LAVOISIER. 327 



We know of no calcination without oxygen we know 

 of no metallic oxygenation without calcination.* 



2. The importance of the blow thus given to the 

 theory of phlogiston induced him to follow it up by 

 denying that combustion is a process which evolves 

 any component part from bodies ; but, on the con- 

 trary, that, like calcination, it always consists of some 

 other substance being added to, or united with, the in- 

 ilammable body. 



3. The ascertaining the nature of fixed air, that is, 

 the combination of oxygen gas with the carbonic prin- 

 ciple, and the ascertaining also the existence of that 

 principle, is another discovery of the same great master; 

 and we owe it to the well- contrived experiments by 

 which he proved it. 



4. The analogy of the diamond to this carbonic prin- 

 ciple is another discovery of his, though he did not 

 make the final step of showing the identity of the two 

 bodies, nor did he even suspect it. 



5. The composition of sulphuric and of phosphoric 

 acid, and perhaps of saccharic too, were first clearly 

 explained by his experiments, and by his judicious and 

 original reasoning upon the experiments of others. 



6. There is more doubt of the composition of the 

 atmosphere having been first proved by him. Cer- 

 tainly its nature was by him first fully ascertained; 

 but it was plainly known to Priestley at an earlier date. 

 Lavoisier, however, added much to our accurate know- 

 ledge of the function of respiration ; and the discovery 

 of hydrogen being evolved by it as well as carbon, was 

 undeniably his. 



7. We have seen that to the two great discoveries 

 of oxygen and the composition of water, he can lay no 

 claim. Yet let it be borne in mind that his statement 

 of both doctrines was more precise and clear than any 



* If it should be said that metals absorb oxygen -when dissolved in 

 oxygenous acids, we answer, that still they are in the state of calx or 

 oxide, though united to an acid menstruum. 



