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THE CHEMISTRY OF MAN. 63
tion. Carbonic acid is also produced by fires, the burn
ing of lamps or candles, and in most cases in which
carbon combines with oxygen. The result of their
rapid union is the disengagement of intense light and
heat.
Sulphur is a peculiar and familiar substance, which
unites readily with oxygen, burns, and forms sulphuric
acid. It is found in vegetables, and is thence found in
the blood and muscular tissues of animals. From the
combination of sulphur and oxygen with various bases,
we have the sulphates of soda, magnesia, iron, zinc, etc.
Phosphorus is something like sulphur,
but much
more inflammable ; that is, it unites more readily with
oxygen at low temperatures. In this union it forms
phosphoric acid. This combines with calcium, and
forms phosphate of lime; and this existing in wheat and
other vegetables, makes part of the blood of animals,
and is found especially in the bones.
I have no space here for a treatise on chemistry.
The reader will find it a beautiful and entertaining
in the world about
study, as it refers to every thing
him. I can only give here a few facts respecting the
chemistry of man, premising a few pretty well estab
lished principles.
1. All matter, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, is
composed of ultimate atoms, inconceivably minute, as
the microscope everywhere reveals to us ; as the small
est animalcule is composed of parts formed from a com
bination of a vast multitude of such atoms.
2. These atoms have their own determinate form,
size, weight, motions, attractions, repulsions, and pecu
liar powers of whatever kind.