above were brought in by several vessels of the Gloucester halibut fleet.

23

127. Scopelus Humboldtii. Dr. Storer mentions eight speci- mens irlentified by him with this species, one from Nahant and nine from Provincetowu.

Family STOMIATID^.

128. EcMostoma barbatum Lowe. A single individual of this species was received recently from one of the Gloucester fleet. It differs somewhat from Dr. Giinther's, but agrees with Lowe's descrip- tion. E. barbatum has been recorded only from Madeira.

129. Malacosteus niger Ayres. Malacosteus niger Ayres, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., 1849, p. 53; Giiuther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., v., 1864, p. 428. A single specimen eight and one-half inches long is known. This was the type of Dr. Ayres' description ; it was picked up at sea in lat. 42 degrees N., and long. 50 degrees W.

Family MICROSTOMID^.

130. Argentina syrtensium Goode & Bean. Western Argen- tine. Argentina syrtensium Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., i, 1878, p. 261. A single individual was taken from the stomach of a hali- but on LeHave bank, in September, 1878.

131. Osmerus mordax (Mitch.) Gill. Smelt. Osmerus virides- cens Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 149, pi. xxiv, fig. 4. Abundant in the fall and winter, entering brackish water for the purpose of spawning. This species is well separated from 0. eperlanus by its smaller scales. Mallotus villosus has not been recorded south of Hali- fax, N. S.

Family SALMONID^.

132. Salmo salar Linn. Salmon. Salmo salar Storer, Hist. 1867, p. 142, pi. XXV, fig. 2. At one time abundant in the rivers of Massachusetts and now being restored artificially. Enters the rivers in midsummer and spawns in November. Salmo salar subsp. sebago^ the Land-locked Salmon, has been extensively introduced into the waters of the State.

133. Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill) Gill & Jordan. Speckled Trout. Salmo fontinalis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 144, pi. XXV, fig. 3. A resident of the brooks, some individuals entering the sea in summer.

Family ALEPIDOSAURID^.

134. Alepidosanrus ferox Lowe. Lancet-mouth. Alepido- sauriis ferox Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., v, 1864, p. 421. Many

24

specimens are taken by the cod and halibut schooners on George's and other fishing banks at the depth of 80 to 400 fathoms.

Family ALEPOCEPHALID^.

135. Alepocephalus Bairdii Goode & Bean. Proc. U. S. National Museum, ii, 1879. Baird's Alepocephalus. A single specimen about two feet long was taken by one of the Gloucester fishing vessels on the ofi"-shore banks. Other genera of this family have recently been described from the abyssal faunae of the mid-Atlantic and Pacific. The genus Alepocephalus has heretofore been known only from the Mediterranean.

Family CLUPEID^.

136. Clupea harengus Linncens. Herring. Clupea elongata Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 152, pi. xxvi, fig. 1. The herring schools make their appearance in October and November. They spawn near the shores in November and December and on George's banks later in the winter.

137. Alosa sapidissima (Wilson) Storer. Shad. Alosa prces- tabilis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 154, pi. xxvi, fig. 2. Shad enter the rivers in May in large schools for the purpose of spawning. They are often taken at sea in the fall. The Essex Institute has a specimen from Salem harbor.

138. Pomolobus vernalis {Mitch.) Goode & Bean. Alewife. Alosa tyrannns Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., p. 156, pi. xxvi, fig. 3. Po- molobus psendoharengus Gill (in part). The ale wives enter the rivers with the shad in spring. They frequent the coasts in large schools in summer, and some of them perhaps spawn at sea.

139. Pomolobus sestivaHs {Mitch.) Goode & Bean. Blue Back, Kyack. Alosa cyanonoton Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., p. 161, pi. xxvii, fig. 1. Pomolobus psendoharengus Gill (in part). This species, which much resembles the preceding, from which it may be distinguished by its smaller eyes, lower fins, and black lining of the abdominal cavity, does not make its appearance until late spring and early summer.

140. Pomolobus mediocris {Mitch.) Gill. Hickory Shad. Alosa lineata Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867. p. 162, pi. xxvii, fig. 2. Capt. Atwood and Dr. Storer speak of this fish as abundant at Prov- incetown, and it doubtless occurs at the Essex County side of the bay. It is easily distinguished from the common alewife by its projecting under jaw.

141. Brevoortia tyrannus {Latrobe) Goode. Menhaden, Pogy. Alosa menhaden Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 158, pi. xxvi, fig. 4. A common summer visitor, appearing in enormous schools in May and

25

departing in October and early November. Immense quantities are seined for the oil and guano factories on the coast of Maine and at Provincetown. The Essex Institute has specimens of young, three and one-half inches long, taken at Spite bridge, Danvers, Oct. 28, 1874, interesting from the fact that few young of this species have been observed north of Cape Cod.

Family ENGRAULIDID^.

142. Engraulis vittatus (3IUchill) Baird & Girard. Anchovy. EngrauUs vittatus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 163, pi. xxvii, fig. 3. Storer records the capture of a single specimen at Provincetown, in November, 1852.

Sub-order EVENTOGNATHL Family CATOSTOMIDiE.

143. Catostomus teres (Mitch.) Les. Sucker. Catostomus bostoniensis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 124, pi. xxii, fig. 3. Very common in all fresh waters of Massachusetts.

144. Erimyzon sucetta (Les.) Jordan. Chub-sucker. Ca- tostomus gibbosus Storer, Hist. Fish. 1367, p. 124, pi. xxii, fig. 4. Com- mon in fresh water; the Essex Institute has specimens from Miles river, Wenham.

Family CYPRINID^.

145. Carassius auratus (Linn.) Bleeker. Gold-fish. Cypri- nus auratus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 115, pi. xxi, fig. 1. This species was introduced many years ago from China. Storer, writing in 1867, remarked "It thrives in quite a number of ponds in the neighborhood of Boston, connected with country seats, bearing well the rigors of our winter, and breeding freely." The Essex Insti- tute has specimens from a pond in Salem.

146. Luxilus cornutus (Mitch.) Jordan. Eed-fix. Hypsolepis cornutus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 118, pi. xxi, fig. 3. Com- mon in streams; the Essex Institute has specimens from Wenham lake, and from the Merrimac river at Andover.

147. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitch.) Jordan. Shiner. Leucosomus americanus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 117, pi. xxi, fig. 2. Very common in ponds throughout New England. The Es- sex Institute has specimens from Wenham lake.

148. Semotilus buUaris (Eaf.) Jordan. Roach, "Dace." Chilonemus pulchellus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 120, pi. xxii,

26

fig. 2. Not uncommon in fresh water. The Essex Institute has speci- mens from Wenham lake.

149. Rhinichthys atronasus {Mitch.) Ag. Black-nosed Dace. Argyreus atronasus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 122, pi. xxi, fig. 4. Common in brooklets everywhere in Massachusetts. The Essex Institute has specimens from Groveland.

Order NEMATO GN ATHI.

Family SILURID^.

150. Amiurus catus {Linn.) Gill. "Bull- head," Horned Pout. Pimelodus atrarius Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 118, pi. xx, fig. 3. Common in quiet ponds everywhere.

Order APODES. Family CONGRID^.

151. Conger vidgaris Cuv. Conger Eel. Conger eels and their curious transparent young — "phantom fish" — are occasionally seen. The museum of the Essex Institute has a specimen of the lar- val form of the so-called Leptocephalus, collected at Nahant beach, July 22, 1858, by Caleb Cooke.

Family ANGUILLID^.

152. Anguilla vulgaris Turton. Eel. Anguilla hostoniensis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 214, pi. xxxiii, fig. 1. Eels are common in both fresh and salt water. They are supposed to descend to the sea in the fall for the purpose of spawning.

Family NEMICHTHYIDJE.

153. Nemichthys scolopaceus Puchardson. Snipe-eel. Ne- michthys scolopaceus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p. 21. Two specimens of this remarkable eel-like fish have been obtained from the stomachs of fishes on George's banks.

Family SYNAPHOBRANCHID^.

154. Synaphobranclms pinnatus {Gronow) Giinther. Twin- GiLLED Eel. Synaphohranchiis pinnatus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p. 23. A common resident of the deep waters of the oflf-shore banks in 200 to 300 fathoms, where individuals are often taken on the fishermen's trawl-lines.

27

Family SACCOPHARYNGIDJE.

155. Saccopharynx flagellum Mitchill. Gulper. Saccopha- rijnx flagellum Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Museum, viii, 1870, p. 22. A deep-sea fish. MitchiU's specimen was taken in latitude 52 degrees N. ; long. 30 degrees W.

Family SIMENCHELYID^.

156. Simenchelys parasiticus Gill. MS. Pug-nosed Eel.

Several specimens of an undescribed eel-like fish were obtained on the halibut trawls, on the oflF-shore banks. This strange form has much of the physiognomy of a Carapus (Gymnotiis), and has a short, blunt snout, but is a true Apodal and has an eel-like tail. The bran- chial apertures are short longitudinal slits on each side of the throat below the pectorals, which are well developed; the dorsal commences about a head's length behind the pectorals ; the anal considerably in advance of the second half of the total length. The skin has scales like those of Anguilla, linear, scattered, and disposed at right angles to each other. The head is very short ; the preraaxillaries and maxll- laries of each side consolidated into a single piece and separated from that of the opposite side by the ethmoid, and provided with lamelli- form posterior margin and an expanded antero-terminal process; mandible very deep; teeth blunt, uniserial; the operculum sabre- shaped. The type appears to belong to the suborder of Enchely- cephali. The single species (Simenchelys ixirasilicus) is dark brown colored in life, and individuals have been found burrowing into the flesh of the halibut.

Sub-class Oa]¥Oii>x:a. Super-order Clioiidrostei.

Order GLANIOSTOMI.

Family ACIPENSERID^.

157. Acipenser oxyrhynchus Mitchill. Sharp-nosed Stur- geon. Acipenser oxyrhynchus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 237,

.pi. XXXV, fig. 4. Ascending rivers and not unusual along the shores. The Essex Institute has a stufied specimen from the Merrimac, at Lawrence, collected by C. K. Stevens.

158. Acipenser brevirostris Xes?<e?(r. Blunt-nosed Sturgeon. Acipenser hrevirostrum DeKay, Zool. of N. Y., 1842, p. 345. This short- nosed form of the coast sturgeon is represented in the museum of the Essex Institute by a stuffed skin obtained at Rockport, by J. N. Martin.

28

Sub-class £i.ASMOBRA:nrciii:i.

Super-order Holoceptiali. Order HOLOCEPHALI.

Family CHIM^RID^.

159. Chimsera plumbea Gill. Brown Chimera. Chimcera plumhea Gill, Bull. Phil. Soc, Washiugton, 1877. Very common in the deep water on the outer edges of banks north of George's Banks, and often brought in by the Gloucester halibut schooners.

Super-order Plagiostomi.

Order RAI-aE.

Sub-order SAB CUBA:

Family TORPEDINIDiE.

160. Torpedo occidentalis Storer. Cramp-fish. Torpedo occidentaUs Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, pi. 271, pi. xxxix, fig. 5. This species is rarely taken north of Cape Cod. Three or four indi- viduals have been seen in summer on the south side of Cape Ann. One was taken near Lanesville, in 1878.

Family RAIAID^.

161. Kaia granulata GUI. MS. A remarkable species with back and ventral surface covered with minute sharp granular ossifica- tions obtained by Capt. Joseph W. Collins on Le Have Bank. A spe- cies of the same type as B. kevis, and having 30-31 teeth on each side ; the back granulated and slate-colored; the ventrals distinguished by reticulate markings, and the claspers slender and scarcely expanded.

162. Baia erinacea 3IUchill. Clear-xosed Skate. Baia dia- plianes Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1367, p. 264, pi. 39, fig, 1. Abundant in the waters of Massachusetts bay at a depth in summer of twenty- five or thirty fathoms.

163. Haia radiata Donovan. Not uncommon in company with the preceding.

164. Haia eglanteria Lacepede. Occasionally captured in com- pany with the preceding ; a more southern species.

165. Kaia Isevis MitcMll. Barn-door Skate. Baia loivis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 266, pi. xxxix, fig. 2. Frequently taken in deep water.

29

166. Eaia ocellata MitcMll. Spotted Skate. Two or three individuals were collected by the U. S. Fish Commission in 1878. This species is very abundant in shallow water at Portland, Me.

Family TRYGONID^.

167. Trygon centrura {Mitch.) Gill. Stingaree. Pastinaca has- lata Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 268, pi. xxxiv, fig. 3. This species has not been observed north of Cape Cod, but we are in- formed by Capt. R. H. Hurlbert, of Gloucester, an accurate observer, that they are sometimes taken on the George's Banks.

Order SQUALL Family LAMNID^.

168. Lamna cornubica {Gmel.) Flem. Porbeagle, Mackerel Shark. Lamna cornubica Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p. 389. A young individual, agreeing with the description of this species by European authors, was taken off Gloucester, in Oct., 1878.

169. Carcharodon Atwoodi {Storer) Gill. Man-eater Shark. Carcharias Atwoodi Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 246, pi. xxxvi, fig. 4. The type of this species was obtained at Provincetown. One or two instances of its capture in Massachusetts Bay are on record.

Family CETORHINIDiE.

170. Cetorhinus maximus (Linn.) Blainv. Bone Shark, Gurry Shark. Selachus maximus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 253, pi. xxxvii, fig. 3. This gigantic shark is sometimes encountered by the Gloucester fishermen. Prof. Verrill has recorded^ the occur- rence in the summer of 1870, at Eastport, Me., of three specimens twenty-five to thirty feet in length, and one previously taken in 1868, which measured thirty-five feet. Mitchill writing in 1814, spoke of its occasional occurrence at Provincetown. Storer mentions a specimen measuring thirty feet and three inches, harpooned in Provincetown Harbor, in 1839.

Family ODONTASPIDID^.

171. Eugomphodus littoralis {Mitchill) Gill. Sand Shark. Carcharias griseus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 241, pi. xxxvi, fig. 1. Capt. Atwood records this species as very abundant at Prov- incetown, in 1856, and it doubtless is found in other parts of the bay.

2 Bulletin Essex Institute, III, p. 6.

30

* Family ALOPECIIDiE.

172. Alopias vulpes {Linn.) Bon, Swingle-tail, Thrasher Shark. Carcharias vulpes Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 245, pi. xxxvi, fig. 3. Several "Swingle-tails," have been taken within the past ten years, between Boston and Gloucester.

Family SPHYRXID^.

173. Sphyrna zygaena (Linn.) Mull. & Henle. Hammer-head Shark. Zygaena malleus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 262, pi. xxxviii, fig. 3. According to Captain Atwood, the hammer-head is "seldom seen" at Provincetown.

174. Eulamia obscura (LeSueur). Dusky Shark. A "blue shark" is recognized by the fishermen of Massachusetts Bay, which is probably either this species or F. Milherti.

Family GALEOEHINIDiE.

175. "Prionodon lamia" Putnam. Bull. Essex Inst., vi, 1874, p. 72. This species, was provisionally identified by Prof. Putnam from a tooth obtained on St. Peter's Bank belonging to a fish esti- mated to have been at least thirteen feet in length.

176. Mustelus canis {Mitch.) DeKay. Smooth Dog-fish. Mns- telus canis Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 251, pi. xxxvii, figs. 2, 2a. This species is not unusual about Provincetown in summer, and is occasionally taken in other parts of the bay. The Essex Institute has young specimens taken ofi" the Central wharf, Salem, in 1856.

Family SPINACID^.

177. Squalus acanthias Linn. Dog-fish. Acanthias ameri- canus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 256, pi. xxxviii, fig. 1, la. Common everywhere in summer, coming up on the fishing grounds in immense schools and very annoying to fishermen.

178. Centroscylliiun Fabricii {Rein.) Mull. & Henle. Green- land Dog-fish. Centroscylliuni fabricii, Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p. 425. Common on the off-shore banks in company with Centroscymnus.

179. Centroscymnus coelolepis Socage & Capello. Black Dog-fish. Centrophorus coelolepis Giinther, Catalogue Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p. 423. This species is abundant on the off-shore banks, at the depth of 200 fathoms and more. It is ovoviviparous like Squalus.

31

Family ECHINORHINID^.

180. Echinorhinus spinosus {Gmel.") Blainville. Spinous Shark. Echinorhinus spinosus Giiuther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p. 428. A single specimen of this species, the first seen in Amer- ica, drifted ashore at Provincetown in December, 1878.

Family SCYMNID^.

181. Somniosus microcephalus (Bloch.) Gill, Sleeper Shark. Scymnus hrevipinna Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 259, pi. xxxviii, fig. 2. Scymnus hrevipinna was described by Lesueur in 1818 from a stuffed specimen he saw at Marbiehead. Storer mentions a specimen he saw at Marbiehead. Storer mentions a specimen taken ofi" Port- land, Me., in 1846, and one at Nahant, as well as three at Province- town, in 1848-9.

Class MARSIPOBRAllCIIII.

Order H YP E R O AR T I A.

Family PETROMYZONTID^.

182. Petromyzon marinus Linn. Lamprey Eel. Fetromyzon americanus Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 1867, p. 275, pi. xxxviii, fig. 4. Occasionally seen, especially in the rivers. The Essex Institute has a specimen found clinging to a pollock in Salem market. May 25, 1858, and also young individuals from Beverly.

Order HYPE ROTRE T A.

Family MYXINID^.

183, Myxine glutinosa Linn. , Hag, Slime-fish. Myxine gluti- nosa Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, p. 510. Occasionally taken in deep water clinging to dead fish. The Fish Commission obtained specimens in the trawl, at 175 fathoms, forty-two miles east of Cape Ann. It was also dredged by Packard and Cooke in the "Bache," in 1873.

ADDENDUIM.

92a. Lampris guttata Behz. Mr. J. Matthew Jones informs us of the capture of this European species near Sable Island, N. S.

32

FATJNAL TABLES

The following species are known to occur in Massachusetts Bay as permanent residents or regular visitants. Those which are found near the shores and on the ordinary fishing grounds, sixty-nine in number, are mentioned in ordinary type ; those which occur in the deeper parts of the Bay and are not ordinarily seen, eighteen in num-

of which only a few specimens have been taken and whose occurrence must be regarded as accidental. Of these there are forty-six species in all, and they are enclosed in brackets.

Melanogrammus aegleflnus.

Phycis tenuis.

Phycis chuss.

Phycis Chesteri.

[Phycis regius.]

Onos {Hhinonemus} cimbrius.

Brosmius brosme.

Merlucius vulgaris.

Lycodes Verrillii.

Zoarces anguillaris.

Cryptacanthodes maculatus.

