MEMOIR OF RAY. 
54 
Chaos, and Creation of the World : the general De- 
luge, and Dissolution of the World which wa3 
published in 1692, and dedicated to Archbishop 
Tillotson. Although little known in the present 
day, this work excited considerable attention at the 
time it appeared, and soon went through several 
editions. It is a striking proof of the extent and 
variety of knowledge which its author possessed ; 
and, independent of its theoretical views, contains 
such an assemblage of facts relating to the structure 
of the earth, and the changes which it has under- 
gone, that it has not yet altogether lost its utility.* 
In compliance with the urgent solicitation of Dr 
Tancred Robinson, Ray undertook to prepare ’a 
series of synoptical arrangements of such of the 
other classes of animals as had not been included 
in his former publications ; thus furnishing a view 
almost of the whole system of nature. The first of 
these works w r as the Synopsis Methodica Animalium 
Quadrupednm , et Seipmtini Generis, w T hich appeared 
in 1693. Besides a systematic classification of these 
animals, it gives a pretty full account of their forms 
and internal structure, and is enriched with nume- 
rous important observations, and interesting details, 
illustrative of their habits and instincts. It was in 
general use among naturalists till the year 1735, 
when it was superseded by the system of Linnaeus. 
* Pulteney's Sketches of the Progress of Botany in 
England, vol. i. p. 239. 
