CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 259 



bookseller ; which, indeed, is nothing but a catalogue of 

 exotic plants drawn out of Mr. Sherard's papers. 



I have set down some of my conjectures concerning 

 some of the species of fishes, which I offer to your consi- 

 deration. There are two draughts upon the same paper 

 without names, of fishes which I suppose want the infe- 

 rior pair of fins, but I would willingly be further assiu'ed 

 thereof from yourself, and whether they be known to the 

 seamen by any names. 



I cannot but admire your industry and diligence in 

 collecting and describing so many species in so short a 

 time, not only of plants, but also of animals ; and I hope 

 you will so soon as may be gratify and obhge the curious 

 in publishing of your labours. The copy of my Synopsis 

 is so intricate and perplexed by references abeady, that I 

 thought not fit to confound the compositors with more, 

 and have therefore put a great number of the fishes, which 

 I had not room to enter in their places in the body of my 

 work, together by themselves at the end of it ; by which 

 means the author of the descriptions will be more taken 

 notice of, than if they had been scattered and dispersed 

 singly through the body of the book. 



I give you hearty thanks for your great kindness in 

 wishing me health. I thank God I am well, saving the 

 sores upon my leg, which, according to the weather, are 

 more easy or troublesome ; in general, they stand much 

 at a stay : and my wife salutes you with her hmiible 

 service. 



I shall be very glad to have a sight of your descriptions 

 and figures of birds. 



I am, Sir, 



Your very affectionate friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