[Euraesogrammus subbifurca-

tus.] Leptohlennius serpentinus. Leptoclinus aculeattcs. Mursenoides guunellus. Anarrhichas lupus. Anarrhichas minor. [Batrachus tau.] Cyclopterus lumpus. Eumicrotremus spinosus. Liparis vulgaris. Liparis Montagui. [Prionotus evolans.] [Prionotus caroliuus.] Aspidoplioroides monopterygius. Cottus octodecemspinosus. Cottus scorpius groenlandicus. Cottus seneus. Centridermichthys uncinatus.

1.	Lophius piscatorius.	33.
2.	Mola rotunda.	34.
3.	[Cirrisomus turgidus.]	35.
4.	[Balistes capriscus.]	36.
5.	[Alutera Schoepfli.]	37.
6.	[Monacanthus setifer.]	39.
7.	[Hippocampus antiquorum.]	40.
8.	Siphouostoma Peckianum.	41.
9.	Siphonostoma fuscum.	42.
10.	[Centriscus scolopax.]	45.
11.	[Fistularia serrata.]	46.
12.	Gasterosteus aculeatus.	47.
13.	[Gasterosteus trachurus.]
14.	Gasterosteus pungitius.	49.
15.	Apeltes quadracus.	50.
17.	[Achirus lineatus.]	51.
18.	Pleuronectes glaber.	52.
19.	Pseudopleuronectes ameri-	53.
	canus.	55.
20.	Limanda ferruginea.	56.
21.	Glyptocephalus cynoglossus.	57.
22.	Lophopsetta maculata.	58.
23.	Hippoglossoides platessoides.	59.
24.	[Pseudorhombus dentatus.]	61.
25.	[Pseudorhombus oblongus.]	62.
26.	Hippoglossus vulgaris.	63.
29.	Macrurus Bairdii.	64.
30.	Gadus morrhua.	66.
31.	Pollachius carbonarius.	67.
32.	Microgadus tomcodus.	69.

33

70.	TrigJops Pingelii.	118.
71.	Hemitripterus americanus.	119.
72.	Sebastes marinus.	127.
73.	Tautoga americana.	131.
74.	Tautogolabrus adspersus.	132.
75.	Xiphias gladius.	133.
76.	[Tricliiurus lepturus.]	136.
77.	Scomber scorabrus.	137.
78.	[Scomber DeKayi.]	138.
79.	Sarda pelamys.	139.
80.	Orcynus thynnus.	140.
82.	[Orcynus pelamys.]	141.
85.	[Cybium maculatum.]	142.
86.	[Carangns liippos.]	151.
87.	[Paratractus pisquetus.]	152.
88.	[Argyriosus vomer.]	152.
89.	[Seriola zonata.]	157.
90.	Palinurichthys perciformis.	158.
91.	Poronotus triacantbus.	160.
92.	[Zenopsis ocellatus.]	162.
93.	[Cynoscion regalis.]	163.
94.	[Pogouias chromis.]	164.
95.	[Meuticirrus nebulosus.]	165.
96.	[Stenotomus argyrops.]	166.
101.	[Centropristis atrarius.]	168.
105.	Roccus liiieatus.	169.
lOG.	Morone americana.	170.
107.	Pomatomus saltatrix.	171.
108.	[Pseudopriacaiithus altiis.]	172.
109.	Ammodytes americanus.	173.
110.	[Ammodytes dubius.]	174.
111.	[Echeneis naucrateoides.]	176.
112.	Remoropsis brachyptera.	177.
113.	Remora jacobsea.	180.
lU.	Cliirostoma notatura.	181.
115.	[Mugil brasiliensis.]	182.
116.	Beloue longirostris.	183.
117.	Scomberesox scutellatus.

Hydrargyra majalis. Fuudulus pisculentus. [Scopelus Humboldtii?] Osmerus mordax. Sal mo salar. Salveliuus fontinalis. Clupea harengus. Alosa sapidissima. Pomolobus vernalis. Pomolobus aestivalis. Pomolobus mediocris. Brevoortia tyrannus. [Engraulis vittatus.] Conger vulgaris. Anguilla bostoniensis. Auguilla vulgaris. Acipeuser oxyrhynchus. Acipenser brevirostris. [Torpedo occidentalis.] Raia erinacea. Raia radiata. [Raia eglanteria.] Baia Icevis. Raia ocellata. [Lamna cornubica.] [Carcharodou Atwoodi.] [Cetorhlnus maximus.] [^Eugomphodus littoralis.] Alopias vulpes. [Sphyrna zygajna.] [Eulamia obscura.] Mustelus canis. Squalus americanus. [Ecliiuorhinus spinosus.] [Somniosus microcephalus.] Petromyzon marinus. Mi/xine glutinosa.

ESSEX INST. BULL.

34

The following list includes the species known to occur in the fresh and brackish water of Essex County, thirtj^-seveu in number, seven- teen of which, having already been mentioned as inhabitants of the sea, are printed in italics.

€

Esox americanus. Salmo salar.

Salrao salar sebago. Salvelimis fontinalis. Alosa sapidissima. Pomolobiis vernalis. Pomolohus (EStivalis? Brevoortia tyrannus. Catostomus teres. Erimyzon sucetta. Carassius auratus. Luxilus cornutus. Notemigonus chrysoleucus. Semotilus bullaris. Rhinichthys atronasus. Amiurus catus. Anguilla vulgaris, Acipenser oxyrhynchus. Acipenser brevirostris.

14.	Gasterosteus pungitius.	123.
15.	Apeltes quadracus.	182.
32.	Microgadus tomcodus.	132a.
68.	Uranidea gracilis. ,	133.
97.	Lepioporaus auritus.	137.
98.	Eupomotis aureus.	138.
99.	Euneacanthus obesus.	139.
100.	Micropterus pallidus.	141.
100a	,. Micropterus achigan?	143.
102.	Perca fluviatilis.	144.
103.	Boleosoma Olmstedi.	145.
104.	Boleichthys fusiformis.	146.
105.	Boccus Uneatus.	147.
106.	Morone americana.	148.
116.	Belone longirostris.	149.
118.	Hydrargyra majalis.	150.
119.	Fundulus pisculentus.	152.
120.	Fundulus nigrofasciatus.	157.
121.	Fundulus multifasciatus.	158.
122.	Esox reticulatus.

The following list of names, fifty-seven in number, represents the fauna of the off-shore banks. Twenty-eight species, the names of which are given in italics, have already been referred to as occurring in Massachusetts Bay. Hippocampus antiquorum was obtained at the surface. Try g on centrura is a southern straggler to the shoals of George's Banks. The remaining twenty-seven species are found only at sea, at depths of 80 to 400 or 500 fathoms, and in water colder than 38° F. Twenty-nine of the species included in this list have been added to the fauna of New England and Nova Scotia within two years by the labors of the U. S. Fish Commission.

1. Lophius x>iscatorius.

2. 3Iola rotunda.

7. Hippocampus antiquorum.

21. Glyptocephalus cynoglossus.

23. Hippoglossoides platessoides.

26. Hippoglossus vulgaris.

27. Platysomatichthys hippoglos-

soides.

28. Macrurus Fabricii.

29. Macrurus Bairdii.

30. Gadus morrhua.

31. Pollachius carhonarius.

35

34. Phycis chuss. 124.

38. Haloporphyrus viola. 125.

40. Brosmius hrosme. 126.

41. Merlucius hilinearis. 127.

42. Lycodes Verrillii. 128.

43. Lycodes Vahlii. 129.

44. Lycodes paxillus. 130.

52. Anarrhichas lupus. 134.

53. Anarrhichas minor, 135.

54. Anarrhichas latifrons. 136. 60. Liparis raniila. 153.

69. Centridermichthys uncinatus. 154.

70. Triglops Pingelii. 155. 72. Sebastes marinus. 156.

75. Xiphias gladius. 159.

76. Scomber scomhnts. 161.

83. Orcynus alatunga. 165.

84. Orcynus argentivittatus. 167. 90. Palinurichthys perciformis. 175. 92a. Lampris guttata. 177.

109. Ammodytes americanus. 178.

112. Bemoropsis brachyptera. 179.

117. Scombresox saurus. 181.

Chauliodus Sloanei. Scopelus gemmifer. Scopelus speculiger. Scopelus Humboldtii? Echiostoma barbatum. Malacosteus niger. Argentina syrtensium. Alepidosaurus ferox. Alepocephalus Bairdii. Clupea harengus. Nemichthys scolopaceus. Synaphobranchus pinnatus. Saccopliarynx flagellum. Simeuchelys parasiticus. Chiraa3ra plumbea. Eaia granulata. Baia Icevis.

Trygon centrura. (Georges.) Prionodon lamia. Squalus acanthias. Centroscyllium Fabricii. Centroscymnus coelolepis. Sotnniosus microcephalus.

36

IISTDEX.

Note. — The references in this index are to the current numbers of the species. The synonyms, as well as the accepted names, are indexed, and there can be no trouble in making out the names em- ployed by Storer and other early writers on the fishes of New Eng- land.

Acanthias americanns, 178. Acanthocottus variabilis, 66. Acanthocottus virginianus, 64. Achirus lineatus, 17. Achirus mollis, 17. Acipenser brevirostris, 158. Acipenser bvevirostrum, 158. Acipenser oxyrhynchus, 157. Alepidosaurus fevox, 134. Alepocephalas Bairdii, 135. Alopias vulpes, 172. Alosa cyanonoton, 139. Alosa lineata. 110. Alosa menhaden. 141. Alosa prajstabilis, 137. Alosa sapidissima, 137. Alosa tyrannus, 138. Alutera cuspicaiida, 5. Alutera Schoepfii, 5. Aliiteres cuspicauda, 5. Amiurus catiis, 150. Ammodytes americanns, 109. Ammodytes dubiiis, 110. Anarrhichas latifrons, 54. Anarrhichas lupus, 52. Anarrhichas minor. 53. Anarrhichas vomerinus, 52. Anguilla vulgaris, 152. Apeltes quadracus, 15. Argentina syrtensium, 130. Argjn-eus atronasus, 149. Argyriosus unimaculatus, 88. Argyriosus vomer, 88. Aspidophoroides monopterygius, Atherina notata, 114.

Balistcs capriscus, 4. Batrachus tau, .55. Belone longirostris, 116. Belone truncata, 116. Blennius serpentinus, 49. Boleichthys fusiformis, 104. Boleosoma Olmstedi, 103. Brevoortia tyrannus, 141. Brevoortia menhaden, 141. Brosmius brosme, 40. Brosmius flavescens, 40.

Carangus chrysos, 87. Carangus defensor, 86. Carangus hippos, 86. Carangus pisquetus, 87. Carcharias vulpes, 172. Carcharodon Atwoodi, 169. Carassius auratus, 145. Catostomus bostoniensis, 143. Catostomus Conimersonii, 143. Catostomus gibbosus, 144.

Catostomus teres, 143. Centridermichthys uncinatus, 69. Centriscus scolopax, 10. Centrophorus coelolepis, 179. Centropristris atrarius, 101. Centropristris varius. 101. Centroscyllium Fabricii, 178. Centroscymnus coelolepis, 179. Ceratacauthus aurantiacus, 5. Cetorhinus maximus, 170. Chauliodus Sloanei, 124. Cirrisomus turgidus, 3. Chilonemus pulchellus, 148. Chimtera plumbea, 159. Chirostoma notatum, 114. Ciliata argentata, 39. Clupea elongata, 136. Clupea harengus, 136. Conger vulgaris, 151. Cottus aeneus, 67. Cottus gracilis, 68. Cottus groenlandicus, 66. Cottus octodecemspinosus, 64. Cottus scorpius, 65. Cottus scorpius groenlandicus, 66. Cryptacanthodes inornatus, 46. Cryptacanthodes maculatus, 46. Cybium niaculatum, 85. Cyclopterus lumpus, 56. Cyclopterus spinosus, 57. Cynosciou regalis, 93. Cyprinus auratus, 145. Ctenolabrus ceruleus, 74.

Echeneis albicauda. 111. Echeneis naucrateoides. 111. Echeneis quatuordecemlamiuatus, 112. Echeneis remora, 113. Echinorhinus spinosus, ISO. Echiostoma barbatum, 128. Engraulis vittatus, 142. Enneacanthus obesus, 99. Erimyzon sucetta, 144. Esox americanns, 123. Esex reticulatus, 122. Etheostoma Olmstedi, 103. Euchalarodus Putnanii, 18. Eugomphodus littoralis, 171. Eulamia obscura. 174. Eulamia IMilberti, 174. Eumesogrammus subbifurcatus, 47. Eumesogrammus unimaculatus, 48. Eumicrotremus spinosus, 57. Eupomotis aureus, 98.

Fistularia serrata, 11. Fundulus nigrofasciatus, 120. Fundulus pisculenlus, 119.

37

Gadus cimbrius, 39. Gadus morihna, 30. Gasterosteus aculeatus, 12. Gasterosteus aculeatus trachurus, 13. Gasterosteus biaciileatus, 12. Gasterosteus DeKayi, 14. Gasterosteus pungitius, U. Gasterosteus quadracus, 15. Gasterosteus Wheatlandi, 13. Glyplocephalus acadianus, 21. Glyptoeephalus cynoglossus, 21. Gunnellus mucrouatus, 51.

Halatractus zonatus, 89. Haloporphyrus viola, 38. Heuiirhamphus, sp.. 117. Heniitripterus acadianus. 71. Hemitripterus americanus, 71. Hippocampus antiquorum, 7. Hippocampus hudsonius, 7. Hippoglossoides limandoides, 20. Hippoglossoides piatessoides. 21. Hippoglossus grcBiilandicus, 27. Hippoglossus vulgaris, 27. Huro nigricans, 100. Hydrargyra flavula, 118. Hydrargyra majalis, 118. Hypsolepis cornutus, 146.

Labrax lineatus, 105. Labrax rufus, JOG. Lamna cornubica, 168. Lampris guttata, 92a (p. 31). Lepioponius auritus, 97. Leptoblennius serpcntinus, 49. Leptoclinus aculeatus. 50. Leucosomus americanus, 147. Limanda I'errnginea, 20. Liparis arctica, 59. Liparis Montagui, 59. Liparis ran u la, CO. Liparis vulgaris, 58. Lophius americanus, 1. Lophius i)iscatorius, 1. Lophopsetta maculata, 25. Lumpus anglorum, 5(i. Lumpus spinosus, .57. Luxilus cornutus, 14G. Lyciclitliys latifrons, 54. Lycodes paxillus. 44. Lycodes Vahlii, 4:3. Lycodes Verrillii, 42.

INIacrurus Bairdii. 29. Macrurus Fabricii, 28. Macrurus rupestris, 28. Malacosteus niger, 129. JVlallotus villosus. 131. Melanogrammus £eglefinus, 33. JNIenticirrus nebulosus, 95. Merlangus purpureus, 31. Merlucius albidus, 41. Merlucius bilinearis. 41. Merlucius vulgaris, 41. Microgadus tomcodus, 32. Micropterus pallidus, 100. Mola rotunda, 2. Monacantiius aurantiacus, 5. Monacanthus massachusettensis, 6. Monacantiius setifer, 6. Monacanthus signifer, 6. Morone americana, 106.

Morrbua seglefinus, 33. Morrhua americanus, 30. Morrhua pruiuosa, 32. Motella caudacuta, 39. JMugil lirasiliensis, 115. Mugil lineatus, 115. MurjBiioides gunnellus, 51. Murseuoides ingeus, 51. Muraenoides niacrocephalus, 51. Mustelus canis, 17(5. Myxine glutinosa, 183.

Nemichthys scolopaceus, 153. Isotemigonus chrysoleucus, 147.

Onos cimbrius, 39. Orcynus alatuuga, 83. Orcynus alliteratus, 81. Orcynus argenlivittatus, 84. Orcynus pelaniys, 82. Orcynus thyiinus, 80. Orthagoriscus mola, 2. Osmerus eperlanus, 131. Osmerus mordax, 130. Osmerus viridescens, 131. Otolitlius regalls, 93.

Pagrus argyrops, 96.

Palinurichtliys i>erciformi8, 90.

Palinurus perciformis, 90.

Parati-actus pisquetus, 87.

Pastinaca hastata, 167.

Pelaniys sarda, 79.

Perca ilavescens, 102.

Perca fluviatilis, 1U2.

Petromyzon americanus, 182.

Petromyzon niarinus, lfc2.

Pogonias chromis, 94.

Pholis subbifurcatus, 47.

Phycis americanus, 34.

Pliycis Cliesteri, 36.

Phycis chuss, 35.

Phycis filamentosiis, 35.

Phycis regalis, 37.

Phycis regius, 37.

Phycis tenuis, 34.

Pimelodus atrarius, 150.

Platessa dentata. 21.

Platessa lerruginea, 20.

Platessa glabra, 18.

Platessa oblonga, 22.

Platessa plana, 19.

Platessa quadrocellata, 25.

Platessa rostrata, 20.

Platysomatichthys hippoglossoides, 27.

Platysomaticlithys pinguis, 27.

Pleuronectes fleKis, 18.

Pleuronectes glaber, 18.

Pleuronectes maculatus, 25.

Pleuronectes passer, 18.

Poilachius carbonarius. 31.

Pomatomus saltatrix, 107.

Pumolobus aestivalis, 139.

Poniolobus mediocris, 140.

Pomolobus pseudoharengus, 138-139.

Poniolobus tyrannus, 138.

Pomolobus vernalis, 138.

Pomotis appendix, 97.

Pomotis vulgaris, 98.

Poronotus triacauthus, 91.

Priacanthus altus, 108.

Prionodou lamia, 175.

38

Prionotus carolinus. 61. Prionotus evolans, 61, Prionotus lineutus, 61. Prionotus i)almi[jes, 62. Prionotus i)ilatus, 62. Pseudopleuronectes americanus, 19. Pseudopriacanthus altus, 108. Pseudorhombus dentatus, 22. Pseudorhombus oblongus, 23. Pygosteus occideutalis, 11.

Raia eglanteria, 164. Raia erinacea, 162. Raia granulata, 161. Raia Insvis, 165. Raia ocellata, 166. Raia radiata, 1(53. Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, 27. Remora jacobsea, 113. Remoropsis brachyptera, 112. Rhinichthys atronasus, 149. Rhinonemus cimbrius, 39. Riiombus triacanthus, 91. Roccus lineatus, 105.

Saccopharynx flagellum, 155. Salmo fontinalis, 133. Salmo salar, 132. Salmo salar sebago, 132. Salveliniis fontinalis, 133. Sarda i)elamys. 79. Scomber DuKayi, 78. Scomberesox scutellatus, 117. Scomberesox Storeri, 117. Scomber i)neumatophorus, 78. Scomber scombrus, 77. Scomber vernalis, 77. Scombresox saurus, 117. Scopelus gemmit'er, 125. Scopelus llumboldtii. 127. Scopelus speculiger, 126. Scymnus brevipinna, 181. Sebastes marinus, 72. Sebastes norvegicus, 72. Sebastes viviparus, 72.

