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Leader (1850-1860), 24th July 1852, Edition Country of 2, Page 20, We should iio our "itnoni. Lo c-ncourage...

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      • Gregory's Organic Chemistry. A Handboo...

      covered Avith some rocky mass . In accordance with this idea , while the animals of the carbonaceous and other early periods seem to have been reptiles or fish , that is , such as required little oxygen , the vegetation , as found , partly decayed , in onr coalbeds , seems to have been prodigiously luxuriant ; and it is said that ferns and other similar plants , which abound in coal , really do grow most luxuriantly in an atmosphere charged Avith carbonic acid , to a much greater degree than air is . Be this as it may , A egetation would purify such an atmosphere , till warm-blooded animals and man could live in it ; and then , tbe balance , once attained , Would continue undisturbed as at the present day . In fact , air , taken from closed , vessels , from the tombs of Egypt , 3000 years old , or the ruins of Herculaueum , 2000 years old , has been found as rich in oxygen as tbat of the present time .

      " Plants , then , obtain all their carbon , directly or indirectly , from the air : directly , by absorption through the leaA r es ; indirectly , through the absorption of water by the roots , this Avater having dissolved some carbonic acid in passing through the air , and more in filtering through the soil , in which carbonic acid is constantly formed by the decay of organic matter . But this solution of carbonic acid has another and very important function to perform , namely , to dissolve earthy and alkaline phosphates and carbonates , and thus to supply the plant with its mineral food . Although , therefore , part of the Avood , & c , of a plant may be formed from the carbonic acid entering by the roots , yet as plants give out from the roots a certain amount of carbon in the form of excretions , Ave find that the Avhole

      increase in the weight of carbon in a _groAA'ing plant is really derived from the air b y the leaves . The soil becomes richer in carbon rather than poorer , and thus the carbon of all crops , as far as its weight is concerned , comes from the air . There is no evidence that mould or humus eA er enters the plant as such ; but it is converted into carbonic acid , which enters by the roots and acts as a solvent for mineral salts . This , as we shall see , is the true reason Avhy the presence of humus in the soil or in manure is advantageous . But direct experiments have proved , that plants can groAV in perfection , and produce fertile seeds , in a soil destitute of humus or mould , provided it contain the necessary alkalies , phosphates , and other mineral salts , in a form adapted for entrance into the plant . In this case , the atmosphere easily supplies the _AA'hole of tbe carbon required , as well as the ammonia .

      " Let us now attend to the nitrogen of plants . This , as already stated , is supplied to _Avild plants entirely by the air , and , so far as Ave knoAV , only in the form of ammonia . Some authors have held that nitric acid furnishes nitrogen to plants , and that this acid is formed in the air by thunder-storms , and carried down by the rain , and they point to the occurrence of nitric acid in springs in proof of this . Now , it is true that nitric acid is formed in thunder-storms , but in very minute quantity , whereas ammonia is , and must be , present in the air at all times . Indeed , there is reason to believe that the nitric acid of storms is produced by the oxidation of the ammonia of the air , as in nitrification , Avhere ammonia is oxidised into nitric acid and water , N H -j- 0 = NOs , 3 II O ; so that , even if nitric acid did yield nitrogen to plants , that nitrogen Avould be derived from ammonia . This would account , too , for the small amount of nitric acid formed . For if it were .

      produced by the action of electricity on the nitrogen and oxygen of the air , there . seem * to be no reason why it should not be formed in very large quantity ; while ammonia forms less than _Touu _0 _^ v ° _f _^ ie ah , perhaps much less . Nitric acid is only found in springs where decaying organic matter is near them , as in toAvns , and is formed from the ammonia produced in their decay , by the same _jirocess as in nitrification . Besides , Avliile Ave have no proof that plants decompose nitric acid , which it is certainly possible they may do , we know that many plants , such as tobacco and sunflower , actually produce nitric acid , or , at least , do not destroy that Avhich enters them .

