VOL. v.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 513 



after he has already given us an excellent account both of the nature and 

 origin of qualities in general. And intending now to proceed to qualities in 

 particular, and to consider how far the manner whereby they are produced, and 

 those other phaenomena of them, that may upon occasion be taken notice of, 

 will accord with, and by doing so, confirm the doctrine hitherto proposed by 

 him; and whether they will not (at least) much better comport with that, than 

 the opinions either of the peripatetics or the chemists. 



But before he descends to mention any of these particular qualities, he thinks 

 it worth while to consider some scruples about the corpuscularian doctrine 

 touching qualities, which unless they be removed, may not a little prejudice the 

 reception of a good part of what he purposes to deliver about particular 

 qualities. 



Of these difficulties he insists chiefly upon that grand one, which imports, 

 that it is incredible^ that so great a variety of qualities, as we actually find to 

 be in natural bodies, should spring from principles so few in number as two, 

 and so simple, as matter and local motion : And here he endeavours to show, 

 not only that the other catholic affections of matter are manifestly deducible 

 from local motion; but also that these principles, being variously associated, are 

 so fruitful, that a vast number of qualities, and other phaenomena of nature, 

 may result from them. 



II. Catalogus Plantarum Angliae et Insularum adjacentium : tum Indigenas, 

 tum in agris passim cultas complectens. Operd Johannis Raii,* M.A. et Soc. 

 Regiae Sodalis. Londini, 1670, in 12mo. 



♦ John Ray, so celebrated for his knowledge in various branches of natural history, and particu- 

 larly of botany, was the son of a blacksmith, and was born at Black Nodey near Braintree in Essex, 

 in 1628. He received his early education at Braintree school, and was sent from thence to Catha- 

 rine Hall, Cambridge, in l644. Here he continued about two years, and then removed to Trinity 

 college. He took the degree of M. A. and was chosen fellow of that college. In l651 he was 

 chosen Greek lecturer of the college 3 in l653 mathematical lecturer; and in l655 humanity reader. 

 These appointments show the reputation he had thus early acquired at the university. During his 

 continuance at Cambridge he acquitted himself honourably both as a preacher and a tutor. In 166O 

 he published his Catalogus Plantarum circa Cantabrigiam nascentium. After tlais he visited various 

 parts of England, Scotland and Wales, with a view to the promotion of the science of botany ; in 

 these excursions he was sometimes accompanied by his pupil Mr. Willughby, and others. After 

 the restoration he entered into holy orders, and continued fellow of his college till the beginning of 

 the Bartholomew act ; which requiring a subscription against tlie solemn league and covenant (as it 

 was called,) occasioned him to resign his fellowship; he refusing to sign that declartion. In l663, 

 accompanied by Mr. Willughby, &c. he travelled tlirough various parts of Europe; and returned in 

 tlie year 1665. He resided much with Mr. Willughby till the death of that gentleman, when he re- 

 moved to his native place, Notley in Essex, where he continued to pursue the study of natural his- 

 tor)'. In 1673 he married the daughter of Mr. Oakly of Launton in Oxfordshire. His works are 



VOL. I. 3 T 



