The Origin and Relations of the Carbon. Minerals. 2G9 



])ositioD, — in it, but not of it, — foi'ming what Ave cull the ash of 

 the ];)lant. 



Since the decomposition of organic matter commences the 

 instant it is abandoned by the creative and conservative vital 

 force, and proceeds uninterruptedly, whether slowly or rapidly, 

 to the final result, it is evident that each moment in the progress 

 of this decomposition presents us with a phase of structure and 

 composition different from that which preceded and from that 

 which follows.it. Hence the succession of these phases forms a 

 complete sliding scale, which is gi'ai)hically shown in the follow- 

 ing diagram, where the organic constituents of plant-tissue — 

 carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen — ajjpear gradually di- 

 minishing to extinction, while the ash remains nearly constant, 

 but relativvily increasing, till it is the sole representarive of the 

 fabric. 



DIAGRAM SHOWING THE GENETIC RELATIONS 

 OF THE CARBON MINERALS. 



EVOLVED PRODUCTS 



Corbunic Acid 

 Garb Oxide 



Carb. Hydrogen 

 Petroleum 

 Water 



RESIDUAL PRODUCTS 



AVe may cut this triangle of residual products Avhere Ave please, 

 and by (\areful analysis determine accurately the chemical com- 

 position of a section at this point, and yve may please ourselves 

 Avith the illusion, as many chemists have done, that the definite 

 proportions found represent the formula of a specific compound; 

 but an adjacent section above or beloAv Avould shoAv a different 

 composition, and so in the entire triangle Ave should find an in- 

 finite series of formulas, or rather no constant formula? at all. 

 We should also find that the slice, taken at any point while 

 lying in the laboratory or undergoing chemical treatment, would 

 change in composition, and become a different substance. 



In the same Avay we can snatch a brand from the fire at 

 any stage of its decomposition, or analyze a decaying tree- 

 trunk during any month of its existence, and thus manufacture 



