4 HISTORY OF GALVANISM. 



crural nerve of one of the frogs that was not far 

 from the prime conductor, when it was observed, 

 that the muscles of the limb were instantly 

 thrown into strong convulsions. This experiment 

 was performed in the absence of the Professor, 

 but it was noticed by his lady, who was much 

 struck with the appearance, and communicated it 

 to her husband. He repeated the experiment, 

 varied it in different ways, and perceived that the 

 convulsions only took place when a spark was 

 drawn from the prime conductor, while the nerve 

 of the frog was, at the same time, touched with a 

 substance which was a conductor of electricity. 

 At the time that this accidental discovery was 

 made, Galvani was engaged in a set of experi- 

 ments, the object of which was to prove that 

 muscular motion depends upon electricity ; and 

 it appeared, in a very remarkable manner, to 

 K v confirm his hypothesis ; so that he was induced to 



prosecute the inquiry with redoubled diligence.* 

 prepared When a frog was so placed as to form part of 

 the electric circuit, it was found that an extremely 

 minute quantity of electricity produced contrac- 

 tions in the muscles. If the hind legs were dis- 

 sected from the body, the connexion being kept up 

 by the crural nerves only, and the electric fluid was 

 passed through it in this state, a still more minute 

 quantity was rendered visible ; so that a frog, 

 prepared in this manner, was capable of exhibiting 



* Eloge de Galvani, par Alibert. 



