transfer layer 26 is the absorbent core 28 the absorbent core 28 is preferably a highly dense layer having a fine porosity it has a large liquid holding capacity and it is extremely retentive most preferably the absorbent core 28 is composed of compressed sphagnum moss material more specifically the sphagnum moss is formed as a board by air or wet laying and calendering to obtain a relatively thin i e from about 0 025 cm to 0 25 cm thick relatively dense i e from about 0 2 to 1 0 g cm 3 sheet like structure the structure may include a layer of kraft tissue laminated on one or both surfaces of the sphagnum moss layer preferably a fibrous component is admixed with the sphagnum moss material the fibrous component is suitably a natural or synthetic textile fiber such as rayon polyester nylon acrylic or the like having a length of from about 0 62 to 3 75 cm and a denier of from about 1 0 to 5 the fibrous component may be present in an amount from about 2 to 20 by weight most preferably from 4 to 8 the absorbent core 28 may also comprise other components such as wood pulp synthetic wood pulp thermo mechanical pulp mechanically ground pulp polymers surfactants superabsorbents and the like in an alternative embodiment the absorbent system 24 includes a single layer of pulp fluff material the transfer layer is omitted the absorbent core 28.