4 



By the combustion of charcoal in the open air, and in 

 consequence of the combination of vital air, fixable air 

 is produced. 



Carbonaceous matter or charcoal is likewise resolved 

 into fixable and inflammable air, by the alternate appli- 

 cation of moisture and heat to charcoal, in close vessels, 

 in which case water is decompounded. 



There is reason to believe that the solar rays are no 

 where on the surface of the earth sufficiently powerful 

 to form charcoal or coke from vegetable matters or fos- 



A 



sile coal. 



Vegetable substances contain the carbonaceous princi- 

 ple, or what by heat may become charcoal or coke, but 

 are not prior there to charcoal. 



Charcoal, by different processes, may be made to afford 

 the carbonaceous principle to plants. 



BITU- 



