NITROGENOUS ‘ORGANIC MATTERS OF THE SOIL, 279 
‘Carbohydrate. Ammonia. Water. Gelatine. 
C,, H,,O,, + 4NH, = 6H,O + 2(C,H,,N, 0,). 
Afterwards Dusart, Schiitzenberger, and P. Thenard, in- 
dependently of each other, obtained by exposing dextrin, 
starch, and glucose, to a somewhat elevated temperature 
(800-360°F.), in contact with ammonia-water, substances 
containing from 11.to 19°], of nitrogen, some spluble in 
water and having properties not unlike those of gelatine, 
others insoluble. It was observed, also, that analogous 
compounds, containing less nitrogen, were formed at lower 
temperatures, as at 212° F. Payen had previously observed 
that cane sugar underwent entire alteration by prolonged 
action of ammonia at common temperatures. 
These facts scarcely leave room to doubt that ammonia, 
as carbonate, by prolonged contact with the humic acids 
or with cellulose, and bodies of like composition, may 
form combinations with them, from which, by the action 
of alkalies or lime, ammonia may be regenerated. 
It has already been mentioned that when soils are boil- 
ed with solutions of potash, they yield ammonia continu- 
ously for a long time. 
Boussingault observed, as has been previously remarked, 
that lime, when incorporated with the soil at the ordinary 
temperature, causes its content of ammonia to increase. 
Soil from the Liebfrauenberg garden, mixed with ‘|; 
its weight of lime and nearly 4 its weight of water, was 
placed in a confined atmosphere for 8 months. On open: 
ing the vessel, a distinct odor of ammonia was perceptible, 
and the earth, which originally contained per kilogram, 
11 milligrams of this substance, yielded by analysis 303 
mgr. (See p. 265, for other similar results.) 
Alteration of Albuminoids in the Soil.—Albuminoids 
are carried into the soil when fresh vegetable matter is in- 
corporated with it. They are so susceptible to alteration, 
however, that under ordinary conditions they must speed- 
