CARBON, OXYGEN, etc. 1? 



Hardness in well and spring waters is often due to the presence of the compounds of 

 chlorine. Chloride of potassium forms an important element of tobacco ; and indeed it 

 is somewhat remarkable that both chlorides, that of sodium and that of potassium, exist 

 together in such large proportions as they are found in this deleterious weed. One variety 

 of tobacco was found by Will and Fresenius to contain 8 '53 of chloride of potassium. 

 The stalks of hops contain 9 ■ 64 per centum. The Sacclmrum officinarum contains a much 

 larger quantity ; amounting, according to Stenhgtjse, to 30 per centum. 



CARBON, OXYGEN, HYDROGEN AND NITROGEN. 



In various states of combination, these bodies constitute those forms of matter which are 

 called organic. The most important, or those which are most generally distributed, are 

 carbon and oxygen forming carbonic acid, oxygen and hydrogen forming water, hydrogen 

 and nitrogen forming ammonia. In the present constitution of bodies, not one of these 

 compounds could be dispensed with : they are universally diffused and present in some 

 form or other, in the vegetable, animal and mineral kingdoms. 



Carbonic acid is the source of carbon in plants. It is also the great solvent in nature 

 for the hardest materials, such as felspar in granite. Its constant, though slow action, 

 compensates for the rapid and powerful action of mineral acids. I have already alluded 

 to this property of carbonic acid. 



Water in itself, and as water, must be furnished to all living bodies, and there are but 

 few substances in the mineral kingdom which do not require it ; but when it is considered 

 in its constitution and the decompositions which it is susceptible of, and the changes it can 

 effect in other bodies, or in its actions and reactions, its influence and importance are 

 exceedingly magnified and extended. The same may be said of ammonia, the great source 

 of nitrogen in organized bodies. 



I need not here dwell longer either upon these elements themselves, or upon their com- 

 pounds*. Of carbonic acid, I would remark in this place, that I have some doubt as to 

 the absorption of it by the leaves of vegetables ; and even admitting that it is absorbed, I 

 can not but maintain the position that the roots are the principal organs which convey it 

 to the plant. Leaves may condense carbonic acid on their surfaces, without absorbing it. 

 It is, however, a point upon which I do not propose to insist. The fact that it is necessary 

 that it be supplied by the roots, I have no doubt will be readily admitted ; and hence prac- 

 tically the materials which are capable of furnishing it, must be supplied where they are 

 required. 



* See Vol. I, pp. 223 - 227 of the Agriculture of New-York. 



[Agricultural Report — Vol. ii.] 3 



