J^. On the Origin and Trogrefs of the 



cut, are as various as thofe of pit- coal. That which feems 

 to have undergone the mofl complete decompofition, to have 

 become denfe and compa6lly united in all its parts, forms 

 the hardeft and moft durable peat. The blacker the colour, 

 the more carbonaceous is the fuel, and the firmer is the char 

 it produces. In mofs-grounds where the decompofition is 

 not complete, the peat abounds more with earths and bog- 

 iron ore. The remains of the vegetables are more entire, and 

 its tendency to confolidation in burning is lefs. I have ex- 

 pofed fuch peat as this to a long drying heat, and found 

 ICO parts of it, when thus dried, to be compofed of. 

 Water, hydrogen, and fulphur - - 72.8 

 Carbon - - - - 15.1 



Oxyd of iron, with a flight mixture of alkaline 



falts - - - - 12. 1 



1 00 parts. 

 The fuperior quality of peat or turf hardens by long 

 keeping, and becomes lefs ftagile than common pit-coal, 

 and pofleflTes alfo confiderabie weight. The following may 

 be confidered as an analyfis of what is commonly found in 

 Lanarklhire : 



Water, hydrogen, and fulphur - - 72.6 

 Carbon - - - - 25.2 



Browuifli magnetic afli, very light, and con- 



fidcrably alkaline - _ _ 3.2 



100 parts. 



The above quality of peats forms, by careful ignition, ^ 

 char as firm as fome varieties of wood : and it is further 

 thought poflible, that the mode of charring may be fo varied 

 as, by caufing a part of the carbon to diflblve in the hydro- 

 gen, to form a bituminous cement for the whole, and render 

 the char equal in compaAnefs to that of wood. 



The expeufe of cafting peats is the next objcft which 

 ought here to be confidered. A man will with eafe caft 

 4000 of an ordinary fize per day. For this quantity are 

 required two carriers, copimonly women, and pne dyker *. 



• A perfon employed to pile up the peats to dry. 



The 



