213 



a mile distance, among the same species of cyclades and cerithia, is 

 found an oyster, which, in its general form, bears a considerable resem- 

 blance to the round oysters of Woolwich. But here, though extremely 

 brittle, the surface of the shell is well preserved; the matrix being a fine 

 white sand, intermixed with round pebbles. The specimens which are 

 here obtained, appear to be a variety of O. edulis, somewhat resembling 

 our celebrated Milton oysters, in the delicacy of the shell and the regularity 

 in which the rugae are disposed : the larger shells manifesting a similar ap- 

 proach to globosity of form toward the base of the shell. At Sundridge 

 Park, near Bromley, the delightful seat of Claude Scott, Esq. about five 

 miles to the South-west of Woolwich, is another astonishing quarry of 

 oysters, my examination of which was aided by every possible attention 

 on the part of the polite and liberal possessor. This stratum has been dug 

 into, about the depth of eighteen feet, and is formed of the same species of 

 cyclades, cerithia, and oysters, which I had before seen at Plumstead and 

 at Woolwich. But here the matrix, as well as the matter which filled the 

 hollows of the shells, is of a stony hardness, as if from an impregnation 

 with a dissolved carbonate of lime. Many of the shells have their valves 

 still united, and are filled with stone ; and many also are still attached, 

 by the globose part of their under valves, to large round pebbles. Some 

 of these oysters are about three inches and a half in length ; but many 

 of them, like those of Plumstead, are much smaller. 



So strong is ' the degree of coherence in this curious mass, that very 

 large entire blocks may be separated. The tasteful possessor of this 

 charming spot has very ingeniously availed himself of this circumstance, 

 by employing this stone, for various ornamental purposes, about his 

 grounds. From the ruggedness of the stone, it exceeds every other sub- 

 stance in composing an imitative ruin. In one part of the grounds walls 

 are therefore constructed with it, on which various exotics are allowed to 

 wildly spread themselves ; and in others, arches and alcoves are entirely 

 formed of irregular masses of it ; so skilfully, though apparently so negli- 



