324 THE FARMER AT HOME. 



not completely evaporate by the heat of the sun. When dried peat 

 is examined, it is found to consist of roots and fibres in every stage of 

 decomposition, from the natural wood to the complete black vegetable 

 mould. From the nature of its formation under the surface of water, 

 it acquires a portion of tannin, which has the property of preserving 

 animal and vegetable matter from decomposition. Hence large 

 branches and trunks of trees are found embedded in peat, which have 

 no mark of decomposition, except what have taken place before the 

 wood was completely immersed in the peat. Peat contains all the 

 elements of the richest manure, and may, by an easy process, be con- 

 verted into humus. For this purpose, the agency of alkalies is the 

 most effectual. If the tannin be decomposed, that of the vegetable 

 fibre will go on, and soluble humus will be formed. When peat is 

 newly dug up, if caustic lime be added to it, before it is dry, the 

 moisture of the peat slakes the lime, which acts on the galic acid in 

 the peat, and neutralizes it. If this mixture be then excited to fer- 

 mentation by the addition of animal matter, such as urine or dung, 

 oxygen is absorbed, and carbonic acid evolved ; arid the residue is 

 converted into an excellent manure, containing much soluble humus. 

 The same may be effected more slowly by mixing peat with clay or 

 marl, and allowing the mixture to remain exposed to the atmosphere 

 for a considerable time, frequently turning it. But nothing acceler- 

 ates this process like the addition of putrescent animal matter, which 

 acts as a ferment, and greatly hastens the decomposition. 



PELICAN. The pelican of Africa is much larger in the body 

 than a swan, and somewhat of the same color and shape ; its four 

 toes are all webbed together, and the form of its neck bears some 

 resemblance to the swan's. The singularity which peculiarly distin- 

 guishes this bird, chiefly consists in the form of its bill, and the great 

 pouch which hangs underneath it, which has given rise to a variety 

 of fabulous tales. This enormous bill is fifteen inches, from the point 

 to the opening of the mouth, which is a good way back, behind the 

 eyes ; at the base it is rather greenish, but varies towards the end to 

 reddish blue ; in the beginning it is very thick, but tapers off towards 

 the point in the form of a hook. To the under chap hangs this extra- 

 ore} in ary bag, which extends along the whole bill, and reaches to the 

 neck, and is said to be capable of containing no less than fifteen 

 quarts ; this bag the bird has the power of wrinkling up into the hol- 

 low of the under jaw ; it is not covered with feathers, but with a soft, 

 very smooth down, and, when empty, is scarcely perceptible; but 

 Avhen the pelican has been successful in fishing, it is astonishing to 

 see to what a size it will extend ; and it has been asserted, that it 

 would contain as many fish as would satisfy the appetites of six hun- 

 gry men. 



PERENNIAL. In Botany, is applied to those plants whose 

 rpots will abide many years, whether they retain their leaves in win- 



