CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 307 



soonest and best be done by conference and nnitual in- 

 spection of each other's dried specimens. But I know not 

 whether Dr. Phikenet will be willing to come to that, being 

 a man reserved, jealous of his reputation, and none of the 

 best natured, not to give him a worse character, being 

 my friend. 



What you write concerning the fruits gathered in 

 plenty on the shores of the north-west islands of Scotland 

 is very strange ; I have formerly read something of it in 

 the ' Philosophical Transactions,' I think, but gave no 

 great heed to it, but now 1 see there was truth in it. It 

 is very unlikely to me that they should be brought so far 

 by any current of the sea. I should rather think they 

 came from vessels cast away by shipwreck near those parts. 

 But it is a thing very well deserves to be fm-ther and more 

 diligently inquired into, sith the matter of fact is certain. 



You make no mention of my papers concerning the 

 primary use of respiration, which I desired Mr. Smith to 

 send to you. My relatives here are (I thank God) in 

 health, and join in the tender of their services to you. I 

 humbly pray the like blessing to yourself and family, and 

 take leave, resting. 



Sir, 

 Your very much obliged friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



For Dr. Hans Sloane, at his house 

 at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



B. N., October 20, —96. 



Sir, — I return you many thanks for your last letter of 

 Sept. 25th, wherein you pleased to communicate many 

 useful observations concerning our domestic plants, which 

 I wish had been imparted before the publication of the 

 last edition of my ' Synopsis Stirp. Brit.' However, they 



