^ Ray. 239 
it contains, this volume exhibits fuch an 
aflemblage of fads, relating to the ftruc- 
ture of this globe, to the changes it has 
undergone, and to the hiftory of figured 
foffils, that it may be read to advantage, 
even in this age of advanced curiofity, and 
knowledge in the profeffed objeit of this 
book. Even the faftidious critic, who is 
verfed in all the more modern theories, 
dov^n to the Epochas of Nature,'' and 
thofe of M, De Luc, and De Soulavie, 
will allow that this volume, when refpedt 
is had to the time of its publication, muft 
have conveyed a large fhare of intelhgence 
to thofe who were capable of gratification 
from difquiiitions of this nature ; and that, 
with a deference to the opinions of the day, 
there is yet a freedom of enquiry that dif- 
tinguifhes the author, as a friend to true 
philofophy, and as a modeft and candid en- 
quirer after truth, in thofe points of natural 
hiftory, which ftill continue, and probably 
long will, to be involved in great obfcurlty. 
In this year, Mr. Ray wrote fome 
Obfervations on the Planting of Maize 
*^ inftead of Peafe,'' occafioned by a pro- 
5 pofal 
