THE BOG. 145 



plants have long spreading roots, those which in- 

 terlace each other so firmly as to allow him to 

 trust his weight without danger of sinking; and, 

 on the other hand, those whose roots descend almost 

 ito the soil ; as well as those which, 

 on their leaves for sustenance, 

 scarcely be said to be furnished with roots at 

 all. But even the Botanist advances with great 

 circumspection, and takes care not to remain long 

 in the same spot; for the ground on which he 

 treads is most treacherous. Howsoever firm the 

 surface may appear, in all probability there lies 

 underneath a subtle mixture of water and decayed 

 vegetable substance ; in which, if the crust on the 

 surface were broken through, he would run the 

 risk of being suffocated. If, when he reaches a 

 spot where the soil appears to be tolerably solid, 

 he stamps heavily with his foot, the ground, to the 

 distance of many yards around, vibrates to such a 

 degree that the stoutest plants are violently shaken. 

 Now, how comes it that the soil here is so different 

 from that adjoining it? But a few yards off, the 

 ground is solid and compact, nay, in some places 

 rocky ; while here it is doubtful whether it should 

 be called with greater propriety earth or water. 



The formation of such bogs is to be attributed 

 in great measure to a few humble plants, indi- 

 vidually of little importance, but collectively con- 

 tributing more to the alteration in the appearance 

 of a country than most plants of greater notoriety 

 and statelier growth. I have already spoken of 

 the important part sustained by the Mosses and 

 Lichens in covering a barren district with soil 

 adapted for the support of various kinds of plants ; 



