CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 259 



bookseller ; which, indeed, is nothing but a catalogue of 

 exotic plants drawn out of Mr. Sherard's papers. 



I have set down some of my conjectures concerning 

 some of the species of fishes, which I offer to your consi- 

 deration. There are two draughts upon the same paper 

 without names, of fishes which I suppose want the infe- 

 rior pair of fins, but I would willingly be further assured 

 thereof from yourself, and whether they be known to the 

 seamen by any names. 



I cannot but admire your industry and diligence in 

 collecting and describing so many species in so short a 

 time, not only of plants, but also of animals ; and I hope 

 you wiil^go soon as may be gratify and oblige the curious 

 in publishing of your labours. The copy of my Synopsis 

 is so intricate and perplexed by references already, that I 

 thought not fit to confound the compositors with more, 

 and have therefore put a great number of the fishes, which 

 I had not room to enter in their places in the body of my 

 work, together by themselves at the end of it ; by which 

 means the author of the descriptions will be more taken 

 notice of, than if they had been scattered and dispersed 

 singly through the body of the book. 



I give you hearty thanks for your great kindness in 

 wishing me health. I thank God I am well, saving the 

 sores upon my leg, which, according to the weather, are 

 more easy or troublesome ; in general, they stand much 

 at a stay : and my wife salutes you with her humble 

 service. 



I shall be very glad to have a sight of your descriptions 

 and figures of birds. 



I am, Sir, 



Your very affectionate friend and humble servant, 



JOHN RAY. 



