SIR ROBERT SIBBALD. 
59 
gett us more for Arator, and I shall doe what is 
in my power to compleet the edition of him too. 
I shall intreat yow to continue your correspon- 
dence, although I cannot promise to writte so 
oftene as it were neadfull. I shall from tyme to 
tyme advertise yow what may be worthy your 
knowledge, either by a lyne from myself, or from 
Mr Sutherland, or Master Paterson. I wish yow 
all happieness, and am, your assured friend, and 
very humble servant, 
R. Sibbald. 
Let me know when yow heard from the Arch- 
deacon of Carleile, and what he writeth to yow. 
I could wish yow would see to gett a Grammer 
of the Irish tongue, and send it to us : it were 
worth your pains to learn that language, it might 
be of use in retrieving our antiquities. Farewell. 
Editi. 24th Sept. 1700. 
Sib, — I received yours yesterday, and would 
delay no longer a returne to it. What yow 
call the Mairdmaid’s purse is judged by all 
(I discoursed with) to be the uterus of a skate. 
Ther are many sorts of skate frequent our 
seas, and the sealchs and meerpoyne and poir- 
poises devour a great many of them, which 
may make them be so frequently found. The 
membranaceous substance is animal, and the 