Selachus maximus, 170. Semotilus bullaris, 148. Seriola zonata, 89. Simenchelys parasiticus, 156. Siphonostoma fuscum, 9. Siphonostoma Peckianum, 8. Solea vulgaris, 16. Somniosus raicrocephalus, 181. Sphyrna zygsena, 173. Squalus acantliias, 177. Squalus americanus, 177. Squalus vulgaris, 177. Stenotomus argyrops, 96. Stepiianolepis setifer, 6. StichEeus aculeatus, .50. Stichteus unimaculatus, 48. Synaphobranchus pinnatus, 1.54. Syugnathus Peckianus, 8 and 9.

Tautoga americana, 73. Tautoga onitis, 73. Tautogolabrus adspersus, 74. Temnodon saltator, 107. Tetrodon turgidus, 3. Tliynnus alalonga, 83. Thynnus argentivittatus, 84. Thynnus pelamys, 82. Thynnus secundidorsalis, 80. Thynnus thunnina, 81. Torpedo occidentalis, 160. Triglops Pingelii, 70. Triglops pleurostictus, 70. Trygou centrura, 167.

Umbrina nebulosa, 95. Urinidea gracilis, 68. Urophycis regius, 37.

Xiphias gladius, 75.

Zenopsis ocellatus, 92. Zeus ocellatus, 92. Zoarces anguillaris, 45. Zoarces viviparus, 45. Zygasua malleus, 173.

39

Kegular Meeting, Monday, Jan. 6, 1879.

Meeting this evening. In the absence of the Presi- dent, Dr. George A. Perkins was requested to preside. The records of last meeting were read by the Secretary. Donations and correspondence announced.

Mr. Frederick A. Ober, of Beverly, occupied the evening with a paper on his ornithological explorations in the Lesser Antilles. He gave a most interesting account of his work on the Islands, and as a result of his explo- rations discovered eighteen new variations and species of birds. His remarks were illustrated with twent3^-three photographic views, thrown on the screen by the kind- ness of Mr. J. W. Moulton.

The following is an abstract of the paper ; —

Ornithological Explorations of the Lesser Antilles,

By Frederick A. Ober.

Leaving New York in December, 1876, I proceeded to Martinique in the centre of the chain of the Lesser Antilles; thence to Dominica, in lat. 15° north, to com- mence my investigations into the fauna of the Caribbee islands. The undertaking was under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, and for the purpose of filling a gap in the ornithological data of the West Indies.

Dominica, like all the islands, with few exceptions, of the chain, is of volcanic origin and very mountainous. It contains the highest mountain south of Jamaica (in the Antilles), "Morne Diablotin" being above 5,000 feet in height. As in the other islands, also, there are three

^40

different zones of vegetation and of animal life ; tliat of the coast, that of the higher hills and midway the moun- tains, and that of the mountain-tops. In the middle zone, situated (at a rough estimate) between 1500 and 2500 feet altitude occur the greatest variety of forms, both in vegetable and animal life. There the famous high woods, containing trees of the greatest magnitude, and tree ferns and tropical plants of every description, give hiding place to many birds not found along the coasts. Indeed, the coast fauna is very meagre, owing to the scarcity of trees and the cultivation of the sugar estates. Ascertaining that my best collecting ground would, probably, be in that region, I repaired to a moun- tain valley some 1500 feet above sea level, and took up my residence with some families of mixed blood (Carib and Creole) for above a month. Here I was very suc- cessful, discovering seven species and varieties not here- tofore known to science. This was only accomplished by secluding myself in the mountains and in forests away from the general routes of travel.

Thence I went over the mountains to the portion of the island inhabited by the Caribs, of whom but a remnant exist of all the many thousands found by Columbus in his voyages.

I secured many photographs, a good vocabulary and many notes regarding their early history and present con- dition. The difference in speech between the men and women, in the ancient tongue, is very noticeable. The language spoken by them, now, is a perverted French ; the patois or provincial, that form of speech used by the ignorant. Here I procured the imperial parrot (^Chry- sotis augiista), but not many other birds of note. The specimens of this bird which I sent the National Musuem were the first seen in America.

41

In Antigua, two degrees north of Dominica, I found but few birds, but secured an owl which has since been dechired a new species. In Barbuda, thirty miles north of Antigua, I found excellent shooting at deer, wild guinea fowls, doves, white-headed pigeons, etc., but no new or rare birds. Antigua and Barbuda diifer from the other islands of the group in being wholly, or in part, of coral formation.

In St. Vincent, in lat. 13° north, I discovered, among others, the fiimous "Sonffriere Bird," which had been an object of interest to English naturalists for many years ; since named, by Mr. Lawrence, the Myiadestes sibilans. To procure this, I was obliged to camp in a cave for nearly a week.

With the few Caribs residing in St. Vincent, who live isolated from the whites, in the northern part of the island, I remained a few weeks. Here, I obtained many specimens of ancient implements and photographed some curiously-incised rocks, supposed to have been used as sacrificial stones by the Caribs. A carved wooden tor- toise, which I found in a cave, exhibits excellent work- manship, and may prove interesting.

In St. Vincent, I procured seven (7) new species, the most interesting, perhaps, of any obtained.

In Grenada, in lat. 12 north, I discovered three (3) new species. This island is the last of the chain, being less than one hundred miles from Trinidad and seventy miles from Tobago, the fauna of which latter islands is essentially tropical, and different from that of the Antil- lean chain. Grenada contains the last of the armadillos, which once inhabited all these islands, and monkeys.

Tobago, which I investigated later, yielded manj^ inter- esting species ; but, not forming one of the group known as the Antilles, it does not come within the limits of this paper.

42

The time occupied in the investigation was nearly two years. The results, ornithologically, were (I am assured by the officers of the Smithsonian Institution) of the greatest value, as I had sent to the museum hundreds of birds never before seen in the country and eighteen (18) new species and varieties.

The following is a list of the new birds, as described by Mr. Lawrence, the types of which are in our National Museum : —

From Dominica.

Thryothorus rufescens.

Dendroeca plumbea.

Myiarchus Oberi.

Vireosylvia calidris (var. Dominicana).

Strix flammea (var. nigrescens).

Chaetura Dominicana.

Blacicus brunneicapillus.

From St. Vincent. Turdus nigrirostris. Myiadestes sibilans. Thryothorus miisicus. Certhiola atrata. Certhiola saccharina. Leucopeza Bishopi. Calliste versicolor.

From Grenada. Turdus caribboeus. Thryothorus Grenadensis. Quiscalus luminosus.

From Antigua. Speotyto amaura.

Catalogues of each island have been prepared by Mr. Lawrence from my notes, and are in course of publica- tion.

At the close of the evening, on motion of Mr. Caleb Cooke, a vote of thanks was unaminously passed to Mr. Ober for the paper read.

A List of the Birds of the Hudson Highlands^ with Annotations,

By Edgar A. Mearns.

[Continued from Vol. X, page 179.]

Family, SITTIDJS.

12. Sitta carolinensis, Gmelin. White-bellied Nuthatch. Perhaps a resident species, though not found breeding just in this neighborhood. Farther up the Hudson, at Catskill, they breed abun- dantly. Their occurrence is somewhat irregular, lilje that of the Brown Creeper and the Cedar Bird; but they are usually common except during the breeding season, when they, seemingly, all with- draw for a short time. It is a remarkable fact, that not a single White-bellied Nuthatch was seen here, by any one, to my knowledge, between August, 1872, and the following July. Mr. Erwin I. Shores mentions a similar incident in the case of the Common Bluebird.* He states that he "could not And it in 1872, "^ about Suffiekl, Conn. Mr. W. C. Osboru discovered a nest of this Nuthatch, near Catskill, N. Y., the entrance to which was through an aperture in a weather- board, in the house of Mr. Frederic E. Church, the celebrated artist.

The Nuthatch is an eminently useful and industrious bird. He de- votes his entire existence to the occupation of scrambling about upon the tree-trunks, grubbing out insects from their hiding places under the bark. At this commendable, but somewhat prosaic, employment he spends his days ; and when night comes, he betakes himself to a hole in some tree, where, weary with his day's toil, he sleeps the sleep of the just till day-break; nor is our pretty friend addicted to the dis- agreeable practice of early rising. He depends not upon craftiness for his daily sustenance, but gets it by the sweat of his brow; there- fore he indulges in a morning nap after the sun is up, and the noctur- nal worm is permitted to crawl safely into its den. Doubtless this interesting bird should command our highest respect, and our deepest gratitude ; for his life is one of tireless industry and great usefulness. Nor, indeed, should we question the personal motives which impel him to the accomplishment of such important and valuable results.

iC. Hart Merriam, A Review of the Birds of Conn., p. 8, 1877. 2 Mr. Shores informs me that the date here given is incorrect; should read 1873

(43)

44

Though the Nuthatch does not possess the gift of song, still he is well and favorably known to most persons who live in the country — whose lines have fallen in pleasant places. He is found wherever there are forests, and comes into our orchards and about our dwell- ings. Moving steadily in any direction upon the tree-trunks and branches, he searches the interstices of the bark, tapping hard upon suspected spots with his bill. At frequent intervals he utters his peculiar cry, a sort of nasal honk honk. When moving downward, he always advances head first, and never in the opposite position, as the Woodpeckers do. Sometimes his diet is slightly varied. He never refuses raw meat; and when in Lewis County, N. Y., during the latter part of December, 1877, I found him eating the beech-nuts, in com- pany with the Red-headed Woodpeckers, and with evident enjoyment. The stomachs of the specimens shot were found distended by those nuts.

Sometimes, during storms, in winter, the trees become so thickly coated with ice, that the Woodpeckers and creeping birds, since na- ture has neglected to supply them with adjustable ice-spurs suitable for such emergencies, are unable to climb upon the icy trees, and, consequently, are obliged to desist from their usual avocations, and betake themselves to other situations in quest of food. On such occa- sions the Nuthatches seem to be particularly distressed, flying about uttering loud cries, and alighting freely upon the roofs of buildings. Both this species and the Red-bellied Nuthatch have a loud, coarse rattle as the mating season approaches^ which is seldom heard at other times.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of eight specimens : length, 6-07; stretch, 11-03; wing, 3-48; tail, 1-92; culmen, -76; gape, -90; tarsus, -70.

13. Sitta canadensis, Linne. Red-bellied Nuthatch. The movements of this species are extremely uncertain; but it may be set down as an irregular winter resident, and an occasional visitant at other seasons, except during the period of its nidification. Generally abundant during its autumnal migration. At times it is gregarious ; and this is especially the case in the fall.

Late in summer the Red-bellied Nuthatches arrive in large flocks, some seasons, while in others they are not seen at all, or only occa- sional individuals. These migrating flocks appear late in August, and a few are sometimes observed by the first of that mouth. They remain with us for a period varying from a few days to several weeks. In 1874, they were very numerous from August 25 to September 23. They search the tree trunks for their insect prey, in large, straggling bands, uttering a note somewhat resembling the cry of the other species {S. carolinensis) ; but it is pitched much higher, and varied

45

by low, lisping, wiry notes, which are only audible at a sh:>rt distance. They are partial to the groves of red cedar, but are frequently found, in flocks, in the deciduous woods ; there they are generally attended by numbers of small flycatching birds, chiefly of the genera Vireo and Empidonax, which follow, apparently for the purpose of capturing the insects which are roused from the bark. They are of irregular occur- rence throughout winter. Were very abundant in March, 187-i, when large flocks were seen amongst the pine trees, along the Hudson, chasing each other through the forest with loud, rattling cries, and rollicking together in a most joyous and itncreeper-like manner.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of nine specimens : length, 4-62; stretch, 8-22; wing, 2-6fi; tail, 2-58.

Family, CERTHIID^.

14. Certhia familiaris, Linne. Brown Cueeper. An abundant, but somewhat irregular winter resident, and indeed is found com- monly throughout the year, except during the nestling period, during which none have been observed, though it remains till late in May. The Creeper is partial, in winter, to the evergreens, as indeed are most of our small wintering birds. It possesses, besides the usual prolonged, wheezy note of which the species is by no means chary, a variety of feeble, chirping utterances, resembling those of the Golden-crested Kinglet. The Creeper is usually a tame bird, paying less heed to its admirers than to tlie capture of insects that infest the bark of trees; that being the main purpose of its life. With that object In view, it alights at the base of a tree and begins to ascend in a spiral; in this manner it advances till the trunk and principal branches have been explored, when, having reached the top, it spreads its wings and with a pretty, sweeping movement, attaches itself to the extreme base of another tree, when the same performance is repeated. Thus the Creeper has many nps and downs in its life, though, on the whole, its is a monotonous career of labor; but in spite of this the bird is interesting, and its habits have a certain fascination. Its sombre colors serve an excellent purpose for concealment, matching so well those of the trees upon which it lives as to make it very inconspicuous.

Its long, slender, curved bill seems ill adapted as a means of musi- cal expression; and indeed I never suspected it of possessing such attributes, until I one day discovered that it was the author of a very pleasant song. This happened on April 1, 1878, when I heard a sweet warble, moderately loud, that puzzled me as to its authorship, until I at length saw the bird singing, quite close to me, as it clung to the side of a tree. Like the Nuthatches and Titmice, it is fond of raw

46

meat, and may be attracted to houses by suspending a scrap of pork from the balcony.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of eighteen specimens : length, 5*66; stretch, 7-98; wing, 2-56; tail, 2-65; culmen, '63; tarsus, •53.

Family, TROGLODYTIDiE.

15. Troglodytes domestieus, Bartram. House Wren. A sum- mer resident ; abundant. Like the Bluebirds, they like to build in the fruit cans that I have placed in appropriate places for their use. As many as twelve pairs have nestled upon the place at once. Nothing could present a greater contrast than the habits of these birds during the breeding season and afterwards. Having successfully completed the business of rearing several broods of young, they lose, simulta- neously, their delicious song and the pert, saucy familiarity which characterizes their actions during their stay in close proximity to man ; retiring with their families to the remotest wastes, they spend the residue of the season amongst the broken rocks, covered thickly with bushes and matted vines, seldom appearing in view, but con- stantly announcing their whereabouts by a sharply enunciated, seem- ingly discontented or anxious chirp.

These Wrens arrive from the South late in April (28, 1873 ; May 7, 1874; 6, 1875; April 29, 1876; May 9, 1877; April 30, 1878; 29, 1879), and remain till the middle of October (16th, 1876).

Dimensions. — Average measurements of seven specimens : length, 5-00; stretch, 6*61; wing, 1-97; tail, 1-71; bill from nostril, -36; tar- sus, '&Q.

16. Anorthura troglodytes, var. hyemalis, {Wilsoii). Win- ter Wren. A winter resident; very abundant during its autumnal migration; generally quite common all winter, but somewhat irregu- lar; arrives the first of October (4, 1874; September 29, 1876; exceed- ingly abundant October 8), and departs the last of April (27, 1874; 30, 1875; May 1, 1876). Mr. E. P. Bicknell informs me that he has ob- served it, as far south as Riverdale, on May 4, 1877.

These active, sprightly little birds are fond of searching amongst broken rocks, brush-heaps, and rubbish generally; but it is their greatest delight to run about under ice, after the water has settled away ; creeping into every nook and crevice in search of food, they sometimes remain out of sight for many minutes together. They are often found on the marshes, amongst the cat-tails, and frequenting the piles of debris that the tides have floated upon their edges ; here, skulking out of sight, but close to the observer, and always emitting a sharp cliirp, they would exhaust the patience of the mildest collector extant, who would shoot one for his cabinet.

47

Dimensions. — Average measurements of seven specimens : length, 4-06; stretch, 6-15: wing, 1-89; tail, 1-24; bill from nostril, 35; tar- sus, -73.

17. Telmatodytes palustris (Bartram). Long-billed Marsh Wren. A common summer resident; breeds in the marshes border- ing the Hudson. Arrives about the middle of May (21, 1875 ; 18, 1876 ; 21, 1877; 4, 1878), and remains till October (1, 1874; September 28, 1876; 23, 1878). This species has the habit of singing at niglit, when the moon is bright. Its eggs, six to eight in number, are deposited about the first of June. They are of a deep mahogany color ; some- times a light colored egg is found in the same clutch. The nest is spherical, with a round orifice for entrance at the side. It is attached to the reeds of the salt marshes, and is constructed partly of these same flags ("cat-tail," Typlia latifolia, Linn.), and partly of the marsh grasses ; the interior lined with the down of the flag. The eggs are kept covered till the full complement has been laid ; possibly as a pro- tection against snakes. They breed at least twice in a season, occu- pying a fresh nest each time. I examined several nests, on Consook Island, which contained fresh eggs, as late as July 20, 1878. These ■were probably third broods. The House AVrens left our piazza with their third brood August 15.

The Marsh Wrens live in colonies, and are as attractive, merry little birds as you could wish to see ; scolding hard when their retreats are invaded, but singing a joyous, happy refrain the moment you pass on. Even when scolding most irately, you may hear them, between times, trying to swallow the gurgling notes that seem to well forth sponta- neously and against their wills. There are few sounds so cheerful and pleasant to hear as the jingling melody produced by a colony of Marsh Wrens left in quiet ( ?) possession of their oozy territory, after such a disturbance.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of seven specimens : length, 5-20; stretch, 6-52; wing, 1-95; tail, 1-68; bill from nostril, -42; tar- sus, -81.

Family, ALANDIDJE.

18. Eremophila alpestris, (Fors^er). Horned Lark. Mr. Jas. S. Buchanan, of Newburgh, informs me that this species often occurs about Cornwall and Newburgh. None of the other collectors have met with it in the Highlands, as most of the region is uusuited to its wants.

Family, MOTACILLIDJE3.

19. Anthus ludovicianus, (Gmelin). American Pipit; Tit- lark. Occasionally seen during its migrations. Messrs. William K.

48

Lute, and Thos. W. Wilson, found large flocks on the salt meadows connecting Constitution Island with the east shore, in October, 1875. I saw a large flock, at Fort Miller, Washington Couut}^, N. Y., on November 9, 1876.

Dimensions. — Length, 6-38; stretch, 10-25; wing, 3-50; tail, 2-69; culmen, -47; tarsus, -81.

Family, SYLVICOLID^.

20. Mniotilta varia, (Linne). Black and White Creeping War- bler. A common summer resident; breeds; particularly numerous during the spring migrations. Arrives the first of May (8, 1873 ; 4, 1874; April 30, 1875; May 3, 1876; April 30, 1877; 26, 1878; 26, 1879), and remains till October (14th, 1876).

