CARBON. 101 



ticularly described under the head of digestion, consists in the 

 decomposition of carbonic acid by the green tissues of the leaves, 

 under the stimulus of the light, the fixation of the solid carbon, 

 and the evolution of inire oxygen. 



282. Carbon is one of the principal inn^rcdients in the vegetable structure. The 

 chief source from which plants obtain it is the atmosphere, which always contains 

 it in the form of carbonic acid, evolved by combustion, by the respiration of ani- 

 mals, from the earth, «Sbc. 



a. ' Now if we place some fresh leaves in an inverted bell-glass, containing air 

 charged ^vith 7 or 8 per cent, of carbonic acid, and expose them to the direct light 

 of the sun for a few hours, it will be found that a large proportion of the carbonic 

 acid will have disappeared, and will be replaced by pure oxygen.' But this 

 change will not be effected in the dark, or by any degi-ee of artificial light. Ac- 

 cordingly we find that plants Avhich grow in the dark become blanched from the 

 want of the proper supply of carbon, on which their green color depends. 



283. We have before stated that this fixation of carbon in the substance of the 

 plant, contravenes the process of respiration, in which carbon is given off. The 

 former occurs only in the light of day, the latter by night as well as by day. But 

 as to the relative amount of carbon thus absorbed by the former process, and 

 evolved by the latter, there can be no reasonable doubt : for when we consider 

 how large a portion of the tissues of every plant is solid carbon, and that too, 

 derived chiefly from the atmosphere, it is evident that much more carbonic acid 

 is, on the whole, consumed by vegetation than is evolved. In accordance with 

 this are the results of the experiments of Dr. Daubeny, who has recently sho^vn, 

 that ' in fine weather, a plant, consisting chiefly of leaves and stems, if confined 

 in a capacious vessel, and duly supplied with carbonic acid dunng sunshine, as 

 fast as it removes it, will go on adding to the proportion of oxygen present, as long 

 as it continues healthy.' 



284. Thus are the t^vo great kingdoms of nature rendered mutually subser- 

 vient, each to the well-being, and even the existence, of the other. Animals 

 require an atmosphere comparatively pure, although, by then- respiration and 

 decay, they are continually adding to the proportion of its deleterious gases. 

 Plants, on the other hand, thrive by the decomposition of these gases and the res- 

 toration of pure oxygen to the air in their stead. It is impossible not to admire 

 this beautiful arrangement of Providence, by which, as in a thousand other cases, 

 the means and ends are rendered reciprocal, affording the highest proof of wis- 

 dom and design. 



t Another view of respiration, different from the above, h.TS been ably maintained ; viz. that 

 it is not a vital action, but only a necessary result of a temporary suspension of vitjil action. 

 During the absence of the vivifying stimulus of the light, a part of the carbonic acid absorbed by 

 day is lost, from the want of power to retiiin it. and a small quantity of oxygen Ls ab.-;orb».'a to 

 recombine with some of the carbon recently set free. But as this theory does not account for the 

 loss of carbonic acid by day as well as by night, and moreover supposes iwi/Jfr/lctiOH in the origi- 

 nal design of the Creator, I have not yet seen fit to adopt it. 



