422 COMPOUNDS FROM DECOMPOSITION OF VEGETABES. 
tions of these chemically united, or from their molecules 
being differently arranged, some of them being isomeric 
bodies. 
It would appear that to Mr. Reece the public is indebted 
for a knowledge of the process, or processes, by means of 
which this is effected. We extract the following account : — 
It is a species of combustion, the peculiarity of which consists in its 
being supported by the oxygen of the air acting on the carbon of the peat, 
without the assistance of extraneous fuel. During this process a large por- 
tion of the hydrogen and other inflammable gases, which are evolved, is 
saved from dissipation, and preserved as sources for the production of heat, 
to be applied in completing the after-stages of chemical manipulation, by 
which the manufacture of the commercial products is perfected. But be- 
yond the quantities of inflammable matter consumed in these applications, 
a large amount of gas remains at disposal for the generation of heat in 
other industrial operations. In these arrangements is found the extreme 
economy of the process of manufacture, which is thereby endued, to a 
great extent, with a self-sustaining power. 
The chemical elements which are thus derived from peat, or “bog- 
earth,” are produced by Mr. Beece’s process in a pure, marketable, and 
highly remunerative form. The chief products which have been obtained 
aire:— 
1. Sulphate of Ammonia. This salt is principally used in the pre- 
paration of muriate of ammonia, or sabammoniac ; in the manufacture of 
alum, and in producing the other salts of ammonia, such as the sublimed 
carbonate used by bakers, and the solution of ammonia for the purposes of 
the ‘archill-maker, dyer, &c., and it is most extensively employed as a 
manure ; for which purposes it commands a high price and an unlimited 
market. It has been, hitherto, comparatively difficult of attainment. Vege- 
table matter, when azote is one of the elements, as the gluten of wheat, 
yields ammonia ; coal-soot also contains it ; but the decomposition of coal, 
effected during the production of carburetted hydrogen for the purpose of 
gas-illumination, forms at present the chief source of ammonia, which by 
combination with sulphuric acid is converted into sulphate. 
2. Acetate of Lime, composed of acetic acid and lime, may be formed by 
dissolving carbonate of lime in the acid ; but by Mr. Reece’s process it is 
distilled from the peat. It is a salt extensively used for producing the 
ferruginous and aluminous liquors used by calico-printers, and it is also the 
source of acetic acid for various other purposes. 
3. Naphtha, or “ Wood-Spirit.” This important chemical agent is pro- 
duced from the peat in great quantities. It is yielded in a pure, colourless, 
limpid state, resembling in its properties spirits of wine, and differing only 
in its odour ; and from its properties of combining in all proportions with 
alcohol, ether, petroleum, fee., it is largely used by hatters and varnish- 
makers, in place of spirits of wine, for dissolving the gums and resins used 
in their respective trades. 
4. Paraffine. Little was known of this valuable vegetable product till a 
few years since it was determined by several foreign chemists of celebrity to 
be a “solid carburet of hydrogen.” Dr. Christison obtained it from the 
petroleum of Rangoon, and called it petrolin, and Dr. Reickenbach dis- 
covered its presence in the products of distilled beech tar. In appearance 
it is a fatty, but rather firm, solid ; it is wholly inodorous ; at 110 degrees 
of Fahrenheit it melts into an oily liquid, aud evaporates without change; 
it burns with a pure white flame. It is soluble in alcohol, oil of turpentine. 
