MR. RAY OF THE NUMBER OF PLANTS.* 



To determine precisely what number of plants there 

 are in the world, is a thing, if not absolutely, at least 

 morally impossible, as we shall prove anon. But before 

 we make any conjecture about their number, it will be 

 requisite to debate these two questions. 1. Whether 

 there have been or are yearly any new species produced 

 besides what were at first created? 2. Whether there 

 have been, or may be any species lost or destroyed ? For if 

 either of these be affirmed, in vain would it be to inquire 

 the number of plants ; it being uncertain and variable 

 every year, and that possibly to a very great excess or 

 defect. For the causes of these destructions and produc- 

 tions being accidental, there is no reason why one should 

 exactly, or in any near proportion, balance and compen- 

 sate the other. 



Of the first question, those that hold the affirmative 

 for proof of their opinion, alledge common experience ; 

 for doth not every new year afford us new sorts of flowers 

 and fruits ? and consequently new sorts of plants ? Are 

 not our gardens and orchards yearly enriched with new 

 sorts, for example, of July flowers, tulips, and anemonies, 

 of apples and pears ? Do not our gardeners sell us these 

 for distinct species? And do not herbarists generally 

 enumerate and describe them as such? What herbal 

 doth not make, for instance, Caryophyllus, or Viola ^ 



* This paper appears to have been first published in the ' Philosophical 

 Letters.' 



