• ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL ASSOCIATION. 59 



experiments the muscular contractions, when once strongly excited, 

 whether by direct contact or through the medium of wire, do not at once 

 subside when the limbs are withdrawn from the influence of the Actinia, 

 Not unfrequently, after the limb is taken away out of reach of the Actinia 

 in the first experiments, or removed from the wire in the last, strong 

 muscular contractions continue to take place for from three to five 

 minutes. 



All the varieties of Actinia which have hitherto been made the 

 subject of experiment have given similar evidence of electric power, but 

 by no means in an equal degree. The large varieties are found, in pro- 

 portion to their size, much feebler than those of less dimensions, and any 

 attempt to succeed in the experiment with the copper wire has failed 

 with them. 



A somewhat similar observation has been made by Dr. John Davy 

 regarding the Torpedo, for he tells us* " that he has seen strong viva- 

 cious fish, which made great muscular exertions in the water, almost or 

 entirely destitute of electrical action." 



It is obvious that, in creatures of such moderate dimensions as Ac- 

 tiniae, of so peculiar a form, and of such feeble power, much difficulty 

 is to be expected in demonstrating the other experimental effects which 

 animal electricity is capable of producing in common with other elec- 

 tricities, viz., magnetic deflection, magnetizing-needles, spark, heating 

 power, chemical action ; and it must be admitted, that all experiments 

 hitherto undertaken on this subject have been attended with negative 

 results. 



I hope, and indeed expect, when further opportunities are afforded 

 of examining these creatures in health and vigour in their native pools, 

 to obtain more satisfactory results on these points, when I shall look for- 

 ward to the pleasure of making a further communication on the subject. 



Dr. E. Percival "Wright mentioned that the species operated with were 

 Actinia metembrianthmwn, Bunodw crassicornis, and Anthea cereus. 



Rev. Joseph Greene, M. A., exhibited specimens of the very rare 

 DeiUphila galii, in the most beautiful state of preservation, taken 

 near Deal ; also a hybrid moth, bred from Smerinthus populi and S. 

 ocellatus. 



* •• Pliilosophical Transaction*," p. 548. 1834. 



