Oxford Clay
in geology, a bed of clay, sometimes 600 feet thick, underlying the Coral Rag, and the accompanying sandy beds of the Middle Oölite. Corals are absent, but Ammonites and also als are absent, but Ammonites and Belemnites abound. Remains of Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, etc., are found.
OXFORD, EARL OF. See WALPOLE.
OXFORD, UNIVERSITY OF, an English university that lays claim to great lish university that lays claim to great dation to King Alfred in 879. The_eardation to King Alfred in 879. The earand its privileges were confirmed and extended by subsequent monarchs, the act by which it was created a corporate OXFORDSHIRE OYAMA body having been passed during the the Oxus is by some considered to be the reign of Elizabeth in 1570. The num- Panja river, which rises in a lake of ber of colleges established are 21, viz.:- the Great Pamir, at a height of 13,900 University (founded, 1249); Balliol feet. The Oxus for a. considerable dis- (1263); Merton (1274); Exeter (1314); tance forms the boundary between Oriel (1326); Queen's (1340); New Afghanistan and Bokhara. Total course, (1379); Lincoln (1427); All Soul's 1,300 miles. (1437); Magdalen (1458); Brasenose (1509); Corpus Christi (1516); Christ Church (1526); Trinity (1554); St.
John's (1555); Jesus (1571); Wadham (1610); Pembroke (1624); Worcester (1714); Keble (1870); and Hertford (1874). There are colleges, not incorporated, viz.: Magdalen, St. Edmund's, St. Mary's, New Inn, and St. Alban's.
Attached to the university is the Bod- Bodley, containing about 500,000 printed Library, founded by Sir Thomas volumes, and more than 30,000 valuable MSS. Practically the entire student body volunteered for service in the World War, and the university was used for war activities of many sorts. 500,000 printed