TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 41 
1 atom Uric Acid+2 atoms Hyperoxide of Lead, 
(Cio Ny Hy O.)+Pbz Oy 
gives 
(R,+0:) Oxalic Acid+2 PbO Oxalate of Lead two atoms, 
(4Cy+3 Aq) Allantoin, 
1 atom Urea, 
« Allantoin is the second body belonging to the animal organization 
_ which we can form artificially in the laboratory. This substance can 
_ also be directly produced by the decomposition of cyanogen and water. 
It yields, when decomposed by other bodies, all the products which, 
_ from its formula, might be expected. Thus, with alkalis it yields 
oxalic acid and ammonia; with strong sulphuric acid, carbonic acid, 
and carbonic oxide. 
“ There are many bodies similar to urea and allantoin, all of which 
will probably, at a future period, be produced by artificial means; but 
_ in order to arrive at this, the final object of investigation in organic 
chemistry, a great deal of labour, and that labour of a combined nature, 
_ will be required. I am certain that this object will be obtained. Or- 
_ ganic chemistry has made its first step, and already its field has been 
_ extended to a very surprising degree. We meet every day with new 
and unexpected discoveries. It is, however, remarkable, that in the 
_ country in which I now am, whose hospitality I shall never cease to 
_ remember, organic chemistry is only commencing to take root. We 
live in a time when the slightest exertion leads to valuable results, and, 
_ if we consider the immense influence which organic chemistry exercises 
_ over medicine, manufactures, and over common life, we must be sen- 
sible that there is at present no problem more important to mankind 
_ than the prosecution of the objects which organic chemistry contem- 
plates. I trust that English men of science will participate in the 
_ general movement, and unite their efforts to those of the chemists of 
the Continent, to further the advance of a science which, when taken 
in connection with the researches in physiology, both animal and 
vegetable, which have been so successfully prosecuted in this country, 
_ may be expected to afford us the most important and novel conclusions 
_ respecting the functions of organization.” 
ARE. 
Ah Philadelphia, August 14th, 1837. 
Dear Sir,—I beg leave through you to communicate to the British 
_ Association for the Advancement of Science the fact that, by an im- 
_ provement in the method of constructing and supplying the hydro- 
oxygen blowpipe, originally contrived by me in the year 1801, I have 
succeeded in fusing into a malleable mass, more than three-fourths of a 
_ pound of platina. In all I fused more than two pounds fourteen 
ounces into four masses, averaging, of course, nearly the weight above 
mentioned. I see no difficulty in succeeding with much larger 
weights. 
