56 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



of certain acids from vegetable substances, and subse- 

 quent combination of them with calcareous matter, con- 

 stitute the most prominent feature in the present work. 



By a due knowledge and attention to this very impor- 

 tant process of nature, the most beneficial consequences 

 may be derived. It being a process, which, as it respeds 

 agriculture, has not been noticed by any writer on that 

 5cienca. 



The vitriolic is the most powerful of all the acids. It 

 ■disengages or expels other acids, when in a state of com- 

 bination with metallic, earthy, or alkaline substances. 

 When concentrated, it adts in a similar manner to that 

 of alkaline salts, in the resolution or destrudion of vege- 

 table and animal substances, disengaging from them cer- 

 tain gasses, and forming therewith certain saponace- 

 ous and saline compounds. These solutions or extra6ls 

 are of a reddish brown colour, similar to that produced 

 by the adtion of alkaline salts on oxygenated peat. On 

 the principles already stated, the vitriolic acid may be 

 used beneficially to decompose, an<l to bring into adlion 



the 



