154 Dr. Robinfon to Mr. Ray. 



ment, and fo univerfal a Knowledge, will be employed 

 in compiling. a general Hiftory of Plants, an Under- 

 taking fit only for your extraordinary Talents. I am 

 in great Hopes (becaufe I wifti it very impatiently) 

 that you will beftow on the World a general Hiftory 

 of Nature j (if God Almighty blefs you with Health 

 and a long Life) 'tis very defe&ive at prefent, and 

 feems to call for Method and Perfection from you. 



M. March and is dead at Paris, fo is Zanoni at Bo- 

 noma, and John Maria Ferro at Venice. The three 

 Volumes of dry'd Plants, and that other of Defigns 

 are now in the Hands of his Sons at Venice. I view'd 

 them feveral times, and offer 'd 20 Piftoles (which I 

 thought to be their full Value) for them y but my 

 Money and fair Words were defpis'd, the jealous Ita- 

 lians keeping them like fo many Wives. Signior Za- 

 noni hath figured many of them in his Hi ft or. Botan. 

 which I have fent to London, where you may com- 

 mand it if you want it. M. Magnole's Catalogue lies 

 alfo at Mr. Faithorn's at your Service. 



I perceive the Academy Royal at Paris goes on with 

 their Defign of publifhing a general Hiftory of Plants, 

 of which M. Dodart printed fome . Years ago the 

 Scheme and Model: For I faw 2 or 3 fmaU Folio's 

 of this Hiftory in feveral Bibliotheces at Rome, which 

 I never met withal in the Shops at Paris y becaufe I 

 fuppofe it will not be fold till all the Volumes are 

 perfected. I have feveral Things to obje£t againft 

 this mighty French Work, delign'd rather for the 

 Glory of the Monarch than the Ufe of the Subject 

 If you had their Encouragement, I am fure your 

 Work would be far more latisfa£tory and advantagi- 

 ous.than theirs y which, in my poor Opinion, will 

 be like a great Palace fail of fine Ornaments, but 

 wanting Order, neceflary Conveniences, and regular 

 Stru£ture. 



I had feveral Conferences with S. Malpighi at Ba- 

 nonia, who exprefs'd a great Refpe6t for you, and is 



not 



