JAMES, a celebrated English botanist, was contemporary with Plukenet; but we are wholly unacquainted with the precise time of his birth. He was by profession an apothecary, having served an apprenticeship under Mr Feltham, apothecary to Bartholomew's hospital. He settled in Aldergate-street when he commenced business on his own account, where he continued during the whole of his life. His business was extensive; and he was afterwards chosen apothecary to the Charter-house. Excepting Sir Hans Sloane, and Mr Courten, he was the only person after the tradesmen, who made any important collections in natural history, previous to those of the present day. He employed the captains and surgeons of different ships to bring him home specimens; and by means of printed directions he enabled them to select proper objects. In this manner his collection soon became so valuable, that he was offered 4000l. for it by Sir Hans Sloane, some time prior to his decease; but, after he died, it was purchased by that naturalist. His fame was extended both at home and abroad by his valuable museum. He was chosen a fellow of the Royal Society; and having become acquainted with Ray, he assisted him in arranging the second volume of his History of Plants. He died on the 20th of April, 1718; and his funeral was honoured by the attendance of Sir Hans Sloane, and other eminent men, as pall-bearers.

He published several works, on different subjects of natural history, such as Musci Petiveriani Centuriae decem, 1692—1703, 8vo: Gazophylacium Naturae et Artis, Decades decem, folio, 1702, with 100 plates: A catalogue of Mr Ray's English Herbal, illustrated with figures, folio, 1713, and continued in 1715: Many small publications, which may be found enumerated in Dr Pultney's book: Many papers in the Philosophical Transactions; and a material article in the third volume of Ray's work, entitled, Plantae Rariores Chinenses, Madras. Madras-patanae, et Africanae, à Jacobo Petrario ad opus consummandum collatae, &c. Many of his small tracts having become scarce, his works were collected and published, exclusive of his papers in the Transactions, in 2 vols. folio, in the year 1764.