138 RAY 



sermons of that time were generally filled with." 

 He contracted an intimate friendship with Mr John 

 Nid, who, like himself, was an ardent '' admirer of 

 the works of God/' and whom^, in a funeral sermon, 

 he eulogizes for his admirable amenity and candour, 

 his strict probity, innocence of life and manners, 

 singular modesty, and great learning. He was aid- 

 ed by this gentleman in writing his Catalogue of 

 Cambridge Plants, which he published in 1660, 

 and which was found of great use in promoting 

 the much-neglected study of botany at that uni- 

 versity. But before it was entirely finished, he was 

 deprived of the companion whose society had af- 

 forded him so much delight. 



The favourable reception given to the work now 

 mentioned, encouraged Mr Wray to prosecute his re- 

 searches with more vigour, and induced him to extend 

 his excursions through the greater part of England 

 and Wales, as well as over a portion of Scotland. On 

 these journeys or '^^simpling voyages," as hecallsthem, 

 he was usually accompanied by some of his friends, 

 and in particular by his pupil, IMr Willughby. The 

 notes made on these hurried expeditions were after- 

 wards published by Mr George Scott, under the title of 

 " Select Remains of the learned John Ray ;" and as 

 they are not deficient in interest, one or two ex- 

 tracts from them may be not misplaced here : 



'' August the 17th (1661), we travelled to Dun- 

 bar, a town noted for the fight between the English 

 and Scots. The Scots generally (that is the poorer 

 sort) wear, the men blue bonnets on their heads, 

 and some russet ; the women only white linen, 

 which hangs down their backs as if a napkin were 

 pinned about them. When they go abroad, none 



