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 Serpentina 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.
Sr.
I give you many thanks for the Guns you were pleased to give
me ; by wch I made a very good expr, 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 Expt over this Evening, & therefore, if it will not
be too great an imposition on your favour I would desire 2, or 3
guns move, precisely at 6 this evening as you did last. It is no
great matter which way they 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, & yt you will be pleased
to lend me Sr G. Wheeler's Travels, if you have them. Be pleased
to accept our humble services to your Self, Lady & children, I am
Sr
Your much obliged humble servt
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.
Sr
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 by the Bearer. But if you have not, I am not in any great