CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 277 



only ' Catalogues of more Rare Plants growing in this or 

 that County,' not affirming them to be pecuKars. You 

 must needs grant, that different soils and different climates, 

 and tempers of air, produce different species ; and conse- 

 quently the mountainous and northern parts of this island 

 differ from the more level, depressed, and southern, not to 

 confine ourselves to counties. But enough of this. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Black Notley, AprU 13, —94. 

 Sir, — This post brought me yours of the 12th, 

 whereby I understand that you have not as yet received 

 the box, and that my letter came to you a post later than 

 by its date it might have done. To put you out of all 

 pain about it, a double \mlucky accident hath occasioned 

 all this trouble. First, my letter, by the neghgence of 

 the postboy, was not sent the day it was written ; and 

 then the box was committed to a friend in Braintree, who 

 promised to send it very carefully, but I suppose did it 

 not, by the carrier I use to employ. This friend is at 

 present in London, so that I cannot give you that satis- 

 faction I desire. But I am very confident the box is safe, 

 and that we shall retrieve it, for I never yet lost anything 

 going or coming by carrier. Thus much I thought neces- 

 sary to signify speedily, in part to ease your mind, and to 

 assure you that nothing shall be Avanting on my part to 

 procure and convey the box to you, knowing well the 

 importance of the papers therein contained. So I take 

 leave, and rest. 



Sir, 

 Your affectionate friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



For liis honoured frieud Dr. Hans Sloane, 

 at Montagi\e House, London. 



