168 



its action; and as soon as the least fermentation is pro- 

 duced, calor or fire is evolved : and as this is continued from 

 time to time, it is capable of producing the greatest effects. 

 Thus the wood is formed into charcoal, slowly or otherwise, 

 but actually by calor or fire, though water seems to be the 

 principal agent. That this is one of Nature's methods for 

 some of the varieties of combustion that take place will be 

 perhaps more and more apparent, as well as that this agent, 

 in many instances, produces common fire, as in a hay- 

 stack, he. yet a haystack may sometimes be in part so 

 6corched and burnt as to be spoiled, without actual or 

 rapid fire manifested by the red heat or flame. 



