. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Science. The Origin and Relations of the Carbon. Minerals. 2G9 ])ositioD,—in it, but not of it,—foi'ming what Ave cull the ash of the ];)lant. Since the decomposition of organic matter commences the instant it is abandoned by the creative and conservative vital force, and proceeds uninterruptedly, whether slowly or rapidly, to the final result, it is evident that each moment in the progress of this decomposition presents us with a phase of structure and composition different from that which preceded and from that which Hence the success
. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Science. The Origin and Relations of the Carbon. Minerals. 2G9 ])ositioD,—in it, but not of it,—foi'ming what Ave cull the ash of the ];)lant. Since the decomposition of organic matter commences the instant it is abandoned by the creative and conservative vital force, and proceeds uninterruptedly, whether slowly or rapidly, to the final result, it is evident that each moment in the progress of this decomposition presents us with a phase of structure and composition different from that which preceded and from that which Hence the succession of these phases forms a complete sliding scale, which is gi'ai)hically shown in the follow- ing diagram, where the organic constituents of plant-tissue— carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen—ajjpear gradually di- minishing to extinction, while the ash remains nearly constant, but relativvily increasing, till it is the sole representarive of the fabric. DIAGRAM SHOWING THE GENETIC RELATIONS OF THE CARBON MINERALS. EVOLVED PRODUCTS. Corbunic Acid Garb Oxide Carb. Hydrogen Petroleum Water RESIDUAL PRODUCTS AVe may cut this triangle of residual products Avhere Ave please, and by (\areful analysis determine accurately the chemical com- position of a section at this point, and yve may please ourselves Avith the illusion, as many chemists have done, that the definite proportions found represent the formula of a specific compound; but an adjacent section above or beloAv Avould shoAv a different composition, and so in the entire triangle Ave should find an in- finite series of formulas, or rather no constant formula? at all. We should also find that the slice, taken at any point while lying in the laboratory or undergoing chemical treatment, would change in composition, and become a different substance. In the same Avay we can snatch a brand from the fire at any stage of its decomposition, or analyze a decaying tree- trunk during any month of its existence, and thus manufac
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectscience, bookyear1877