The Black and White Creepers are interesting little birds, that spend the greater part of their time in creeping upon the trunks and branches of trees, somewhat after the fashion of the Brown Creeper. When first arrived, in spring, they sing a feeble refrain ; but, a little later, when the full tide of migration has set in from the South, the Creepers may be seen perched upon the highest tree-tops, singing a very sweet little ditty, almost exactly like the song of the Redstart (^Setophaga ruticilla). After this matin performance they drop down upon the tree-trunks, and creep about them in spirals in search of insects, uttering a low, inward note ; hopping out to the extremity of a branch, they will amuse themselves with flying out in short curves after insects. They sometimes inhabit swampy thickets, doubtless attracted thither by the abundance of insects ; their presence there may be detected by the utterance of certain harsh, screeching notes that are peculiar to itself.

Their nest is placed upon the ground ; generally sheltered, by a pro- jecting rock, or stump. A pair once nestled close to my house. The nest, built upon a bed of leaves, sheltered by a jutting rock, was composed of strips of grape-vine bark, stems of plants, and grasses, loosely felted. The parents were very gentle, and seemed to appre- hend from my frequent visits no greater misfortune than a temporary separation from their little ones. The young were five in number. I watched them developing until their parents taught them, first, to climb upon a neighboring grape-vine, and afterwards to attempt short flights from branch to branch ; soon they were strong enough to leave their natal spot, and rambled through the woods together, — a happy, rollicking, unbroken little family.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of sixteen specimens : length, 5-30; stretch, 8-54; wing, 2-73; tail, 2-02; bill from nostril, -37; gape, •60; tarsus, '67; middle toe, -50; its claw, '18.

49

21. Parula americana, {Linni). Blue Yellow-backed War- bler. Exceedingly numerous during migrations ; a few breed. I have never discovered its nest, but am indebted to Mr. W. C. Osborn for a very young bird, shot near his residence, on the opposite bank of the Hudson, in Putnam county, where its nest was previously dis- covered, as recorded by DeKay in the Zoology of New York, Part II, p. 97. Giraud also observes : ^ "I am informed that its nest has been found at the Catskill Mountains."

It arrives early in May (12, 1874; 12, 1875; 5, 1876; 11, 1877; April 27, 1878; May 8, 1879), remaining till October (8, 1874; 8, 1876). I have heard quite a varied and pleasing song from this little bird; but succeeded by a rapid succession of harsh, filing notes.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of seventeen specimens: length, 4-73; stretch, 7-54 ; wing, 2-40; tail, 1-76; bill from nostril, •32; gape, -54; tarsus, -QS; middle toe, -40; its claw, -16.

22. Helmitherus vermivorus, (G^wie^uO- Worm-eating War- bler. A rather common summer resident; breeds. Arrives about the middle of May (15, 1875; 9, 1876; 11, 1878; 8, 1879), and remains through the summer.

There is a singularity about every attitude and movement of this bird, that at once attracts attention. Chiefly seen upon the ground, scratching amongst the leaves, and uttering a sharp chirp at intervals, it suddenly surprises you by flying high up among the branches in pursuit of a moth; then it alights upon a branch, and makes quite a successful attempt at a song; later, you may see it climbing upon the body of a tree, apparently as much at home as a Nuthatch would be ; it even pauses occasionally to utter a few feeble notes of a song. It is sometimes found in the open woods, on its first arrival from the South ; but later, when it has settled to its summer quarters, it is seldom seen outside of its favorite swampy thickets, where it breeds and passes the summer. Wet places, grown up to huckleberries, — just such spots as delight the Woodcock — are its usual resorts. Its note is sharp and metallic ; and the bird is shy and difficult to capture.

Diwensio/is.-^ Average measurements of ten specimens: length, 5-51; stretch, 8-75; wing, 2-78; tail, 2-05; bill from nostril, '39; gape, •64; tarsus, '70; middle toe, '50; its claw, '18.

23. Helminthophaga pinus, (Linne). Blue-winged Yellow Warbler. A summer resident; breeds. I found a nest, built in a tussock of grass, on Constitution Island, in the Hudson River. I saw another set of eggs, taken in a similar situation and said to be those of a ''yellow bird," which agree very well with the eggs in my collec- tion; but they maybe those of the Nashville Warbler (JET. ruficapilla) .

3 Birds of Long Island, p. 60, 1844. ESSEX INST. BULL. XI 4

50

It arrives about the middle of May (12, 1875; 17, 1877), and spends the summer. John Burroughs mentions'* the occurrence of this spe- cies at Highland Falls, and Giraud observes:^ "the present species has been shot during summer on the Catskill Mountains, and it is not improbable that it breeds there ; it has been shot in Rockland County, and other parts of the State of New York, but seems to be nowhere abundant." At Riverdale, on the Hudson, Mr. E. P. Bicknell says ^ it is " common during the summer, and regularly breeding." Dr. A. K. Fisher has taken its eggs at Sing Sing, N. Y. It thus appears that the species is a summer resident along the Hudson, as far as Catskill. Dimensions. — Measurements of male: length, 4-85; stretch, 7-30; wing, 2-46; tail, 1-90; bill from nostril, -35; tarsus, -66. Female: length, 4-80; stretch, 7-24; wing, 2-25.; tail, 1-77; bill from nostril, •35; gape, '55; tarsus, '68; middle toe, '38; its claw, -15.

24. Helminthophaga chrysoptera, (Linne). Blue Golden- winged Warbler. A summer resident. Arrives from the South early in May (12, 1875; 10, 1878; 15, 1879). This species is a regular spring migrant; and doubtless passes considerably farther to the northward. The insect-like notes of this bird, once heard, are not apt to be forgotten ; both it, and the preceding, are usually found in swampy thickets.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of five specimens : length, 5-10; stretch, 8*05; wing, 2-46; tail, 1*94; bill from nostril, -34; gape, •57; tarsus, -70; middle toe, -42; its claw, '16.

25. Helminthophaga ruficap ilia, (TFiYson). Nashville War- bler. A very common spring and fall migrant, and rare summer resi- dent. Arrives early in May (11, 1874; 11, 1875; 6, 1876; 13, 1877; 10, 1878; 8, 1879), departing late in September (21, 1874; 20, 1875; 16, 1876). In spring it is very abundant in fruit orchards, flitting among the blossoms ; but in autumn, when it is abundant from the first to the twentieth of September, it is usually seen skipping about in the tree tops; in summer it retreats to swampy wildernesses, there to breed. I have not discovered its nest; but Dr. Clinton L. Bagg has taken its eggs at Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of sixteen specimens : length, 4-77; stretch, 7-45; wing, 233; tail, 1-81; bill from nostril, -28; gape, •48; tarsus, -67.

26. Helminthophaga celata, (Say). Orange-crowned War- bler. A rare migrant. "On May 13, 1875, I shot a beautiful male of this rare species, as it was skipping among the apple blossoms, close

* Wake-Robin, p. 22, 1871.

6 Birds of Long Island, p. 67, 1844.

6 Bull. Nutt. Oru. Club, Vol. Ill, p. 130, 1878.

51

to my house, in company with a little band of Warblers which may have belonged to the same species."^ Mr. E. P. Bickuell observes:^ "A female was taken [at Riverdale, on the Hudson] on October 9, 1876, and a second specimen seen on the 29th of the same month. The former bird was shot while gleaning among the withering blos- soms of a patch of golden-rods (Solidago), while the latter was hop- ping about in a clump of leafless briers and shrubbery quite unsuspi- ciously, allowing an approach of a few feet."

Dmensions.— Measurements of No. 667 ^, Highland Falls, N. Y., May 13, 1875, E. A. M. : length, 469; stretch, 7-25; wing, 2-22; tail, 1-85; bill from nostril, -30; tarsus, -69.

27. Helminthophaga peregrina, (Wilson). Tennessee War- bler. A rather rare migrant; sometimes abundant in autumn. In spring a few are seen, generally in company with H. rujicapilla, dis- porting themselves among the fruit blossoms. In autumn they are sometimes found abundantly, along the river banks, in the willow trees. I found large flocks in the willow swamps, on lona Island, and on Consook Island, in September, 1876.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of four specimens : length, 5-00; stretch, 7-68; wing, 2-63; tail, 1-69; bill from nostril, -32; tar- sus, -65.

28. DendroBca sestiva, (-BoddcerO- Yellow Warbler ; Summer Yellowbird. a summer resident; not very abundant ; breeds. Ar- rives early in May (12, 1875; 12, 1876; 17, 1877; 9, 1878), and remains till autumn (September 3, 1874).

Dimensions. — Average measurements of seven specimens : length, 5-10; stretch, 7-78; wing, 2-40; tail, 1-89; bill from nostril, -33; tar- sus, -74.

29. Dendroeca virens, (Gmelin). Black-throated Green War- bler. A summer resident ; very abundant during its migrations ; a few remain and breed. Arrives early in May (16, 1874; 11, 1875; 1, 1876; 12, 1877; 9, 1878; 7, 1879), and departs late in October (21, 1874; 28, 1876). It is found everywhere, in all kinds of woods; but it is especially numerous in hemlocks growing among deciduous trees. It is seen, in large companies, clinging to the tips of the branches, exhibiting a fluttering of wings and incessant activity. Its attitudes and notes remind one of the Titmice ; but it possesses a very pleasant song, besides. Not rare in summer.

Dimensions. — Average measurements of twenty-six specimens : length, 5-10; stretch, 7-72; wing, 2-46; tail, 1-99; bill from nostril, •25; gape, -55; tarsus, 68; middle toe, '40; its claw, -16.

■> Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol, HI, p. 46, 1878. 8 Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. IV, p. 61, 1879.

52

30. DendrcBca cserulescens, {Linne). Black-throated Blue Warbler. Ad exceedingly common spring and fall migrant ; not seen in summer. Arrives early in May, and remains till late in the month (May 7 to 22, 1875; 9 to 23, 1876; 12 to 18, 1877; 4 to 18, 1878; 7, 1879); in autumn it appears early in September (11, 1876; 24, 1877; 23, 1878), and departs in October (5, 1874; 17, 1876). The males arrive from the South before the females. The latter do not make their appearance in considerable numbers for several days after. This beautiful species possesses the flycatching habits of the Blackburnian Warbler {D. blackburyiice) , flying in sliort curves after insects, often alighting upon the sides of trees, and equally at home upon the ground or in the highest tree-top.

On the 15th of October, 1876, vre were visited by a heavy fall of snow, which, at that early season, must have been as unwelcome to the birds as it was unexpected by ourselves. The apple trees, loaded with their beautiful fruit and dark green leaves, were bent low down under a weight of snow, while the foliage on the mountains, still glowing in all the beautiful tints of autumn, blended its gorgeous hues with the burdening snow flakes. Several of our summer War- blers were still present; and, among them, this species and the Black- throated Green; both of these came close about the house, and endeavored to enter at the windows : a common habit with the Yellow-rump {D. coronata).

Dimensions. — Average measurements of twenty-eight specimens : length, 5-28; stretch, 7-96; wing, 2-52; tail, 2-06; bill from nostril, •29; gape, -55; tarsus, -74; middle toe, "45; its claw, '17.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF FLA.NTS.

LITTLE, BROWN & COMPANY

PUBLISH THIS day:

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF PLANTS.

Man's Record of his own existence, as illustrated through their names, uses, and companionship. By Charles PiCKKKiNG, M. D., author of "Races of Man."

This work, to the preparation of which the last sixteen years of Dr. Pickering's life were devoted, forms the last of his contributions to Natural Science.

1200 pages. 4to. Cloth, $15.00; half mor., 18.00.

BULLETIN

ESSEX IIsrSTITTJTE.

Vol. 11. Salem, Apr., May, June, 1879. Nos. 4, 5, 6.

The Solar Udijpse of 1878; a lecture hefore the Institute,

By Winslow Upton, Assistant at Harvard College Observatory.

Ladies and Gentlemen: — A well known astronomer, who devotes much of his time to studying the appear- ance of the sun, recently remarked that in his opinion the sun was the most important sul)ject for scientific study. Its position as the centre and controlling power of so many celestial bodies places it at the centre also of astro- nomical science, while its intimate connection with life upon the earth renders especially iuiportant any knowl- edge that we ma}^ acquire of its physical constitution. The great interest taken in this study during the last twenty years has added much to our knowledge, and it is a singular fact that this advance has been largely due to observations made during eclipses of the sun, when that bod}^ has been wholl}^ concealed from view. Thus, the spectroscopic discoveries made in the eclipse of 1868 and immediately after, greatly modified the prevailing theo- ries of its constitution. The mere passage of the moon

ESSEX INST. BULL. XI 5 (53)

J^- U./^j<j

54

between the earth and the sun not only produces a scene of gorgeous beauty, but also enables us to study the im- mediate vicinity of the sun unhindered by the glare of sunlight. To take advantage of this, expeditions are organized and carefully equipped to make the desired observations. The questions naturally arise, what are the objects of these observations, how are they made, and what are the results obtained. These we shall en- deavor to consider, especially as illustrated by the Total Eclipse of last summer.

We can show by the map the path of the eclipse. Beginning in Siberia it crossed Behring's Straits, and proceeded through Alaska and British America to the United States, which it crossed in a southeasterly direc- tion from Washington Territory to Texas. The moon's shadow finally left the earth in the ocean. It will be seen that the path was not through a populous country, being almost directly over the extent of the Rocky Mountains. Denver is the only large town in the path. But as the country traversed is so lofty, the observations were made under peculiarly favorable atmospheric conditions. No observations were made north of the United States as far as known. Within the United States it was considered neither safe nor expedient to send parties north of the Union Pacific E. R., but the surveying party of Prof. Hay den, which was near the Yellowstone Park, made observations there. At the stations of the U. P. R. R. within the line of totality were several well equipped par- ties ; in Colorado there were a great many. Three of the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains had parties on their summits. In Texas several parties were located.

The width of the path was about 116 miles ; the dura- tion of totality less than three minutes. In an eclipse, the width of the shadow and the duration of the total

55

phase depend upon the relative size of the sun and moon. The duration of totality is simply the time occupied by the moon in passing over the excess of its own apparent diameter over that of the sun. As the sun and moon have nearly the same apparent diameter, the total phase can never occupy but a few minutes ; in the most favor- able case, when the sun is forthest away and the moon nearest to the earth, the duration of totality is less than eisfht minutes. The ii'reatest width of the shadow is 160 miles.

The establishing of a temporary observatory for observ- ing an eclipse is a work of much labor. Of course, if a person wishes simply to examine the general appearance of the spectacle with a portal)le telescope, it will not take him long to get ready. But if an extensive series of observations has been planned, the preparations will be of corresponding extent. The instruments will include telescopes of various kinds, some of which must be mounted with great firmness ; others, such as meridian instruments, in a particular position to be determined by observations of the stars. If spectroscopes are to be used, they must be properly adjusted. If photographic work is attempted, the 2:)reparations become still more complicated, for to secure the best results the instrument must move by clock work to correspond with the motion of the sun. It requires, too, a great deal of ingenuity to utilize the rough means at the disposal of a scientific party in the field. The man who can make boards, spikes and dirt answer the purpose of stone and mortar, or who can fit instruments together without either tools or mate- rials for his work, is a valuable member of the party. The best equipped party near Denver, that of Prof. Young of Princeton, made an astronomical camp for their observations, and their instruments shared the rough

56

luxuries of camp life. A magnificent telescope, which at home would be securely mounted on a pier of masonry and shielded by a revolving dome, was here perched upon a wooden framework which was sunk several feet into the o^round and filled with sand to secure orreater steadi- ness. It was, however, the proud possessor of a house which could be rolled over it for its protection, while its less fortunate companions were summarily taken off their mountings and carried to a place of shelter when the daily thunder storms were seen approaching. The party sent out by the U. S. government in charge of Prof. Stone of the Cincinnati Observafory, to which I was attached, located upon a ranch on the plains east of Den- ver. We were fortunate in finding a cattle shed, which we transformed into a temporary observatory. In this lonely spot, for the nearest village consisted of a railroad shed and a dug-out, we were obliged to adapt ourselves to a variety of situations. We were masons, carpenters, architects. We were survej'ors, electricians, chronome- ter repairers. On the day of the eclipse, seated upon empty boxes with recording implements and spare eye- pieces on a neighboring plank, we made our observations as comfortably as one could wish.

The observations connected with an eclipse begin seve- ral days before the expected event. For besides the adjusting of instruments and practice in using them, it is necessary to determine the geographical position of the observing station and the errors of the time-pieces used. For one use of eclipses is to correct the places of the moon given in the lunar tables. It is a mistake to suppose, as many do, that the motions of the heavenly bodies are so well determined that an eclipse can be pre- dicted with absolute certainty for a century in advance. As Prof. Newcomb has remarked, "it is an extraordinary

57 .

intellectual feat that the path of an eclipse can be marked out at all before the event is to occur." A slight error in the position of the moon would cause a large difference in the path of the shadow on the earth. "In point of f\ict, the time of the late eclipse as predicted was nearly half a minute in error, while the actunl path of the shadow was some ten miles from the predicted one." In order to obtain the errors of the eclipse calculations, it is custom- ary for the observers to note the time when the moon first notches the limb of the sun, the duration of totality and the time of last contact. When these are collected together from the different stations of observation, they are used to correct the lunar tables. That this may be done, the errors of the chronometers used and the lati- tude and longitude of each station must be known. Ob- servations for time and latitude are usually made with a sextant as is done at sea, or still better by a portable transit instrument such as surveying parties or watch- makers use. If a place whose latitude and longitude are known is near l)y, the position of the observing station may be referred to it by the methods used in surveying. If there is telegraphic connection with a place whose position is known, clock signals may be sent from one to the other, and the difference in time which is the same as diflerence in longitude be easily determined. At all the eclipse stations connected Avith the Western Union tele- graph lines, the clock signals from Washington were received on several days, which was of great advantage. Some of the observers made extensive observations during the partial phase, by measuring the angle which the line joining the cusps makes with the apparent path of the sun from east to west, which can also be used for correcting the moon's place. A series of photographs is sometimes taken for the same purpose. As it takes about

58

an hour for the moon to advance over the sun till it com- pletely conceals it, — time which is of little use for other purposes, — there is an excellent opportunity for such observations. This is one use of eclipses. Formerly it was considered the only scientific way to observe the phenomenon. Dr. Bowditch, who observed the eclipse of 1806 in Salem, devotes his report entirely to the cor- rections to the moon's place determined by his own and others' observations. He simply mentions the fact that a luminous appearance surrounded the moon, as had been noted in previous eclipses.

