452 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Perchance Mr. Stonestreet may have some exotic 

 papilios which both Dr. Sloane and yourself want. 



I am, Sir, 

 Yours to serve you, 



JOHN RAT. 



Black Notley, August 10, 3704. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



SIR, It is now high time that I give you thanks for 

 the kind visit you made me here, and those rare insects 

 you were pleased to communicate. 



I am now entering upon an history of insects, for 

 which you would have been a far fitter person, having, 

 what I want, your senses entire, your strength firm, your 

 understanding and memory perfect. The main reason 

 which induces me to undertake it is, because I have Mr. 

 Willughby's History and Papers in my hands, who had 

 spent a great deal of time, and bestowed much pains, 

 upon this subject, when there were few that minded, or 

 were diligent and curious in it, though now there be 

 many, and it is pity his pains should be lost. 



I know not whether I told you that I designed, in 

 every tribe, first to put our English species by themselves, 

 and then the exotic by themselves. I desire you to 

 afford me your help in carrying on this history, and 

 enrich it with some of your observations, especially about 

 flies, wherein we are most deficient. 



I hear you have published, in the ' Philosophical 

 Transactions,' a full account, or history, of your new 

 death-watch, but have not yet seen it. I am, 



Sir, 

 Yours in all offices of love and service, 



JOHN RAY. 



Black Notley, August 16, 1704. 



