298 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hahs Sloane. 



Black Notley, July 22, —96. 



Sir, — I believe you cannot but wonder that I should 

 at this time so pester you with letters, of which I am not 

 wont to be very prodigal. For giving you the trouble of 

 this I hope you will excuse me when I shall have told you 

 my reason. Coming to examine and distribute the capil- 

 lary plants [Ferns] in Dr. Plukenet's ' Almageest.' accord- 

 ing to my method, I find such a multitude denominated 

 of Jamaica, that I am quite confounded with them, and 

 unable to reduce them (I mean so many of them as are 

 probably the same) to those of your Catalogue without 

 your assistance and direction, which I earnestly beg of you. 

 I mean that of such as are not referred to F. Plumier's, 

 you would tell me which you think are referable to those 

 of yom" Catalogue, and to which each, and which are new 

 and strangers to you. 



In the mean time I cannot but wonder how and from 

 whom he should procure so many Jamaica capillaries ; 

 who in that island should be so skillful and diligent as 

 to find out and collect so many ; and whether he did not 

 get a sight of some sheets of yom* Catalogue. I dare say 

 before your discovery, no herbarist imagined there had 

 been half that number to be found there, nay, I think I 

 may say in all America. I fear this task I impose upon 

 you may be too laborious for you, and rob you of more 

 time than will consist with your business and necessary 

 occasions, and therefore I do not absolutely desire it, but 

 only if you have will, and can find leisure sufficient ; for I 

 had rather have it not done than to put you upon any- 

 thing that may be unpleasant or incommodious to you. 

 For the doing of it take your own time. I find it diffi- 

 cult to settle the genera of these capillaries by certain 

 characteristic notes. I pray tell me yom- notions of 

 Fhyllitis, Hemionitis, Louchitis, Polypodmm, Tricho- 