But this "luminous appearance" is now the most inter- esting object of an eclipse, and the invention of new in- struments unknown to the great mathematician makes it possible to study it with success. The special features of the total phase of an eclipse, I need not remind you, are the corona or halo of light surrounding the eclipsed sun and the solar prominences which seem to be clinging to the limb of the moon. Upon the blackboard is a rep- resentation of the corona as it appeared in a telescope of 5 J inches aperture. The northern and southern portions were separated into distinct beams of light, curving on each side from the north and south line ; the eastern and western portions were radiated in structure, but not divided into distinct beams. There was one beam on the western portion which seemed to cross the radiated struc- ture curving towards the south. The star d Coronas shone brightly through the corona.

The solar prominences were not conspicuous in this eclipse. In the eclipses of 1860 and 1870 they were very abundant. In 1860 the largest one was found to be nearly 100,000 miles high or one-ninth of the sun's diam- eter. In that eclipse, it was proved that they belonged to the sun and not to the moon, as the latter passed over

59

them in its advance. Tn the eclipse of 1868, the spectro- scope showed that the solar prominences are immense masses of gaseous matter at a high temperature thrown up from the sun, hydrogen being the leading component. A few days after the eclipse, two different observers suc- ceeded in obtaining their spectra in full sunlight, and now not only can their spectra be obtained on a clear day, but the prominences themselves are made visible.

[A spectroscope was here exhibited and its construc- tion explained.]

Solid bodies, if sufficiently heated, give a continuous spectrum, that is a band of light with colors varying from red on one end to violet on the other. Gases give not continuous spectra, but bright lines peculiar to each gas, whose positions for many substances have been carefully mapped for reference. The sun gives a continuous spec- trum crossed by dark lines, several thousand of which have been observed. It was discovered long ago that some of the dark lines corresponded in position with the bright lines of certain gases, which led to the conjecture that there Avas some connection between them. But in 1859, the famous Kirchoff found that by passing the light from incandescent lime, which gives a continuous spec- trum, though the sodium flame, which gives a bright yellow line, he obtained the continuous spectrum with a dark line in place of the bright one. He also found that by using the solar spectrum combined with that of the sodium flame, a conspicuous dark line in the yellow of the solar spectrum could be made bright or dark by vary- ing the intensity of the sunlight. He thus established the fact that the dark lines in the sun indicate the pres- ence of gaseous substances surrounding a glowing body probably solid ; at least it gives a continuous spectrum like a heated solid. He soon found that the bright lines

60

of the gas of iron, over 400 in number, had their coun- terpart in dark solar lines, and from that time the pres- ence of various other substances in a gaseous state has been detected. The method of using the spectroscope is simply to examine the spectrum of any substance and compare it with known spectra.

The truth of the theory that the- sun is a vast globe probably solid at an immense heat, surrounded by a gas- eous layer, has received wonderful confirmation in recent eclipses. If the dark lines in the solar spectrum are merely the bright lines of certain gaseous substances made dark by the presence of the glowing body behind them, it must follow that just before totality, when the moon has wholly concealed the body of the sun but not the gaseous layer, the dark lines should become bright. The reversal of the lines, looked for without success in 1869, was seen in 1870 by Prof. Young, who thus de- scribes the phenomenon : —

"Very soon as the crescent grew narrower, .... the dark lines of the spectrum and the spectrum itself faded away ; until all at once, as suddenly as a bursting rocket shoots out its stars, the whole field of view was filled with bright lines more numerous than one could count. The phenomenon was so sudden, so unexpected, and so wonderfully beautiful as to force an involuntary exclamation. Gently and 3'et very rapidly they faded away, until within about two seconds, as nearly as I can estimate, they had vanished." This phenomenon has been seen by many observers in recent eclipses.

As the solar prominences can now be examined upon any clear day, they receive less attention during eclipses than the corona, which in the present state of science is only visible at such times. The coronse of difierent eclipses are so dissimilar in appearance, and the results

61

of different observations are so discordant, that the phe- nomenon is still a great mystery. Accordingly at the last eclipse it was studied in every way that human ingenuity could devise. Some observers simply examined it with the nake4 eye, estimating its shape, structure, and extent. Some used telescopes of varying size for the same pur- pose. Others confined their attention to particular por- tions only. The resources of the physical laboratory were brought into full use. Its light was examined with spectroscopes and polariscopes. Mr. Edison invented a special instrument called a tasimeter to measure its heat ; it was successful in showing the presence of heat, but being adjusted too delicately, since the inventor did not know how much heat to expect, the index was thrown beyond the limits of the measuring scale, so that the amount of heat was not determined. The best photo- graphic skill was also employed, and the corona w^hich was first photographed in 1869 was again successfully photographed, the times of exposure varying from two to one hundred and sixty seconds. The camera was also used in combination with the spectroscope and polari- scope, and Dr. Draper succeeded in photographing the spectrum of the corona, which had never been done before.

The polariscope enables us to determine at least par- tially whether the corona shines w^ith its own or with reflected light. The explanation of the phenomenon of polarization is briefly this : We can imagine that through a beam of light coming directly to the eye, planes are jDassed in every direction, the beam of light being the common axis for all the planes. If however the light does not come directly to the eye, but is reflected from some surface, it is no longer possible to pass planes in every direction through the reflected beam ; for the vibra-

62

tions are now confined to one plane, that passing through the source of light, the reflecting surfoce and the eye. This is termed the plane of polarization, though the vi- brations themselves are at right angles to this plane. While the eye cannot of itself detect this change in the light, there are certain substances which make it appa- rent. Thus the Nicol prism, which consists of two prisms of Iceland spar cemented together by Canada balsam, will allow light to pass through it in one plane only. If now it is true that the vibrations in a reflected beam of light are confined to one plane, when this plane coincides with the plane in the Nicol prism in which light can pass, light should be seen ; but if the prism is turned so that its plane does not coincide with the plane of polarization, darkness should be the result. And this is found to be the case, or would be if the polarization were complete. There are more delicate instruments than the Nicol prism, e. ^., the Savart polariscope which will show polarization if it exists in only four or five per cent, in the light exam- ined. Polarization is not found in direct light, but is found in reflected light. The light of the moon is polar- ized ; the light of the sky is polarized by reflection from the atmosphere, the plane of polarization passing through the sun, the part of the sky examined and the eye. Polarization may also be caused by the light passing through certain crystals, as the Nicol prism, which we have just stated will confine the vibrations to one plane. In this case, the plane of polarization passes through the polarizing crystal and beyond, to the source of the light. In examining the corona with the polariscope, the obser- vation consists in rotating the instrument and if polariza- tion is found, noting the position of the plane of polari- zation. If the plane passes through the sun, the part of the corona examined and the eye, it indicates reflected

63

sunlight in the corona ; if it passes beyond the sun but not through it, it shows that the polarization is caused by light passing through the corona, which must, then, con- tain substances capable of producing the phenomenon, unless polarization can be produced in other ways than those now known. Most of the polariscopic observations of the corona show reflected light.

Besides these that have been mentioned there are other minor sul)jects of study in an eclipse, such as the changes in temperature, the changes in the color of the sky and earth, the shadow as it sweeps over the earth with a veloc- ity of half a mile each second, the effect of darkness upon living creatures — and we must not forget the search for new planets near the sun, which, as we shall see later, will render the eclipse of 1878 especially memorable.

The day of the eclipse was favorable at all the observ- ing stations. To those in Colorado the clear weather was a glad surprise, for there had been no day for two weeks in which the eclipse could have been successfully observed. The preliminary observations and adjustments had in consequence been but partially made. The ob- servers on the summit of Pike's Peak were obliged to abandon some of their plans, as there was not time to adjust the instruments. At our station, we worked in the early morning hours till daylight and to a late hour in the evening following the eclipse to complete the aux- iliary observations. As the day advanced the linal prep- arations were completed, and in the early afternoon, a few moments before the predicted time, the expectant observers took their appointed stations. No one would have imagined that a wonderful event was at hand. No trace of the moon could be seen. The face of Nature bore its accustomed aspect. But almost upon the ex- pected moment, a little notch upon the sun's western limb

64

announced the approach of the moon. The eclipse had begun. Eapidly advancing, the moon seemed to hold the sun with iron grasp and to consume its light, the weaker victorious over the stronger. The effect upon the earth, scarcely perceptible till the sun w^as half hidden, from that time grew rapidly more apparent. Darkness seemed approaching, heralded not by the soothing twilight of the restful night but by a cheerless gloom. A sense of awe filled the soul. Men, with countenances changed to an ashen hue, spoke in whispers. The crescent of light became smaller and smaller, and soon the swift shadow was seen sweeping over the lofty mountains. The thin crescent faded away, and the dark moon was seen sur- rounded by a crown of unequalled glory, to whose beauty the stars bore silent witness. It lingered for awhile — and was gone. For a sudden burst of li2:ht marked the returning day. It seemed as if the Creator had once more spoken the words "Let there be light," for there was light. The rapid shadow sped away in its flight. The moon hastened to undo the work it had so recently wrought. The sun regained its power, the stronger vic- torious over the weaker. Nature once more assumed her wonted aspect. The eclipse was over.

[The remainder of the lecture was illustrated by a series of lantern views projected upon the screen by Mr. Leonard Waldo of Cambridge. First were given views of the recent eclipse as it appeared to the naked eye and as seen through telescopes by difierent observers.]

It is singular that the corona should appear so differ- ently to different observers, even if they are at the same station and view it under similar conditions. But since this is an evident fact, it is natural to suppose that a more accurate representation of the corona may be obtained by photography. But there are several difficulties to be

65

encountered. One is in the proper time to expose the plate. When a photographer is taking a picture of a room he exposes his plate several minutes ; if he is pho- tographing a landscape scene in bright sunlight, a few seconds he finds to be sufficient. For the sun, the short- est exposure possible is required. The best photograph of the sun yet obtained was made with an exposure of 3(jVo of a second. In an eclipse, since the brightness is much greater close to the sun than farther away from it, a short exposure of a second or two will give the solar prominences but no corona, while a long exposure will represent more of the corona but the inner portions will be overexposed and therefore lose their details. This is illustrated by two views, one of the eclipse of 1860, in which the plate was exposed two seconds, and which shows the prominences only, and the other Dr. Draper's photo- graph of the last eclipse made with an exposure of 160 seconds. It was hoped by so long an exposure that the coronal streamers might be photographed, which has never yet been done. Indeed, from their absence on the photographs it has been argued that they are unreal. The picture does not show them, but it exhibits in the extreme portions traces of a radiated structure.

Another reason why reliance cannot bq placed upon photographs alone is that all rays of light are not chemi- cally active. It was shown very graphically by Prof. Osbun a few evenings ago that the actinic rays — those that are chemically active in developing the picture — are confined to the blue and violet and ultra-violet portions of the spectrum, the last named not being visible to the eye. Red and yellow rays afiect the eye but not the sen- sitized plate. Hence a photograph does not give a per- fect representation, since it may omit peculiarities which the eye discerns or add others invisible to the eye. (A

66

person sitting for a photograph shows unconscions knowl- edge of this fact, since he always expects the portrait to omit defects which belong of course to the red end of the spectrum and to bring out actinic beauties which n > mor- tal eye can see.) It requires also much skill to photo- graph the corona. This was successfully accomplished for the first time in 1869, the photograph then obtained comparing Avell with the more recent ones. It is custom- ary to obtain a series of photographs with difierent times of exposure, each of which will bear witness to a portion of the corona. [Illustrated by a photograph taken in Prof. Young's party, and by Mr. Whipple's photograph of the corona in the 1869 eclipse.]

It is interesting to compare the varied appearances of the corona in different eclipses. In the recent eclipse it was more elongated than usual, or at least the coronal streamers were on this occasion noticed to extend further from the sun than previously. The general outline was also quite irregular, though in this respect it was not unlike many others.

[A series of views was here shown representing the corona as seen in nine of the total eclipses that have been observed during this century.]

While the corona is still a very mysterious appearance, yet the result of observations made in past years has tended to establish the truth of certain theories with regard to it. It belongs to the sun, and not to the moon. It is not caused by our own atmosphere, as some have thought, considering it to be a mere optical illusion. It is undoubtedly true that its appearance is much modified by local influences, but from the summit of Pike's Peak, where the disturbing eflTects of the atmosphere were less than at other stations, it was seen in greater extent than elsewhere. Its presence surrounding the sun, when the

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moon is absent, ma}^ be inferred from the foct that when either of the phmets Venus or Mercury is about to cross the sun, it can be seen before touching the disk — a dark body on the coronal background. In eclipses also, a few minutes before or after the total phase, the whole outline of the moon can be seen. It is impossible to believe that the moon could have an atmosphere of sufficient size and density to cause the phenomena witnessed in the corona, and 3^et this atmosphere not be apparent in many other ways.

The examination of the corona by instrumental means strengthens the belief in its solar origin, at least in the solar origin of the portions nearest the sun. The obser- vations with the polariscope in different eclipses have been quite conflicting. In some, no traces of polarization could be found, in others they were ver}^ marked, while the direction of the plane of polarization varied. A dis- cussion made previous to the last eclipse by an English astronomer showed that the greater part of the observa- tions might be harmonized on the supposition that the corona contained reflected sunlight, which might be caused by meteoric or other matter in the vicinity of the sun. The observations made last summer for the most part con- firm this opinion. But there are certain observations in several of the eclipses which indicate that part of its light comes through certain substances and not by reflection, since the plane of polarization did not pass through the sun but tangent to it. This discordance in the polaris- copic observations has not yet been explained.

Let us examine the testimony of the spectroscope.

[Upon the screen were shown the spectrum of the sun, the solar spectrum together Avith that of iron show- ing the coincidences of sixty-five of the bright lines in the spectrum of iron with dark lines in the solar spec-

68

trum, and the spectra of the sun, chromosphere, solar prominences and corona as seen in the eclipse of 1869.]

The spectrum of the chromosphere, the gaseous hiyer in which the solar prominences originate, contained the four h} drogen lines with several others not determined. In the spectrum of the prominences were found, besides these, four others, three of which were also found in the corona ; of these two were rather faint, and have not generally been seen. The third, which is called the "1474" line, from its position on the standard scale, is considered the characteristic line of the coronal spectrum ; it indicates the presence of an unknown gaseous substance which is also found in the sun, and probably thrown up from it into the corona. In the corona have also been seen the continuous spectrum, which would indicate in- candescent solid or liquid matter, and the spectrum of sunlight with its dark lines, which w^ould agree with the polariscope in indicating reflected sunlight.

Upon the testimony of the spectroscope, then, the corona is of a very complex nature, for it shines with its own light, shines with reflected sunlight, and contains an unknown gaseous substance found also in the sun. But the corona does not exhibit the same spectra in different eclipses. In the last eclipse the change was especially marked. The 1474 line was very faint — some observers failed entirely to see it — while the continuous spectrum was the marked feature, the dark solar lines being also seen. This noticeable change in the spectrum, particu- larly the unusual faintness of the 1474 line, points to a connection between the sun and the corona which is one of the most important results of the recent observations. The sun has been for some time past in a state of unusual quiescence ; the spots and prominences are few, the chro- mosphere low. That at this time the corona should show

69

the least trace of the solar "1474 matter" it has ever exhibited since the spectroscope discovered its presence, is a proof that it, too, follows the periodicity characteris- tic of the sun. In a few years the sun spots wall again become numerous, for their period is known ; if the corona should then, as is confidently expected, exhibit the characteristics so marked in 1869 and 1870, when the sun was in great activity, the proof wall be still more complete.

It is remarkable that while the 1878 corona contained less of the solar matter than formerly, it was more ex- tended and exhibited more plainly the evidences of re- flected light. The advocates of the view that it is mainly caused by reflection from meteoric substances in the vicin- ity of the sun find in this circumstance an argument for their theory ; and some who before have believed that the inner corona was solar and the outer atmospheric in ori- gin have changed to the meteoric theory. The sketch made by Prof. Abbe on the slope of Pike's Peak shows in a very striking way the extent of the corona as seen in high altitudes without telescopic aid. The observer has advanced the theory that the long bands of light are the £:rand meteor streams which the earth meets in Augfust and November, the tapering of the bands being due to perspective. No other person, as far as known (for but few of the reports of the last eclipse have yet been pub- lished) has been so definite in designating the position of the meteoric bodies reflecting the coronal light, but the belief that this is the explanation of at least that portion of the corona farthest removed from the sun has been strengthened by the recent observations.

It has been customary for some observers to spend the time of totality in the search for new^ planets near the sun. To facilitate the work, a chart of stars is made

ESSEX INST. BULLETIN. XI 6

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beforehand and the observer hunts systematically for ob- jects not on the map. In the last eclipse several distin- guished astronomers engaged in this work, two of whom report success for the first time in the history of eclipse observations. Each of them found two objects not on the chart, which therefore cannot be stars, for no stars except those on the chart exist in that part of the sky as bright as the new objects are described to be. The positions given by the two observers, Prof. Watson and Mr. Swift, unfortunately do not agree, and consequently there Avere four new objects seen, unless one of the ob- servers in the hurry of the moment made a mistake in his record. This is a point which no one can settle. The new objects cannot be asteroids, for they are so bright that they would have been discovered long ago if that were the case. It has been suggested that they may be comets, but the discoverers are positive in their de- scriptions and would not be likely to be deceived, since they are experienced observers. It is generally conceded that one or more new planets moving about the sun within the orbit of Mercury has been discovered, and the search for new planets will receive much attention in future eclipses.

[The concluding illustration represented the progress of an eclipse, the sun being gradually concealed by the advancing moon, and the corona bursting forth at the moment of totality.]

We may sum up briefly the scientific results of the last eclipse, as far as they can now be given.

1. The discovery of one or more intra-Mercurial planets.^

1 Since the above was written, a valuable discussion of the subject of the exist- ence of intra-Mercurial planets has been published by Dr. Peters of Hamilton Col- lege, New York. It presents in a masterly way the negative side of the question, showing that the supposed observations of such bodies that have been made dur-

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2. The proof that the corona follows the same law of periodicity which affects the sun.

3. An advance in instrumental means of studying eclipses, shown by the invention of the tasimeter, and the successful photographing of the coronal spectrum.

4. The accumulation of more facts, which will have their value in combining the observations of different eclipses.

We may feel sure that future observations will throw more light upon the unsolved problems suggested by the phenomena of an eclipse. The sole object of these ob- servations is to add to our knowledge of this wonderful universe, — a universe which in its grandest or in its humblest appearances speaks its Creator's praise.

ing this century are unreliable, while the great mass of testimony is opposed to their existence. The objects seen by Prof. Watson in the last eclipse are explained to be certain known stars which would coincide with the observed positions if we admit an error in the observations — an error which is claimed to be witliin the lim- its of accuracy possible under the conditions of observation. This criticism, which is sustained by good arguments, coupled with the mass of negative evi- dence, places the subject once more in a doubtful position. But it is certain that the interest excited by the supposed discoveries will make the search for new planets a prominent part of future eclipse observations.

