62 .ORIGIN AND 



which might be evaporated, and also that the 

 ammonia which is thus abstracted from the at- 

 mosphere, would as constantly be supplied by 

 the decay of animal matter. 



The ammonia thus dissolved and carried me- 

 chanically into the earth, is then absorbed by 

 the spongelets of the roots, and in the course of 

 its assimilation by the plant, enters into com- 

 bination in a variety of ways, forming the vari- 

 ous substances containing nitrogen, such as 

 albumen, gluten, quinine, &c. into all of which 

 it is known to enter from the ultimate analysis 

 to which they have been subjected. It now only 

 remains to be considered, as far as proving the 

 presence of ammonia is required, whether plants 

 in the various processes to which they are sub- 

 jected to render them useful to mankind, ever 

 give off ammonia; if it be found they do, the 

 proof will be regarded as certain, and the other 

 circumstances connected with nitrogen will 

 at once be discussed. 



It is accordingly found that the juices of the 

 maple tree and the birch, when mixed with 

 lime, which decomposes the compound contain- 

 ing the ammonia in such juices, emit a strong 

 smell of ammonia, and in the manufactory of 

 sugar from the beet-root, such a quantity of 

 ammonia is given off, as to strike everyone who 

 has ever entered such an establishment, and the 

 products also of all medicinal herbs, whether 

 produced by distillation or consisting of extrac- 

 tive matter, yield ammonia during such process- 

 es. The sap also which exudes from the vine 

 when cut, being first mixed with muriatic acid 



