An experimental inquiry into the formation of alkaline and earthy bodies, with reference to their presence in plants, the influence of carbonic acid in their generation, and the equilibrium of this gas in the atmosphere

• Published in: Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 1843
• Subjects: Carbonic acid
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspl.1837.0060; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspl.1837.0060

The object of the author, in the present memoir, is to show that the solid materials which compose the residual matter in the analysis of vegetable substances, and which consist of alkaline and earthy bodies, are actually formed during the process of fermentation, whether that process be excited artificially, by the addition of a small quantity of yeast to fermentable mixtures, or take place naturally in the course of vegetation, or of spontaneous decomposition. His experiments also tend to show that this formation of alkaline and earthy bodies is always preceded by the absorption of carbonic acid, whether that acid be naturally formed or artificially supplied. He finds, also, that different kinds of garden mould, some being calcareous, others siliceous, and others aluminous, exposed in retorts to atmospheres consisting of a mixture of carbonic acid gas and common air, absorb large quantities of the former, combining with it in such a manner as not to afford any traces of this carbonic acid being disengaged by the action of other acids. He considers the result of this combination to be the formation of an alkaline body, and also of a colouring matter. This combination takes place to a greater extent during the night than during the day and in general, the absorption of carbonic acid by the soil is greatest in proportion as it is more abundantly produced by the processes of vegetation and conversely, it is least at the time when plants decompose this gas, appropriating its basis to the purposes of their own system. Hence he conceives that there is established in nature a remarkable compensating provision, which regulates the quantity of carbonic acid in the atmosphere, and renders its proportion constant.