XIV DEDICATION. 



which assiduous and active inquirers have discovered 

 and rendered capable of practical application. But it 

 is not the mere practical utility of these truths which 

 is of importance. Their influence upon mental cul- 

 ture is most beneficial ; and the new views acquired 

 by the knowledge of them enable the mind to recog- 

 nise, in the phenomena of nature, proofs of an Infinite 

 Wisdom, for the unfathomable profundity of which, 

 language has no expression. 



At one of the meetings of the chemical section of 

 the " British Association for the Advancement of 

 Science," the honorable task of preparing a Report 

 upon the state of Organic Chemistry was imposed 

 upon me. In the present work I present to the As- 

 sociation a part of this Report. 



I have endeavored to develop, in a manner corre- 

 spondent to the present state of science, the fundamen- 

 tal principles of Chemistry in general, and the laws 

 of Organic Chemistry in particular, in their applica- 

 tions to Agriculture and Physiology ; to the causes of 

 fermentation, decay, and putrefaction ; to the vinous 

 and acetous fermentations, and to nitrification. The 

 conversion of woody fibre into wood and mineral coal, 

 the nature of poisons, contagions, and miasms, and 

 the causes of their action on the living organism, have 

 been elucidated in their chemical relations. 



I shall be happy if I succeed in attracting the at- 

 tention of men of science to subjects which so well 

 merit to engage their talents and energies. Perfect 

 Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and in- 



