274 ACCOUNT of PEAT-MOSSES 



ftrength at this than at a greater height. The foundnefs of the 

 roots and trunks feems alfo inexplicable on any other fuppofr- 

 tion. 



Marks of an ax, not exceeding two inches and a half in 

 breadth, are fometimes difcernible on the lower ends of thefe 

 trees. The fmall breadth of the ax, and the length of the time 

 that the trees doubtlefs remained expofed, before they were co- 

 vered with the mofs, feems fufEciently to account for thefe 

 marks not having been more frequently difcovered. 



But it will be afked, what reafon can be afligned for un- 

 dertaking a work of fo great labour as the cutting down of fuch 

 extenfive forefts muft have been ?- The value of the timber was 

 evidently not the motive of this work, otherwife the trees would 

 not have been left behind. Neither was the clearing of the 

 ground the object that was in view, fince, after all this la* 

 bour, the ground remained as much incumbered as before. 

 If, however, we recollect the hiftory of Britain from the reign 

 of Domitian to the acceffion of Caracalla, and confider 

 the local fituation of the modes, we will find good reafons for 

 afcribing the deftruclion of the forefts in queftion to the Re* 

 mans. 



It is well known, that from the time when Julius Cesar 

 firft invaded this ifland to the decline of the Roman power, the 

 Britons, unable to contend with the arms and difcipline of the 

 legions in pitched battles, or in the open country, were forced 

 to take fhelter in their woods and morafTes, from which they 

 annoyed the Romans by their incurfions. The Roman Gene- 

 rals, therefore* from the time of Agricola at leafl, employed I 

 not only their own foldiers, but alfo many of the provinciated 

 Britons, in depriving the free Britons of their places of refuge, 

 by cutting down the woods, or, at leafl, making great openings 

 in them, and by draining the morafTes, or making roads through 

 them. Thefe feem to be the fervile labours which Galgacus, 



in.: 



