The PREFACE. 



Having given an Account of what I have done as Pub* 

 lifher^ it is time to recognize the AJJiftance I had from 

 my Friends. Sir Hans Sloane, and Dr. Tankred Ro- 

 binfon, (two of the principal and mo ft learned Friends of 

 Mr. Ray) very readily furnifhed me with what Papers 

 they had of Mr. Ray'i : And the latter procured alfo for 

 me thofe which Dr. Lifter had carefully laid up as Ci- 

 melia. Mr. Dale of Braintree 9 (Mr. Ray V Neighbour 

 and induftrious Friend) who had taken care to preferve 

 many of Mr. Ray'* Papers after his Death, very readily 

 imparted them, and gave me his A $i fiance : As alfo the 

 Reverend and worthy Mr. Pyke, Reftor of Mr. Ray V 

 Parijh, gave me what Afji fiance he could: But none 

 more ready than Mrs. Ray her/elf, and her Daughters, 

 who not only entrufled me to fearch Mr. Ray V Papers, 

 hut to carry away what Ipleafed. 



And as for the Papers in the Appendix, they are 

 owing to the Favour of the furviving Remains of 

 Mr. Ray V beft Friend and Patron, the great Mr. Wil- 

 lughby } namely, the Right Honourable the Lord Mid- 

 dleton, and his noble Sifter the Countefs of Carnarvon, 

 who knowing, of my Defign, with all Readinefs procured 

 for , and fent me Mr. Ray 's, and feme other learned 

 Men's Letters, to their mo ft ingenious Father which 

 coming too late to be ranked in their Order in the Body 

 of the Book, I was forced to caft into ^Appendix. 



Mr. 



