[ 306 ] 



ning of this Lecture, that the earthy and alkaline sub- 

 stances seem never to be formed in vegetation; and 

 there is every reason likewise to believe, that they are 

 never decomposed; for after being absorbed they are 

 found in their ashes. 



The metallic bases of them cannot exist in con- 

 tact with aqueous fluids; and these metallic bases, 

 like other metals, have not as yet been resolved into 

 any other forms of matter by artificial processes; they 

 combine readily with other elements; but they remain 

 undestructible, and can be traced undiminished in 

 quantity, through their diversified combinations. 



