87 
Other varieties, in its appearance, are frequently observable ; 
depending on the quantity of the extraneous matters, with which it 
has become blended. When its purity is much impaired, it is found 
to burn with considerable less freedom ; and a close inspection will 
shew, by its being not smooth in its cut, but gritty in its substance, 
that its impurity proceeds from an intermixture of earth. If the 
peat be good, and contain but few impurities, it burns with a clear 
bright flame, leaving ashes of a light colour ; but if much earth is 
blended with it, the ashes are more plentiful, and, from the ignition 
having been thereby impeded, are of a darker colour. If, as is 
frequently the case, it contains much pyrites, or ferruginous earth, 
then a heav}'^ reddish ash is left. 
Adrianus Junius observes, that there are several kinds of these 
turf-like substances. The first kind, which he describes, is of a 
reddish colour, poor, and spongy ; very light, and of but little value ; 
being only used to heat brewers’ coppers. Whilst burning, it gives 
to the countenance a livid, cadaverous hue; making men appear 
like ghosts : it, at the same time, produces a noxious vapour, which 
occasions fainting ; to prevent which, it is sprinkled with salt. The 
second kind is more dense, of a blackish brown colour, and is inter- 
sected by twigs and rushes, in various directions. It is heavier than 
the former kind, and more generally useful. The third kind is 
heavy, and sinks in water, which the former kinds do not. It is of 
an ash colour, and is dug in a sandy soil : it takes fire slowly, but 
continues to burn a long time. He observes, that there is another 
kind, formed of the salt earth in Zealand: and besides these, he 
remarks, there is another kind, which is obtained fi'om the fatty mud, 
which is dragged from the bottom of ponds, and is afterwards 
drained, and so dried by exposure to the air, as to render it useful*. 
Schoock remarks, that the peat, which is dug from the deeper parts 
* Historia Batavise, cap. v. 
