1855.] on Catalytic Action and Comhmtion. 71 



1. The value of catalytic processes in various manufactures. 

 Nitric oxide acts catalytically in the preparation of sulphuric acid 

 of commerce ; spongy platinum has been employ^^ for the same 

 purpose ; and a patent has lately been granted for a similar use of 

 the sesquioxide of iron. Spongy platinum is sometimes employed 

 in Germany for the preparation of acetic acid from alcohol. The 

 manufacture of ether from alcohol by sulphuric acid has already 

 been noticed. 



2. Considering that catalytic combustion by the sesquioxide of 

 iron is first set up at a temperature far below redness, — that even a 

 rusted nail may be sufficiently active, — and that in many cases of 

 fermentation inflammable vapours may be disengaged, and much 

 heat evolved, — it is not unreasonable to suppose that in this way 

 we may account for some instances of what is commonly called 

 " spontaneous combustion." 



3. There is much reason to suppose that catalysis plays a great 

 part in the organic chemistry of nature, in relation to vegetable 

 and animal life. The experiments of Mr. Turnbull and Dr. Sten- 

 house point to catalysis as a vast sanitary agent. The dead bodies 

 of various animals were covered with a layer of charcoal, which 

 rather assisted decomposition than otherwise, serving as a carrier to 

 the oxygen of the atmosphere, and delivering the perfectly innoxious 

 and inodorous products of catalytic combustion into the air, while 

 the charcoal itself remained entire and unconsumed. If we bear in 

 mind (as established by Mulder and others) that humus has the 

 same property, and that many oxides in the mould are catalytic in 

 a greater or less degree, it becomes evident that interment under- 

 ground may bring into play a catalytic process by which the 

 elements of an organic body are returned into the atmosphere in 

 forms which are not prejudicial to existing life. 



4. Since some oxides exhibit a tendency to promote catalytic 

 combustion, which are at present thought to be the only oxides of 

 those bases, and in the case of one oxide (iron) the process has been 

 shown to consist of alternate reduction to a lower oxide, and re- 

 oxidation, — it is quite possible that further research may lead to the 

 discovery of some new oxides. 



[J. E. A.] 



