7S MEMOIR OF 



gentleman, and worthy member of the Royal 

 Society, Mr Francis Willughby, who hath made 

 it his particular business, in his late travels through 

 the most considerable parts of Europe, to inquire 

 after and understand the several species of ani- 

 mals, and by his own observations, is able to 

 advance that part of learning, and to add many 

 things to what hath been formerly done by the 

 most learned authors of his time. 



" And as to those most difficult tables of plants, 

 I have received the like assistance from one of 

 his companions in travel, Mr John Ray, late 

 fellow of the Trinity College ; who, besides his 

 other general knowledge, hath, with great success, 

 applied himself to the cultivating that part of 

 learning." 



It may be observed upon this extract, that Dr 

 Wilkins, who must have well known the quali- 

 fications of the two individuals, acknowledges hi* 

 obligations to Mr Willugliby alone, for the con- 

 tributions that referred to the animal part of 

 creation, and to Mr Ray for contributions for the 

 tables of plants. 



One of the Philosophical Letters* from Mr 

 Ray to Mr Lister, written from Notley, probably 

 in October of this year, refers to Mr Willughby'* 

 indefatigable pursuit of the study of insects, 

 " Alia Insectorum genera non omnino neglexi at 

 vero cum Ds. Willughby iis conquirendis, exami- 

 nandis describendis, conferendis, sedulam a 



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