Mr. Ray to Dr. Robin/bn. 147 



fo exaft and particular a Defcription, as that I may 

 know whether it be already defcribed or not. 1 faw 

 at the Houfe of John Maria Ferro, an Apothecary 

 in Vemce*> . living near Santa Maria Formofa, many 

 rare dried Plants, but especially a great Number of 

 Figures of Plants drawn exactly by a curious Hand 

 in black. If the faid Seignior Ferro be yet living, 

 pleafe to vifit him, and enquire of him whether he 

 defigns to engrave and publiih any of thofe Icons, or 

 be willing to part with them for their Worth to one 

 that will. 



Dr. Tankred Robinfon's Anfwer to 

 Mr. Ray's Queries. 



S 1R, Paris, July 12. 1683. N. S. 



TN order to fatisfy thofe Queries which your Curi- 

 JL ofity and Goodnefs were pleas'd to bellow upon 

 us, we have been yery induftrious fince our coming 

 to Paris, but could not meet with the Macreufe, it 

 being now out of Seafon $ and the Hiftories which 

 the French here do give of it are fo very various, that 

 a Man knows not what to conclude from them: 

 They all fay, that 'tis originally a Fijh, (as fome er- 

 roneoufly imagine our Barnacles to be) and therefore 

 the Convents, and moft of the Inhabitants here, do 

 generally eat it in Lent, and upon Maigre Days. My 

 Friend Mr. Charlton, a very curious and worthy Gen- 

 tleman, hath promis'd me, that as foon as ever the 

 Macreufe comes into Seafon here, he will get it exa6fc- 

 ly defign'd and painted to the Life, and the Skin 

 ftufPd \ fo that then, Sir, you fliall have a better 

 Account of it. In the mean time be pleas'd to ac- 

 cept of the following Defcription, which I haye ta- 

 ll z * ' ken 



