CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 475 



pleased to communicate the titles of them, and some 

 short characteristic notes, whereby they may be known, 

 towards the enriching and perfecting my Synopses of 

 those genera which I have now drawn up. I shall do 

 you right in owning from whom I received them, and 

 referring to your future work for a more full account of 

 them ; which work, though I long to see published, yet 

 do I with the more patience expect, because I know it 

 will lose nothing by laying in your hands, but will at last 

 come forth, if death prevent not, more elaborate and 

 complete. If death, I say, prevent not, which is possible, 

 the consideration whereof may spur you on to make the 

 more haste with it, knowing the disadvantage posthumous 

 pieces come out with if ever they be published. I have 

 formerly urged to you the expectation of all ingenious 

 persons that know of it, and the danger of being de- 

 frauded of some part of the honour justly due to your 

 pains and performance. Indeed, God himself seems to 

 me to have honoured you in having, as it were, made 

 choice of you, and sent you out upon such an errand as 

 observing the rarities and undescribed species of that 

 island, and communicating the history of them to the 

 learned world. 



I lately received a letter from Dr. Briggs, wherein he 

 tells me that he had consulted with Dr. Lister and your- 

 self concerning the ulcers on my legs, wherewith I have 

 been troubled now the best part of a twelvemonth, and 

 that you expressed a great concern for my condition ; for 

 which kindness I return you hearty thanks. Since my 

 answer to him I found the success of the calomelanos I 

 acquainted him I had taken, better than I did then ex- 

 pect. For after the disturbance and tumult caused by 

 the mercury was appeased, my sores of a sudden grew so 

 well, the pain leaving them, and only a gentle itching 

 succeeding, that I was in great hopes they would have 

 suddenly dried and healed up ; but the day following, 

 whether it proceeded from some error in diet, or some 

 other to me unknown cause, the pain returned again, and 



