fGANOXG] PEAT BOGS OF NKW BRUiN'bVVICK 139 



that it reminds one of the liaoulia or '• Vegetable Sheep,' and (he resem- 

 blance is yet closer when, by drying, it assumes a grayish coloui-. Accord- 

 ing to the other plants which grow on the hummocks, the top of the bog 

 assumes one of two distinct appearances. First, on the drier parts grows a 

 great abundance of Empeinim niijrum, which almost hides the moss, and 

 which thus seems to play exactly the same part which Calluna vulgaris 

 does in those of Europe. This may be called the " Sphagnum-Empetrum " 

 bog. On the top of these knolls, also, the capsules oï Poiijtrichum strictum 

 often show abundantl3\ In the hollows between the hummocks, though 

 also, but less abundantly, on them, grow the many large lichens, which 

 must find here very favourable conditions, since they grow to such an 

 unusual size. These Lichens, however, are most abundant on the parts 

 away from the highest areas, especially on the drier ]iart8 away from the 

 basins. I could not determine whether the}' grow mostly in the 

 hollows because the conditions there please them better, or whether 

 their pi-esence in certain places had hindered the growth of the moss, 

 thus making the hollows. On this part of the bog the dwarf shrubs 

 and trees are most abundant. Second, at other and decidedly less 

 <lry places, there is an abundant growth of the two Sedges, Eriophorum 

 vaginatum and Scirpua aespitosus, mixed together, but with perhaps a 

 tendency for the former to occupy the hollows and the latter the knolls. 

 This may be called the "Sphagnum-Carex " bog. The Lichens and 

 J'^mpetrum are not absent here, but less abundant. At other places, 

 even on almost the highest parts, are very wet, nearly level places, 

 where the bright red Sphagmaii tenellum, in its two varieties occurs, 

 and here Vacciivium Oxycoccusfinû. D rasera rot undi folia are most charac- 

 teristic plants, while the shrubs are rare and greatly dwarfed, and the 

 trees are altogether wanting. Of the two species of trees, Larix Americana 

 grows farthest out, and answers plainly to the Pinus pumilio of the 

 European Hochmoore, but Picea nigra is not far behind. Nearlj- every- 

 where are the leaves of the Rubus Chamœmorus from hidden stems. 



On the Lcpreau bog on the highest and driest parts, are several 

 small islands composed of dense clumps of Picea nigra, some of which 

 are tifteen feet high, and four inches in diameter. Around them are a 

 few small larches. These islands grew directly upon the moss, in which 

 the}' are rooted but a foot or two deep. 



The surface is every whei-e tirm and elastic ; even in the wettest places 

 one's feet sink but a few inches. 



On the Seely's Cove bog are sjiots which lack living vegetation, 

 which will later be described. 



Animal life is very rare on the bogs, and seems to be confined to a 

 few insects ; the most common is a spider, which builds its web across 

 the mouths of the pitchers of Sarracenias. The Droseras rarely hold an 



1 See Figure in Goebel (11) II. 4:!. 



