216 W. Gibbs on the action of the 
in the liquid resulting from the action of nitrous acid gas upon 
uric acid ; it is therefore shown that the gas simply exerts an 
oxydizing action analogous to that of dilute nitric acid. When 
uric acid is heated with an alkaline solution of potassic or sodic 
nitrite no sensible reaction occurs. e addition of any strong 
acid produces a violent effervescence and the uric acid soon dis- 
appears. The solution on evaporation is found to contain only 
salts of the alkaline metal and the usual products of the oxyd- 
ation of uric by nitric acid. In this case alse nitrous acid ex- 
erts no specific action. : 
en on the contrary acetic acid is present in small excess 
the alkaline nitrite acts in a wholly different manner. The uric 
acid dissolves with effervescence arising from the escape of 
carbonic acid, nitrogen and nitric oxyd, and a clear pale yellow 
liquid is obtained, The action is greatly facilitated by heating 
the mixture upon a waterbath and adding the alkaline nitrite 
and acetic acid alternately until-the whole of the uric acid dis- 
appears, acetic acid being in small excess. On cooling, the 
Before the completion of my investigation I discovered, how- 
! i id. Crude uric acid 
from guano is to be dissolved in a solution of caustic potash, 
any large excess of the alkali being avoided. To the solution 
potassic dichromate is added in quantity equal to about 5 per 
cent of the uric acid employed. The solution is to be boiled 
OE Se ae eT en a ee 
