450 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. RAY to [Mr. PETITEK ?]. 



SIR,-^-! had this day sent back your books of figures, 

 but I desired first to have a little conference about them 

 with Mr. Dale, and he was so busy yesterday that he 

 could not come over hither ; next week they shall be sent. 

 I fear you may want them. I find that at least half the 

 papilios therein figured are common to us in England. 



I have now begun my intended ' History of Insects/ 

 which I shall prosecute as fast as health and ability will 

 permit, but truly I am but seldom so easy as to do much 

 in it. I cannot hope for above two hours in a day to 

 bestow upon it. I intend to publish a proposition for a 

 contribution toward the charge of graving plates for it, a 

 rude draught whereof I have sent up to Dr. Sloane, with 

 whom if you please you may see it. 



I have now described all the diurnal papilios hitherto 

 observed in England, except two or three of your oculate 

 ones ; which also I shall dispatch so soon as I see Mr. 

 Dale ; and then there will want nothing but icons for 

 them, which you are the fittest person to add, as know- 

 ing where the best figures of such as are already graven 

 and published are to be found ; and for the rest they 

 must be new drawn. I have six of the rarer sorts 

 curiously drawn, and sent me by Dr. Kreig when he was 

 with you at London. I find in Mr. Willughby's collec- 

 tions a diurnal papilio whose eruca is gregarious and 

 feeds upon holly. 



I have written to Dr. Sloane to desire the use of his 

 exotic diurnal papilios so long till I have described them, 

 which I shall do with what speed I can. I now make 

 the same request to you. J fear they may receive some 

 prejudice by the carriage up and down, but I know not 

 how to help it. Up to London I cannot go. One tiling 

 may be of advantage, that you see what each other send, 

 and so you may avoid the unnecessary sending the same 



