47 



secretion, and generation, which are va.. 

 rious in their structure in the different 

 tribes of animals. 



In vegetables, and in some moluscse, 

 no traces of nerves arc discoverable. 

 The nervous system begins in a simple 

 form, and seems to increase in complexity 

 up to man. But this will make the 

 subject of the next lecture. Mr. Hunter 

 also shews us that there are animals, as 

 for instance the torpedo and gymnotus, 

 which have organs liberally supplied with 

 nerves, forming an electric battery 

 which they can charge at will. Such 

 facts shew to what a degree electricity 

 exists in these animals, and how greatly 

 it is under the influence or control of 

 the nervous system ; and they could not fail 

 to make a strong impression on the con- 

 templative and deeply meditating mind of 

 Mr. Hunter. 



