CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 249 



Dr. Hans Sloane to Mr. Ray. 



Sir, — I have lately seen a collection of petrifications 

 with Mr. Beaumont. Amongst the rest is the Lapis 

 astroites, which is a sort of coral generated in the seas, 

 between the tropics ; and it seemed to be so clearly that, 

 as nothing plainer. It is turned to flint, and the inter- 

 stices between the starry pores are transparent. One of 

 this kind he showed to me was half petrified, the other 

 half remaining, like a common star-stone. He showed 

 me likewise many impressions of several plants in slatt, 

 as ferns, flags, &c. very fair and plain, with several stalks 

 of plants petrified and inclosed in flint, which he talks of 

 publishing, together with some figures of, and reasonings 

 vipon, them. 



London, May 20, 1692. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Black Notley, May 25, —92. 



Sir, — Monday last I received yoiu- kind letter, attended 

 with a rich present of sugar to my wife. They were 

 both very grateful and acceptable ; only the latter was 

 too great and inadequate to any merit of mine to be 

 received without some shame, as well the quality as 

 quantity concurring to render it valuable. You have so 

 highly pleased and obliged my wife, that she is much in 

 commendation of your generosity, and returns you her 

 humble service and hearty thanks, wishing that you were 

 here to partake of some of the effects of your kindness. 



I have been importunate with you to hasten the pub- 

 lication of yom- discoveries in the history of nature, as 

 well for the advancement of real knowledge, and gratifi- 



