140 THE OLD ENGLISH HERBALS 



his life he seems to have been rather a recluse, devoting his time 

 to the study of natural history specimens sent him from aU parts 

 of the world. His herbarium, now in the Sloane Collection in the 

 Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, is exceptionally 

 interesting, for Petiver appears to have had friends in all parts 

 of the world, mostly sea-captains, who took delight in sending 

 him treasures. The value of his collection may be judged from 

 the fact that shortly before his death. Sir Hans Sloane offered 

 him £4000 for it. His South-Sea Herbal is purel}^ medicinal, 

 except for an appeal to anyone living in Quito who " would be 

 pleased to procure branches of the leaves of Jesuits' Bark or 

 Quinquina with its Flowers and Fruit, which Favour should be 

 acknowledged and more accurate Figures given of each if com- 

 municated to your humble servant." There is unfortunately 

 now no copy extant of another of Petiver's pamphlets. The 

 Virtues of several Sovereign Plants found wild in Maryland with 

 Remarks on them. Apparently not many were printed, for 

 there is a note to this effect at the end of the advertisement : 

 " Divers of these Tracts are now so very scarce that of some of 

 them there are not 20 left." Owing to the fact that nearly 

 every page of illustrations in Petiver's works is dedicated to 

 some friend who had sent him specimens, we have preserved 

 for us the record of his numerous correspondents. These 

 dedications are very pleasant reading : — 



"To ye memory of y' curious Naturalist and Learned 

 Father, Geo Jos^^" Camel for many Observations and Things 

 sent me." 



"To ye memory of my curious Friend Mr. Sam Browne, 

 Surgeon at Madrass, for divers Indian Plants, Shells, Seeds, etc." 



*' To Mr. George Bouchere, Surgeon, For divers Minorca 

 Plants, Seed, etc." 



" To Mr. Alexander Bartlet, Surgeon, For divers Cape and 

 Moca Plants, Shells, etc." 



" To Mr. George London, Late Gardiner to K. Will and Q. 

 Mary." 



