1858.] BOTANICAL SKETCHES. 613 



brated, succeeded in carrying a railway (the Manchester and 

 Liverpool) across this bog, a triumph of skill and energy. It 

 is reported that he learned the process from the farmers in the 

 neighbourhood, who were in the habit of forming roads over the 

 surface of the moss by covering the bog with hurdles or with 

 fagots, and then put a layer or a thin stratum of something 

 over this elastic material. But the vegetation of the Moss is 

 our proper subject, and therefore its railway and the mode of 

 constructing it must give way to humbler topics. A friend 

 from Leigh accompanied the writer of this sketch, and the early 

 part of the journey was accomplished in a track-boat which 

 plies between Leigh and Manchester. The former place was 

 left at half-past six in the morning, and at half-past seven the 

 borders of the moss were reached. Much of it is now culti- 

 vated, and was then producing excellent crops of potatoes, oats, 

 and wheat. Some small portions are planted with Scotch Firs, 

 and the vigorous, healthy appearance of the trees shows that 

 Chat Moss may be profitably occupied by plantations. 



The rent varies from ten to twenty shillings per statute acre. 



There are some holdings on it of considerable extent. Besides 

 the railway officials and servants attached to the two stations on 

 the moss, there are a few occupants who have ventured to settle 

 on this dreary spot. 



The vegetation is but scanty. The number of plants is but 

 smaU. A great variety of species, or numerous different sorts, 

 are not to be expected on a bog of decayed and decaying 

 Sphagnum, averaging two or three yards in depth. The most 

 prominent plants are the three common Heaths, viz. Calluna 

 vulgaris, or common Ling, a name etymologically from the 

 same root as linen, linum (flax) , line, etc. All these names in- 

 dicate the useful purposes to which the plant is applicable. In 

 the Highlands of Scotland ropes or bands are, or were, twisted 

 of Ling, and used for securing the thatch on cottages. One of 

 the Heaths, Erica Tetralix, was found with pale or whitish 

 blossoms. The white or hoary Ling was not uncommon. 



Eriophorum angustifolium, with its very near relative, E. 

 polystachion, which many botanists call a species, was now very 

 conspicuous with its snow-white plumage waving in the breeze. 

 But there was no breeze when we were on the moss. The 

 atmosphere was foggy, and now and then there was a slight. 



