CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS. 
The Swiss moors. ~* 
Fring and Scurorer have published a remarkable work on the moors of 
Switzerland, and have thus placed all who are interested in bog studies under 
lasting obligations. More than half of the huge volume is given over to the 
discussion of general geological, chemical, physical and biological problems 
connected with peat formation and the ecology of bog plants. One of the most 
valuable features is the discussion and scurry of the mass of European and 
foreign literature touching these problem 
After defining the scope of the nveignton, the authors take up the peat- 
producing plant associations of Switzerland. These are described with the 
greatest detail, from the plankton to i seca! vegetation; and their relation 
to peat accumulation is explained. 
e moors are distinguished primarily as flat bogs, raised bogs, and bogs 
of the alpine regions. The first two types are of such general occurrence that 
their peculiarities may be briefly summarized here. 
The Flachmoor is characterized as occurring in connection with waters rich 
in mineral matter, especially lime, in both wet and dry climates. Usually they 
show centripetal growth, and are dominated by species of Cyperaceae, Gram- 
ineae, Juncaceae and Hypneae. Species of Alnus, Betula, and Frangula 
make up the woody growth. Sphagnum, Ericaceae, and Empetrum are 
entirely wanting. 
n the other hand, the Hochmoor type occurs under the influence of 
waters poor in mineral ee where the rainfall is abundant and the tem- 
perature mild or cold. The ace is convex. The oldest portion is toward 
the center; hence the BO: is ccokatiad The dominant plants are Sphag- 
um, Oxycoccus, Andromeda, Calluna, Vaccinium, Empetrum, Eriophorum 
vaginatum, Pinus montana uncinata, Betula pubescens, and B. nana. These 
plants do not occur on the flat bogs, and are driven out by irrigation with 
waters of si mineral content, especially lime. 
his summary suggests the essential difference between American bogs and 
the poner: of European authors. Grass marshes occur here, which are 
strictly comparable. But the term “flat bog” is usually applied to areas 
tFrtg, J. and Scuréter, C., Die Moore der Schweiz mit ii ir der 
gesamten Moorfrage. Beitrage zur Geologie des Schweiz, herausgegeben von = 
Geol. Komm. der Schweiz. naturf. Gesells. Geotechnische Sire III Lief. 4to, 
pp. xviii+751. Bern: A. Francke. 1904. M 40. 
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