Atmospheric agencies are also at work decomposing and disintegrating the material.
"The Future of Road-making in America"
Archer Butler Hulbert
The roots penetrate wherever there is any loose soil, and partly by their pressure and partly through the acidity accompanying decomposing plant tissue, complete a further breaking down of the rock.
"A Living from the Land"
William B. Duryee
Here it will stop, and if the tube is kept inclined during the rest of the operation it will roll around inside the tube at this point and thus not get down where any acid is likely to get into it and produce any pressure by decomposing it before the open end of the tube is sealed.
"Laboratory Manual of Glass-Blowing"
Francis C. Frary