192 Prof. Nepomuk Fuchs'' Chemical Views regarding 



tion, as it gave the greater part of its oxygen to the atmosphere, 

 two kinds of products were formed in the newer period, viz. 

 bituminous products, which are distinguished b}^ containing a 

 large quantity of hydrogen, and products of the nature of hu- 

 mus, which, besides hydrogen, contain also oxygen. By the 

 union of the two, in different proportions, the various coals 

 were formed. That even during the formation of the older 

 members of the secondary series, there was already much bitu- 

 men in existence, is proved by its occurrence in many limestones 

 of that period, which, indeed, are often quite penetrated by it. 

 Had it been formed at a later period, or been derived from the 

 vegetable kingdom, it could not possibly have penetrated into 

 these compact masses, and distributed itself so equally in them. 

 At the commencement of vegetation, there was probably a much 

 larger quantity of carbonic acid in the atmosphere than there 

 is at present ; and, as it is well known that that acid is very fa- 

 vourable to the growth of plants (when, as Saussure has shewn, 

 it does not exceed a certain amount), those colossal plants, which 

 exist now only in a fossil state, had ample means of growth in 

 a soil which was rich in humus. The vegetable kingdom may 

 certainly have furnished the chief materials for brown coal, 

 which was penetrated by mineral pitch, and at the same time 

 petrified by it. 



That humus can be formed, not only by decomposition or 

 chemical treatment of organic bodies, but also in other ways, is 

 proved to us when we dissolve in muriatic acid iron containing 

 carbon (either common iron or steel) ; for not only is a humus- 

 like substance formed, but an oil is also produced, which has 

 the smell of petroleum. 



But the question may be asked. If the oxygen of the air is 

 proportional to the united carbon of all the three kingdoms of 

 nature, so as to be sufficient to convert all into carbonic acid ? 

 I have weighed the question well, and have found that it must 

 be answered in the negative ; for the known beds of coal, if 

 they were all ignited at once, would consume all the oxygen of 

 the air ; and how many may still be concealed in the bosom of 

 the eartJi ? Therefore a large portion of the oxygen of the car- 

 bonic acid must have been employed for other purposes, and, as 

 I believe, chiefly in the formation of gypsum. This substance, 



