006 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 
other. Some outbursts, however, almost certainly owed their 
origin to the influx of subterranean water, e.g., that of Randals- 
town (September 17th, 1838), when the bog swelled up till its 
convexity was 30 feet in height, and after sinking, was again 
raised in the course of a few days. 
The question as to which of the two, in a given instance, is 
the correct explanation, is evidently not one of mere theoretical 
interest, for much will depend on our knowledge of the source of 
water issuing from bogs in devising plans for their drainage. 
This was clearly recognised by the surveyors employed on the 
Commission on bogs, as is shown by the following :— 
“‘To ascertain whether the wetness of these bogs originates 
solely from rain-water falling on the surface, or from springs in 
the interior of the bogs, or from both, is an inquiry of very great 
importance, and deserving serious consideration, as the system 
of drainage should be regulated thereby ; if, for instance, it was 
supposed to originate from rain-water only, shallow water surface 
drains would be sufficient, but should it be found to originate — 
from springs rising up through the bog, a system of deep drains 
calculated to intercept and convey the water of those springs to a 
more convenient outlet should be adopted.” 
Although a great work was accomplished by the Commission — 
on Bogs at the beginning of the century, little has been done since ; — 
a few organized attempts have been made from time to time to turn 
: 
some of our peat bogs to better use, but the want of success which ~ 
has generally attended them seems to have discouraged further — 
effort, and thus a possible source of vast national wealth has been — 
left to undeserved neglect. 
4 
‘ 
4 
5 
On the Continent it is far otherwise ; there the investigation of — 
peat bogs receives the attention that the importance of the subject 
, 
demands. So great is the interest taken in the subject in Germany, ~ 
that a society numbering more than 600 members exists there, 
having for its object the advancement of knowledge of peat 
culture, under which term more is comprised by German workers 
than might be supposed. This society publishes “‘ Mittheilungen” 
fortnightly ; those for 1896 make a volume of 476 pages in royal — 
1 Aher, Third Report, Commission on Bogs, Appendix iii., p. 60.° ~ 