Notes on the Native and extensively introduced Woody Plants of Essex County^ Massachusetts}

By John Robinson.

PREFACE.

The following notes on the woody plants of Essex County have been collected for the purpose of giving what is known of the trees and shrubs which are natives of the soil, and those which have been extensively introduced. It is not possible to bring together here all the information which might be collected, but it is certain that suffi- cient will be found to show thoroughly the nature of the species, their hardiness, and the size they attain within our county's limits. The principal facts are taken from the extensive notes made by Mr. John H. Sears of Danvers, and the observations made since by Mr. Sears and the present writer while botanizing in various parts of the county. Besides, the work of the older botanists has been examined, and references will be found to Dr. Chas. Pickering, William Oakes, Rev. J. L. Russell, S. P. Fowler, and others. The writer desires to express his thanks to the many persons who, more or less interested in the subject, in various parts of the county, have so uniformly shown their kindness by adding much valuable information, w^hich has been incorporated in the notes. Almost every species referred to in these pages is represented in the Essex County Botanical Collection in the Museum of the Peabody Academy of Science, at Salem, where besides the dried specimens of leaves, flowers, and fruit of the plants, there is also a very complete collection of the wood arranged to show its transverse and vertical section, and the bark of each species. This collection is the result of a systematic attempt to illustrate the woody plants of Essex County, and was gathered chiefly by Mr. Sears. Should it chance that any one reading these pages can add any infor- mation to that already collected, the writer would esteem it a great favor that it should be communicated to him.

1 Names of species in tliis type: Tilia Americana, L., indicate plants which are natives of Essex County; in this type: Magnolia acuminata, L., plants which are natives of North America, usually within the scope of Gray's Botany, (i.e., east of the Mississipjn and north of Nirginia), and introduced into Esse.x County; in this type: Berberis vulgaris L., plants which are fiom foreign countries, usually natives of Europe, introduced into Essex County.

(72)

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RANUNCULACEJE.

(CROWFOOT Family.)

Clematis Virginiana, Z. (Common Virgin's Bower.) Avery pretty climber, seldom forming stems of much size. It is quite abun- dant uear Salem, and is frequently met with in cultivation, where it makes with its flowers in August, and later with its feathery fruit, a very attractive trellis plant. Many other species of this beautiful genus are found in our gardens. The C. [Atragane] verticillaris, D. C, which grows near Mt. Wachuset, is probably not a native of this county.

MAGNOLIACE^.

(MAGNOLIA Family.)

Magnolia glauca, L. (Small Magnolia. Sweet Bay.) This beautiful plant, 8o far north of its central habitat, has given the name to the summer resort near which the magnolia swamp is situated in Gloucester, and the original locality is so widely known that the plants are fast being removed (often very carelessly) for cultivation. The young buds are so quickly taken off by the venders of the flowers that it is almost impossible to find a perfect specimen. Fortunately, however, there are one or two other swamps in which the M. glauca grows, not so easy of access, extending towards the town of Essex, where this rare plant is likely to remain undisturbed for a while longer. It is not known by whom it was first detected here, but it probably has been familiar to the residents of the vicinity for a cen- tury.^

Magnolia acuminata^ L. (Cucumber Tree.) Frequent in culti- vation, easily enduring the winters except in very exposed places. One tree of this species upon the estate of Gen. Loring in Beverly almost rivals more southern specimens by its fine growth.

M. macrophylla, M. umbrella, and M. conspicua ( Yulan of the Chi- nese), are occasionally met with in cultivation, requiring some protec- tion during winter when planted in exposed places.

Liriodendron tulipifera, L. (Tulip Tree.) A native of southern New England and westward. A tree commonly cultivated, but

2 Dr. Henry Wheatland kindly furnishes the following note : — "^Rev. Manaseeh Cutler, LL.D., of Hamilton, was the person who first brought to public notice the magnolia locality in Gloucester and Manchester; or at least tradition says so. In a notice of a field meeting of the Institute at Manchester in I806, Rev. J. L. Russell says, ' It was a source of no ordinary pleasure to be able to stand on the most northern limit of this fine and ornamental tree, probably near the very spot where its fragrant blossoms attracted the notice of the Rev. l>r. Manasseh Cutler many years since.' Proc. E. I., Vol. II, p. 34."

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here never reaching the magnificent proportions to which it grows in the west. It is a clean and liandsome shade tree.

BERBEBIDACE-aS. (BARBERRY Family.)

Berberis vulgaris, L. (Common Barberry.) Few persons fa- miliar with the barberry know that it has been introduced from Europe, yet such is the case, and aside from the eastern portion of the New England states it is a comparatively rare shrub. The fruit is much used when preserved as a dinner sauce, and the plants if properly pruned form a very beautiful hedge.

Dr. William Mack, of Salem, who has given much attention to the introduction of shrubs and trees in this vicinity, and who has experi- mented to a considerable extent with our American species, considers the barberry to be one of the best of hedge plants. He has found those raised from seeds to succeed the best; they should when two years old be planted out in a double row, the plants being one foot apart, those of one row coming opposite the spaces of the other. After a few year's growth the pruning should be commenced. The hedge thus treated by Dr. Mack became in ten years a solid mass six feet high and three or four feet wide. When growing in hedges the barberry seldom produces fruit.

CISTACE^.

(ROCK-ROSE Family.)

Helianthemum Canadense, 3Iichx. (Frost-weed.) A little plant flowering in August and September, resembling somewhat the small Evening Primrose.

Hudsonia tomentosa, Nutt. (Hudsonia.) A curious little plant growing in sandy places, resembling in appearance a Heath. Abun- dant at Ipswich, Plum Island, and Nahant.

Lechea tenuifolia, L. thymifolia, Piirsh., L. major, 3Iichx., and L. minor, Lam., are homely weeds growing in sand or poor soil.

The plants of this family have somewhat woody stems.

MALVACE^.

(MALLOW Family.)

Althcea officinalis, L., is found on salt marshes, and is reported at Salisbury by Mrs. Downs.

Hibiscus moscheutos, L., was found at Swampscott fifty years ago by the late Dr. Chas. Pickering, the place where it then grew is now occupied by summer boarding-houses.

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Hibiscus Syriacus, L. (Common Alth^a.) Always cultivated. It is sometimes fouud to spread by seeds almost as though it were wild.

TILIACE^.

(LINDEN Family.) Tilia Americana, L. (American Linden. Basswood.) A fine shade tree scattered through the county, seldom more than a few trees being seen together. It is subject to the "attacks of insects, the leaves by mid-summer often being quite unsightly, owing to their almost skeletonized appearance. Mr. J. H. Sears, of Danvers, to whom the writer will frequently have occasion to refer in these notes, gives the following measurements of a Basswood which, in 1867, grew in Danvers, beside a never-failing spring.

Circumference 12 feet 3 inches at 1 foot from gi-ound

«' 10 " 6 " " 5 feet " ''

Height 50 feet.

Another before the farm house of Mr. Nathaniel Boardman was

in 1875,

Circumference 12 feet 10 inches at 1 foot from ground.

« 9 " 0 '• " 5 feet " "

Height 45 feet.

The wood is chiefly used in carriage and cabinet work.

Tilia Europ.ea. (European Linden.) Much used as a street shade tree, represented in the county by some very fine specimens. The leaves are smaller than those of the American Linden, and the time of flowering somewhat earlier.

Six European Lindens in Beverly, in 1876, measured as follows, commencing with one opposite the southeast corner of number 82 Cabot St.

No. 1. Circumference 9 feet 8 niches at 1 foot from gro

		9 "	9	" 6 feet
No. 2.		9 "	8	" 1 foot
		8 "	11 "	" 6 feet
No. 3.		9 "	1 "	" 1 foot
		8 '•	6 "	" 6 feet
No. 4.		10 "	6^ «'	" 1 foot
		9 "	0 "	" 6 feet
No. 5.		11 "	6^ '^	" 1 foot
		9 "	5 "	" 6 feet
No. 6.		10 "	9^ -	" 1 foot
		8 "	8 ''	" 6 feet

ind.

Height about 70 feet.

RUTACEiB.

(RUE Family.) Zantlioxylum Americaniim, Mill. (Northern Prickly Ash. Tooth-

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ACHE Tree.) This plant, although a northern shrub, does not, it is probable, orow naturally within the county limits. There are in Boxford. Danvers, and Georgetown several localities for Prickly Ash. Mrs. W. S. Horner kindly furnishes the following information: "The Prickly Ash was brought from Topsfield in 1835 and planted in several places in this vicinity, by Mr. Andrew Horner, who held its medicinal properties in much esteem. The plant is growing in several places here as a shrub from six to twelve feet high, perhaps under better conditions it might grow larger." It would be interesting to know when and by whom it was introduced into Topsfield.

AlLANTHUS GLANDULOSUS. (TrEE OF HeaVEN. CHINESE SUMACH.)

A native of China, introduced into this country in 1784, at Philadel- phia. This very handsome tree was extensively planted as a shade tree in our cities, but the offensive odor of the starainate flowers made it unpopular, and it was found that the pollen and fallen flowers injured the water collected from the roofs of houses near which the trees were planted.

This tree is well adapted for planting in sandy soil, as for instance that of Plum Island. The Russian government use it on the steppes, where it has been remarkably successful. The wood is handsome, excellent for furniture, somewhat resembling oak. This tree is very easy of propagation, for, besides being raised from seeds, every bit of root when cut in pieces will form a bud. For a shade tree this suckering is objectionable. A very full account of the Ailanthus will be found in the Twenty-fifth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture of Mass., by Prof. C. S. Sargent, from which this brief account is taken.

ANACARDIACEJB.

(CASHEW Family.)

Rhus typhina, L. (Staghorn Sumach.) Quite common in various parts of the county. A tree in the garden of Mr. Joel Kim- ball in Beverly, measured in 1878, 25 feet in height, with a diameter of 10 inches.

Rhus glabra, L. (Smooth Sumach.) Abundant, particularly in Wenham, Ipswich, and Hamilton.

Rhus copallina, L. (Dwarf Sumach.) In similar localities to the last.

Rhus venenata, D C. (Poison Sumach.) Poison Dogwood is an unfortunate name to give to this plant, although it is the one by which it is most generally known. The Dogwoods all have large panicles of white flowers and are harmless to handle, while the poison Sumach has inconspicuous flowers.

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The Poison Sumach grows to considerable size in the county; one tree in Hamilton has a head some 15 feet in diameter, with a trunk branching near the ground into several divisions.

Khus Toxicodendron, L. (Poison Ivy.) This very common poisonous plant will be found at one time in the form of a very deli- cate vine, and at another a stout, coarse-leaved shrub supporting itself against a wall or tree. One form has been called R. radicans, but the intermediate forms so connect it with the first that it has been considered only a variety of strong growth. These two last species of Rhus are the only plants poisonous to the touch grow- ing in the county. Neither have attractive flowers or fruit. It is only the showy leaves of R. venenata in autumn that would ever lead a person to handle the plant through any attraction of its own Con- sidering the abundance of these species, and the frequency with which they must be touched, even roughly handled by many persons, par- ticularly by children, it is a wonder that their poisonous eftects are not more often seen.

If any one suspects that either of these plants have come in contact with the person, let the part so touched be washed with a strong, coarse soap. If the eruption makes its appearance, apply water, as hot as can be borne, to the afiected part ; this will benumb the little nerves which are irritated and dull the pain. If a disagreeable swelling is caused by being poisoned, seek the advice of the best neighboring regular physician. Some persons may handle these plants with impunity, others are so sensitive that their near presence to the plant without contact with their person is sufticient to cause a swelling of the face. Many other plants are charged with being the cause of poisonings. It is probable that all such charges are erro- neous, and that unconsciously one of the two poisonous sumachs have been handled or brushed against. In collecting other plants the wide- spreading roots of one of them may have been met with. This has proved to be the explanation of several cases of mysterious plant poisoning.

Rhus Cotinus (Smoke Tkee.) is very common in cultivation. ^

VITACE-^.

(VINE Family.)

Vitis Labrusca, L. (Northern Fox Grape.) Very common. Fruit ripening during the latter part of August or first of September. A white fruited variety with paler green leaves has been found in Danvers by Mr. Sears. This species, "Improved by cultivation has given rise to the Isabella, Catawba, Concord, and other varieties." Gray.

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Vitis sestivalis, Michx. (Summer Grape.) Not so common as as last. Found on Cape Ann, as is also

Vitis cordifolia, Michx. (Wjnter or Frost Grape), which has been found in Essex.

Ampelopsis quinquefolia, 3Iichx. (Virginian Creeper.) This beautiful climber in our northern latitude takes the place of the Eng- lish Ivy (Hedera helix) as a wall plant. It is very abundant wild, and much in use in cultivation.

The beautiful, closely clinging Ampelopsis Vetchii is now being introduced as a wall climber with great success near Boston, where it proves perfectly hardy.

RHAMNACEJS. (BUCKTHORN Family.)

Rhamnus catiiarticus, L. (Common Buckthorn.) This has always been extensively used for hedges, and where plants have been allowed to grow up singly, the seeds produced are widely distributed, and small plants are abundant.

Ceanothus Americanus, L. (New Jersey Tea.) A low shrub with very pretty white flowers in July. Common in Beverly, George- town, etc. "The leaves were used for tea during the American Revolution, and the manufacture has been recently revived in Penn- sylvania." Gray.

CELASTRACEJE.

(STAFF TREE Family.)

Celastrus scandens, L. (Roxbury Waxwork. Climbing Bitter-sw^eet.) Common in Salem, Beverly, Middleton, etc. This species is an excellent one for arches or trellis work when a plant that will bear pruning is desired. The scarlet fruit remains in the open pod after the leaves have fallen, often through the entire winter.

Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. (Burning Bush. Spindle Tree.) A native of New York state. Often cultivated here. .

SAPINDACE^.

(SOAPBERRY Family.)

iEscuLUS Hippocastanum, L. (Horse-chestnut.) This valuable and extensively planted shade tree was introduced from Europe during the last century. "It is a native of Asia, and was carried tp France in 1615 from Constantinople. The fruit is in Germany boiled and used to fatten cattle and fowls. The name horse-chestnut is derived from the fact that in Turkey and Germany it is employed in veterinary

79

medicine." Emerson. A tree in the writer's garden, fifty years old, measured, Sept., 1878,

Circumference 8 feet 1 inch, 1 foot from gi-ound.

" 6 " 10 inches, 6 feet " "

Height about 60 feet.

The Red Horse-chestnut and perhaps one or two others are met with in cultivation.

Acer Pennsylvanicum, L. (Striped Maple.) In some towns this shrub or tree is called Moose-wood, a name applied to Dirca palustris and also to Viburnam lantanoides in other places. This is a good illustration of the danger of using the common names of plants when accuracy is desired, and the importance of a botanical name which is accepted everywhere for a species. The Striped Maple is often met with in Essex Woods, Rockport, Swampscott, Andover, Georgetown, etc. The trunk occasionally reaches a diameter of six inches, in specimens planted out, one of which may be seen in Har- mony Grove Cemetery in Salem, another on the grounds of G. A. Tapley, Esq., Danvers. The leaves sometimes are found to measure 8 by 10 inches.

Acer sjncatum, Lam. (Mountain Maple.) Although at the "White Mountains, and elsewhere, this species is found in company with the Striped Maple, yet it has not been authentically reported within our county limits. It is rarely seen even in cultivation, under which treatment it makes a very pretty shrub.

Acer saccharinum, Wang. (Sugar Maple. Rock Maple.) Nearly all of the old and large specimens of this tree have been destroyed, so that the native growth is chiefly suckers from the old stumps. Trees of this species are occasionally seen with a trunk eighteen inches in diameter. Planted out, the Sugar Maple is a most beautiful shade tree, although rather dense for city streets. Little or no sugar is made from the maple in this county, both on account of the scarcity of large trees and the unfavorable conditions of the climate.

The variety nigrum {A. nigrum, Mich.) is seen now and then in cultivation where it becomes a flue tree.

Acer dasycarpum, Ehrhart. (White Maple. Silver Maple.) This tree, common iu cultivation, grows naturally along the Ipswich River and elsewhere in the northwestern part of the county, where many fine specimens are found. One tree in Topsfield measured by Mr. Sears and the writer, May, 1875, was eight feet in circumference four feet from the ground. Many others of similar size are to be met with.

Acer rubrum, L. (Red Maple. Swamp Maple.) This species

80

is very abumlant in nearly all parts of the county. The leaves vary greatly in size and shape, and the fruit varies in size, position of the keys as regards each other, and their color. In Gray's Manual this maple is spoken of as "a small tree," which is evidently an accidental mistake, as it often grows to great size. Two trees growing in " Blind- HoleSwamp," Danvers, in 18G5, measured by Mr. Sears, were,

(1) Circun>ference 8 feet 6 inches at 1 foot from ground.

" 7 " 5 " " 6 feet " "

90 " high, 24 feet to first limb.

(2) " 8 " 0 inches at 2^ feet from ground, u 7 " 5 " " 6 " " "

Height 50 ft., spread of branches 50 ft. in diameter.

In Ipswich, near the homestead of Mrs. Warner, on the bank of the

river, is a remarkably fine old Red Maple, which measured, in 1875, as

follows : —

Circumference 13 feet 9 inches at 1 foot from ground, u 14 u 2 " "5 feet " "

Just above, the trunk divides into sixteen limbs; the height is about 55 feet, and the spreading branches make their greatest diameter 74 feet.

Mrs. Horner sends the measurements of a Red Maple lately felled near Gage's ferry, Bradford, 1876.

Circumference 26 feet at 4 feet from the ground, one branch circum- ference 12^ feet. Mrs. Horner states that there are several other large Red Maples left in this region.

Acer Pseudo-Platanus (Sycamoke Maple), Acer platanoides (Austrian Maple.) European trees which are frequent in cultivation, where they often rival the native species in the strength and rapidity of their growth.

. Negundo aceroides, Moench. (Ash-leaved Maple. Box-Ei,der.) This is the Acer negundo, L., a northern plant extending into Penn- sylvania. It is cultivated in this vicinity, and it has occasionally been found escaped. A variegated leaved form is also found in cultivation.

LEGUMINOSiEJ.

(PULSE Family.)

Genista tinctoria, X. (Woad-Waxen, Dyer's Weed.) Intro- duced early from Europe, this plant has become most thoroughly established in the county. The masses of its gorgeous yellpw flowers in July, make the otherwise barren hills in the vicinity of Salem a magnificent sight. At one point in the Salem Great Pastures scarcely anything but this plant can be seen for miles around. A near relative of this plant, Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom), runs wild in Virginia.

