196 SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF TORREY BOTANICAL CLUB 
Applying Panaeolus infusion successively at 4 or 5 points 
between the original central and peripheral electrodes showed that 
the infusion had to be applied more often and for a longer period 
before electrical stimulation of the nerve failed to produce a 
muscular response and the infusion had very little effect when 
applied to the nerve 5 to 8 mm. from the muscle. These observa- 
tions were repeated many times and in all cases application of P. 
venenosus infusion to the cut end was more effective than on the 
muscle end of the nerve. А .3 per cent isotonic solution of 
cocaine applied to the sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle prep- 
aration gave me in the main similar results to that obtained with 
Panaeolus infusion. The effects of cocaine observed here are like: 
the results obtained by Mosso (1890) in his work on the effect of 
cocaine on motor nerves, although Mosso's method of experimenta- 
tion was diff tfrom mine. The interesting fact is that Panaeolus 
infusions showed the local paralyzing effects so well known for 
cocaine. 
THE EFFECT OF PANAEOLUS INFUSIONS ON THE HEART AND 
VAGUS NERVES 
The increased rate of heart-beat noted in injection of Panaeolus 
infusions into the circulation of the cat led to the investigation of 
the effect of this infusion on the heart and vagus nerves of the frog 
and the turtle. Preliminary experiments were made on frogs. 
After pithing the animals the two vagus nerves were exposed, and 
electrodes were attached. Each nerve was tested for its power 
to inhibit the heart-action. The apex of the heart was attached 
to a writing lever and the contractions were recorded on a slowly 
revolving drum. After normal and complete inhibition on stimu- 
lating each nerve had been recorded, a Panaeolus infusion was 
painted on the right vagus with a camel’s-hair brush at a point 
between the electrodes and the heart. No effects on the heart 
were noticed and after 30 seconds the vagus was stimulated with 
the electric current. Тһе heart-beat instead of stopping became 
slower than usual and the contraction became greater. After 
three to four minutes electrical stimulation produced no effect 
even on the rate of the heart-beat (see GRAPHS Nos. І and 2). 
Later the effects of the Panaeolus infusion slowly disappeared and 
