20$ Dr. Robinibn to Mr. Ray. 



nor the Seeds of any Convolvulus^ nor of any Legume? 

 but are rather of the Nut-kind : The entire Fruit isf 

 covered with two Skins, being round on one Side 

 and flat on the other j the exterior Skin, or rather 

 Shell, (being as thick almoft as that of a Piftachoe) 

 is of a dark Colour | the fecond, or interior Mem- 

 brane, that covers the Kernels, is much finer, and of 

 a yellowifh white Colour^ as the Kernels themfelves 

 are. Under this fecond Skin*lies generally two Ker- 

 nels (fometimes one) round on one Side, and flat on 

 the other : On the flat Side of the Kernel there is al- 

 ways a Slit, or a Mouth ; fo that every Kernel doth 

 exactly refemble a Concha Veneris* The Fruit doth 

 generally come to us decorticated 3 but I finding 

 fome entire, have made this Defcription. 



Sir Hans Sioane to Mr. Ray. 



S I R? London? June % 1 . 1 687» 



I Send you here inclofed the Specimen of a Plant 

 growing on New-market Heath? and in Surry?' 

 known by the Name of Star of the Earth in thofe 

 Parts. It is particularly taken Notice of on the Ac- 

 count of its extraordinary and admirable Virtue in cu* 

 ring the Eitings of Mad Dogs? either in Beafts or 

 "Men. One of his Majefty's Huntfmen having prov'd 

 it a great many times, gave the King his W ay of 

 ufing it, which was an Infufiqn in Wine with Trea- 

 cle, and one or two more Simples. His Majefty 

 was pleafed to communicate it to Grejham College to 

 the Royal Society 5 and no body knowing the Plant 

 by that Name, fome there prefent confirming its Ufe 

 in that Difeafe in fome Places of England*? and pro- 

 curing the Herb it felf, it is as little known here as* 

 if it had come from the Indies. I told the Society 



