386 INNERVATION. [CHAP.XI. 



circuit ; but in the second period, one limb contracts on opening, the other on 

 closing, so that the limbs are made to kick alternately, that which is traversed 

 by the direct current on closing, and that by the inverse current on opening. 



It is impossible to observe these curious phenomena, whether of the mus- 

 cular current, or of the effects of electricity on nerves, without perceiving 

 how utterly inexplicable they are by the electrical theory of nervous power, 

 or, indeed, how much opposed they are to such a view. They serve, in the 

 most remarkable manner, to confirm the views which we have advocated in a 

 former chapter, which regard the nervous power as a polar force developed by 

 molecular changes in nerves excited by various stimuli, of which, next to the 

 mental, that of electricity is the most powerful. 



We have already (p. 244) given the general results of Professor Matteucci's 

 very interesting series of experiments on the torpedo. We shall content 

 ourselves, now, with remarking that he has succeeded in illustrating very 

 strikingly the marked analogy between the actions of the electrical organ and 

 those of muscle, and the relation which each bears to the nervous system. 

 Both are organised to act in a particular way ; the one to develop electricity 

 without any visible change in itself ; the other to contract, with a demonstra- 

 ble evolution of both heat and electricity. Both will manifest their peculiar 

 phenomena by direct irritation, or by indirect irritation through the nerves. 

 Both are brought under the control of the will by the nerves ; the section of 

 which paralyses the influence of the will over both, but does not destroy the 

 peculiar power of either. In the electrical fish, irritation of the electrical 

 lobe of the brain is capable of exciting a discharge of the organ ; just as irri- 

 tation of a segment of the spinal cord causes contraction of the muscles sup- 

 plied by it. A current of electricity transmitted through the electrical organ 

 or its nerves, causes discharge ; and a similar current sent through a muscle 

 or its nerves, causes it to contract. All the circumstances which modify the 

 nutrition of muscle, will similarly affect that of the electrical organ.* 



* Trait6 des ph6nom&nes 61ectro-physiologiqn.es des animaux, par C. Mat- 

 teucci ; suivi d' etudes anatomiques sur le systeme nerveux et sur 1'organe 

 electrique de la Torpille, par Paul Savi. Paris, 1844. 