      " the origin of the ammonia in the air is obvious . It is produced from tiie decay and putrefaction of dead animals and vegetables , the whole of their nitrogen rising into the air as carbonate of ammonia . Tbe combustion of coal also yields it , anil it is said that some ammonia is given out in the respiration or transpiration of animals . It is stated , that if the air of a crowded theatre be allowed to escape by a narrow opening above , while fresh air enters below , the air passing out is pungent from ammonia ; but whether this be derived from the lungs or the skin is not known . But it is evident that the air must be continually receiving supplies of ammonia ; and as plants cannot grow without it , and fix large quantities of it , they must be continually removing it from the air . Here , then , is a balance between

      vegetable life and animal fife , supported by plants on the one hand , and decay on the other , similar to that above explained of the carbonic acid and oxygen ; only the balance of nitrogen is single , while tbat of carbonic acid and oxygen i . s double . Ammonia , that is , its nitrogen , i . s taken up by plants , by them supplied to herbivorous animals , and by these to carnivorous animals ; so that in this case vegetation anil animal life act on tbe same side . And the decay or putrefaction or combustion of both vegetables and animals sends the whole of their nitrogen , in the form of ammonia , buck to the atmosphere . This balance i . s as perfect as the former , and both combined keep the composition of the air perfectly uniform within certuin limits . "

      KOMKTIIING I'Oll TIIK V KU K T A KI A N S AMI ) T K I 0 TOTA l , K US . "Of all food , perhaps good bread , made from the whole meal of wheat ; , oafs , oi rye , is tin ; most economical , since nature supplies in it the due proportion of siinguigenous _, respiratory , and mineral matter . Ituf since the ( ibrine of flour is identical with that of flesh , and fat . corresponds to u certain amount of starch , fat meat agrees closely with bread , and has a belter proportion of ingredients than peas , beans , or lentils . Hence the doctrine of the vegetarians is founded on a mislaken assumption , that there is a . radical difference lief ween meat and vegetables . It is certain that fhe structure of man fits him for the use , though not the exclusive use , of animal food ; and even the vegetarians do not exclude milk , cheese and eggs , all of which are animals ; tho first ; about equal lo meat in saiigiiigenoiis value ; the two last greatly exceeding it . A man may feed as fully , nay more fully , and form more

      blood on a vegetable diet , one of peas for example , I , ban on one of very fat meat . There is no known difference in the power of forming blood , between Mesh and bread , if the flesh be mixed with _. siifjicienf fa I , or some starch ; and there is one reason why flesh should form part of man ' s food , besides that derived from the structure of bis teeth and digestive organs , namely , that since the chief use of food is to supply f he waste of muscle , the best substance for this must he the muscle of animals . The great error in diet is not that of eating flesh , but of eating too much flesh , or too much siinguigenous mutter , whether animal or vegetable . And ( be only true principle of diet is fo obtain tho necessary amount of saiigui _geiioiiK matter , of respiratory matter , and of mineral sails , no matter from what sources . In applying this rule fo mini , a mixed animal and vegetable diet is obviousl y the best ; both iih being in the end most economical , because flesh ia neureat of all to what it

      • Gregory's Organic Chemistry. A Handboo...

      has to supply ; and because , although fat can replace the starch of vegetables as source of heat , the ashes of vegetables yield a more abundant supply D f alkalies Th * instinct of man agrees entirely with this view , and , like all one-sided and _exclng _* ideas , vegetarianism is inconsistent with nature . Still , it is certain _tlwit men " _^ over-eat themselves more easily Avith animal than with vegetable food , an < i + w they can live on vegetables alone . But they are not intended , by their _struck to do so , and even on vegetables may easily live too high , especiall y if milk , cheese ' and eggs be added ; " The abuse of fermented liquors is hurtful jn two ways ; first , by the peculiar unless much dilutedexerts the

      stimulus which alcohol , , on nervous system in some way unknown ; and , secondly , by increasing the proportion of respiratory matter to sanguigenous far beyond the proper standard . By virtue of its strong _attraction for oxygen , alcohol is first oxidised , while the food and tissues are imperfectly oxidised , and disease is thus induced . If the food already contain a full or large proportion of starch or fat , every drop of alcohol is hurtful ; but Avhen the food is too rich in sanguigenous matter , Avine and beer are wholesome . In proof of t _^ fact , that alcohol supplements the other respiratory food , it is observed that those who drink no wine consume far more bread , vegetables , rice , or puddings , than wine drinkers ; and the good health enjoyed by the natives of wine and beer

      countries Avho use these liquors freely but not to excess , proves that alcohol is not essentially hurtful , Avhen properly diluted , but acts as respiratory food . Those who take much fat , butter , or oil , cannot take Avine , and feel no desire for it . "

