face, and generally favor the growth of a thin stratum of peat, 
where only grasses and prairie flowers vegetate. Sometimes the 
peat of these glades is one to two feet thick. They are gene- 
tally dry in the fall, but always true swamps or wet prairies in 
pring. 
Prof. Winchell observes that a theory [for the absence of trees] 
often urged is the considerable humidity of the soul of certain pravries 
and especially the wetness of the subsoil, &c., and refutes it by this 
‘mere assertion: itis singular that such an opinion could be enter- 
tained when it is so well known that there is no situation so wet but 
certain trees will flourish on it. The willow, cottonwood, tupelo, 
| k, tamarac, American arbor vite, ete.". And, when con- 
ical condition of the soil for an explanation of the treeless character 
of the prairies, is discovered tn the fact that trees will grow on them 
: od 
As it is not proper to refute an assertion by a contrary one, 
let us examine under what circumstances trees may grow In 
Some swamps, and what the highest scientific authorities have 
fo say on the subject. 
It is a well known fact of botanical physiology that trees pa 
thrive well, ought not to be planted too deep ; that most species 
of trees perish when their roots are buried in a stratum of ig 
e 
able filaments. Hence, such trees grow, in eed, in those 
Inundated by the water of adjacent rivers, OF periodically in- 
* Th ii : i mplified o 
€ relation of glades to peat bogs 1s — ; Rae, 7 a. tate, in :the 
Mare iron t N 
middle a 9 other peaks of the Adirondac eh epiicnag oN, rairies, half 
of trees, appear like clearings an meadows produced b 
wip are of weary size, cover aio of various degrees, and ascend 
© 3000 feet above the sea. - 
,, & Winchell on the prairies. This Journal, [2], xxxviii, 343. 
A. Winchell, ibid., 344. 
AM. Youn. Scr—Sxconn Sunrm Vot- XXXIX, No. 117.—Mar, 1065. 
42 
