COMPOUNDS OF ORGANIZATION. 77 



or azote. Some of them are peculiar to the animal king- 

 dom, others exist in equal abundance in plants. 



A. Uric Acid. This acid, which has likewise been 

 termed Lithic, exists in considerable abundance in urine, 

 and in urinary calculi. It is likewise found in the excre- 

 ments of birds, reptiles and insects. In all the situations 

 in which it is found, it appears to be a production of the 

 kidneys, or organs exercising an analogous function. 



B. Lactic Acid. This acid, which the French chemists 

 endeavoured to prove to be the same with the acetic acid, 

 is ascertained by BEKZELIUS to be a peculiar acid *. It 

 is of very general occurrence in the animal fluids, in com- 

 bination with soda or ammonia. It is found uncombined 

 in muscular flesh. 



C. Amniotic Acid. This substance was discovered in 

 the liquor amnii of the cow, by VAUQUELIX and BUNIVA, 

 and obtained in white crystals by evaporating that liquid 

 slowly. It is soluble in heated water, and alcohol, and 

 bears the nearest resemblance in its properties to the two 

 acids which have been enumerated. Dr PROUT did not 

 succeed in finding this substance in the uterus of a cow 

 slaughtered in an early period of her gestation (. 



D. Formic Acid. This acid is obtained by infusing 

 ants in water, and drawing it off by distillation. The wa- 

 ter in the receiver contains the formic acid. By some, it 

 is regarded as analogous to the acetic acid, and by others, 

 as a mixture of the acetic and malic acids. 



The preceding acids are peculiar to the animal king- 

 dom ; those now to be enumerated are likewise found in 

 the juices of plants. 



E. Benzole Acid exists in considerable abundance, in. 



* Annals of Phil, ii. 201. f Annals of Phil. v. 410. 



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