350 



Aquatic Societies 



Some habitual associates of sphagnum are shown in 

 figure 207. In such a place as the foreground of this 

 picture, if one slice the bog cover with a hay-knife, he 



FIG. 207. A bit of bog cover. (McLean, N. Y.). From the central clump 

 of pitcher-plant leaves rises one long-stalked flower. The surrounding bog 

 moss is Sphagnum. A few slender stems of cranberry trail over the moss. 

 The taller shrubs are mainly heaths such as Cassandra and Andromeda. 



(Photo by H. H. Knight.) 



may easily lift up the slices; for they are composed of 

 living material to a depth of only about a foot. Below 

 is peat; at first light colored and composed of identifi- 

 able plant remains, but, deeper, becoming darker and 

 more completely disintegrated. The slices cut from 



