4 I THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 



cannot resist the temptation of quoting Plot's ^ more ingenious and 

 amusing effort to account for the well-known layer of oyster-shells 

 (Ostrea bellovacina) found * ... at some places here in England, 

 particularly at Cats-grove [now Katesgrove] near Reading . . . ; 

 which how they should come here without a Deluge, seems a difficulty 

 to most men not easily avoided.' 



Plot was, however, helped ' to a salvo ' for his own objection by 

 remembering that Reading was ' a Town of very great action during 

 the Invasions of the Danes, who cutting a deep trench cross between 

 the Kennet and Thames, and inclosing themselves as it were in an 

 Island, held it against King Ethelred, and Alfred his Brother a 

 considerable time ; from whence in all probability, the Saxons 

 having removed their Cattle and other provisions before the Danes 

 arrival, 'tis likely they they might be supplyed from their Navy with 

 Oysters, which during the time of the aboad of the Army on Land, 

 might be a very suitable employment for it : Which conjecture, if 

 allowed, there is nothing more required to make out the possibility 

 of the bed of Oysters coming thither without a Deluge, but that 

 Cats-grove was the place appointed for the Armies repast.' 



The probability of this suggestion may be inferred from the age 

 of the ' Woolwich and Reading ' beds in which the oysters are 

 found — estimated by my friends Prof. Watts and Prof. Hawkins at 

 about 50 to 60 million years. 



Dr. Plot's explanation of fossils in general as well as of flowers 

 was of a very different kind. To account for their existence he 

 appealed to ' the wisdom and goodness of the Supreme Nature, by 

 the School-men called Naturans, that governs and directs the Natura 

 naturata here below, to beautifie the World with these varieties ; 

 which I take to be the end of such productions as well as of most 

 Flowers, such as Tulips, Anemones, &c. of which we know as little 

 use as of formed stones.' 



The modest and withal amusing paragraph which follows I 

 venture to quote in full as an example to be followed in scientific 

 controversy : 



' And thus I have given the grounds of my present opinion, which 

 has not been taken up out of humor or contradiction, with intent only 

 to affront other worthy Authors modest conjectures, but rather 

 friendly to excite them, or any others, to endeavor collections of 

 shell-fish, and parts of other Animals, that may answer such formed 

 stones as are here already, or may hereafter be produced : Which 

 when ever I find done, and the reasons alleged solidly answered, I 



2 The Natural History of Oxfordshire, being an Essay toward the Natural History 

 of England, by Robert Plot, D.D. Printed at the Theater in Oxford. 1677. 

 Dedicated To the most Sacred Majesty of Charles the Second, King of Great 

 Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. (pp. 1 18-122). 



