C1IOLEIC ACID. ()1 



41 atoms carbon, = 30-75 or per cent. 63-23 



33 atoms hydrogen, 4-125 ... 8*48 



1 atom azote, - =1-75 ... 3.60 



12 atoms oxygen, =12-00 ... 24-69 



48-625 100- 



If we suppose the acid in the choleate of soda analyzed to re- 

 tain 2 atoms of water, the atomic weight will be 50.875, which 

 approaches the result of the analysis of Demarcay, 1 atom wa- 

 ter would make the atomic weight 50-3125, which agrees very 

 nearly with the actual analysis of choleate of soda. 



A few only of the salts of choleic acid have hitherto been ex- 

 amined. The following are the facts which have been ascer- 

 tained. 



1. Choleate of Soda. To form this salt, (which constitutes 

 bile,) alcoholic solutions of choleic acid and of soda were mixed 

 together till the reaction became alkaline. Then a current of 

 carbonic acid gas was passed through the solution for several 

 hours. Being left at rest, the carbonate of soda separated in 

 small crystals. The liquid was filtered and evaporated to dry- 

 ness. The residue readily dissolved in alcohol of 0-800 without 

 leaving any residue. Hence it was pure. 



The reaction of this salt is weakly alkaline. It has the taste 

 and properties of bile. When evaporated it leaves a brown re- 

 sinous magma, similar in appearance to choleic acid. When 

 dry it forms a yellow, very light, friable mass, which attracts hu- 

 midity from the atmosphere. It is soluble in all proportions in 

 water and alcohol. It melts at the same temperature as cho- 

 leic acid, and concretes into a brown and very friable mass. 

 When heated it behaves like bile. 



Bicholeate of Soda may be obtained by digesting choleic acid 

 over bicarbonate of soda. 



2. Choleate of Potash may be formed in the same way as cho- 

 late of soda, and possesses the same properties. 



3. Choleates of Barytes and Strontian are soluble in alcohol 

 and water. When evaporated they leave a resinous residue 

 like all the choleates. 



4. With oxide of lead choleic acid combines in two proportions. 

 When a solution of nitrate of lead is dropt into choleate of soda 

 a neutral choleate is formed. When diacetate of lead is em- 



