CHEMISTRY OF A LUMP OF SUGAR. 91 



information it affords. How different nerve sensa- 

 tions are produced, neither chemistry nor any other 

 science is capable of informing us. 



Sugar, in its chemical constitution, presents many 

 features so remarkable they cannot fail to attract 

 the attention and excite interest in the mind of 

 every intelligent reader. The most striking relate 

 to its molecular construction, and the instability or 

 antagonisms which exist among the atoms. An 

 atom of sugar may be compared to the main-spring 

 of a watch wound up to the highest point attainable. 

 In this state it represents force under the restraint 

 of agencies which it seeks constantly to overcome. 

 The cog and balance wheels maintain the tension 

 and hold it in place ; the slightest slip or disarrange- 

 ment in these, and the complication of wheels is set 

 to whizzing, and the machinery soon runs down to 

 an inactive, passive state. Thus it is with an atom 

 of sugar. It is like a coiled spring, ready, from 

 any slight disturbing cause, to run from its highly 

 organized state down to dead, inorganic matter. 

 Heat and acids disturb its molecular arrangement 

 most readily, and form from it a variety of new 

 substances. Place a little sugar upon a thin plate 

 of metal, and hold it over the flame of an alcohol 

 lamp ; what a marvellous change occurs ! Tlie 

 white crystalline substance begins to fuse, bubbles 

 up, emits smoke and combustible gases ; and finally, 



