PEAT. 347 



very conspicuous in the water of dunghills, but much 

 less so in the case of peat, where the dilution of the 

 acid impedes this effect, as the quantity of water ren- 

 ders it more difficult of discovery. In both cases, the 

 aspect of the soluble compound is similar, when dried, 

 as are the chemical properties ; but as I cannot here 

 discuss the whole subject, I must limit myself to that 

 which is produced from peat. This is sometimes found 

 interspersed with that substance, giving it a pitchy ap- 

 pearance, and having thus been mistaken for bitumen ; 

 while being sometimes deposited in distinct masses, it 

 has also been taken for asphaltum, which it resembles 

 in its colour, lustre, and fracture. Yet, though origi- 

 nally dissolved, it has ceased to be soluble, even in boil- 

 ing water ; not only in this its indurated state, but in 

 that soft condition also in which it is first found. Of 

 its other properties, I shall only add, that it is not so- 

 luble in ether, alcohol, or naphtha, the last circum- 

 stance strongly marking its difference from asphaltum, 

 and that it is heavier than water, and not electric. On 

 distillation it produces the same substances as ordi- 

 nary peat, viz. tar and acetic acid, while charcoal re- 

 mains behind; thus proving the presence of oxygen., 

 though the minute quantity in my possession did not 

 allow me to ascertain the azote, as in peat. With 

 alcohol, ether, and the fixed alkalies, the results are 

 the same as with peat : while both form a saponaceous 

 compound with the latter, as bistre, so analagous to 

 this in its nature, does. 



It will immediately be seen that this substance in- 

 cludes the basis of the whole enquiry as it regards 

 peat : being, if I may so term it, the essence, or pure 

 chemical representative of that substance. But as my 

 object is to explain the progress from the vegetable to 

 coal, I must next enquire of the relation of peat to 



