274 ACCOUNT of PEAT-MOSSES 
ftrength at this than at a greater height. The foundnefs of the: 
roots and trunks feems alfo inexplicable on any other fuppofi- 
tion. 
Marks of an ax, not exceeding two inches and a half in 
breadth, are fometimes. difcernible on the lower ends of thefe 
trees. The {mall breadth of the ax, and the length of the time 
that the trees doubtlefs remained expofed, before they were co- 
vered with the mofs, feems fufficiently to account for thefe 
marks not having been more frequently difcovered: 
Bur it will be afked, what reafon can be affigned for un- 
dertaking a work of fo great labour as the cutting down of fuch 
extenfive forefts muft have been? The value of the timber was 
evidently not the motive of this work, otherwife the trees would 
not have been left behind. Neither was the clearing: of the 
ground the object that was in view, fince, after all this la« 
bour, the ground: remained as. much incumbered as before. 
If, however, we recollect the hiftory of Britain from the reign 
of DomiTt1AN to the acceflion of CARACALLA, and confider 
the local fituation of the mofles, we will find good reafons for- 
afcribing the deftrution.of the forefts in queftion to the Ro- 
mans. 
Ir is well known, that from the time when Jutius Casar 
firft invaded this ifland to the decline of the Roman power, the 
Britons, unable to contend with the arms and difcipline of the 
legions in pitched battles, or-in the open country, were forced. 
to take fhelter in their woods: and morafles, from which they 
annoyed the Romans: by their incurfions. The Roman Gene- 
rals, therefore, from the time of AGRICOLA: at leaft, employed! 
not only. their own foldiers, but alfo many of the provinciated. 
Britons, in depriving the free Britons of their places of. refuge, 
by cutting down the woods, or, at leaft, making great openings . 
in them, and by draining the moraffes, or making roads-through, 
them. Thefe feem to be the fervile labours which GaLcGacus, 
Im: 
sail 
