Shane. 69 
circumftances concurred refpeding the voy- 
age of Dr. Sloane to 'Jamaica^ which 
rendered it peculiarly fuccefsful to natural 
hiftory. He was the firft man of learning, 
whom the love of fcience alone had led from 
England, to that diftant part of the globe ^ 
and, confequently, the field was wholly open 
to him. He was already well acquainted 
with the difcoveries of the age. He had an 
enthufiafm for his objed;, and was at an age, 
when both adivity of body, and vivacity 
of mind, concur to vanquifh difficulties. 
Under this happy coincidence of circum- 
ftances, it is not ftrange that Dr. Sloane 
returned home with a rich harveft. In fad:, 
befides a proportional number of fubjeds 
from the animal kingdom, he brought from 
'Jamaica, and the other iflands they touched 
at, not fewer than 800 different fpecies of 
plants. A number, very far beyond what 
had been imported, by any individual into 
England before. 
Dr. Sloane returned from his voyage 
on the 29th of May 1689 ; and, fixing in 
London, foon became eminent. He was 
,chofen phyfician to Chrift's Hofpital, in 
F3 1694. 
