Abstract
NEARLY half the dry substance of plants is carbon; and it is conclusively established that they derive, at any rate, the greater part of it, directly from the carbon-dioxide of the atmosphere, which the chlorophyll cells have the power of decomposing in sunlight, at the same time evolving oxygen. But this function of vegetation, which is so essential a complement to the processes of animal life, gives rise to many problems hitherto unsolved; and an important one is whether or not plants avail themselves of other obviously possible sources of carbon than that existing in such very small proportion, although in large actual amount, in the ambiant air.
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On the Source of the Carbon of Plants . Nature 16, 210–212 (1877). https://doi.org/10.1038/016210b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/016210b0