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On every part of the earth, where vegetation takes place, and 

 where the surface remains for a long time undisturbed, a light 

 black earth will be found ; being the carbonaceous remains of the 

 Aegetable matters which have been there annually deposited, and 

 which have undergone the decomposing power of various succeed- 

 ing seasons. In those parts, where, in consequence of the meliora- 

 tion of the soil, by winter floodings, and the genial influence of 

 the sun's ardent rays, in summer, vegetation proceeds with rapi- 

 dity, there will the production of this vegetable earth not only be 

 more considerable ; but the same circumstances will be also favour- 

 able to the formation, destruction, and reproduction of myriads of 

 the smaller classes of animated beings, which inhabit the surface 

 of the earth, the waters, and the vegetables themselves. The sur- 

 face of the earth will here, therefore, at one season, be found teem- 

 ing in every point with animal and vegetable life ; at another sea- 

 son, it will be found richly impregnated with resinous, oily, and 

 other carbonaceous matters, which have been let loose, during the 

 decomposition of so many organized bodies of both kingdoms. 



Thus, by the regular decay of the vegetables with which the 

 earth's surface is covered, and of the animals which they nourish, 

 are fit matrices formed, and appropriate nutrition secured, for suc- 

 ceeding generations. By forests falling through age, and obtaining 

 a covering from subsequent perishing vegetables, and being after- 

 wards pervaded by moisture, the formation of peat-mosses are easily 

 accounted for ; as well as the light loose earth with which these are 

 almost always covered, according to the poet, who, alluding to the 

 vast profits derivable from the digging of peat, and to the indica- 

 tion of subjacent peat, by the superficial light earth, says, 



Est locus in Batavis, ubi nee gratissimus hoeres, 

 Terrain defuncto non velit esse gravem. 



Epigram seu Enigma de Terra uliginosa*. 



* Epigrammata Constantini Hugenii, lib. i. 



