MEMOIR OF RAY. 



THE individual of whose life it is proposed to give 

 some account, occupied a distinguished place among 

 the eminent men of the seventeenth century, and 

 contributed materially by his genius and writings 

 to give an impulse to the age in which he lived. 

 He carried his investigations into many of the most 

 important departments of natural science, and, by 

 means of his accurate observation, faithful descrip- 

 tion, and philosophical talents, placed them on a 

 foundation from which they have been raised to 

 their present state of advancement. These quali- 

 ties, combined with learning of the first order, and 

 an integrity of life seldom equalled, justly entitle him 

 to the grateful remembrance of his countrymen ; 

 and the appellations of " Father of Natural History," 

 " Aristotle of England," and the " Linnaeus of his 

 time/* which some of them have bestowed on him, 

 sufficiently evince the high sense that has been en- 

 tertained of his merits. 



