26 
MEMOIR OF 
both for this and other parts of Natural History, 
and your unparalleled readiness to further and 
assist all ingenious lovers of this most copious 
and gentle study, do justly challenge a more 
universal and public testimony of your singular 
worth and eminent goodness.” 
He died at Kensington Gravel Pits, March 26, 
1702, aged sixty, and was buried in the church- 
yard of that parish, having bequeathed his museum 
to Sir Hans Sloane. 
Mr Petiver was a wealthy apothecary, who 
resided in Aldersgate street, in London, “ a per- 
son,” says Sloane, “ sufficiently known by his 
understanding in Natural History all over the 
world !” He distributed printed lists and direc- 
tions among captains and surgeons of ships, bound 
to foreign parts ; and by these means procured a 
very extensive and valuable collection, of which 
he published short catalogues at successive dates, 
as his curiosities increased. The first commences 
in 1695, and is entitled “ Musei Peteveriani, 
Centuria Prima, llariora Naturae continens, viz. 
Animalia, Fossilia, Plantas, ex variis Mundi 
Plagis advecta, Ordine digesta, et Nominibus 
Propriis Signata.” These were continued to the 
number of ten centuries, the last being published 
in 1703, and of course describing one thousand 
articles ; the greater part, however, are plants. He 
aiso enumerates his “ generous benefactors,” and 
