144 COKRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



general history of plants, but I long for nothing but 

 yours, which I hope is now under the press. I question 

 not in the least but you have all the encouragement that 

 the learned part of the world can possibly give you. 



When I was in Italy, I observed many operators there 

 to make great varieties of sapos and balsams out of the 

 salts and oils of vegetables. They proceeded much after 

 the same manner as you have set down in your ' Observ.' 

 pp. 202, 203 (only adding now and then a few odoriferous 

 ingredients), viz. by uniting the salt and oil of the same 

 vegetable by the help of slaked lime. Without this latter 

 ingredient the union would be difficult, for I have known 

 several miscarry by omitting it. By this process we have 

 the entire complexion of a vegetable under the form of a 

 sapo or balsam (especially if, instead of common water 

 for the lixivium, we make use of the distilled water of the 

 plant), a composition, peradventure, as beneficial to man- 

 kind as any other whatsoever. The little experience that 

 I have had in the world hath sufficiently convinced me 

 (though I am unhappily a little inclined to scepticism 

 and incredulity) of its successful and unexpected efficacy 

 in many cases, internally given in proper vehicles, and 

 dosed j»ro re natd, pramissis pramittendis, as also exter- 

 nally applied, v. g. in icterical, arthritical, scorbutical, 

 and nephritical cases ; in several nervous and cephalic 

 distempers (more especially the palsy and lethargy), in 

 correcting and destroying all sorts of poisons. I speak 

 experimentally of the sapos, or balsams (made as before- 

 mentioned), of the Hypericum, Juniperus, and Abies, 

 though I do not doubt but the same may be expected 

 from many other vegetable compositions of the like 

 nature. I am so short upon this particular, by reason 

 of your extraordinary sagacity and great talents. 



The cortex exterior, or outward skin of Seville oranges, 

 dried, powdered, and given every three hours in electuar. 

 or white wine, is no mean specific in intermittent fevers 

 (even in quartans themselves), dose 5J. to 5ij. Next to 

 the Quinquina, or Jesuit's-bark, I believe it may be one 



