187 
be found, in their several approaches to that state to which the laws 
of nature seem to have particularly destined them. 
Peat, that combustible and inflammable substance, generally 
found in considerable masses at a little depth beneath the surface 
of the earth, possessing chemical properties essentially different 
from every other substance which has not derived its existence from 
the same origin, appears to be the first product of this kind of fer- 
mentation, and to have been formed in situations not favourable to 
the rapid completion of this process. The celerity with which this 
process is accomplished must depend on the closeness with which 
the gaseous principles are secured ; but it should be considered 
that such peat-bogs as are comparatively but of modern formation, 
are covered by a coat of vegetable mould, in a humid state, of no 
considerable degree of thickness, and therefore the escape of the 
more volatile principles, and the admission of atmospheric air, is 
only partially prevented ; the process must therefore be carried on 
with much less effect than in those cases which will be hereafter 
mentioned, where vast masses of vegetable matters have been sud- 
denly buried under a considerable thickness of earthy deposition. 
The abundance of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, in peat, is suf- 
ficiently demonstrated by its analysis. By the early analysis of 
Schoockius, we learn that it yields an oil much resembling the oil^ of 
amber, with an acid liquor. Mons. Fourcroy relates, that on exposing 
peat to the action of heat in a distillatory apparatus, a yellow or 
reddish fetid water is obtained, an oil of a most disagreeable odour, 
with carbonate of ammonia, and carbonated hydrogen gas, also 
smelling most disagreeably ; a coal being left which is frequently 
pyrophoric, and which yields, after incineration, muriate and sul- 
phate of soda and of pot-ash, mixed with the phosphate and sul- 
phate of lime, and with the oxides of iron and of manganese^. 
* Syst. des Connois. Chetn. tom. viii. p. 233. 
