98 PAPER8, ETC. 



wliich would fiU the marsh low lands, obtained a Royal 

 Commission (33 Edwai'd L, 1304) to inquire into these 

 important matters, when Robert de Cläre, Earl of Glouces- 

 ter, Gilbert de Bere, and John Gereberd, were appointed 

 inspectors. Afterwards we find similar commlssions issued 

 to the possessors of lands, manovs, and lordships bordering 

 on these marshes, among whom are the natnes of Sir 

 Matthew de Furneaux, John de Merriet, Richard de 

 Rodenay, John de Godelee, Dean of Wells, John de 

 Clevedon, Sir John St. Loe, and many other influential 

 persons in the reigns of Edward IL, Edward III., and 

 subsequent sovereigns. 



ON THE FORMATION OF MARSH PEAT. 



1. Peat is a vegetable forraation, which overspreads 

 certain extensive tracts of land in various parts of the 

 earth's surface. In Ireland, Scotland, and England we find 

 it to a considerable extent ; in the former portion of the 

 united kingdom a vast portion of its surface is covered by 

 this formation, even now almost in a State of nature, and 

 unproduetive to the use of man. 



Peat is of two kinds, viz., 



I. Mountain-peat, a black mould, with numerous grains 

 of quartz sand intermixed with it, and found on the top 

 of mountains ; and 



II. Bog-peat, which is the subjcct of our investigation. 

 In Somersetshire we find extensive tracts of land pro- 



vincially called Turbaries, filled with peat, and a short 

 account of its natural history forms a necessary appendage 

 to the observations which we have already addressed to 

 vour notice. 



