328 
29. But if hydrogen and nitrogen thus enter into 
union with the carbon of vegetables, in what place 
and mode are we to consider this union to be accom- 
plished ? Are we entitled to suppose that these gases 
penetrate the organized structure of the seed and 
plant, and are afterwards expelled from them, char- 
ged with carbon ? If such a supposition be recei- 
ved, the operation must be effected by the agency of 
a living power, or by the exertion of chemical af- 
finity. Against the former, it may, however, be 
urged, that vegetables, when confined in these gases, 
do not exhibit the phenomena of living action ; and 
consequently we possess no evidence that such action 
is then exerted. 
630. Shall we then ascribe this supposed entrance 
of these gases into vegetables to the operation of che- 
mical affinity ? That the actual union of these bodies 
is brought about by the exertion of such a force, we 
readily grant ; but our present object is to discover 
the manner in which these elements are prepared for 
such an union, and the place where this union is ac- 
complished. Now, before carburettcd nitrogen or hy- 
drogen was formed in these experiments, the carbon 
existed in combination with the other elements of 
the seed ; and from those elements it must have 
separated) before it could combine anew. Was then 
this separation effected by a superior attractive force 
exerted by these gases, or did it proceed, in the first 
instance, from a diminished attraction, or incipient 
repulsion among the constituent elements of the ve- 
getable ? We adopt the latter view, and, consequently, 
suppose the carbon to be given off by the seed or 
