MOOR

An uncultivated surface without trees, and with few gra es or other herbage fit for pasture; and generally containing scattered plants of heath, with a dark peaty soil. Moor lands are generally the least fitted for culture of any description of surface not rocky or mountainous. Moors are covered with a very thin layer of soft, black, sterile soil; and the subsoil is generally gravel, or retentive ferruginous clay. By the destruction of the heath, or other bad herbage, and by sowing down with gra seeds, they may be improved. In many cases, also, trees will grow on drained moors; in which case the soil ultimately becomes ameliorated by the fall and decay of the leaves. MooB, in Navigation, signifies generally to fix a ve el by two anchors in nearly opposite directions, so that she rides by either in certain winds, or partly by both in other winds. Also to secure a ve el to weights or chains sunk in harbours for the purpose. These weights are called mooring blocks, and the whole apparatus moorings. MOORISHARCHITECTLfllE. See Auchitectore. [s. 783]