26 



"lu crops as they are reaped and even as they are given 

 for food, much water is present; when artificially dried ^ 

 carbon forms i their weight, oxygen more than J, hydrogen 

 a little more than 5 per cent., and nitrogen rarely to more 

 than 2 J per cent." 



When starch or gum becomes sugar, as in the germina- 

 tion of seeds and other vegetable processes, the transmuta- 

 tion is effected by the absorption of water; for with regard 

 to their composition, a greater proportion of water only 

 distinguishes sugar from starch, and the separation of 

 oxveren from su2:ar causes it to be converted into fat I 



In the ripening of fruit, the cane, is converted into grape 

 sugar, by the absorption of additional oxygen. There 

 seems to be some deficiency in this supply, or difficulty in 

 some seasons in the vine getting the proper quantity at the 

 proper time, which causes grapes to rot upon the vines 

 about the time that their growth is attained, and they 

 should begin to fill out, acquire some sweetness and ulti- 

 mately ripen. 



Animal food consists mainly of vegetable products, these 

 assimilate the organic elements directly from their great 

 liquid and gaseous reservoirs, and prepare them for the 

 consumption of the animal creation. 



The model man of Professor Quetelet, weighs 154 lbs., 

 and consists of 



116 lbs. of water, 

 38 " drv matter. 



154 



Of the dry matter, 24 lbs. are fiesh and fat, 



14 *< bone, 



38 



