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died in 1662. They introduced many new species into England, 

 and among Gardeners, " Tradescant's Spiderwort," "Trades- 

 cant's Aster," &c, are still recognized. They were the first 

 who made any considerable collection of natural curiosities 

 in this country, which their delight in the pursuit enabled them 

 to do, aided as they were by the liberality of contemporary men 

 of wealth. Their Museum, called " Tradescant's Ark," was an 

 object of general curiosity, and was the constant resort of the 

 great and learned. A description of it was published in 

 1656, entitled " Museum Tradescantianum, or a collection of 

 varieties preserved at South Lambeth near London. By John 

 Tradescant," 12mo. After a list of natural and artificial curi- 

 osities, follows one in English and Latin, of the Plants in his 

 Garden, and another of his benefactors and contributors, 

 among- which are the names of the King, Queen, and many of 

 the highest nobility. Prefixed is a print of both the Trade- 

 scants, engraved by Hollar, whose engravings being in request 

 among collectors, most copies of the book which are to be found 

 are deprived of this. The work is arranged under the following 

 heads. 1. Birds with their Eggs. 2, Four-footed Beasts. 

 3. Fish. 4. Shells. 5. Insects. 6. Minerals, 7. Fruits, 

 Drugs, &c. 8. Artificial Curiosities. 9. Miscellaneous Curi- 

 osities. 10. Warlike Instruments. 11. Habits. 12. Uten- 

 sils and Household Stuflf. 13. Coins. 14. Medals. 



The Son bequeathed the Museum by a deed of gift to Mr. 

 Ashmole, who lodged with his wife, in his house for a summer, 

 and the name of Tradescant, as Pultney observes, " was unjustly, 

 sunk in that of Ashmole," It being now known as the Ashmo- 

 lean Museum. Ashmole left it to the university of Oxford. 

 The wreck of their Garden, as it existed in 1749, is described 

 by Sir W. Watson in the 46th volume of the Philosophical 

 Transactions. — Hawkins says, that Ashmole agreed to pur- 

 chase Tradescant's collection, and that Tradescant and his 

 wife made a conveyance of it to him, which upon Tradescant'* 



