CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 449 



History of Insects, collected partly by myself, partly by 

 Francis Williighby, Esq., deceased, expecting also great 

 contributions from my friends skillful in that part of 

 natural history, I intend, God producing my life and 

 granting me a tolerable measure of ease, to draw up such 

 an history, and have aheady begun and made some 

 progress in it ; which, because it will not be of half the 

 use if published without figures as it would be if illus- 

 trated therewith, and because the graving of them is a 

 matter of greater charge than I can sustain, I am con- 

 strained to beg the assistance of ingenious gentlemen 

 and wellwillers to this kind of learning in contributing 

 toward the charge of the plates the moderate sum of ten 

 - shillings, which shall be well husbanded and faithfully 

 expended on the gravers and supervisors of the work. 

 If the sum collected doth not suffice for plates for the 

 whole work, then I must pray a further supply from the 

 contributors, to whom what is finished and wrought off 

 shall be delivered, who thereupon may either cease or 

 contribute further as they shall see cause. 



If you mishke this proposition, or if you would have 

 [any] thing added or omitted, altered or amended thereto 

 or therein, be pleased to signify to me what you mislike 

 or disapprove. I shall shortly want a sight of your exotic 

 diurnal papilios, for I intend first to describe and figure 

 that tribe ; but I dare scarce desire the sending them 

 down hither, for fear lest they should receive any pre- 

 judice by the way bringing down or carrying up. I 

 continue still very uneasy, by reason of the pain I almost 

 constantly labom- under. I may possibly find about two 

 hours in a day to bestow on this History. This is all I 

 have to trouble you with at present. My wife and girls 

 salute you, and give you their humble services, and I am 



Sir, 

 Yours in all offices of love and service, 



John Ray. 



To liis honoured friend. Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



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