90 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



like as the wild poppy-heads are apparently not designed 

 for worms, but seed ? 



2. Whether the large soft balls of the oak are not in 

 like manner, the buds of the oak seized about the latter 

 end of April or the very beginning of May; that is, 

 whether they be not the future acorn or acorns, with all 

 the parts of a sprouting branch thus monstrously per- 

 verted from the fii'st intent and design of nature ? 



3. Upon what parts or juices the ichneumones worms 

 thrust into caterpillars or maggots can be thought to 

 feed ? and whether there be actually eggs in caterpillars 

 sufficient to serve them for food ? 



York, Oct. 25, 1671. 



Sir Philip Skippon to Mr. Ray. 



If this finds you at Chester, be pleased to tender my 

 humble service to his lordship ; and if you meet there 

 with any Irish pieces of money, I desire your kindness 

 to purchase some for me. I am very desirous to find 

 those Elizabeth, or Pudsey shillings, Webster mentions 

 in his ' History of Metals,' p. 21, that were made of silver 

 ore, in Yorkshire. He says they are marked with a 

 scallop. As you happen upon any of them, lay one or 

 two aside for me, and I shall be obliged to you. I can- 

 not yet send you the inscriptions concerning the 365 

 children and Sir Jo. Mandevil, but in lieu of them shall 

 send you a humorsome rhyming will, of one Moore, 

 who died not long since about Mershland, in Norfolk, 

 and gave his estate to his grand-daughter, now married 

 to one Mr. Shelton, a gentleman of this country, that 

 hath a good estate near Bury. 



" In the name of God. Amen. I, Thomas Moore, 

 The fomth year of my age abo've threescore, 

 Revoking all the wills I made before, 

 Making this my last and first. I do implore 



