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and branches, and from growing plants; so that this species is always of a mixed nature. The ultimate fall of the trees produces the purely forest peat, giving the peculiar character to the whole ; while it depends on other circumstances, whether such timber shall preserve the character of submerged wood : the chief of these being, a growth of peat subsequent to its fall, so rapid as to protect it from the action of air and water. In these cases, oak is often so well preserved, being sometimes also dyed black by bog iron, as to be applicable to the purposes of joinery; and if the roots are often entire when the trunks have decayed, it is merely because they have been most deeply situated. This fact, with others, has given rise to the notion that peat possessed some mysterious antiseptic powers; as these have been sought in tannin, which is casual and rare, and in some acid, which does not exist. The case is analogous to that of piles, and the solution the same. I need scarcely remark, that forest peat must vary in character, according to the nature of the trees, the degree of decomposition, and the proportion of marsh peat; while, when most perfect, it is flaky, or schistose, retaining, more or less distinctly, the traces of the original wood. If I have not distinguished Submerged wood from forest peat, being essentially the same, the geological position of the former should prevent observers from confounding it with the lignites, as they have done : while, being of very different ages, they also differ in their chemical qualities. In our own country, tracts of submerged wood occur in Orkney, Anglesea, Mann, Lincolnshire, and elsewhere. The latter are remark able for their extent and situation, while similar beds occur in Holland: and near Modena, according to Ramazzini, there are two noted deposits separated by