H 4 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



. coal consists of matters analogous to those of peat, and 

 contains the basis requisite for forming the soreline 

 acid. - 



The aptitude to receive and embrace useful and impor- 

 tant ideas from small notices of things, must be acknow- 

 ledged a faculty which is but seldom bestowed. In modern 

 strictness of chemical theory and reasoning, this circuitous 

 operation of nature, in promoting the growth of sorel, 

 irnay probably be questioned ; but as the diligent and mi- 

 nute attention of any individual, to any particular process 

 which may have escaped the notice of others, ought rather 

 to, induce communication, than create an apprehension of 

 hazarding the resultsof such inquiries, the above obser- 

 vation, like many others in this Treatise, is presented 

 with no other view than that of calling attention to the 

 minute circumstances daily presented by nature, and 

 are too freqxiently overlooked. 



The promoting the- more complete solution of vegetable 



substances, is undoubtedly one of the principal objects of 



the present design ; still there are other circumstances of 



;#jqaore mechanical nature^ which demand attention : such 



as 



