171
XIII.
The Life and Work of John Ray, and their relation to
the Progress of Science.1
By Prof. G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., P.G.S., F.R.G.S., &c.
[Read January 31st, 1885.]
Having on previous occasions addressed you on the earliest
and unconscious action of man on the flora of our county,
and on the early history of the science of Botany as bearing
on our peculiar territory, I think I can hardly choose a more
suitable topic for my address to you this evening than the
biography and life-work of one who is not only by far the
greatest naturalist belonging to our county, but, with one
possible exception, whose name will occur to you all, the
greatest naturalist that England has ever produced.
I know no period of equal length so full of varied interest in
the history of English politics, English literature or English
thought, as the seventy-seven years,from 1627 to 1704, that are
covered by the life of that illustrious naturalist, John Ray,
whose name will go down to all time with those of Linnaeus
and Darwin as that of one of the princes of Biology. In
passing from the reign of Charles I. to those of William III.
and Anne, we pass in politics from an era of personal, to one of
responsible parliamentary government; and a change perhaps
equally great came over the spirit of our literature and
philosophy between the death of Bacon and those of Dryden,
Ray, and Locke.
Speaking of the time when Ray was a young man, an
eminent critic has said:—"Everywhere there was in those
days the quickened spirit of enquiry. It entered into
1 [This essay formed the main portion of the address of Prof. Boulger
as President of the Club at the Annual Meeting on January 31st, 1885.
On the score of convenience it is printed here as a paper, and the intro-
ductory observations will be given in the report of the above-mentioned
meeting in the 'Proceedings.'—Ed.]