and secretions of some of the amphibia . 305 
by snakes is very great, more even than might be expected 
from the size of their kidneys ; it is not unusual to see masses 
weighing three or four ounces, voided by large snakes. 
The chemical nature of this urine was such as I expected 
to find it ; I say expected, because before 1 left England, I was 
told by Dr. Prout, that he had examined the excrement of a 
serpent in London, and had ascertained that it was nearly pure 
uric acid ; such have I found it here in every instance, in at least 
eight that I have tried it ; and the properties of that fresh from 
the ureter, were precisely the same as of that contained in the 
receptacle, or of that voided. Before the blow-pipe, it emitted 
strong ammoniacal fumes, consumed without flame, and 
afforded only a very minute quantity of ash, consisting chiefly 
of phosphate of lime, and a fixed alkaline phosphate, and a 
little carbonate of lime ; in muriatic acid it was insoluble ; in 
warm dilute nitric acid it was soluble with effervescence ; and 
the solution evaporated, afforded the pink residue almost 
peculiar to uric acid ; in an alkaline ley it was soluble, and 
the solution was precipitated by muriatic acid. These pro- 
perties sufficiently prove, that the nature of the urine of 
snakes is as above stated. Besides uric acid, I have not been 
able to detect any other ingredient, nor do I believe that the 
urine contains any other, with the exception of a little dilute 
mucus, with which it is mixed and lubricated. 
2. Of the urinary organs, and urine of lizards. 
I have examined the urinary organs of four different 
species of lizard, the gecko iguana, a large species resembling 
the iguana, called by the natives kobbera-guion,* and the 
* For an account of this animal, see Knox’s History of Ceylon. 