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Bohinia pseudacacia, L. (Common Locust.) The Locust is a native of Pennsj'lvania and westward. It lias so long been cultivated in this vicinity that it has in many places the appearance of being a native of the county.

Owing to the attacks of borers, the Locust trees planted singly along walls or scattered through a field are liable to be broken by high winds, and consequently the tree is less frequently met with than formerly. According to Emerson the pests which attack the various species of Robinia are less troublesome among trees planted in groves. Hon. Benj. Perley Poore, at Newbury, has succeeded with the Locust cultivated in this manner admirably, and it is to be regretted that the planting of so valuable a tree should be discontinued.

Mr. Sears states that the fallen leaves are considered as more of an improvement to the land than those of any other tree, a fact corrobo- rated by Mr. Poore's experience. Mr. Sears gives the measurements of several Locusts as follows. One on the Gardner farm near Salem being 12 feet in circumference. Three trees on the Pedrick estate, Danvers, measured respectively, 6, 7, and 8 feet in circumference, and were from 50 to 80 feet high.

Bobinia viscosa, Vent. (Clammy Locust.) A smaller tree than the last, with the inodorous flowers in shorter and more compact clusters. A native of Virginia, and it is frequent in cultivation, spreading extensively by suckers.

Robinia hispida, L. (Rose Acacia.) Also from Virginia. It is occasionally found as a garden plant, where it is a small shrub.

Wistaria friitescens, D C, from West Virginia, etc., is occasionally cultivated.

SoPHORA Japonica, of Japan, is hardy in the county, and is now and then cultivated.

Cladrastis tinctoria, Raf. (Yellow Wood), the Virgilia lutea, Michx. f., from Kentucky, is also hardy, but requires a sheltered place.

Cercis Canadensis, L. (Red-bud), of New York State, is a quite hardy and handsome shrub or tree in cultivation.

Gleditschia triacanthos, L. (Three-thorned Acacia. Honey- Locust.) This tree, very common in the vicinity of Salem, is a handsome, rapidly growing shade tree, yet, if persistently pruned when small, it will form an admirable hedge. Trees of this species are not uncommon from 18 inches to 2 feet in diameter, and from 50 to 60 feet high. This species is a native of Pennsylvania.

ROSA.CEJE.

(ROSE Family.) Prunus Americana, Marshall. (Wild Yellow, or Red Plum.) Specimens of the flowers of this tree, collected by AVilliam Oakes in

82

the county, are in the herbarmm of the Peabody Academy of Science. It is a small, thorny tree.

Prunus maritima, Wang. (Beach Plum.) This shrub is very abundant at Plum Island, and also along the stone walls at the road- side for some distance into the interior of the county. It is said that the farmers going to the island for "thatch" (Spartina stricta), collect plums and eating them on their way home, throw the stones by the wall, thus establishing the species in the interior towns.

Prunus spinosa, L. (Sloe. Black Thorn.) Reported as intro- duced in one or two instances.

Prunus pumila, X. (Dwarf Cherry.) Reported from Andover, by Mrs. A. S. Downs and Rev. H. P. Nichols. It was also collected at Lynn, by Dr. Chas. Pickering, about 1823.

Prunus Pennsylvanica, L. (Wild Red Cherry.) This is a very small tree, quite common in the county.

Prunus Virginiana, L. (Choke Cherry.) A tall shrub, very common in all parts.

Prunus serotina, Ehrhart. (Wild Black Cherry.) The late Dr. Chas. Pickering did not consider this tree to be a native of Essex County, but that it was introduced at an early date by the colonists. The Black Cherry is now very abundant along walls, in fields, and by streams. The trees of this species attain considerable size ; one in Boxford measured by Mr. Sears, in 1875, was,

Circumference 10 feet at 2| feet from ground.

U 8 U U Q U

Height about 60 feet.

Another, measured in 1879, was 8 feet in circumference 4 feet from the ground. The wood of this tree is very valuable, and it is unfortu- nate that the tree should meet with so much abuse on acconnt of its being the favorite of the caterpillars.

P. (Amygdalus) nana (Flowering Almond), P. (A.) Persica (Peach), P. armeniaca (Apricot), and P. domestica (Garden Cherry), are all common in cultivation, mostly having been intro- duced at an early date.

Spiroea opulifoUa,. L. (Nine-Bark.) Probably not a native of the county, although common in cultivation. Mr. C. E. Faxon has found this species undoubtedly indigenous at Blue Hill, Milton, Mass.

Spiraea salicifolia, L. (Meadow Sweet), forms quite a stem at times, as does

Spiraea tomentosa, L. (Hardback.) Both are very common. Other foreign shrubby species are met with in cultivation.

Potentilla fruticosa, L. (Shrubby Cinque-foil.) In Ipswich this remarkable Potentilla is quite common, and it is found in a few

83

other places Rockport, J/r. Frank Lufkin; Georgetown, Mrs. Horner. The stems are sometimes half an inch in diameter, the plants often being three or four feet high.

Rubus odoratus, L. (Purple Flowering Raspberry.) Many persons suppose that because this plant is so common in old gardens that it is not a native shrub, yet it was known to Higginson, who mentions it as growing near Salem, in a locality without doubt still in existence. This species is not uncommon in various parts of the county.

Rubus triflorus, Bichardson. (Dwarf Raspberry.) Danvers, probably in other localities. It is a vine of little consequence, without prickles. The stems are of annual growth.

Rubus strigosus, Mkhx. (Wild Red Raspberry.) Very com- mon. The fruit much marketed.

Rubus occidentalis, L. (Thimbleberry.) Not so common as last, the fruit less esteemed.

Rubus villosus, Ait. (High Blackberry.) Very abundant, the fruit much in demand. This species varies much. A small form with berries of a poorer quality is found in Danvers, and other forms almost connect it, as Gray states, with

Rubus Canadensis, L. (Low Blackberry, Dewberry), which is quite connnon in all parts, with a delicious berry preferable to that of It. villosus.

Rubus hispidus, i. (Running Sw^amp-Blackberry.) Although this does not always grow in swamps, yet it is sometimes found there. The fruit is of no value, and the vines are very troublesome to pedes- trians.

Rosa Carolina, L. (Swamp Rose.) Very common in Beverly, Gloucester, etc,

Rosa lucida, Ehrhart. (Common Wild Rose.) This varies much in the color of the flowers. Very common in all parts.

Rosa rubiginosa, L. (Sweet Brier.) Escaped from old gardens and become thoroughly naturalized. It is difiicult to distinguish this species from

Rosa micrantha, Smith. (Small Sweet Brier), which is now and then found.

Rosa cinnamomea (Cinnamon Rose). Common in old gardens, and sometimes found escaped. Many foreign roses are of course hardy in gardens. Those of the Hybrid-perpetual varieties require protection during winter.

Crat^gus Oxycantha, L. (English Hawthorne.) Some fine trees of this species, according to Tracy, are found in Saugus, where they have made themselves quite at home. This tree is often met with in cultivation.

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Crataegus eoecinea, L. (Scarlet-fruited Thorn.) Quite common in Ipswich, Topsfield, etc. Mr. Sears mentions one in Danvers, with a trunk 17 inches in circumference and 18 feet high.

Crataegus tomentosa, L. (Black or Pear Thorn.) In simi- lar localities to last. It varies much.

Pyrus Malus, L. (Apple.) Introduced ver.y early from Europe. Oftentimes the apple is found in the woods and fields, long distances from farms, where seedlings have chanced to spring up. The fruit of these sometimes is of a very pleasant flavor. Old trees are often seen 7 to 10 feet in circumference.

Pyrus communis, L. (Pear.) Among the earliest fruits intro- duced by the colonists was the Pear. Mr. Robert Manning in an article entitled " Notes on Ancient Pear Trees," in the Proceedings of the American Pomological Society, 1875, states, that the celebrated "Endicott Pear Tree" was thought to have been planted in 1630, having been brought from England in the Arabella, or some other vessel, in June of that year. Gov. Endicott's farm was granted in 1G32, so that the trees imported may have been first placed in the Governor's Salem garden. The "Endicott Pear Tree" is now not much more than sucker growth from the original tree.

The Orange Pear Tree in the garden of Capt. Chas. H. Allen, on Hardy St., Salem, is in much better condition. It is supposed to have been planted about 1640. In 1875 it was 9 feet 5 inches in circumfer- ence at the smallest part between the roots and the branches, and in 1862 bore thirteen and a half bushels of pears. Other old pear trees are to be found, but not so venerable as these.

Pyrus arbutifolia, L. (Choke-berry.) Common throughout the county.

Pyrus Americana, D C. (American Mountain-Ash.) It is probable that this species w^as once to be found indigenous in the county, where it is now seen in cultivation with the

Pyrus aucuparia, Gcetn. (European Mountain Ash.) The fruit of these trees being eagerly sought by birds, the seeds are widely distributed, and the young trees are found almost anywhere. The European Mountain-Ash seldom forms a handsome tree, the foliage is sparse, and the smaller limbs are easily broken by the weight of the heavy fruit. It is very common in cultivktion.

Amelancliier Canadensis, Torr. & Gray. (Shad-blossom. June-behry.) This very interesting shrub is quite common in moist land in all parts of the county.

Var. Botryapium (Pyrus Botryapium, Willd.), is the larger growing form, with smooth leaves and longer petals. A tree of this variety in Danvers, Mr. Sears measured in 1875, was 8 feet in cir- cumference below the seven branches into which the trunk soon

85

divided. Three of these branches were 18 inches iu circumference, the tree was 28 feet high. In May, the whole is a magnificent mass of white, flowers.

Var. oblongifolia is smaller, with shorter petals, and leaves downy beneath.

The fruit of the Amelanchier is ripe the last of June or early in July. It is sweet and excellent, and if it were not that birds appre- ciate this fact as well as man, it might be a valuable market berry. It is now often seen on sale among the blueberries in the first of the season.

The wood of this tree has a speckled appearance, and is very pretty. Darlington says that the fruit may be improved by long cultivation, and Emerson considers it an experiment well worth trying, to ascer- tain how far it might be improved.

Cydonia vulgaris (Common Quince), and Cydonia Japonica (Japan Quince, Pyrus Japonica), are extensively cultivated, the latter for ornament, the former for the fruit.

CALYCANTHACEJE.

(CALYCANTHUS Family.)

Calycanthus florichis, L. (Carolina Allspice.) A native of Virginia southward, with very fragrant, strawberry-scented flowers. It is often cultivated.

SAXIFRAGACE^.

(SAXIFRAGE Family.)

Ribes hirtelluin, Miclix. (Wild Gooseberry.) Quite common.

Ribes floridum, L. (Wild Black Currant.) Not so common as the last. (Ipswich, Oakes in herb. P. A. S.)

Ribes rubrum, L. (Red Currant.) Cultivated everywhere. Although our American plant is " seemingly not distinct from the garden Red Currant of Europe" Gray. It is probable that all the specimens found growing wild in this region have originated from garden plants, as the localities for the truly native specimens are much farther north.

Ribes Grossularia (Garden Gooseberry.) Much cultivated, as is the

Ribes nigrum (Garden Black Currant.) It is probable that these European species have been transported by birds or other agencies to distant localities, as they are often found escaped.

Bihes mirev7n, Pursh. (Missouri Currant.) Much cultivated for its early spicy, fragrant yellow flowers.

ESSEX INST, bulletin. XI 7

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Philadelphus grandijloms (Large-Flowered Mock-Orange), from Virginia, and

Philadelphus coronarius (Common Mock-orange), from Japan, are frequent in old gardens. Tliey are improperly called " Syringa," the botanical name for the Lilac.

HAMAMELACEJE.

(WITCH-HAZEL Family.)

Hamamelis Virginica, L. (Witch-hazel.) Very common in most parts of the county, often growing 25 feet high, with a trunk 4-6 inches in diameter.

LYTHRACE^.

(LOOSESTRIFE Family.)

Nessea verticillata, H. B. K. (Swamp Loosestrife.) Common along the borders of streams and ponds. It sometimes has a stem the size of the fore finger, and is interesting botanically on account of the spongy bark which is found on all the stems which dip into the water, a feature possessed in common with other plants inhabiting similar situations.

CACTfACEiE]. (CACTUS Family.)

Opuntia vulgaris, Mill. (Prickly Pear.) This plant grows naturally from Nantucket southward. Mr. Hugh Wilson found plants of it at Kernwood, Salem (probably escaped), some years ago, and on the land of Mr. Graves in North Keadiug, on a sandy bank of the Ipswich River, just beyond the Middleton line, is a fine patch of this plant which has increased rapidly from plants placed there many years since.

CORNACE^.

(DOGWOOD Family.)

Cornus florida, L. (Flowering Dogwood.) This is in the flowering season a very beautiful and conspicuous tree. It grows from 10-20 feet high, with a trunk some 3-5 inches in diameter. It is found abundant in parts of Wenham Swamp, where it was noticed by Dr. Chas. Pickering in 1824, and also in Essex, Boxford, etc. These are about the most northerly localities for this species.

Cornus circinata, UHer. (Round-leaved Cornel.) "Lynn, Saugus, Swampscott," Tracy. "Audover," Mrs. Downs, Bev. H. P. Nichols. Boxford, Beverly, etc. A low tree, or tall shrub.

87

Cornus sericea, L. (Silky Cornel.) " Wenham Swamp, 1821," Dr. Charles Pickering. Georgetown, etc. A shrub.

Corniis stolonifera, Michx. (Red-osier Dogw^ood.) George- town, Mrs. Horner, and various other parts of the county. A tall shrub.

Cornus paniculata, L'Her. By^eld and Danvers, J. H. Sears, Wenham, etc. A tall shrub.

Cornus alternifolia, L. This is the most tree like of our native species, often of quite striking form, growing 20 feet high, with a trunk 6 inches in diameter. These are the true Dogwoods, having handsome, cymose flowers, and must not be confounded with the wrongly called "Poison Dogwood," which is not a Dogwood at all, but a Sumach, with unattractive green flowers. The little "Bunch- berry" (Cornus Canadensis) is also very abundant in our woods.

Nyssa multiflora, Wang. (Tupelo.) An irregular tree, with a beautiful shining green foliage, turning a deep red in autumn. Com- mon in various parts of the county, and often growing 50-60 feet high. One curious tree in Danvers, measured by Mr. Sears, was 6 feet in circumference near the ground, dividing at about 13 feet above into three branches, two of which grew erect to the height of some 70 feet, the third pushing out at a right angle, the end nearly touching the ground.

CAPRIFOLIACEJS.

(HONEYSUCKLE Family.)

Symphoricarpus racemosus, INIichx. (Snowberry.) A native of Vermont and Pennsylvania. Common in cultivation, and often escap- ing from old gardens.

Lonicera sempervirens, Ait. Ipswich, 3Irs. 31. W. Kimball, Topsfleld, J. H. Sears, Salem Great Pastures, G. D. Fhippen, Marble- head, Hev. J. L. Bussell. This seems to be a native plant.

Lonicera grata, Ait., from New York state, is also cultivated.

Lonicera eiliata, Mulil. A pretty little shrub, flowering in May. Not rare in our woods.

Diervilla triflda, Mxnch. A low bush of somewhat variable habit. Common along roadsides.

Sambucus Canadensis, L. (Common Elder.) Very abundant in most towns, often reaching considerable size.

Sambucus pubens, Miclix. (Red-beuried Elder.) This also grows quite large. It is found at Essex, Rockport, Andover, " Salem, 1840," J. L. Bussell. Rather scarce here, it being a more northern plant.

Triosteum perfoliatum, and Linnsea borealis, but hardly coming under the head "shrubby," are both found in the county.

88

Viburnum Lentago, (Sheep-berry.) Found in most parts of the county.

Viburnum nudum, L. Essex, Danvers, etc.

Viburnum dentatum, L. Wenham, Beverly, Essex, George- town, etc. Common.

Viburnum aeerifolium, L, Smaller than the preceding, and less common. In the older woods.

Viburnum Opulus, L. (Cranberry Tree.) This shrub, al- though very abundant to the north, is quite rare in the county, except in a cultivated state, where, in the ordinary form or in the changed condition, under the name of "Snowball Tree," it is common. The only native locality yet noticed, is that in the deep Wenham Swamp, where there are several large plants.

Virburnum lantanoides, il/ic/ix. (Hobble-bush.) The flowers of this species much resemble those of the last, except perhaps that they are larger. The shrub is more straggling, however, and it is more abundant, growing in nearly all the old deep woods of the county, from Rockport to the Merrimac River.

RUBIACEiE.

(MADDER Family.)

Cephalanthus occidentalis, L. (Button-bush.) A dense, irregular shrub. Common in all wet places, and often having a very stout central trunk.

COMPOSIT.a3.

Iva frutescens, L. (Marsh Elder.) Common near the salt marshes. It often has a stem half an inch or more in diameter.

ERICACEiE.

(HEATH Family.)

Gaylussacia dumosa, T. & G. Var. hirtella. Gloucester 3Irs. Kettel. Rare.

Gaylussacia frondosa, T. & G. (Dangleberry.) "Lynn,'' Tracy, Gloucester (Magnolia Swamp). Scarce.

Gaylussacia resinosa, T. & G. (Common Huckleberry.) It is common everywhere, and has the best fruit of any of this family.

Vaccinium Oxy coccus, L. (Small Cranberry.) Although this species has been often reported as being found within the county, yet the writer has not seen authentic specimens.

Vaccinium macrocarpon, Ait. (Large Cranberry.) Common in low ground throughout. Particularly fine in the hollows of Plumb Island.

89

Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea, L. (Cowberry.) First noticed by Oakes & Osgood, at Danvers, about 1820, where is the only locality yet found in the state. Fortunately the place is not generally known, and this rare plant is not likely to be exterminated at present.

Vaccinium Pennsylvanicum, Lam. (Dwarf Blueberry.) The commonest and earliest of this genus.

Vaccinium vacillans, Solander. Smaller than the last. Quite common on dry hills.

Vaccinium corymbosum, L. (Swamp or High Blueberry.) Very abundant in all low lauds. It is a variable plant, often growing to considerable size, with a trunk 2 inches in diameter.

Chiogenes hispidula, T. & G. (Creeping Snowberry.) Georgetown, Mrs. Horner, Essex Woods, etc. Scarce.

Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi, Spreng. (Bearberry.) Danvers, Peabody, Gloucester, etc. A variety having red flowers is found in Boxford by Mrs. Horner.

Epigsea repens, L. (May Flower. Trailing Arbutus.) Glou- cester, Topsfleld, Boxford, " Salisbury," J. G. 1\liiUier, Lawrence, Miss Cabot. Scarce. In localities once yielding abundance of flowers it is fast being exterminated by over-zealous collectors.

Gaultheria procumbens, i. (Checkerberry.) Very common everywhere.

