47 2 Inquiries relative to the Structure of Wood. 



heat than those which had been less scorched ; the two 

 sorts being taken in equal weights. 



In all these experiments more or less water dripped 

 from the worm, a certain proof that some hydrogen had 

 been burned ; this fact I was very desirous to verify, on 

 account of its great importance to science. 



It is not, therefore, mere carbon which furnished all 

 the heat developed in the combustion of woods ; of this 

 important fact we shall shortly have an additional proof. 



As the great quantity of nitrogen carried along with 

 the products of the combustion, and which, after having 

 passed through the worm, was lost in the atmosphere, 

 also, without doubt, took with it a little more moisture 

 than it had brought into the apparatus, a calculation of 

 the quantity of water formed in the combustion of wood, 

 grounded only on that found in the worm, would be erro- 

 neous, though there was always considerably more than 

 necessary to demonstrate that water had been formed. 



Before we close this paper, we shall point out a mode 

 whereby the quantity of water thus formed may be 

 estimated, even to such a degree of precision as to leave 

 nothing more to be desired. But it is first necessary to 

 determine the quantity of heat developed in the com- 

 bustion of the carbon found in this wood, and which 

 was totally consumed. 



Although our experiments on the carbonization of 

 wood, in close vessels, by a moderate fire, leave no 

 doubt as to the quantities of charcoal which the woods 

 therein employed were capable of producing, still the 

 knowledge of this fact is not alone sufficient to enable 

 us to determine the quantity of carbon contained in the 

 wood. 



As 100 parts of wood are required for 43 of charcoal, 



