Author: RAY (John):
Title: Philosophical Letters Between the late Learned Mr. Ray And several of his Ingenious Correspondents, Natives and Foreigners. To which are added those of Francis Willughby Esq. The Whole consisting of many curious Discoveries and Improvements in the History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Plants, Fossiles, Fountains, &c. Published by W. Derham, Chaplain to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales, and F.R.S.
Description: London: Printed by William and John Innys, Printers to the Royal Society..., 1718. FIRST EDITION. 88vo, 194 x 110 mms., pp. [viii], 376 [377 - 386 Index, 387 - 388 adverets], woodcut diagrams in text, bound in contemporary unlettered panelled calf; joints cracked but holding, the upper joint internally strengthened, slightly rubbed and worn at corners, internally sound and clean. A very good copy with the autograph and inscription of Dr. William Bold, dated 1721, and that of Josiah Babington, 1724, on the upper margin of the front paste-down end-papers. There are also annotations and additions of the index in, probably, Babington's hand, as well as a note on the verso of the front free end-paper in a contemporary hand on the medical content in the work. The polymath John Ray (1627–1705) was successively a Lecturer in Greek, Mathematics, and Latin at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later took up botany and theology. He made the acquaintance of Francis Willughby, with whom he toured much of Britain, making notes on natural phenomena, animals, and natural philosophy. Charles Raven in his biography of Ray (1950; 2nd ed.) asserts that "Ray sweeps away the litter of mythology and fable... and always insists upon accuracy of observation and description and the testing of every new discovery." Keynes 109.

Keywords: medicine science prose


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