      MAN A GREAT GALVANIC BATTERY . " The remarkable fact already noticed , of the existence in all parts of the body of an alkaline liquid , the blood , and an acid liquid , the juice of flesh , separated by a very thin membrane , and in contact Avith muscles and nerve , seems to have some relation to the fact _hoav established of the existence of electric currents in the body , and particularly to those which occur Avhen muscles contract . The animal body may be regarded as a galvanic engine for the production of mechanical force . This force is derived from the food , and Avith food has been derived , as we have seen , from the solar rays . A working man , it has been calculated , produces in 24 hours an amount of heating or therinal effect equal to raising nearly 14 millions of lbs . to the height of one foot , heat being one form of mechanical effect . But , from causes connected with the range of temperature , he can only produce , in the form of actual Avork done , about as much mechanical effects as wotdd raise 3 , 600 , 000 lbs .

      to the height of one foot , and that in 24 hours . Even this is a prodigious amount of force , and Avhether we regard it as derived from heat , electricity , or chemical action , it is ultimately derived from the luminous solar rays , on which vegetation depends . "

      Ar02005

      Books Oast Our Table Pirby S Bridgtvater...

      BOOKS _OaST OUR TABLE Pirby s _Bridgtvater Treatise , on the Power , Wisdom , and Goodness of God , as manifested in the Creation of Animals , and in their History , Habit , and Instincts . New Edition , with _Notes by Thomas Kymer Jones , F . JR .. S . In 2 vols . ( Bohn's Scienti fic Library . ) H . G . Bohn . Deeply as Ave disapprove of the religious portions of Avorks on " Natural Theology , " and dangerous as we have shown them to be , not only to a proper religious tone of thought , but also to orthodoxy , there is sueh an endless charm in natural history that we cannot but welcome any works which treat of it with knowledge . Professor Rymer Jones has edited Kirby's celebrated Bridyivater Treatise , which Mr . Bohn here offers at a very moderate price , and we commend to all readers with a caution against the argument current through its pages . The History of the Painters of All Nations . By M . Charles Blanc . Edited by Digby Wyatt . Fart I . John _Cassel .

      1 on the present we content ourselves Avith announcing the publication of this ambitious work , reserving criticism for tbe time Avhen more ample materials are before us . It i . s a translation of the Avork now in course of publication in Paris , written by Charles Blanc , the brother of Louis Blanc . The English version is executed by Mr . Peter Berlyn , and the whole is under tho superintendence of Mr . Digby Wyatt . Each part is to be complete in itself , containing a memoir of the painter , and engravings of his most celebrated works . Judging from the specimen before , us—Murillo—the design seems equal to the exigencies of the public . It will form a cheap and very handsome work .

      P Nttfolin.

      _p nttfolin .

      We Should Iio Our "Itnoni. Lo C-Ncourage...

      We should iio our "itnoni . Lo c-ncourage the Beautiful , tor tbe Useful _encourage its . ell ' . _—Goktiik .

      [ Aut. Xvi., On " Comic's Positive Philo...

      [ Aut . XVI ., on " Comic ' s Positive Philosophy , " next week . ]

      Till. Discipline Of Ail' L Liettkh Iii. ...

      Till . DISCIPLINE OF _Ail' l _liETTKH III . —TO A A . Do you know a statue called The Lizard , Catcher f It is that of a youth , who , if he were an Englishman , mig ht he eighteen or nineteen , but who , being a ( heck , is probably fifteen or . sixteen . lie is standing with his weight resting carelessl y on one leg , his left arm resting against the trunk of a tree above his head , his ri g ht hand gently open , prepared to catch a lizard that is running up the trunk . His figure is sli ; lit , yet powerfully made ; large in the chest , small in the hips , rounded and muscular , perfectly compacted at the joints . His countenance is placid , yet animated ,

      passing from the sweetness of the child to the foreshadowed energy of the man . I lis mouth i . s gently smiling , while his eyes look steadily under sweeping eyebrows ; his abundant hair waving into many curls , forms a natural garland , and chequers Avith rose-shaped shades the simple outlines of his faoe . Take him as he stands , and you find in him a perfect type of manhood in the bud , with all the faculties of humanit y in their comp letest youth . A man with so ample a chest , and legs so beautifully fitted to the trunk and to themselves , could evidently run like a deer . So generous and so graceful a face could onl y be , Avliere the nature was genial , _affeor donate , and graceful . The girl whom he loved would be the envy of her

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 24, 1852, page 20, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24071852/page/20/