42 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



The description of species is faithful and instructive, 

 the remarks original, bounded only by the whole 

 circuit of the botanical learning of that day; nor are 

 generic characters neglected, however vaguely they 

 are assumed. Specific differences do not enter 

 regularly into the author's plan, nor has he followed 

 any uniform rules of nomenclature. So ample a 

 transcript of the practical knowledge of such a 

 botanist cannot but be a treasure ; yet it is now 

 much neglected, few persons being learned enough 

 to use it with facility for want of figures and a 

 popular nomenclature ; and those who are, seldom 

 requiring its assistance. 



But if the fame or the utility of Ray's botanical 

 work has neither of them been commensurate with 

 the expectations that might have been formed, a 

 little octavo volume which he gave to the world in 

 1690, amply supplied all such defects, and proved 

 the great corner-stone of his reputation in this 

 department of science. This was "A Methodical 

 Synopsis of British Wild Plants." The two 

 editions of his alphabetical catalogue of English 

 plants being sold off, and some pettifogging reasons 

 of his booksellers standing in the way of a third, 

 with any improvements, he remodelled the work, 

 throwing it into a systematic form, revising the 

 whole, supplying generic characters, with numerous 

 additions of species and various emendations and 

 remarks. The uses and medicinal qualities of the 

 plants are removed to the alphabetical index at the 

 end. A second edition of this "Synopsis" w^s 



