i6o Rankin : The Peat-Moors of Lonsdale. 



small dimensions. A study of the peat sections on the fells 

 further brings out the fact that in times past the complexion 

 of the heath moors was much as to-day. Underneath the. 

 deep deposits of the cotton sedge association, there is in general 

 but a narrow basal thickness of peat other than heath-peat.. 

 It is within this layer at the base that birch timber occurs 

 even at good heights. So far, on our moorlands, no peat layer 

 of arctic plants, as that recorded for Crossfell by Mr. Lewis, 

 has been found, and, indeed, it is quite probable that as Dr. 

 Moss has shewn for the southern Pennines, the deposit of peat 

 is comparatively recent in origin, the greater part ]:)Ost-Danish , 

 and the whole possibly post-Roman.* 



Where uncut by deep stream courses, the water-level 

 high, the Eriophorum moors are generally pure, bvit in parts 

 more or less wasting or on better drained slopes on the edges of 

 the moorland, Calluna is a constant co-dominant. On the top- 

 most ridges bilberry, Vaccininm Myrtilliis, forms a frequent 

 derivative of the normal type. The variety of the Calluna — 

 Eriophorum moor is also seen on the lowland moors, where, 

 owing to the peat-cutting at the edges, as well as to deep trans- 

 verse ditches, there is some effectual drainage. 



Though there is a close resemblance between the heath- 

 moors of the uplands and of the lowlands, which corresponds 

 without doubt to a close community of soil factors, yet the 

 florulse of subordinate species show some differences. How far 

 these are due to climatic factors, to edaphic factors, or to tkose 

 issuing from the mode of development of the succession of the 

 associations cannot at present be determined. 



SUMMARY. 



FORMATIONS OF WET GRASSLANDS. 

 SWAMP MOOR FORMATION. 



I. — LowL.'VND Moors. 

 {a) Lacustrine. 



Existing. Hawes Water, Terrybank Tarn (Cutiswick 



Tarn and Newton Regny Moss). 

 In part. (Helwith, Cocket Mosses) Austwick Moss. 

 Sub-fossil. Burton (Helwith Moss). 



* Peat Moons of the Pennines. C. E. Moss. The Gcogr. Joiim... Vol. 

 XXIII. [1904], pp. 660-671. 



Katuvalist, 



