488 Additional Notes. 



also made experiments on tlie effects produced by the leaves 

 of plants in common air, impregnated with carbonic acid gas, 

 and exposed to solar light ; in which cases the carbonic acid 

 disappeared, and the oxygenous gas increased. And from 

 trials made with the fresh leaves of many different plants, ex- 

 posed to sunshine in pump-water, river-water, and tliis latter 

 charged with carbonic acid, he is confirmed in the same con- 

 chision. Dr. Woodhouse, therefore, denies tiiat vegetables 

 either decompose water, emit oxygen, or absorb azote, as has 

 been some time commonly believed. — Nicholson^s Philos. 

 Journal^ vol. ii. for July, 1802. 



Respiration, p. 83. 



Closely connected with the discovery of oxygen, and of 

 the composition of atmospheric ah\ stand the principles of 

 respiration which have been received for a few years past. 

 This function was little understood thirty years ago; and to 

 the modern improvements in chemistry, physiologists are in- 

 debted for all the rational doctrines with respect to it which 

 are now taught. The most distinguished chemists who have 

 thrown light on this subject, are Priestley, Lavoisier, 

 FouRCROY, Black, Crawford, La Grange, Bed- 

 does, Watt, and Davy. By means of the experiments of 

 these philosophers it has been discovered, that respiration pro- 

 duces and supports animal heat; contributes to the foniia- 

 lion of blood; and imparts a stimulating power to this fluid, 

 which is necessary to produce the alternate contractions of the 

 heart. 



Lavoisier, p. 87. 



J 'he important services of this great philosopher in forming 

 the theory of the French academicians, and the intrinsic worth 

 of his character, render it proper that some account should be 

 given of him in this place. 



Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was born at Paris, in 

 the year 1743. He early discovered a taste for the study of 

 the physical sciences, and, for a considerable time, directed 

 his attention to most of them in succession, without disco- 

 vering a preponderating inclination for any one in particular. 

 ihis continued to be the case till about the year 1770, when 



