10 



ten to twelve prepared frogs, in the following 

 manner : nerve, muscle, a sponge dipped into a 

 solution of muriate of ammonia, nerve, muscle, 

 &c. and obtained from this pile distinct signs of 

 galvanic action. ^By this he wished to prove, that 

 nerves and muscles may act as electromotors.^ 

 But it is difficult to determine what value such 

 experiments can have in reference to the subject 

 in question ; for it is more than probable, that 

 electricity may be produced here, and act on the 

 expiring life, without its proving that the action 

 of the nervous system of the living animal bore 

 the least analogy to the experiment. Lately, 

 EVERARD HOME has tried to explain the ani- 

 mal secretions, from the changes which the dis- 

 charge of the electric pile produces on liquids ; 

 but, if on the one hand, it be found by future ex- 

 periments, that electricity identifies itself with 

 chemical affinity, and consequently a change of 

 composition is not to be expected without the co- 

 operation of electricity ; yet, on the other hand, 

 the effect of the pile, both on animal and unorga- 

 nic liquids, has nothing at all analogous with the 

 secretions; and by applying this chemical agent 

 to explain the subject, we gain not the least in- 

 formation. 



