ON CHEMISTRY. 
47 
the water, and other decomposable bodies around those roots. Hence, 
the decomposition of the manuring substances, the separation of the 
carbon, the hydrogen, the oxygen, &c. &c.; and the formation of 
that peculiar nutritive matter the sap, which it appears like simple 
water, is nevertheless, a substance, sui generis , wholly inimitable bv 
the art of man. 
The Theory therefore is founded upon the primary agency of solar 
electric light; it presumes that the plant is thereby stimulated to 
prepare its own food; during which process, it effects the decompo¬ 
sition of manures, and reduces them by a slow but certain progress, 
to the native staple earths of the ground. Earths absolutely without 
manures are almost inert; but these are of very rare occurrence, all 
are more or less supplied with a portion of vegetable matter ; still 
however, where the land is taxed by heavy cropping, and where it 
requires melioration, manuring substances must be supplied in pro¬ 
portion ; and these are acted upon and reduced, by a process tanta¬ 
mount to that of a slow combustion. Oxygen, and hydro-carbonous 
compounds are abstracted; and chalk, alumen, silex, gypsum, 
oxides of iron, (perhaps, of manganese also,) are added to the soil. 
I believe it is admitted by all, that manures are decomposed in 
the soil, and become the food of plants by yielding carbonic acid to 
the aqueous fluid in the proximity of the roots. The theory now 
advocated differs, in fact, but little from that which has heretofore 
been sanctioned; yet, there is one point which, I doubt not, will be 
sturdily disputed: viz. the stimulating energy of Electricity; or 
more correctly speaking, of that pure Ethereal jire which lies con¬ 
cealed throughout all matter. I have referred to this grandest prin¬ 
ciple of life and developement, in a former article; and now repeat 
my firm conviction, that light, primarily derived from the Sun, em- 
bues the air, and is the sole cause of the repulsion (if that word be 
admitted for want of a better,) of the aerial particles; that water, and 
all matters within the earth’s surface owe their form and modes of 
combination to certain definite proportions of this fluid; and, there¬ 
fore, that it is the sole origin of all electric, galvanic and chemical 
action, however these be secondarily excited or rendered manifest. 
Electricity has, I believe, been but very imperfectly understood : 
as an agent in vegetation, the learned Dr. Lindley says,—It is a 
power of which we know almost nothing certain, with reference to 
vegetation ; if many things have been written about it, it must be 
admitted, at least, that very little has been proved.” ( Outline of 
First Pr. of Hort. p. 8.) Something, however, begins to be known, 
and much has now been proved. I have stated my hypothesis, and 
