194 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Dr. HANS SLOANE to Mr. RAY. 



SIR, I send you here inclosed the specimen of a plant 

 growing on Newmarket Heath, and in Surrey, known by 

 the name of Star of the Earth in those parts. It is par- 

 ticularly taken notice of on the account of its extraordi- 

 nary and admirable virtue in curing the bitings of mad 

 dogs, either in beasts or men. One of his majesty's 

 huntsmen having proved it a great many times, gave the 

 king his way of using it, which was an infusion in wine 

 with treacle, and one or two more simples. His majesty 

 was pleased to communicate it to Gresham College to the 

 Royal Society; and nobody knowing the plant by that 

 name, some there present confirming its use in that dis- 

 ease in some places of England, and procuring the herb 

 itself, it is as little known here as if it had come from the 

 Indies. I told the Society I would let you have this best 

 specimen of it, which I question not but it is known to 

 you. If you please to give your sentiments about it, you 

 will extremely oblige, &c. 



London, June 21, 1687. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



SIR, I received your letter with the specimen inclosed, 

 which seems to me to be the Sesamoides Salamanticum 

 magnum of Clusius [Silene otites, Sm.], or Lychnis viscosa 

 Jlore muscoso of C. B., which I have observed to grow 

 plentifully upon Newmarket Heath, that part I mean that 

 is in Suffolk, for on Cambridgeshire side I have not found 

 it. I wonder it should have such a virtue as you mention, 

 but it seems it is well attested. Dr. Hulse writes to me 

 he finds it in Graye's * Earrier.' 



If you go to Jamaica I pray you a safe and prosperous 

 voyage. We expect great things from you, no less than 



