ON ANIMAL SECRETIONS. ] 4. [ 



The fluid in the positive cup was rather turbid, it red- 

 dened litmus, and was slightly acid to the taste. On stand-j 

 iug, it deposited a few flakes of albumen. When evapo- 

 rated, it afforded saline matter, with excess of acid, (super 

 salts.) 



By these experiments it is ascertained, that a low nega- Result*, 

 tive power of electricity separates from the serum of the 

 blood an alkaline solution of albumen ; that a low positive 

 power separates albumen with acid, and the salts of the 

 blood. That with one degree of power, albumen is sepa- 

 rated in a solid form, with a less degree, it is separated in a 

 fluid form. 



From these facts the following queries are proposed. 



1st. That such decomposition of the blood by electricity General con- 

 may be as near an approach to secretion, as could be ex- clirtfomj 

 pected to be produced by the artificial means at present in 

 our power. 



2d. That a weaker power of electricity, than any that can 

 be readily kept up by art, may be«capable of separating 

 from the blood, the different parts of which it is com- 

 posed, and forming new combinations of the parts so sepa- 

 rated. 



3d. That the structure of the nerves may fit them to have 

 •a low electrical power, which can be employed for that pur- 

 pose, and as such low powers are not influenced by imper- 

 fect conductors, as animal fluids, the nerves wilL not be 

 robbed of their electricity by the surrounding parts. 



4th. That the discovery of an electrical power, which can 

 separate albumen from the blood in a fluid state, and ano- 

 ther that separates it in a solid (late, may explain the mode 

 in which different animal solids and fluids may be pro- 

 duced, since, according to Mr. Hatchett'b experiments, al- 

 bumen is the principal material of which animal bodies arc 

 composed. 



5. That the nerves of the torpedo may not only keep the 

 electric organ under the command of the will, but charge 

 the battery, by secreting the fluid between the plates, that 

 is necessary for its activity. 



6. As albumen becomes visibly coagulated, by the effect 

 produced from twelve four-inch double plates of copper and 



iroo 



