432 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



for him. I wrote to him about his father's ' History of 

 Insects,' but received no answer from him. I shall give 

 you .no further trouble at present; but with humble 

 thanks for the many favours and kindnesses you have 

 formerly shown me, and the tender of the services of my 

 wife and girls, conclude this prolix letter, resting, 



Sir, 

 Your most humble servant and orator, 



JOHN RAY. 



For his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 

 at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Mr. RAY to [Mr. PETIVEE ?]. 



SIR, I wrote to you a while since concerning those 

 additions which you were pleased to give me hopes you 

 would make to my Supplement. Hist. Plant., which I hope 

 came to your hands, and that you are not unmindful of 

 the request I made to you therein, which I now renew ; 

 I have also something else to communicate to you, and 

 desire your assistance in. Some friends would put a new 

 task upon me, that is, of drawing up a History of Insects, 

 which I have some thoughts of doing, though, indeed, I 

 am in ill case to attempt such a thing, labouring under 

 almost constant pain, which renders me unfit for business, 

 being not able to mind anything with attention. If I do 

 undertake it I must desire the use of your exotic insects 

 to describe, and get figured, as also a sight of your 

 English Papilios, both diurnal and nocturnal, or Phalsense. 

 I have seen and described the most part of the English 

 diurnal ones, but I hear you have some new ones out of 

 the west. The Phalaenae are innumerable, and doubtless 

 you have met with abundance not discovered by me. 



Most of the exotic insects that are come over into 

 England are in your and Dr. Sloane's hands. Dr. Sloane 

 hath very frankly and generously promised me the use of 



