88 THE FORMATION OF FAT IS 



of metamorphosis of a similar kind, in which the ele- 

 ments of carbonic acid and water are separated from 

 certain preexisting compounds ; and we know with 

 certainty that all these processes are accompanied by a 

 disengagement of heat, exactly as if the carbon and 

 hydrogen 'combined directly with oxygen. 



Such a disengagement of carbonic acid, for example, 

 occurs in all processes of fermentation or putrefaction, 

 which are, without exception, accompanied with the 

 generation of heat. 



In the fermentation of a saccharine solution, in con- 

 sequence of a new arrangement of the elements of the 

 sugar, a certain part of its carbon and oxygen unite to 

 form carbonic acid, which separates as gas ; and as an- 

 other result of this decomposition, we obtain a volatile 

 combustible liquid, containing little oxygen, namely, 

 alcohol. 



If we add to 2 equivalents of sugar the elements of 

 12 equivalents of water, and subtract from the sum of 

 the atoms 24 equivalents. of oxygen, there remain 6 

 equivalents of alcohol. 



(C 24 H 24 24 -J- H 12 12 ) - 24 = C 24 H 36 12 = 6 eq. alcohol. 

 These 24 equivalents of oxygen suffice to oxidize 

 completely a third equivalent of sugar, that is, to 

 convert its carbon into carbonic acid and its hydrogen 

 into water, and by this oxidation we recover the 12 

 equivalents of water supposed to be added in the former 

 part of the process, exactly as if this water had taken 

 no share in it. 



Ci 2 H 12 O 12 + O 24 = 12CO 2 -f 12HO. 



