CORRESPONDENCE OF RAT. 297 



I have gotten a sight of Dr. Plukenet's ' Almagaestum 

 Bot.,' though as yet he hath not presented me with a 

 copy of it ; I find in it many mistakes in the language, 

 and in the composition of Greek names ; and I doubt 

 not but there are many in the matter. It is impossible 

 but that a man who relies wholly upon dried specimens 

 of plants (be he never so cunning) should often mistake 

 and multiply. He hath abundance of Jamaica plants, 

 which, if in your Catalogue, it is very difficult to reduce 

 them, especially his Filices. As far as I am able to 

 judge, he is often out in his conjectural synonymes ; in 

 one or two he is reprehended by Mons. Tournefort, and 

 is ofNwmself apt enough to multiply species. But no 

 more of him. 



I am not yet quite rid of my distemper : I hope it will 

 off by degrees. Here hath been a very unseasonable 

 summer, for the most part very cold and wet, and I live 

 in a sharp air, my house standing on a hill exposed to 

 the north and north-east winds, which is inconvenient 

 for one who is subject to colds, and whose lungs are apt 

 to be affected. Excuse this irtpiKwoXoyia, and take me 

 to be, as really I am, 



Sir, 



Your much obliged friend and humble servant, 



JOHN RAY. 



I must not forget my wife's service, who is very much 

 yours. 



For Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the comer of Southampton street, 

 next Bloomsbury square, London. 



