160 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



tend to the giving of a fuller history of the plant itself, 

 and that it may hinder mistakes. 



I have two sorts of the Bangue, which were sent from 

 two several places of the East Indies : they both differ 

 much from our Hemp, although they seem to differ most 

 as to their magnitude ; I do not in the least doubt but 

 these sorts of Bangue are those with which the Indians 

 use to provoke venery ; the leaves, and all the plant, not 

 being carefully dried, makes a good description from them 

 impossible. 



I have been told by several, that Muscelin (so much in 

 use here for cravats) and Calligo, and the most of the 

 Indian linens, are made of nettles, and I see not the least 

 improbability but that they may be made of the fibres of 

 them. 



London, Jan. 31, 168|. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



SIR, Tour advice concerning inserting the varieties 

 of sundry species, especially such as are esteemed for their 

 beauty or variety, I approve and shall observe, Howbeit 

 it is not my intention to supersede the use of any approved 

 botanic author ; but my reasons for attempting this work 

 were, 1. To satisfy the importunity of some friends, who 

 solicited me to undertake it. 2. To give some light to 

 young students in the reading and comparing other her- 

 barists, by correcting mistakes, and illustrating what is 

 obscure, and extricating what is perplexed and entangled, 

 and in cutting off what is superfluous, or under different 

 titles repeated for distinct. 3. To alleviate the charge of 

 such as are not able to purchase many books : to which 

 end, I endeavour an enumeration of all the species 

 already described and published. 4. To facilitate the 

 learning of plants, if need be, without a guide or demon- 

 strator, by so methodizing of them and giving such 



