272 A C COUNT of PEAT-MOSSES 



the roots remain fixed in the clay in their natural ftate, cor- 

 refponding, in fize, and in fpecies to the trees that lie by their 

 iides. 



The trees are oak, birch, hazel, alder, willow, and in one place 

 there are a few firs. Among thefe the oak abounds mod, efpe- 

 cially upon the weft fide of the mofs, where forty large trees of 

 this fpecies were lately found lying by their roots, and as clofe to 

 one another as they can be fuppofed to have grown. One of 

 thefe oaks meafures fifty feet, in length, and more than three 

 feet in diameter, and three hundred and fourteen circles, or 

 year's growths, were counted in one of the roots. In another 

 part of the mofs, an oak was found that meafured four feet in 

 diameter ; and I am aflured, that fome years ago a root was 

 difcovered at Rofs, on the fouth fide of the mofs, that was fif- 

 teen feet in diameter at the furface of the clay ; and the tree, 

 which was twenty- two feet in length, was four feet eight inches 

 in diameter at the lower end, where it had been cut over, at the 

 height of a yard from the ground. 



The oak is ufually black, and the wood ftill found, efpe- 

 cially on the fide of the tree that lies next the clay. It is fit for 

 various purpofes, and would probably be of much greater va- 

 lue, if the people into whofe hands it falls had fkill to dry it 

 properly. As it is managed, it ufually opens into various fif- 

 fures, which difqualify it for being fawn into planks. 



The roots of the oak are all found fixed in the clay in their 

 natural ftate, and ufually rife above it to the height of about 

 three feet. They are very little rotten, and it requires much la- 

 bour to grub them up. 



The other kinds of trees are fo much decayed, that fewer 

 obfervations can be made upon them. Their roots are alfo fix- 

 ed in the clay ; but they generally rife not more than a foot 

 and a half above its furface. 



■2 The 



