30 ON THE NATUltE AND ACTION OF THE 



considerable height, as in the following experiment. A similar 

 condition is sometimes observed in warm-blooded animals, as in 

 Experiment LX. The motor paralysis increases, no motion 

 follows the application of any irritant, however powerful ; but 

 even then sensation exists, as is seen from Experiment LXXVI. 

 The heart continues to beat after all motion in the body has 

 ceased ; but its pulsations become gradually slower, and at last 

 cease altogether. 



Experiment VIII. 



September 12th, 1873. — Three frogs of nearly equal size were 

 selected, and a dose of dried cobra-poison dissolved in water 

 was injected into the dorsal lymph-sac of each. The quantity 

 injected into No. 1 was estimated to be equal to three or four 

 drops of the fresh poison, that into No. 2 about a drop, and into 

 No. 3 about half a drop. These estimates, however, are not to 

 be absolutely depended on. 



The injection was made into all three about 3 p.m. 



3.17. Nos. 1 and 2 are sitting with the head much more erect 

 than usual and the belly depressed. No. 3 has the head 

 depressed between the fore paws. 



3.22. No. 3 is now sitting up in the normal posture. 



4. No. 1 lies quite quiet ; when moved its limbs give a slight 

 wriggle. Applied strong acetic acid to its legs ; after many 

 seconds it gave a faint wriggle. No. 2 also lies quiet. When 

 its legs are pulled back it can still wriggle them up towards its 

 body. When held up it can kick well. After being placed on 

 the table it suddenly, and without any apparent reason, sprung 

 up to a considerable height. No. 3 presents the same appearance 

 as No. 2, but seems more paralysed. 



4.5. No. 1 does not react at all to any painful stimulus. 

 Nos. 2 and 3 wriggle their legs when pinched. The observation 

 was now discontinued. Next morning all three were dead. 



Action on Lizards. 



The action of cobra-poison upon lizards seems very similar 

 to that which it has upon frogs ; the animal becomes sluggish 

 and difficult to rouse ; and the bitten part is affected by 



