CORRESPONDENCE OP RAY. 179 



out of the well, it will turn of a purplish red ; but if it 

 stand a day or two, it will not at all. 



Several persons having drunk of this well, about three 

 pints, say that usually it works about three times by 

 stool, and very much by urine. 



From which I conclude it to be a natural bitumen, 

 perhaps sui generis, that impregnates both water and 

 earth. I desire your opinion in it, and remain, &c. 



London, November 10, 1685. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



SIR, I received both your letters, and ought before 

 now to have acknowledged the receipt of the former, but 

 I must make my late illness and indisposition my excuse 

 for so long delay. I now return you many thanks for 

 the pains you have taken in assisting me in the carrying 

 on the history that is now before me, and the many in- 

 formations and advices you have given me, and other 

 contributions you have made thereto, which shall be 

 owned and gratefully acknowledged by me. My garden 

 being a cold soil, and an ill-situated place, would not 

 bring to maturity the gourd, so that I am like to lose that, 

 as also the Alcea Indica Ulmisea carpini folio, and 

 several others. The Lunaria radiata Eobini \_L. radiata, 

 Linn.] came up and flowered, and formed its cod with 

 me, but brought it not to maturity. I have a sort of 

 Lychnis, raised, I suppose, from the seed you sent, which 

 I cannot find described. It hath a very small white 

 flower, though the plant be of a middle size, the least of 

 any Lychnis I ever saw. The Medico, \Medicago, Linn.] 

 still continues to flower, and the trailing branches, as they 

 lie on the ground, put forth roots from the joints. The 

 book you did me the favour to send hath been of use to 

 me, though I find it to be for the most part nothing but 

 a collection out of Dr. Morison. I agree with you that 



