RAY. 39 



dissimilarity of those structures which were of 

 the greatest importance. About this period the 

 Tiealth of Mr. Ray seems to have been considerably 

 impaired. He refused a tempting offer to travel 

 again on the Continent, as tutor to three young 

 noblemen ; nor could the powerful attractions of 

 Alpine botany, which was then to be studied, 

 overcome that reluctance to leaving home, which 

 arose from a feeble state of body. Indeed, this 

 very reluctance or listlessness is accounted for hy 

 the turn which his disorder took, as it terminated 

 in the jaundice. After this depressing complaint 

 had left him, Ray resumed his botanical travels at 

 home with fresh* alacrity, visiting the rich stores of 

 the north of England, with a companion named 

 Thomas Willisel, whose name and discoveries he 

 subsequently gratefully commemorated on many 

 occasions. Nothing forms a more striking feature 

 in Ray's character than the unreserved and 

 abundant commendation which he always gave to 

 his friends and fellow-labourers. Then unfortu- 

 nately an event occurred which called forth his 

 affectionate feelings. On the 3rd of July, 1672, 

 Mr. Willughby was unexpectedly carried off by 

 an acute disorder, in the thirty-seventh year of his 

 age. The care of his two infant sons was confided 

 by himself to Mr. Ray, who was also appointed 

 one of his five executors, and to whom he left an 

 annuity of sixty pounds for life. The eldest of 

 these youths was created a baronet at the age of 

 ten years, but died before he was twenty. Their 



