A Memoir on the Uric Acid. A038 
jn such proportions as mutually saturate each 
other; or we may adopt the easier method of 
forming a solution of urie acid, by an’ excess 
‘of alkali, and then precipitating by carbo- 
‘nate of ammonia, and edulcorating’ the’ sedi- 
ment. The latter process answers best, when 
we employ potash or soda; but to obtain 
saturated compounds of uric acid with am- 
monia, baryta, strontita, lime, magnesia, or 
alumine, I have generally had recourse to the 
former method. In whatever mode these 
‘compounds are prepared, they are termed 
‘Urates. 
/ SECT. UT. 
Urates. 
Tuovueu I have examined the properties 
of each individual urate with great/attention, 
yet they do not appear to me sufficiently 
important, to entitle each of them to a sepa- 
rate history. It will, therefore, be sufficient 
“to state those properties, which are common 
to the whole of this genus of salts. 
1. The urates are all perfectly insipid, and, 
when moist, are scarcely distinguishable from 
the uric acid itself. In the act of drying, 
however, they shrink somewhat like alumine, 
and form hard masses. 
SE 2 
