Sloane. €j 
parents, originally of Scottijh extraftion. and 
was born at KilHleaghy in the county of 
Downy in Ireland^ April i6, 1660. His 
younger years were marked by a ftrong at- 
tachment to the works of nature. At fix- 
teen, his ftudies were interrupted by ill 
health, in confequence of a fpitting of blood, 
which confined him for three years. On 
his amendment, he ftudied the preliminary 
branches of phyfic in London, for four 
years ; chemiftry, under a pupil of the great 
Stahl; his favourite fcience, at Chelfea 
G^trden, then but juft eftablifhed ; and, 
young as he was, contradled during that 
time, an acquaintance with Boyle and 
Ray. Mr. Sloane afterwards, in com- 
pany with Mr. Tancred Robinson, and 
another ftudent, vifited France for improve- 
ment. At Paris , he attended Tourne- 
FORT and Du Verney; and is fuppofed to 
have taken his degrees in medicine at Mont- 
pelier ; fome fay, at Orange. He returned 
to London at the latter end of the year 1684, 
and became the favourite of Dr. Syden- 
ham, who took him into his houfe, and zea- 
loufly promoted his intereft. In November 
F 2 1684, 
