372 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Yoiir intended present of sugar doth so far exceed my 

 merit or expectation, that I may justly be ashamed to 

 accept it. We are so far obhged ah'eady for largesses of 

 this and other kinds, that we want ability to make you 

 any amends. All we can do is to retain a grateful memory 

 of your kindness, and to own the obhgation. My wife 

 and daughters return their very hmnble services and 

 thanks to you. 



Dr. Tom-nefort's ' Institutions' may be of use to me as 

 to the ' Methodns Plantarum Emendata,' which I have 

 ready for the press, both for the correcting of some mis- 

 takes Avhicli possiljly I may have committed, and the 

 enlarging of it by new observations. I have done when 

 I have told you that I am. 



Sir, 



Your very much obliged friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



Dr. Wood to Mr. Eay. 



Kilkenny, July 18, 1700. 



Honoured Sir, — Prunella is a plant esteemed by all 

 authors and practitioners that I have met with, to be a 

 vulnerary, and used only in that case, and the distemper 

 whence it takes its name, wherein it is effectual on the 

 same account -. but the natives of this country, who pre- 

 tend to great skill in herbs, give it frequently (boiled in 

 posset-drink) in all sorts of common continual fevers, I 

 mean all but malignant ones, and expect great matters 

 from it. And some give it also in intermitting fevers : 

 but I have not been able to judge whether it be so 

 effectual as they pretend, or no, because commonly other 

 medicines are also given. I am credibly informed that 

 it is used in the same case in several parts of Wales, where 

 they call it by the same name with the Irish, Cannavan 

 Beg, I would gladly be inforaied whether you have 



