464 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



sort of metl or aloe dropped into tlie sea, as Trapliam 

 would have it. What kind of Arundo it is the same 

 author calls the Dumb-cane, as also what his animal seeds 

 may be. The shining barks of trees he mentions deserve 

 observation, because I find nothing of them in other 

 writers. I shall not instance in more particulars. I wish 

 your voyage had so long prevented the publication of my 

 History that I might have been satisfied and informed by 

 you of these and a thousand other particulars, and had so 

 great an accession of new and nondescript species, as your 

 inquisitions and observations would have enriched it 

 withal. I take leave, and rest. 



Sir, 

 Your very humble servant, 



John Ray. 



For Dr. Hans Sloaue, at Mr. Wilkiusou's, 

 a bookseller at tlie Black Boy, over against 

 St. Duustau's CImrch, iu Pleet street, Loudon. 



Mr. Eay to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Sir, — I have herewithal sent you a short account of 

 your Jamaica Catalogue, which I could not defer to draw 

 up, being requested by so good a friend. What you find 

 deficient therein please to supply ; what erroneous to cor- 

 rect ; what, upon any account, you mislike, to expunge ; 

 or, if you please, to cancel the whole, and draw up a better 

 of your own. 



Myself and wife are so far obliged to you already for 

 the rich presents you have made us, that we are ashamed 

 to receive any more ; however, we return you our humble 

 thanks for your kind intentions. 



As to the Sorgum, you remember aright, that it hath a 

 more compressed and compact panicle than the Wlilimn, 

 &c., and the branches of it more stiff and erect, so that (as 



