ombustion, or fermentation in
the vinous, acetous, and putrid process, which show the affinity
between them.

Fermentation is a subsequent _low combustion_ of the vegetable oxydes
or grain, that has undergone a previous, but partial combustion,
something like the slightly charring, or oxydating of wood or
pit-coal, by which the oxygenation is incomplete in both, and rendered
more complete in the former. An ultimate combustion of the fermentable
matter employed, is found only in the putrid process of fermentation,
which is a final or total decomposition of vegetable and animal
substances, in the actual combustion or burning of wood, charcoal, or
bones.

In the vinous process we have seen the escape of carbonic acid gas; in
the acetous process there is a great escape of azotic gas, or
phlogisticated air, from the decomposition of the air of the atmosphere
consumed in this process, which consists of about two-thirds of azotic
gas, and one third of oxygen gas,[3] the oxygenous part being absorbed
in the acetous process, and azotic set free with more or less hydrogen
and acetic gas, proportioned to the existing heat. If the heat is
beyond a certain degree, a portion of the ethereal part of the
new-formed acid escapes also.

[3] Twenty-seven parts of oxygen gas, and seventy-three of azotic
gas.

In the putrid process, the hydrogen escapes under the acriform shape of
inflammable air and azotic gas, and nothing more remains than mere
earth or water, or both, as the case may be, which is exactly similar
to other combustions, of which nothing remains, (if we except
phosphorus) but earth or ashes, with what small portion of alkaline or
other salts they may contain. This alkaline matter being present during
the formation of carbonic and azotic gas, absorbs, to saturation, a due
proportion of them, and generates _tartar_.

Experience has taught us the truth or justness of this definition, and
though it has brought us acquainted with the results of those three
stages of fermentation, combustion, or decomposition, we have certainly
overlooked the means of applying them with all the advantage they admit
of in the business which is the subject of these papers, and which a
little time and close observation must convince us of; and how much has
been hitherto lost, with the means of saving it in future, shall be
presently explained, and particularly pointed out.

In the prosecution of this design, where I may not be abl