CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 321 



designing a Treatise of Insects, may have opportunity of 

 examining them more accurately. I can see no reason 

 in the fancy of some men who would deduce all distem- 

 pers from insects, yet I am persuaded they have more 

 share in the production of some than many wll imagine. 

 In some sorts of scabs and itch I have seen very small 

 white animals taken out mth a needle, and to have been 

 living and very nimble in their motion. These often 

 make visible passages under the skin from scab to scab, 

 like a mole under the earth. Add hereunto animals taken 

 out of the gums, and other parts, mentioned in the ' Phi- 

 losoph. Transact.' I wish a good account could be given 

 of some animals produced with of others, as the 



Lumhrici lati in men, and of toads found living in the 

 middle of massy stones, &c. 



Kilkenny, April 28, 1697. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Black Notley, April 27, -97. 



Sir, — I received your letter of April 16th, and on 

 Saturday last the parcel you sent by carrier came safe to 

 my hands. I shall make what haste I can to collect 

 what is wanting in my Supplement, and to return it 

 again. You are still laying new bonds and obhgations 

 upon me, which I am always ready to acknowledge and 

 return thanks for, though never likely to requite. In the 

 former papers I found one or two passages which seemed 

 to me somewhat obscure, which I cannot call to mind ; 

 if for the future any the like occurs I shall, according to 

 your desire, give you notice of them. I have not seen 

 Mr. Dale since the receipt of your letter, but so soon as 

 I shall, I will communicate to him your pleasure. You 

 have found me work now for a considerable time, so that 

 you are secm-e of trouble from me for two or three weeks. 



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