Mr. Ray to Dr. Lifter/ 95 



obferved, that the young Shoots being cut clear off, 

 and held perpendicularly as before, would drop, tho* 

 from an Incifion- made in the Branch where it was 

 cut off, it would not bleed. The Place of Ariflotte 

 I have not yet lock'd out in the Greek, nor confider'd. 

 I think fomething might have been gathered from it 

 to that Purpofe you fpeak of, if any one had diligent- 

 ly heeded and weighed it $ but T doubt whether your 

 felf, or Dr. Hulfe, had any Hint from it. The fly- 

 ing ox failing of Spiders through the Air, is, for ought 

 I know, your Dilcovery : From you I had the firft 

 Intimation and Knowledge of it. Dr. Hulfe acquaint- 

 ed me with no more than the Jhooting out their 

 threads. I would not be fo injurious to any Man, 

 efpecially to fo efteem'd a Friend, as to rob him of 

 any part of the Reward of his ingenious Endeavours, 

 and transfer to another what is due to him 3 tho' it 

 be as much Commendation to find out a thing by 

 ones own Induftry, which hath been already difco- 

 vered by another, as to invent it fir ft 5 this laft: being 

 rather a Happinefs t]han any thing elfe, tho' I know 

 the World will hardly be induced to believe that two 

 Men fhould hit upon the fame Difcovery at the fame 

 time. You do well, in my Judgment, to be free 

 and communicative of your Notions and Inventions : 

 Treafuring up Secrets being an Argument to me of 

 a difingenuous Spirit, or of a weak Stock in them 

 that feek to get or uphold their Fame thereby. Thofe 

 Secrets too, for the moll part, when difcovered prov- 

 ing r.n be Things of no great Value. If it pleafe 

 God i D et well, I intend this Week a Journey into 

 Effex. Your Experiments made upon Trees brought 

 to the Fire, I have as yet heard nothing of from 

 • Mr. Oldenburgh. ***** 



