Le caractère particulier des travaux de Ray consiste dans des méthodes plus claires, plus rigoreuses que celles d'aucun de ses prédecesseurs et appliquées avec plus de Constance et de précision.

Having finished the History of Birds I am now beginning that of Fishes, wherein I shall crave your assistance, especially as to the flat cartilagineous kind and the several sorts of Aselli; especially I desire information about the Coalfish of Turner, which I suppose may sometimes come to York. When I was in Northumberland I saw of them salted and dried, but could not procure any of them new taken. Besides the common Cod-fish, the Haddock, Whiting and Ling I have in Cornwall seen and described three other sorts of Aselli from which I would gladly know whether the Coal-fish be specifically distinct. I am also at a loss about the Codling of Turner what manner of fish it should be, and how certainly differenced from the Cod-fish. Of the flat cartilagineous I have seen and described four or five sorts, but I am to seek what our fishermen mean by the Skate, and what by the Flair, and what by the Maid. […]