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A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



INERT VEGETABLE MATTER OR PEAT. 



Inert vegetable matter, or peat, is, for the most patt, 

 formed of the remains of aquatic vegetables, or of those 

 vegetables which generally grow in humid or moist situ- 

 ations. Their nourishment and growth are promoted 

 by atmospheric air, by the decomposition of water, and 

 by the calcareous matter held in solution, and contained 

 in most water. These substances alone, according to the 

 analyses of vegetables already given, are sufficient to ac- 

 count for the growth of such aquatic vegetables, and 

 the accumulation on the surface of the earth of such 

 matter forming peat mosses and fens. 



Trees of a considerable size have been frequently 

 found at the bottom of peat mosses, with the appear- 

 ance of having been cut down, or in part acted on by 

 fire. Hence it may be inferred, that the peat moss itself 

 did not give birth to, or sui)i)ort the growth of such 

 trees ; but on the contrary, that by the desti'uct^ion of 

 forests, in consequence of natural causes, fire or war, 



the 



