CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY, 297 



I have gotten a sight of Dr. Plukenet's ' Almagsestum 

 Bot.,' though as yet he hath not presented me with a 

 copy of it ; I find in it many mistakes in the language, 

 and in the composition of Greek names ; and I doubt 

 not but there are many in the matter. It is impossible 

 but that a man who relies wholly upon dried specimens 

 of plants (be he never so cunning) should often mistake 

 and multiply. He hath abundance of Jamaica plants, 

 which, if in youi- Catalogue, it is very difficult to reduce 

 them, especially his Filices. As far as I am able to 

 judge, he is often out in his conjectural synonymes ; in 

 one or two he is reprehended by Mons. Tournefort, and 

 is of himself apt enough to multiply species. But no 

 more of him. 



I am not yet quite rid of my distemper : I hope it wall 

 off by degrees. Here hath been a very unseasonable 

 summer, for the most part very cold and wet, and I live 

 in a sharp air, my house standing on a hill exposed to 

 the north and north-east winds, which is inconvenient 

 for one who is subject to colds, and whose lungs are apt 

 to be affected. Excuse this irs^iKvToXoyia, and take me 

 to be, as really I am. 



Sir, 

 Your much obliged friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



I must not forget my wife's service, who is very much 

 yours. 



For Dr. Haus Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 next Bloomsbury square, London. 



