58 MEMOIE OF EAT. 



and that lie could not so much as walk into the 

 neighbouring fields. He had laboured for some 

 years under a severe disorder in his legs, which had 

 broken out into ulcers, and occasioned excessive 

 pain. He was likewise seized with other complaints, 

 by which his strength was so much reduced, that it 

 became evident that his mortal career was approach- 

 ing its close. But study had now become so habitual 

 to him, that he did not cease, even under these cir- 

 cumstances, from prosecuting the investigation of 

 nature, and even entering upon subjects compara- 

 tively new to him. It had formed part of Wil- 

 lughby's plan to write a history of insects, and Ray 

 had at an early period given occasional attention to 

 the subject, with a view of assisting in that under- 

 taking. He now resolved to complete the work 

 himself. In reference to it, he writes to Dr Der- 

 ham : " The work which I have now entered upon 

 is indeed too great a task for me ; I am very crazy 

 and infirm, and God knows whether I shall overlive 

 this winter. Cold weather is very grievous to me ; be- 

 Y sides, I have not bestowed sufficient time and pains 

 ^( in the quest of any tribe of insects, except Papilio's, 

 and I have told how far short I am of perfection in 

 that. I rely chiefly on Mr Willughby's discoveries, 

 and the contributions of friends." On another oc- 

 casion he writes to the same individual, " For my 

 part I am now almost three score and fifteen years 

 of age, so that it is time for me to give over these 

 studies and enquiries (he alludes to the history of 



