6 
REVIEW OF CERTAIN DOCTRINES 
compound which is decomposed by water into sulphuric 
acid, and the regenerated bioxide. There appears to me 
to be no analogy between this process, and that of the in- 
fluence of matter existing in no equivalent proportion, and 
which cannot be shown to form a definite chemical com- 
pound, either with acetyl or hydrogen.* It is not represent- 
ed that in the vinous fermentation, any union, either tran- 
sient or permanent, takes place between the elements of the 
sugar and those of the ferment; on the contrary it is alleged 
that the oxidation and precipitation of the yeast takes place 
independently, though it proceeds, pari passu, with the 
alcoholification. 
As to all the processes referred to for illustration, as well 
as those of fermentation which they are alleged to resem- 
ble, it appears to me that Liebigand his disciples have been 
too sanguine of their capacity to give adequate elucidation. 
Respecting changes of the kind above described as cata- 
lytic. Dr. Kane uses the following language : — " The ele- 
ments of a compound are retained together in certain 
molecular arrangement, because the affinities are there 
satisfied ; hut it is natural to suppose that whilst the 
elements remain the same, their affinities for each other 
might he just as completely satisfied by a different molecu- 
lar arrangement " This language might be held more 
reasonably, were this variation in arrangement accompa- 
nied by no concomitant acquisition of chemical properties ; 
but is it reasonable to consider the difference between sugar, 
and the alcohol and carbonic acid into which it is resolva- 
ble, as arising merely from molecular arrangement? Can 
*The reader is presumed to know that agreeably to Liebig, alcohol, 
C4 .H5 O+HO thehydrated protoxide of ethyl, is converted into acetic 
acid, the hydrated tri-oxide of acetyl, C4 H3 03+ HO, by the substitution 
of two atoms of oxygen for two of hydrogen. By these means it is in- 
ferred that the alcoholic base, the protoxide of ethyl, C4 H50 is convert- 
ed into the trioxide of acetyl, C4 H3 03, an atom of water being present 
in the one no less than in the other. 
