188 
The prevalence of hydrogen in this substance is fully displayed 
by the foregoing analysis, since not only enough exists for the 
formation of this peculiar oil, but a considerable quantity of this 
principle is also disengaged in a gaseous form : the agreement, 
therefore, between this substance, and what might, a priori, have 
been supposed would be the product of vegetable matters placed 
under these particular circumstances, appears to be evident. The 
original mode of existence which belonged to this substance is suf- 
ficiently marked, by the great quantity of vegetable substances 
which are found in it, which have not suffered such an alteration 
as to hinder the immediately tracing of them to their true origin. 
That this substance has been subjected to the influence of the two 
circumstances which seem essential to this peculiar fermentation, 
the presence of moisture and subterranean situation, must appear so 
plain from the descriptions you have already had laid before you of 
the state in which peat mosses are found, that, on this point, not a 
word need be added. Peat, therefore, I presume, we may regard as 
a vegetable secondary fossil ; having been formed from vegetable 
matter, changed in its nature and properties by a certain fermen- 
tation, which has been carried on in the mineral regions. 
Yours, &c. 
