264 



a^iide, in the laboratory, as a standard: temperature 56 de- 

 grees. After a very short interval indeed, and almost as soon 

 as tlie urine acquired the temperature of between 80 and 

 90 degrees, small shining granular particles were observable 

 with a magnifier, began gradually to settle upon a broken 

 kind of nubecula, or rather nubeculce, and to acquire colour 

 and size, though carried vip and down the liquor, which 

 was in constant agitation. This experiment again twice 

 latterly repeated, and always with the same result, (care 

 being taken to keep the temperature, as nearly as possible, 

 for a few hours, between 90 and 100 degrees,) afforded 

 one of the most pleasing objects imaginable; viz. the for- 

 mation of this crystalline matter, under all the disadvan- 

 tages of elevated temperature, and constant agitation, from 

 (I may almost say) their primordial moleculae, to the ac- 

 complishment of their full size. And here, indeed, they 

 are most beautiful, and not to be distinguished from these 

 spontaneously deposited. 



The whole experiment strikes us strongly with a sem- 

 blance of what probably passes, under similar circum- 

 stances, in nature; and reminds us of the danger atten- 

 dant upon acid impregnations, more particularly at bed*- 

 time, when the urine, by many hours retention and quiet, 

 has ample time to deposit its uric acid contents in the 

 bladder. From it, also, we learn, that the temperature of 

 the human body, in place of retarding or preventing (as 

 might foe expected a priori) these pernicious effects, rather 

 promotes them, and that to a considerable degree. 



But 



