386 Proceedijigs of Scientific Societies. 



Mr. Lea had frequently observed sparks from a common grate. 



In reference to the results of experiments by Dr. Patterson, in which 

 no evidence of the development of electricity was observed in metals, 

 whilst undergoincr a change from the liquid to the solid state, Dr. God- 

 dard observed, that in cases of crystallization on the large scale, as of 

 nitre, in the extensive chemical works of Mr. Weiherill, a beautiful flash 

 of electrical light was apparent. 



Professor Rogers suggested, that in ordinary combustion there may be 

 a constant development of electricity, and that means may possibly be 

 found to render it apparent by perfect insulation. 



Professor Henry stated that Pouillet had found that electricity is devel- 

 oped by the combustion of charcoal, and he offered some suggestions as 

 to the mode of rendering the electricity, given off from a stove, apparent, 

 by insulating it both above and below. 



Dr. Emerson thought that the change of state from solid to liquid, and 

 from liquid to solid, might account for various electrical phenomena pre- 

 sented by the animal body. Dr. Hare suggested the difficulty, that the 

 human body is a good conductor; and that without a peculiar organiza- 

 tion, analogous to that with which nature has endowed the Torpedo or 

 Gymnotus, it is inconceivable that electrical discharges could arise from 

 vital organization. He believed it was admitted by electricians, that 

 there could be no electrical excitement without the existence of the oppo- 

 site electricities. T^greeably to the published facts of the case to which 

 he had alluded, the lady was permanently in one state of excitem.ent, gen- 

 erating electricity, as animal heat is generated, and throwing off the 

 excess in sparks. 



In the case of the Gymnotus, the intensity. Dr. Hare remarked, is so 

 low that sparks are with difficulty rendered apparent at a kerf made by a 

 knife in tinlbil; of course the sparks alleged to be given by the lady, 

 were vastly more intense. From the Gymnotus, sparks could only be 

 received by forming a circuit with a portion of the organic series situate 

 parallel to the spine. Contact in a transverse direction was not produc= 

 tive of any discharge. 



IL Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Com- 

 piled from the records of the society. 



May 20, 1840. — J. E. Teschemacher, Esq., in the chair. 



Dr. Enoch Hale read a letter from Rev. Thomas S. Savage, M. D., a 

 missionary at Cape Palmas, West Africa, accompanying which was a val- 

 uable donation of entomological and other specimens. The following is 

 the portion of the letter relating to the specimens. 



