N    ,,     ,,  some. C    ,,     ,,  many. Two elements form a substance. Three elements form vegetable life. Four elements form animal life. Common salt is used daily with our food; is harmless and useful; it is known as the chloride of sodium. By analysis this compound is separated, analyzed, into chlorine and sodium. Na stands for sodium, and Cl for chlorine. Combine Cl with H. That forms hydrochloric acid, a strong poison, strong enough to dissolve marble. Cl has little attraction for O. Its chemical energies are principally exerted toward hydrogen and the metals. Cl is one of the best disinfectants, and makes excellent bleaching material. Na (sodium) combines with O, and H, and C. These are some of the combinations: Na Cl = common salt. Cl H = hydrochloric acid, a poison. O Na H = caustic soda. Na2 N O3 = Chili saltpetre. Na2 C O3 = sodium, carbonate, etc. Phosphorus and sulphur and other elements enter into combination with Oxygen and Hydrogen. Both phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) enter into organic life, but play a subordinate role. The vegetable cell contains liquid, solid, and air. The growing, vitally active cells are filled with liquid, namely O and H, charged with more or less nutritive assimilated matters, C, etc. Sap--the liquid which is imbibed by the roots and carried upwards by the stem--this is the water impregnated with certain gaseous matter derived from the air, and minute portions of earthy matter dissolved from the soil under the influence of light. Sap elaborated--from this we obtain the ternary substances composed of three elements, O C H; also substances composed of four elements, O C H N. The latter represents protoplasm or protein. Vegetable chemical compounds, organic substances, can be produced only under certain vitalizing conditions and influences. Wherever upon the surface of this earth, the sun's rays produce a certain degree of heat, temperature, C H O may combine and evolve vegetable life. In tropical climates, for example, notwithstanding the sun's heat, no vegetation grows on high mountain peaks that are covered with snow and ice year in and year out; nor will vegetation grow in the cold climate of the north. C H and O will produce vegetable life only in the presence of heat. Heat is essential. And there is one source only whence it can be obtained, that is the sun. The climate, as the temperature, etc.; the quantity of elements, and the quality of soil, vary the products of vegetation. That accounts for the immense variety, the differences existing. The organic chemical combinations in vegetable life are infinite. And all these varieties depend on the numerical quantities of each of the elements C H O that enter any composition. The products of vegetation. C H O N