176 The Life and Work of John Ray, and 
works ; but plants were considered merely as materia medica, 
and science of botany there was none. If we would gauge 
aright the services of Bay to this science alone we must 
compare such works as Bauhin’s ‘ Pinax ’ (1628) or How’s 
‘ Phytologia ’ (1650) with Bay’s ‘ History ’ (1686-1704 ) or the 
second edition of his ‘ Synopsis ’ (1696). 
In 1661 Bay visited the south of Scotland, returning 
through Cumberland and Westmoreland, having with him 
his pupil, Mr. Philip Skippon ; and in the following year, 
in company with his pupil and congenial friend, whose name 
will ever be associated with his own, Francis Willughby, who 
was seven or eight years his junior, he visited Wales and 
Cornwall, returning through the southern counties. His 
diaries of his three English tours were obviously not written 
by Bay with a view to publication; but they contain many 
interesting notes not only on Natural History, but also on 
archaeological subjects. 
The writer might now well have hoped for advancement in 
the Church, since his studies were becoming fashionable. 
The King “was himself a fair chemist, and took a keen 
interest in the problems of navigation. The Duke of 
Buckingham varied his freaks of rhyming, drinking, and 
fiddling, by fits of devotion to his laboratory. Poets like 
Denham and Cowley, courtiers like Sir Bobert Murray and 
Sir Kenelm Digby, joined the scientific company,” now 
mainly reunited in London. Wilkins in 1662 became rector 
of St. Lawrence Jewry ; John Evelyn had returned from 
abroad, and settled at Sayes Court, Deptford; there was also 
“that prodigious young scholar, Mr. Christopher Wren,” the 
nephew of the Bishop of Ely ; and when, in April, 1662, the 
Boyal Society received its charter of incorporation, Bobert 
Hooke, who had been living as his assistant with Boyle, 
became its Curator of Experiments. As Mr. Green says, 
“ The curious glass toys called Prince Bupert’s drops recall 
the scientific inquiries which amused the old age of the great 
cavalry-leader of the Civil War. Wits aud fops crowded to 
the meetings of the new Society. Statesmen like Lord 
Somers felt honoured at being chosen its presidents. Its 
