294 Peat Bogs. (July, 
these others have long remained mysteries to certain in- 
dividuals. 
The reader who has read and mastered the preceding 
problem may amuse himself by testing the observational 
power of his friends. He may enquire whether his friend 
has ever remarked the pole star and the pointers. Then he 
should carefully word his next question somewhat in the 
following terms :—‘‘ Of course the pointers always point 
with equal accuracy towards the pole star,’ and in the 
majority of cases he will obtain for his answer, “‘ Of course 
they must do so, as the stars never alter their relative 
positions from each other.” If the reader, instead of the 
above careful question, were to say, ‘‘ Have you ever 're- 
marked that the pointers do not always point with equal 
accuracy to the pole star,’ he would in many cases receive 
some such answer as the following :—‘‘ Well, I fancy I have 
noticed it, but I am not very sure about it.” : 
So rarely do we find any but the most candid and pro- 
gressive, who are willing to acknowledge their ignorance of 
a subject, that the above problem may afford those who have 
thoroughly mastered it considerable amusement and some 
information when they cross-examine those among their 
acquaintances who profess to have a knowledge of astronomy. 
Ms PEAT) bOGs; 
By G. H. Kinawan, M.R.I1.A., &c. 
HE formation or growth of peat bogs and that of most, 
at least, of our principal coal seams, were evidently 
very similar: it is therefore interesting to be ac- 
quainted with what may be ascertained about the former. 
Why peat bogs began to grow at first is a question often 
asked, but as yet not satisfactorily answered. In Great 
Britain and Ireland there are three classes of peat, distin- 
guished by three modes of occurrence, namely, first, the 
preglacial or intraglacial peat; second, submarine peat; and 
third, the subaérial, or the peat accumulations that are 
still being formed. The latter, however, as will hereafter be 
mentioned, can in certain places be subdivided, as there is 
proof of a long cessation of peat growth having intervened 
over vast areas during its period of formation. In this paper 