Leucothoe racemosa, Gray. Dr. Chas. Pickering remembered having collected this plant somewhere in the county, about 1824, but it was very scarce.

Cassandra calyculata, Don. Common around the borders of ponds.

Andromeda polifolia, L. This beautiful little plant is very scarce, the localities in AVenham and Danvers being the only ones well known.

Andromeda ligustrina, Muhl. A shrub of considerable size, resembling a High Blueberry. Common along roadsides and in the woods.

Clethra alnifolia, L. Very abundant. When in flower a most fragrant plant.

Calluna. vulgaris, Salish. (Common Heath.) The well-known locality at Tewksbury is quite near Essex County, but it has been since found in Andover. It hardly seems possible that this can be other than an introduced plant.

Kalmia latifolia, L. (Mountain Laurel.) Abundant from Gloucester northwestward, and along the Merrimac River. The flowers vary much in color, from white to deep pink. A variety having double flowers was collected in Gloucester, by Mr. G. D. Phippen.

90

Kalmia angustifolia, L. (Lambkill, Sheep Laurel.) Common in pastures.

Kalmia glaiica, Ait. Mr. S. P. FoTvler states that he found this species at Wenham, growing with the Andromeda polifolia; aud Dr. Chas. Pickering collected it, he thought in Gloucester, about 1845, but it has not been seen of late.

Azalea viseosa, L. (Swamp Pink.) Common in wet places. Var. glauca, with the under sides of the leaves white ; grows near Wenham Pond.

Azalea nudiflora, L. (Purple Azalea.) Reported from one or two localities, but not represented in the Essex County collection at the Peabody Academy of Science.

Rhodora Canadensis, X. This beautiful plant is to be found in nearly every part of the county, sometimes growing six feet high.

Ledum latifolium. Ait. Dr. Chas. Pickering collected this species in the county, about 1824.

[Moneses unijaora, four species of Pyrola, and the two species of Chimaphila, are found in the county.]

AQUIFOLIACE^.

(HOLLY Family.)

Ilex opaca, Ait. (American Holly.) This plant, so abundant on Cape Cod, is found on Cape Ann in one locality where there are a few trees in an out-of-the-way place, whether introduced by man or by other means, it is not known. Specimens have been communicated from this locality, by Mr. Frank Lufkin, of Pigeon Cove.

Ilex verticillata, Gray. (Black Alder.) The beautiful scarlet berries of this species make it very attractive in the fall, along road- sides, where it is common.

Ilex laevigata, Gray. This resembles the last, but is not so abundant.

Ilex glabra. Gray. (Inkberry.) The fruit of this species is black. It is found in the Wenham and Magnolia swamps.

Nemopanthes Canadensis, D C. (Mountain Holly.) Found in various moist localities throughout the county, forming at times a tree of considerable size.

BIGNONIACEJS.

(BIGXOXIA Family.)

Tecoma radicans, and the CataJpa bignonioides, natives westward, are always found in cultivation in the older towns.

91

SOLANACE^.

(NIGHTSHADE Family.)

SoLANUM Dulcamara, L. (Bitter-sweet), and better known here as nightshade, often forms quite a shrub. The plant is not poison- ous to handle, as many persons suppose, but the fruit may be poison- ous to eat.

Lycium vulgare, Dunal. (Matrimony Vine.) Much cultivated in old gardens, and often found escaped along walls.

OLEACE^.

(OLIVE Family.)

Syringa vulgaris, L. (Lilac), always found in old gardens, now and then escapes, and is seen in quite out-of-the-way places.

Ligustrum vulgare, L. (Privet. Prim.) Thoroughly natural- ized in Danvers, Beverly, etc., sometimes growing 20 feet high.

Chionanthus Virginica, L. (Fringe Tree.) A native of Pennsyl- vania. It is often seen in cultivation.

Fraxinus Americana, L. (White Ash.) This valuable tree is abundant in all parts of the county, but rather as a roadside tree than in groves of any extent. Old trees attain great size. Mr. ^ars gives the measurements of several, among which one in Danvers was in 1864:, 12 feet in circumference. Go feet high, with a spread of branches GO feet in diameter. Five others in Danvers were from 7 to 9 feet in circumference three feet from the ground, and from 60 to 75 feet high.

Two noble specimens of this species were felled on Essex street, Salem, a few years since, leaving stumps over three feet in diameter, and sound to the heart.

The largest specimen noticed, measured by Mr. C. Cooke and the writer, in 1876, on Cabot St., Beverly, was,

Cu:cumference 11 feet 6 inches, 1 foot from ground.

" 8 " 7^ " 6 feet •« "

Height about SO feet.

Fraxinus pubescens, Lam. (Red Ash.) Frequently seen in various parts of the county, but seldom attaining great size.

Fraxinus sambucifolia, Lam. (Black Ash.) Growing in low lands, mostly with other trees, where they often reach a height of 60 feet, with a diameter of 12 to 18 inches at the but.

LAURACEJE.

(LAUREL Family.) Sassafras officinale, Nees. The Sassafras is by no means a

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common tree in Essex Countj% yet there are several fine specimens to be found, and 3'oung trees are frequently met with. Mr. Sears noticed one tree in Beverly 5 feet 4 inches in circumference three feet from the ground, with a height of about 50 to 60 feet, and another in Danvers was 5 feet 6 inches at one foot from the ground, and about 60 feet high.

The largest specimen, however, yet noticed in the county, is the old tree fast going to decay, at Manchester, in a field quite near the town, •which, in 1875, measured,

Circumferences feet 10 inches, 2 feet from the ground.

6 " 10 " 6 " " " " Height about 40 feet.

Lindera Benzoin, Meisner. (Spice-bush.) A shrub of consid- erable size, frequently found in damp woods.

THYMELEACEiE.

(MEZEREUM Family.)

Daphne Mezereum was found, evidently escaped, perhaps from seeds carried by birds, in Ipswich, by Dr. Palmer, in 1870, and later in Salem, by Henry Patch. The same thing occurred at Portland, where Dr. Wm. Wood found the plant in quite a remote situation.

Dirca palustris is probably not a native of the county, but common farther northward. It is occasionally met with in cultivation.

URTICACE^.

(NETTLE Family.)

Ulmus fulva, Michx. (Slippery Elm.) Georgetown (Mrs. Horner), Wenham, Boxford. This tree is comparatively rare in the county, but still is found growing to considerable size, seldom, how- ever, over a foot in diameter, or over 35 feet high.

Ulmus Americana, L. (White Elm.) Although the Connecticut Valley is the region where this species arrives at its greatest perfec- tion, yet Essex County can boast of many magnificent specimens of this noble Elm, which, planted as a shade tree, in proper situations, has no equal. It is greatly to be regretted that the largest of these trees seem to be dying out, and few are likely to replace them in the next generation.

In form, the county Elms vary as in other localities, in regard to shape, having the "Oak," "Vase," and intermediate- forms. Mr. Sears gives the measurements of several, among which one in Lynn is,

Circumference 11 feet 4 inches, 1 foot from ground. " 10 " 5 feet " "

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Five very erect limbs rise to the height of perhaps 80 feet where they spread suddenly forming a flat top with a pendant border. The Elm before the residence of Mr. John Hale, in Boxford, planted in the year 1745, measured in 18G0, was,

Circumference 19 feet, 1 foot from the ground.

13 " 5 feet " " " Diameter of the spread of the branches, 100 feet.

In 1865 the tree known as the Zadoc Wilkins Elm, in Danvers,

measured,

Circumference 16 feet 6 inches, 1 foot from ground. '• 13 " 6 " 4 feet "

u 10 .i 8 u 6 u .. .c

Spread, diameter 68 feet. Height 80 feet.

The same tree in 1875, measured,

Circumference 17 feet 0 inches, 1 foot from ground. " 13 '• 3 " 4 feet "

Spread and height about the same.

The fine Elm in Peabody, on the old Eudicott estate, measured by the writer in 1875 (May), was.

Circumference 20 feet 1 inch, 2 feet from ground.

" 17 " 2 inches 6 '< " "

•where the trunk was the least size.

At 15 feet from the ground the trunk divided into sixteen branches, which were quite erect, forming a fine head 80 or 90 feet high.

The Woodbury Elms at North Beverly, were in 1875 respectively, 12 feet 10 inches and U feet 8 inches at 6 feet above the ground. Another old tree at the corner of Cabot and Balch Sts., felled in 1878, measured in 1875, 16 feet 4 inches at 6 feet. Mr. W. P. Upham kindly furnishes the following notes on the Boxford Elms. The Hubbard Elm in Boxford, undoubtedly the largest in the county, measured in 1858, was 16 feet 8^ inches in circumference at 6 feet from the ground. The same tree measured in 1877, was 17 feet 10^ inches at the same place.

The Hale Elm, previously mentioned, also in Boxford, measured in 1877, was 12 feet 8 inches at 6 feet from the ground, and is without exception the most graceful tree to be found in the county. The diameter of its spread is 107 feet 6 inches. Many of the branches drop to within a few feet of the ground.

Ulmus campestris. (European Elm), and perhaps others are now and then met with under cultivation.

Celtis occidentalis, L. (Nettle Tree, Hackberry.) Fine specimens of the flowers, leaves, and fruit of this tree are in the herbarium of the Peabody Academy of Science, collected in Ipswich,

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by the late Mr. "Wm. Oakes. Mr. S. P. Fowler states that a tree some 10 inches in diameter formerly stood in Topsfield. The only localities we now know for this rare tree are at the summit of one of the dunes at Plumb Island, where there are several trees apparently some forty years old, yet scarcely fifteen feet high, most of them being much smaller, with a diameter of three inches at the but'; and the fine speci- mens between Salem and Lynn. Among the trees in the last named locality, one specimen is

Circumfereuce 4 feet 1 inch, at 1 foot from the groiiiid.

" 3 " 3 inches, at 3 feet from the ground.

Height, 20 feet.

Two others are nearly as large.

MoRus Alba, il/. rubra, and M. nigra, are to be found cultivated, some of them occasionally reaching large size.

PLATANACEja.

(PLANE TREE Family.)

Platamis occidentalism L. (Buttonwood.) It is difficult to say whether this tree is a true native of the county or not, but, judging from the situation of some old trees, it seems very probable that it may be. There are few trees of this species which now have other than a rough and straggling appearance, as they seldom recover from the efl'ect of a severe season before another shock returns them to their former forlorn condition. The trees in cultivation often are found of great size, varying from 10 to 18 feet in circumference, and often 75 feet high.

JUGLANDACE^.

(WALNUT Family.) Juglans cinerea, L. (Butternut.) This is a tree of rapid growth, but short lived. It is abundant in Danvers, Topsfield, and the towns in that region. When growing with other trees it often reaches a height of 60 feet, but alone, as it is usually seen, it rarely exceeds 40 feet. Trees rather more than twenty years old are often 4 feet in circumference 6 inches from the ground. Several specimens measured by Mr. Sears in Topsfield were 8 and 9 feet in circumfereuce, while an old tree felled in Danvers measured, in 1873, where it was

cut oflT,

Circumference 12 feet 6 inches

" 10 " 5 " 4feetahove.

This tree was, however, unsound. The fruit of the Butternut when properly dried has a most excellent flavor.

Juglans nigra, L. (Black Walnut.) A native farther west, but probably introduced here, although Mr. J. C. Peabody, of Newbury-

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port, has communicated specimens of the nuts from trees growing in his neighborhood which he is confident are natives.

The fine old tree felled on the Treadwell Estate, Salem, in 1877, was 10 feet 4 inches in circumference at 1 foot from the ground, and about 70 feet high. The tree was about 74 years old. A section from the but of this tree is in the collection of the Academy at Salem.

JuGLANS REGiA, L. (ENGLISH Walnut.) This tree is cultivated to a limited extent in Salem, and, according to Tracy it was planted by the early settlers at Saugus, where it now grows wild.

Carya alba, Nutt. (Shag-bark Hickory.) A stately tree, com- mon in most parts of the county. The finest specimens, however, we have noticed, being along the Merrimac Valley. Mr. Sears, in 1873, measured several trees on the land of Mr. Augustus Fowler, of Danvers, that had been growing for forty-nine years, they averaged,

Circumference 4 feet 6 inches, 1 foot from gi-ouud.

a 2 " 2 •' 6 feet " "

height about 50 feet.

Four others twenty-eight years old in 1875, averaged 3 feet in cir- cumference at 1 foot from the ground. Several trees measured by Mr. Sears and the writer, in Topsfield, were 7 and 8 feet in circum- ference and from 60 to 70 feet high. One at Boxford was,

Circumference 8 feet 4 inches, 1 foot from ground.

" 6 •' 3 " 4^ feet *' "

Spread 53 feet in diameter. Height about 80 feet.

A fine specimen of this tree on the neck of land between the Mer- rimac and Shawsheen rivers, measured by Mr. N. Ropes and the writer in 1875, was, ,

Circumference 8 feet 9 inches, 1 foot from ground.

" 6 " 9^ " 6 feet " "

Height about 75 feet.

Many fine trees of this species are to be found in pastures spared for the shade which they afl"ord to cattle. The fruit is the best and sweetest Hickory of the markets.

Carya tomentosa, Kutt. (White-heart Hickory.)' This is a comparatively rare tree, the least abundant of the genus. Danvers (J. H. Sears).

Carya porcina, I^utt. (Pig-nut Hickory.) The large trees of this species are fast being felled, although many are yet to be found of considerable size. The tree is abundant in all parts of the county.

Carya amara, Nutt. (Bitter-nut Hickory.) Often found 2 feet or even more in diameter, and in Boxford and Topsfield, where the tree is very abundant, there is found considerable variation in the foliage of diflereut specimens. The hickories are among the cleanest

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of all our trees, and are certainly valuable, as they flourish luxuriantly in our climate.

CUPULIFER^.

(OAK Family.)

Quercus alba, L. (White Oak.) The demand for ship timber has caused most of the large trees of this species to be felled, and it can only be said that the trees of younger growth are abundant.

A large healthy tree growing in a damp pasture in the rear of the Pingree Estate, in Topsfleld, measured by Mr. Sears and the writer in

1875, was,

Circumference 19 feet 7 inches, 1 foot from the ground. " 16 " 3 " 3 feet " " ''

" 12 " 11 " 5 " " '< "

The spread averaged about 75 feet in diameter. Two trees on the Burley Farm, Danvers, measured by Mr. Sears, were,

(1) Circumference 19 feet 0 inches, ground measure.

" 13 " 6 " at 6 feet above.

Height 70 feet. Spread 80 feet.

(2) Circumference 17 feet 10 inches at ground.

" 12 " 0 " at 5 feet above.

Height 80 feet. Spread 80 feet.

Five large White Oaks on land belonging to the late Francis Curtis, of Boxford, were measured in 1875 by Mr. Sears and the writer. Taking the most easterly tree as number one, passing towards the west, and counting the one higher on the hillside to the north as number five, they measured as follows,

(1) Circumference 11 feet 10 inches, 1 foot from ground. I " 10 •' 1 inch 6 feet " "

* Spread 65 feet. Height 60 feet.

(2) Circumference 12 feet 6 inches, 1 foot from ground.

•' 11 " 2 " 6 feet " "

(Tree partly dead.)

(3) Circumference 14 feet 4 inches, 1 foot from ground.

'* 11 " linch 5 feet <' "

Spread 80 feet. Height 65 feet.

(4) Circumference 13 feet 0 inches, 1 foot from ground.

11 '• 4 -' 5 feet " " 10 " 11 «' 7 " " " Height 60 feet. Spread 60 feet.

(5) Circumference 15 feet 3 inches, 1 foot from ground.

" 10 " 11 " 5 feet " •'

Height (top gone) 50 feet. Spread 85 feet.

In Danvers, on a lot from which the wood was cut in 1828, is a White Oak, which in 18G0 measured 3 feet 1 inch at the ground. The same tree in 1867, was 3 feet 7 inches, and in 1875, 4 feet 2 inches and 30 feet high.

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In company with Mr. "Wra. Merrill and Mr. W. P. Conant, two trees of this species growing upon moist, loamy soil at West Newbury, on land of Mr. Sawyer, measured,

(1) Circumference 15 feet 10 inches, 2 feet from ground.

u 11 a 9 n Q « u «

Spread 84 feet.

(2) Circumference IG feet 1 inch, 2^ " " '*

. 11 " 8 inches, 6 " " "

Quercus bicolor, Willd. (Swamp White Oak.) Abundant on wet land in all parts of the county.

Emerson mentions one on the land of Mr. Jaquith, of Newbury, which in 1839 measured 12 feet 1 inch in circumference at 4 feet from the ground. One measured by Mr. Merrill and the writer on the Sawyer place, was 11 feet 7 inches at 3 feet from the ground, and one in W^enham Swamp near the Ipswich River, measured in 1876, was 8 feet 4 inche's at G feet from the ground. The leaves of this species vary much in shape, cutting, and regarding the tomentura on the underside. Dr. Chas Pickering informed the writer that the frame of the old Pickering mansion in Salem, was hewn from Swamp White Oal^, Avhich then (1650) grew in the vicinity.

Quercus Prinus, L. (Chestnut Oak.) This species is rare in the county, only yet having been reported in Georgetown, Mrs. Horner, and Boxford. It is probable all the trees yet noticed should be referred to the variety acuminata, Michx. (Q. Castanea, Muhl.) There are some quite interesting forms of this species growing in the county, which require more careful observation in their various stages of growth. The largest tree yet noticed was but 5 inches in diameter 4 feet from the ground.

Quercus prinoides, Willd. (Chinquapin Oak.) Common in Topstield, Boxford, etc., but not seen in the southern or eastern parts of the county. This species is never more than a tall shrub.

Quercus ilicifolia, IFa 71^. (Bear Oak. Scrub Oak.) Common on poor soil, in Lynnfleld, Danvers, Topsfield, and that neighbor- hood, and to be found in many other parts of the county. Although this is rarely more than a shrub it sometimes takes the tree form, growing 20 feet high, with a trunk 4 inches in diameter. The fruit varies considerably in appearance, suggesting the idea of hybrids. The late Dr. Bobbins describes a hybrid between this species and the Black Oak, which lie found at Northbridge, Mass. The leaves also vary much in shape and cutting.

Quercus coccinea, Wang. (Scarlet Oak.) Abundant, but rarely growing to the size of the Yellow-barked or Black Oak.

Var. tinctoria (Q. tinctoria, Bartram), which is found sometimes 3 feet in diameter and 70 feet high. Q. coccinea has the most beautiful

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leaves as regards cutting, of any of our Oaks. In the last edition of Emerson's "Trees of Massachusetts," it is impossible to distinguish two plates, one of which is marked Q. coccinea, the other Q. rubra.