172 
LETTERS FROM THE REV. WM. DERHAM, D.D. 
and engaged captains and surgeons of ships trading with foreign 
countries to bring him on return from their voyages specimens 
of seeds, plants, birds, insects, and stuffed animals. 
So highly was the collection thought of, that Sir Hans Sloane 
is said to have offered Petiver £4,000 (equal probably to £20,000 
of our money) for it he did not accept the offer, but Sir Hans 
purchased it after the collector’s death ; and it now forms a 
portion of the British Museum Collections. 
The word “ Nasicorne ” is now obsolete ; Sir Thomas Browne 
employed it and wrote “ some unicornes we allow even among 
insects as those foure kinds of nasicornous beetles described by 
Muffetus.” 
“ Papilios ” is now obsolete in the sense then used to indicate 
all forms of Lepidoptera. 
Jacob Hoefnagle was an engraver of natural history subjects 
of considerable reputation. He was born at Antwerp 1576, an d 
died 1640. 
Wencelaus Hollar was a very fine engraver ; a catalogue of 
many of his engravings was made by Vertue. 
A Vlacq or Ulaccus of Gouda, Holland, published the first 
complete treatise in Logarithms in 1628, which was founded on 
the work of an Englishman, H. Briggs, who died three years 
after Vlacq’s book appeared. 
Ray’s Historia Plantarum was published between the years 
1686 and 1704. 
Upm r Aug. 5. 
I would have waited upon you my self, or sent before now. but 
the busy time of Harvest hath hindered. And now I have gotten 
an Ague y t batters me bitterly, y 4 I am Scarce able to get so far. 
When I was last at London I sought after Plott’s Oxfordshire 
for you, but find I was plainly mistaken when I told you it was 
offered to me for qs. or 10s. I doubt not but it was his 
Staff[or]dsh[ire]. I met w th his Oxonshire, fair & guilt and lettered 
on y e back, but Brown would not sell it under 16s. And at other 
places they asked me 20s., so I did not buy it for you, till farther 
order. I saw there also Willoughbie & Ray on Birds cheap enough, 
but my Ague hath hurt my memory y l I forget y e certain price. 
I have by this messenger sent your Plott’s Staff[orjdsh[ire], 
& the last Transaction. The rest of your books are in safety, but 
not quite read yet ; which I will return w th many acknowledg mts . 
& thanks. 
I desire my humble service to your Lady, Son & Daughters & 
wish both you & them all health & happiness, being 
S r . 
Your much obliged & humble Servh 
W. Derham. 
