RAY. ]45 



" got pretty well rid." On recovering^ he pursued 

 his experiments on the motion of sap, and in sum- 

 mer visited several of his acquaintances; after which, 

 in July, he commenced a journey to the north- 

 ern counties, taking with him Thomas Willisel, 

 from whose assistance in collecting and describing 

 plants he derived much profit. 



In this erratic mode of living, — at one time wan- 

 dering over the country in quest of its rarer produc- 

 tions, at another residing with his friends at their 

 country-seats, enjoying their conversation, and de- 

 riving instruction from the inspection of their col- 

 lections, — Mr Ray must have experienced much 

 real happiness ; one principal source of which, how- 

 ever, was now dried up. He had scarcely returned 

 from his excursion when he was informed of the 

 dangerous illness of Mr Willughby, who, having 

 been seized with violent pain in his head, fol- 

 lowed by pleurisy and fever, expired in the thirty- 

 seventh year of his age, on the third day of July 

 1672. 



The character of this estimable man and excellent 

 naturalist cannot be better described than in Dr 

 Derham's words : — '' His example deserves the imi- 

 tation of every person of great estate and honour. 

 For he was a man whom God had blessed with a 

 very plentiful estate, and with excellent parts, 

 capable of making him useful to the world. And 

 accordingly he neglected no opportunity of being so. 

 He did not (as the fashion too much is) depend 

 upon his riches, and spend his time in sloth or 

 sports, idle company-keeping, and luxury; but 

 practising what was laudable and good, — what 

 might be of service to mankind. And among other 



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