CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 415 



encourage you to proceed in such inquiries, to which you 

 are so well qualified, and, if I may so say, gifted : for I 

 look upon such a sagacity in searching out, and happi- 

 ness in finding, new things as a gift of God. Were there 

 but a sufficient number of such men, who would apply 

 themselves to the prosecution of the history of insects, 

 much might be done in it, and many rare discoveries 

 made. I cease to give you further trouble, and rest. 



Sir, 

 Yours in all offices of love and service, 



John Ray. 



Black Notley, Marcli 31, 1703. 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Black Notley, Marcli 29, 1703. 



Sir, — I received your extremely kind and compassionate 

 letter, and return you most hearty thanks for it. I am 

 fully of your opinion that my case is scorbutical, and that 

 my sores, as they are now, are in a great measm-e the 

 effects of that distemper ; and therefore do highly approve 

 of your advice, and resolve to follow it. Sir Thomas 

 Millington, about two years since, did me the honour to 

 make me a visit here, and, discoursing concerning my 

 ulcers, he told me that he believed no outward application 

 would do me any good, and therefore advised this diet- 

 drink : take water-cress, brooklime, plantain leaves, dock 

 roots, and a few alder leaves : boil these in wort instead 

 of hops, and work up the liquor in a vessel, and use it 

 for my ordinary drink. This I did once, and received 

 some benefit by ; but the winter coming on, and little 

 virtue in the herbs, I gave it over, especially not finding 

 that sudden amendment that I expected ; but I shah not 

 be so unconstant in the use of your prescriptions. I 

 cannot but wonder at what you write about the danger 

 of leading me to a dropsy. I have been myself in some 

 fear of that disease this year and a half, my legs and feet 



