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found an oyster, which, in its general form, bears a considerable re- 
semblance 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 0. 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 approach 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 Wool- 
wich, 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 
substance 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 ap- 
parently so negligently disposed, as to have every good and illus- 
