36o Notices respecting Neio Books. 



suniountable, but the theory of these vital actions requires 

 still further research. Geoffroy* has proved that rays, 

 \vhich do not exhibit any marks of electricity, possess or- 

 g;ins very analogous to those of the torpedo. The least 

 injury of the brain of this animal prevents its electrical 

 action. The nerves, thLrefore, without do^ibt, act the 

 chief part in the production of these phaenomena; and the 

 physiologist, who takes a general ana enlarged view of the 

 vital actions, would with reason oppose the ideas of the 

 philosopher, who conceives he can explain the whole by 

 the contact of the albuniino-gelatinous pulp with the ten- 

 dinous septa which nature has combined in the formation 

 of the organs of the torpedo. 



LXVIII. Notices respecting New Books. 



X hi; Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of 

 London for ISOo, Part IL, contain the following papers: 



1. Abstract of Observations on a Diurnal Variation of the 

 Barometer between the Tropics. By J. Horsburgh, Esq.-r- 



2. Concerning the Difference in the Magnetic Needle, on 

 board the Investigator, arising from an Alteration in the 

 Direction of the Ship's Head. By Matthew Flinders, Esq. 

 Commander of His Majesty's Ship Investigator.— 3. The 

 Physiology of the Stapes, one of the Bones of the Organ 

 of Hearing ; deduced from a comparative View of its 

 Structure and Uics in different Animals. By Anthony 

 Carlisle, Esq. F. R. S. — 4. On an Artificial Substance 

 which possesses the principal characteristic Properties of 

 Tannin. By Charles Hatchett, Esq. F. R.S. — 3. The Case 

 of a full grown Woman in whom the Ovaria were deficient. 

 By Mr. Charles Pears, F.L.S. — 6. A Description of Mal- 

 formation in the Heart of an Infant. By Mr. Hugh 

 Chudleigh Standart. — 7. On a Method of analysing Stones 

 containing tixed Alkali, by means of the Boracic Acid. 

 By Humphrey Davy, Esq. F.R.S. — S. On the Direction 

 and Velocity of the Motion of the Sun aiKl Solar System. 

 By William Herschel, LL.D. F.R.S.—g. On the Repro- 

 duction of Puds. . Bv Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. 

 P\R.S. — 10. Some Account of Two Munmncs of the 

 Egyptian Ibis, one of which was in a remarkably perfect 



• For M. Gcoffrov's paper, see Phil. Mng. vol. iv. p. ISC. 



State. 



