336 
f 
bf this substance in a fluid state; and we have*nc 
objection even to admit of its gaseous escape from 
bodies, if any evidence can be brought of its capacity 
to maintain that state, or if it can be shewn, by ex- 
periment, to escape in combination with any other 
permanently elastic matter ; but, possessing no evi- 
dence that it really does so, and feeling assured that 
it actually is held in solution in water, we conclude 
in favour of the latter opinion* Hence we would 
not be understood to attach any new or peculiar no- 
tion to the mode or state in which carbon exists ; but 
to speak of it as a solid, fluid, or gaseous substance, 
according as it may chance to exist in one or other 
of those states. 
641. As, in the preceding discussion, we have 
Spoken indiscriminately of the emission and combina- 
tion of carbon with oxygen gas, both under the de* 
composition of organised bodies and during the exis- 
tence of living action, it may be proper that we 
should state our opinion of the difference, although 
we are not able to define the exact limits of those 
states or terms. Thus we have seen, that carbon is 
afforded, in union with oxygen, by seeds confined in 
hydrogen or nitrogen gases (5.), or even in pure 
mercery (19.), where nothing resembling a living 
action can be supposed to exist. The same condi- 
tions of heat and moisture which, in these circum- 
stances, enable it to yield carbon, are required, also, 
for the emission of this substance during germina- 
tion; but no development takes place, unless oxy- 
gen gas be likewise present. Now the carbon, at 
this early period of the process, we suppose to be gi- 
