792 DIGGING AND PREPARATION OF PEAT. 



SECTION II. CLASSIFICATION OF BOGS. 



Peat-bogs vary considerably in appearance, being composed 

 of various plants, and containing different kinds of peat. 

 Thus, in North Germany, high peat-bogs (Hochmoore), are 

 distinguished from fens (Grilnlandsmoore, or BrJichcr) ; in 

 South Germany, chiefly in the Bavarian and Swabian plateau, 

 there are high peat-bogs and morasses (Wieenmoore) . Les- 

 quereux classifies Swiss bogs as super-aquatic and infra- 

 aquatic, corresponding to high peat-bogs and morasses. 



1. High Peat-bogs. 



High peat-bogs, termed also peat-mosses, peat-moors or 

 wolds, are characterised chiefly by the prevalence of peat-moss 

 (Sphagnum), and a dense growth of heath plants (Calluna, 

 Erica, Andromeda, Myrica and Vaccinium) ; in South Germany, 

 also, the mountain-pine (Pi mis montana), birch and willows 

 appear on these bogs, and the spruce on their borders. 

 These plants grow gregariously on extensive areas and form 

 most of the peat. Such bogs are characterised by a gravelly 

 or clayey subsoil and by the convex, arched shape of their 

 surface. 



The arching of their surface (from which the term high 

 peat-bog arises) consists in a gradual, upward slope from their 

 margins towards their centre. This upward slope is sometimes 

 inconspicuous, but often reaches 20 to 23 feet, or even 33 feet, 

 as in the Emsmoor and in East Prussia. High bogs originate 

 at their highest point from which they tend to spread in all 

 directions ; this is due to the hygroscopic nature of the moss 

 (Sphagnum), so that water constantly flows from the margins 

 of a bog, rendering the surrounding land swampy. In this 

 way even permeable soil may become covered with peat, the 

 bog consequently spreading. The wettest parts of high peat- 

 bogs are their borders. 



2. Morasses or Meadow-bogs. 



Morasses, as in the Bavarian plateau, have a completely 

 different flora from high bogs. In ilio first place there are no 



