100 PAPERS, ETC. 



consequence of the small quantity of sulphur it contains, 

 is proved, and its deodorising and purifjing qualities are 

 extremely valuable. 



In drying, peat fuUy decomposed loses one-third of its 

 weight ; the lighter surface turf, one-half. Four tons of 

 dried peat will give about one ton of charcoal, and its 

 producta on distillation are : — !• Sulphate of amnionia. 

 2. Acetate of lime. 3. Pyroxylic spirit. 4. Naptha. 5. 

 Heavy fixed oil. 6. Paraffine, a material to be used in 

 making candles.* 



The Situation in which it is generally found has been 

 either lakes of moderate depth, or hollows on the surface 

 of the ground capable of retalning water at all seasons of 

 the year ; and the progress and growth of peat is thus 

 described by an intelligent observer : — " Keeds constantly 

 precede the other vegetables in lakes, because they are 

 able to raise themselves above the surface of the water 

 from a greater depth than most other aquatic plants ; thus 

 they advance forvvard in proportion as the bottora attaina 

 a sufficient elevation in their front ; as soon as they gain 

 a certain height, other aquatic plants begin to grovv, and 

 rise between their stalks, tili they become so thick as, at 

 the last, to occupy the place of the reeds before them. 

 The reeds advance in front ; the confervse thicken the 

 mass, which is soon overspread by the sphagnum tribe, 

 ilchens, rushes, grasses, and a variety of plants natural to 

 such situations. These plants become so thickset that 

 they consolidate on the surface on which they grow, and 

 sink with it into the water, Themosses and conferv« rise 

 again the next year, and cover the surface on which they 

 grow, producing a new race of plants ; these in turn decay, 

 and sink from the surface, and at length reach the bottom 



* Athenseum for February, 1852, p 221. 



