EXAMPLES. 26-7 



nation with the body which determines the decomposition. In 

 cases of this kind a disturbance is produced in the mutual attrac- 

 tion of the elements of a compound, and they, in consequence, 

 arrange themselves into one or into several new combinations, 

 which are incapable of suffering further change under the same 

 conditions. 



When, by means of the chemical affinity of a second body, by 

 the influence of heat, or through any other causes, the composi- 

 tion of an organic compound is made to undergo such a change, 

 that its elements form two or more new compounds, this manner 

 of decomposition is called a chemical transformation or meta- 

 morphosis. It is an essential character of chemical transforma- 

 tions, that none of the elements of the body decomposed are 

 singly set at liberty. 



The changes designated by the terms fermentation, decay, 

 and putrefaction, are chemical transformations effected by an 

 agency which has hitherto escaped attention, but the existence 

 of which will be proved in the following pages 



