List of Patents. 453 



constitution of plants considered. — 1, That of the earthy and alkaline mat- 

 ters which they contain. — Experiments by Saussure and Daubeny. — Infe- 

 rences from these facts as to the impropriety of over-cropping. — Variation 

 of the earthy and alkaline contents of a plant according to the nature of the 

 soil. — Why strontian cannot be substituted for lime in the structure of a 

 plant. — Limits to the power of substituting one earthy or alkaline body for 

 another. 2. Source of the carbon. — In what manner vegetable mould sup- 

 plies carbon to plants. — Conclusion that the carbon of plants is derived di- 

 rectly from carbonic acid alone. — The hydrogen in plants traced to the de- 

 composition of water. — Origin of the nitrogen which plants contain in the 

 ammonia present in the atmosphere.— Proofs of the universal presence of 

 this alkali, both in air and water. — Proofs of its presence in the juices of 

 plants. — Differences between the different bodies in the power of decom- 

 posing ammonia.— Distinction between restorative and exhausting crops 

 founded on this difference. 



Lecture III. — Practical inferences from the principles above laid down : 

 1. The utility of diligent and frequent tillage. — Subsoil ploughing. — Spade 

 husbandly. 2. Uses of manures. 3. Proper succession of crops. 4. Selec- 

 tion of manures. — Speculations as to the primary source of the carbon and 

 nitrogen present in plants and animals. This section is published in the 

 present number of the Journal. Appendix : On the increase in the produc- 

 tive powers of the soil of Great Britain within the last century. 



List of Patents granted for Scotland from 22d December 1840 

 to 19 th March 1841. 



1. To PiObert Cooper of Pebworth, in the county of Gloucester, gentle- 

 man, " improvements in ploughs."' — 24 th December 1840. 



2. To Henry Trewhitt of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the county of Nor- 

 thumberland, Esq. being a communication from abroad, " certain improve- 

 ments in the fabrication of china and earthenware, and in the apparatus or 

 machinery applicable thereto." — 24th December l!!40. 



3. To Charles Parker of Darlington, in the county of Durham, flax- 

 spinner, " improvements in looms for weaving linen and other fabrics, to be 

 worked by hand, steam, water, or any other motive power." — 24th Decem- 

 ber 1840. 



4. To John Werthiemer of West Street, Finsbury Circus, in the city of 

 London, printer, being a communication from abroad, " certain improvements 

 in preserving animal and vegetable substances and liquids." — 24th Decem- 

 ber 1840. 



5. To Edmund Leach of Rochdale, in the county of Lancaster, machino- 

 uaker, " certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for carding, doub- 



ing and preparing wool, cotton, silk, flax, and other fibrous substances." 



!8th December 1840. 



6. To William Hicklino Burnett of Wharton Street, Baenigge Wells 



