OF BAEON HUMBOLDT. 71 



points analogous to galvanism. The results of 

 these observations and experiments he pub- 

 lished in a work entitled " Ueber die gereizte 

 Muskel und Nervenfaser " (the Irritated Fibre 

 of the Muscles and the JSTerves), furnishing new 

 and important information regarding the effect 

 of galvanic chains from animal substances. His 

 interest in the phenomena of this power of 

 nature upon living animals we find in his sub- 

 sequent observations in South America, with 

 reference to the peculiar operation of electricity 

 in so-called electric fishes. 



Much regretted by his numerous friends, 

 Humboldt left Jena in the spring, engaged in 

 the realization of his plans to visit the West 

 Indies. Even Gothe had profited by the ani- 

 mating influence of Alexander von Humboldt 

 during his short sojourn in Jena ; for in a sub- 

 sequent letter addressed to Schiller he said : 

 " I spent my time with Alexander von Hum- 

 boldt very pleasantly and usefully. My labours 

 in natural philosophy have been, by his pre- 

 sence, again aroused from their winter sleep." 



A variety of circumstances conspired to 

 cause delay and disappointment in Humboldt' s 

 intended travels ; and even a short visit to the 

 south of Italy was frustrated on account of 

 the war. For although the French had been 



