OCR Text |
Show Formation of Peat. Peat Is tho product which results from tho partial decay of vegetablo matter mosses and other marsh plants which grows and dies in bog- gy places whero tho water stands. It is chiely composed of sphagnum or bog moss. This moss has peculiarly absorptlvo properties, owing to tho cupllko arrangement of Its parts, which tako up and hold water llko a sponge. Sphagnum continues to I grow after its roots hnvo becomo do-tached do-tached from tho ground. Thcso two qualities explain why bogs occasion-ally occasion-ally slide from their old beds. |