CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY, 337 



it greatest advantage of sale, is such a multitude of rare 

 plants not yet described by any, as your ' History of 

 Jamaica' contains. But still it is but a blind work, not 

 illustrated by any figures, and so useless almost to any 

 but great proficients in botanies, and I am sensible that 

 there must needs have crept in a multitude of mistakes, 

 I having seen none almost of the species, and of a great 

 part having only a name or title, with a few epithets. 

 Your collection of Maryland plants I am desirous to add 

 to this work, and at your best leisure and convenience 

 pray you to send them down hither, together with the 

 copy of my Supplement, to which 1 shall add Herman's 

 ' Parad. Bat.,' and Boccone's ' Museum Rariorum,' which 

 I have already almost transcribed into papers, to lie in 

 their proper places inserted into my Supplement. The 

 Maryland plants I desire your opinion concerning, whether 

 T shall dispose them in the Supplement under heads, or 

 put them in an alphabet by themselves. I shall make 

 but poor Avork with them myself, and therefore hope you 

 have carefully reviewed them, and put down your judg- 

 ment of each. 



My sores continue still to be very painful and trouble- 

 some, especially in the night. Little hopes of amendment 

 this winter. I am sensible of my obligation to you in 

 being so solicitous concerning my health. I thank God 

 I have a tolerable measiu*e of ease in the daytime, so that 

 I am able to do somewhat, yet scarce ever quite free from 

 pain. Myself and relatives remember you as oft as we 

 taste the effects of your kindness, and that is almost daily. 

 I do not say we drink your health, but we pray for it. 



I am, sir. 

 Your most affectionate friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



For his honoured friend. Dr. Hans Sloane, 

 at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



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