26 MEMOIR OF 



both for this and other parts of Natural History, 

 and your unparalleled readiness to further and 

 assist all ingenious lovers of this most copious 

 dnd gentle study,' do justly challenge a more 

 universal and public testimony of your singular 

 worth and eminent goodness." 



He died at Kensington Gravel Pits, March 26, 

 1702, aged sixty, and was buried in the church- 

 yard of that parish, having bequeathed his museum 

 to Sir Hans Sloane. 



Mr Petiver was a wealthy apothecary, who 

 resided in Aldersgate street, in London, u a per- 

 son," says Sloane, " sufficiently known by his 

 understanding in Natural History all over the 

 world /" He distributed printed lists and direc- 

 tions among captains and surgeons of ships, bound 

 to foreign parts ; and by these means procured a 

 very extensive and valuable collection, of which 

 he published short catalogues at successive dates, 

 as his curiosities increased. The first commences 

 in 1695, and is entitled " Musei Peteveriani, 

 Centuria Prima, Rariora Naturae continens, viz. 

 Animalia, Fossilia, Plantas, ex variis Mundi 

 Plagis advecta, Ordine digesta, et Nominibus 

 Propriis Signata." These were continued to the 

 number of ten centuries, the last being published 

 in 1703, and of course describing one thousand 

 articles ; the greater part, however, are plants. He 

 aiso enumerates his " generous benefactors," and 



