LETTERS FROM THE REV. WM. DERHAM, D.D. 
177 
former paper the Professor’s dictum that Ray was “ With one 
possible exception .... the greatest naturalist that 
England has ever produced.” 
The book by Ray referred to in the P.S. is his Synopsis 
Methodica Animalium Quadrupedum et Serpentini Generis, 
published 1693. 
I suggest that when the Doctor said that this book “ never 
had any irons ” he was possibly alluding to its binding. A 
warm iron called a polishing iron is used to take the grain out 
of morocco leather, which is then known as “ crushed morocco ” 
or “ polished calf.” 
$ 
Feb : 6. 
S r . 
I give you many thanks for the Guns you were pleased to give 
me ; by w ch I made a very good exp r , seeing them and hearing them 
very plainly. The Sound of the three last came precisely in 32 
half seconds. The first Flash I saw, but being too eager to hear, 
I jogged my clock & made it stand, & so mist my Count. The 
Barometer being now very low, much lower than on the last it will 
be worth trying the Exp 4 over this Evening, & therefore, if it will not 
be too great an imposition on your favour I would desire 2, or 3 
guns more, precisely at 6 this evening as you did last. It: is no 
great matter which way thev are shot, for your Guns, & all others 
I have experimented by, come in the same time. But for variety 
sake you may be pleased to order them as last. I desire to know 
by the Messenger whether you saw my Fires, & y* you will be pleased 
to lend me S r G. Wheeler’s Travels, if you have them. Be pleased 
to accept our humble services to your Self, Lady Sc children, I am 
S r 
Your much obliged humble serv 4 
W. Derham. 
Towards the end of the 17th century, the Rev. Sir George 
Wheler (not Wheeler), D.D., published an account of his travels 
in Greece, Dalmatia, etc. Sir George was, for those days when 
communications were so difficult, a considerable traveller. He 
was also a somewhat omnivorous collector, as plants, coins, 
classical manuscripts and antique marbles, all seem to have 
had an equal interest for him. Born 1650, he was knighted 1682, 
Canon of Durham 1684, and Rector of Houghton-le-Spring, Co. 
Durham, from 1709 until his death, which took place in 1723. 
S r 
I have sent you your Harris’s Lexicon &c. If you have dis¬ 
patched either of the volumes of Sturmins, I desire you will be pleased 
to send it bv the Bearer. But if you have not, I am not in any great 
