398 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



plants, though truly, sir, I cannot attend to anything 

 long. I rest, 



Sir, 



Your very much obliged friend and humble servant, 



JOHN RAIT. 



For his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 

 at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Mr. RAT to Dr. HAKS SLOANE. 



Black Notley, October 10, 1701. 



SIR, The occasion of my giving you the trouble of a 

 letter at present is to entreat your assistance in dispatch- 

 ing the inclosed to Dr. Preston. I am still busy in 

 adding new species to my Supplement. Dr. Sherard 

 hath lately sent me a parcel of about 230 dried plants, 

 received from the Prince of Catholica, most of them new 

 and unknown to me, all of them growing in the Hort. 

 Cathol. I am able to make but slow progress, by reason 

 of the pains and trouble I labour under. Our under- 

 takers are very slack and remiss in printing this Supple- 

 ment. The time is past when they should have published 

 it, and they have not yet began it. I hear nothing of 

 them. I have sent up to Dr. Hotton, at his request, a 

 method of grasses, such an one as I was able to draw up 

 in the circumstances I am now in. My wife and girls 

 give you their humble services. I am not insensible of 

 my obligations to you, and retain a grateful memory of 

 them, though unable to make you any amends; and 

 therefore must remain, 



Sir, 

 Your most obliged friend and servant, 



JOHN RAT. 



To his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



