Of the Bogs in Ireland. 369 



of moss in the last stage of decomposition, and decayed 

 branches of heath. 



Colour, .. .. reddish- brown : 

 Specific gravity . . *895. 

 " 1,440 grains of this substance yielded but 20 grains of 

 white ashes, which are found to be composed of vegetable 

 matter. 



" No. 2 3 feet thick. 



f The mass here is very open-grained and fibrous ; the 

 moss is usually so perfect, that the different species are ea- 

 sily discernible to the botanist : the sphagnum- palustre is 

 observed greatly to predominate. 



Colour, . . . . light reddish-brown : 

 Specific gravity . . '356. 

 tf 1,440 grains of this substance yielded but 12 of white 

 ashes, of similar composition to No. 1. 



" No. 3 5 feet thick. 



Cf Mass open-grained and fibrous ; varieties of moss visi- 

 ble, but not so perfect as in No. 2: used as turf, but burns 

 badly, on account of« the openness of its texture, and its 

 containing no empyreumatic oil. 



Colour, . . . . pale yellowish-brown : 

 Specific gravity .. *408. 

 <c 1,440 grains of the dried peat yielded but 11 grains of 

 white ashes, of similar composition to the foregoing. 



" No. 4 8£ feet thick. 



s< Mass tolerably compact, but still fibrous ; when used 

 as turf, it burns tolerably well. 



Colour, .. .. deep reddish-brown : 

 Specific gravity .. *87 1 • 

 " 1,440 grains of the dried peat yielded 13 grains of 

 yellowish white ashes, composed of vegetable matter, with 

 a tinge of oxide of iron. 



" No. 5. .. . . 3 feet thick* 

 " Mass compact; fibres of moss rarely discernible*; 

 numerous twigs, and small branches of birch, alder, and 

 fir-trees, are observable amongst the peat in this part of 

 the turf bank. Upon near inspection it was found, that 

 all the branches and twigs were quite hollow; the wood 

 being decayed had disappeared, leaving the bark perfect. 

 This division of the turf bank, when used as turf, burns 

 pleasantly, but quickly. 



Colour, . . . . blackish brown : 

 Specific gravity .. T030. 



•.Branches are not found contained in the body of the Bog generally, 

 and efen ar the edges not universally. 



Vol. 36. No. 151. Nov. 1810. S A. " Analysis. 



