Show bacteria in coal mr potter has recently shown before the royal society in london that in certain conditions of exposure to the charcoal coal peat and oth er amorphous forms of carbon undergo a slow process of oxidation produced by bacteria it is suggested that this fact may account tor the beteri oration of stored coa lIts gradual loss of weight and its occasional spontaneous heating in ships bunkers it the bacteria are not the sole cause of these things they may induce them chemical oxidation accompanying and ing that begun by the organic agents the carbonization of vegetable coals baye a french writer Is due to the in of microbes mic robes at the begin ning of their when the coal reaches the air again other bac teria take up the work of fermentation that was interrupted millions of year ago youths companion |