344 DR. ANGUS SMITH ON PEAT. 



present. The plants, then, may be the cause of the pecu- 

 liar mode of decomposing which produces the colytic liquid. 

 There are some who tell us that it is the heat only ; but 

 again we are told that peat may be found in all countries 

 in Europe. Dr. Anderson even says that he has obtained 

 real peat from the island of Sumatra (see Steele on ' Peat 

 Moss or Turf Bog/ p. 342) . He does not tell the height ; 

 the highest point of the Indrapura chain is a little above 

 12000 feet (12140). This at least shows that latitude has 

 nothing to do with the question. 



I do not know the height at which the peat grows in 

 the southern regions of Europe, and therefore cannot 

 speak with that certainty which I desire ; and I may not 

 be able to find it ; I therefore call attention to this 

 point for sanitary purposes ; and I trust the question will 

 be settled by the attention of many, how far peat-growing 

 can be introduced for the destruction and drying-up of 

 swamps. Those who make the trials must take care that 

 the peat-producing plants are not overwhelmed by an 

 excess of other plants, or the water from other plants, as 

 that may prove their destruction. 



The Eucalyptus is being introduced into Southern Europe 

 and into North Africa for the drying-up of swamps and 

 the destruction of malaria; and it is apparently most 

 efficacious ; it cannot, however, be used for increasing 

 the height of the solid matter, although when the marsh 

 is not deep this tree is said to dry it up rapidly. This, 

 however, is somewhat different from raising the level 

 of the ground to be trodden; and it cannot entirely 

 take the place of peat. I do not know how far north it 

 may succeed. It seems to give out at all times an odour 

 of its peculiar oil, and is therefore a medicinal tree. The 

 peat acts by preventing emanations; and prevention is 

 proverbially better than cure. 



If it should be found that warm climates, or climates 



